To the Theater and Beyond: A Recap of 2026's Summer Movies (Part Three - July)

Leviticus (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home)

The horror genre has seen many highs this summer, and this underdog of its catalog reached some of its biggest heights! Set in a suspicious Australian town, this psychological outing focuses on Naim, a teenager troubled by the recent death of his father. As he and his mother settle into their new home, he meets a companion named Ryan, and the two begin a romantic relationship. But after they are forced to undergo a horrifying ritual, the boys find themselves tormented by a malicious entity—which takes the form of who Naim and Ryan desire most: each other—leaving them in a fight for survival as they question their own realities. 

This film did not get much traction during its theatrical run, being released in fewer theaters than its competition and ultimately being forgotten about rather quickly. But after checking it out for myself, I can easily classify it as one of the year's most overlooked features, especially in the horror genre. The movie succeeds at consistently building tension from the moment it starts, balancing out a dramatic story with numerous scary moments in a frighteningly engaging fashion. 

It doesn’t rely heavily on jumpscares or fakeout tactics—unlike a lot of modern horror movies—instead opting for an atmospheric build through its horrific antagonist, resulting in an intense viewing experience which kept me guessing the whole way through.

What makes the movie’s villainous entity is the way it functions: by taking the form of whoever its victim desires the most, right down to how they move and interact. As such, it makes the second half of the movie especially tense, as it is never clear when Naim and Ryan are themselves, or when the entity is playing a trick on them. 

Mixed with the outstanding lead performances from Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen, respectively, it gives the movie a tone that’s as frightening as it is heartbreaking. Even amid all the chaos and mental destruction of the protagonists, the film still manages to have a prominent emotional core thanks to its incredible screenplay and character development. 

Naim and Ryan share an authentic relationship with each other, while facing ostracism from their surrounding community, struggling to find true acceptance and only finding comfort in each other’s company. This not only gives both of them a distinct arc, but it also adds to the overall horror as viewers panic over the entity’s whereabouts. Not to mention, their relationship allows the film to utilize several significant LGBTQ+ related themes—including self identity and acceptance. Ultimately, it makes the film as compelling of a drama as it is terrifying of a horror movie, making it a standout competitor of the genre absolutely worth the attention of fans.

Minions & Monsters (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home)

Get ready to stock up on bananas, because a lovable horde of troublemakers are ready to cause chaos in their latest cinematic adventure! Set in the 1920s, this film centers on the titular minions as they travel through Hollywood, in search of a villain to serve. Three of them—James, Henry, and Ed—discover a passion for filmmaking, and break away from the tribe to make their own monster movie. This leads them to magically summon a Cthulhu-like creature, Goomi, who takes them on a quest to recruit a cast of horrifying monsters, some with more threatening intent than others. 

A staple franchise of my childhood—and one I remain nostalgic for—was Despicable Me, as I loved all of the hilarious antics the hyperactive minions would get into. I went into this movie conflicted, as I was happy to see the series continue to thrive, but I was also somewhat burnt out from its same old schtick. However, this movie climbed the ranks to become one of my biggest surprises of the entire season, largely thanks to how it embraces creativity to its advantage. Namely, its 1920s setting and cinema-themed storyline gives its protagonists something new to work with, providing a unique concept rather than just stopping the bad guy. 

Granted, it is not a perfect movie, as—much like its predecessors—it deals with a share of writing issues, which in turn throw off its pacing. The biggest example is a subplot involving two side characters: Dort and Debbie, who a side troop of the minions encounter and follow. Whenever the film shied away from the main monster story, cutting to scenes with these two, the story came to a screeching halt, with many of them feeling padded and insignificant—aside from one admittedly funny moment towards the end. But getting to that point was a bit tedious, as the two’s romance feels rushed with no time to truly develop either of them. 

Yet, despite this, the film still manages to be an incredibly fun time, especially in sequences when James, Henry, and Ed prepare to make their movie. Through a combination of creative pratfalls, witty interactions, clever references, and prominent energy, the movie is funny and enjoyable from start to finish. 

Simultaneously, its animation is full of vibrant colors and creative creature designs, while its cast gives committed and humorous performances—some standouts include Pierre Coffin as all the minions, Trey Parker as Goomi, and Christoph Waltz as film director Max. This movie not only keeps the Despicable Me franchise fresh, but it makes for a very fun feature all around, in turn making for a monstrously good time.

