Hollywood has learned how to pivot quickly in releasing films through the pandemic and the strikes, with the summer of 2023 bringing a new enthusiasm for moviegoing. The season saw box office success with hits like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” as well as surprise hits like “Sound of Freedom,” helping the total box office crack $4 billion for the first time since 2019. However, the industry faced another crisis looming with the dual Hollywood strikes, which shuttered most productions for months. The fallout of the strikes resulted in theaters losing big titles like “Mission: Impossible 8” and “Captain America: Brave New World” to 2025, but gaining gems like Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders” on the summer chessboard.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who has seen the highs and lows of summer movies over the decades with blockbusters like “Top Gun: Maverick” and the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, has three different offerings this season. This includes fourth installments in popular franchises like “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Bad Boys,” as well as a theatrical rollout for “Young Woman and the Sea,” which was initially planned for streaming due to its success in testing. The $4 billion goal for the summer box office remains a target, with over 40 movies set to open in 500+ theaters this summer. The lineup includes a variety of genres ranging from action and comedy to superhero and horror, catering to a wide range of moviegoers.
Original films like “The Bikeriders” and Kevin Costner’s two-part Western epic “Horizon: An American Saga” are set to roll out this summer, along with a variety of Sundance breakouts scattered throughout the season. Family films are also abundant during the summer, with highly anticipated releases like “Inside Out 2” and John Krasinski’s “IF” exploring the inner worlds of children and the concept of imaginary friends. Horror enthusiasts will have plenty to choose from with releases like “MaXXXine,” “A Quiet Place: Day One,” and “Alien: Romulus,” as well as thrillers from M. Night Shyamalan and his daughter, Ishana Night Shyamalan.
While big summer movies have existed off the big screen for years, the streamers like Apple TV+ and Netflix are also delivering star-studded spectacles this summer. Viewers can look forward to titles like “The Instigators” on Apple TV+ and “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” on Netflix, which adds an emotional component to the franchise with Eddie Murphy reuniting with his estranged daughter. Despite the unpredictability of the movie business, following one’s taste and instincts remains paramount in the industry. Summer moviegoers can expect a diverse and exciting lineup this season, with something for everyone to enjoy across various genres and platforms on the big and small screens.
