These films deliver unexpected plot twists, spine-chilling power plays, and—most importantly—women who don’t need saving. This summer, indulge in femme-first stories that satisfy your cravings for drama, action, thrills, and chills—all while flipping the script on the patriarchy. Enjoy the ride.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (Lionsgate)
Release date: June 6
Director: Len Wiseman (Underworld film series, Total Recall remake)
What is it about? The fifth film of the John Wick franchise, Ballerina is a spin-off set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4. The story follows dancer Eve Macarro (played by Ana de Armas) as she begins training in the Ruska Roma’s assassin traditions, a powerful and influential criminal organization that is also a member of the High Table. They are led by the Director (Angelica Houston), a mysterious figure who previously aided John Wick in an hour of need. Hell-bent on revenge for the murder of a loved one, Macarro will use her deadly skill set to seek justice. The actioner costars Norman Reedus and Gabriel Byrne, as well as Wick vets Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, and the late, great Lance Reddick.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? The John Wick template is a proven formula for entertainment, so watching Joan Wick should be just as entertaining. In addition to the gender swap, which expands the already fascinating Wickiverse, the film is filled with sleek and stylized no-nonsense rockabellas who run every aspect of the illicit network of assassins. Make no mistake: this might be John’s world, but it is the women within it who make it work.
Who would love this? People who love action pics; moviegoers who want to venture deeper into this Wick-ed world of assassins; action fans; and people who enjoy calculated violence with a bit of flair
Dangerous Animals (IFC Films/Shudder)
Release date: June 6
Director: Sean Byrne (The Loved Ones, The Devil’s Candy)
What is it about? Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water… seaworthy serial killers are now working with sharks for a whole new reason to fear the ocean. Hassie Harrison plays Zephyr, a surfer who has a lot more than man-eating predators, stinging jellyfish, and lethal undercurrents to contend with when she comes face to face with a shark-obsessed psychopath who has taken to the high seas for his evil escapades. The cat-and-mouse thriller mixes Creep and Jaws to create a new reason to keep to dry land.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? It’s always refreshing when the prey becomes the predator, and hopefully, that will be the case here. Watching a vile, violent killer get his comeuppance from a strong female lead should be good clean summer fun. Furthermore, as we’ve learned from Sharknado, The Meg, and Deep Blue Sea, shark movies are the pinnacle of cinematic excellence.
Who would love this? Horrorhounds; sharkspoitation aficionados; people looking for a new excuse to get out of a Disney cruise with their family
Release date: June 13
Director: Celine Song (Past Lives)
What is it about? Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal star in a romantic comedy from A24 as a matchmaker with an impeccable record finds herself in a bit of a tangle when she is torn between her ex and a potential perfect partner. No time travel, no multiverse, no demons, and no talking shells—just a well-written romantic dramedy featuring attractive people who want to be in love with each other and an indie music soundtrack featuring bands that recently played Coachella.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? It would be nice to see Ms. Johnson in a healthy relationship outside of the Gray areas, and it’s always lovely to watch Evans and Pascal on the big screen. It’s been a while since Johnson has been in a project worthy of her talents, so it is nice to see her land at A24.
Who would love this? Romantics; gal pals from your yoga class; people who enjoy uncomplicated stories about love; your mom; people who refer to Mr. Pascal as “Zaddy”
Release date: June 13, 2025
Director: Michael Pearce (Beast)
What is it about? This intense family drama stars Julianne Moore, Sydney Sweeney, Domhnall Gleeson, Kyle MacLachlan, and Fiona Shaw in a gripping thriller about how far a mother will go to protect her child. Set on an isolated farm in Pennsylvania, the story follows horse trainer Kate (Moore), who is stunned when her daughter Claire (Sweeney) arrives unexpectedly—distraught and covered in someone else’s blood. As the truth about that night slowly unravels, Kate’s love and loyalty are pushed to the limit.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? The cast for the Apple TV+ series is stone solid, with a good mix of hot young talent and seasoned veterans who will no doubt bring their gravitas to the project. The screenplay is also penned by Brad Ingelsby, best known for creating Mare of Easttown. His track record for creating strong female characters is clutch.
Who would love this? People addicted to whodunnits and mysteries; crime fanatics; Sweeney stans; Julianatics; people who enjoy watching other families in crisis
M3GAN 2.0 (Universal Pictures)
Release date: June 27, 2025
Director: Gerard Johnstone (M3GAN, Housebound)
What is it about? The gaslighting, girl-bossing fembot with a penchant for upscale kid couture returns for an upgrade. The surprise techno-horror hit of 2023 supplies a sequel for summer 2025 in which the Dancing Diva of Death with codependency issues returns to take care of a few loose ends. Expect more dancing, more violence, and more jumper-and-kerchief-combos, as well as a new and improved M3GAN, who is now bigger and better than before, but with less patience for the humans who made her.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? Watching M3GAN take out annoying bullies, shrieking bosses, and nosy neighbors was fun the first go-round, but this time she’s battling one of her own. It’s also written and directed by the original’s dynamic duo, Gerard Johnstone and your favorite screenwriter’s favorite screenwriter, Akela Cooper.
