5 Must-See Movies for June

Peter Howell

Movie Critic

Masked killers, talking toys, extraterrestrials, an infamous outlaw and a band of bros trade starring roles in the five movies I’m most anticipating on the big screen this month.

Scary Movie (June 5)

Thirteen years after “Scary Movie 5,” the horror spoof franchise rises from the grave yet again, with a fresh crop of pop culture victims in sight. This installment skewers everything from prestige horror to TikTok trends to bloated cinematic universes. The original series built its rep on sight gags and gross-out punchlines, and the latest seems eager to revive that anything-goes energy — but the real draw here is the return of franchise stalwarts Anna Faris and Regina Hall.

What’s the buzz: The announcement of Faris and Hall’s return (along with the Wayans brothers) sparked plenty of excitement, with fans hoping the “dream reunion” recaptures the early-2000s absurdity. The R-rated humour may be offensive to some: co-writer Marlon Wayans said in an interview the film intends to “cancel the cancel culture” and “make fun of everybody.”

Why I’m excited: Hollywood comedies have become more cautious in recent years, which makes the return of this proudly inane IP feel almost rebellious. If “Scary Movie” fully commits to the bit, it could become the rare reboot that actually earns the nostalgia.

Disclosure Day (June 12)

Steven Spielberg returns to extraterrestrial sci-fi with this UFO thriller starring Emily Blunt, Colin Firth and Josh O’Connor. Bizarre animal behavior and unsettling atmospheric events lead a meteorologist to a revelation that could reshape humanity’s understanding of our place in the cosmos. But the film is more interested in digital distrust and institutional breakdown than green or grey humanoids. The result is a tense brew of paranoia, conspiracy and hysteria, as various parties race to control the spiralling narrative.

What’s the buzz: Online speculation compares “Disclosure Day” to 1970s conspiracy classics updated for today’s world of leaks and livestreams. Early reactions have praised Spielberg’s restraint in focusing on the human fallout and his willingness to leave viewers morally unmoored, so don’t expect a clean heroes-versus-villains tale here.

Why I’m excited: Political thrillers hit hardest when they feel dangerously plausible, and “Disclosure Day” seems tapped directly into contemporary anxieties. But really, this is the director behind “E.T.” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Whenever he wants to return to space you can beam me up.

Toy Story 5 (June 19)

It’s becoming the neverending (toy) story as Pixar dusts off Woody, Buzz and pals once again for another earnest adventure about friendship, change and the terrifying inevitability of growing older. The beloved franchise has previously managed to continue past endings that felt definitive, so why not repeat the trick until audiences stop playing? This time, the famed toys

(voiced by the likes of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Keanu Reeves) find their positions threatened not by a new favourite doll, but by the glowing screens that have usurped childhood imagination.

What’s the buzz: Some fans seem skeptical this sequel risks undoing the heartfelt conclusion of “Toy Story 4.” Pixar’s track record with the series still inspires trust, even among viewers convinced the franchise had already concluded perfectly at least twice before.

Why I’m excited: Few series weaponize nostalgia quite like “Toy Story.” Despite treading familiar ground, these films consistently find fresh ways to tug on our heartstrings. I’ll admit I’m also partial to the premise: kids, put down those infernal gizmos and get off my lawn!

The Death of Robin Hood (June 19)

England’s most famous outlaw rides toward his final reckoning in “The Death of Robin Hood,” a dark, mournful take on the legendary folk hero. Rather than the usual swashbuckling hero, Hugh Jackman gives us a scarred, blood-red Robin tormented by betrayal and the fading myth of his own legend. Steeped in medieval grime, the movie trades cheerful antics for something closer to historical tragedy.

What’s the buzz: Trailers have fans stoked for the gritty, revisionist take on the timeworn character, while online chatter notes the beautiful-yet-grim aesthetic and strong supporting turns (including Bill Skarsgård and Jodie Comer).

Why I’m excited: The vibes remind me of the excellent “Logan,” where Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine played alongside an aged and haunted Professor X. I don’t want all of Hollywood’s “reinterpretations” to max out the bleakness, but this one looks like it works.

Jackass: Best and Last (June 26)

Johnny Knoxville and his merry band of morons demonstrate once more that growing older doesn't have to make you wiser. “Jackass: Best and Last,” the supposedly final chapter in the franchise that transformed self-inflicted pain and embarrassment into high art, sees the gang don their jockstraps for a last round of ludicrous “stunts,” bops to the groin and public humiliations.

What’s the buzz: Fans are treating the movie — which mixes fresh acts of lunacy with a “greatest hits” retrospective — as both a celebration and a farewell. Speculation centres on which classic bits might return and whether the middle-aged-and-beyond crew can possibly top their youthful recklessness. (The marketing leans into nostalgia while also acknowledging the physical toll the years of abuse has taken on the stars.)

Why I’m excited: Underneath all the kicks to the junk and shopping-cart concussions, the appeal of “Jackass” seems almost wholesome: a group of friends turning chaos into communal joy. None of us are getting any younger, so what the heck — let’s snort wasabi and get a tattoo while off-roading one more time?