17 of the biggest summer movies coming to cinemas

Summer is finally here, and with it, all the big-budget, popcorn-munching blockbusters that the big screen can handle.

But it's not all special effects-laden epics, and our list of the most-anticipated films to hit cinema screens between June and the end of August features everything from daring dinosaur rescues, to tense horror, to the touching story of a priest struggling to keep up with the times.

Oh, and The Incredibles 2.

Here are 17 movies to watch out for.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

(Photo: Universal Pictures)

Who's in it?  Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jeff Goldblum

What is it? The sequel to 2015's Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom returns to Isla Nublar, now abandoned by humans after the destructive events of the last film.

As the island's once-dormant volcano rumbles into life, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) lead a mission to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from extinction.

When is it in cinemas? June 6

Hereditary

(Photo: A24)

Who's in it? Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne

What is it? 2018's scariest movie, if the reviews coming out of the Sundance Film Festival earlier in the year were anything to go by.

When Ellen passes away, her daughter's family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry.

When is it in cinemas? June 15

Ocean's 8

(Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Who's in it? Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway

What is it? The all-female reboot of the Ocean's franchise hopes to recreate the same success as its macho counterpart.

Debbie - the estranged sister of George Clooney's legendary conman Danny Ocean - puts together a team of crooks (including Helena Bonham Carter and Rihanna) to pull off the heist of the century.

When is it in cinemas? June 18

In the Fade

(Photo: Warner Bros.)

Who's in it? Diane Kruger, Denis Moschitto, Numan Acar

What is it? The 2018 Golden Globe Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film comes to British cinemas, with Diane Kruger in the lead role as Katja, whose life falls apart when her husband and son are killed in a bomb attack.

As she embarks on a painful search for the perpetrators and reasons behind the killing, old wounds and doubts begin to open.

When is it in cinemas? June 22

The Endless

Who's in it? Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Callie Hernandez

What is it? One of the most intriguing movies of the year, filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead both direct and star in this incredibly well-reviewed sci-fi flick.

Two brothers receive a cryptic video message inspiring them to revisit a UFO death cult they escaped a decade earlier, hoping to find closure. But they're drawn back in when unexplainable events conspire at the old camp.

When is it in cinemas? June 29

Leave No Trace

(Photo: Bleecker Street)

Who's in it? Ben Foster, Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, Jeff Kober

What is it? There are lots of films about people escaping the modern world to live off-grid in the wilderness, but Leave No Trace takes a slightly different tack.

Will and his daughter have lived off-grid in the Portland forests for years when they're discovered and put into social services. They soon escape and head off on a difficult journey back to their wild homeland.

When is it in cinemas? June 29

Sicario 2: Soldado

(Photo: Lionsgate)

Who's in it? Josh Brolin, Isabela Moner, Benicio Del Toro

What is it? The sequel to Sicario - one of the best films of 2015 - doesn't feature Denis Villeneuve behind the camera, but two key cast members return and Stefano Sollima will be channelling his experience on TV's excellent Gomorrah for another gritty crime thriller.

As drug cartels begin trafficking terrorists across the US border, federal agent Matt Graver calls on Alejandro to escalate the war in some nefarious ways.

When is it in cinemas? June 29

First Reformed

Who's in it? Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Cedric Kyles

What is it? In what's being described as his best performance to date, Ethan Hawke plays Ernst Toller, the solitary pastor at a small, out-dated church in upstate New York.

Now a tourist attraction, Toller's establishment is being overshadowed by Abundant Life, a modern church with state-of-the-art facilities and a 5,000-strong flock.

When is it in cinemas? July 13

Incredibles 2

(Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Who's in it? Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson

What is it? The long-awaited sequel to Pixar's 2004 hit The Incredibles sees the return of the animated band of superheros.

The big difference here is that matriarch Helenis in the spotlight, leaving Bob at home with the kids, navigating the day-to-day heroics of parenting life.

When is it in cinemas? July 13

A Prayer Before Dawn

(Photo: A24)

Who's in it?  Joe Cole, Vithaya Pansringar, Panya Yimmumphai

What is it? Those who liked the unflinching cinematography of films like The Raid will enjoy A Prayer Before Dawn, which tells the story of Billy Moore, who is sent to prison in Thailand.

There, he must compete in unsolicited fights with fellow inmates to earn his freedom; fights that have been described as "ferociously physical" and "savagely transgressive".

When is it in cinemas? July 20

Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Who's in it? Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby

What is it? The latest in the long-running Mission Impossible franchise sees Tom Cruise continue to do all his own stunts - he famously broke his ankle jumping between buildings in London last year.

When is it in cinemas? July 26

Ant-Man And The Wasp

Who's in it? Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Peña

What is it? The next Marvel film to follow the hugely successful Infinity War will be this sequel to Paul Rudd's 2015 entry into the MCU.

This time he's joined by Evangeline Lilly's Wasp, and as Scott Lang, he'll be grappling with the consequences of his choices as both a superhero and a father.

When is it in cinemas? August 3

Hearts Beat Loud

(Photo: Gunpowder & Sky)

Who's in it? Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Ted Danson

What is it? This comedy stars Parks & Rec's Nick Offerman as aging hipster Frank, who starts a band with his teenage daughter for fun.

One of their songs finds viral success online, complicating Frank's attempts to let go of his dreams of stardom.

When is it in cinemas? August 3

Christopher Robin

(Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Who's in it? Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Jim Cummings

What is it? Disney's latest live-action reimagining of a classic story stars Ewan McGregor as a now all grown up Christopher Robin.

He's lost all sense of imagination, so it's up to Pooh and his friends to re-enter his life to help him find it.

When is it in cinemas? August 17

The Happytime Murders

(Photo: STXfilms)

Who's in it?  Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, Joel McHale

What is it? Melissa McCarthy latest comedy effort is already being sued by the makers of Sesame Street.

It's set in the seedy underbelly of an LA where puppets and humans coexist, with two detectives - one human, and one puppet - forced to team up to solve the brutal murders of the former cast of a beloved classic puppet television show.

When is it in cinemas? August 17

BlacKkKlansman

Who's in it? John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier

What is it? Spike Lee's latest film follows the true story of Ron Stallworth, the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Stallworth sets out to make a name for himself by infiltrating and exposing the Ku Klux Klan, recruiting more seasoned colleague Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) into the undercover investigation.

When is it in cinemas? August 24

Upgrade

Who's in it? Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, Harrison Gilbertson

What is it? The latest from Blumhouse - the production company behind hits such as Get Out, Whiplash and The Gift - follows Grey Trace undergoing an experimental cure for his paralysis after a brutal attack that also left his wife dead.

Leigh Whannell, famed for his work on the Insidious and Conjuring films, segues into sci-fi action here with his second directorial effort. It's picking up some fervent buzz.

When is it in cinemas? August 31

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This article originally appeared on our sister site, iNews.