With summer in full swing, there are plenty of great movies to check out in theaters! For most of us, the start of summer began a good month ago on Memorial Day and along with it the arrival of several summer blockbusters. Such films like Captain America: Civil War, the new X-Men installment as well as Pixar’s highly anticipated Finding Dory have already premiered.

RELATED | Summer 2016 YA Book Preview

If you’re a fan of the big blockbusters, fortunately, there are still more anticipated films expected by their respective studios to do well. Among them are sequels, comic book adaptations and animated flicks from respected studios. Below, however, I chose to mostly focus on some of the smaller dramas or period films. Still, I worked to put together a good mix!

Without further ado, let’s preview the 2016 summer box office.

2016 Summer Box Office Preview

(Release Dates are subject to change)

#1 The Legend of Tarzan

Opens July 1st | Stars Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie and Samuel L. Jackson | Rated PG-13

From the first time I saw a promotional image for this film until now, my opinion of this film has drastically changed. Where I once was only curious enough to possibly rent it on DVD, I now think this looks like a (potentially) compelling drama with amazing performances to back it. Either way, it will certainly be a “grittier” interpretation in comparison to our childhood Disney-fied version of this story.

#2 Fathers and Daughters

Opens July 8th | Stars Russell Crowe and Amanda Seyfried | Rated R

Though rated R, this film looks really interesting. It’s about a young woman’s memories of her father, whom we assume has passed away by the time she’s recalling all of these memories. It’s currently available on iTunes ahead of its limited theater run.

#3 Café Society

Opens July 15th | Stars Kristen Stewart, Blake Lively, Jesse Eisenberg | Rated PG-13

Woody Allen is back with another star-studded ensemble piece. The film follows a man arriving in 1930’s Hollywood who becomes swept up in the “glitz and glamour,” and the romantic entanglements he finds himself in.

#4 Equals

Opens July 15th | Stars Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult | Rated PG-13

A kind of young adult dystopian (in a world of eradicated emotions), this one chronicles a case of forbidden love. If nothing else, Kristen Stewart will create some interest.

#5 Tulip Fever

Opens July 15th | Stars Christoph Waltz and Alicia Vikander | Rated PG-13

This one is tagged as an Indie film and described as the following, “A married woman has an affair with an artist in 17th-century Amsterdam.” It co-stars Alicia Vikander who has shot to box office stardom in rapid succession. To say nothing of the fact that she’s a popular name appearing in many films this summer alone!

#6 Ben-Hur

Opens August 12th | Stars Jack Huston and Morgan Freeman | Rating unknown

I suspect the studio has high hopes for this one. But with the more recent releases of films like Risen (which is really quite impacting because it focuses on the story rather than constant action), I don’t know if this will measure up. Plus, the rumored R-rating might deter some audiences. Fun fact: Its titular character is played by Jack Huston, the actor who portrayed Wickham in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

#7 Florence Foster Jenkins

Opens August 12th | Stars Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant | Rated PG-13

You might remember this as a familiar title from our spring 2016 box office preview. This one was pushed back to the summer season and still sounds delightful. It’s about a woman with dreams of becoming an opera singer, only she seems to be the only one unaware she hasn’t the talent to achieve this.

#8 The Light Between Oceans

Opens September 1st | Stars Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander | Rated PG-13

Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, this sounds like a poignant and touching period drama about a childless couple who undertakes the task of raising an abandoned baby. It also has the added bonus of two incredible actors.

#9 The Book of Henry

Opens September 16th | Stars Naomi Watts and Lee Pace | Rated PG-13

The Book of Henry tells the story of a single mother raising two sons, “one of whom is a genius.” Sadly, there’s very little promotional material for this one.

#10 Bridget Jones’s Baby

Opens September 16th | Stars Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Patrick Dempsey | Rated R

Believe it or not, I’ve never seen any of the previous films in this franchise. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the return of a favorite box office character. The title is pretty self-explanatory about where this story will go, and if I had to guess, I’d say it will have more of the signature comedy of its predecessors.

#11 The Magnificent Seven

Opens September 23rd | Stars Chris Pratt, Denzel Washington, Matt Bomer and Haley Bennett | Rated PG-13

I had no idea filmmakers were remaking this film about a gang of outlaws brought together to help rid a town of a villainous presence. During one of my theater outings, I saw the trailer for this and must say, it looks hilarious. Chris Pratt being a huge reason why. Whether or not it will be, remains to be seen. (The classic version starring Yul Brynner took a more serious approach.) Either way, it’s fun to see a big-screen western making waves.

#12 Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Opens September 30th | Stars Eva Green, Rupert Everett, Judi Dench and Asa Butterfield | Rated PG-13

I’ll confess, this one looks too bizarre for my tastes. But there is also a nagging curiosity in the back of my mind. Add in the facts that it’s based on a best-selling novel and comes from the creative mind of Tim Burton and there are possibilities.

Also Coming Soon to Theaters

Trailers linked in titles

+ The BFG (July 1st)
+ Ghostbusters (July 15th)
+ Star Trek Beyond (July 22nd)
+ Jason Bourne (July 29th) – Alicia Vikander also co-stars in this!
+The Secret Life of Pets (August 5th)
+ Suicide Squad (August 5th)
+ Pete’s Dragan (August 12th)

Which of these are you most anticipating? Let me know what films you plan to see at the box office. I’d love to chat with you!

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