The best summer blockbusters of 2025

BY ASHTYN HANSARD

Digital Media Director

When the spring semester ended and my roommate went home for the summer, I was stuck with the challenge of finding out how to spend my time and not be bored out of my mind. Staying in a smaller town like Stephenville, I knew that the movie theater would be my best option.

Over the course of the summer, several movies were released. While I unfortunately didn’t have time to see all of them, I managed to catch six of the more popular movies that came out. Below is my ranking from lowest to highest.

6. “How To Train Your Dragon: Live Action”

To be completely honest in this review, I never fully finished the animated film before I saw this movie, so I was amazed watching the live-action adaptation. I was so amazed, in fact, that I went home and watched the animated version to see how they compare. After finishing, I was no longer amazed.

To be fair, the movie was pretty good. However, the live-action is the exact same story as the animated version, just with real people instead of voice actors. I was surprised to see no additions, especially with such a loaded cast.

That being said, the actors did a wonderful job with their characters and on-screen relationships. They had depth and great chemistry. I just wish they had brought something new to the screen rather than a frame-by-frame redo.

5. “Jurassic World: Rebirth”

This is another movie that I didn’t have much knowledge of, considering the only other movie in this franchise that I’ve watched is “Jurassic World.” While I enjoyed the movie and even fell victim to a few jumpscares, I wouldn’t rank it much higher.

I love Scarlett Johansson and everything she’s in, but unfortunately, her character is too flat and lacks depth. She’s only seen as a woman who knows how to use a gun and has a rough past. Mahershala Ali also fell victim to the writing, portrayed only as a fierce but damaged friend to Johansson’s character.

The only characters that seemed to have multiple layers to them were Jonathan Bailey’s character, Dr. Henry Loomis, and the Delgado family. They had good comedic timing and some great lines, including one Henry says to the group.

“We don’t rule the Earth. We just think we do. Sure, we’re changing the environment, but that makes us the ones to worry about, not the planet. When the Earth gets tired of us, believe me, it will shake us off like a summer cold,” Henry said.

While the movie was fun, only these characters had any really memorable moments. If you’re looking for a stand alone movie, this is a good option, as long as you’re not too nitpicky.

4. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”

Here is where there’s a noticeable leap in the rankings. I loved this movie so much. While I’ve ranked it lower due to the pacing and editing, I still highly recommend it. It’s a great addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby show so much care for their characters, Reed Richards and Sue Storm, respectively, and really feel like a married couple on screen. Their chemistry is undeniable and wholesome, which is a nice change for MCU couples.

Joseph Quinn perfectly plays Johnny Storm by being a source of comic relief when needed but also portraying his brilliant mind when trying to understand Shalla-Bal, also known as the Silver Surfer, who is played by Julia Garner. Ebon Moss-Bachrach does well with his character, Ben Grimm, although it was hard to feel some of his emotions considering his character is made out of rock.

My favorite part of this movie is how it feels like it really focuses on each character and gives them their moment.

I especially love Kirby’s portrayal of motherhood with Sue. Rather than playing her character noble the entire time, she plays into an almost animalistic urge to protect her and Reed’s son, Franklin. It’s a side of motherly love that I feel isn’t portrayed enough on screen, and Kirby did an amazing job.

3. “Thunderbolts*”

Maybe it’s just a recency bias or because I love the character Yelena Belova, but I think this is one of the best Marvel movies to be produced in a long time. I adored this movie so much, I got a DVD player just so I could watch it again before it gets put on streaming.

Honestly, I didn’t have much hope walking into this movie given the shakiness of recent Marvel projects, but I was happily proven wrong. I was on the edge of my seat and tearing up at one point, completely entranced by the story.

Putting together a team formed by a former sleeper agent kidnapped by Hydra, a failed super soldier project, an attempt to recreate Captain America, a former Black Widow, a character who can phase through walls and a man who is both a god and the physical embodiment of depression was such a risky move. Thankfully, it was also a perfect decision.

Not only do the characters mesh well together, but the cinematography and overall message of the movie are just beautiful.

Instead of focusing purely on action or defeating a monster, the story delved more into the struggles that the characters went through in their lives. I loved this idea considering most movies tend to gloss over the mental effects that the pressure of saving the world would have on someone. The director and actors both handled the topic beautifully, really shining a new light on these anti-heroes.

