Summer Movies: A Recap

The Summer of 2023 had an extremely wide selection of eagerly awaited movies, creating a cinematic bliss. Many of them are fresh chapters in well-known franchises, while others present new spins on old stories. There was all the entertainment you could possibly want, whether you’re in the mood for thrilling superhero action, twee humor, gripping drama, fun for the whole family, or horror. The list below consists of some movies that were streamed last summer. 

Fast X (May 19, 2023) 

The tenth installment in the Fast & Furious series, Fast X, is the first of a two-part saga conclusion. The adversary in this movie is Dante Reyes, the son of drug lord Hernan Reyes, who seeks revenge for his father’s demise in the Fast Five movie from 2011. The Fast and Furious franchise has had its ups and downs from really interesting movies, to really bad action-packed nothing. Regardless, even if this movie did not do the greatest, there are still a lot of people that were hit with nostalgia and are willing to watch any other future movies. 

The Little Mermaid (May 26, 2023) 

There are many wonders in the water, and Halle Bailey is one of them. After years of development, the live-action adaptation of the Disney classic, The Little Mermaid, has finally swum into theaters. The popular red-headed mermaid, Ariel, was played by the exceptionally talented Halle Bailey in the live-action adaptation of the legendary Disney picture from 1989. Although this movie brought up many controversies, it was still a very interesting and beautiful movie full of lovely music and singing. 

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (June 2, 2023) 

The much anticipated follow-up to 2018’s highly successful Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is cleverly titled Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Miles Morales, a Black and Puerto Rican mixed teen who was bitten by a radioactive spider, is the main character of The Spider-Verse movies. The second movie, the first of two installments, depicts Morales running into a gang of Spider-people while traveling through the Spider-Verse. This movie is simply just a masterpiece. These films creatively utilize a distinctive comic book meets computer animation style. The music, the style, the plot, the characters, and so much more go above and beyond to create this tremendously well-made movie. 

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (June 9, 2023) 

Set in Brooklyn, New York, and Peru in 1994 three new robot tribes – Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons – are introduced into the existing battle on Earth between the Autobots and Decepticons. The story follows the Maximals, who crash-land on a primitive world and are forced to take the forms of various animals due to the planet’s primary energy source, Energon. Same as the Fast X movie, this film had a lot of potential that wasn’t executed that well. Even though it was not necessarily a bad movie, it could have been much better. Once again, even if this movie did not do the greatest, there are still a lot of people that were hit with nostalgia and are willing to watch any other future movies. 

Elemental (June 16, 2023) 

The residents of Element City, a metropolis populated by humanoid figures made of the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, are at the focus of this opposites-attract film. All of them adhere to the same rule: Elements cannot mix. Wade, a citizen of the sea, and Ember, who is made of fire, meet accidentally and exchange lessons on how rules are designed to be disobeyed. Although the marketing to this movie was horrendous, the movie itself was a delightfully crafted love story. All kinds of people, specifically immigrants and/or children of immigrants, can relate at a very deep level with this film for a multitude of reasons. 

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (June 30, 2023) 

Everyone’s favorite archaeology professor chooses to embark on one final trip with his goddaughter, Helena Shaw, in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the beloved franchise’s concluding installment. The two run into supervillain Jürgen Voller while looking for a unique item called the Archimedes Dial. This film perfectly brings back the magic of the iconic archaeologist in the most exhilarating way. From the very beginning, this action-packed adventure takes you on a journey filled with pulse-pounding excitement, intriguing mysteries, and unforgettable characters. 

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One (July 12, 2023) 

Tom Cruise’s beloved Mission: Impossible series is getting a seventh installment, with beloved characters returning to the fold. Tom Cruise’s Impossible Mission Force agent Ethan Hunt and his squad are tasked with the duty of defending humanity from a lethal weapon in the eighth Mission: Impossible movie. Every factor to this film was executed in a very well manner. It is an immersive and exhilarating experience. From the opening scene to the thrilling climax, the pacing never falters, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the entirety of the movie.  

Barbie (July 21, 2023) 

Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated fantasy comedy, Barbie, brings the iconic Mattel dolls to life. Barbie and Ken, played by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, navigate the real world while Barbie struggles to find herself and discover who she truly is. This touching and funny movie appeals to all audiences with its heartfelt messages and nostalgic elements. It is such a beautifully made film that has brought many to tears. Barbie is full of laughs and lots of pink! All elements of this movie were done perfectly and helped make this movie shine. From the actors/characters, the set design, the plot, but the main thing that stood out the most were the messages within the movie. 

Oppenheimer (July 21, 2023) 

Christopher Nolan’s film Oppenheimer is based on the physicist Robert Oppenheimer, who oversaw the Los Alamos Laboratory during the Manhattan Project, the United States’ effort to develop a nuclear bomb during World War II, is portrayed by Cillian Murphy. Oppenheimer is an intelligent movie about an important topic that was powerfully acted and incredibly entertaining. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (August 4, 2023) 
After years of being hidden from the human world, the four turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers. Their new best friend, April O’Neil, helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get way in over their heads when an army of angry and dangerous mutants is unleashed upon them. Mutant Mayhem is a fun, humorous, and visually striking animated film.