The summer movie season is back, and while there’ll be a mix of in-person and streaming options, it’s the reopened movie theaters where you’ll find the bulk of the blockbuster action.

Which raises the sobering question: Will audiences show up? Or will they decide to keep viewing from home?

No matter how it plays out, there are numerous films headed our way during what should be a legitimate 2021 popcorn movie season. Of course, many of the “new releases” were supposed to come out earlier but were put on ice till theaters reopened.

Here are some of the promising movies headed for theaters and living rooms through the end of August. Keep in mind that even in a normal year, release dates are subject to change.

‘Cruella’

Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Mark Strong

Release Date: May 27 (theaters), May 28 (on Disney+ Premier Access)

Why we’re pumped: Stone looks deliciously evil as a youngish version of Disney’s cruel dognapper. What’s also promising is the 1970s punk rock backdrop and the presence of Emma Thompson — an actor who can make any movie or TV show worth a gander.

‘A Quiet Place Part II’

Starring: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Djimon Hounsou

Release date: May 28 (theaters)

Why we’re pumped: Everyone needs a good chiller in the summer, even if it’s PG-13. Looks like we’re getting one. Those audibly sensitive critters are back and they crave fresh bait, and they’ll be getting some prime ribs as survivors wander into town in the aftermath of that square-off with the Abbots. Emily Blunt returns but not John Krasinski (except as the director).

‘In the Heights’

Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Melissa Barrera, Jimmy Smits, Daphne Rubin-Vega

Release date: June 11 (theaters and HBO Max)

Why we’re pumped: Director and Palo Alto native Jon M. Chu follows up his game-changing hit “Crazy Rich Asians” with the big-screen adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pre-“Hamilton” stage musical. There’s a kick-ass cast (including Miranda), great music and memorable dance sequences. Besides, we desperately need a film to put some pep into our steps as well as a joyous reason to celebrate Dreamers everywhere. The Washington Heights pool scene alone is worth the price of admission.

‘Luca’

Featuring voices by: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, John Ratzenberger, Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph

Release date: June 17 (Disney+)

Why we’re pumped: Not only does this Pixar/Disney affair look like another winner, it makes us Bay Area proud. Italian-born director Enrico Casarosa now lives in Berkeley while Emma Berman has appeared in several Bay Area stage productions. Best of all, it sends us on the European vacation we’ve been hankering for, and the destination couldn’t be more lovely: the sunny Italian Riviera where we dip into a tale about a friendship between two boys and their mermen families.

‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It’

Starring: Rita Moreno

Release date: June 18 (theaters)

Why we’re pumped: We saw this documentary via the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and Mariem Pérez Riera’s revealing look at the legendary Moreno is terrific. Plus it offers another look at why Moreno, the resilient Berkeley EGOT star, is such an inspiration to us all.

‘F9’ (aka ‘Fast & Furious 9’)

Starring: Vin Diesel, John Cena, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Helen Mirren and too many others to mention

Release date: June 25 (theaters)

Why we’re pumped: Justin Lin hops back into the driver’s seat, directing his fourth installment in this franchise that is basically car stunts on ‘roids. If you like mindless action and preposterous derrings-do, Diesel up and put that pedal to the metal.

‘Zola’

Starring: Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, Colman Domingo

Release date: June 30 (theaters)

Why we’re pumped: If there’s one release destined to divide audiences it’s this profane, wild and shocking cinematic imagining of an infamous Twitter feud between two strippers that went viral. The in-your-faceness of it all dropped jaws at Sundance. Paige and Keough are sensational.

‘America: The Motion Picture’

Release date: June 30 (Netflix)

Why we’re pumped: Imagine if “Drunk History” and “Archer” hooked up one night and you might, just might, come up with something akin to Matt Thompson’s cheeky take on the American Revolution. The animated antics stars a jacked George Washington (voice of Channing Tatum) along with Sam Adams in superhero tights, amongst others. Lafayette native Will Forte lends his voice, too.

‘The Tomorrow War’

Starring: Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons

Release date: July 2 (Amazon Prime)

Why we’re pumped: From the teaser trailer, it looks like someone threw “Independence Day” and “Terminator” into a blender and didn’t bother to add any new ingredients. Trailers aren’t always reliable, however, and this time-traveling special effects extravaganza was directed by Chris McKay, of “Robot Chicken” and “The Lego Movie.” So we’re not giving up hope yet.

‘Summer of Soul’

Featuring performances from: Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, B.B. King, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and many more.

Release date: July 2 (Hulu and theaters)

Why we’re pumped: Questlove’s documentary, subtitled “(…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” is the kind of concert experience we’ve been denied for too long. The Sundance winner illustrates how the press and much of the public ignored the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and put all their focus on Woodstock. Simone’s performance sends chills down the spine.

‘Black Widow’

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour

Release date: July 9 (theaters and Disney+ with premier access)

Why we’re pumped: The team of Johansson, Pugh (one of today’s most interesting actors) and Weisz promises one of the best-acted Marvel films in a long time. Their talent, combined with a trailer that suggests Bourne-like spy games taking place, makes us want to scurry to the theaters.

‘Stillwater’

Starring: Matt Damon, Abigail Breslin, Camille Cottin, Deanna Dunagan

Release date: July 30 (theaters)

Why we’re pumped: Summer requires at least a couple of cerebral thrillers to revive our atrophied brains. “Spotlight” director Tom McCarthy keeps you guessing with this father-daughter thriller about an American oil-rigger (Matt Damon) traveling to Marseille to prove his daughter didn’t murder her lover.

‘The Green Knight’

Starring: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury

Release date: July 30 (theaters)

Why we’re pumped: A24 is known for producing films with edgy, unconventional storytelling, and this reinvention of the 14th-century poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” looks to fit snugly in that category. With indie auteur David Lowery as director and hunky Patel as Gawain, we’re thirsting for this twisted medieval epic.

‘Respect’

Starring: Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Mary J. Blige

Release date: Aug. 13 (theaters)

Why we’re pumped: Hudson is poised to deliver the goods — acting and singing — as the Queen of Soul. Another promising aspect is that Liesl Tommy, who has helmed memorable stage productions at Berkeley Rep and Cal Shakes, directed this.

‘The Suicide Squad’

Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis

Release date: Aug. 6 (theaters and HBO Max)

Why we’re pumped: Let’s hope this sequel improves on the wretched 2016 “Suicide Squad.” James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) is a step up as director while the R rating suggests some appropriately brassy material. We’re guardedly optimistic.

‘Coda’

Starring: Emilia Jones, Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Marlee Matlin, Daniel Durant

Release date: Aug. 13 (Apple TV+ and theaters)

Why we’re pumped: We’ve seen it and we aren’t the only ones who think it’s terrific. The feel-good family yarn that melts hearts and gives you a good-old healthy cry took several awards at Sundance (Grand Jury Prize, best U.S. director and best U.S. drama audience picks). Jones is a star in the making as the only hearing member in a deaf family that runs a scrappy Gloucester fishing biz.

Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.