/Film’s 30 Most Anticipated Movies Of Summer 2015
April isn’t even 48 hours old but at the movie theater, summer has already begun. With tonight’s opening ofFurious 7, the trend of major blockbusters opening well before the first weekend in May continues.Fast Five, The Hunger Games and Captain America: The Winter Soldierare a few recent examples; next year,Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicewill open over a month before the traditional first weekend of summer. Let’s face it. It might be Spring outside, but it’s Summer at the movies.
With that in mind, the /Film crew decided to rank our most anticipated films of the season. Everyone on staff (Peter, Russ, Angie, David, Devindra, Angie, Chris, and myself) ranked their 20 most anticipated movies of summer 2015, those rankings were given point values, and then an overall list was created.
Below, read /Film’s most anticipated movies of Summer 2015.
A few notes about how I did this. Films were eligible if they are scheduled for release from April until the end of August. Each lists was assigned points. 20 for 1st place down to 1 point for 20th place, then all eight lists were tabulated and combined.
In the instance of tie breakers, if a film had the same amount of points, which ever was on more lists was given a higher placement. If a movie was on the same number of lists, highest individual ranking decided position. In a rare case where the films shared the same number of points, lists, and highest ranking, the number of times it was ranked higher broke the tie. That happened here. We’ll get to it.
30. Beyond the Brick: A Lego Brickumentary
A documentary about the history of Lego. It hit the festival circuit in 2014 but finally hits theaters in limited release this Summer.Release date:July 31.
29. Poltergeist
This remake comes with a ton of question marks, but also a great cast and producer Sam Raimi. Summer is also a perfect time for horror.Release date:May 22.
28. Slow West
This period film sports an amazing cast and a ton of buzz coming out of Sundance.Release date:April 16.
27. Minions
The most popular characters in theDespicable Memovies get their own spin-off. The trailer is good and this is poised to be one of the biggest hits of the summer.Release date:July 10.
The first trailer was polarizing but this star-studded Cameron Crowe movie is still as intriguing as any other film this summer.Release date:May 29
25. Southpaw
People were blown away by the trailer for this boxing drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal and his commitment to the role is inspiring.Release date:July 31
24. San Andreas
The Rock battles real rocks as California experiences a massive earthquake. We can’t say for sure, but this could be entertaining throwback to disaster movies of the past.Release date:May 29
23. Terminator Genisys
You’d think this would be higher, but after the lackluster fourth installment, and the all-over-the-place trailer, this film could be one of the best, or worst films of the summer.Release date:July 1
22. The Gift
Joel Edgerton’s feature debut seems incredibly creepy and odd, and who doesn’t love that kind of thing? Solid cast too.Release date:July 31.
21. Entourage
The HBO series is back and bigger than ever. Fans are surely going to enjoy the film but will it click with general audiences too? We’ll see.Release date:June 5.
20. Pixels
When video game characters attack the Earth, the nerds will fight back. Chris Columbus directs and the potential for something special is undeniably there.Release date:July 24
19. When Marnie Was There
This might be the last Studio Ghibli movie so the emotions are obviously very mixed about this well-reviewed animated film.Release date:May 22
18. Pitch Perfect 2
The Barden Bellas are back and this time they’re on the world stage in more ways than one. When the first film came out, it was under the radar. This film is very much on the radar. Can it deliver?Release date:May 15
The third collaboration between Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig has a lot of expectations to live up to, but buzz out of SXSW was good. This one is on track to be a hit.Release date:June 5
16. Magic Mike XXL
This may not be a Steven Soderbergh film, but he was around, shooting and editing, and Channing Tatum knows not to go back to the well unless you’ve got something to show. If this is half as good as the first, we’re in for a treat.Release date:July 1
15. Fantastic Four
The biggest question mark of the summer goes on this superhero reboot. Are we looking at the nextX-Menor the next, well,Fantastic Four? Great cast, capable filmmaker, we’re all hoping for the best.Release date:August 7
This one surprised me. It was on everyone’s list…except mine, but always super low. I credit the reputation of Joe Wright, the nostalgia factor, Hugh Jackman and a pretty beautiful trailer.Release date:July 24
13. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
I take full credit for this one. After seeing and loving the film at Sundance, a super positive review has got everyone on the site buzzing to see this fantastic movie. And the rest of us to see it again.Release date:June 12
12. The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Guy Ritchie’s spy movie will almost certainly look good. But will it be good? That’s the answer fans wait for as we get closer to this adaptation of the TV show.Release date:August 14.
11. Furious 7
The seventh film in theFast and Furiousfranchise is the biggest and craziest yet. It’s also super emotional as it’s the final film featuring actor Paul Walker. Go for the cars, stay for the tears.Release date:April 3
Fans of high energy crime capers and ’90s nostalgia are going to flip forDope, a super fun, exciting film that’s going to win a lot of fans coming off its Sundance premiere.Release date:June 19.
9. Ant-Man
After a slew of pre-production controversy, we’re finally getting to seeAnt-Manon the big screen. We’re excited, but this odd between phases release date is slightly worrisome.Release date:July 17
8. Ex Machina
Alex Garland’s gorgeous sci-fi (which, in fairness, has already seen release in many countries outside the US) boasts a small but stunning cast, an intriguing premise and a ton of pre-release buzz. I’ve seen the movie. It’s fantastic.Release date: April 10
7. Trainwreck
The power duo of director Judd Apatow and writer/star Amy Schumer have expectations for this comedy incredibly high. Add in a great trailer and solid reviews out of SXSW and there you go.Release date:July 17
6. Inside Out
Pixar took a year off in 2014 but they look to be back and better than ever with this incredible clever premise. There’s a knock-out voice cast and the trailers make it feel like we haven’t scratched the surface.Release date:June 19
5. Jurassic World
TheJurassic Parkfranchise has been dormant for long enough. Director Colin Trevorrow is bringing it back and while anticipation is incredibly high, many people are skeptical if it can deliver. We’re holding out hope.Release date:June 12
4. Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation
Half a year cut off of pre-production? No problem. Tom Cruise’s latest entry into this huge action series has fans salivating, especially after that first trailer.Release date:July 31
3. Tomorrowland
The combination of Brad Bird, Disney, George Clooney, Damon Lindelof and this mysterious original story haveTomorrowlandcoming in incredibly close to the number one spot. Wanna go?Release date: May 22
2. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultronmisses the top spot on a tie breaker. Both it and the #1 film were each on every single list. Each was #1 on multiple lists. ButUltronwas the most anticipated film of the summer for only three of us (myself, Angie, Jeff) while the #1 film was in the top spot on four lists. If you’re reading this site, you know all about this one.Release date:May 1
1. Mad Max: Fury Road
Coming in as the most anticipated movies of summer 2015 by Peter, Devindra, Russ and Chris, and thereby the entire /Film site, is George Miller’s return to the desolate wastelands of Mad Max. Two years ago, this film was all but a blip on most people’s radars, but at Comic-Con 2014, that first trailer wowed audiences in a way trailers rarely do. Each subsequent look at the film has impressed us even more, and that’s whyMad Max: Fury Roadis /Film’s most anticipated film of Summer 2015.Release date:May 15
