For the upcoming month, a great variety of flicks are hitting theaters between the all-important Independence Day weekend and the dregs of late summer.

Back to theaters this summer is our favorite blonde. Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is making her platinum presence known again, this time in "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde." The pretty-in-pink Boston attorney, who has a successful murder trial and a Harvard law degree under her designer belt, has chosen to fight for the animal rights of her beloved Chihuahua, Bruiser. She battles against Bruiser's family members to be used as cosmetic test subjects by her firm's own clients. (July 2)

Among the number of sequels debuting in theaters this summer, none carry the heavy burden placed upon it like "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines." That's right. Arnold Schwarzenegger will appear on the big screen again, whipping out his shades and leather jacket, his mission devoted to re-rescuing future savior John Connor (Nick Stahl) before the new female terminator, T-X (Kristanna Loken), gets to him first. "U-571" director Jonathan Mostow brought this estimated $150-million budget film to life, even though Edward Furlong, Linda Hamilton and creator James Cameron aren't along for the ride. Either way, the Terminator is back. (July 2)

Since proving herself as a talented actress in "A Walk to Remember," Mandy Moore is returning to the big screen this month in "How to Deal." Moore plays a high-schooler who gives up on love after her best friend gets pregnant, her parents split up and her sister decides to marry a less-than-perfect suitor. As hopelessness abounds, Halley (Moore) comes in contact with a new guy Macon Forrester (Trent Ford) and her world is tossed upside down. Moore could once again prove herself as a gifted actress. (July 18)

Tobey Maguire ditches spider webs for jockey silks in "Seabiscuit," based on Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling account of the unlikely racehorse who became the love of the nation during the Depression. Maguire's half-blind, boxer-turned-jockey character Red Pollard rode the grouchy and bowlegged Seabiscuit to the winner's circle, and the buzz is "Seabiscuit" could be the sleeper hit of the summer. Jeff Bridges and Chris Copper co-star in this fact-based flick. (July 25)

"Buffalo Soldiers" begins on the set of an American Army base in West Germany as the Berlin Wall is about to crumble. The story portrays the exploits of military clerk Ray Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix) of the 317th Supply Battalion, who has shifted his military work into an increasing network of black market deals. Elwood's new side jobs escalate to high-stakes arms dealer, bureaucratic con artist and drug dealer. With the arrival of straight-edged Sgt. Robert Lee (Scott Glenn), Elwood is convinced his dream world of selling goods and drugs won't have to end anytime soon. But Elwood might be in for a bigger deal than he imagined. Ed Harris and Anna Paquin also star. (July 25)