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

Scary Movie (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home)

Brace yourself for a new trip for horror and hilarity, as one of the most beloved names in the parody genre has returned to mainstream glory! In this resurrection of the cult favorite Scary Movie franchise, a masked killer begins wreaking havoc across the town of Woodville, New York. With the murderer's identity unknown, it is left up to an array of old and new characters to uncover the culprit, while getting into a slew of crass shenanigans along the way. 

As someone who is not a massive fan of the Scary Movie franchise, I found myself decently surprised by this film. It efficiently brings the series into the modern era—complete with several topical references—while staying true to its core identity. Right when the film begins, it establishes a highly humorous style which is consistently maintained for the remainder of the runtime, hurling jokes at the audience non-stop with a hyperactive energy courtesy of the cast—especially series veterans Anna Faris, Regina Hall, and Marlon & Shawn Wayans. 

I found myself laughing aloud fairly often—the first time I have done so with one of these movies since the original—especially in sequences which parody modern horror films like the recent Scream movies, Get Out, and The Substance. However, not every joke lands; for every clever callback to a popular horror movie, there is a dated subject matter or unfitting delivery. When the film acts as a horror satire, it works, unlike when it tries to be more of a standalone parody, where it becomes much more stupid and desperate for laughs. 

It feels like this movie tries too hard to be like last year's legacy sequel to The Naked Gun, prioritizing its humor over everything else. But while Naked Gun still managed to have a variety of jokes against an enjoyable crime plot, Scary Movie lacks a good story, instead opting to do more of an Easter egg hunt of pop culture references. While many of these are fun, they don't do much to develop anything, leaving the film to be objectively weak in execution as scenes and punchlines are randomly jumbled together. But even so, its creative exploration of modern horror still allows it to embrace its silliness, ultimately delivering a fun time despite its many faults.

Masters of the Universe (Prime Video)

One of the most iconic cartoons of the 1980s had a live action adaptation this summer, but it raised one key question: does it have the power? Directed by Travis Knight of Kubo and the Two Strings and Bumblebee, this sword and sorcery feature focuses on Adam Glenn, a native of the planet Eternia who was sent to Earth in his youth. Years later, he is summoned back to his now decimated homeland, ruled by tyrannical warlock Skeletor. Armed with a sword which grants him godly powers, Adam must face Skeletor to save his world from total annihilation. 

The best way I can describe this movie is purely chaotic and fully corny, and I mean that in no judging manner. I had a blast with this film from start to finish, especially in just how well it brings its source material into a modern setting. Serving as an adaptation of the popular 1980s franchise, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe—mainly consisting of action figures and a cartoon show—the movie maintains the bright colors, grand spectacle, and charmingly over-the-top characters of its predecessors, while uniquely standing its own ground in how it tells its story in a contemporary world.

But despite the sharp sword this movie crafts, it is not without a few dull points. Namely, its screenplay is rather one note, being fairly predictable and moving at a gradually slow pace. All the while, it is accompanied by a subpar sense of humor with more misses than hits, as many of the gags rely on cheesy dialogue and cringeworthy scenarios which feel more odd than funny. Not to mention, its visual effects are quite poor when compared to other recent blockbusters. Even with the commendable production design and gorgeous backdrop of Eternia, the film suffers from unconvincing character animation and greenscreen effects which bog down its visual quality. 

But even with its faults, I still managed to have a ton of fun with this movie, as it puts an energetic and nostalgic tone at the forefront. This can be highlighted in its many action sequences—which are expertly shot and choreographed—the phenomenal musical score from Daniel Pemberton, and the dedicated performances of its cast. Whether it be Nicholas Galitzine's enthusiastic and ground portrayal of Adam, Camila Mendes' determination as Teela, or even Jared Leto's brooding-yet-humorous menace as Skeletor, every role in this movie is played efficiently, perfectly matching with the overall style. As such, the movie proves itself as a champion of the summer season, even if it occasionally trips in battle.

