Blockbusters aren't for everyone. The loud explosions, the car chases, the snarky one-liners delivered by a muscle-bound leading man . . . OK, I happen to love them. But I also love low-budget comedies and dramas! My favorites are the ones with mellow film festival premieres, written by budding geniuses and packed with my favorite TV stars. Out of the many movies opening this Summer [1], here are the ones that you'll find playing at your local, off-the-beaten-path theater.
The Lovers
- The scoop: One of this year's only romantic comedies, The Lovers features Debra Winger and Tracy Letts as a married couple who are long-past their honeymoon stage. Each cheating on the other one, they unexpectedly rekindle their own relationship.
- Release date: May 5
- Watch the trailer. [3]
3 Generations
- The scoop: Nearly two years after its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Naomi Watts [4]'s family drama will finally open. Elle Fanning plays a teen undergoing female-to-male transition, and Susan Sarandon stars as her outspoken gay grandmother.
- Release date: May 5
- Watch the trailer. [5]
The Dinner
- The scoop: Based on the novel by Herman Koch, this drama follows two sets of parents (Richard Gere [6], Laura Linney [7], Steve Coogan, and Rebecca Hall [8]) as they meet to discuss the crime committed by their sons. If you've seen the Italian version, you'll notice some of the characters and plot points have changed, so it's still worth checking out!
- Release date: May 5
- Watch the trailer. [9]
The Wedding Plan
- The scoop: This critically lauded Israeli comedy is coming to the US! Noa Kooler plays a woman who decides to go forward with her lavish wedding after her fiancé calls off their engagement — she just, you know, needs to find a new husband.
- Release date: May 12
- Watch the trailer. [10]
Paris Can Wait
- The scoop: Diane Lane [11] enjoys a surprisingly romantic European road trip with one of her husband's (Alec Baldwin [12]) colleagues (Arnaud Viard). As she dines, drinks, and detours through museums, she realizes life has much more to offer her. Think of this as Eat Pray Love, but potentially not as obnoxious.
- Release date: May 12
- Watch the trailer. [13]
Band Aid
- The scoop: Zoe Lister-Jones (Life in Pieces) wrote, directed, and stars in this comedy, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She's playing one half of a bickering couple who tries to solve their marital issues by starting a band. The cast includes Adam Pally, Fred Armisen, Colin Hanks, Retta, Brooklyn Decker, Jamie Chung, Jesse Williams, and Hannah Simone. So . . . everyone currently on primetime.
- Release date: June 2
Dean
- The scoop: Demetri Martin wrote, directed, and stars in this off-beat comedy after a guy grappling with the death of his mother. While he has a solid supporting cast (Mary Steenburgen, Gillian Jacobs, and Kevin Kline), this movie might just be the vehicle Martin has needed to finally capture your attention.
- Release date: June 2
- Watch the trailer. [14]
Beatriz at Dinner
- The scoop: If this trailer doesn't make you feel wildly uncomfortable, you need to watch it again. Salma Hayek [15] plays a healer who accidentally crashes one of her client's dinners. Things go south when she realizes how, er, strongly opinionated the fellow guests are. John Lithgow, Chloë Sevigny [16], and Connie Britton also star.
- Release date: June 9
- Watch the trailer. [17]
Maudie
- The scoop: A shy woman (Sally Hawkins) finds work as a housekeeper for a curmudgeon (Ethan Hawke [18]) in Nova Scotia. Though initially they don't get along, he encourages her to pursue painting, and she thrives. Get ready to be inspired to find your passion!
- Release date: June 16
- Watch the trailer. [19]
The Big Sick
- The scoop: Kumail Nanjiani's romantic comedy drew rave reviews at Sundance, landing one of the biggest deals in the festival's history [20]. Nanjiani co-wrote the film with his wife, Emily Gordon, about their real experience melding family traditions in the midst of Emily's mysterious illness.
- Release date: June 23
Fun Mom Dinner
- The scoop: This indie about a bunch of moms whose dinner plan goes awry is loaded with your favorite comedians. Toni Collette, Katie Aselton, Molly Shannon, Bridget Everett, Adam Scott, and Rob Huebel are all starring, alongside freakin' Adam Levine.
- Release date: Aug. 4