If you’re looking for movies with a bit more substance—you know, the type that tickle your brain or simply have nothing to do with crazy special effects—then take a look at our alternative summer movie list. Because lets face it, crazy teen vampire love affairs aren’t for everyone.
By Elisa Osegueda
Coco Chanel, best known for her international fashion designs, exposes a darker, twisted side of her voluptuous life in Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky, a tale of seduction, betrayal and forbidden love.
Joan Rivers continues to fascinate the public, and finally at the age of 76 she exposes her truths in Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. Directed by Ricki Stern, the provocative documentary allows audiences to follow Rivers on a tumultuous, year-long ride, witnessing private dramas of self-doubt and anger, and the struggles and thrills this irreverent comedian must face to keep her dream alive.
Meet Cyrus (Jonah Hill). He’s a 21-year-old musician. His best friend is Molly (Marisa Tomei)—his mother, and he’s not ready to share her with anyone, including John (John C. Reilly), a romantic hopeful who falls head over heels for Molly. Follow the trio on a hilarious journey of new beginnings.
Travel to Milan and witness a romantic, heated love affair that crosses all boundaries. I Am Love depicts the lives of the Recchi family, an elite nucleus undergoing a shift of power.
Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci grace the screen in Love Ranch. The two brilliantly portray a husband and wife team who own the first legalized brothel in Nevada.
A deep and intimate look at the art of cinema and the artists who create it, Great Directors is a celebration of films and filmmaking. The film features in-depth conversations with world-class filmmakers Bernardo Bertolucci, David Lynch, Stephen Frears, Agnes Varda, Ken Loach, Liliana Cavani, Todd Haynes, Catherine Breillat, Richard Linklater, and John Sayles.
Get ready to jam with Rydell High's most famous graduating class! A newly restored print brings the highest-grossing musical of all time, GREASE (1978), to the big screen as a sing-along. This may be the only time you can belt out a tune loud and proud in a theatre.
The lovely Mia Wasikowska leaves her fantasy role in Alice in Wonderland behind for a more dramatic character in The Kids Are All Right. As the teenage daughter of a lesbian couple (Julianne Moore and Annette Bening), she searches, along with her younger brother, for the identity of their biological father (Mark Ruffalo).
Alexei Guskov, a once celebrated Russian conductor, now finds himself working as a custodian. Determined to make his way up the ranks, he poses as an orchestra group leader. He sets off to perform in Paris and along the way reunites with a young, beautiful violin prodigy (Mélanie Laurent) who holds the key to his past and future.
The intersecting stories of three sisters Joy (Shirley Henderson), Trish (Allison Janney), and Helen (Ally Sheedy) expose an emotional yet hilarious portrait of life during wartime.
Charlie St. Cloud is the story of a young sailor with a bright future, who is ready to venture out to college and give love a chance. Everything changes for Charlie (Zac Efron), however, when a deadly accident claims the life of his younger brother (Charlie Tahan).
The legendary Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner is ready to show it all—figuratively speaking, that is. He’s baring it all in his documentary Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel, allowing audiences to take an intimate look at the outspoken playboy and his empire.
Julia Roberts stars as Elizabeth Gilbert, a woman who many believe has it all, but after a painful divorce, she decides to travel the world—searching for her life’s purpose. In between travels, she meets Felipe (Javier Bardem) and before long…she unexpectedly finds the meaning of true love.
Michael Cera plays the bass guitarist of a garage-rock band, and in true rock-n-roll fashion, he has no problem getting the ladies...until he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), whose ex-boyfriends becomes Cera's "biggest" obstacles.
A clever and funny take on a couple’s struggles to maintain a long distance relationship, Going the Distance stars Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. Watch as the two pursue their dreams in New York and San Francisco.
A sudden underwater tremor sends the residents of Lake Victoria into a massive panic as tales of the prehistoric man-eating fish resurface. With Spring Break increasing the number of residents from 5,000 to 50,000, an unlikely group of strangers band together to stop the razor-toothed offenders from taking any lives.
Buy a ticket to "Wuthering Heights", get an exclusive discount for Charli xcx's Wuthering Heights vinyl.
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 9am PT on 1/14/26 and 11:59pm PT on 2/15/26 and purchase at least one movie ticket to "Wuthering Heights." Purchaser will receive a post purchase email containing a link (“Link”) to the Atlantic website that is good for 15% off the purchase of the Charli xcx Wuthering Heights vinyl. Link expires, and can no longer be used, at 11:59pm PT on 2/18/26. Limit 1 purchase per Link. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive the Link. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. This offer is subject to Fandango’s terms and policies at https://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies and the Link is subject to Atlantic's terms and policies at https://www.atlanticrecords.com/terms-of-use.