Disclosure Day (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home)

One of the most celebrated directors of all time has completed a new science fiction adventure, and is ready to disclose it to moviegoing audiences! In the latest outing from the legendary Steven Spielberg, whistleblower Daniel Kellner has stolen extraterrestrial files and technology from the mysterious Wardex Corporation. With government officials hunting him down, he groups with TV weatherwoman Margaret Fairchild to expose the truth by disclosing the contained information to the entire world. 

This was one of the summer's most polarizing movies, with some loving it and others outright despising it. Personally, I lean more towards the former, as I was heavily impressed by this feature. In fact, dare I say, it may have even gotten better for me the more I thought about it. Sure, it might not live up to some of Spielberg's other classics—as this one does have some janky visual effects and clunky dialogue—but it still tells an effective story with an unforgettable payoff. It has a unique plot structure, focusing more on the journey to disclose vital information to the world rather than exploring a looming intergalactic mystery, as implied in the trailers.

While I can understand why this approach wouldn't appeal to a wide audience, I found it to lead to a highly fascinating story, which includes strong commentary about the current state of humanity, and the way society reacts to uncertain conflicts. These ideas are brought to life by an extraordinary cast, which features names like Josh O'Connor, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, and Colman Domingo. They all embody their characters flawlessly, giving them distinct traits like confusion, determination, and desperation, with Blunt giving one of the strongest performances of her entire career.

The characters themselves also have strong arcs, with Kellner and Fairchild having the most prominent ones of the lot. Throughout the runtime, they both realize that their connection to the overarching mystery and each other is deeper than they originally expected, as they deal with incredible but mysterious powers. This leads them down an intense journey full of twists and turns as they strive to discover their purposes in the grand scheme of the conflict, all coming together in a conclusion which wraps up the story, while leaving plenty of room for viewer interpretation. It should certainly be disclosed that, though this movie may not appeal to everyone, it still serves as a standout in my watches from this year.

Power Ballad (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home)

How would you feel if you woke up one morning, and realized your entire life's passion had been stolen overnight? This dramatic comedy from director John Carney answers that question by introducing viewers to Rick Power, the lead singer of a wedding band who resides in Dublin, Ireland with his family. One night, he meets famed musician Danny Wilson, and the two exchange ideas and melodies together. But when Wilson steals one of Power's songs, it becomes an instant sensation, leading Power on a tense journey to get the credit he deserves. 

Though I love Carney's previous works like Once and Sing Street, I did not know much about this movie going into it. I ended up seeing it based on word-of-mouth, in one of my favorite decisions I made this whole season. Power Ballad is not only one of the strongest movies of the summer, but also of the year as a whole, largely thanks to how well its screenplay and tone are balanced. The primary character, Power, has a detailed arc as he struggles to find personal success as a wedding singer, before going down a tumultuous path once he discovers his song has been stolen. The result is a complex character whose passion is prominent, even as his obsession with earning credit threatens to destroy his whole livelihood. 

Power is played with sheer brilliance by Paul Rudd, who manages to be relatable, funny, and desperate all at the same time. His sarcastic interactions and passion for music build his personality, before eventually dissolving into anger and disconnect as the conflict worsens. His onscreen opponent, Wilson, is played marvellously by Nick Jonas, who is the perfect counter to the protagonist. Though his screen presence isn't as prominent as Power, he flawlessly plays his part through his strong musical talents and slimy personality, which becomes more amplified as his opponent gets closer to him. 

But even with its brilliant writing and character development, my favorite aspect of the movie was easily the music. Namely, the soundtrack has climbed the ranks as one of my favorites of this whole year. The song which Power and Wilson feud over, “How to Write a Song Without You,” has beautiful lyrics, strong composition, and a chorus which I've been humming ever since I initially left the theater. Rudd and Jonas recorded their own versions of the song, with one being a stunning rock ballad and the other being more pop-centric. 

No matter what your personal music fancy is, this movie should not be slept on, as it crafts a powerful tune worth blaring on the loudest soundstage—or TV—possible.

