The most anticipated movies of 2019

2018 was an incredibly positive year for cinema. We saw a wide variety of high-quality films across all genres, had an increased amount of representation and we finally managed to get live footage of Cher singing ABBA music with fireworks in the background. It’s important to celebrate the small cultural victories folks.

There are some really cool looking films on the horizon, in all sorts of genres, from a wide range of talented film makers

But, in the immortal words of 2018’s greatest philosopher, Ariana Grande: “Thank You, Next”. 2019 looks just as varied, interesting and intense as last year, if not more so. There are some really cool looking films on the horizon, in all sorts of genres, from a wide range of talented film makers. There are so many that there will likely be films that haven’t even been announced yet that will be coming out later this year that may blow all other releases out of the water. However, since we don’t have anything to say about those (yet) here are a few of the films this year that look to be the most interesting. Whether it’s for the entertainment value, the conversations they’ll create or the unique experiences they will offer, here are some of the top films of 2019 that you won’t want to miss.

Captain Marvel (Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Flack)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has recently made big strides, with Avengers: Infinity War and Black Panther being two of the most talked about and highest grossing movies of 2018. And this year, they’re kicking it off with Captain Marvel. This film looks to take the franchise to new heights, with a story that involves epic space fights, an intergalactic alien war and a new hero whose powers look to top anything we’ve seen in this universe. All set to a fun 90s overtone. Not only that, but this film is filled with amazing performers, with Oscar winning actress, Brie Larson, looking to be spectacular in the lead role, and being supported by fantastic actors Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law, Annette Benning, and Ben Mendelsohn. Whether you’re a fan of the franchise or not, this is a film that everyone is likely to be talking about.

Captain Marvel is set to be released on March 8^th.

 

Us (Directed Jordan Peele)

Jordan Peele amazed everyone in 2017, with his directorial debut Get Out, a film that won over critics and audiences alike, garnering him critical acclaim and even winning him an Oscar for ‘Best Original Screenplay’. Two years later, it looks as though he may be about to scare and impress everyone yet again with the terrifying looking Us, starring Academy Award winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o; Emmy winner, Elizabeth Moss, and Black Panther star, Winston Duke. This film looks to be both an interesting character study, and a completely nightmare-inducing experience all at the same time. The trailer, released on Christmas Day, introduces us to a terrifying premise of a family being haunted by doppelgangers of themselves, all set to a sinister remix of Luinz’s ‘I Got 5 On It’. If his last film is anything to go by, Us looks as though it’ll start a wide number of conversations, and elicit some absolutely terrified expressions.
Us is set to be released on March 15^th.

 

Avengers Endgame (Directed by The Russo Brothers)

There’s no doubt that this film is going to be the biggest movie of this year. Avenger: Infinity War left audiences shocked and aghast with a powerfully moving ending and no clear idea about how the characters we’ve come to care for (over the course of 20 movies) could actually prevail. Now, the sequel looks to answer our questions and give us catharsis since the suffering we had to endure ever since the tear inducing “Mr Stark…”. Not only does this look to be the most high stake and epic looking movie of the franchise, it’s likely that this film will likely conclude the stories of most of the original MCU characters, and set up future stories in the universe we’ve come to know and love (or are getting tired of, depending who you ask). Let’s face it, you’re more than likely already planning on seeing this film, and if not then I’m afraid you’re clearly in the minority. Avengers: Endgame has a lot of hype to live up to, and given this film series’ track record, it will more than likely reach those expectations and surpass them.
Avengers Endgame is set to be released on April 26^th.

 

Men In Black International (Directed by F. Gary Gary)

Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson? In well-tailored suits? Spouting one-liners and giving sly looks to one another? Was there ever a movie that felt more bespoke to my particular tastes? I don’t think so. But, my personal preferences aside, this does look to be a very entertaining movie. The Men In Black franchise is a series that is close to many people’s hearts, but has been particularly dormant for almost 20 years (aside from Men In Black 3 which garnered mixed reviews as best). This movie, however, looks to be taking the franchise on a more exciting path. The trailer indicates an exciting global adventure, loud and exciting gadgets, and some fun sci-fi action stunts. Both Hemsworth and Thompson have proven before that they can helm a fantastic blockbuster movie, and that they have a great on screen chemistry, so it’s more than probable that that streak will continue here. Though this will not likely be the absolute best film of 2019, I expect anyone who does go and see it will have an awful lot of fun.
Men In Black International is set to be released on June 14^th.