Buy a ticket to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, get 28 Years Later for $7.99 on Fandango at Home
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 6:00am PT on 1/2/26 and 11:59pm PT on 2/13/26 and purchase at least one movie ticket to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing 1 Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of 28 Years Later for $7.99 in My Offers in your account on http://athome.fandango.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 2/16/26 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy 1 ticket to WWE Royal Rumble, get 1 kids ticket free (with purchase of adult ticket of equal or greater price, up to $11 total ticket price and fees) with code WWEROYALRUMBLE.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log into your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 1/15/26 and 1/31/26, buy at least one adult ticket to see WWE Royal Rumble at a participating Fandango theater, and use the Fandango Promotional Code WWEROYALRUMBLE (""Code"") to get up to $11 off a child's ticket (equal or lesser price than the adult ticket, up to $11 total ticket price and associated fees and charges) in the same transaction for the same showtime. Code expires, and can no longer be used, upon the earlier of 11:59pm PT on 1/31/26, or the limit of Code redemptions being reached, or WWE Royal Rumble no longer being available in theaters. One-time use only. Code must be entered at checkout. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. If cost of child's movie ticket and associated fees and charges are more than Code's maximum discount, then user must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code's maximum discount will not be refunded. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to redeem a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. Limit one Code per person. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
FanClub members can redeem 2 free tickets to see WWE Royal Rumble in theaters with promo code: WWEFREETICKET. Not a member yet? Add FanClub to your cart and your free tickets will be unlocked automatically - no code needed.
The “FanClub Members Get 2 Free Tickets Promotion” offer (the “Offer”) will run for a limited time and is available to both existing and new Fandango FanClub members, subject to the terms below. Existing Fandango FanClub members may receive up to two (2) free WWE Royal Rumble 2026 movie tickets by entering promo code WWEFREETICKET at checkout during a qualifying purchase of WWE Royal Rumble 2026 tickets on Fandango. Non-members must enroll in a paid Fandango FanClub membership by adding one (1) month of FanClub ($9.99/month + tax) to their cart during checkout of a WWE Royal Rumble 2026 movie ticket purchase to qualify for the Offer; when FanClub is added to the cart, the Offer will be automatically applied at checkout and no promo code is required. The Offer is non-transferable, has no cash value, and adjustments to prior purchases are not permitted. Fandango reserves the right to withdraw or modify this Offer at any time, in its sole discretion and without notice. Additional terms and conditions apply. See the Fandango FanClub Program Terms for details at //www.fandango.com/policies/fanclub-terms.
Celebrate National Popcorn Day by pairing popcorn with its favorite partner: the movies.
Check out the 2026 Rotten Tomatoes Awards Golden Tomato Winners and vote in this years fan categories!
Girls’ Night Out with Paris! Buy 2 tickets to Paris Hilton's Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir, get 1 ticket free (equal or lesser price, up to $20 total ticket price and fees) with code PARISGNO. While supplies last.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Visit Fandango at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 9:00am PT on 1/5/26 and 11:59pm PT on 2/1/26, purchase two or more tickets to see Paris Hilton's Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir, and use the Fandango Promotional Code PARISGNO (“Code”) to get up to $20 off an additional ticket for the same showtime (equal or lesser value, up to $20 total ticket price and associated fees and charges). Code must be entered at checkout. Code expires and can no longer be used after 11:59pm PT on 2/1/26, or when Paris Hilton's Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir is no longer in theaters, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, whichever comes first. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. only (excluding U.S territories and where prohibited by law). Non-transferable. One-time use only. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. If cost of the ticket (and associated fees and charges) obtained through the Code is more than Code’s maximum discount, then you must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. Limit 1 Code redemption per person. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. Redemption of the Code is subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. Fandango is not a sponsor or co-sponsor of this offer.
Prime Member Exclusive 2 for $20 Movie Ticket Offer
*Prime Member Exclusive 2 for $20 Movie Ticket Offer is non-refundable. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Offer is only available to Amazon Prime members who are 18 years of age or older. Movie tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. Full terms and conditions at www.activaterewards.com/get2for20
Buy a ticket to Send Help for a chance to win a Hawaii getaway for two. Buy 2+ tickets and double your chances. Meetings never end. Neither does the nightmare.
NO PURCHASE OR APP NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 21 years of age and older. Void where prohibited. Ends January 20, 2026. For Official Rules/Odds/Free Entry visit https://www.fandangomovietickets.com/comedysweepstakes. Sponsor: Fandango Media, LLC, 10 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608.
