‘Jim Henson: Idea Man’ (May 31)
Director Ron Howard’s documentary chronicles the life and work of beloved filmmaker Jim Henson. Featuring archival footage and interviews with Rita Moreno, Jennifer Connelly and others, the movie follows Henson from his early days as a puppeteer to becoming the icon behind “Sesame Street” and the Muppets.
Where to watch: Disney+
‘Hit Man’ (June 7)
Based on a true story, Richard Linklater’s crime comedy stars Glen Powell as a nerdy philosophy professor who moonlights as an undercover fake hitman for the police. He tries to help and ends up falling for a woman (Adria Arjona) wanting her ex dead, and their romance turns hazardous for both of them.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘BRATS’ (June 13)
This documentary is a must-see for anyone who grew up with the “Brat Pack” movies of the 1980s. Director Andrew McCarthy reunites with fellow actors and friends including Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy and Jon Cryer to tell their story, and sits down with the guy who actually coined the “Brat Pick” nickname back in the day.
Where to watch: Hulu
‘Ultraman: Rising’ (June 14)
Fun fact: Like Godzilla, Ultraman has been a popculture staple in Japan for decades. The latest incarnation comes to the U.S. via an animated adventure featuring a baseball superstar/superhero who defends Earth but is also tasked with raising the monstrous baby offspring of his greatest nemesis.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘A Family Affair’ (June 28)
Kidman and Efron were lovers in 2012’s “The Paperboy” and they’re rekindling that onscreen flame in this romantic comedy. Joey King stars as the assistant to a movie star (Efron) and unhappily discovers that her mother (Kidman) has a secret romance going on with her boss.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Fancy Dance’ (June 28)
“Killers of the Flower Moon” breakout Gladstone stars in this drama as Jax, a woman who’s long taken care of her niece Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson) on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma. When Jax loses custody of her niece to the state, the two go on the lam to find Roki’s missing mom.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ (July 3)
Axel Foley is back, y’all! Murphy’s Detroit detective returns to Beverly Hills when his daughter (Taylour Paige) is threatened, teaming up with a new partner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and his old cop friends (John Ashton and Judge Reinhold) to expose corruption and conspiracy in the police department.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Descendants: The Rise of Red’ (July 12)
The new installment of Disney’s “Descendants” franchise features Red (Kylie Cantrall), the rebellious offspring of the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora). The crimson-haired young punk partners with her roommate, Cinderella’s strait-laced daughter Chloe (Malia Baker), on a time-travel mission to stop Red’s mom from going down a villainous path.
Where to watch: Disney+
‘My Spy: The Eternal City’ (July 18)
The sequel to the 2020 family spy comedy returns Chloe Coleman as the now-teenage Sophie and Bautista as CIA agent/father figure JJ. Their new adventure takes them to Italy, where JJ is chaperoning Sophie’s school choir trip and they become embroiled in a terrorist plot to assassinate JJ’s boss (Ken Jeong).
Where to watch: Prime Video
‘ The Instigators’ (Aug. 9)
In Doug Liman’s heist film, desperate father Rory (Matt Damon) and ex-con Cobby (Casey Affleck) are paired up on a job to rob a corrupt politician. The situation goes sideways, the duo is pursued by cops, crooks and politicians alike, and even Rory’s therapist (Hong Chau) lends a hand as they try to escape capture.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
‘Jackpot!’ (Aug. 15)
Paul Feig’s action comedy envisions a near-future Los Angeles where lottery winners have to survive until sundown or their killer can claim billions. Awkwafina plays a new LA resident who mistakenly obtains a “lucky” ticket and Cena is the amateur protection agent helping her in exchange for a piece of her prize.
Where to watch: Prime Video