The Death of Robin Hood (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home)

There have been many screen adaptations of Robin Hood, but this one is not your average folklore! Director Michael Sarnoski—of A Quiet Place: Day One and Pig—transports viewers into a dark era of England, where Robin Hood lives as a bloodthirsty outlaw, completing deadly assignments with his partner, Little John. When one of their missions leaves Hood mortally wounded, he is transported to a rural village overseen by the mysterious Sister Brigid, where he is offered a chance of salvation as he comes to terms with his dark past. 

Of the several Robin Hood adaptations I have seen—including the classic Disney cartoon, and portrayals from the likes of Kevin Costner and Russell Crowe—this is undeniably one of the most ambitious and unique versions. Additionally, it is far and away the most brutal version of the story I have seen, as it features an amplified stream of blood and gore which rivals that of a horror film. But even amid all the brutality, this movie serves as an interesting character study as Hood grapples with his life of murder and crime. 

Though not given a strict redemption arc, it explores the way his actions affect those around him as he begins to find a more peaceful life in Brigid's village, giving him an arc which is both dark and fascinating. 

Granted, this structure does also lead to the movie having a rather slow pace, as it focuses less on the action and heists of Hood's life and more on the aftereffects. As a result, it can become a bit heavy handed on exposition, as much of Hood's past is explained to the audience rather than shown onscreen. While Hood does have a very strong and engaging arc, I wish the film devoted more time to showing viewers his past, especially with the unique portrayal of this character compared to other versions. This not only would have given it more variety in its content, but it would have helped the overall pace move more consistently. 

Yet, even with the drawn out pacing, director Sarnoski still gives the movie a distinct prominence through a dark and brooding atmosphere, accomplished with a combination of strong character writing, haunting music, and ominous cinematography. Not to mention, the ensemble cast embraces the darkness in their performances, leading to a grounded array of characters. Namely, Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer are fantastic as Hood and Brigid, respectively, as they both bring a commanding screen presence to their sinful characters. Combined with its many other positives, this film serves as one of the most brooding, shocking, and effective versions of Robin Hood, hitting a bullseye in its overall execution.

Toy Story 5 (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home)

Pixar's tentpole franchise has come back to theaters after seven years, and I am not playing around! In the newest addition to the classic series, the titular toys find themselves in shambles when a learning tablet named Lilypad enters the home of their owner, Bonnie. As she begins to devote more of her time to the screen, she becomes increasingly detached from her playtime, and even her family. As such, it is up to the classic crew—cowboy Woody, space ranger Buzz Lightyear, and sheriff Jessie—to stop Lilypad from taking Bonnie away from them. 

I have been a fan of the Toy Story franchise for my entire life, and I am proud to say that even 31 years since its original conception, it has yet to lose its magical spark. While not the strongest film in the series—with its hit-or-miss humor being its biggest nitpick—I found this movie to be a step in the right direction, as it stays true to the emotional core of its predecessors, while keeping its themes contemporary. It tackles modern concepts like technology, examining the way it can affect one's life and potentially disconnect them from what they love, helping the film to provide relevant commentary with a powerful message. 

Bringing this idea to life is a chest full of charming characters, both old and new to the franchise. Each one is portrayed brilliantly by their respective performers, including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Lightyear, Greta Lee as Lilypad, and Conan O'Brien as Smarty Pants. 

But far and away, my favorite character of the movie is Jessie—voiced outstandingly by Joan Cusack—who has the best development of the entire ensemble as she struggles to adjust to a tech-ridden world. In fact, her arc culminates in the movie's most pivotal emotional moment, which actually got me teary-eyed in the theater. Without giving too much away, I will say it involves a full circle moment which ties back to her past. 

Accompanying this emotional excellence is a stunning array of visuals, which make the film worth catching on the big screen alone. No Pixar movie is complete without bright and colorful animation, which this movie absolutely delivers on. Whether it be the unsuspecting glow of a tablet screen, the shiny plastic and fabrics of the character designs, or prominent pastel colors in scenes when the toys are in play, the animation is a treat for the eyes in every meaning of the term. 

