Summer blockbusters are back: 12 movies to see as Hollywood celebrates a historic year at the box office

As temperatures heat up, cinephiles know there’s no better way to cool down than basking in the air conditioning of a movie theater. Lucky for the overheated masses, studios release summer blockbusters, and the 2026 season is jam-packed. Some industry insiders believe this summer season could gross more than 4 billion, the highest since before the pandemic. Here are 12 movies either in theaters now or coming soon, with some business analysis thrown in for good measure. Two of them open this weekend. Before we get into all that, how did summer blockbusters even become a thing? A brief history of summer blockbusters Air conditioning wasn’t common in movie theaters until the 1930s, but owners quickly realized it was necessary. The term blockbuster has its roots in World War II bombs that could literally destroy city blocks. In the 1940s, audiences flocked to theaters for newsreels to learn the latest about the war. It was during this time that the term blockbuster came to mean high-grossing films. The new definition was featured in a New York Times article to describe Ben-Hur in 1959. Look out! There’s something in the water. This is the terrifying reality that moviegoers in 1975 discovered when watching Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, the original modern summer blockbuster. Two years later, George Lucas repeated the summer blockbuster pattern with Star Wars, establishing a blueprint that remains today. The 2026 box office by the numbers It’s no secret that in a post-COVID and streaming landscape, movie theaters have struggled. However, the tide appears to be turning. At the end of the last year, Gower Street Analytics predicted the 2026 global box office at 35 billion, marking a 5 growth from 2025. This would be the best figure since 2019 but not quite at the level of the prepandemic glory days. According to Axios, Gower Street’s forecast is proving correct, thanks to winter and spring releases such as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Project Hail Mary, and Hoppers. According to Deadline, from January 1-May 3 there was a 14 boost in the domestic box office when compared to the same time frame the previous year. This means the 2026 summer season begins ahead of the game. These summer blockbusters seem likely to help box office figures climb. Summer blockbusters already in theaters Astronomically, summer doesn’t kick off until June 21, but summer movies have gotten a head start. [Photo: The Walt Disney Company] The sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2 was 20 years in the making and hit theaters on May 1. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci’s star power helped this flick generate 77 million domestically and 156.6 million internationally in the opening weekend alone. To date, according to Box Office Mojo, it has grossed 666 million worldwide. Critics generally enjoyed this film for its nostalgia, but some say it lacks the depth of its predecessor. Star Wars is again getting in the summer blockbuster spirit. This time, the universe is offering fans The Mandalorian and Grogu, marking the first time these characters have been seen on the big screen. The movie came out on Memorial Day weekend and made 167 million globally. Industry insiders are divided on whether this figure is a cause for celebration or dismay. The Hollywood Reporter’s Pamela McClintock argues this is a win, especially since the film’s budget was only 165 million. Others pointed out that even the box office flop Solo made more during its opening weekend. Another layer to the Mandalorian’s box office analysis is that two low-budget horror films, Obsession and Backrooms—both created by YouTubers—surpassed the film at the box office on the second weekend it was in theaters. These smaller movies are making Hollywood elites take notice. Summer blockbusters opening this weekend If you are looking for a fun activity for the weekend, two summer blockbusters are vying for your patronage. Both hit theaters on Friday. The first is Masters of the Universe starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, a popular Mattel action figure. Rounding out the cast are Camila Mendes as Teela and Jared Leto as Skeletor, the antagonist of the story. [Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures] The Barbie movie and its 155 million domestic opening set a hard precedent for He-Man to follow. Deadline predicts a 35 million opening weekend for Amazon MGM Studios’ action-figure-inspired film. The second offering is a reboot of the Wayans brothers’ Scary Movie franchise. This time, the parody is under the Paramount/Miramax banner. Since the Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer franchises came back, there is more to make fun of—not to mention more recent horror films, such as Sinners, Weapons, and Megan. Deadline foresees the Scary Movie reboot making 35 million-40 million in the opening weekend. More June summer blockbuster openings Four more films are scheduled for a chock-full June. Spielberg’s back at it with Disclosure Day, which hits theaters on June 12. This science fiction movie follows Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), a cybersecurity whistle blower, and Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt), a meteorologist, as they race to tell the world that aliens exist. [Photo: Universal Pictures] Families and those young at heart can enjoy more Buzz Lightyear and Woody in Toy Story 5 on June 19. It’s finally time for Supergirl to get her own movie after teasing it last year in the Superman reboot. On June 26, Milly Alcock’s take on the title character will hit theaters. That same weekend, Johnny Knoxville and his crew will offer a superhero alternative with Jackass: Best and Last. It’s their last hurrah. July summer blockbuster openings Another family friendly option is Illumination’s Minions Monsters. The yellow chaos creatures carry on their shenanigans on July 1. [Photo: Illumination] Disney is continuing its live-action spree with Moana, despite a negative reaction from fans about the costumes, hair, and designs. Audiences can catch Catherine Lagaʻaia in the title role and Dwayne Johnson as Maui on July 10. Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated take on the Greek epic The Odyssey hits theaters on July 17. Matt Damon leads an all-star cast as Odysseus. Nolan told Empire Magazine that he “shot over 2 million feet of film.” In the same piece, Damon said “it was the best experience” of his career, so the bar is set very high. Web-slingers rejoice. Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31. Tom Holland reprises the title role. The super hero must regroup after Dr. Strange erased the world’s memory of Peter Parker in order to save the day. Even his girlfriend, MJ (Zendaya), and best friend, Ned (Jacob Batalon), no longer remember him. The dozen films on this list can satisfy a wide range of desires and audiences appear hungry for the experience. While streaming will continue to change the game, the numerous 2026 blockbusters could be the signal that the industry is finding a new normal, especially after a tumultuous run full of strikes and a pandemic. Keep those red vines crossed for a record-breaking season.