(This article first appeared in the June print edition of the Hendersonian.)
While there’s still a long road ahead to surpass last year’s box office numbers, the level of excitement for audiences has finally returned, thanks in part to the continued May success of Sinners, the surprising resurgence of Final Destination: Bloodlines, and the Memorial Day megahits Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible–The Final Reckoning (which may or may not have come close to breaking the holiday record by the time you read this). June looks to capitalize on that positive momentum by releasing surefire hits along with a mixture of genre fare by filmmakers who have a long history of counterprogramming success. Here are a few titles you may want (or need) to see this month, and as always, be sure to check the local listings at your favorite Showplace Cinemas or AMC Theaters location before entering those hot cars.
The Phoenician Scheme (June 6) – This is Wes Anderson’s 12th feature film, which means that by now, you fall into two camps – you’re either overly-excited about seeing his latest magnum opus (vaguely described in this case as a story about a family and a family business) or you’ve still never heard of him. Regardless, this cast is beyond stacked: Benicio Del Toro (in the starring role), Willem Dafoe, Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jeffrey Wright, Richard Ayoade and Bryan Cranston. The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival a few weeks back and received a 7-minute standing ovation, which means it’s probably more than OK.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (June 6) – I’m typically skeptical about expanding a world as unique and impactful as John Wick, but I’m cautiously optimistic that the reshoots and later release date will take this universe into a new and exciting direction. Ana de Armas (Knives Out, Blade Runner 2049) stars as the title character, with series favorites Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, Lance Reddick and Keanu “John Wick” Reeves himself guiding the newest hitwoman as she seeks to avenge her father’s death. Veteran action director Len Weisman (The Underworld series, Live Free or Die Hard) takes the reins of the newest franchise entry.
How to Train Your Dragon (June 13) – Despite Disney’s exit from the live-action remake of beloved animated classics game (which may change if Lilo & Stitch makes $1 billion), DreamWorks Animation takes its first flight into theaters with the same writer/director (Dean DeBlois) and a key returning voice talent (Gerard Butler) making the leap from animated to in the flesh. Like all the recent live-action/animation remakes, this one clocks in over 25 minutes longer than its predecessor.
28 Years Later (June 20) – Technically, it’s only been 23 Years Later (the first of the now-trilogy was released in 2002), but director Danny Boyle collaborates with writer Alex Garland once again on this latest installment. The film follows a group who survived the rage virus (Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Sinner’s Jack O’Connell) as they discover how the virus has mutated. As with the first two movies, prepare yourself for plenty of gore, jump scares and societal introspection/parallels to our current culture.
Elio (June 20) – Pixar is still very much in the animation business, bringing their only 2025 release to the big screen with this tale about a space fanatic boy who embarks on a cosmic misadventure of intergalactic proportions. Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi co-direct (taking over for Coco’s Adrian Molina during production), with Academy Award-winner Zoe Saldaña leading the voice cast.
M3GAN 2.0 (June 27) – Gerard Johnstone returns to the director’s chair in this sequel to the surprise 2022 horror hit. This time, M3GAN is resurrected after her design was stolen and used to develop military-grade weapons. Original cast members Allison Williams and Violet McGraw reprise their roles alongside Jemaine Clement (A Minecraft Movie, Avatar: The Way of Water). Jason Blum and James Wan are once again producers.
F1: The Movie (June 27) – In this generation’s variation of John Frankenheimer’s 1966 classic Grand Prix, Brad Pitt plays a retired driver who mentors and teams up with an up-and-coming racer (Damson Idris). Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Javier Bardem (Skyfall, No Country for Old Men) co-star, with Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick, Tron: Legacy) directing, and legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer steering the film to the largest, loudest theaters possible.
Henderson resident McManus Woodend is an Assistant Professor of Digital Media at the University of Southern Indiana and has worked in film, television and commercials for more than 20 years. To see some of his work, visit www.mcmanuswoodend.com.
