For the convenience of people who want to keep track of all the movies that are coming out this year, here is a list of 20 movies that you can possibly add to your watchlist.
1. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (March 25)
Even though its getting bad reviews, the superhero film has a few fans recommending it. Perhaps if you are a fan of the two main heroes you’ll fork over the money to see it. If I ever see it, it will be for the debut of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman.
2. Hardcore Henry (April 8)
This movie looks daring for the fact that it is shot from a first-person point of view. From watching the trailer, it looks like a major adrenaline rush and definitely something that should be watched in the theater. “Hardcore Henry” tells the story of Henry, who wakes up with amnesia, and must save his wife from Russian gangsters who want to use his abilities.
3. The Jungle Book (April 15)
A live-action remake of the classic animated Disney film, it looks like this new version seems like it wants to preserve the spirit of the original film. The film has a talented voice cast that includes Bill Murray, Idris Elba, and Scarlett Johansson. The story tells of a boy named Mowgli, who is raised in the jungle by wolves and must find a way to escape the wrath of the fearsome tiger Shere Khan.
4. The Huntsman: Winter’s War (April 22)
Although the timeline is confusing to me based on the trailers, I’m still intrigued based on the cast. Emily Blunt and Charlize Theron are both great actresses and I’m excited to see them team up as the evil queens against Chris Hemsworth’s Huntsman. Theron plays the evil queen Ravenna, and Blunt plays her ice-powered sister Freya, as the two battle for power in the years before “Snow White and the Huntsman”.
5. Captain America: Civil War (May 6)
Possibly one of the more anticipated action films this year, “Civil War” is said to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe in ways that no one is expecting. I’m excited for the introductions of the new Spider-Man and Black Panther, as well as seeing Captain America and Iron Man go head-to-head. The early reviews have been very positive, with many calling it Marvel’s best film yet.
6. Neighbors 2 (May 20)
A sequel to the hit 2014 comedy, “Neighbors 2” brings in a sorority to shake up the quiet home life of Seth Rogen. I won’t be seeing it but if you want to I won’t stop you.
7. X-Men: Apocalypse (May 27)
A follow-up to the well received “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, “Apocalypse” pits Professor X and his new group of young mutants against the very powerful villain Apocalypse, who is believed to be the first mutant ever. Although the trailer looked a little CGI heavy, I’m still interested.
8. Alice Through the Looking Glass (May 27)
I really loved Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland”, so I’m very optimistic about this sequel, even if Burton is not directing. Most of the cast is returning, including Mia Wasikowska as Alice, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, and the late Alan Rickman in one of his final roles as the Blue Caterpillar. This new tale follows Alice as she travels back in time to save the Hatter.
9. The Conjuring 2 (June 10)
This continuation of the popular horror movie shows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (still played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) traveling to London to help a mother and her children rid their home of evil spirits. While the plot sounds really similar to the first film, the first film got positive reviews and earned over $300 million at the box office, so I’m optimistic.
10. Warcraft (June 10)
This fantasy film based off the “Warcraft” video games and books has really cool looking effects and a solid cast behind it, so I think its worth checking out. “Warcraft” follows two groups, one made up of knights to a king, and the other made up of a race of orcs, as they team up to stop a common enemy in the land of Azeroth.
11. Finding Dory (June 17)
Do I really need to give anyone a reason to see this? Pixar seems to be making a creative comeback with the success of “Inside Out”, and with a first film as great as “Finding Nemo”, “Finding Dory” has big shoes to fill. The story follows Dory as she remembers her real family and decides to go and search for them with the help of Marlin and Nemo.
12. Independence Day: Resurgence (June 24)
20 years after the original “Independence Day”, “Resurgence” shows the aliens from the first film coming back even stronger than before. Although Will Smith is not returning, the film features a strong cast of Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, and Bill Pullman.
13. The Legend of Tarzan (July 1)
Although not connected to the Disney film, “The Legend of Tarzan” shows the titular Man of the Apes, played here by Alexander Skarsgard, returning to Africa to be a trade emissary, only to uncover an evil plot masterminded by the Belgian captain Leon Rom, played by Christoph Waltz. The film also stars Margot Robbie as Jane Porter and Samuel L. Jackson.
14. Ghostbusters (July 15)
This female-led reboot of the classic film has gotten a good team together, consisting of Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. Although the trailer was polarizing among fans to say the least, I’m excited for some girl power.
15. Star Trek Beyond (July 22)
This sequel to the well received “Star Trek: Into Darkness” picks up a few years after that last outing, continuing the adventures of Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and the crew if the USS Enterprise. Although they are doing reshoots now, I’m positive for this, mainly due to the charm of the cast.
16. Jason Bourne (July 29)
Matt Damon returns to one of his most recognizable roles after sitting the last installment of the franchise out (“The Bourne Legacy” instead starred Jeremy Renner and focused on another character). I like Damon as an actor and he is also surrounded by an impressive cast of Julia Stiles (who was in earlier “Bourne” films), Alicia Vikander (who recently won an Oscar), Vincent Cassel, and Tommy Lee Jones.
17. Suicide Squad (Aug. 5)
Focusing on villains within the DC universe, “Suicide Squad” looks like it won’t be an average superhero flick. While I feel like the premise is more suited to an R rating than PG-13, I’m still looking forward to it. “Suicide Squad” stars Jared Leto as The Joker, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Will Smith as Deadshot, and Ben Affleck will cameo as Batman.
18. Doctor Strange (Nov. 4)
Benedict Cumberbatch will star as Dr. Stephen Strange in this expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I don’t know a lot about the film, so its hard to form an opinion. “Doctor Strange” also stars Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. “Doctor Strange” tells the story of a brilliant but arrogant surgeon who gains mystical powers and learns to defend the world against evil.
19. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Nov. 18)
Any “Harry Potter” fan should be excited for this. Set in 1920s, many years before Harry’s adventures, Eddie Redmayne stars as Newt Scamander, a wizard who accidentally lets magical monsters loose in New York City. Also starring Ezra Miller, Katherine Waterston, and Colin Farrell.
20. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Dec. 16)
“Rogue One” is the first in a series of anthology films spun off from the Star Wars universe. It tells the story of the group of rebels who stole the plans to the first Death Star, setting off the events of “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”. It stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, and Forest Whitaker.
