The best summer movies of 2018

Summer is a time to hit the theaters and watch blockbusters, sequels, and feel-good stories. Let’s take a look at the best movies of summer 2018.

With September approaching, the summer blockbuster season is practically over. From superheroes and popcorn flicks to independent films about middle school, the summer has had its fair share of entertaining films. As the film community transitions to the fall with potential award contenders on the horizon, let’s take a look back at the best films of the summer.

Note: This list is only for movies released between June 1 – August 31.

Incredibles 2

It turns out that good things come to those who wait. In this case, the wait was 14 years, but it was so worth it. Pixar has another winner with Incredibles 2, the highly anticipated sequel that not only lived up to the hype but surpassed its predecessor’s numbers at the box office with more than $1 billion grossed.

Incredibles 2 picked up after the events in The Incredibles but this time, Elastigirl is out saving the world as her husband, Mr. Incredible, is left to take care of the kids at home. Incredibles 2 was fun, entertaining, and the perfect movie for the whole family.

Ant-Man and the Wasp photo WDS Media File

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Not all superhero movies have to be serious. Sometimes, they can even be considered more of a comedy than a drama. That’s exactly the case with Ant-Man and the Wasp. The sequel to the 2015 Ant-Man continues the story of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), ex-con turned superhero, in his fight to balance his new hero status and fatherhood.

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This time, Scott is joined by Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), who is the Wasp, as they work together to retrieve Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) from the quantum realm. With a fast-moving script and witty dialogue, Ant-Man and the Wasp was the perfect change of pace from Avengers: Infinity War.

Eighth Grade

Heartfelt, sad, cringe-worthy, awkward, and tender are just a few of the words that come to mind to describe Eighth Grade. Written and directed by comedian Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade tells the story of Kayla, a kind but anxious teenager who struggles to navigate through her last week of eighth grade.

The film brought the audience back to a time during their awkward stage and reminded them that growing up is not always a walk in the park. Kayla’s (Elsie Fisher) social anxiety and awkwardness are spot on to what a teenager would be going through, which makes this film so accurate and real.

Sorry to Bother You

Using a “white voice” to thrive at a job? Add Sorry to Bother You to the list of social satires that was executed perfectly. Sorry to Bother You stars Lakeith Stanfield as Cassius “Cash” Green, an African American telemarketer who skyrockets at his career once he adopts a white voice to deal with customers. Ambitious Funny, original, Boots Riley’s debut film was able to stand on its own in a crowded summer movie season.

Mission Impossible: Fallout

When in doubt, return to the world of Ethan Hunt. That seems to be the gameplay for Tom Cruise. After The Mummy failed to win over audiences at the box office last year, Cruise returned to his most famous character that has won over both audiences and critics in Mission Impossible: Fallout.

The sixth installment to the franchise has Ethan Hunt and his team on the hunt for stolen plutonium while being followed by CIA assassin August Waker (Henry Cavill). Not only has this film been praised universally, by some are calling Mission Impossible: Fallout one of the best action movies of all-time.

Crazy Rich Asians

A fresh take on a rom-com was exactly what the doctor ordered in Crazy Rich Asians. Based on the novel, Crazy Rich Asians follows a young Asian American woman who travels with her boyfriend to Singapore to meet his family, where she discovers that the family is extremely wealthy.

With a strong cast and hilarious dialogue, Crazy Rich Asians adds a new dimension to rom-coms despite following a similar formula to most films in that genre. It’s a great film to end your summer on a high note!

What are the best movies from summer 2018? Let me know in the comments or tweet me @danny_giro!