From your phone screen, to the big screen, to your home TV screen, Zendaya has been and will be everywhere this year. Having started her acting career at the age of 14 on the Disney Channel show “Shake it Up” she’s become quite the icon in the world of Hollywood and all things entertainment. This year is no exception as she is starring in four films and reprising her role as Rue in the long awaited final season of “Euphoria.”
Rounding out a wonderful year of bringing you spicy scale ratings on the latest, greatest and not so fantastic films, I thought it would be fun to create a little list around out-now and coming-soon summer watches for you all to close out my time on this column for the year.
Starting with “The Drama,” this film hit theaters April 3. Though a limited release, fans of the actress and her co-star Robert Pattinson flocked to theaters to see what these two could possibly be starring in together. To learn more about my mixed feelings about this film, check out my last review, sans spoilers. Despite my feelings toward this movie’s writing and directorial choices, the film did great at the box office! Grossing $114 million worldwide, it’s safe to say this was a hit to many, or at the very least intriguing enough to draw audiences in. If you’re into dark comedies that make fun of current American society, then I say give this a watch, otherwise you may want to skip this one, and wait to see Zendaya in some other options on this list.
Next up is “Euphoria.” Fans, including myself, have waited nearly four years for this season to finally hit our screens. The show faced many trials and setbacks including the passing of two beloved actors, creative disagreements, recastings, the Hollywood 2023 strikes and, of course, scheduling conflicts (clear to see now with how busy Zendaya’s been filming all her other projects). It’s also likely stars Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi had conflicts as they each found themselves starring in films like “Frankenstein,” “Wuthering Heights,” and “The Housemaid.” However, despite all these setbacks fans have been blocking off their schedules every Sunday since April 12 to watch the latest episode. Some fans are upset the entire show didn’t drop, especially after we’ve had to wait four years, others are happy to have the slow release as it keeps us from binging it all too quickly. No matter which end of the fan base you land on, one thing is clear, Zendaya is bringing her acting abilities tenfold, blowing fans away with her emotional deliveries once again as Rue. For fans of this series, who can’t seem to wait for the next episodes to drop, might I suggest you rewatch the first two seasons? A solid refresh on every character’s storyline may help fill the time between the weekly drops.
Next up on our list is “The Odyssey.” Surprisingly, another one on this list where the cast once again includes Zendaya and Pattinson. However, that duo is not what has fans extra excited about this one, but instead that Tom Holland is also starring in this film! Though there have not been a ton of trailers or promotional information pushed out yet, I think it’s safe to say we are all beyond enthusiastic to see Zendaya, Holland, Pattinson and the rest of the stacked cast as Greek gods and goddesses. Debuting in theaters July 17, this gives any avid reader out there plenty of time to give “The Odyssey” a read or reread before it comes out. I know I’ll be front and center this summer comparing the two and seeing what creative choices and twists this film adaptation takes.
Speaking of Zendaya and Holland, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is finally making its way into theaters on July 31. Whether you are a fan of Zendaya, Holland, Spiderman or simply all things Marvel, then you’ve been waiting for this film just as eagerly perhaps as the fans of “Euphoria” have for their series to return. With already plenty of promotion, and trailers playing before every latest film, I will be shocked if this movie doesn’t sell out and do incredible at the box office, especially with the rumor of “Stranger Things” actress Sadie Sink confirmed as having a role in this one. Fans of Marvel and Sink have been debating online on what role she may have, with the biggest guesses being Rachel Summers or a time-displaced Jean Grey. It’s estimated that the fourth film in this series will bring in $1.5 billion. Will you be part of the audience lining up to see this one in theaters?
Last on the Zendaya takeover list, is none other than “Dune: Part Three.” While coming out well past summer, on Dec. 18, this still makes our list as it’s coming out in 2026. Shocker, this film for a third time has a Zendaya, Pattinson crossover. While Zendaya takes on her role as Chani, protagonist and partner Paul played by Timothée Chalamet, we will see Pattinson play a villain named Scytale. I’m not sure about you, but it’s going to be really strange to see Zendaya and Pattinson go from fiances in “The Drama,” to Greek gods in “The Odyssey” to enemies in “Dune: Part Three.”
That’s a wrap, in Zendaya’s own words. The actress told “The Wrap” that she hopes that her audiences won’t get “sick of her” after all these back-to-back projects. Personally as a fan, I don’t think it’s possible to get tired of seeing her on my screens, however I am curious to see if her characters remain separate in my mind. Am I going to find myself seeing pieces of Rue within MJ or Athena in Chani? I know I will find out for myself this summer watching each of these in a theater near me! It’s been a pleasure watching and then writing for you, sharing my spicy ratings. Stay tuned movie goers, it’s very likely next year I’ll be back to do a Zendaya recap.