2015 was a massive year for movies, but 2016 promises to deliver on just the same level, with a heap of great comic book movies, sequels, indie films and more to fill the year. So, let’s count down the top 10 most anticipated movies of 2016.
10. Zoolander 2
Fifteen years after the original Zoolander came out, we’re getting a sequel, and I’m looking forward to it already!
The recently-released trailer has already caused controversy thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch’s character that apparently makes fun of transgender people, but it’s pretty likely that Zoolander 2 (or 2oolander) will be another lightweight and enjoyable comedy, and won’t be offensive or particularly outlandish in any way.
The story focusses on Derek Zoolander as he attempts to return to the modelling world when a new adversary arrives on the scene, and it’s jam-packed with big name cameos. From Penélope Cruz in a leading role to celebrities like Justin Bieber and Lewis Hamilton, there’s a chance that this might suffer from Anchorman 2‘s problem, which, despite being a fun film, will be more intent on putting celebs on screen than making a really great comedy.
UK/US Release Date: 12 February 2016
9. Doctor Strange
Marvel entered Phase Three last year with the modest success that was Ant-Man. Now, however, they’re going seriously weird with the comic book adaptation Doctor Strange, starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
It’s going to be another smaller Marvel movie, but when Ant-Man did that, it was a refreshing break from the big Avengers canon, so I welcome that possibility with open arms. Benedict Cumberbatch, a fine actor, is going to be playing an arrogant surgeon who is trained by a sorcerer to defend the world with magic.
We’ve never seen any real use of magic in Marvel movies, so this will be another big step in expanding the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and although I’m not expecting it to be an amazing film, it looks fun and different enough to be a good addition to the series.
UK Release Date: 28 October 2016
US Release Date: 4 November 2016
8. X-Men: Apocalypse
I have to say that I wasn’t the biggest fan of X-Men: Days Of Future Past when it was released in 2014. However, I loved X-Men: First Class, and so I’m still really excited by the prospect of continuing on the ‘prequel’ series of the franchise.
The story is going to centre around the X-Men banding together to bring down the almighty mutant Apocalypse, and from the look of the trailers, this looks like a really dark and intense new instalment in the series.
With top level actors like Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence and Michael Fassbender continuing in their roles, you know that this is definitely going to be a good one to watch, so here’s hoping it will be the best yet in the series!
UK Release Date: 19 May 2016
US Release Date: 27 May 2016
7. Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them
Yes, there’s a new Harry Potter film on the horizon, just five years after the series ended with Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
I have to confess that I’ve still only seen half of the franchise, and am not a big fan at all, but from the look of the teaser trailer we got for Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, I’m actually quite excited by the mystery of it all, and the fact that we’re not just seeing Harry, Ron and Hermione’s story at Hogwarts, but hopping across the pond to New York in the 1920s for a whole new story.
Starring Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston, two already established actors, the film may not be as child-friendly as The Philosopher’s Stone was in 2001, but it also doesn’t look as dark as some of the original franchise’s later instalments, so I’ll definitely be looking forward to seeing this one.
UK/US Release Date: 18 November 2016
6. Passengers
Now, it’s possible that you haven’t heard of Passengers, because there still hasn’t been any promotional images or insight into what the film really is.
But from what we do know, it’s an actually ORIGINAL sci-fi story that follows two people on a spaceship travelling to a distant planet colony in the future who are woken up early from their cryosleep, and begin developing a romance.
It’s more likely an Oscar contender than a big-money blockbuster, but with Hollywood’s two most likeable stars: Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt in the main roles, you can be sure that this will be a great film, and one that might even take home some awards.
UK Release Date: 23 December 2016
US Release Date: 21 December 2016
5. Finding Dory
Pixar proved to everyone that they’ve still got it with the spectacular Inside Out last June. However, they undid a lot of their good work when they released the lacklustre The Good Dinosaur in November.
So, the latest Pixar movie, Finding Dory, is one that I’m both hugely excited for, and also really worried about. We know Pixar’s track record with sequels isn’t generally great (Cars 2, Monsters University), and so there’s a possibility that this new film won’t capture the wonder that Finding Nemo did so brilliantly 13 years ago in 2003.
That said, however, the original was so fantastic that they surely can’t do too much wrong. With a returning cast that features Ellen DeGeneres as the most loveable character in the original, Dory, and the prospect of even more spectacular visions of the undersea world, you’ve got to remember that it’s Pixar: the greatest animation studio of all time.
UK Release Date: 29 July 2016
US Release Date: 17 June 2016
4. Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice
If you’d asked me to do this list a month ago, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice would have easily been my number one most anticipated movie of 2016.
Now, though, having seen an appalling trailer that possibly spoilt the entire movie, I’m seriously worried about the film that’s meant to be the kickstarter to DC’s Cinematic Universe, to rival Marvel’s already established one.
However, I’m still really excited about the prospect of seeing not only the two greatest superheroes of all time battle it out on screen, but also the arrival of Wonder Woman for the first time on the big screen. DC have surely recognised the issues with 2013’s disappointing Man Of Steel, and the first two trailers for this new film were excellent, so I think it’s still fair to be cautiously optimistic for this new one.
UK/US Release Date: 25 March 2016
3. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
I absolutely loved Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 2015’s biggest movie, and fortunately, we don’t have to wait too long at all until we return to a galaxy far, far away.
It’s not a continuation of the new series following Rey, Finn and Kylo Ren, but instead a ‘prequel’. Now, don’t worry, it’s not like the infamous prequels of Episodes I, II and III, but instead it tells of the story of how the Death Star plans were stolen prior to A New Hope, that eventually set the entire saga and all of the Star Wars into action.
Directed by Gareth Edwards, who helmed the latest Godzilla reboot, and starring Felicity Jones, Ben Mendelsohn and others as a group of X-Wing pilots, I’m sure that the words ‘Star Wars prequel’ will finally have a good meaning when we get this fascinating story that will bring a greater insight to the world we love so much.
UK/US Release Date: 16 December 2016
2. Captain America: Civil War
In 2015, Avengers: Age Of Ultron proved somewhat of a disappointment to all the fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2016, however, we’re going to get one of the most explosive films in the whole franchise with Captain America: Civil War.
Following the split in the Avengers between Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Steve Rogers (Captain America), we’re getting a full-blown Civil War that’s going to breathe new life into the MCU like we’ve never seen before.
The trailer was hugely exciting, and we’re even going to get new superheroes joining in the battle, from Black Panther and possibly even Spider-Man, so it’s going to be another addition to the canon that will turn Phase Three and the run to Infinity War all the more exciting.
UK Release Date: 29 April 2016
US Release Date: 6 May 2016
1. Suicide Squad
So, my number one most anticipated movie of 2016 is Suicide Squad. I am absolutely fascinated by the prospect of this film, and I’m sure that it’s going to be a hit.
Based on the comic, it’s a story about nine villains who are manipulated by the government to save the world. It looks fantastically weird and extremely dark, but unlike Batman v Superman where that may not pay off, the trailer for this film looked as if the atmosphere was perfectly-suited.
Starring a whole host of stars including Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Jai Courtney, Cara Delevigne and Jared Leto as The Joker, I’m seriously excited to see what DC can do with this bizarre concept, and I really hope that it’s a big hit when it’s released later this year.
UK/US Release Date: 5 August 2016
