Ten Shows and Films to Look Forward to Summer 2025
For most people, it begins with Memorial Day Weekend, or whenever they get out of school if they’re kids; maybe both for some kids. But that doesn’t change that, meteorologically speaking, June 21st is the Summer Solstice. Therefore, it means that if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to start enjoying the season. Including all the new movies, returning shows, and new series coming out. And if you’ve been paying attention to pop culture, then you know that the rest of the Summer is going to be filled with a lot of heavy hitters!
I’m RJ Writing Ink for The Game of Nerds, and here are my picks for the ten shows and movies that people should keep an eye out for this Summer. And that’s not even including SDCC!
How to Train Your Dragon (June 13th)
By the time this goes up, this film will have already been out for two weeks in theaters. Having gotten to see it opening weekend, though, I cannot stress it enough that you should go see it. While Disney’s recent Snow White might have embittered many people about live-action remakes of animated films, How to Train Your Dragon proves that they can be done well. Not only is the remake faithful to the original, adding only when necessary, but the dragons are as cool as ever. With the summer season in full swing, this is one of the first big films.
Phineas and Ferb are Back (June 5th)
After all these years, the legends of Summertime fun have returned.
Ten years after their show initially came to an end, Phineas and Ferb have returned for a new season on Disney Channel and Disney+. Beginning right at the start of their next Summer vacation, the boys remain as committed as ever to living life to the fullest…and Candace remains as committed to busting them. Meanwhile, Doofenshmirtz has decided to go back to being evil for the heck of it, meaning he and Perry the Platypus are enemies once more. The new season’s already on Disney Channel, while the first ten episodes are out on Disney+. And while some might have issues with the show’s lack of “originality”, who cares? People love Phineas and Ferb, and are willing to see how far Disney can take them.
Elio (June 20th)
It took a little longer than initially planned, and they had to move it a week to avoid competing with the How To Train Your Dragon remake (which I saw and loved), but Pixar’s Elio is now in theaters. A coming-of-age sci-fi story, Elio is about the boy of the same name getting beamed up by aliens…and he absolutely loves it! He had such a hard time fitting in back home, he decided to take his chances with aliens. That feeling of loneliness is something plenty of people can relate to, but running from his problems won’t solve them. Especially when his new friend turns out to be the son of an intergalactic warlord ready to destroy them all!
Squid Game Final Season (June 27th)
Four years ago, the world was set ablaze by Netflix’s Squid Game, the deadliest competition for cash the world had ever seen. Squid Game mania has gripped the entire world, but like all good things, the game must come to an end. Seong Gi-hun’s attempts to end the game may have come up short for now, but the world is still waiting to see if he really can end them. I’ve never been that big into the series, but even I am excited to see which will come out on top: Gi-hun’s faith in humanity or the cynicism of the Front Man?
Jurassic World Rebirth (July 2nd)
It’s been ten years since the Jurassic Park franchise was revived thanks to Jurassic World, and it looks like the franchise isn’t stopping anytime soon. With dinosaurs free but confined to living in the tropics, a new ensemble cast embarks on a mission to collect dinosaur DNA for the sake of medical research. However, this new group, now counting Scarlett Johansson among them, winds up discovering mutated experiments gone horribly wrong. While the plot for the film might not be up to par, odds are, people will still pay money to see this next Jurassic Park film. Dinosaurs sell; it’s a simple concept!
DanDaDan Season 2 (July 2nd)
Last fall, DanDaDan exploded onto streaming platforms as one of the best anime of the year. From the absolute banger of an OP to the god-tier levels of animation, DanDaDan had people foaming at the mouth. Thankfully, the fans haven’t had to wait long for a second season, with it dropping this July. With the cliffhanger that the anime ended on taking us into one of the best arcs of the series, fan expectations are sky-high. This summer is going to have plenty of big anime, but DanDaDan is the one people need to watch out for the most.
Superman (July 11th)
When DC realized their attempts to make a cinematic universe on par with Marvel weren’t working, they did the one thing they could: soft reset. Thanks to that, the reminted DCU is ready to greet the world, and its having the Man of Steel lead the way. Noticeably brighter and not as gritty as the previous films, the new Superman film shows a lot of promise. David Corenswet looks to play a great Superman, we have a Lex Luthor who acts like Lex Luthor, and everyone loves best boi, Krypto. With the MCU facing its own potential reset following Avengers: Secret Wars, DC could be looking at an even playing field for superhero films. Assuming that people dont get tired of them in the next few years.
The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball (July 28th)
After all these years, Gumball has returned.
When the Amazing World of Gumball ended its initial run on a cliffhanger, we were told it wasn’t the end. That we would be getting a sequel film or series that would make the destruction of Elmore right. Six long years would pass, and there were moments when it looked as though it wouldn’t happen. Yet, somehow, Gumball is returning this July. Ironically, this Cartoon Network is coming out on Hulu and Disney+ in the US, AKA the services of Warner Bros. greatest rival.
Then again, its more Gumball. That’s worth the pride of a company that doesn’t value its own creations.
Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25th)
After all these years, Marvel’s first family is coming home. Fans have been waiting for years for the Fantastic Four to finally join the MCU. Now, we’re getting our wish this July. Set in a reality that’s parallel to the main MCU, the film will be an adaptation of the legendary Galactus Arc from the comics. That will ultimately see the Fantastic Four go up against the might of the world-eater, Galactus, for the fate of Earth. While they ultimately triumphed in the comics, though, their appearance in teh stinger for Thunderbolts* does not bode well.
King of the Hill (August 4th)
One of the greatest animated shows of all time, King of the Hill has maintained a strong following in the decade since it’s initial finale. This August, fans will get to return to Arlen, Texas, with the Hill family with an upcoming revival on Hulu. After working overseas in Saudi Arabia for some time, Hank and Peggy return to their old home and work to adapt to the changes made since they were away. Meanwhile, a now-adult Bobby is working on his dreams of being a chef in Dallas. The revival has attracted a great deal attention from long-time fans, and will undoubetdly be a major highlight of the late summer. With the recent murder of John Redcorn’s voice actor, Jonathan Joss, though, the revival will be a bittersweet affair.
