14 Awesome Movies To Watch This Summer (Which Aren't Blockbusters)

5. First Reformed

Release Date: June 22

The Plot: An ex-military chaplain (Ethan Hawke) is desperately grieving the death of his son, and his faith is further shaken when the husband of a woman he meets, Mary (Amanda Seyfried), suddenly commits suicide.

Why It's Going To Be Awesome: The latest directorial effort from Taxi Driver writer Paul Schrader may not be a feel-good time at the movies, but reviews out of Venice and TIFF have largely called it the masterpiece Schrader has been trying to direct his entire career (especially given the critical poundings he's taken over the last 15 years).

Hawke has also received some of the best reviews of his career for his searing performance, in what's surely the most-praised movie from last year's festival circuit yet to get the least amount of press (for some reason).

It won't light up the box office, but releasing the same day as Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, it should serve as a more mature accompaniment to the blockbuster schlock.