With 2018 coming to a close, we here at MoviesMatrix thought now is the perfect time to drop our list of our 12 most anticipated films for 2019.
This was not an easy task by any means because there are so many great films coming out next year. Disney is all over the market with three live-action portrayals of animated hits. Marvel is bringing it with their first female-led superhero film as well as the grand Avengers finale, and DC is dropping two films including one about a famous villain.
Before we get into MoviesMatrix’s top 12 most anticipated films for next year, we had to list some honorable mentions because narrowing this list down to a dozen required arm wrestling, name calling, and a few insults about each others’ mothers.
Aladdin (May 24, 2019)
Another Disney animated classic getting the live action treatment, Aladdin is a wildly beloved story. The classic featured one of the most brilliant voice performances ever with Robin Williams’ iconic performance as the big, blue genie. It’s hard to imagine an Aladdin film without Robin Williams, but you could do far worse than a legend like Will Smith.
And don’t worry everyone, Smith has said himself his genie will be blue for the majority of the film! Guy Ritchie’s unique action directing style (e.g., Sherlock Holmes, King Arthur) should make for some very entertaining set pieces on the streets of Agrabah. Anticipation is very high for this one, here’s to hoping this classic story is done right! But then again it’s Disney, not much to worry about!
Shazam! (April 5, 2019)
It’s ironic that a film about a child in DC’s “worlds” or “universe” represents the company growing to compete with Marvel, but that’s what we have in the story of Billy Batson, aka Shazam! Many critics of DC/WB believe Zachary Levi’s portrayal of the acronymic hero will reach the crossover appeal and singular status, much like that of its counterparts in Marvel.
The images, trailers, and rumors about Dr. Sivana have done nothing to disappoint, which tends to be par for the course for many DC/WB creations. This is a complete 180 from the movies to which we are accustomed. We got a taste of that in the first couple of acts with Aquaman. With Shazam, we will get a welcomed buffet.
And now, on with the show…
12. John Wick 3: Parabellum (May 17, 2019)
Mr. Wick is back for round three. To wit, we should all be extremely grateful. The John Wick franchise serves as a huge return to form and a massive career revival for Keanu Reeves. The first film was a surprise hit to say the least, followed by Chapter 2 that really upped the ante.
Chapter 3–officially known as John Wick 3: Parabellum–will see Wick battle his way out of New York with every assassin hot on his tail trying to collect the bounty placed on his head at the end of Chapter 2. Plenty more of that dope “gun-fu” action is coming our way! Oh, and did I mention the cast also includes….Halle Berry?!
11. IT Chapter 2 (September 6, 2019)
Arguably the biggest and most surprising hit of 2017, IT stormed into theaters raking in $700 million worldwide. A huge commercial and critical success, IT featured the boys, and girl, of the Losers Club banding together to fend off the extremely creepy and terrifying Pennywise the Dancing Clown. After the kids succeed in protecting the town of Derry, they make a pact to return if/when Pennywise should ever come back.
Set 27 years later, Chapter 2 will see the band get back together one more time to defeat the clown for good. Anticipation will be high for this sequel, especially with the flawless casting choices of people like James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, and Bill Hader to portray the older versions of the Losers Club. That sewage system never looked so good.
10. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (July 26, 2019)
Tarantino’s 9th film will serve as an introspective and comprehensive behind the scenes look of Hollywood in the year 1969. The story will follow a TV actor and his stunt double as they embark on a mission to make a name for themselves in Hollywood, while also being set against the backdrop of the infamous “Manson Murders.”
Expect a lot of vulgarity and a highly downloaded soundtrack in typical Tarantino fashion. I mean, would you have it any other way? And par-for-the-course for Tarantino films, the film features an all-star cast that includes Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino and others, each with a few pieces of hardware on their mantle. Watch for this to gain steam into award season next year.
9. Glass (January 8, 2019)
When audiences flocked to theaters everywhere to see Split, nobody had any idea they were watching a movie that shared the same universe as Shyamalan’s Unbreakable. Classic Shymalan twist, wasn’t it?
Glass, a sequel to both those films, will see Bruce Willis’ David Dunn go toe-to-toe with James McAvoy’s ‘Beast’ (along with his 97 other personalities) while Samuel L Jackson’s Mr. Glass is pulling all the strings. If you remember, we have already mentioned the unthinkable thing this sequel is already doing, so imagine what the final product will do at the box office? Count us in!!
8. Toy Story 4 (June 21, 2019)
After the way Toy Story 3 ended, I’m not sure a lot of people thought the story would continue (or should). The ending of that film brilliantly and beautifully gave the overall story a real sense of closure, so the announcement of Toy Story 4 came as a big surprise.
