17 Movies to Watch in June

      After last month's movie season served as a transformative reflection of what genuinely draws a significant segment of the potential audience, we do not anticipate similar insights this month. Nevertheless, June offers numerous compelling choices to discover in theaters, ranging from the return of a blockbuster veteran to favorites from Cannes, Sundance, TIFF, and more.

      17. Jinsei (Ryuya Suzuki; June 5)

      In an impressive feat of self-produced animation, Ryuya Suzuki spent 18 months creating his debut feature Jinsei as the sole animator, director, writer, editor, and composer. After premiering at the Annecy Film Festival to acclaim, it is set to release this month. The film tells the story of a J-pop idol, an outcast, and an oracle in a century-spanning tale of an extraordinary life that traverses the past, present, and future.

      16. Jackass: Best and Last (Jeff Tremaine; June 26)

      Upon its release, many believed that 2022’s Jackass Forever would be the group's final project, as pushing their bodies to such extremes surely has its limits. However, Johnny Knoxville and his team are returning this month with their fifth and last feature, which just recently completed filming. It appears everyone has thankfully made it through this installment, and we look forward to the antics that lie ahead in one of America's last great showcases of male camaraderie.

      15. The Gas Station Attendant (Karla Murthy; June 12)

      Watch the exclusive clip above.

      Director Karla Murthy explores her father's past and their intricate relationship in the poignant family portrait The Gas Station Attendant. It traces his journey from fleeing India to pursuing dreams in America, capturing the painful disconnect of lost dreams while maintaining a façade of success for family members. Utilizing varied home-video footage, Murthy powerfully conveys the emotional weight of the immigrant experience.

      14. I Am Frankelda (Arturo Ambriz and Roy Ambriz; June 12)

      Following significant buzz on the festival circuit last year, Mexico’s first-ever stop-motion feature makes its debut on Netflix this month. Directed by Arturo Ambriz and Roy Ambriz, who previously worked with Guillermo del Toro, I Am Frankelda received praise from Jared Mobarak in his review: “More reminiscent of the childhood favorite Little Monsters than the likewise mythologized Monsters, Inc., the film captures the essence of a young woman’s imagination and desire to become a horror writer, facing resistance from publishers, society, and family.”

      13. Promised Sky (Erige Sehiri; June 12)

      After premiering to critical acclaim at last year’s Cannes Film Festival sidebar Un Certain Regard, Promised Sky is scheduled for a U.S. theater release this month. Kent M. Wilhelm noted in his forthcoming review, “Erige Sehiri’s Promised Sky provides an intimate perspective from those affected by systemic prejudice, illustrating the challenges of fairness when the odds are stacked against you.”

      12. The Furious (Kenji Tanigaki; June 12)

      Stirring excitement at its Midnight Madness world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival last fall, Kenji Tanigaki’s Hong Kong martial arts film The Furious will also be hitting U.S. theaters this month, offering an alternative to Hollywood's lackluster offerings. The story follows a man seeking vengeance as he searches for his kidnapped daughter, with some likening it to The Raid, creating anticipation whether those comparisons hold up.

      11. The Little Sister (Hafsia Herzi; June 5)

      Nearly two decades after her breakout role in The Secret of the Grain, Hafsia Herzi returns with her latest directorial offering, The Little Sister, which received widespread acclaim at its Cannes debut last year. Featuring Nadia Melliti (who won Best Actress at the festival) and Park Ji-Min from Return to Seoul, this queer coming-of-age narrative will soon be in theaters. It sensitively addresses the clash between traditional values and evolving identities, with Melliti rightfully deserving the accolades received so far.

      10. Mare’s Nest (Ben Rivers; June 24)

      Ben Rivers’ unique approach to tactile, experimental cinema continues with the immersive Mare’s Nest. Leonardo Goi commented in his review, “Historically, 'mare’s nest' referred to a state of exhilarating confusion. This concept aligns well with the cinema of Ben Rivers, who creates films that straddle utopian and dystopian realms, depicting solitary drifters displacing societal comforts. His narratives often hover between reality and the fantastical, embodying a childlike wonder for the uncharted.”

      9. Leviticus (Adrian Chiarella; June 19)

      While awaiting David Robert Mitchell's possible sequel to It Follows, Australian director Adrian Chiarella’s unsettling debut feature Leviticus offers a similarly haunting experience. Following two boys in a conservative Australian community who confront their queer identities, a religious curse embodies their desires. After premiering at