New year, new movies. Now that the fireworks have faded and the first week of the 2019 is in the books, let’s look to the rest of the year.
Some franchises are closing their current chapters like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Disney looks to continue their silver screen dominance with live action retellings and there will be those small films that aren’t making much noise for now that will roar with larger crowds through audience word of mouth. These lists are always fun to predict what could be really good and what could potentially bomb (I really hope nothing on this list does).
So without further ado…
10. Shazam! – April 5
Given the success of the last two DC Extended Universe movies with Wonder Woman and Aquaman and Warner Bros pushing the date for Wonder Woman 1984 back to Summer 2020, they need to keep the momentum going. What better way than to keep the idea of hope going with an 14-year-old kid who can become a hero with one word?
Billy Batson (Asher Angel), a troubled 14-year-old orphan, moves into a new foster home. One day, Billy gets transported to a different realm where he is given the power to transform into a godlike adult superhero (played by Zachary Levi) by uttering the word “Shazam!” Billy and his new foster brother must learn what Billy’s new power are and how to use them in order to stop the villain, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong), from wielding powers of his own.
9. Aladdin – May 24
I will admit that this 1992 animated film is one of my top five Disney movies of all time. Given the fact that most of the classics have gotten the live-action treatment, this Arabic folktale is coming to the silver screen. L
Directed by Guy Ritchie, this live-action remake stars Mena Massoud making his big screen debut as the title character who falls in love with the Sultan’s daughter, Jasmine (Naomi Scott). When Aladdin finds a magic lamp, he unleashes a Jinn named Genie (Will Smith) who has the omnipotent power to grant three wishes.
8. Glass – January 17
An unexpected and somewhat unplanned trilogy enters its final chapter at the beginning of the year. M. Night Shyamalan didn’t immediately plan on the sequel for his 2000 breakout film, Unbreakable. After writing Split and seeing the potential, he’s looking to cash in on this original superhero story.
Following the conclusion of Split, security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) uses his supernatural abilities to track Kevin Wendell Crumb’s (James McAvoy) superhuman persona of the Beast while the shadowy presence of Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), going by ‘Mr. Glass’, plays the orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men.
7. Men In Black : International – June 14
It’s been seven years since the third film in the Men In Black franchise. A sequel has been talked about since that movie but when you can’t get the original stars to come back, spin-off and expand the universe. Besides, how can you go wrong with Liam Nesson, Chris Hemsworth, and Tessa Thompson in the black suits?
A London-based team of Men in Black (MiB) secret agents (Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson) become involved in a murder mystery that sends them around the world.
6. It: Chapter Two – September 6
A surprise hit in 2017 was the horror film, It. I’m not a big fan of this genre but this was worth the viewing. I knew little about the book but it’s still on my reading list…even though it’s 1000 pages! Let’s see if I can read it before September to see the adventures of a grown-up Loser’s Club.
Twenty-seven years after the horrific events of the summer of 1989, It (Bill Skarsgard) returns. The Losers Club fulfill their promises and return to Derry to put an end to the shape-shifting beast once and for all. The adult versions of the Losers Club is played by James McAvoy, Jay Ryan, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, James Ransone and Andy Bean.
5. Toy Story 4 – June 21
I will admit to groaning about this sequel. As excellent as Toy Story 3 was, why add onto that perfection?! TS3 was one of the few films to make me cry in theaters. What other adventures could these toys get into?
When a new toy called “Forky” joins Woody (Tom Hanks) and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.
4. The Lion King – July 19
You know that list of favorite Disney movies that I mentioned earlier with Aladdin? The Lion King is my absolute favorite. This film was the first I watched in a theater and always stayed with me. When it was re-released in the theaters, you can imagine that I was there in the reclining seats to watch the animated classic. Now the “live-action” remake is being gifted to the ones who lived with the original and for the new generation to enjoy.
This CGI re-imagining of the 1994 Disney classic features the voice talents of Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Billy Eichner, John Oliver, Keegan-Michael Key, Beyonce’ Alfre Woodard, and James Earl Jones.
3. Captain Marvel – March 7
While DC has also used the title of Captain Marvel (see Shazam!), there is only one Captain Marvel in the superhero film universe. While it took a year or two more than DC did to have a female superhero in the title lead (still waiting on that Black Widow movie, Marvel Studios), this movie is still coming at the right time. With Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe coming to an end, new heroes need to be established to take over.
Set in 1995, Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, becomes one of the galaxy’s mightiest heroes before returning home with questions about her past and identity when the Earth is caught in the center of a galactic conflict between two alien worlds.
2. Star Wars: Episode IX – December 20
In typical Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Pictures fashion, this is the only picture we have in relation to the third entry of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Considering this is the final film in this trilogy and the ninth and final installment in the Star Wars Skywalker Saga. Quite possibly, this movie will be the final movie in a galaxy far, far away for a long time. Considering the little information we currently know, May the Force Be With Us.
Set one year after the events of The Last Jedi, Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), Poe (Oscar Issac) along with the rest of the Resistance look to end Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order once and for all.
And last but not least….
1. Avengers: Endgame – April 26
What movie broke your heart more than Avengers: Infinity War? The heroes fought valiantly but we couldn’t imagine the devastation caused by the titan, Thanos. The 22nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is shrouded in mystery and with currently one teaser to keep us occupied until April. The mystery must be frustrating…but Good Lord, it is exciting. The suspense!
Returning stars Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, and Scarlett Johansson lead an ensemble cast in the superhero film that takes place after the events of Avengers: Infinity War.
In case no one has seen the trailer for whatever reason,
What movie are you the most excited for this year? Is it on this list? Is there one I should add? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading, everyone! Think you’ll check out this movies in the new year? Definitely leave a comment! Also check out my Facebook page for this blog and show some love! Until next time!
One Scene at A Time 