With the stress of finals finally behind us and the end of the academic year also in the rearview mirror, students finally get a break from school this summer – and what could be a better way to enjoy your summer break than going through a summer movie list? It doesn’t matter if you’re working this summer, enrolled in summer school or if you’re doing absolutely nothing, you deserve to treat yourself to some quality cinema time. So whether you’re going with your friends, family, that special someone, or even just yourself, this is my top-ten list of must-watch movies for the summer.

10. “Jurassic World: Dominion”

“Jurassic World: Dominion” is the third installment in the “World” franchise, but the sixth installment in the Jurassic Park installment. Normally, I am against it when a movie has more than three sequels (except for the Avengers franchise or the James Bond movie series) but I am particularly excited for this movie. It stars Chris Pratt (famously known for his role as Peter Quill/Star-Lord in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise), Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Neill and Laura Dern. The movie picks up four years after the events of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” with humans now living alongside dinosaurs and in competition to be the world’s apex species. After an incident with a young velociraptor, the question of whether humans can evolve to be superior to the dinosaur or whether the dinosaurs will bring about the extinction of humanity is raised. “Jurassic World: Dominion” will be available in theaters June 10, 2022.

9. “Top Gun: Maverick”

“Top Gun: Maverick” is a movie about the titular character Pete “Maverick” Mitchell who after thirty years of service as a test pilot for the U.S Navy is called back to his old stomping grounds, Top Gun academy, to train a group of the best aviators in the world for a special mission. Tom Cruise plays the protagonist of the movie and I love everything Cruise does. Although I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first Top Gun, I will be seeing its sequel the minute it hits theaters, and I advise y’all to do the same. “Top Gun: Maverick” will be available in theaters  May 27, 2022.

8. “Lightyear”

Following the success of the “Toy Story” movie series, Pixar, in collaboration with Walt Disney Studios, is releasing the solo movie “Lightyear.” “Lightyear” tells the tale of the amazing and popular “Toy Story” character, Buzz Lightyear, and the adventures he took to become who he is. “Lightyear” stars Chris Evans, who will be voicing the protagonist of the film, and I am very excited to see that. I love Chris Evans from his roles as Steve Rogers/Captain America in the MCU, Ransom Drysdale in “Knives Out,” Casey Jones in “TMNT” and even Johnny Storm in “The Fantastic Four.” I am very excited to see how he voices Buzz, a character I have loved since the first “Toy Story.” I am also excited to hear Keke Palmer and Taiki Waititi, as they have been cast to voice Izzy Hawthorne and Mo Morrison respectively. “Lightyear” will be available in theaters June 17, 2022.

7. “The Bob’s Burgers Movie”

Anyone who is a friend of mine knows that I love a good animation hence why I am a huge supporter of the DCAU (DC Animated Universe) but what I love the most is adult animated series. “Rick and Morty,” “Family Guy,” “The Simpsons,” “American Dad,” “Solar Opposites,” “Bo Jack Horseman,” “Big Mouth” and so on – but above all on the list is “Bob’s Burgers.” “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” is about how, after the event of a ruptured water main causes a sinkhole to form in front of the Belchers’ restaurant, the parents try to save the restaurant from shutting down while the kids play detective to figure out how to also save the family business. Although it isn’t as popular as “Rick and Morty” or “Big Mouth,” “Bob’s Burgers” holds a special place in my heart so I will be seeing it this summer and you should too. “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” will be available in theaters May 27, 2022.

6. Elvis

“Can’t Help Falling In Love,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Hound Dog” are but a few of my favorite songs from rock ‘n’ roll icon Elvis Presley. “Elvis” is a biographical musical film set in between the ’50s and the ’70s about rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley and his rise to stardom from being a choir boy in Memphis, Tennessee. This movie was one of many movies affected by the pandemic. Originally scheduled to be released in fall of 2021, “Elvis” was pushed to the winter of 2021, and then again to the summer of 2022 due to COVID. The movie stars Austin Butler who will be playing our titular protagonist, Tom Hanks who will be playing Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker and Maggie Gyllenhaal who will be playing Gladys Presley, Elvis’s religious mother. Although I am not particularly a fan of biographical movies (except for “Harriet,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Tick, Tick…Boom”), I am greatly anticipating this movie because it is about a person that has personally shaped my life and the life of millions of people. “Elvis” will be available in theaters June 24, 2022.

