This past summer was monumental for the film industry as many new beloved movies flooded the theaters with loving fans. Following the resolution of COVID-19 and the actor’s strike that took place in 2023, actors have begun returning to work and creating iconic films. From weather disasters to book adaptations, the variety this summer was certainly large allowing everyone to find something they enjoyed. Here are just a few blockbuster films from the last two months that had movie fans entirely satisfied.
1. Inside Out 2
Starting off with a banger, this sequel to the beloved original was a hit for Pixar Animation. It brings viewers that warm and fuzzy feeling while also depicting the main character Riley’s persisting anxiety throughout the movie. The second movie featured Riley’s typical emotions: Sadness, Fear, Joy, Anger, and Disgust, as well as four new characters: Envy, Embarrassment, Anxiety, and Ennui. Riley’s anxious tendencies and coping mechanisms were a hot topic for viewers with the film’s common theme being the exploration of one’s self that comes with growing up. With 98% rotten tomatoes, it’s safe to say fans enjoyed part two of Riley’s journey.
2. Despicable Me 4
To continue our list, Illumination’s iconic Minions saga was continued this summer with another Despicable Me piece. The film highlighted Gru’s new child, a whirlwind of a baby striving to cause chaos wherever the opportunity presents itself. Throughout the movie, Gru challenges a new rival cultivating yet another heisty plot in an attempt to amuse all audiences. However, the movie’s rotten tomato rating sits at 56%, likely due to the controversy over whether enough coherency was present. Despite mixed reviews, many were still able to appreciate the playful silliness and dedication towards keeping the series alive.
3. Twisters
Moving on to quite possibly the most famous film of the summer, in this film actors Glen Powell and Daisy-Edgar Jones star as storm chasers each intent on their own ways. They pursue their agendas until their paths intersect and they begin to work together. This blockbuster had viewers entertained like never before about quite a rare film topic. The chasing of tornados may seem a difficult task to successfully please a crowd, but Twisters achieved just that. The movie was action-packed and thrilling, keeping people on the edge of their seats for the entirety of its plot. The rotten tomatoes rating currently sits at 75% with most of the feedback praising the movie’s effects but criticizing the lack of romance. While this complaint may be common, the movie’s intent was not to depict relationships between characters, but rather their fascination with the excitement of such a dangerous hobby.
4. It Ends With Us
Finally, we end with a recent new favorite. Colleen Hoover’s well-known novel It Ends with Us was finally adapted into a visual representation after a long-awaited reveal. Reading and movie fans meet in this romance story to depict characters Lily Bloom, Ryle Kincaid, and Atlas Corrigan’s infamous love triangle. The sensitive topics addressed in this film likely contribute to the huge response the movie received. Domestic violence is a large theme within the plot and truly tugged at the heart of every viewer in the theater. With the rotten tomatoes rating being 57%, some are skeptical of the movie’s goal as it seems to be unclear in comparison to the novel. Some say the representation wasn’t accurate and doesn’t quite compare to real life, while others truly enjoyed the deeper meaning and acting skills present.
