20 Super Summer Films Vol. 1

BY: PROVOKR Staff

What a roller coaster line-up of films this summer. There are so many intriguing must-see films. We are recommending 20 to see, Part 1 this week and Part 2 next week.

We start our list this week with the highly anticipated Avengers: Endgame. Open now and it’s sold out in major markets for the opening weekend! Robert Downey Jr. and the stunning cast return for an unforgettable 3-hour ride. We would love to see Robert Downey Jr. turn his formidable talents on to something of social significance sometime soon. Just a thought. Also starring Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is on everyone’s list. Who could resist Millie Bobby Brown and Vera Farmiga being terrified by another monster, although a bit bigger than our Stranger Things beasty. Charles Dance from Game of Thrones also stars. Opening May 31.

Sansa Stark gets all the power she ever wanted in Dark Phoenix. This X-Men chapter is all about Sophie Turner and her dark side as the new kid on the scary powers block. Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy costar with the rest of the usual suspects. We can’t wait until June 7.

Will Rocketman deliver the way Bohemian Rhapsody did? This biopic of Elton John looks like it can and then some. Even the trailer is amazing. Starring Taron Egerton in the title role and Jaime Bell as Bernie Taupin. Opens May 31

The Dead Don’t Die is directed by legendary filmmaker Jim Jarmusch and stars Adam Driver, Chloe Sevigny, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray and even Selena Gomez as the peaceful town of Centerville is attacked by zombies. Should be fun! Opens June 14. We have a feeling Mr. Jarmusch will deliver an oddly funny and great horror film.

Late Night opens June 7 and stars the towering talent of Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling and John Lithgow. Written by Miss Kaling, the story tells of the only woman late night talk show host, Thompson, bringing new talent, Kaling, into the all male writer’s room. This is a sure fire and smart summer comedy.

Midsommar is an out and out horror film of the best kind. Intelligent and twisted is the story of a group of young people escaping for a vacation where things go darkly astray. Starring Florence Pugh and directed and written by Ari Aster of Hereditary fame. Opens July 3.

A very amazing biopic is Tolkien, the story of the revered author of Lord of the Rings and the series of books that followed. The story of a young orphaned Tolkien finding his way in the world is a tale of courage, friendship, loyalty and the blooming of one incredible imagination. Starring Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins. Opens May 10.

Booksmart rounds out our first 10 recommended films to see this summer. This is the wonderful story of two girls and friends who are academically accomplished and suddenly discovering they forgot to be wild and crazy teenagers. Olivia Wilde directs this one, and it stars Skyler Gisondo and Kaitlyn Dever. The film opens May 24.

The Hustle is a hilarious take and a modern woman’s version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. It hits the screens on May 10. Starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson as con women who accidentally meet on a train. Very Hitchcock. One of the women, Wilson, is kind of a low class grifter and the other woman, Hathaway, a high-class con artist. The Hustle will be one of the comedy winners this summer.

Same time, same place next week for our final 10 staff favorites for irresistible summer movie going.