The Summer of 2026 is going to be a massive season for the movie industry.
This year we have already been graced with countless titles, many of which will go down in history as cult classics that are helping pave the way for Hollywood and up and coming aspiring directors. Films such as Project Hail Mary directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have rejuvenated the Space Science Fiction space, filling an empty void that has existed in the past few years. It follows in the footsteps of classics such as The Martian and Interstellar, drawing you into an emotional journey that is hard to pull away from. Starring Ryan Gosling, it pulls on your heart strings, and leaves you battered. Biographical-type movies such as I play Rocky or the hit Michael have also made a splash. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, it follows “The King of Pop,” Michael Jackson through his early career, up into the 1980s, arguably his peak in fame. One last must see movie that has already been released this year is Hamnet. Headed by Chloe Zhao, it is an etiology of Shakespeare’s life, mainly how he and his wife cope with the death of their son, Hamnet. Many scholars in the field believe this loss is what caused him to write the play of Hamlet, one of his best works. It’s a devastating experience that requires a viewer’s full attention, forcing them to process the loss along with the grief stricken parents. There have also been many smaller indy projects that have carved their rightful place in the media. One of the more notable being Iron Lung, directed by the well known online creator, Markiplier. It surpassed all expectations, making over 50 million dollars world wide, and 41 million domestically on only a 3 million dollar budget. This is quite a feat considering that highly advertised movies such as The Drama, starring big names like Zendaya made a similar amount. We have eight more months until the end of the year, and are already teetering on the edge of summer, which will be chock full of smash hits.
Giant projects from well known directors are preparing to crush the box office in the coming months. The first of which comes from the mind of Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey. This will be his first film following the massive hit of Oppenheimer back in 2023. This story will be a new interpretation of the classic epic given to us by Homer. It features some of the most popular actors in the world, being the next home for the likes of Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, and Robert Patterson. Just to name a few. This film was shot entirely on IMAX, suggesting that it is going to be one of the best visual experiences we will see this year. Especially since it has very limited CGI, truly immersing watchers in the tragic, but mighty world of Odysseus. One of the other guaranteed box office hits releasing soon is Disclosure Day, gifted from the mind of Steven Spielberg. A movie that promises to call us back to Alien Invasion movies such as Independence Day, or Arrival. Still, there are many movies that don’t have the backing of big names in directing or acting, but are holding their ground. New releases such as The Backrooms and Obsession have taken a white knuckle grip on the media. The Backrooms is directed by Kane Parsons, at only 20 years old, this is his first major motion picture; he did not disappoint. It reached number 1 at the box office, and made 118 million dollars worldwide. He is also the youngest director to go number 1 in the box office. This movie made more than The Drama and is already on track to surpass Marty Supreme in profit, A24s’ previous highest profiting movie. It’s an experience that demands to be seen, with striking visuals, and gripping moments that are hard not to be appreciated, and best seen on the big screen. This film is intertwined with The Backrooms, it too is led by a young director, Curry Baker, and is a horror film. It leads a viewer down a rabbit hole of affection, a feeling so deep it turns into, well, obsession. Both of these projects share themes of free will, isolation, and a disconnect from reality that threatens to pull you in along with it.
Many of these can still be seen in theaters (and should). You can support local theaters by attending places such as the Maynard Fine Arts Theater. They sometimes show movies produced locally, and allow for the renting of entire theaters. Other options in the LS area include the Regal Solomon Pond theater in Marlborough, or AMC theater in Framingham.
Taking the time to not just go out and see these films, but to really think about them can change the way you think about movies, the world, and the people around you. Branch out, find something new, and enjoy the ride.
