We may live in the golden age of television, but in the dog days of summer, your binge-watching rituals are no match for hiding out in an air conditioned movie theater. Reliably cool and abundant in snacks, your local cinema’s promise of entertainment is practically added reason to disappear for a few hours in front of a big screen. Need help navigating the landscape of fierce films on the horizon? We’ve got you covered with ten upcoming flicks we personally adore or can’t wait to see. Click through to discover them now and save us a seat (and a box of Junior Mints).
Beat The Heat
1. Love & Mercy
A biopic for the books, this Bill Pohlad-directed drama details the personal triumphs and struggles of The Beach Boys' frontman Brian Wilson (played by Paul Dano and John Cusack). With award-worthy performances, classic costumes and an iconic soundtrack — you'll be singing God Only Knows for days — it's a summer must.
Release date: In theaters now
2. Dope
Set in the rough neighborhoods of Inglewood, California, Dope follows senior Malcolm (Shameik Moore) and his fellow hip-hop loving friends as they navigate what happens after a chance encounter with a drug dealer. Part drama, part comedy, this film is sure to leave its mark with a star-studded cast including fashion favorites Chanel Iman and Zoe Kravitz.
Release date: In theaters now
3. Amy
Another music movie to not miss, this R-rated documentary from Asif Kapadia gives a candid view of the greatest soul singer of our generation: Amy Winehouse. Despite the tragic outcome, Amy does its job in ensuring fans will dig even deeper into the late artist's timeless anthology after viewing.
Release date: In theaters now
4. In Stereo
A raw romantic comedy set in NYC, In Stereo tells the dual perspectives of David (Micah Hauptman) and his ex-girlfriend Brenda (Beau Garrett) as they navigate adulthood. Marking Mel Rodriguez III's directorial debut, the movie captures a modern-day Woody Allen feel with a hilarious script, unexpected twists and a killer soundtrack.
Release date: July 10th
5. Irrational Man
Speaking of Woody Allen, the famed director's latest Irrational Man is at the top of our must-see list this season. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as overcast philosophy professor Abe Lucas, the film centers around his life's renaissance when he enters a love triangle with a fellow teacher (Parker Posey) and student (Emma Stone).
Release date: July 17th
6. Trainwreck
If you aren't already tuned in to the wonder of Amy Schumer via her hilarious series Inside Amy Schumer , then get excited to discover the brazen bombshell in this unconventional rom-com. Penned by the comedic juggernaut herself and directed by Judd Apatow, the movie trails magazine writer Amy as she converts from an anti-love man-eater to lovey-dovey hopeful after meeting sports doctor Aaron Conners (Bill Hader).
Release date: July 17th
7. Paper Towns
Based on the best-selling book by John Green (The Fault In Our Stars), Paper Towns delivers Cara Delevigne's big-screen debut as the mystifying Margo Roth Spiegelman. When she suddenly goes missing, her classmate Quentin Jacobson (Nat Wolff), who has long loved her from afar, must follow a series of puzzling clues to find her.
Release date: July 24th
8. The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Noted among the breakout selections at this year's Sundance Film Festival, this autobiographical account adapted from Phoebe Gloeckner's graphic novel of the same name chronicles 15-year-old Minnie Goetze (Bel Powley) as she comes of age in San Francisco in the 1970s. The twist? She loses her V-card to her mother (Kristen Wiig)'s boyfriend (Alexander Skarsgard).
Release date: August 7th
9. Mistress America
The newest release from writer/director Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha, The Squid and the Whale), Mistress America unites unlikely stepsisters, the idle Tracy (Lola Kirke) and manic-pixie Brooke (co-writer Greta Gerwig), as they embark upon scheming adventures in New York City.
Release date: August 14th
10. American Ultra
Scribed by Max Landis (Chronicle, Young Frankenstein), American Ultra is an action-comedy like you've never seen, which follows the trajectory of stoner Mike (Jesse Eisenberg) when he becomes an unexpected person of interest for a government operation. Bonus reason to see it: Kristen Stewart turns out one of her best performances ever as Mike's perpetually-high girlfriend.
Release date: August 21st
