The must-see movies hitting the big screen this summer

Despicable Me 3 arrives in cinemas this summer (PA)

We’ve been to space for Alien: Covenant and set sail on the high seas for Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge, which can only mean blockbuster season is upon us.

Here, we round up the must-see movies hitting the big screen this summer.

Transformers: The Last Knight

STARRING — Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins, Stanley Tucci, Laura Haddock, Gemma Chan

Released — June 22

Following on from 2014’s Age of Extinction, and with Optimus Prime gone, humans and Transformers are at war.

The key to saving mankind’s future is finding out why the Transformers keep returning to Earth.

Director Michael Bay has announced this is his final outing in the franchise, so you imagine he’ll want to leave with a big, big bang . . .

The Book Of Henry

STARRING — Naomi Watts, Dean Norris, Maddie Ziegler, Jacob Tremblay, Jaeden Lieberher

Released — June 23

Henry (Lieberher) is a gifted 11-year-old who takes care of his single mum Susan (Watts) and his brother Peter (Tremblay).

When it turns out his classmate crush and next-door neighbour Christina (Ziegler) is hiding a dark secret, Henry devises a plan which sees the whole family help out.

Most of this cast might be young, but they’re a talented bunch.

The film’s also directed by Colin Trevorrow, who’s co-written the script for the Jurassic World sequel, and will be at the helm of Star Wars: Episode IX.

Despicable Me 3

STARRING — Steve Carell, Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan, Kristen Wiig

Released — June 30

Gru’s dragged back to his villainous ways when he meets his flamboyant — and hirsute — twin brother Dru (both voiced by Carell) who persuades him to undertake “just one heist” for family tradition.

Seven years after the original was released, Gru and his minions are still going strong with spin-offs, theme park rides and animated shorts.

One for the whole family to enjoy.

The House

STARRING — Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzoukas, Allison Tolman

Released — June 30

When Scott Johansen (Ferrell) and his wife Kate (Poehler) discover they’ve blown their daughter’s college fund, they decide to claw the money back by opening up a casino in the basement of their house.

Ferrell isn’t venturing into new territory with this comedy, but when he plays gormless so well, he doesn’t have to do a lot to raise the laughs.

He and Poehler make a great double act.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

STARRING — Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Marisa Tomei, Michael Keaton

Released — July 7

Peter Parker (Holland) is coming to terms with his web-slinging powers, but even with Tony Stark/Iron Man (Downey Jr.) as a mentor, balancing school with saving the world is tough, especially when there’s a serious villain (Keaton) to battle.

The pressure’s on to bring something fresh.

But if Holland and Downey Jr’s winning interaction in Captain America: Civil War’s anything to go by, fans are in for a treat.

War For The Planet Of The Apes

STARRING — Judy Greer, Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis

Released — July 14

THE primates and humans are at war.

When the apes suffer huge losses, Caesar (Serkis) takes it upon himself to avenge their deaths and hones in on the callous Colonel (Harrelson).

Word is this movie marks the end of Caesar’s journey, so fans will want to see how things pan out for the conflicted ape.

Dunkirk

STARRING — Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance, Harry Styles, Fionn Whitehead

Released — July 21

The events of Dunkirk are relived in this Second World War drama, which depicts what happened when Allied forces, surrounded by Nazi troops, were evacuated from the French harbour.

Christopher Nolan, the man responsible for the Dark Knight franchise, is helming this, so no expense will have been spared.

Rough Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIAxAW9eBoM

STARRING — Scarlett Johansson, Zoe Kravitz, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell, Ilana Glazer

Released — August 25

A group of old college friends get together and head to Miami for a hen party, but things take an unexpected turn when their male stripper ends up dead.

It’s six years since Bridesmaids was released, so it feels like a bachelorette-themed comedy is overdue. Just this time the laughs are a little darker, given there’s death in their midst.