Return to Pandora in IMAX. Special offer available to see Avatar: Fire and Ash in IMAX.
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log into your Fandango account on www.Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 12/29/25 and 1/23/26, purchase an IMAX ticket to see ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’, and enter the Fandango promotional code IGNITEIMAX (“Code”) to get up to $7 off your purchase. Code expires, and can no longer be used, if not redeemed by 1/23/26, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, or when ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is no longer available in IMAX theaters, whichever comes first. Code must be entered at checkout. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. You must have, and be logged into, a Fandango account to redeem the Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Limit one Code redemption per person. If cost of movie ticket and associated fees and charges is more than Code’s maximum discount, then user must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. Void where prohibited. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You may have to pay taxes additionally. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango's Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket to watch Jack Black and Paul Rudd in Anaconda (2025) this Christmas, get Anaconda (1997) for $5 on Fandango at Home.
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 12:01am PT on 11/28/25 and 11:59pm PT on 1/16/26 and purchase at least one movie ticket to Anaconda (2025). Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing 1 Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of the original Anaconda (1997) for $5 in My Offers in your account on http://athome.fandango.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 1/21/26 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Gift with Purchase Buy a ticket to Greenland 2: Migration, get $80 off the Disastertainment 15 Film Collection bundle on Fandango at Home
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 12:00am ET on 12/17/25 and 11:59pm PT on 1/19/26 and purchase at least one movie ticket to ""Greenland 2: Migration"". Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing 1 Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of the Disastertainment 15 Film Collection bundle for $80 off in My Offers in your account on http://athome.fandango.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 1/19/26 at 11:59pm PT, and then you will have the ability to get the Disastertainment 15 Film Collection bundle for $80 off on Fandango at Home until 1/22/26 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket to Disney's Avatar: Fire & Ash, get 20% off the Avatar Fire & Ash Vinyl.
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 12:01am PT on 12/22/25 and 11:59pm PT on 1/22/26 and purchase at least one movie ticket to ‘Avatar: Fire & Ash’. Purchaser will receive a post purchase email containing a link (“Link”) to the Disney Music Emporium website that is good for 20% off the purchase of the Disney's "Avatar: Fire & Ash" Vinyl. Link expires, and can no longer be used, at 11:59pm PT on 1/25/26. Limit 2 purchases per Link. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive the Link. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. This offer is subject to Fandango’s terms and policies at https://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies and the Link is subject to Disney’s terms and policies, at https://disneytermsofuse.com/
Embark on the ultimate Anime nights adventure! Get a Collectible Hime pin and a ticket for each- Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise, Fruits Basket -prelude-, and March Sneak Peek.
Limited time offer. After you purchase the Crunchyroll Anime Nights Bundle, you will receive one (1) Fandango Promotional Code (“Code”) good for three (3) non-refundable, non-exchangeable movie tickets (one ticket for each movie/event) in any format to see Zombie Land Saga on 1/19/26, Fruits Basket on 2/16/26, and Crunchyroll Anime Nights Sneak Peek on 3/16/26, only at a participating Fandango theater in the US (please visit below for a list of locations). Code can no longer be used when Zombie Land Saga, Fruits Basket, and Crunchyroll’s Sneak Peek Event are no longer in theaters on the specified dates. One Code will be provided and must be used up to three times to receive tickets for each of Zombie Land Saga, Fruits Basket, and Crunchyroll Anime Nights Sneak Peek. The same Code must be entered at checkout of each movie ticket(s) transaction. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. and D.C., excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law. One-time use only. Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. Redemption of the Code is subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Get the Search for SquarePants Starter Set for a ticket for The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants and an exclusive LED Patrick Star popcorn bucket.
*Search for SquarePants Starter Set is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. Popcorn not included. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The LED Patrick Star Popcorn Bucket will begin shipping in December. Please use a physical U.S. address where the popcorn bucket shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. Valid only in the U.S. and D.C., excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law. Not valid with any other offer. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/search-for-squarepants-starter-set
Buy a ticket to Is This Thing On? for a chance to win a VIP comedy night in NY or Vegas!
NO PURCHASE OR APP NECESSARY. Purchase does not increase chances of winning. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 21 years of age and older. Void where prohibited. Ends January 20, 2026, visit https://www.fandangomovietickets.com/comedysweepstakes. Sponsor: Fandango Media, LLC, 10 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608.
Love classic films? Love someone who loves classic films? Check out Turner Classic Movies Film Festival exclusive holiday gifting items through Fandango FanStore.
The Rotten Tomatoes app will guide the way––discover new favorites, niche genres, hidden gems, and more
