Take off your Canada Goose jacket, lose the hat, peel off those gloves and put them into the far back corner of your closet—summer is here. It’s time to hit the beach, go hiking, and just generally enjoy the great outdo—just kidding, it’s time to see some of the biggest independent movies of the year.
The lines cordoning off summer movie season have definitely been blurred recently, but the fact still remains that the months from May to early September are loaded with outstanding and possibly slept on indies. By our count, there are 30 films getting a wide release this summer.
We know, it’s a lot. But you don’t have to go to the movie theater unprepared, just you and that $20 green juice you’re smuggling in. You’ve got us. And we watched screeners, and pored over the trailers and plot summaries for you, so that you won’t end up seeing this summer’s version of Fantastic Four. From visiting the streets of Chicago in Southside With You to traveling back to the days of Old Hollywood with Cafe Society, this is the only guide to summer movie season that you need.
Make sure to check out our other 2016 Guide to Summer Movies lists for Blockbuster, Horror, Family and Comedy classics, and start learning which movies are must-sees and which ones are oh-my-god-do-nots.
Related: 2017 Summer Movies Guide