Anticipated Television Shows and Movies Slated for this Summer Season
HEY THERE!
Let's dive into some pop culture goodness! What's cookin' this summer, you ask? Let's find out—we've got Linda Holmes, NPR's pop culture correspondent, here to give us the scoop.
LEILA FADEL:Hey Linda, what's got you buzzing in the world of entertainment as we enter the summer?
LINDA HOLMES:WellLeila, we've been smacking that summer blockbuster sensation with movies like "Sinners" leading the pack. But as the season progresses, we'll witness the usual summer suspects—sequels and superhero flicks, baby! Take "Mission: Impossible - Last Call," for instance. Don't be fooled by the ominous title; it's clearly the 74th installment of the franchise, right? Ha!Other scorching hot titles include a new Superman flick—giving that guy another chance to lift some weights and save the world. And let's not forget "The Freaky Four: Genesis," an attempt at getting this Brooklyn-bred crew off the ground after two less-than-stellar attempts. Pedro Pascal heads this one up, so we'll see if diehard fans can be won over once more.
LEILA FADEL:What about lower-key films that aren't your typical tentpole releases?
LINDA HOLMES:A killer little film that blew up in 2022 was "M3GAN 2.0," a murder-happy AI-powered doll tale. And guess what—a sequel is in the pipeline! With horror flicks still slashing box office records aside from action franchises, expect this one to garner some major attention (and perhaps even cash).
LEILA FADEL:Alrighty, let's switch gears to TV. What's catching your eye on the small screen this summer?
LINDA HOLMES:I've got my sights set on a couple of new shows. One is "Adult Kids," a Gen Z versions of those retro hangout shows like "Living Single" and "Friends." I'm intrigued to see if this generation can bring their own unique flavor to the table. Another is an HBO production called "Mountain Man," a Jesse Armstrong-penned dish about wealthy folks acting like wealthy jerks. With Jesse's proven track record, I'm pretty darn excited. And, of course, there's always the usual return of favorites like "The Bear," "Poker Face," and, if I must, "And Just Like That..."
LEILA FADEL:Any overarching theme we can expect to see across the entertainment landscape this summer?
LINDA HOLMES:It's tough to tell, Leila. Audiences steer the ship, and it won't be clear what they'll embrace until they weigh in. For now, though, these summer screens seem filled with franchise fare and established characters grabbing fresh starts. But watch your back—an unexpected hit could suddenly spring up and knock the above titles clear outta the park!
So there ya have it! Keep your popcorn tub close and your eyes peeled for all the summer entertainment action!
This data was enriched to provide additional context and interests regarding pop culture releases. For a more accurate and specific list of upcoming pop culture releases, tune into recent episodes of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour or check out other NPR publications from around that time.
- Maybe the upcoming movie "Sinners" will be a hit this summer, leading the pack of summer blockbusters.
- Linda Holmes, NPR's pop culture correspondent, mentioned that the movie "M3GAN 2.0" was a killer little film that blew up in 2022, and a sequel is in the pipeline.
- Leila Fadel asked about lower-key films that aren't your typical tentpole releases, and Linda Holmes responded by intrigued about a new show titled "Adult Kids," a Gen Z version of retro hangout shows.
