The 2023 Hollywood writing strikes brought film production to a standstill, and studios are in the midst of recovery. According to Grover Street Analytics, 2024 films have been off to a slow start, with few movies earning over $100 million. As summer approaches, however, new movies anticipate their turn in the spotlight; specifically, “Inside Out 2,” “Despicable Me 4” and “It Ends With Us” will be released in an attempt to help Hollywood recover. So, what do these new films promise to offer?
Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” will be released in theaters on June 14. This sequel explores the mind of Riley Andersen, like the first “Inside Out” movie did –– only this time, Riley is a teenager. Riley’s newest emotion, Anxiety, forces her mental headquarters to undergo reconstruction to make space. Returning characters like Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust must navigate difficult situations as a result of Anxiety’s appearance. The audience will discover, however, that Anxiety is not the only emotion added to Riley’s headquarters, and the movie promises to be a heartwarming coming-of-age addition to the beloved original.
Many teenagers have reported enthusiasm that the timeline of the two movies’ release dates means they could in a sense ‘grow up’ with the protagonist Riley. “I am excited for “Inside Out 2,” junior Mary Mahe said. “The first movie was really good and now I am excited because they’re adding new emotions and now she’s a teenager like us, so it’ll be interesting.”
Though producers shared that at first “Inside Out 2” was intended to be a movie for children between 5 and 9, it garnered the attention of countless teenagers thrilled to witness Riley navigating her teenage years just like them.
Another long-awaited blockbuster, “Despicable Me 4,” premiers on July 3. “Despicable Me 4” introduces a new character to the family: Gru’s son, Gru Jr., who is intent on making life miserable for his dad. Their peaceful life takes a turn for the worse when the infamous criminal mastermind Maxime Le Mal escapes from prison, vengeful against Gru. “I’m most excited for ‘Despicable Me 4’ because it will give me nostalgia and remind me of my childhood,” sophomore Victoria Harding Bradley said.
Another highly anticipated summer release is “It Ends with Us,” which premiers on June 21. The movie’s inspiration, the novel “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover, took the world by storm in June of 2016, selling over 1 million copies by the end of 2019. Hoover’s vulnerable writing style and unique way of approaching delicate truths about domestic abuse and toxic relationships make it a thrilling read.
The film adaptation follows Lily Bloom, played by Blake Lively, who, despite facing hardships growing up in a violent home, still persists in her pursuit of a better life. From her humble start in a small town in Maine, she achieves milestones, including moving to Boston and starting her own business. There, she meets neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid who sparks a whirlwind of emotions in Lily, as his complex personality and non-committal attitude clash with Lily’s growing affection. Amidst the turmoil, Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan, resurfaces and threatens the relationship she’s found with Ryle.
Freshman Sajni Gaitonde looks forward to the release of this novel-inspired film. “I am really excited for ‘It Ends with Us’ because the book was so good. It left me in tears and I love romance movies,” Gaitonde said.
Whether these movies evoke nostalgia, curiosity, heartbreak or thrill, all three are fun summer watches to view with friends, family or extensive amounts of movie candy and popcorn.
