(This article first appeared in the July print edition of the Hendersonian.)
Summer 2026 is off to a sizzling start at the box office with the record-breaking opening of Toy Story 5, the continued success of the low-budget horror films Obsession and Backrooms, a solid performance from Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, and the resurrection of the Scary Movie franchise which has now grossed $1 billion over the course of six movies. This year has seen total grosses rise 14% when compared to 2025, bringing the overall totals in line with pre-COVID numbers. With a slew of tentpole sequels (and Christopher Nolan’s potential magnum opus) slated for July, here are a few notable titles to keep on your radar. As always, remember to check out the local listings for your favorite Showplace Cinemas or AMC Theaters location. There’s nothing worse than a wasted trip to the movies in a hot car!
Minions & Monsters (July 1) – In this the next chapter in the Minions saga, the yellow menaces unleash a host of creepy monsters while making a horror movie in 1920s Hollywood, needing the help of a lovable but fierce Cthulhu to save the planet. Another stacked voice cast includes George Lucas (who is a huge fan of the series), Zoey Deutch, Oscar-winning actors Allison Janney, Jessie Eisenberg, Christoph Waltz and Jeff Bridges, and voicing the Minions themselves, Pierre Coffin (who also co-directs with Patrick Delage).
Young Washington (July 3) – A young George Washington (William Franklyn-Miller) must become a leader while facing war, betrayal and difficult choices to guide the nation’s early years. Andy Serkis, Kelsey Grammar, Sir Ben Kingsley and Mary-Louise Parker co-star, with co-writer, co-producer and director Jon Erwin helming this Angel Studios release. This is the only USA-themed film for the nation’s 250th anniversary, so if you’re feeling patriotic, you won’t want to miss this.
Evil Dead Burn (July 10) – In this latest installment of the storied horror franchise, a woman seeks solace after the loss of her husband, only to discover that an unspeakable evil still haunts her and the ones she loves. French writer/director Sébastien Vanicek (Infested) takes the creative reigns of the series, with Souhelia Yacob (Dune: Part Two), Luciane Buchanan (The Night Agent), and Hunter Doohan (Wednesday) co-starring.
Moana (July 10) – Not unlike the animated 2016 hit, this live-action adaptation follows a young girl (Catherine Laga’aia) who sets out to save her people, encountering the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) who helps guide Moana on her quest. Returning cast members include Jemaine Clement as the voice of Tamatoa. Veteran television and stage director Thomas Kail makes his big-budget feature debut.
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass (July 10) – Zoey Deutch (Nouvelle Vague, Juror #2) stars as a midwestern woman who travels to Hollywood for revenge after she discovers her fiancé used his celebrity hall pass to hook up with a movie star. Veteran writer/producer/director David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer) directs an amazing ensemble cast which includes Mad Men alums Jon Hamm and John Slattery, and The State/Reno 911 alums Ken Marino (who also co-writes/co-produces), Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Michael Ian Black, Kevin Allison and Kerri Kenney.
The Odyssey (July 17) – It doesn’t get more epic than living legend Christopher Nolan producing, writing and directing an adaptation of Homer’s poem about Odysseus (Matt Damon) and his long journey home after the Trojan War. There are too many amazing co-stars to list them all, but here are a few: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron and Robert Pattinson. Filmed entirely in IMAX, this is one of Nolan’s biggest, most expensive and riskiest films of his career. You’ll want to see this on the largest screen possible.
I Want Your Sex (July 31) – Writer/producer/director Gregg Araki (The Doom Generation, Mysterious Skin) goes back to his fun yet scandalous roots with this unconventional romantic dramedy about a young man (Cooper Hoffman) who is hired to be the muse for an older artist (Olivia Wilde). Co-starring with Hoffman and Wilde are Daveed Diggs (Hamilton), Johnny Knoxville (The Jackass series), musician Charli XCX, and Araki’s muse James Duvall.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31) – In their second wide release this month, Tom Holland and Zendaya reprise their roles as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and MJ in this installment of the Marvel/Sony mega-franchise. This time around, a forgotten Peter Parker lives alone as a full-time Spider-Man until mounting pressure triggers a dangerous change, and a powerful new enemy emerges. Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) directs, with Sadie Sink (Stranger Things), Jon Bernthal (also appearing in The Odyssey), and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk.
Henderson resident Dr. 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.
