The warm, golden, elongated days of a Las Vegas summer are rapidly approaching, signifying the arrival of the iconic summer blockbuster season in the valley. The summer blockbuster traces all the way back to Spielberg’s Jaws from 1975 and has since become a fixture in the deep-rooted American culture of film.  There is something about the sweltering summer air, glistening sweat on skin, and freedom from obligations that brings out the best in us, and movies are no exception. The following is a summary of the most significant movies to keep an eye out for this summer, ensuring all remain cool and entertained during this scorching Vegas summer.

Kicking off early summer with a bang, James Gunn’s highly praised Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy wraps up with its third and final installment, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, releasing on May 6th. The much-anticipated film is intended to provide closure to the Guardians storyline and characters in a satisfying way. Vol. 3 will be Director James Gunn’s last film for Marvel before departing to contender company DC Studios. Any fans of the funky style or heartfelt nature of the first two films, Director James Gunn promises Vol. 3 will be the most emotional yet. But Marvel is not stopping there, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse the sequel to the beloved 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will release in theaters on June 2nd. The beautiful lawless and chaotic animation of the first film boosted it into a frenzy with fans everywhere making it one of the most anticipated films this year.

Tom Cruise is jetting back to the silver screen this summer after his bomb hit Top Gun: Maverick last year, which grossed a groundbreaking 1.4 billion dollars. Now he is returning for the seventh installment of the Mission Impossible series, titled Mission Impossible- Dead Reckoning part one. The film has been in development for several years after multiple COVID-19 delays but plans to sneak into theaters on July 12th 2023. Although the film has had development trouble it was shot back to back with Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 2 that will release next year in 2024. Tom Cruise’s unwavering dedication to stunts and creating unforgettable experiences for audiences is on full display once again. Cruise fearlessly attempts some of the most dangerous feats ever witnessed in film, including cliff jumps on a motorcycle and daring rides atop moving trains. Brace for impact because more adrenaline-fueled thrills are on their way as Cruise continues to push the boundaries of cinematic daring, leaving audiences spellbound. Cruise and his relentless commitment to his craft is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Summer is not finished yet. July monuments itself as a movie battlefield as Christopher Nolan, one of the most celebrated directors of our time, plans to release his first film after separating from Warner Bros in 2021. Following almost twenty years of backing his films, Nolan separated from the company over creative issues and is releasing his 25th film titled Openheimer this summer alongside Universal Studios on July 21st. The film follows American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the creation of the Atomic Bomb during WWll. The cast of the film is nothing short of explosive, including the likes of Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, among others.

But Openheimer could run into some trouble as Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, comes out on the same exact day. Warner Brothers is possibly looking to show up Nolan for leaving them, but they should approach with caution as Nolan is baking something truly atomic, and his track record is one that speaks for itself.

More movies coming this summer include: The Flash, The Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones: Dial of Destiny, Asteroid City, and much more. The adrenaline of Tom Cruise leaping off speeding vehicles, the melancholy of Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, or the romantic, song-filled Little Mermaid, this summer has something for everyone.