1996 Blockbuster Season Was A Beast

 

Summer's coming to a close, which means the Summer blockbuster season is coming to a end. 2026 proved to all the naysayers that movies and the movie theater experience are BACK.  Spiderman, The Odyssey, Devil Wears Prada 2 and Toy Story 5 were the heavy hitters of the season. While surprise hits like Obsession, Coyote vs Acme and Backrooms proved there's still a market for more than the big budget action films. With this season slated to make over $4 billion at the box office.

While thinking about the good news regarding box office. I started thinking about the 1996 Summer Season, it doesn't get talked about enough when people mention years Hollywood was on a roll. However, that year provided industry game changers, hits from different genres, and genuine classics that still loved years later. 

So here's a quick history lesson on all that the Summer of '96 gave us.

Independence Day was that years box office heavy hitter that made Will Smith into a star. Hot on its heels was the tornado chasing disaster flick Twister. Tom Cruise probably didn't intend to create a 20 plus year franchise with Mission Impossible, but he did. Michael Bay, Nicholas Cage, and Sean Connery bought us one of Bay's best in The Rock. And Arnold himself gave us one of his more underrated action films in Eraser.

Eddie Murphy gave his career a second wind, when he put on a fat suit and became Sherman Klump in The Nutty Professor. Jim Carrey continued his mid-90's hit streak playing a deranged cable technician in The Cable Guy. While Robin Williams dramedy Jack made you laugh and pulled at your heart strings 

Hollywood didn't leave the kids and families out either. Disney's 90's renaissance continued with The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The adaption of Roald Dahl's Matilda, inspired kids to believe in magic and intuition when life twists and turns.  And Harriet The Spy encouraged kids to write more and  journal, even if theres a chance they got in some trouble.

When it comes to blockbuster season, 1996 was a heavy hitter. And Hollywood created enough memories and magic in various genres, there are lessons they could use today. 2026 was the comeback for movies in theaters, 1996 set the standard.

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5 Yearly Must Watch Summer Movie's

 It's Memorial Day Weekend, which the weather is tricky on the east coast this year. But that won't stop BBQ's, heavy traffic heading to the beach, lawn mowing and beer drinking. Memorial Day Weekend also mean's the kick-off of the Hollywood Summer Blockbuster season. This year the family friendly live action remake of Lilo & Stitch (which I enjoyed), and the final chapter in the Mission Impossible film series Reckoning, set it off. So I decided to think about 5 movies, I somehow, someway fit into my schedule every summer to watch at least once. So let's dig in our popcorn bucket.

5. Super 8

It's been 14 years since Super 8 debuted, and it still is not appreciated like it should be. Written and directed by J.J. Abrams, and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, who films clearly inspired this one. Set in the summer of 1979, a group of kid's being adventurous and creative work to make their own film over the summer. They come into much bigger problems when they stumble upon a alien, and government conspiracy. It has heart, mystery, and humor to make a classic summer adventure.

4. Crooklyn

I'll admit Crooklyn came out 1994, and I did not appreciate the movie one bit until I was in my 20's. More precisely my late 20's around 2014-15. Spike Lee's 2nd best film set in the summer. Set in 1973, following the Carmichael family with a particular focus on the only girl out of five children Troy. The film focuses on her coming of age that summer. I don't think I can describe how great this film is enough, just know it is one of my summer favorites.

3. Adventureland

Adventureland, this 2009 cult classic stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Kristin Wiig, Bill Hader and Ryan Reynolds. Set in 1987, it follow's Jesse Eisenberg's character James as he spends the summer working at a local theme park. In the process learning about love, heartbreak, and himself. The film is full of dry humor if you appreciate that kind of humor. It also has a funny depiction of the inner workings of a theme park, which workplace comedies are always appreciated.

2. Independence Day

It's a tradition at this point, every year once the fourth of July rolls around Independence Day is on the screen. Whether it's the marathons on TV, availability on streaming, or maybe I pull out the DVD or even the VHS. I'm watching the film that made Will Smith a star and had human beings on the edge of their seat about the possibilities of an alien invasion. What's the summer movie season without some action? which makes ID4 an absolute every year.

1. The Sandlot

An unforgettable summer with your friends, I think that is every kid's dream. That's just what 1993's Sandlot is about. Set in 1962, the film is about friendship, learning something new, and life experiences you'll never forget all over the course of one summer. 30 plus year's later younger Gen-X'ers and Millennials quote this movie daily. We dress up as characters from the movie for Halloween, and I sit down it watch it at least once every summer. That fourth of July scene with Ray Charles signing, the fireworks against the night sky, and kid's playing baseball is what summer is all about. 

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