 

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Directed by Quentin Tarantino)

It’s been 4 years since the last outing by acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino, during which time people all over the world are learning that there are only so many times one can reasonably re-watch Pulp Fiction and Inglorious Basterds. But the wait will finally end this year, with the release of Tarantino’s ninth directed film. The setting seems perfect fit for Tarantino, whose previous bodies of work are constantly being influenced by and pay homage to movie history, as it is literally set in 1960s Hollywood, a match made in heaven some might say. On top of that, the film’s stars previous collaborators, Brad Pitt and Leonard DiCaprio, as well as some fantastic actors like Margot Robbie and Damien Lewis. All these elements combined, this mystery crime thriller will mostly be hugely entertaining and a stylistically cool experience.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is set to be released on July 26^th.

 

The New Mutants (Directed by Josh Boone)

Though the main X-Men films have had a few hit and miss runs over the last few years, the spin off films have proven that they can be continuously impressive in a wide variety of different ways, with both Deadpool and Logan winning over audiences and critics alike. And The New Mutants seems like it has the potential to be just unique as its predecessors. This film brings the Superhero genre to a place where it hasn’t gone before, as it looks to be a straight up horror film, with powers being used not to fly across buildings and to slice through buildings, but as a means of survival under horrendous circumstances.  Granted this must be taken with a pinch of salt, since the production was stalled and pushed back by over a year, which is never a good sign. But, if this film can defy the odds and actually come out on top, it could be a bold new step for the franchise.

The New Mutants is set to be released on August 2^nd.

 

Joker (Directed by Todd Philips)

‘The Joker’ is one of the most iconic, terrifying, and influential comic book villains of all time. But whilst he’s been portrayed in a wide variety of memorable interpretations (and one less than favorable one in Suicide Squad), he’s never been the central focus of an entire feature film before. However, this year acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix as the crown prince of crime, in a movie that will explore his origins and journey into becoming a crime lord. This is an interesting idea, mostly since one of the most interesting aspects of the Joker is how little he actually needs a backstory, as the appeal comes from his relationship with Batman and his willingness to do the unspeakable at the drop of a hat. Taking away many of these aspects of the character is a bold move, and whether or not the result is either terrific or terrible, I thinks it’s likely that the film will be a fascinating interpretation nonetheless.

Joker is set to be released on October 4^th.

 

Star Wars Episode IX (Directed by J J Abrams)

The Star Wars sequels have been a massively eventful series of films that have truly gotten everyone talking once again about Star Wars once again, be the conversations good or bad. It’s undeniable that these films have made a massive impact on popular culture over the last few years, and now with the end in sight, one can’t help but wonder how it’ll live up to the enormous hype and pressure put upon it with by the massively intense fan base, and with so much to answer and explain, and with so little information currently revealed, all I can say is that I am not envious of the pressure that J. J Abrams must be feeling. However, if Disney chooses to end this particular story, it’s definitely going to delight many and perhaps anger many more, but it will have everyone talking about it one way or the other.

Star Wars Episode is set to be released on December 20^th.

 

Little Women (Directed by Gretta Gerwig)

Gretta Gerwig became a house hold name after the absolutely fantastic movie Ladybird, which gave her a huge amount of recognition for her abilities as a screenwriter and director. Now, two years later, she’s reunited with star of Ladybird, Saorise Ronan, along with fantastic actresses: Meryl Streep, Emma Watson, Laura Dern, and Florance Pugh, for a new adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1868 novel ‘Little Women’. Though this story has been told over film several times before, with the huge amount of talent both behind and in front of the camera, it’s a safe bet that this will be a moving and unique take on the classic source material.

Little Women is set to be released on December 25^th.

 

Jojo Rabbit (Directed by Taika Waititi)

It’s an understatement that Taika Waititi has had a good few years. He proved himself as a hilarious comic director, with films such as What We Do In The Shadows and The Hunt for the Wilderpeople being critically acclaimed indie hits, and he even won over the majority of the mainstream going audiences with 2017’s Thor: Ragnarök. His unique style of dark comic humor has been received with almost universal applause, and one can only hope that this will carry on with his upcoming film Jojo Rabbit, who’s premise sounds as strange and intriguing as only a man like Waititi can make it. It’s about a young boy during World War II who has an imaginary friend in the form of Adolf Hitler, who is played by Waititi himself. However bizarre the premise sounds, it is likely that it will be made even more so by Waititi’s unique style of acting and directing, along with performances from fantastic actors such as Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, and Alfie Allen.

Jojo Rabbit has not yet had an official release date,

I cannot stress this enough, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the cinema of 2019. There are so many more films in every genre that I simply don’t have time to get into now. My advice is to keep an open mind to the wide varieties of films that’ll come out, don’t stay inside your comfort zone, try and see films you might not otherwise expect to enjoy, and have an absolutely wonderful time doing it.