Also: It’s always fun when a lady is the reason for the horror rather than the victim. Even if she is a little plastic.
Who would love this? Admirers of the original TikTok Terminator; other plastic divas looking for a new role model; fans of neutral color palettes with a pop of red; gore aficionados; camp connoisseurs
Jurassic World: Rebirth (Universal)
Release date: July 2, 2025
Director: Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story)
What is it about? Humans are set to meet and mingle with dinosaurs yet again as scientist Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) leads a team of scientists to an isolated island where the prehistoric beasts are kept to nab their DNA for a pharmaceutical company. Set five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the ancient animals prove to be much more of a threat than realized. Chaos ensues. The film also stars Oscar winner Mahershala Ali as well as Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, and Ed Skrein.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? ScarJo is set to become the first woman to lead the action-packed Jurassic franchise, likely bringing more Dr. Ellie Sattler energy to the role—meaning fewer debates about running in heels and more about handling prehistoric chaos. A proven force in action cinema, Johansson is poised to leave her mark on the iconic 30-year-old series.
Who would love this? Fans of the original Jurassic Park series; action-movie fans; people who thought Black Widow got a bum rap
Release date: July 2, 2025
Director: Victoria Mahoney (Yelling Into the Sky)
What is it about? A sequel to the hit Netflix movie you didn’t realize was a hit Netflix movie, the comic-book adaptation stars Charlize Theron as Andy (aka Andromache of Scythia), the leader of a group of immortal mercenaries who have spent hundreds of years protecting mankind. This time around they are joined by Uma Thurman, Henry Golding, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as the immortal reunite to save the planet from another calamity while the return of an old foe offers a few complications.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? Theron’s performance was a standout in The Old Guard, adding a touch of humanity to a superhero story.
The first film was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, marking the first time a Black woman directed a big-budget comic-book adaptation, and it became the only title in Netflix’s top 10 most-watched list (at the time) to be helmed by a woman of color. Current director Victoria Mahoney brings her experience to the table (she notably served as the second unit director on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, thus becoming the first woman to direct a Star Wars film). It will be interesting to see her vision applied to this universe.
Who would love this? Theron-stans; mythophiles; action enthusiasts; fans of immersive fight scenes
Release date: July 18, 2025
Director: Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary)
What is it about: Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Austin Butler, and everyone’s wannabe BFF Emma Stone, this pandemic thriller is about a small town in New Mexico that is undergoing community strife when the local sheriff takes issue with the town’s mayor. Taking viewers back to the early days of the pandemic, the movie explores how COVID-19 conspiracy theories, politics, and social media could potentially destroy a community.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? Go back to the first line of that blurb and re-read that cast. In it you have two Oscar winners, one Oscar nominee, and the five hottest A-listers working in Hollywood today. It is also directed by Ari Aster, the man responsible for your current therapy bills. Also, all of his previous projects are extremely female-forward with strong femme leads and characters.
Who would love this? Escapists who find the fun in anxiety; fans of Hollywood films without the paint-by-numbers studio narrative; horror fans; admirers of A24; the Stone Squad; Yellowstone fans; Phoenix followers
Freakier Friday (Walt Disney Pictures)
Release date: August 8, 2025
Director: Nisha Ganatra (Late Night, The High Note)
What is it about? Twenty-some-odd years ago, Anna and her mom Tess (Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis) had a nutty ordeal regarding a fortune cookie and a body swap. Now Anna is about to remarry, and her teen daughter Harper is having a few issues with her soon-to-be stepsister Lily. As Anna and Tess attempt to untangle the teens from their tension, a magical mishap occurs once again, causing the quartet to swap bodies with each other and hijinks to ensue.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? Because you watched the 2003 movie a million times on the Disney Channel. Because you watched the 2003 movie with your parents that one summer at the lake. Because you watched the 2003 movie at slumber parties, and at camp, and at birthday shindigs. Because you watched it again as a young adult to chase that nostalgic feeling. Because you watched the 2003 movie yesterday. Or just because.
You love the 2003 movie. So stop fighting it.
Who would love this? Every millennial who ever saw the 2003 remake; every Gen Xer whose mom forced them to watch the original, then watched the remake and admitted that it was better; people enjoying the current Lohanaissance and want to keep it going; fans of Curtis the Great
Images Courtesy Of: (Ballerina) Lionsgate; (Dangerous Animals) Ifc Films/Shudder; (Materialists) A24; (Echo Valley) Apple Tv+; (M3gan 2.0) Universal Pictures
