As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood had not been able to produce many blockbusters until this year. Summer 2022 was packed with many highly-anticipated films. 

 

According to Box Office Mojo, the box office's cumulative gross total for the summer was $3.3 billion — that's $1.5 billion more than summer 2021. With the summer box office back in full swing, here are 10 big films that came out this summer in order of release date.

 

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” — released May 6, 2022

Streaming on Disney+

Rated 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7/10 on IMDb

 

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022) follows the events of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021). As a Master of the Mystic Arts, Doctor Strange accidentally casts a forbidden spell that creates a portal to the multiverse. Fellow magic-users Wong and Scarlet Witch then join Strange as he confronts different versions of himself while traveling through various realities, trying to take on a powerful enemy who strives to take over the multiverse.

 

The cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular Doctor Strange, Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch and Benedict Wong as Wong, along with John Krasinski, Rachel McAdams and Xochitl Gomez.

 

“Top-Gun: Maverick” — released May 27, 2022

Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video

Rated 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.5/10 on IMDb

 

Following the events of classic blockbuster "Top Gun" (1986), Tom Cruise returns 36 years later as Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, who’s spent more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy’s top pilots. As he trains graduates for a significant assignment, Maverick must face his past and his deepest fears — participating in a mission that may require the biggest sacrifice from those who choose to fly it.

 

The film has made $1.4 billion so far, according to Box Office Mojo, and Variety said, “It is now Paramount’s highest-grossing film of all time, having overtaken ‘Titanic’ (1997).”

 

“...The resounding overperformance of “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) singlehandedly prevented total catastrophe for movie theaters amid a painfully undernourished season,” says Forbes.

 

Co-starring with Cruise is Val Kilmer as Lt. Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky, Miles Teller as Bradley Bradshaw, along with Jennifer Connelly and Jon Hamm.

 

“Lightyear” — released June 17, 2022

Streaming on Disney+

Rated 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 5.9/10 on IMDb

 

This film is essentially what sparked Andy from “Toy Story” to purchase the action figure Buzz Lightyear, a “space ranger” superhero. The unique origin story, “Lightyear” (2022) follows the young pilot operating as a space ranger who tries to find a way back home after being abandoned on a hostile planet with his commander and crew — all while confronting a threat to the universe.

 

The cast includes Chris Evans as Buzz Lightyear, Taika Waititi as Mo Morrison, Keke Palmer as Izzy Hawthorne and James Brolin as Zurg.

 

“Elvis” — released June 24, 2022

Streaming on HBO Max

Rated 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.5/10 on IMDb

 

“Elvis” (2022) portrays the life of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley and explores his toxic relationship with his manager Colonel Tom Parker. The 159-minute film covers 20 years of fast-changing culture from the 1950s-70s when Presley contributed to what some called the "loss of innocence" in America. The film shows his rise to unexpected superstardom and the love story between Elvis and icon Priscilla Presley. 

 

Austin Butler’s performance as Presley has had great feedback from audiences. He told Los Angeles radio station KTLA, “It was two years where I didn’t see my family. I didn’t see my friends. I isolated completely in the world of him... I read every book on his life. I watched every frame of footage, every interview he ever gave.”

 

Co-starring with Butler is Tom Hanks as Tom Parker, Dacre Montgomery as Steve Binder, Shonka Dukureh as Big Mama Thornton and Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla.

 

“The Black Phone” — released June 24, 2022

Streaming on Peacock

Rated 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7/10 on IMDb

 

“The Black Phone” (2022) follows Finney, a shy but intelligent 13-year-old boy who gets kidnapped by a sadistic masked serial killer who goes by “The Grabber.” He is kept in a soundproof basement and discovers a disconnected black wall phone. When it starts to ring, Finney finds out he can hear the voices of the killer’s previous victims who work together in an attempt to help him break free. This Blumhouse horror film is a unique concept, and Ethan Hawke portrays The Grabber in a bone-chilling way.

 

Co-starring with Hawke is Mason Thames as Finney, along with Miguel Cazarez Mora, Brady Hepner and Madeleine McGraw.

 

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” — released July 1, 2022

Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video 

Rated 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.6/10 on IMDb 

 

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” (2022) follows the events of “Minions” (2015), when the tiny yellow henchmen first encountered young Gru. The “Despicable Me” franchise continues as the story follows Gru growing up in the 1970s idolizing a supervillain group called “The Vicious 6.” As Gru tries to prove he’s evil enough to join the group, he hires his adorable yellow assistants. Gru makes enemies with some powerful villains and looks to the Minions for support.

 

The cast includes Steve Carell as Gru, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, Taraji P. Henson as Belle Bottom, along with Russell Brand and Julie Andrews.

 

“Thor: Love and Thunder” — released July 8, 2022

Streaming on Disney+

Rated 65% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.7/10 on IMDb

 

Thor — Marvel’s depiction of the Norse god of thunder, the sky and agriculture — embarks on a quest for inner peace following the events of “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.” Sadly, his retirement gets interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher, a cosmic killer wanting to extinguish all gods. Thor fights the threat by getting help from King Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster — who inexplicably uses his old magical hammer to become a Thor herself. 

 

The cast includes Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Natalie Portman and Jane Foster, Taika Waititi as Kord, Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher and Tessa Thompson as King Valkyrie.

 

“Nope” –– released July 22, 2022

Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video

Rated 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7/10 on IMDb

 

The Jordan Peele sci-fi horror follows two siblings running a horse ranch in California who discover something marvelous in the skies. The phenomena soon turns sinister, while the owner of the neighboring theme park tries to profit from the mysteries.  

 

The cast includes Daniel Kaluuya as OJ, Keke Palmer as Emerald Haywood, along with Steven Yeun, Brandon Perea and Barbie Ferreira.

 

“Bullet Train” — released August 5, 2022

Not yet available for streaming

Rated 54% on Rotten Tomatoes 7.5/10 on IMDb 

 

Ladybug is an assassin with an unfortunate past who wants to do his duty peacefully after too many jobs have gotten out of hand. His bad luck may have other plans, as his latest mission gets him involved with deadly global enemies with clashing conflicts on the world’s fastest train.

 

The cast includes Brad Pitt as Ladybug, Joey King as Prince, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Tangerine, along with David Leitch and Sandra Bullock.

 

“Bodies Bodies Bodies” — released August 5, 2022

Not yet available for streaming

Rated 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.8/10 on IMDb

 

“Bodies, Bodies, Bodies” (2022) is a murder mystery tailored for dark comedy and horror fans. The film follows a group of twenty-somethings who get stuck at a secluded mansion during a hurricane. A party game takes a turn for the worse and results in a dead body on the ground. The friends then turn into traitors as they try to figure out who’s the murderer among them.

 

The cast includes Rachel Sennott as Alice, Amandla Stenberg as Sophie, Maria Bakalova as Bee, Pete Davidson as David and Lee Pace as Greg.