They say that the book is always better than the movie. We’d agree with that, most of the time, but these five movies coming out in July 2016 are sure to rival the books they’re based on! Get your summer reading on, then head out to the cool, air-conditioned theater in scorching July and chill out with a good movie.

the-bfg

July 1 – The BFG

You may have already read this children’s classic as a kid, but it’s definitely worth a revisit as a grown-up, or with your own children. This Disney adaptation promises to delight your imagination.

Author: Roald Dahl

What’s it about? Sophie, an orphaned little girl, befriends a giant who gallops through the streets bestowing dreams upon the children of London.  The kindly giant is something of an outcast amongst his peers because, in addition to being a runt, he refuses to eat children.

Who’s in it? Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies, The Other Boleyn Girl) as The BFG, newcomer Ruby Barnhill as Sophie, and featuring Bill Hader and Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) as assorted evil giants.

Why I’m Excited: To say that this children’s story is beloved is an understatement. I spent many hours as a kid wishing I had a Big Friendly Giant of my very own.

Watch the Trailer:

mike-and-dave

July 8 – Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates

This is based on the book of the real-life chronicle of Mike and Dave Stangle having turned to Craigslist to find dates for their cousin’s wedding. Hilarity, of course, ensues. It’s been called “Wedding Crashers meets Tucker Max.”

Author(s): Mike Stangle, Dave Stangle

What’s it about? Mike and Dave’s ad goes viral and their dates give them a run for their money. The cast promises to be very funny.

Who’s in it? Zac Efron and Adam Devine as Mike and Dave, Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza as the dates from hell.

Why I’m Excited: It just looks like a really fun summer comedy! And I’ll be honest: I wouldn’t exactly mind being Zac Efron’s date to anything. Also, I want to be Anna Kendrick’s best friend. Can I please be Anna Kendrick’s best friend?

Watch the (Official) Trailer: (there are NSFW red band trailers for this one to be found)

into-the-forest

July 22 – Into the Forest

This 1996 post-apocalyptic novel has been compared to Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.

Author: Jean Hegland

What’s it about? Teen sisters Nell and Eva struggle to survive in their remote home as society begins to collapse and decay around them. As their resources run out, they must become more resourceful.

Who’s in it? Ellen Page as Nell, Evan Rachel Wood as Eva

Why I’m Excited: Anything that plays upon a fear that most of us have had at one time or another has the potential to be really exciting! Who hasn’t imagined themselves holed up in the woods during the end of the world as we know it? Even watching the trailer made me a little nervous. That’s a good sign, right?

Watch the Trailer:

nerve

July 27 – Nerve

This 2012 novel is said to appeal to fans of the Hunger Games series. Do they still say “cyber-thriller”? It’s a cyber-thriller.

Author: Jeanne Ryan

What’s it about? A teen girl plays an online game of dares. When she discovers that the game knows her, things turns deadly as the prizes get more tempting, and the dares get more dangerous.

Who’s in it? Dave Franco, Emma Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Parenthood‘s Miles Heizer, and OITNB‘s Samira Wiley.

Why I’m Excited: We live so much of our lives online that it’s not too much of a stretch to imagine a scenario like this! I’m hoping that it packs as much of a punch as it rightfully should in the thriller department. Plus, is Dave Franco the tempting prize? Please tell me he’s the tempting prize.

Watch the Trailer:

max-perkins

July 29 – Genius

Based on the book Max Perkins: Editor of Genius. Published in 1978, this bestseller also won the National Book Award. This biographical novel follows the life and humor of one of the most famous editors in the world, Max Perkins.

Author: A. Scott Berg

What’s it About? The driving force behind such literary superstars as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Thomas Wolfe, Max Evarts Perkins was the most admired book editor in the world. This biopic promises to be a vivid, revealing portrait of one man’s life and a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of literature as we know it.

Who’s in it? The stellar, all-star cast includes Vanessa Kirby as Zelda Fitzgerald, Nicole Kidman, Jude Law as Thomas Wolfe, Guy Pearce as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Laura Linney as Louise Saunders, Dominic West, and Colin Firth as Max Perkins.

Why I’m Excited: The tagline is “Max Perkins had discovered Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, but he had never met anyone like Thomas Wolfe.” If you’re unfamiliar with Thomas Wolfe, he was the author of The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, among others, and one of Ken Kesey’s (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) Merry Pranksters. If you’re a fan of literature, this movie promises to be very exciting. Also, Colin Firth! I’m not going to lie, the trailer gave me feelings. And Jude Law is, as usual, a force of nature.

Watch the Trailer:

Save

Save

Emily Parker is a musician, writer, and avid reader who started Bucket List Book Reviews, the ‘1,001 Books to Read Before You Die’ project. For Sweatpants & Coffee, Emily hopes to inspire the reading of the classics by a whole new audience by only reviewing the really good stuff.

Facebook Twitter 

Sign up to receive exclusive offers, fun content, and updates from Nanea!

Your confirmation email will arrive shortly after you sign up. Don't forget to check your spam or junk folder!

We keep your data private and share your data only with third parties that make this service possible. Read our full Privacy Policy here.

Facebook Comments

comments