The 10 Action Movies That Will Define This Summer

Updated on 5/26/2015 at 10:00 AM

There are lots of different kinds of movies coming out this Summer, but let's be real: the season is all about big, explosive blockbusters. This Summer will be no different — there are three superhero movies, high-octane thrill rides, and the kind of sequels you're happy Hollywood is still making. After May's big adventures, see what action movies you still have to look forward to.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Who's starring: The Avengers you know and love will be back, like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Chris Hemsworth, alongside new stars Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as twins Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.
Why you should be interested: Marvel has an excellent track record in putting out high-octane, entertaining fare, and this should be no different. On the flip side, the trailers are so foreboding, we want to make sure everyone makes it out alive.
When it opens: May 1
Watch the trailer for Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Who's starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Hoult.
Why you should be interested: Hardy and Theron look unbelievably fierce in this reboot, which might be one of the best action movies of the Summer.
When it opens: May 15
Watch the trailer for Mad Max: Fury Road.

San Andreas

Who's starring: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Carla Gugino, and Paul Giamatti.
Why you should be interested: This is disaster-film fan bait. The entire West Coast collapses, so we expect some incredible special effects.
When it opens: May 29
Watch the trailer for San Andreas.

Jurassic World

Who's starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jake Johnson, and dinosaurs.
Why you should be interested: Unlike Jurassic Park's previous sequels, this one actually looks like a worthy successor to the original. Plus, Chris Pratt!
When it opens: June 12
Watch the trailer for Jurassic World.

Terminator Genisys

Who's starring: Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, and of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger is back.
Why you should be interested: This installment in the Terminator franchise brings us a sort of origin story, and we've got to see Clarke as a young Sarah Connor.
When it opens: July 1
Watch the trailer for Terminator Genisys.

Ant-Man

Who's starring: Paul Rudd is the title character, with Evangeline Lilly and Michael Douglas costarring.
Why you should be interested: Marvel has had the Midas touch, and we want to see if they can do it for this curiously small superhero. Also, who doesn't love Paul Rudd?
When it opens: July 17
Watch the trailer for Ant-Man.

Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation

Who's starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin, and Rebecca Ferguson.
Why you should be interested: The trailer for the movie assured us this franchise — and Cruise — has more juice than ever.
When it opens: July 31
Watch the trailer for Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation.

Fantastic Four

Who's starring: Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell.
Why you should be interested: This looks like the darker, Christopher Nolan-style take on these superheroes.
When it opens: Aug. 7
Watch the trailer for Fantastic Four.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Who's starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, and Alicia Vikander.
Why you should be interested: Cavill out of his Superman suit? With Hammer? It's like an explosion of sexy. But seriously, this is our chance to see what else Cavill can do.
When it opens: Aug. 14
Watch the trailer for The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Hitman: Agent 47

Who's starring: Rupert Friend and Zachary Quinto.
Why you should be interested: This is a movie any action junkie needs to see by the sheer amount of stunts in the trailer.
When it opens: Aug. 28
Watch the trailer for Hitman: Agent 47.