Awards season has come and gone; the start of the year trash is out of the way and it's finally that wonderful time of year again where the sun shines and some of the biggest movies of the year go toe to toe as the Summer movie season gets underway. There are plenty of gems hitting screens and I'm going to be highlighting some of the unmissable ones in my Summer Movie Preview.

 From big-budget sequels - from Finding Dory to Independence Day: Resurgence - to big, epic popcorn flicks - the likes of Warcraft and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows - to everything in-between - Ghostbusters, Central Intelligence, Suicide Squad and more - this Summer has plenty to offer and lots of potentially great films looking to make an impression and steal our hearts (let's not forget our money, too) in the process.

 Below I have compiled a list of the 35 films I believe are worth checking out in the 2016 Summer Movie Season from blockbuster to indie; superhero flick to comedy. It should be noted that the Summer Movie Season begins from the start of May and runs through to the end of August - however, being the Summer juggernaut that it is, we couldn't miss out Captain America: Civil War.

 The films are organised in terms of their UK release dates.

 CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

 RELEASE DATE: April 29th, 2016.

 What is set to be, arguably, not only one of the biggest films of the Summer but of the year too, Captain America: Civil War is a culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe thus far as loyalties are tested and friendships threatened when Captain America and Iron Man go toe to toe. Whilst there will be no war for this film's box-office haul, the other films may have to go toe to toe for the cash scraps as we see a civil war unfold in the charts.
MAY

 BAD NEIGHBOURS 2

RELEASE DATE: May 6th, 2016.

 The sequel to 2014's hilarious Bad Neighbours looks like a great, fun Summer flick with more humour and more chaos and more drunken teens. Seth Rogen is back with his flabs; Zac Efron with his abs and Chloe Moretz joins the proceedings with her comedic jabs.

 GREEN ROOM


RELEASE DATE: May 13th, 2016.

 Director of 2013's intense and incredible Blue Ruin is back with his follow-up feature, Green Room. It's Punks versus Neo-Nazis in this gory, gritty, nail-bitingly intense thriller - certainly not for the faint of heart (or, despite the misleading title, for fans of the colour green either but for red aficionados, this is blood-stained, red haven).

 EVERYBODY WANTS SOME

RELEASE DATE: May 13th, 2016.

 The spiritual sequel to Richard Linklater's stunning Dazed and Confused, Everybody Wants Some looks like a funny, enjoyable and fun Summer film. After Boyhood, everybody wants some of the Linklater action and this looks like something truly special that everybody will want (to see).

 ANGRY BIRDS

 RELEASE DATE: May 13th, 2016.

 It's a film based on the Angry Birds video game and, surprisingly, it actually looks like it might be decent. A stellar ensemble lead this fun-looking animation. Video game movies don't have a good track record but could this finally be a solid video game movie? It'll certainly be a big one for the kids - and, akin to Green Room, another film for fans of the colour red, perhaps?

 WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT

RELEASE DATE: May 13th, 2016.

 If gory thrillers, college-spirited films and colourful animations aren't your thing, then May 13th also offers Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, a stylish and intriguing looking war comedy with a cast that are as cool as this film's name. You have an actress with the name of Margot Robbie starring in a film called Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - cool names galore.

 X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

 RELEASE DATE: May 18th, 2016.

 The epic conclusion to the X-Men prequel trilogy has arrived. Following on from the wonderful Days of Future Past, Apocalypse pits our heroes against their most formidable foe yet: the eponymous Apocalypse. Not all of our beloved X-Men will come out alive and this looks like a HUGE and truly EPIC spectacle.

 ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

RELEASE DATE: May 27th, 2016.

 Disney's live-action reimagining of Alice in Wonderland released back in 2010 and grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, so, of course, a sequel was inevitable and it is finally set to hit screens this Summer. With the cast all set to return, we're set to follow Alice on a journey through time in what looks to be a trippy, fun flick. Warning: does not contain any actual looking glasses.

 MONEY MONSTER

RELEASE DATE: May 27th, 2016.

 Jodie Foster returns to the director's chair for the real-time thriller Money Monster. With a stellar cast featuring George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Jack O'Connell, this film about a hijacked TV studio may be a monster stealing our money if it's as good as we all hope. The premise is intriguing and everything about this film promises some great, thrilling cinematic entertainment and a film to definitely keep an eye out for.

 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: OUT OF THE SHADOWS

RELEASE DATE: May 30th, 2016.

The heroes in a half shell return to the big-screen for their follow-up to the 2014 box-office smash hit. Introducing fan favourite characters like Bebop, Rocksteady and Casey Jones, this could be a sleeper hit. After all, who doesn't love a good bit of explosive chaos and mind-numbing action sequences - Michael Bay, we're looking to you.

