Blockbuster Bonanza: Top 10 Must-See Movies of June 2023

The start of a new year brings with it a plethora of eagerly anticipated movies, set to debut both in theaters and on streaming platforms. From long-awaited releases to hidden gems, there is something for every cinephile to look forward to. Despite the past couple of years being marked by delayed theatrical releases and limited opportunities to view films on the big screen, audiences are still eager to indulge in the latest cinematic offerings. With a diverse range of storylines and genres on offer, there is sure to be a movie that appeals to every individual's tastes. Below are some of the highly anticipated June 2023 releases, with a brief insight into what makes each one worth watching.

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse - June 2

In the upcoming sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales and Gwen Stacey team up once again to face off against the villainous The Spot and rescue their fellow Spider-People. However, they soon discover that working with other versions of themselves from different dimensions isn't as simple as they thought. The movie promises another thrilling multiverse-crossing adventure, complete with a star-studded voice cast including Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac, Bryan Tyree Henry, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, and Daniel Kaluuya.

The Boogeyman - June 2

In The Boogeyman, a teenage girl and her sister are struggling to cope with the loss of their mother. Their father, who is also a therapist, is unable to provide the support they need as he is overwhelmed by his own grief. One day, a desperate patient arrives seeking help, unwittingly unleashing a malevolent force that preys on families and thrives on their suffering.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts - June 9

The Flash - June 16

In the upcoming Transformers movie, Rise of the Beasts, viewers will be taken back to 1994 where two humans, Noah (Anthony Ramos) and Elena (Dominique Fishback), find themselves caught in the middle of a fierce battle between the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons. The Autobots are relying on their help to protect the planet from the arrival of the infamous villain, Unicron. Drawing inspiration from the Beast Wars Transformers storyline, the movie also features an all-star cast including Luna Lauren Velez, Tobe Nwigwe, Michelle Yeoh, Liza Koshy, Pete Davidson, and Ron Perlman.

The long-awaited solo Flash movie is finally coming to the big screen after several setbacks. Barry Allen, also known as The Flash and portrayed by Ezra Miller, will use his time-traveling powers to alter past events. However, his attempt to save his mother's life leads him to a different reality where General Zod has returned and there are no other superheroes. To save the world from Zod's destructive plans and find a way back to his own universe, he must team up with a younger version of himself, an imprisoned Supergirl played by Sasha Calle, and the Batman of this alternate universe, portrayed by Michael Keaton.

Elemental - June 16

The Blackening - June 16

In Pixar's latest release, Elemental City serves as the backdrop for this heartwarming story. Despite being segregated, residents of fire, water, earth, and air coexist in this unique world. The plot follows Ember, a fire resident played by Leah Lewis, and Wade, a water resident portrayed by Mamoudou Athie, as they venture beyond their respective territories and discover similarities they never imagined. The film also features a talented cast including Catherine O'Hara, Ronnie Del Carmen, Shila Ommi, and Matthew Yang King.

"Tommy and the gang are in for the weekend of their lives, but not in a good way," Tim Story's horror comedy, based on the 2018 short film by comedy troupe 3Peat, follows seven black friends as they become trapped in a remote cabin with a killer who has a grudge to settle. Playing on the age-old horror movie trope of the black character being the first to die, the masked killer demands that the group rank their blackness to determine the order in which they will be killed. The group's horror movie knowledge and street smarts are put to the test as they try to survive the deadly game with a touch of humor thrown in for good measure.

No Hard Feelings - June 23

Asteroid City - June 23

Maddie, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, is a young woman trying to make ends meet as an Uber driver while facing the loss of her childhood home due to bankruptcy. She comes across a Craigslist ad from a wealthy couple who offer her a new car in exchange for becoming their son Percy's girlfriend before he goes off to college. Andrew Barth Feldman plays Percy, who is socially awkward and introverted, causing his parents to worry about his lack of dating experience. Maddie takes on the task of showing Percy the ropes of adult life and guiding him towards "manhood" over the course of the summer. The star-studded cast also includes Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, and Matthew Broderick.

Acclaimed director Wes Anderson's latest offering, Asteroid City, is a sci-fi comedy that takes place in 1955. The film revolves around a group of students and parents who gather at a Junior Stargazing convention that is abruptly interrupted by a series of world-changing events. True to Anderson's style, the cast features a star-studded lineup of actors, including Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Jeffery Wright, Steve Carell, Maya Hawke, and Margot Robbie, among others.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny - June 30

Indiana Jones embarks on his final adventure this summer in the fifth and final installment of the series. The story is set in 1969 and features an aged Indiana Jones who is troubled by the US government's collaboration with Nazis to outwit the Soviets in the space race. Alongside his goddaughter (played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge), he engages in a race against time to secure a legendary dial that could alter the course of history. The cast is joined by Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, and Toby Jones for Indy's last hurrah.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken - June 30

In the latest Dreamworks Animation flick, we are introduced to Ruby Gillman, a typical high school student who discovers that she is actually a descendant of powerful kraken queens. These queens have the responsibility of safeguarding the oceans against the avaricious and conceited mermaids. Ruby must now harness her newly found abilities to rescue her loved ones, all while taking over the throne of the krakens from her authoritative grandmother, who is voiced by Jane Fonda. The film features other renowned actors such as Annie Murphy, Liza Koshy, and Will Forte.