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

8. The Happytime Murders

The Happytime Murders
STXfilms

Release Date: August 17

The Plot: In a world where humans and puppets uneasily co-exist, puppet private eye Phil Phillips (Bill Barretta) is chasing down a serial killer who murdered his brother and is targeting the cast of 80s TV series The Happytime Gang. Phil teams with human partner Detective Edwards (Melissa McCarthy) in an attempt to save the killer's next victim, Phil's human ex Jenny (Elizabeth Banks).

Why It's Going To Be Awesome: The Happytime Murders is being directed by Brian Henson, son of legendary Muppet creator Jim, and just might be one of the most inventive and visually dynamic movies released this summer.

2011's The Muppets reboot was a firm reminder of just how charming the puppet-human screen combo can be, and wrapped around an R-rated film noir premise such as this, it could end up being Who Framed Roger Rabbit for a new generation (but with more swearing, of course).

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.