WARCRAFT

RELEASE DATE: May 30th, 2016.

The second of this Summer's two video game adaptations is Duncan Jones' Warcraft. This looks like an epic-scaled blockbuster for fans of the game, made by a very talented director who is also a fan of the game. Could this be the first great video game movie (if Angry Birds doesn't pan out, that is)? That remains to be seen but it certainly looks like a big, fun, cheesy video game film for sure (which we've seen plenty of before).

JUNE
ME BEFORE YOU

RELEASE DATE: June 3rd, 2016.

Sam Claflin and Emilia Clarke divert from their typical action roles for this sweet, heartfelt-looking romantic drama, Me Before You. Every Summer has a go-to tearjerker and this is 2016's one. Heck, even just the trailer made a certain someone writing this article tear up... not me though... of course not... errr, I don't cry... what a preposterous idea...

THE NICE GUYS

RELEASE DATE: June 3rd, 2016.

A buddy-cop comedy starring IRL nice guys Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, directed by Shane Black that looks absolutely hilarious and tons of fun: what more do you want? In fact, need I even say more on the film? Thought so.

 THE CONJURING 2

RELEASE DATE: June 17th, 2016.

Back in 2013, the original The Conjuring released and it was a fresh, unique horror film and one that was absolutely TERRIFYING! The film was a huge success and this Summer's sequel looks to be just as scary and great, if not more so, than its predecessor.

INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE

RELEASE DATE: June 23rd, 2016.

20 years since the original Independence Day hit cinemas and we finally have a sequel that looks epic in scale and ambition. Resurgence looks like a truly insane and fun popcorn flick, with some promising, momentous set-pieces and action sequences and great visuals. It's another Independence Day film... enough said.

ELVIS & NIXON

RELEASE DATE: June 24th, 2016.

Michael Shannon stars as 'The King of Pop', Elvis Presley, opposite Kevin Spacey as President Nixon in a biopic about 'the untold true story' of the infamous time the pair met. The historical comedy looks hilarious and like it's going to be one rocking good time.

 THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS

RELEASE DATE: June 24th, 2016.

Kevin Hart leads Illumination's latest animation about, well, as the title suggests, the secret life of pets. The trailers were sweet and funny and this looks very promising, in a Summer so crowded with family films and animated pictures. A stellar ensemble join Hart for what looks to be yet another winning animation from the studio that brought you Despicable Me (yay!) and Minions (sob!). It's one for the family, don't forget to take your pets.

JULY

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE

RELEASE DATE: July 1st, 2016.

If you couldn't get enough of Kevin Hart in Pets then you're in luck because he's set to join forces with the always charismatic and brilliant Dwayne Johnson for the comedy Central Intelligence. This film looks like tons of fun and The Rock seems to shine yet again in this hilarious comedic role in a film that is bound to be another great box-office smash hit, rock-bottoming all other competition.

 NNOW YOU SEE ME 2

RELEASE DATE: July 4th, 2016.

The sequel to 2013's surprise smash-hit Now You See Me looks like another serving of magic, heists and fun. The stellar ensemble are back, this time joined by Daniel Radcliffe, for what is shaping up to be a solid follow-up to the original. You've seen the first, now see more.

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN

RELEASE DATE: July 8th, 2016.

Harry Potter franchise alum is set to reimagine the classic tale of Tarzan in The Legend of Tarzan. Alexander Skarsgård plays our eponymous lead and is joined by Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson and Christopher Waltz in this darker, more action-packed and more grounded twist on the iconic story. To quote Barney Stinson, "it's going to be legend... the legend of Tarzan."

THE NEON DEMON

RELEASE DATE: July 8th, 2016.

3 years since his last film and Nicolas Winding Refn is back directing yet another film. Following up the likes of Only God Forgives and Drive, The Neon Demon looks like another stylish and thrilling NWR classic. Plus, Elle Fanning stars in the lead role. What more do you want?

GHOSTBUSTERS

RELEASE DATE: July 15th, 2016.

Paul Feig leads a stellar comedic cast in the all-female live-action Ghostbusters reboot. The first trailer wasn't good but with all the talent backing this, and how iconic this property is, it'll be interesting to see how this film plays out. It's Ghostbusters so it's going to make the list, regardless.

THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR 

RELEASE DATE: July 15th, 2016.

The original Purge was awful but the sequel, The Purge: Anarchy, was a great action film. Frank Grillo returns for the follow-up and, whilst we don't expect much from these films (they're hardly scary), Election Year could certainly be a competent and fun action thriller - if anything like it's predecessor. Here's to hoping we get a Donald Trump cameo, being purged upon. After all, it is called Election Year and is about important government officials being hunted down by partakers in the Purge.

