Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.
No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good? Good.
With Marvel’s Thunderbolts* kicking things off, the summer movie season is in full swing. Expect a thrilling lineup of high-octane blockbusters, family-friendly animations, and major franchise films, with the occasional prestige picture slipping through. These movies are designed to pack theaters during summer vacations, generating massive box office revenue. While this revenue primarily covers production, marketing, and theater operations, strong summer earnings can give studios the financial cushion to invest in awards season campaigns later in the year, fueling those Oscar-worthy prestige films we adore.
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday previews the exciting, diverse, and captivating films hitting theaters over the next four months. Strap in for an unforgettable season at the movies with the ten films I am most excited about this summer!
10. How to Train Your Dragon (DreamWorks) – June 13
9. Materialists (A24) – June 13
8. 28 Years Later (Sony Pictures) – June 20
7. Eddington (A24) – July 18
6. Superman (Warner Bros.) – July 11
5. The Life of Chuck (NEON) – June 6
4. Weapons (Warner Bros.) – August 8
3. The Phoenician Scheme (Focus Features) – May 30
2. F1 (Apple/Warner Bros.) – June 27
1. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount Pictures) – May 23
![‘Lord’… Time ‘Flies’ When You’re Getting Bullied on an Island [VIDEO]](https://thecontending.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LOTF-120x86.png)
Weapons zoomed up the list for me after that trailer
Hard to not be excited after that!