By Kaylee Brewster
kbrewster@lmtribune.com
Summer is upon us, which means it’s time for studios to pump out films — franchises, sequels, remakes, spinoffs, adaptations and blockbusters — faster than we can line up at the theater. Here’s a quick look at some of the season’s most anticipated popular releases.
“Deadpool 2”
What it’s about: Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) stops the time-traveling Cable (Josh Brolin) from killing a young mutant.
Why we’re excited: Marvel’s “merc with a mouth” — the moniker Deadpool has a received for being for a foul-mouth, talkative and sarcastic mercenary — returns for more violent and fourth-wall breaking fun.
Release date: May 18
“Solo: A Star Wars Story”
What it’s about: The debonair Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) in his younger years and how he become the famous smuggler.
Why we’re excited: It’s “Star Wars” and it’s Han Solo. What more needs to be said?
Release date: May 25
“Ocean’s 8”
What it’s about: An all-female crew plans a robbery at the Met Gala.
Why we’re excited: “Ocean’s Eleven” but with A-list actresses? Yes please.
Release date: June 8
“Incredibles 2”
What it’s about: Mr. Incredible (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) becomes a stay-at-home dad while Elastigirl (voiced by Holly Hunter) goes out to save the world.
Why we’re excited: Fans have eagerly awaited “The Incredibles” sequel since 2004, when the first film was released.
Release date: June 15
“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”
What it’s about: Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) return to the island to save the dinosaurs.
Why we’re excited: More dinosaurs. More Pratt playing with velociraptors. But mostly, the return of Jeff Goldblum.
Release date: June 22
“The Hustle”
What it’s about: A remake of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” but with Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson playing the two con-artists.
Why we’re excited: With Hathaway and Wilson as the leads, the remake promises to keep the back-and-forth antics and laughter on full blast, just like the original.
Release date: June 29
“Ant-Man and the Wasp”
What it’s about: Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), teams up with a new partner, Hope, aka the Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), to stop a new villain.
Why we’re excited: Really we just want to see the return of Michael Pena’s fast-talking character Luis.
Release date: July 6
“Skyscraper”
What it’s about: Criminals take over a huge skyscraper, and our hero (Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson) tries to save his family.
Why we’re excited: The Rock in a far-fetched action movie, what could be better?
Release date: July 13
“The Equalizer 2”
What it’s about: Denzel Washington returns to play Robert McCall, a former CIA operative turned vigilante.
Why we’re excited: Washington is always a pleasure to watch, especially when he beats people up without breaking a sweat.
Release date: July 20
“Mama Mia! Here We Go Again”
What it’s about: The main cast is back with a few fresh faces for a sequel to “Mama Mia” that cuts back and forth from the past, when a young Donna (Lily James) is pregnant with Sophie, to the present when Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) goes through her own pregnancy.
Why we’re excited: More ABBA music, more fun — but now with Cher.
Release date: July 20
“Mission Impossible — Fallout”
What it’s about: More impossible missions with Ethan (Tom Cruise) and the rest of the Impossible Mission Force.
Why we’re excited: The franchise has had some hits over the past few years, and Cruise always has a new and exciting stunt.
Release date: July 27
“Teen Titans Go! To The Movies”
What it’s about: In this animated feature based on the Cartoon Network show, a villain’s plan for world domination distracts the crime-fighting team from goals of Hollywood stardom.
Why we’re excited: For those who enjoyed “The Lego Batman Movie” this appears to be another family-friendly romp into a lighter version of the DC universe. Plus, it has a star-studded cast featuring Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Will Arnett and James Corden.
Release date: July 27
“Christopher Robin”
What it’s about: In this live-action story, a grown up Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) needs help from his old friend Winnie-the-Pooh (Jim Cummings).
Why we’re excited: A nostalgic look back on a favorite childhood character? Sign me up.
Release date: Aug. 3
“The Spy Who Dumped Me”
What it’s about: Two best friends (Kate McKinnon and Mila Kunis) fight off assassins when one of their exes shows up and reveals his dangerous spy life.
Why we’re excited: McKinnon and Kunis together being funny in a James Bond spoof.
Release date: Aug. 3
“The Darkest Minds”
What it’s about: Kids with superpowers try to survive as the government hunts them down.
Why we’re excited: The story is basically X-Men, but adapted from a Young Adult novel instead of comic books.
Release date: Aug. 3
“The Meg”
What it’s about: A giant shark.
Why we’re excited: Jason Statham fighting said giant shark.
Release date: Aug. 10
“Crazy Rich Asians”
What it’s about: A woman goes to visit her boyfriend’s family in Singapore and finds out they’re crazy rich.
Why we’re excited: A fun and funny story of class clashes with Michelle Yeoh playing a stern mother. The movie’s based on the international bestselling book by Kevin Kwan.
Release date: Aug. 17
