This is almost too good to be true. Usually, summer movie releases are categorized in the blockbuster variety of which super-hero sequel can out box-office the others the most or the likes of Mission Impossible 6, Iron Man 3, Spiderman 3, Friday the 13th, part 25, etc. Not since 2004 and the release of Shaun of the Dead and Sideways have we had such a brilliant choice of non-superhero films or sequels to pick and choose from. Ok, I may have exaggerated just a bit, but these are two great summer viewing options with a number of names and faces that you’ll immediately recognize from the world of British telly.

The World’s End with Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Martin Freeman – July 19
 

 
From the genius mind palaces of the creators of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, comes their next bit of greatness, The World’s End.

20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them becomes hellbent on trying the drinking marathon again. They are convinced to stage an encore by mate Gary King (Simon Pegg), a 40-year-old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, who drags his reluctant pals to their hometown and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub, The World’s End. As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realize the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind’s. Reaching The World’s End is the least of their worries.

The World’s End also stars Pegg’s companion in crime, Nick Frost (Paul, Adventures of Tintin, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Rosamund Pike (Pride and Prejudice) David Bradley (Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Broadchurch and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, Sherlock, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). In theaters July 19.

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa – August 7
 

 
Alan Partridge’s long awaited big-screen adventure, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, a Die Hard-like hostage thriller has North Norfolk Digital’s finest facing off against a fellow DJ gone postal. Need we say more?

In a recent appearance on the Jonathan Ross show, creator Steve Coogan explained the film’s intricate plot: “Alan is in Norwich and he’s DJing on North Norfolk Digital, but a big horrible company called Gordale Media comes along to take over the radio station, rob it of all its personality and change it from North Norfolk Digital to ‘Shape’.”

Coogan said he was pleased to be writing new Partridge material but admitted that “..you do get sick of him because it’s like being in the room with an idiot. But then what you do is you leave him alone for a while and then after a while you start to miss him.” Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa will also star I’m Alan Partridge regulars Lynn (Felicity Montagu), Geordie BP garage worker Michael (Simon Greenall) and DJ Dave Clifton (Phil Cornwell).

Don’t know about you, but is there a better way to close out the summer than with true big screen brilliance? Don’t think so.