Even the music has a number of highlights, including a catchy tune made for the film by Taylor Swift, titled “I Knew It, I Knew You.” All of these factors combined lead to one of the best animated films of the year, taking the franchise and its audience to infinity and beyond.

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

The DC Universe is back for their sophomore feature, with a new lead character ready to take flight! Serving as a follow-up to last year's Superman, this film centers on Kara Zor-El, who travels the galaxy with her canine companion, Krypto. One day, she is visited by threatening space bandits, who inject Krypto with a deadly poison while he protects her. With only three days to recover the antidote, Kara must fight to save her dog's life, embracing her identity as Supergirl while wreaking vengeful havoc among her enemies.

As someone who adored Superman, I found myself enjoying this movie a lot, but could not help but feel like it was a massive step down. Not because it lacks strong ideas or potential, but more so because its structure is more inconsistent. Namely, the plot is rather basic, as it focuses on the characters going from point A to point B, with a very predictable endgame. 

As a result, the movie negates a lot of its stakes, as it plays it too safe in how it tells its story, in turn taking away any opportunities for character development as it focuses too heavily on the journey. An additional 15 minutes or so would have helped the movie to feel more fleshed out, rather than feel like just another superhero movie. 

As for the characters themselves, they were generally a mixed bag, with some of them being much more enjoyable than others. On one hand, secondary protagonist Ruthye Marye Knoll was obnoxiously written in most of her scenes, while main villain Krem does not have much of a unique identity. On the other hand, Kara is a very charming and witty hero, and since she takes up most of the movie's scenes, it still feels consistently worthwhile and enjoyable. Despite their lack of development and occasional faults, the performers do their best with what they are given, resulting in a high-octane and energetic ensemble, with Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa being the standouts. 

Not to mention, even with its several issues, the movie remained fun through its numerous technical aspects, including a variety of creative creatures and beautiful intergalactic backdrops. These can be primarily recognized in the many well-edited, engaging, and fun action sequences, which are often accompanied with a great variety of music tracks—aside from one strange choice during a climactic battle. As such, even though the movie might not soar as high as its predecessor, it still manages to fly swiftly through the skies, resulting in an enjoyable entry to the DC Universe.

Jackass: Best and Last (Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home)

If you're gonna be dumb, you've gotta be tough, and the crew of this movie embraces both of those terms to their advantage! In this conclusion to MTV's Jackass franchise, professional stunt performers—including Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Ehren McGhehey, and Chris Pontius—go on one last ride of unique and dangerous stunts with hysterical payoffs. All the while, the crew reminiscences on their previous theatrical outings, all culminating in an extreme-but-tender sendoff to the series. 

This film is a massive outlier compared to the others I've covered throughout this series, as it does not have a conventional story structure or character arcs. Rather, it is set in reality, and consists of authentic footage of numerous stunts and pranks compiled into one movie. Not to mention, though it is a comedy, it should be noted that this film will not be for everyone, as there is a vast amount of grossout content and dangerous scenarios which are played off for laughs. But did I at least have a fun time with this movie, and did it wrap up June on a strong note? As a matter of fact, yes!

The film makes use of archival footage of the Jackass franchise, including clips from the original television series and previous movies, mixed with new footage and some never-before-seen features. Though a lot of the older footage can feel like filler—especially since much of it can be viewed unaltered in the predecessors—this compilation succeeds at keeping the film as entertainingly bizarre and outlandish as it needs to be. 

There were many moments in this film when I was almost cackling in the theater, making it arguably one of the year's funniest films. Some of my favorite moments included an intimidating game of trivia, and a round of Twister with a shocking payoff.

But even amid all the hilarity and shock, there is a surprising tenderness which bleeds through in some scenes. Seeing how this is the grand finale of the Jackass franchise, many of the ensemble members give their piece on the journeys they've had, reminiscing on their favorite moments and how far they have come. This is especially prominent with Knoxville, who expresses gratitude and occasional sadness at the thought of the franchise ending. The film not only manages to be laugh-out-loud funny, but also sweet in its more quiet scenes, all culminating in a fitting conclusion which sends Jackass and the month of June off in a satisfying blaze of glory.