There are plenty of blockbusters headed to theaters this summer, but what happens when all that noise becomes too much to bear? You head to the local art-house theater to watch one of these 19 movies. Ahead, the smaller summer movies that could make the biggest impact between May and September.
"Belle" (May 2)
Fox Searchlight
Directed by Amma Asante, "Belle" stars Gugu Mabatha-Raw as the illegitimate daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral. This prestige picture release from Fox Searchlight premiered at last year's Toronto International Film Festival.
"Walk of Shame" (May 2)
Focus
Elizabeth Banks stars in this comedy from writer-director Steven Brill ("The Mighty Ducks") about a news reporter who has a crazy one-night stand and winds up stranded without a phone or way home. Focus World (a division of Focus Features) will release this one in limited theaters and via on-demand services at the same time.
"The Double" (May 9)
Magnolia
Jesse Eisenberg (x 2), Chris O'Dowd and Mia Wasikowska star in Richard Ayoade's new film, which is based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel of the same name. (It's about a man and his doppelganger.)
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"God's Pocket" (May 9)
IFC
Directed by "Mad Men" star John Slattery, "God's Pocket" stands as one of Philip Seymour Hoffman's final screen roles. Christina Hendricks and Richard Jenkins co-star.
"Palo Alto" (May 9)
Based on short stories by James Franco (who also co-stars), "Palo Alto" stands as Gia Coppola's directorial debut. You might know Coppola's last name because of her grandfather, an Oscar-winning filmmaker named Francis Ford Coppola.
"Tracks" (May 23)
Radius-TWC
Mia Wasikowska and "Girls" favorite Adam Driver star in this true-life drama about a young woman who walked 1700 miles across Australia.
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"Night Moves" (May 30)
Cinedigm
Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning and Peter Sarsgaard star in this environmental thriller from director Kelly Reichardt ("Meek's Cutoff").
"Obvious Child" (June 6)
A24
Comedian Jenny Slate stars in this hilarious romantic comedy about what happens when a woman gets pregnant after a one-night stand.
"The Rover" (June 13)
A24
David Michôd ("Animal Kingdom") directs this post-apocalyptic thriller with Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson in lead roles.
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"They Came Together" (June 27)
AP
From director David Wain ("Wet Hot American Summer") comes what looks like "Naked Gun" for romantic comedies. Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler star, with support from Max Greenfield, Bill Hader, Ellie Kemper, Michael Ian Black and Chris Meloni.
"Snowpiercer" (June 27)
Radius-TWC
After months of debate, Bong Joon Ho's "Snowpiercer" will arrive in U.S. theaters in its original form. The epic film stars Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer, Jamie Bell and Tilda Swinton.
"Begin Again" (July 4)
TWC
From the director of "Once" comes this musical romance about a recently fired record executive (Mark Ruffalo) and a recently heartbroken singer (Keira Knightley).
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"Boyhood" (July 11)
IFC
Richard Linklater spent 12 years filming "Boyhood," a literal coming-of-age movie about a young boy living in Texas. The remarkable film, which stars Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as the boy's parents, ranks as one of 2014's truly special achievements.
"Wish I Was Here" (July 18)
Focus
Zach Braff's follow-up to "Garden State" is this Kickstarter-funded indie drama about a struggling actor trying to find focus in his life. Kate Hudson and Josh Gad co-star.
"Happy Christmas" (July 25)
Getty Images
The latest Joe Swanberg film stars Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Lena Dunham, Mark Webber and Swanberg's son, Jude, who was the breakout toddler of this year's Sundance Film Festival.
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"A Most Wanted Man" (July 25)
Roadside Attractions
Another Philip Seymour Hoffman film, the espionage thriller "A Most Wanted Man," arrives this summer. Hoffman, Rachel McAdams and Robin Wright star in this adaptation of the John le Carre novel.
"What If" (Aug. 1)
CBS Films
Formerly titled "The F Word" (which is still the film's moniker in Canada), this romantic comedy stars Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan and Adam Driver (because of course it does).
"The One I Love" (Aug. 15)
Getty Images
Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss star in this romantic thriller a twisty plot that best remains unspoiled.
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"Life Of Crime" (Aug. 29)
Roadside Attractions
John Hawkes and Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def) star as Louis Garra and Ordell Robbie in this adaptation of Elmore Leonard's "The Switch." (If those character names sound familiar, that's because you remember how Robert De Niro and Samuel L. Jackson played those guys in "Jackie Brown.") Jennifer Aniston, Isla Fisher and Will Forte all co-star.
Before You Go