STAR TREK: BEYOND

RELEASE DATE: July 22nd, 2016.

J.J Abrams' Stark Trek reboot, back in 2009, was an incredible film. 2013's Into Darkness had a lot of problems with it but it still was a decent Star Trek film. With Fast & Furious franchise director Justin Lin taking over from Abrams and Simon Pegg writing the script, Beyond looks to continue the streak of the franchise and maybe even go "beyond" it too (I'm hilarious, right?).

THE BFG

RELEASE DATE: July 22nd, 2016.

 One of cinema's finest storytellers - the legendary Steven Spielberg - adapts one of literature's finest storytellers' - the late but great Roald Dahl - iconic and classic children novel The BFG. The film looks fantastical and magical and a nice return to Spielberg's early, family, wondrous roots, which gave us the likes of classics such as E.T and Jurassic Park.

 JASON BOURNE

RELEASE DATE: July 28th, 2016.

 We have a new Bourne film, with both Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass returning, 9 years since they last worked together on The Bourne Ultimatum. I love this franchise and I'm so excited to see where the story goes. You know his name.... now go and see his movie.

 FINDING DORY

RELEASE DATE: July 29th, 2016.

 Finding Nemo is one of my all-time favourite animations; it was a funny, endearing Pixar classic. 13 years since it released and the animation juggernauts that are Pixar are releasing the long-awaited sequel. I'm skeptical but I'm also cautiously optimistic. Pixar always deliver great films and I'm sure they won't falter here as they find their way into our wallets... yet again.
AUGUST
NINE-LIVES
RELEASE DATE: August 5th, 2016.

Kevin Spacey stars as a businessman who becomes a cat... You read that right, Kevin Spacey as a cat. And the film stars Christopher Walken too. I'm not kidding you. I think that alone makes this worth watching.

SUICIDE SQUAD

RELEASE DATE: August 5th, 2016.

2016 has been a big year for superhero films and it doesn't end yet as as our Summer begins to wrap up with Warner Bros' Suicide Squad. There is some stellar talent both in front and behind the camera for this project and all the marketing we have seen so far has been utterly brilliant. Whilst it may be haunted by Batman v Superman, caught in the shadow of its disappointment, this film looks so much better and might be the good DCEU film we've been waiting for.

 MIKE AND DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES

RELEASE DATE: August 10th, 2016.

Adam DeVine and Zac Efron play Mike and Dave, with Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza as their wedding dates. Despite flopping in Dirty Grandpa, it seems as though Efron is coming back strong - with Bad Neighbours 2 a couple of months earlier too - in what looks like a fun, raunchy, rude, crude and hilarious comedy.

PETE'S DRAGON

RELEASE DATE: August 12th, 2016.

Back in April, Disney released their live-action reboot of The Jungle Book and the film was a huge success both critically and commercially. The studio have a great track with their live-action adaptations and Pete's Dragon looks like yet another fantastical, great one to add to their collection.

BAD MOMS

RELEASE DATE: August 19th, 2016.

The writers of The Hangover have written and directed Bad Moms, a raunchy, fun looking comedy boasting one of the most impressive female ensembles of the year. Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn and Kristen Bell star as mothers cutting loose in this comedy. Babysitters, start your engines because there's a whole slew of mum's planning nights out.

LIGHTS OUT

RELEASE DATE: August 19th, 2016.

I'm a big fan of horror films and, based on the terrifying Lights Out short film on YouTube, David F. Sandberg's Lights Out looks like a unique and truly terrifying horror film. With James Wan producing, this is one not to be missed by all the horror junkies [insert witty pun about lights].

WAR DOGS

RELEASE DATE: August 26th, 2016.

Miles Teller and Jonah Hill star in this war drama and comedy based on the true story of two men who won a $300 million contract from.the Pentagon to arm America's allies in Afghanistan. I'm a big fan of the cast and the trailer was great; could we possibly have an Awards contender making an early impression with War Dogs? We'll see, [war] dawg.

POPSTAR: NEVER STOP STOPPING

RELEASE DATE: August 26th, 2016.

This music-comedy from The Lonely Island and producer Judd Apatow looks like a ton of fun. A stellar ensemble join Andy Samberg for this fanciful success story. The trailer is reminiscent of Entourage but it looks like it's going to be so much funnier and more glamorous than that was. I'm intrigued and very excited to see this picture.

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About the Author

Awais Irfan
Founder of Oasis Awais, and avid lover of life, Awais Irfan's love of writing and film is unequivocal. Ever since he was a little kid, he has loved the cinematic experience; so much so, he is studying Film Production in Glasgow and hopes to be the next "big thing" in directing.

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