USA TODAY International Edition
Big screen all set to blast off for 4th of July weekend
Beatles music, evil dolls, a tangled web from Spidey and other gems await moviegoers this holiday.
Hot dogs, corn on the cob and sparklers are on the menu for most folks’ July 4 weekend, but so are popcorn, Goobers and a ticket to big-screen escape. ❚ The Fourth of July is a major movie holiday that over the years has given us such cinematic fireworks as “Independence Day,” “Men in Black,” “Transformers,” “Armageddon” and “Wild Wild West.” (OK, it’s probably best if we forget about that last one.) ❚ Once you’ve gotten your fill of tasty victuals and humming patriotic John Philip Sousa marches, here’s our viewing guide for every mood you might find yourself in. (Movies are now showing unless otherwise specified.)
If you have fond memories of John, Paul, George and Ringo: ‘Yesterday’
Director Danny Boyle’s romantic comedy centers on a struggling English musician (newcomer Himesh Patel) who gets in a freak bus accident and wakes up as the only person who remembers The Beatles and their songs. He passes them off as his own on a musical journey of fame, fortune and unrequited love that’ll have your toes tapping.
If you feel like going on a Magical Mysterio Tour: ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’
Tom Holland returns as the Marvel movies’ resident teen web slinger for a lighthearted sequel – and a superheroic palate cleanser after the heavyweight “Avengers: Endgame.” Spidey and his friends go on a class trip to Europe, our hero yearns for some face time with crush
MJ (Zendaya), but plans go awry with the appearance of elemental creatures and the mysterious Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal).
If you want a messy relationship drama (and gore): ‘Midsommar’
After a family tragedy, a young woman (Florence Pugh) goes on a jaunt to a Swedish summer festival with her apathetic boyfriend (Jack Reynor) and his pals. It’s not your usual tourist trap, though: The couple’s relationship takes a turn for the worse as the Americans find there are some seriously strange cult goings-on with the welcoming committee in Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” follow-up (in theaters nationwide Wednesday).
If you’re a fan of sporks and/or existential crises: ‘Toy Story 4’
Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the gang return for a new Pixar sequel, a changed-up status quo and an adventurous road trip with Forky (Tony Hale), a craft project with some major identity issues. Luckily, as the song goes, he’s got a friend in Woody.
If you absolutely, positively need to see one evil doll movie: ‘Annabelle Comes Home’
The freaky porcelain plaything gets her third spinoff from “The Conjuring,” this time letting loose all manner of creepiness upon young Judy Warren (Mckenna Grace) – the daughter of a couple of famous demonologists (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) – and her babysitters.
If you absolutely, positively need to see another evil doll movie: ‘Child’s Play’
More than 20 years after violent, foul-mouthed Chucky became a cult horror icon, he gets a reboot featuring a new voice (courtesy of Mark Hamill) and an updated spin. This time around, Chucky 2.0 can hook into the grid and control cars, mobile devices and other killer dolls in his murderous devotion to owner Andy (Gabriel Bateman).
If Will Smith still rules your Independence Day: ‘Aladdin’
The Fresh Prince used to be king of July 4 back in the day, and old-school fans can enjoy that guy as the over-thetop dancing, rapping Genie of the liveaction Disney redo. But just as key to the new flick’s success are the youngsters: Mena Massoud as heroic Aladdin and Naomi Scott as a much-improved Princess Jasmine.
If your favorite Chris is Hemsworth: ‘Men in Black: International’
Will Smith doesn’t return for a fourth “MIB” but instead, you get a reteaming of “Thor: Ragnarok” co-stars Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. This time, he’s wielding a brain zapper instead of Thor’s hammer as Agent H, who teams up with Thompson’s rookie Agent M to keep a superweapon out of the hands of bad-guy aliens.
If your holiday revolves around four-legged animals: ‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’
Pup pals Max (voiced by Patton Oswalt) and Duke (Eric Stonestreet), heroic rabbit Snowball (Kevin Hart), catnip-addicted kitty Chloe (Lake Bell) and all their friends return in the animated sequel. The biggest draw this time around? Harrison Ford lending his gruff personality to a farm dog with plenty of life lessons to impart.
If Saturday night is actually pretty alright for fighting: ‘Rocketman’
The Elton John songbook gets the biopic/jukebox musical treatment. Taron Egerton stars as the fashionable pop legend from his prodigal younger years to becoming an international superstar to battling personal demons and various addictions later in life.
If you’re all about the Keanuaissance: ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’
It’s only slightly hyperbolic to say Keanu Reeves is in everything this summer, from voicing a Canadian action figure in “Toy Story 4” to playing his most punchable self in Netflix’s “Always Be My Maybe.” Only in “John Wick 3,” though – one of the best movies of the year so far – will you see him kill a dude with a book.