This is very much the summer of thirds: “Spider-Man 3,” “Shrek the Third,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” “Ocean’s Thirteen,” etc. Still, if you’d like a break from guns, explosions, ogres, swords and martial arts, why not sit back and see what the smaller side of the movie business has to offer you this summer season.

Out now

‘Waitress’

Jenna (Keri Russell) is pregnant, married to a no-good man, and unhappy, so she dissolves herself in her one true gift – making pies. This pregnant pie-maker will stop at nothing to find the happiness she needs before her child is born. Of all the movies this summer, it has the best chance of Oscar love.

May 25

‘Paprika’

When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patient’s dreams is stolen, only one person can save the world: a young female therapist named Paprika (voiced by Megumi Hayashibara). This Japanese film has already been a hit abroad, so with its thought-provoking subject matter, it could be a great alternative to cutesy, cuddly Disney movies.

June 1

‘Day Watch’

The second installment of this Russian horror epic carries on from its predecessor, “Night Watch.” Anton (Konstantin Khabensky) continues his journey to rescue his son from the forces of darkness. However, Anton is framed for the murder of several members so now he must escape the “Day Watch.”

June 22

‘Broken English’

The classic neurotic 30-something takes new form in Parker Posey’s Nora Wilder. A helpless individual dealing with a mediocre and lonely life until she runs into the delightful Julian, a Frenchman (Melvil Poupaud) who has a little trouble with communication.

June 22

‘Black Sheep’

Much like “28 Days Later,” a freak experiment to genetically engineer sheep turns them into blood-thirsty, no-holds-barred killing machines. Their target: a quaint little farm in New Zealand.

June 29

‘Evening’

Ann Grant (Vanessa Redgrave) gathers her two children (Natasha Richardson and Toni Collette) for her dying days as she recounts her life. Switching between past and present, we see Ann Grant as she once was, and the defining moments of her youth.

June 29

‘Sicko’

Michael Moore’s newest documentary takes on the American health care service. Described by Moore as “a comedy about 45 million people with no health care in the richest country on earth,” it leaves little to the imagination of where the movie will stand on the issue.

July 4

‘Clubland’

Set in Ireland, a raucous, overbearing mother (Brendan Blethyn) works her magic to help her son (Richard Wilson) find love, while simultaneously trying to hold onto him, since he is all she has left.

July 13

‘My Best Friend’

This is a French comedy about Francois (David Auteuil), a very sullen, boorish man, with no friends. When he lies about his social life to his business partner (Julie Gayet) she challenges him to produce a friend. Now Francois must travel the breadth of Paris and back to find one man who can stand him long enough to be called his “best friend.”

July 20

‘Goya’s Ghosts’

Set around the famous Spanish painter Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgard) at the time of change in Spain. A young woman (Natalie Portman) is tragically imprisoned, Brother Lorenzo (Javier Bardem) is a victim of British liberators, and Goya, well, he likes to paint. A glimpse at oppression by those in power and those who suffer from war.