Young Washington (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home)

In honor of America's 250th anniversary, it's only fitting that one of the country's pioneering figures got his story told on the big screen! As the title suggests, this movie is based on the early life of Founding Father George Washington, specifically chronicling his journey and role in the French and Indian War. Delving into his childhood and early military experiences along the way, the film tracks Washington as he begins to build his reputation, all culminating in a fateful battle which puts him directly on the front lines. 

This movie is the embodiment of the classic saying, “every rose has its thorn.” Although there have been many fun and even outstanding blockbusters, this film was the biggest sore thumb of the entire lot I saw in theaters. Not to say it was a dreadful experience, as there were a few enjoyable aspects which at least kept it somewhat watchable. 

Namely, the cinematography is fairly pleasing, as it captures the look of the 1700s through dimly-lit locations and massive open fields, which compliment the movie’s few battle sequences. I even enjoyed some of the cast for their dedicated and grounded performances—especially Andy Serkis as General Edward Braddock.

Unfortunately, the rest of the movie fumbles as it commits a cardinal sin for a summer blockbuster: it lacks any sort of real engagement factor. Sure, some of the action can be engaging, but the overall structure is extremely dull. Not only does it follow a paint-by-numbers story with a lack of major stakes, but the characters are all one note, with most of their development being resorted to unengaged exposition between one another—mainly Washington himself. It got to a point where I was essentially dozing in and out of consciousness throughout the movie, as most of its content consists of boring conversations between uninteresting characters rather than an insightful examination of Washington’s early experiences. 

Even the technical aspects do the movie no favors. Namely, the editing falls victim to emphasizing the film’s style over its substance. For every promising action scene, there is an over-abundance of slow-motion, practically turning this historical drama into a superhero movie. While effective in one or two shots, the rest of it feels like a drawn out gimmick that does nothing but pad the film. 

Not helping is the fact that it uses artificial intelligence for some of its shots—as confirmed by the director—giving it an additional layer of ugliness which squanders its overall visual potential. All of these factors combined lead to a film that feels more lacking than anything else, and a major disappointment considering the cherry tree of potential it had.

Evil Dead Burn (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home)

Keep the doors locked and watch every corner, because one of horror's most terrifying names has returned to cause a gory ruckus! Serving as the sixth installment of the Evil Dead franchise, this movie centers on the Price family, who are unceremoniously brought together following a freakish accident which kills one of them. During their reunion, they find themselves tormented by Deadites—ruthless demons who possess and murder anything in their way—summoned by a demonic incantation. With nowhere to run, the family must fight for their lives and destroy the Deadites before the entire bloodline is eradicated.

Ever since its creation in 1981, the Evil Dead series has been notorious for introducing audiences to some of the most gory onscreen chaos ever seen in the horror genre. The newest installment continues that trend, in one of the season’s most gritty, brutal, and all around shocking mainstream movies. 

This is not a film for the faint of heart; if you do not like overly bloody movies with emphasized brutality, it might be best to skip this one. But for me, who has been a fan of this franchise for as long as I’ve watched horror movies, I thought this was yet another effective installment, thanks largely in part to how it approaches its conflict. 

Rather than its predecessors, this film primarily focuses on one family as they suffer the curse of the Deadites, adding a personal layer to the overarching threat as they are possessed and brutalized right in front of each other. It is accompanied by a well-crafted story, which features strong character moments and even a few noteworthy arcs. My personal favorite came from the main protagonist, Alice, as she struggles to fit in with her in-laws while dealing with her own personal trauma. 

I won’t spoil anything, but I will say that her connection to the driving threat is much bigger than I initially expected, and pays off unforgettably in the movie’s very bloody climax. Granted, the characters often make dumb decisions which tempted me to shout at the screen, but the overall sense of dread from the personal stakes kept the movie worthwhile. 

Further benefitting it is the outstanding effects and setpieces, which do a terrifyingly phenomenal job at letting the terror bleed through the screen. Whether it be the glowing eyes and distorted voices of the Deadites, shocking body horror and mutilations, or a final battle involving a boiling pit of tar, the movie stays true to Evil Dead’s foundation while coming up with fresh ways to keep fans on the edge of their seats. All the while, it makes use of long tracking shots, rotating effects, and many other unique camera tricks to add to the intensity. Its graphic content might not be for everybody, but for horror fans like myself, this film serves as yet another blaze of glory for the genre.

