June preview: 4 films you need to see this month

Each month, q takes a look at the upcoming films we're most excited about. This month, we've got something for everyone: a highly-anticipated superhero film, a Sundance hit, the return of a cult fave director and a super pig. Scroll down to read more about June's must-see movies.  

Wonder Woman (June 2)

There is a lot riding on Wonder Woman's shoulders. Not only have fans been waiting to see the superhero get her own franchise since Lynda Carter's iconic portrayal in the late '70s, but the latest iteration from the DC Comics universe comes on the tail of the critically panned Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad. Fortunately, early impressions seem to be overwhelmingly positive, with some calling it the best DC adaptation since Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. Starring Israeli actress/model Gal Gadot as the titular Princess Diana, and directed by Patty Jenkins (Monster), there's a good chance it may turn out to be the highest-grossing movie of the summer as well. A fitting result for one of the most powerful superheroes in the DC canon. — Jesse Kinos-Goodin

The Big Sick (June 23)

The first film from Kumail Nanjiani, best known for his role on HBO's Silicon Valley, was a big hit at Sundance this year, and was snatched up by Amazon Studios for $12 million US (the biggest deal at the film festival). It stars Nanjiani, a Pakistani-born comedian, and Zoe Kazan as a couple who meet, fall in love and then have to endure the cultural differences of their families. So far it sounds like a very stereotypical script, until Kazan's character falls into a coma from a mysterious illness. If that's too hard to believe, this is actually based on Nanjiani's real life romance with Emily V. Gordon, who co-wrote the script. For Nanjiani, it's not just a chance to break out of the stereotypical rom com plot line, but to also challenge the stereotypical roles offered to South Asian actors. "For a long time, there was one famous American brown actor," he's said. "That was Kal Penn [Harold & Kumar]. … Now there's Aziz [Ansari] and Riz Ahmed and Dev Patel – there's like a bunch of famous brown peers." — JK-G

Baby Driver (June 28)

Director Edgar Wright returns with his first film in four years, and if the trailer is any indication, Baby Driver will possess all the hallmarks of Wright's stylistic filmmaking. The movie follows a getaway driver named Baby (Ansel Elgort) who wants to quit his dangerous profession when he meets the girl of his dreams (Lily James). Unfortunately for Baby, his boss (Kevin Spacey) won't let him go that easily. Marked by a killer soundtrack, action-packed sequences and an all-star cast (Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm and Jon Bernthal also star), Baby Driver is one of the most highly-anticipated films of the summer. — Melody Lau

Okja (June 28)