July 1st marks a milestone for movie fans like myself: when the floodgates open and a tidal wave of new releases hits theaters and streaming platforms all at once. For someone who’s practically married to the big screen, it’s a thrilling moment. But as I look over this summer’s lineup, I’m starting to wonder: are we drowning in content? Is the sheer volume of movies coming at us making it harder to really savor any of them?
The Avalanche of New Releases
This summer, it’s hard to ignore how packed the schedule already feels. June didn’t even have time to breathe before we were hit with movies like 28 Years Later, the emotionally charged legacy sequel that sparked debate; Elio, Pixar’s latest original offering with its usual heart and charm; and the How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake, which seemed to carry the same passion that made the originals so beloved. Each of these deserved its own spotlight, but instead, they blended into a non-stop flood of releases.
Now, July is stepping in with blockbuster after blockbuster. Jurassic World: Rebirth is roaring back into theaters this week, promising the thrill of the 1993 original. Superman is gearing up to redefine an icon. The soft reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer is aiming to tackle the series like Scream did a few years ago. And then there’s Marvel’s next big tent-pole, Fantastic Four, hoping to leave its mark this season.
From the outside, this lineup sounds like a dream come true for movie lovers. More stories, more excitement, and endless reasons to keep the popcorn flowing. But in practice, it’s starting to feel less like a treat and more like a relentless marathon.
The Struggle to Give Each Movie Room to Breathe
There’s something special about the anticipation that builds around a big movie release. Talking about it, planning to see it, even the moment you walk into the theater taking your seat. But when the movie arrives one after the other with barely a pause, that moment becomes rushed. The calendar is packed so tight that movies don’t get the space they need to find their audience (here is looking at you Elio).
I recently reviewed F1 on TikTok and it reminded me why truly immersive theatrical events still matter. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt, it wasn’t just another title on the schedule; it was a fully immersive theater experience. The roar of engines, the stunning visuals on IMAX screens, the tension of high-stakes racing, F1 reminded us why we love going to the movies in the first place.
Such experiences have been increasingly rare. When every movie is billed as an “event,” it risks watering down what that word really means. If all movies fight for attention in a crowded space, does any of them truly shine?
When Everything is an Event, Is Anything an Event?
This glut of big releases creates a paradox. Studios want to generate buzz by calling everything an event, but the audiences can only absorb so much at once. For viewers, it becomes a juggling act, trying to decide which movies to prioritize, which to catch in theaters, and which to wait for (or maybe skip entirely).
For the most dedicated fans, that means late nights at the theater, cramming movies in between work and life, trying to catch every title while it’s fresh. But even so, does the experience feel fulfilling? Or do the movies start to blur together? Each vying for attention but none getting the thoughtful engagement they deserve?
The Toll on Viewers and Studios
This crowded release strategy isn’t just a headache for fans, but it’s pressure on the studios as well. When too many movies compete in the same time window, box office numbers can get split, and marketing budgets stretch thin trying to get each movie noticed. The question is whether flooding the market this way really benefits anyone.
From a viewer’s perspective, I find myself craving a little breathing room; a chance to digest one story before diving into the next. Movies aren’t just content to fill time. They’re experiences, stories that deserve space to resonate. But when you’re running from one release to another, that space shrinks.
Finding Balance in a Crowded Summer
Is the solution to slow down? Realistically, probably not. Studios have their strategies and release windows locked in. But as viewers, maybe we can give ourselves permission to be more selective, to savor rather than consume in overload.
Maybe it’s about embracing F1-style events, the movies that pull you in with spectacle and heart, and allowing others to find their place in our schedules without pressure. Or perhaps it’s about shifting some of the experience back to streaming (which I personally don’t like), where pacing feels more manageable.
Whatever the answer, this summer’s slate is a clear sign of how much the industry is trying to do all at once.
UPCOMING JULY THEATRICAL RELEASES (US) 2025
JULY 2ND – Jurassic World: Rebirth
JULY 11TH – Superman; Sovereign
JULY 18TH – I know What You Did Last Summer; Eddington; Smurfs; Guns Up
JULY 25TH – The Fantastic Four: The First Steps
JULY 27TH – Ick
That Nerd Zach 