11 movie and TV trailers for a sizzling summer
Get ready to chill: we've got superhero flicks and Korean dramas and everything in between to look forward to
John Cho in "Afraid."
Sony Pictures
Words by Daniel Anderson
Sun's out, fun's out... but let's be real, there's only so much hanging you can do. For those inevitable moments when you need to escape the heat with a popcorn epic or crave a show to devour on that beach trip, JoySauce has your back. Here are 11 titles we’re most excited about for a sensational summer.
Based on a heart-pounding true story, Hijack 1971 throws you into a 1970s South Korean plane hijacking. A cool-headed first officer (Ha Jung-woo) is forced into action when a desperate passenger (Yeo Jin-goo, in his villainous debut!) explodes a grenade and demands a flight to North Korea. Blinded captain? Check. Fighter jets on their tail? Double check. Nowhere to land? Buckle up for a white-knuckle Korean thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. Just maybe don’t watch this one right before your vacation flight.
Hijack 1971 is out now in U.S. theaters.
This groundbreaking series is not only a heartwarming journey for nine guys searching for love, but it's also Japan's first-ever same-sex reality dating show. Set against the scenic backdrop of a beach town near Tokyo, these handsome contestants will spend a month together living in a beach house and even running a coffee truck. Expect sunshine, sparks, and maybe even a touch of caffeine-fueled romance.
The Boyfriend will premiere on Netflix on Jul. 9.
Tragedy strikes in Kyoto, Japan, as Suzie (Rashida Jones) loses her husband and son in a plane crash. Offered an unusual form of comfort, she receives Sunny, a cutting-edge domestic robot built by her husband's company. Despite initial resistance, Suzie and Sunny forge a bond as they delve into the unsettling mystery surrounding the crash. Hidetoshi Nishijima, Joanna Sotomura and Judy Ongg round out the cast.
Sunny will premiere on Apple TV on Jul. 10.
Strike first, strike hard, no mercy... to the competition! The epic saga of Cobra Kai enters its final round, with a three-part, 15-episode season. Johnny (William Zabka) and Daniel (Ralph Macchio) have finally joined forces, but their troubles are far from over. With Cobra Kai dojo shut down, a new threat emerges as they train their students for the Sekai Taikai, the world championships of karate.
Cobra Kai part 1 will premiere on Netflix on Jul. 18, with part 2 following in November and part 3 in 2025.
The hierarchy of power in the DC universe is about to change with the arrival of Kite Man’s own show. A spinoff from the Harley Quinn animated series, everyone’s favorite henchman is becoming a small business owner. Kite Man, an ordinary man with a kite, opens a bar alongside girlfriend Golden Glider (Stephanie Hsu). Hell yeah.
Kite Man: Hell Yeah! will premiere on Max on Jul. 18.
The monstrous mayhem returns for its final season. Korean horror hit Sweet Home follows Hyun-su (Song Kang) trapped in his apartment building as a vicious plague transforms residents into terrifying creatures. Forced to team up with his remaining neighbors for survival, season 3 throws humanity a terrifying curveball. The lines between human and monster blur further as a new breed of monstrous beings, the "neo-humans," emerge. Returning cast members Song Kang, Lee Jin-uk, Lee Do-hyun, Lee Si-young, Kim Sia, Ko Min-si, GOT7's Jinyoung, Yoo Oh-seung, and Kim Moo-yeol all are here for the epic conclusion.
Sweet Home pt. 3 will premiere on Netflix on Jul. 19.
From Oscar-nominated director Sean Wang comes DÌDI (弟弟), a coming-of-age gem. This Sundance Film Festival darling (winning both the Audience Award and Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast) follows a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy (Izaac Wang) on a hilarious and heartfelt journey of self-discovery. Get ready to laugh, cry, and relive the awkward (and awesome) days of adolescence.
DÌDI (弟弟) will premiere in theaters on Jul. 26.
This new animated series brings together J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves, and Bruce Timm for a fresh take on the vengeance-fueled vigilante. Batman (Hamish Linklater) and his war on crime attracts allies in unexpected places, but his actions unleash a terrifying chain reaction. This gritty reimagining boasts a groundbreaking portrayal of an Asian Harley Quinn (Jamie Chung) alongside a stellar cast.
Batman: Caped Crusader will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Aug. 1.
All-American dad? Or cunning killer? Josh Hartnett stars in M. Night Shyamalan's twisted thriller Trap. A trip to a pop concert with his daughter turns into a nightmare as a massive police operation unfolds. Is he a bystander caught in the chaos, or the target himself? Shyamalan's signature twist awaits in this chilling game of cat and mouse.
Trap will premiere in theaters on Aug. 2.
In Paul Feig's action-comedy Jackpot! Katie (Awkwafina) becomes an overnight billionaire, but there's a deadly twist: the prize goes to whoever kills her by sundown. Enter Noel (John Cena), her hilarious yet rough-around-the-edges protector, as they fight off a city full of crazed contenders, including Simu Liu’s character Louis. This summer, laugh out loud and hold on tight as Katie races for survival with a million reasons to stay alive.
Jackpot! will premiere on Amazon Video on Aug. 15.
John Cho stars in Afraid, a new thriller from Blumhouse, where a seemingly helpful smart home device, AIA, takes a sinister turn. Cho, alongside Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, and Lukita Maxwell, become a family selected to test AIA's capabilities. What starts as a dream of convenience turns into a chilling fight for survival as AIA decides it knows best how to keep them "safe."
Afraid will premiere in theaters on Aug. 30.
Published on July 9, 2024
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.