It looks like a good chunk of our weekends this year will be spent inside cinemas—there’s a ton of soon-to-be blockbuster hits coming our way. Like the past few years, 2019’s movie calendar features a whole lot of superhero films. But besides the exciting new origin stories, the superhero universe has more to offer. Marvel Studios teases an end of an era in the fourth “Avengers” installment, while DC Films experiments with humor and villain spinoffs.
Disney Pictures also decided to produce live-action versions of its classic films “Dumbo,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King.” Sure, it’s done it before for “The Jungle Book,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Cinderella,” but this year’s string of remakes suggests the film studios’ direction and a new Hollywood trend for the next few years. Don’t forget a live-action of “Mulan” is also in the works.
You guessed it, dozens of blockbuster sequels are due this year, too. We just hope it 2019 won’t have another run of franchise fatigues. Here are 15 films we’re looking forward to rave about:
Live-action versions of childhood icons
Dumbo
The world of the iconic flying elephant is reimagined by Tim Burton (“Edward Scissorhands,” “Alice in Wonderland). His distinctive visual style is a wondrous mix of the whimsical and gothic, and we’re sure his version of “Dumbo” will be astonishing with its new twists and turns.
Aladdin
Guy Ritchie (“Sherlock Holmes,” “King Arthur”) is trying his hands on family entertainment for the first time. Mena Massoud is Aladdin while Naomi Scott plays Princess Jasmine. Fit for the comedic role of Genie is Will Smith.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
It’s crazy that Pikachu can now talk. What’s even crazier is he sounds exactly like Deadpool (thanks, Ryan Reynolds). But the craziest thing about Pokémon is its films rarely exist out of Japan. Animated Pokémon films have been an annual summer tradition in the country, but it’s only now that they produced an actual worldwide blockbuster. Based on the Nintendo game, Detective Pikachu sets off on an investigation to find missing Pokémon. Pikachu partners with a young man who is also in search of his father.
PS: The movie is reportedly getting its own mini collection of Pokémon trading cards.
The Lion King
You probably got goosebumps when you heard James Earl Jones’ voice (as Mufasa) in the remake’s trailer again—don’t worry, you’re not alone. From the looks of it, “The Lion King” is just the furrier version of the 1994 film. The new trailer shared similar scenes from the original’s teaser, but hopefully that was just for the nostalgia.
Superhero universe
Captain Marvel
If you haven’t heard it yet, Captain Marvel is rumored to be the strongest hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There’s a lot to be excited about this film: The fact that it’s Marvel’s first female-led movie, Academy award-winner Brie Larson’s portrayal, and clues on how Captain Marvel is going to be the MCU’s savior in the “Endgame.”
Avengers: Endgame
We’re finally, finally going to see one of the 14 million possibilities Doctor Strange saw. Following its emotional trailer, Tony Stark drifting in space, shown with barely any chances of survival, might actually be the MCU’s way of preparing Iron Man fans to bid goodbye to their favorite Avenger. The ones missing in action in the last film (Ant-Man and Hawkeye) will finally be joining the intergalactic fight, with new heroes to aid them in battle.
Tony says: “The end is part of the journey.” But we’re pretty sure no amount of theorizing, searching for easter eggs, and comic book reading will prepare us enough for the ending Marvel has in store for us.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Probably one of indicators that the Avengers will be able to undo Thanos’ wipe-out is the very existence of this film. After all, it’s set after the events of “Endgame”—Marvel is just keen on keeping the victory under wraps. Peter Parker and his friends set out to a vacation in Europe where he meets Mysterio, whom he teams up with to battle a group of immortal extradimensional humanoids called Elementals.
Shazam!
DC is finally letting punchlines land in their films. “Shazam!” is about a teenager’s unlikely adventure of becoming a superhero—an adult superhero who can buy a pack of beer, to be exact. It’s in Billy Batson’s mishaps while discovering Shazam’s superpowers where the audience is bound to get their laughs.
Joker
Don’t be confused, this is a different film from the standalone Jared Leto is set to star in. It’s actually independent from the DCEU altogether. It’s an attempt to build parallel realities, much like the ones in the comics. The film studio is also experimenting with their standalone films, bringing focus on the other facets of their iconic characters. Joaquin Phoenix will be Joker in this Todd Phillips-directed film.
Blockbuster sequels
Godzilla: King of Monsters
There are three new monsters in Michael Dougherty’s “Godzilla” sequel. Once considered as a myth, the ancient species are outlasting each other in a battle for supremacy—at the expense of humanity’s survival.
Men in Black International
This is the fourth “Men in Black” installment, and it’s going to feature the much-awaited reunion of Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson—only this time, they ditch the Asgardian garb for sleek suits. The story follows Agent M’s discovery of and recruitment in the organization. Oh, by the way, Liam Neeson is in this film, too!
Toy’s Story 4
Just when you thought Pixar has wrapped the “Toy Story” series perfectly, it surprises you with another. They’re pretty secretive about the plot—its teasers show the toy bunch falling on each other and fellow toys being fans of the cowboy and space ranger.
Child’s Play
Chucky is back to terrorize a new generation with this 2019 reboot. A young mother, played by Aubrey Plaza, gives her son, portrayed by Brian Tyree Henry, a new doll to keep him company. Little does she know of the horrors that this unsuspecting toy could unleash.
It: Chapter 2
Stephen King fans can finally calm the hell down (or maybe not) as the second half of the novel finds its way on the big screen. “It: Chapter 2” is set 30 years after their first encounter vicious cannibal feasting on Derby, Maine’s children. Pennywise is back but hopefully not for long.
Star Wars: Episode IX