5. “Firestarter”

This one is for all the horror fans out there. Stephen King is well known for writing some of the best horror movies in existence. From “IT” chapter I and II to “Pet Semetary” to “Children of the Corn” to “Carrie” to ‘The Shining.” Now the king of horror is back with another amazing one, “Firestarter.” I got the pleasure of seeing the movie on its release date on May 13, 2022, and I would like to say it is a great movie. It features a young girl, Charlie Mcgee, with pyrokinetic abilities (the ability to control fire with her mind) who is trying to understand how she got her powers and how to control them while being on the run from a secret government agency. The movie is a modern reiteration of the 1980 version that starred David Keith and Drew Barrymore. “Firestarter” stars Zac Efron as Charlie’s dad, Andrew ‘Andy’ Mcgee, Sydney Lemmon as Charlie’s mom, Vicky Mcgee and Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Charlie Mcgee. Although the movie is pretty intense, it is amazing and a definite must-see. In addition, no summer movie list would be complete without a horror movie. “Firestarter” is now available in theaters near you.

4. “Thor: Love and Thunder”

Following the huge success of “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Avengers: Endgame,” Chris Hemsworth is back for the fourth installment in the Thor movie series. Directed by Taika Waititi, “Thor: Love and Thunder” take place after the events of “Avengers: Endgame” in which Thor Odinson leaves the Guardians of the Galaxy to embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace which is soon disrupted by the threat of a god serial killer. The movie stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor Odinson, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster/The Mighty Thor, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie and Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher. I had a hard time deciding if this movie should be number one on my list because I love superhero movies, comic book characters, Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale, Taika Waititi and Tessa Thompson of which this movie has all of that. I am most excited to see Christian Bale’s take on Gorr the God Butcher, a comic book character I have loved since his debut in “Thor: God of Thunder” #2. “Thor: Love and Thunder” will be available in theaters on July 8, 2022.

3. “Nope”

Jordan Peele of the comedy duo “Key and Peele” is back with another Sci-fi horror, “Nope.” “Nope” is a movie about how the residents of an isolated town witness and abnormally react to a strange and outlandish event that seems extraterrestrial. The movie stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun and Barbie Ferreira. I am a huge fan of Jordan Peele’s work, from award-winning and nominated movies like “Get Out,” “BlacKKKlansman,” “Us,” “Candyman” to the hilarious comedy series, Key and Peele. Throughout his career, Peele has received a lot of unwarranted criticism for his movies both professionally and unprofessionally but none of that matters because he is an excellent producer, director, writer and actor. You should go see “Nope” as soon as it hits the theaters and if not for Peele then go see it for the brilliant performance of Keke Palmer, Daniel Kaluuya and especially Steven Yeun. “Nope” will be available in theaters July 22, 2022.

2. “Where the Crawdads Sing”

If it wasn’t for “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, this movie would be at the top of my list. A movie adaptation of the 2018 novel by Delia Owens, “Where the Crawdads Sing” tells the story of a Kya, a girl who after being abandoned in a marsh in North Carolina raised herself to adulthood and is now being investigated and hunted as a prime suspect in the murder of a man she barely knew. I am very excited about this movie for so many reasons. First of all, the movie is being produced by Reese Witherspoon, most famously known for her role as Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde.” I am a huge fan of Witherspoon’s acting but I hardly see her producing skills so I am particularly excited to see that in this movie. Secondly, the movie stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith and Harris Dickinson and although I don’t particularly care for Daisy Edgar-Jones and Taylor John Smith respectfully, I am a huge fan of Harris Dickinson. Harris Dickinson is one of my favorite actors and whatever movie he is in, I have to see it. Finally, Billboard’s Woman of the Decade for 2010, Taylor Swift will be featuring her new song titled “Carolina” as part of the movie’s soundtrack. I am a huge fan of  Taylor Swift and her discography, so I am excited to hear this new song and how it fits into the theme of the movie. “Where the Crawdads Sing” will be available in theaters on July 15, 2022.

1. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”

Ever since the release of the first Doctor Strange in 2016, I have been anticipating its sequel for six years. Following the events of “WandaVision,” “Loki,” Marvel’s “What If…” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” features Stephen Strange, a former neurosurgeon turned master of the mystic arts, and his quest to protect America Chavez, a teenager with the ability to freely travel the multiverse from a Darkhold-possessed Wanda Maximoff who now goes by the Scarlett Witch. Directed by Sam Raimi, the movie is the MCU’s first attempt at a horror movie and I would like to state that it portrayed that brilliantly. The movie has been out since May 6, 2022, and has received many positive and negative comments but in my opinion, the movie is amazing for so many reasons. First of all, it is a movie for Marvel fans even if a majority of said fans missed that. It features a lot of cameos and callbacks to the comics that lit up my heart. Second, it answers many questions and debates within the MCU fanbase. Last, and most important, it is a story that follows the pain and heartbreak that has shaped Wanda Maximoff into the villain presented in the movie. It tells a tale of how the constant struggles of life can be so much on one person (even the most powerful person in the MCU) that in the fight for inner peace, they can deviate from who they are. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is now available in theaters near you.