Picture this: You’re sitting in a dark theater, crisp buttery popcorn in one hand, an icy drink in the other. All around you, music echoes through the room, and before you, a colorful explosion of narrative plays out.
We’ve all had this experience at least once. The entertainment movies bring is a fundamental part of many lives.
Recently, this summer’s movie season just came to an end on September 1st, having started in early May. With most of these movies already out of the theaters or leaving soon, some people may feel disappointed that they didn’t see many movies this summer. After all, it was an exciting season!
However, the absence of these movies from the theater doesn’t mean you missed out on them. So if you’re ever having trouble picking a movie, here is a list of the top ten movies from this summer! The list was ranked using three online movie rating websites: Letterboxd, IMDB (Internet Movie Database), and Metacritic, as well as using student reviews.
#10: Splitsville
Genre: Comedy, Romance
When Ashley asks her husband Carey for a divorce, he goes to their friends for support, only to discover that the key to their healthy relationship is an open marriage. But after he sleeps with the wife of the couple, all four lives are thrown into chaos.
★★★⯪☆ 7.2/10 74
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
72.6/100
Student Review:
67/100
“The movie was pretty fire. It was a little stupid and all the characters were crazy, but I liked it.”
– Oliver Buttron
#9: Superman
Genre: Superhero, Action
When Superman intervenes in a conflict, he faces pushback from the public, which allows tech billionaire Lex Luthor to enact evil plans. The film follows Superman’s attempts to fight back and save the day.
★★★★☆ 7.2/10 68
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
72.6/100
Student Review:
90/100
“I really liked how they showed Superman’s vulnerable side. It made him feel much more human. It also made the movie more interesting knowing that he couldn’t do everything alone.”
– Alex Zertuche, Helix Student
#8: F1: The Movie
Genre: Action, Sports
Washed-up racer Sonny Hayes returns to the Formula 1 racing track thirty years after the end of his career. As he competes in races and scuffles with a fiery rookie teammate, he must find a way to save a dying underdog team.
★★★⯪☆ 7.8/10 68
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
73.3/100
Student Review:
75/100
“I wish I could say it was good, but it left no impression on me, so I can’t give it a good review. I thought the movie followed a classic male lead formula and there were a lot of cringey and cheesy scenes. But if you’re into racing movies you might enjoy it.”
– Maya Pelayo, Helix Student
#7: Bring Her Back
Genre: Horror
Two orphaned siblings uncover a terrifying ritual at the home of their new foster mother and find themselves trapped in the middle of a gruesome plot.
★★★⯪☆ 7.2/10 75
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
73.6/100
Student Review:
75/100
“This movie is super brutal and gory. The way the scenes were shot was very interesting, but it was kind of hard to focus on that with all the crazy stuff happening.”
– Anonymous Student
#6: Pavements
Genre: Documentary
A documentary about the hit 90s band Pavement, intertwining real life imagery, a fictional biopic of the band, a faux musical, and a fictional museum visit.
★★★⯪☆ 7.1/10 76
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
73.6/100
Student Review:
80/100
“A really cool documentary that shows just how different and unique Pavement is.”
– Lucinda Anderson, Helix Student
#5: K-Pop Demon Hunters
Genre: Animation, Musical
K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey live a double life, secretly fighting demons as demon hunters in their freetime. However, a new danger emerges and begins to threaten the balance of the world.
★★★⯪☆ 7.6/10 77
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
75/100
Student Review:
92/100
“The music and the story were really good. I liked how the story progressed and how the movie ended.”
– Lily Flanery, Helix Student
#4: Lurker
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Drama
An average joe retail worker befriends a rising popstar. As he begins to get closer to the pop star, staying relevant both relationship and popularity-wise soon becomes a matter of life and death, no matter the cost.
★★★⯪☆ 7.3/10 79
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
75.3/100
Student Review:
80/100
“Stalker alert!”
– Anonymous Helix Student
#3: Weapons
Genre: Horror, Thriller
When all but one of Ms. Gandy’s elementary classroom mysteriously vanishes into the night, a town is thrown into despair. However, the events that follow are just as strange and chilling.
★★★★☆ 7.8/10 81
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
78.3/100
Student Review:
80/100
“It was entertaining and did well integrating multiple points of view. However, it needed more story building and I feel like I need a sequel to explain everything in order to make it easier to understand. Overall, it kept me entertained.”
– Beatrix Marriott, Helix Student
#2: It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley
Genre: Documentary
A documentary that follows the life and career of famous musician Jeff Buckley, exploring just how complex and heartfelt he truly was.
★★★★⯪ 8.0/10 72
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
78.6/100
Student Review:
95/100
“The film explores not only Jeff Buckley’s musical influences but also those who shaped his life and way of living. It was incredibly well edited and paced, weaving in songs from his album with a narrative of his life. The inclusion of never-before released footage and accounts from those closest to him gives the documentary an intense sense of intimacy and loss.”
– Sophie McCullough, Helix Student
#1: War of the Worlds
Genre: Science Fiction
A computer security analyst is torn from his daily life of surveilling when aliens begin to invade Earth. With the help of his arch-enemy, a hacker named “Disrupter,” he must try to save his children, and the world.
★☆☆☆☆ 2.5/10 17
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
17/100
Student Review:
10/100
“One of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. It has some of the longest scenes ever where literally nothing happens. It was basically just a two hour ad for Amazon.”
– Vivian Chapman, Helix Student
Just Kidding!
Actual #1: Sorry, Baby
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Trying to recover from a past trauma that scarred her, Agnes must navigate the aftermath and find her way in order to recover and welcome new challenges and opportunities into her life.
★★★★☆ 7.1/10 89
AVG. Letterboxd Score AVG. IMDB Score AVG. Metacritic Rating
Overall Average:
80.6/100
Student Review:
92/100
“A very eloquent and beautiful exploration of healing. It did an amazing job juggling both the humor and the heartbreak.”
– Quinn Pavnoz, Helix Student
In the end, if you’re ever sitting around, wondering what to watch, you can use this list to choose! Happy watching!