But let’s be real…nobody is going to turn down another adventure with Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang. It will be very interesting see where the writers have decided to take the story, but one thing is for sure — the audiences will turn out in droves for the fourth installment of this beloved franchise. Be sure to get your tickets early for this one.
7. Joker (October 4, 2019)
Taking on the role of the Joker has to be one of the most daunting tasks in all of Hollywood after the masterpiece of a performance given by Heath Ledger. Jared Leto didn’t come anywhere close, but from promotional material and BTS photos, Phoenix’s version looks to have a real chance of giving us a memorable portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime.
The film will take us back before the Joker became “The Joker” and will show us what exactly happened to cause Arthur Fleck to become so demented and disturbed. Hopefully, if Phoenix’s Joker is everything we are expecting it to be, DC and WB will make this version the definitive version in the franchise!
6. The Lion King (July 19, 2019)
After Favreau absolutely crushed Disney’s live action/CGI Jungle Book adaptation, it’s no surprise they have entrusted him with one of their most beloved stories of all time. With Disney’s recent and wildly successful trend of turning their animated classics into live action retellings, it was inevitable that The Lion King would get the nod.
With a star-studded cast that includes Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles, Seth Rogen, and James Earl Jones, this royal retelling has all the tools to be something truly remarkable. Say it with me, “I will not cry when Mufasa dies, I will not cry when Mufasa dies, I will not” … ah, who are we kidding, the whole theater will be crying. Bring the tissue.
5. Godzilla: King of the Monsters (May 31, 2019)
Gareth Edwards really knocked his version of Godzilla out of the park. The movie itself was a bit of a slow burn, but my god, the payoff worth it! In the sequel, King of the Monsters, not only will we get to see the massive, towering beast again, but he’s bringing his friends Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah along for the ride.
There’s some human characters involved in the film as well, but let’s be honest … we all know everyone is going for the giant monsters and the mayhem that is scheduled to ensue! So far, based off the magnificent trailers and stills from the film, we are in for a visually beautiful and epic monster movie.
4. Captain Marvel (March 8 ,2019)
Oscar winner Brie Larson takes the lead for Marvel’s first-ever female-led superhero film in the MCU. Set in the 90s, not only will we get to see the Uber-powered Carol Danvers kick some ass, but we also will get to see a dual-eyed Nick Fury and the return of everyone’s favorite SHIELD agent, Phil Coulson!
Wonder Woman set the bar pretty high for what a strong heroine can do with super powers, but we have no doubt Captain Marvel will be everything fans could ever hope for and Larson will absolutely own the role of Carol Danvers, cementing her place firmly in the MCU.
3. Spider-Man: Far From Home (July 5, 2019)
Wait, what? Spidey is dust. How does he have another movie coming out?! Face it, after how amazing Homecoming was, and how incredibly loved by fans Holland is, everyone knew that dusting wasn’t permanent. While Homecoming took place during Peter’s sophomore year, in perfect Harry Potter fashion, Far From Home will see Peter in his junior year of high school.
Spidey will also be taking on one of the classic comic villains fans have been dying to see on the big screen in Mysterio played by none other than the great Jake Gyllenhaal! I know we aren’t the only ones excited to hang out with our favorite webhead, and next July, fresh from wiping the dust off his shoulder, we’ll get to do it all over again.
2. Star Wars: Episode 9 (December 20, 2019)
This one shouldn’t require much of an explanation. Star Wars is a cultural icon and one of the most beloved film franchises in cinematic history. The new sequels have taken the story in exciting and fresh directions while bringing the Skywalker saga to a definitive close.
The Last Jedi saw Luke fade away into the stars after saving the rebellion while Kylo has taken full control of The First Order. The spark to ignite the rebellion has happened with Luke’s sacrifice, and the war for the Galaxy is about to begin. Will the light triumph over the dark? Is there any hope for redemption for Kylo? Is Luke really gone for good? We’ll find out soon enough when we all return to that galaxy far, far away.
1. Avengers: Endgame (April 26, 2019)
I mean…does this one really need an explanation?!
Marvel could release just one 20-second teaser trailer before the movie releases and it would still make $2 billion easily. The follow-up to the massively successful and incredibly epic Infinity War, the movie to be called Endgame will see the survivors of “the snap” desperately try to undo the damage Thanos has done.
Luckily for all of us, Brolin’s Thanos, one of the greatest villains in cinematic history, will be back to terrorize us all once again in a final showdown with earth’s mightiest heroes. The stakes have never been higher and we are more than here for it. Just like many millions more of people waiting to see the aftermath of the snap.
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