Can someone explain to me why there are 16 wide releases in May, 10 in June, 18 in August but only 5 in July?

Once again the studios seem to be collectively crazy....

I hope some get moved around, especially the weekend of August 9th when we have 6(!) wide release movies being released

It's probably because the World Aquatics Championship is held in July.

Joking apart, I have seen a tendency for studios to release everything as soon as possible. Like, August used to be considered part of the summer, but you never see big films opening there anymore. So maybe that has now affected July? Or maybe they're all just staying away from The Lion King.

On the BOM schedule, July looks incomplete. I think there will be a few moves before we get there.

Look at 9th August, there are SIX wide releases, and a week later on 16th August there are another FIVE wide releases. Some of those should move. Hobbs and Shaw and Angel Has Fallen could move to July. But out of that pack of 11 movies, I think Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark or The Angry Birds Movie 2 will make the most out of a move to July.

I think May is overstuffed with too many small to mid range films - it will be hard for one to break out.

July is an odd one. A big marvel movie, TLK and the long awaited new QT film are a formidable trio. But that doesn't mean another 2-3 counter programming options don't exist. An adult thriller, adult drama/comedy and a horror film could slot in against each tentpole respectively. May has a few it can send over.

I think Hobbs and Angel should stay where they are. Especially Hobbs which is THE big film of August.

Top Gun leaving July left a bit of a hole.

August has become "Action August" and I think that's a bad thing. If you want a straight-up action movie to make more than $120m, you have to put it in July. They always seem to underperform. Hobbs and Shaw would do so much better if it were in July. Basically any movie that moves to July instantly becomes a more exciting prospect box office-wise.

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark should move to October. Would be pretty big there. Plus it could have a trailer with It: Chapter II.