I also just love how it feels entirely like its own project despite having several characters from different Marvel projects. The editing and pacing make it a refreshing change in the MCU.

2. “Superman”

Look, I’ve never cared about the Detective Comics (DC) universe before this movie came out, unless you count CW’s “The Flash” that I binge-watched in middle school. I’ve always been a Marvel fan, never giving a glance at DC characters. After watching this adaptation by James Gunn, I want to know everything I can about Superman.

I’ve seen a lot of controversy about this movie considering how “on the nose” they were about portraying political conflicts happening in the world today in the movie, but I’m here to judge the movie and the movie alone. James Gunn’s “Superman” is one of the greatest comic book adaptations I’ve ever seen in my life.

Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane perfectly: chaotic, funny and extremely brilliant. When it comes to superhero movies, you’re always at risk of the main female character being portrayed as dumb. I was thrilled to see that they kept Lane’s wit and smarts.

My favorite character has to be Mr. Terrific, played by Edi Gathegi. He does a fantastic job playing up the analytical parts of Mr. Terrific while also flexing his nonchalant demeanor throughout the entire movie. There’s one fight scene involving him that is one of my favorite fight scenes ever, but I won't give that away.

David Corenswet is so undeniably Superman that I can’t believe other actors even tried out for the role. He plays his kindness and care for human lives so well that I was grinning ear to ear when he saved a squirrel from a monster. When he finally confronts Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, at the end of the movie, he gives a speech that I’ve kept thinking about since I heard it for the first time in the theaters:

“I wake up every morning and, despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other, and I try to make the best choices I can. I screw up all the time, but that is being human, and that’s my greatest strength.”

It perfectly encapsulates everything Superman is about: hope, love and doing the best you can. If you didn’t get that on the first watch, maybe it’s time to do a rewatch.

1. “Sinners”

While there are a lot of good movies in this list, “Sinners” is the only original one not involved in a franchise, and it’s no coincidence that it’s being ranked number one. Directed by Ryan Coogler, “Sinners” is a horror movie with its own voice. I wouldn’t be surprised if this gets nominated or even wins an Oscar.

When I first walked into the theater, I didn’t know anything about this movie except that Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld were starring in it and there were vampires. When I left, I knew I had found a new favorite movie.

While “Sinners” can be seen as a scary vampire movie on the surface level, it’s so much more. The movie touches on cultural appropriation, forced religion and the yearning to be a part of a community that doesn’t want you. I won’t go too far into the deeper message, but this is not just a vampire movie.

While there weren’t many jumpscares, there’s an overwhelming sense of dread that looms over the story that really builds that anxious feeling for the viewer. Jack O’Connell does a great job playing Remmick, the Irish vampire who wants to take Sammie Moore’s (Miles Caton) voice so he can reconnect with his ancestors through music.

Music is a very important plot point of “Sinners.” At the beginning of the movie, we hear an opening monologue talking about how there are tales of someone with a voice so powerful, they could connect with the dead and bring present and past people together. This person is Sammie.

Canton is absolutely phenomenal as Sammie, the younger cousin to the Smoke Stack twins, both played by Jordan. Despite only being 20 years old, his voice is of another world, no pun intended. His performance was so brilliant, I was surprised to learn that this was his debut in acting. I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more of him in future films.

My favorite aspect of this movie is the music, both the soundtrack and score. Composer Ludwig Göransson really brought the southern twang and soulful blues music to life, making me feel like I was in rural Mississippi with the characters.

One of my absolute favorite lines comes from the midcredit scene where Stack reunites with Sammie. When talking about that terrifying night at the juke joint, Sammie admits that it was also the best night of his life. When he asks Stack if it was the same for him, he gives a bittersweet answer:

“No doubt about it. Last time I seen my brother. Last time I seen the sun. And just for a few hours, we was free.”

With this line, followed by the song “Last Time (I Seen the Sun),” it’s such a heartbreaking moment after knowing what all the characters went through.

Coogler has always been phenomenal with his directorial choices, but this might be his best film yet. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to watch an amazing movie.

I may have only been able to catch these six movies in theaters, but I really enjoyed getting to see them for the first time this summer. I recommend these movies—some more than others—if you’re looking for something new to watch.