The Odyssey (In Theaters Now)

One of the most acclaimed directors in all of Hollywood is finally back on the big screen, with what could be the most revolutionary film of the entire summer! Based on Homer's epic poem of the same name, The Odyssey focuses on Odysseus, who was sent overseas to fight in the Trojan War. In its aftermath, he begins a long and perilous journey home, desperately seeking to reunite with his wife, Penelope. But his troubles do not end with the war, as he comes face-to-face with mythical creatures—including sirens, sea monsters, and a cyclops—who threaten to end his army and his overall voyage.

This was not only my most anticipated film of the summer, but also of the year as a whole, largely because of who directed it: Christopher Nolan. Known for making some of the greatest blockbusters the film industry has ever seen—ranging from The Dark Knight and Oppenheimer to Dunkirk and Interstellar—I thought Nolan would be the perfect pick to adapt this iconic work of Greek mythology. As I exited the auditorium, I was left in complete awe as all of my expectations were exceeded in every way. The Odyssey not only succeeds from a technical and scope level, but also from just how incredibly it tells its story. 

The film explores a lot of different locations, creatures, and conflicts throughout its massive three-hour runtime, but it was paced steadily as each moment and subplot is given enough time to properly shine and develop. It treks Odysseus’s journey in great detail, while still allowing other characters—like Penelope and his son, Telemachus—to embrace the spotlight and develop their own characters, courtesy of engaging dialogue and motivations. 

They are all brought to life with flying colors by a massive ensemble cast, with Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Robert Pattinson delivering some of my favorite performances. It all culminates in what could be my favorite climax of the entire year so far, which includes an outstanding buildup to one of the year’s most satisfying action scenes.

That’s not even mentioning the phenomenal technical aspects like the chilling musical score from Ludwig Göransson, the impeccable sound design during the many fight and travel scenes, and the mindblowing cinematography of Hoyte van Hoytema. All of these technical aspects enhance the movie, especially in the many perils of Odysseus and his crew, which also feature an array of incredible effects. Whether it be a monstrous cyclops which towers over humans, a giant whirlpool which threatens to swallow a ship, or even a horrific transformation into a pig, this movie is full of surprises and beautiful visuals which help the journey feel almost realistic. 

Under Nolan’s direction, everything in this movie comes together in a near-perfect visual display, resulting in what could be my favorite film of the entire summer.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day (In Theaters Now)

Superheroes often have difficult days, but what if their identity behind the mask ceased to exist? That's what Marvel aims to answer in the latest installment of their extensive cinematic universe! Set in the aftermath of Spider-Man: No Way Home, this film reintroduces audiences to Peter Parker, who anonymously fights crime in New York City as Spider-Man. One day, a major threat emerges as his powers begin to undergo a shocking evolution. With time running out and his behavioral tendencies shifting, Parker must find a way to neutralize the threat and save the city, while trying to get his former friends to remember who he is. 

Spider-Man is my personal favorite superhero, so I’ll tell you without a hitch that some of his movie adaptations are better than others. However, Brand New Day ranks as one of the my favorite onscreen outings the character has had, quite possibly being the best standalone movie starring Tom Holland as the character. This mainly stems from just how well the film told its story, which is much more grounded compared to its predecessors. Gone are the days of exploring the multiverse or relying on Tony Stark (Iron Man) for guidance; this film instead opts to highlight Parker’s dark side, as he struggles to come to terms with his life essentially being reset. 

The movie uses its story to not only allow Parker to develop amid his life of anonymity, but also touch on important themes like coming to terms with the past and embracing your true self. All the while, it puts Parker through numerous trials and tribulations as the threat becomes more personal, targeting the people he loves the most—regardless of if or not they know who he is. 

The result is a film that’s more than just a silly superhero romp, also serving as an engaging character study as he struggles to overcome his emotional trauma and embrace his personal and professional lives. Holland plays the part flawlessly, perfectly balancing the dramatic sides of the character with the classic humor Spider-Man is known for, such as his banter with Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle—the Punisher. 

This movie works exceedingly well in the dramatic department, but it still maintains plenty of the webslinging action synonymous with the character. Under director Destin Daniel Cretton—known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings—the action sequences are all engaging, boasting terrific choreography and visuals which help viewers feel every swing, punch, and kick. Some standouts include a fight involving the Hulk, and a climactic confrontation between Parker and a villainous organization. The film finds time to have fun, while never shying away from the sheer drama and impact of Parker's situation, leading to a well-balanced movie which brings justice to the friendly neighborhood icon.