If you’re figuring out how to stay cool in the hundred-degree heat, summer sequels are about to hit theaters for the next two months. From romcoms to action-packed thrillers, this summer is all about buttery popcorn, wide screens and surround sound. Below are the seven must-see summer sequels soon to be released in theaters.
1. “Ocean’s 8”
Release date: June 8
From “Ocean’s 11” in 1960 and “Ocean’s Eleven” in 2011, both featuring all-male casts, “Ocean’s 8” shines a light on modern society with a full-fledged diverse female cast. Although it looks like it is only a comedic thriller, director Gary Ross was interested in female leads after directing “The Hunger Games.” “Ocean’s 8” is headlining the rest of the summer sequels to come by shying away from stereotypical roles and moving towards a more inclusive world.
Instead of the original heist films based in Las Vegas, “Ocean’s 8” brings viewers to New York City. Debbie Ocean, played by Sandra Bullock, is fresh out of jail and hungry for a new “job” — in the form of a $150 million necklace at the Met Gala.
Ocean recruits seven other experts in their various fields of stealth to devise a plan for their biggest heist yet. Will they be able to pull it off without getting caught? You’ll have to see the movie to find out.
2. “The Incredibles 2”
Release date: June 15
Leaving the world right where they left off, The Incredibles are back and better than ever. After a 14-year hiatus since the last movie, “The Incredibles 2” will be jam-packed with all of your favorite characters.
Elastigirl, voiced by Holly Hunter, is now the one with the job while Mr. Incredible, voiced by Craig Nelson, plays the unconventional role of a stay-at-home-dad. Mr. Incredible attempts to keep the house in check while dealing with his prepubescent children and Jack-Jack, who’s emerging superpowers are the strongest in the family.
“The Incredibles” ended 14 years ago with “The Underminer” emerging from the ground, leaving room for a possible sequel. However, it took writers more than a decade to come up with a storyline good enough to hit theaters.
This time around, Elastigirl is trying to help bring Supers back into the light, but the world faces a more immediate threat that needs more than just one Super. Longtime fans of the movie will be treated with fan-favorite characters Frozone, voiced by Samuel Jackson, and Edna Mode, voiced by Brad Bird.
3. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”
Release date: June 22
Similar to “Jurassic Park 2,” “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is back on Isla Nublar where the dinosaurs have been moving freely around the island for three years. An active volcano that is close to erupting and wiping out all the dinosaurs on the island brings former Jurassic World manager Claire Dearing, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, and Owen Grady, played by Chris Pratt, back to save the species.
Ian Malcolm, played by Jeff Goldblum, will make his first appearance in a “Jurassic” movie since “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” in 1997. Goldblum returns over two decades later to play a minor role in which he speaks to a panel about the dangers that dinosaurs pose to the human race. In the words of Malcolm: “These creatures were here before us. And if we’re not careful, they’re going to be hereafter.”
4. “The First Purge”
Release date: July 4
“The First Purge” premieres on Wednesday for the Fourth of July celebration. Whether or not the horror film will do well with a premiere in the middle of the week is up to the people that’ll be sitting in theaters. “The First Purge” looks to speak about the politics of the event, which is why the movie will be released on Independence Day.
In the “Purge” series, “The First Purge” is the fourth movie, but is based around the creation of the actual event where all crime is legal for 12 hours in the night. Purging is supposed to act as a way for people to release all of their aggression and anger for one night of the year, lowering the annual crime rate. However, the first purge sets the tone for all the other purges to come, so the government rigs the event in order for the purge’s future success.
5. “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”
Release date: July 20
Funny enough, the original “Mamma Mia!” was released on July 18, 2008, and will be just over a decade later that the second “Mamma Mia!” film hits theaters. The entire main cast is returning for the summer sequel including Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and many more.
Sophie, played by Seyfried, is now pregnant and in charge of the villa her mother Donna, played by Streep, came to create in Greece. Sophie invites her mother’s best friends to guide her while also learning more about how Donna came to settle in Greece, meet three eligible men and start up her own villa.
6. “The Equalizer 2”
Release date: July 20
CIA black ops operative Robert McCall, played by Denzel Washington, returns to the big screen after four years for “The Equalizer 2.” McCall is a trained government assassin that is out for blood. He seeks revenge on the people who killed his friend many years ago while simultaneously trying to save another kidnapped girl.
“The Equalizer 2” looks to be full of great fighting sequences, but will have to challenge “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” as both sequels share the same opening weekend. The rom-com may top the box office for that weekend over “The Equalizer 2” since there has been a longer hiatus and more excitement around “Mamma Mia!” than Washington’s thriller.
7. “Mission Impossible: Fallout”
Release date: July 27
The summer sequels close off with a bang as Impossible Mission Force (IMF) agent Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, returns to action for the sixth installment of the “Mission Impossible” series.
Hunt is accused of betraying his government, costing millions of lives to save his teammates and running away to fend for himself amidst a nuclear terrorism threat. Although chased by the CIA, the members of the IMF reunite to help Hunt stop the nuclear threat and prove that he is worthy of the government’s trust.
After more than 20 years playing an IMF agent, Cruise took the phrase “break a leg” to a literal extent while filming this movie. Known for performing his own stunts, Cruise broke his ankle while filming a scene where he jumped between two buildings.
Cruise was left out of filming for nine weeks but was able to get back in seven weeks by spending up to 10 hours a day in rehab. Let’s hope that the injury and rehab pay off in the film’s opening weekend.
