Movies Update: We know what you’re doing this summer

Plus, grab your Purell and watch a Covid satire.

View in browser|nytimes.com July 18, 2025 By Mekado Murphy Hey, movie fans! I hope you're having a great summer, but do I know what you did last summer? The popular '90s horror franchise with the ominous title makes its 21st-century return this weekend, complete with appearances from the original cast members Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. In her review, the critic Beatrice Loayza wrote that the older film had "room for improvement — but Jennifer Kaytin Robinson's new version fumbles its shot." If you're in the mood for a Covid satire, you can try the writer-director Ari Aster's take on the year 2020 with "Eddington," starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal. In her Critic's Pick review, Alissa Wilkinson wrote that the film "sets us not-so-gently adrift on a sea of very recent memories and the nausea they re-prompt, and waves merrily from the shore as we turn green." If instead you'd rather turn blue, then make your way to "Smurfs," which has Rihanna voicing Smurfette. The critic Glenn Kenny described the movie as "a singing, dancing multidimensional romp," with "visuals that get trippy to the extreme." And of course, "Superman" is still dominating screens and prompting plenty of conversation. We spoke with its screenwriter and director James Gunn about all manner of topics related to the film. He also broke down a pivotal scene between Lois Lane and Clark Kent. Enjoy the movies! Richard Foreman/A24 Critic's Pick 'Eddington' Review: Once Upon a Time in the Pandemic Ari Aster returns with a dystopian western farce about a world gone mad that you definitely remember. By Alissa Wilkinson Alana Paterson for The New York Times James Gunn Didn't Want to Make 'Superman.' What Changed His Mind? His hit reboot is meant to kick off years of new projects from the rebranded DC Studios. But for a long time, Gunn couldn't figure out the character. By Kyle Buchanan Alamy/Warner Bros., via HBO; Lorimer Productions via Everett Collection; Ed Araquel/CW; Clay Enos/Warner Bros.; Warner Bros.; Jessica Miglio/Warner Bros. The Many Takes on Superman: Gruff, Charming or Menschy? There's more than one way to play the most classic of superheroes. Here's how six actors have approached the role. By Maya Phillips Universal Pictures Essentials How to Watch Hitchcock: 5 Steps to Unlock the Master of Suspense The director combined camera, sound and perspective techniques to create almost unbearable tension and anxiety for the audience. By Alissa Wilkinson CRITICS' PICKS The Los Angeles Times/Film Forum Critic's Pick 'Life After' Review: What the End Means The filmmaker Reid Davenport raises thorny questions about how the option of medically assisted death is presented to disabled people. By Ben Kenigsberg ANATOMY OF A SCENE Jessica Miglio/Warner Bros Pictures Anatomy of a Scene How Superman Handles a Lois Lane Interview James Gunn, the screenwriter and director of "Superman," narrates a sequence featuring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan. By Mekado Murphy MOVIE REVIEWS Brook Rushton/Sony Pictures 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Review: Nostalgia Is Overrated This revival of a 1990s horror franchise fumbles its shot. By Beatrice Loayza Paramount Animation 'Smurfs' Review: Don't Stop the Music The lovable blue guys (and one gal) go on a mission to save Papa Smurf in this colorful romp with an impressive voice cast. By Glenn Kenny Sideshow and Janus Films 'Cloud' Review: Buyer's Remorse In this genre-bending thriller, an online reseller's tale of vengeance becomes a parable of human greed and disconnection. By Brandon Yu Factory 25 'No Sleep Till' Review: Calm Before the Storm This gauzy film builds an impression of Floridian malaise by trailing four locals the day before a hurricane. By Natalia Winkelman Unicorns Film Production Limited 'Unicorns' Review: Where Glitter Meets Grit This movie, directed by Sally El Hosaini and James Krishna Floyd, follows Luke and Aysha, who meet by chance at a drag event. By Chris Azzopardi Samuel Goldwyn Films 'Finally Dawn' Review: A Night to Remember in Rome This Italian drama, set in the 1950s and starring Lily James, Willem Dafoe and Joe Keery, sends a star-struck naïf through the looking glass darkly. By Lisa Kennedy NEWS & FEATURES Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Why Did the Indie Film Studio A24 Buy an Off Broadway Theater? The Hollywood upstart has upgraded the Cherry Lane Theater for plays and more. Coming this fall: films chosen by Sofia Coppola, food from Frenchette and the voice of Barbra Streisand. By Michael Paulson Paramount Pictures, via Getty Images When 'Clueless' Made Movie Fashion History With grunge reigning in the mid-1990s, the looks of Cher Horowitz and her friends came as a fun shock. The costume designer takes us through her thought process. By Clarissa Cruz Ye Fan for The New York Times When Streaming Won't Cut It and You Need the DVD Streaming is dominant for movies and TV shows. But some fans still insist on physical media. By Marc Tracy Jessica Miglio/Warner Bros Pictures Can 'Superman' Fly Above Today's Polarized Politics? The director of the reboot, James Gunn, called the superhero from the planet Krypton "an immigrant," thrusting the summer popcorn movie into an Earthbound culture war. By Matt Stevens STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Carole Bethuel Five Free Movies to Stream Now Some counterprogramming to the summer's blockbusters: "Titane," "Coherence" and "Attack the Block." By Brandon Yu Shudder Five Horror Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include menacing grandparents, famished vampires and pernicious cultists. By Erik Piepenburg Giles Keyte/Disney 5 Children's Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include a live-action version of Disney classic and an animated K-pop fantasy musical. By Dina Gachman How are we doing? We'd love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to moviesupdate@nytimes.com. Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here. If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Movies Update from The New York Times. To stop receiving Movies Update, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. 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