Summer 2018 was the time for highly anticipated movies. We had loads of sequels, spinoffs, and some surprising originals. Let’s pick up where we left off last year with some of the best summer movies.

Even though it came out in early May, “Avengers: Infinity War” was definitely one of the most hyped up movies of the year. And unlike most hyped up movies, this one went above and beyond expectations. It was released just as Piedmont was releasing its students for the summer and during the stress of finals, we all found ourselves even more stressed out as we watched some of our most beloved Marvel heroes fight for their lives against the Titan Thanos. “Infinity War” delivered on so many different levels. It had its fair share of funny moments, its plot twists that no one even saw coming (Hello guardian of the Soul Stone) and in the end, left audience members sobbing or in complete shock. It is currently the highest grossing comic book movie and the fourth highest grossing movie of all time at over two billion dollars. Let’s see if Avengers 5 will beat it when it comes out next May.

“Deadpool” was an instant fan-favorite when it hit theaters in February of 2016. The raunchy comedy and action movie set itself apart from the Marvel Studios films families have grown to love since the debut of Marvel’s Avengers in 2012. In common theme, sequels of films have often been a letdown in comparison to the first. This summer’s box office hit, “Deadpool 2”, did not disappoint, as many fans and critics alike feared. This 110 million dollar budget film advertised itself as “The sequel to the first one” and scored a staggering 733.2 million in the box office. Rotten Tomatoes gives it an 83%, audiences calling it “hilarious” and “better than the original”. This film is out of theaters and available for purchase in stores and online.

It’s been three years since the “Jurassic Park” franchise returned to theatres and started a new generation of dinosaur kids. “Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom” has now taken the franchise in a new yet darker direction. The film is about the destruction of the island of Isla Nublar, the home of the original Jurassic Park and its successor Jurassic World. Protagonists Claire and Owen must find a way to save and protect the dinosaurs on the island. For a summer blockbuster who’s target audience is children, this movie had themes of death, extinction, animal trafficking, the black market, and even ethical questions dealing with cloning. Even with its funny moments, there were definitely times that were suspenseful and times that were quite emotional. It sits at 50% on Rotten Tomatoes but still made one billion dollars at the box office.

There is yet another sequel film that’s been fourteen years in the making. “The Incredibles 2” hit theatres this year and entered back into the hearts of the college students who saw the original back in the days of elementary school. Like its predecessor, “The Incredibles 2” presents normal family problems through a family of superheroes. Helen Parr, aka Elastigirl, becomes the breadwinner of the family while Bob, aka Mr. Incredible, has to become a stay-at-home dad and raise teenage daughter Violet, young Dash, and baby Jack-Jack. The film brings back childhood nostalgia for the older audience as it tells a story of mystery, action, love, and family similar to the original. “The Incredibles 2” made almost $600 million at the box office and is the highest grossing animated feature of all time in North America.

Now we have fall coming up and there are even more sequels, spinoffs, and reboots to come. Next month “The Predator” comes out in September and Jamie Leigh Curtis fights off Michael Myers for the last time this October in the new “Halloween”. Speaking of October, “Venom” finally has his first solo movie that comes out the first weekend in October. And in November, we’ll see the latest film DC has to offer in James Wan’s “Aquaman.”