This summer, many big, long-anticipated blockbusters hit theaters, including several remakes and reimagined classics such as “Lilo & Stitch,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “F1,” “Superman,” “Fantastic Four: First Steps” and “Bad Guys 2.” But did they live up to the hype? Were they worth the expensive trip to the movie theater, or are they destined to be streamed once and then forgotten? Let’s see what DV students have to say.
“Lilo & Stitch” (release date: May 23, 2025)
Overall, students thought “Lilo & Stitch” was nothing to write home about. The dramatic changes to the plot left audiences longing to return to the masterful nostalgia of the original. Sophomore Advaith Kommidi recalled, “The worst part was the fact that they skipped all the bonding between Lilo and Stitch, which was the best part of the original movie.” Similarly, junior Tiana Chen expressed that “It did not capture the magic or emotion of the original animated.” So, while the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” could be seen as an endearing movie, it lacked important characteristics that made the original heartfelt, comforting and memorable. Fans experienced growing pains when this beloved childhood classic was drastically altered. “Lilo & Stitch” is streaming on Disney+ and is available to rent or buy on digital.
“How to Train Your Dragon” (release date: June 13, 2025)
The original animated “How to Train Your Dragon” follows a teenage viking named Hiccup who is taught to fight dragons like the rest of his clan, but changes his perspective when he befriends a dragon named Toothless. Hiccup comes to appreciate dragons and, with the help of his friend, Astrid, shows the village that dragons and people are better together than they are apart. “How to Train Your Dragon” reimagined the classic 2010 with its immersive worldbuilding and great cast that brought the story to life. Fans appreciated the chemistry between Hiccup and Astrid as well as Hiccup and Toothless’ genuine bond. The remake satisfied the majority of viewers by sticking close to the storyline of the original. “I really liked it,” commented junior Violet Thornburgh. “It was worth going to the theater. Die-hard fans were upset that they cut out a few scenes from the original, but I did not think it was that big of a deal.” “How to Train Your Dragon” is available to rent or buy on digital.
“F1” (release date: June 27, 2025)
“F1” sees Sonny Hayes, a washed-up, retired F1 driver return to the sport decades after a traumatic accident. In the process, Hayes mentors the team’s new rookie and redeems himself. Ultimately, “F1” delivered great visuals and a solid storyline. Junior Melody Li, who has been a big F1 racing fan for a while, had an amazing time watching this version on the big screen. She exclaimed, “‘F1’ is just one of those movies where I feel like experiencing it in the theaters is something you really cannot pass up on, especially with the sound quality and production; the immersion is worth experiencing at least once.” She went on to explain what she appreciated about the movie, sharing, “I loved the camera angles; the cinematography for the film was amazing. I loved how we get glimpses of actual F1 drivers in the race along with the DRS scenes.” Ultimately, “F1” provided an unforgettable experience that renewed fans’ excitement for racing and introduced new people to the world. “F1” is available to rent or buy on digital.
“Superman” (release date: July 11, 2025)
Most viewers thought that “Superman” offered a fresh take on the beloved superhero narrative. It turned the tables by making Superman’s parents evil. With the help of his sidekick, Krypto the dog, Clark Kent has to forge his own path, learning what it takes to be a hero in the process. Superman has to face a plethora of villains, including psychotic tech billionaire Lex Luthor. However, some felt it was so jam-packed with characters and action that it threatened the balance. Sophomore Anya Fang watched it during a night out with her brother and his friends. “I was confused about what the motive of the villain was. I thought the CGI was cool, and it was a good depiction,” she stated. “Superman” is available to rent or buy on digital.
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (release date: July 25, 2025)
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” saw the beloved heroines: Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm, Human Torch and Ben Grimm face off against an incredible foe named Galactus. Students were split: some loved “The Fantastic Four” and the family bond between the team of four, while others found themselves longing for more action. “I liked the plot of the story. I also enjoyed the message behind the film. I think it could’ve been more action packed maybe, dive a little bit deeper into the characters within the movie,” sophomore Chloe Yang expressed. “Fantastic Four” is available to rent or buy on digital.
“The Bad Guys 2” (release date: August 1, 2025)
“The Bad Guys 2” is the sequel to the animated original “The Bad Guys.” It follows the original bad guys as they navigate their new lives as “Good Guys” and must return to criminal life one more time. Senior Nivdea Banerjee went to see “The Bad Guys 2” in theaters with her nephews. “I liked how even though it was a children’s movie, it wasn’t too childish, so older audiences wouldn’t get totally bored watching it,” she described. While “The Bad Guys 2” is perceived as a “kids’ movie” because of the animal characters, comedy, and PG rating, it also features complex themes and plot twists, making it engaging to a wider age group. “The Bad Guys 2” is available to rent or buy on digital.
This summer was a great time for movies, with many exciting films making their theatrical debuts. DV students enjoyed “How to Train Your Dragon” and “F1” while they felt “Lilo & Stitch” fell short. Some thought that “Fantastic Four” and “Superman” could be refined. It will be exciting to see what movies come out in the future and whether they are slam dunks or not.
