Jurassic World: Dominion, Elvis, Lightyear, Whina among the must-see films in June

Kiwi moviegoers have plenty to look forward to over the next four weeks.

A trio of hit family films are expected to dominate the local box office, while two very different Kiwi films will also be looking to get their share of the cinematic action.

Some of the smaller titles hitting the big screen in June include Croatian coming-of-age drama Murina starring Cliff Curtis, Japanese triptych Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, Sundown in Mexico (every June 9), Alex Garland’s latest horror movie Men. (June 16) and Outer Hebrides period tale The Road Dance (June 30), while French film festivals and Doc Edge begin their seasons.

For those who prefer to watch at home, Netflix has Jennifer Lopez’s documentary Halftime (June 14), Amazon Prime Video has steamy rom-com My Fake Boyfriend (June 10) and Disney+’s Rise triple whammy Trevor inspired of the NBA. : The Musical (both June 24) and Hollywood Stargirl (June 3), the sequel to one of the most underrated films of 2020. Meanwhile, TVNZ OnDemand has two locally shot romantic comedies – Together Forever Tea (June 4) and Love Knots (June 11) – which will also air free on TVNZ 1.

However, after scouring the showtimes, Stuff to Watch has come up with a list of the dozen movies we’re most excited to see before the middle of the year.

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Cha Cha Real Smooth (June 17, Apple TV+)

Like this year’s big Oscar winner Coda, this dramedy debuted to great acclaim — and an audience award — at the Sundance Film Festival. Starring Dakota Johnson, Leslie Mann, Brad Garrett and writer-director Cooper Raiff, this is the story of a Bar Mitzvah party host who strikes up a friendship with a mother and her autistic daughter.

“This delicate and decidedly pro-romance film makes the ultimate statement about the idea of ​​kindred spirits, mourning the tragedy of letting one go with an abundant side of optimism,” wrote Tomris Laffly of Harper’s Bazaar.

Elvis (June 23, Cinemas)

After tackling Shakespeare, F. Scott Fitzgerald and the history of his own homeland, Australian author Baz Luhrmann now tackles the “King” in this biopic of the legendary rock star. Austin Butler plays Elvis Presley himself, while the supporting cast includes Tom Hanks, David Wenham, Richard Roxburgh and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

“A bubbly, delirious, playfully energized, compulsively watchable fever dream – a reel of a movie that converts the Elvis saga we all carry in our heads into a lavishly staged biopic like a pop opera”, wrote Variety’s Owen Gleiberman.

Hustle (June 8, Netflix)

Hoping to emulate Ben Affleck, Adam Sandler makes a rare foray into more serious territory for this dramedy about a stranded basketball scout who discovers a street ball phenomenon in Spain and sees it as an opportunity to get back into the NBA.

Ben Foster, Robert Duvall and Queen Latifah also feature.

Jurassic World: Dominion (June 9, cinemas)

This sixth entry in the nearly three-decade-old dino-tastic franchise is one of the most anticipated.

Set four years after the jaw-dropping conclusion of Fallen Kingdom when dinosaurs were seemingly unleashed across the globe, it sees everyone from Chris Pratt’s Owen Grady to Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant having to deal with the consequences of the “invasion”.

Lightyear (June 23, Cinemas)

Toy Story’s standout action figure finally gets his own origin story with this animated adventure that will seemingly revolve around how he grew from test pilot to space ranger.

Chris Evans replaces Tim Allen on voice duties, while our very own Taika Waititi also appears as a character named Mo Morrison.

The Lion King Te Reo (June 23, Cinemas)

Following in Moana’s footsteps, Disney’s beloved 1994 Shakespearean musical is the second of Mouse House’s animated classics to get the Te Reo treatment.

Developed by Tweedie Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley, the project stars Rachel House and Rob Ruha as performance directors and music directors respectively.

Nude Tuesday (June 16, Cinemas)

Thirteen years after the critically acclaimed The Strength of Water, Armagan Ballantyne returns to the director’s chair for this Australasian-funded dark comedy about a couple who reluctantly accept the gift of a new age retirement in the hope of saving their troubled marriage.

Featuring a cadre of Kiwi comics, from Jackie Van Beek to Jemaine Clement, Chris Parker, Karen O’Leary and Morgana O’Reilly, the story is told in gibberish with English subtitles.

Mad God (June 16, Thrill)

Anyone who has seen the Jurassic Park episode of The Movies That Made Us will know the unique talents of stop-motion animator Phil Tippett. As these details, rather than being extinguished by the rise of visual effects, he reinvented himself, creating iconic computer-generated beasts for Starship Troopers and The Twilight Saga.

Not for the faint-hearted, his feature debut (a 30-year project in the making) is a twisted, visceral celebration of stop-motion, filled with nightmarish visions and Terry Gilliam-esque dark humor, set in a world at the Milton of monsters and mad scientists.

The Man From Toronto (June 24, Netflix)

The world’s deadliest assassin and New York’s biggest screw-up are mistaken for each other on an Airbnb rental.

So goes the premise of this action-comedy thriller starring Woody Harrelson, Kevin Hart, Ellen Barkin and Kaley Cuoco. Patrick Hughes of The Hitman’s Bodyguard directs.

Minions: Rise of Gru (June 30, theaters)

Another sequel that’s been on the shelf for some time, this latest animated adventure for the lovable yellow underlings is set in the 1970s, as 12-year-old villainous wannabe Gru attempts to lure the attention of the villainous group Vicious 6.

Hear the likes of Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo and Lucy Lawless as the voices of the latter.

Spiderhead (June 17, Netflix)

Fresh out of directing Top Gun: Maverick (although in reality much of it was shot about three years ago), Joseph Kosinski directs this action crime drama set in the near future when convicts are offered the opportunity to volunteer as medical subjects, in exchange for a shorter sentence. When one tests a new drug apparently capable of generating romantic feelings, one begins to wonder about the reality of one’s emotions.

Miles Teller is joined in this adventure by Chris Hemsworth and Jurnee Smollett.

Whina (June 23, Cinemas)

The Dark Horse’s James Napier Robertson and Waru’s Paula Whetu Jones join forces for this biopic of pioneering Maori leader Dame Whina Cooper, whose extraordinary life has seen her break down gender boundaries, champion Indigenous rights and fight for the land – while remaining true to your heart and beliefs.

Rena Owen of Once Were Warriors leads the eponymous film, supported by Vinnie Bennett, James Rolleston and Miriama McDowell.