Happy New Year!
2018 had more than its fair share of wonderful cinematic offerings, but 2019 seems just as bountiful with a variety of high-profile movie releases that have caught our interest and make us so excited to see what this new year has to offer.
As per tradition, our staff nominated and ranked their most anticipated movies of 2019. The results are below and serve as a hopeful indication that we have a great movie year ahead of us.
15. John Wick 3: Parabellum (May 17)
Ever since Keanu Reeves used his Men’s Wearhouse gift card to add finesse to his methods of shooting people in the face, the craft of action movies has undoubtedly been elevated. The John Wick franchise has been a surprise success and career reboot for the once-One, but where else is there for Mr. Wick to go? John Wick 3: Parabellum wants to put Wick through as much hell as possible as its subtitle, according to Reeves, translates to “prepare for war.” Considering John Wick: Chapter 2 ended with Ian McShane putting a global contract on Wick, it’s safe to say that all forms of life will miraculously have guns to shoot at the tailored assassin. Chad Stahelski returns to direct along with previous cast members McShane, Laurence Fishburne and Lance Reddick, with new additions to the cast including Jason Mantzoukas, Halle Berry and Anjelica Huston. There’s also a horse that Reeves will use to help him shoot people, because why the hell not? – Jon Winkler
14. Detective Pikachu (May 10)
It is still pretty weird to see a big cultural product from the 90’s get turned into a big film project for most of us, and Detective Pikachu’s first trailer was divisive for most fans as a result. Even so, there’s a reason to hope for Pokémon’s first big budget outing: It’s based on a more narratively focused game than the main series, and it is perfectly suited for screenwriter Nicole Perlman; the writer who helped turn the equally bizarre first Guardians of the Galaxy into a smash hit. – Travis Hymas
13. Shazam! (April 5)
Not only does the project seem poised to remove the “last-minute replacement” tag from Zachary Levi’s back (the Thor sequels think they can pass him as Josh Dallas, ha!), if all goes well it can dismantle the “DCEU Too Dark” club. Also, in this house we love any filmmaker who ventures beyond their neighborhood – in this case it’s David F. Sandberg who will go to where humor resides rather than horror. – Nguyen Le
12. Godzilla: King of the Monsters (May 31)
In retrospect, Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla kind of stinks, but at the same time, it was a perfect representation of what Godzilla movies used to be: a few exciting moments of big wonder with giant monsters doing battle and the hurricane of blubber turning into a sort of iconic hero by way of standing his ground and indirectly saving heroes. The problem is the rest of the movie was absolutely boring. With so many original monster films having hit the scene in recent years, the bar is low for Godzilla: The King of Monsters. But I have Shin-Godzilla for a compelling Godzilla story. And I’ll be damned if anyone gets in the way of me seeing some of the most iconic movie monsters of my childhood on the Silver Screen (not the tube) for the first time: Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah! It’s a giant monster all out attack! – Evan Griffin
11. IT: Chapter 2 (September 6)
What is there to mind about traipsing in Derry’s clown-stalked greywater 27 years later with that stacked cast, promise of better scares and an otherworldly dimension? Though the loss of Asian representation warrants a sigh or two – writer Cary Fukunaga going uncredited and Checco Varese replacing Chung Chung-hoon as d.p. – the need to float again is just too intense. Santa, man, show me the way to get a pair of these rainboots and one of these raincoats. – Nguyen Le
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10. Toy Story 4 (June 21)
Even though I was quite happy with the ending of Toy Story 3, I’m so stoked for the newest addition to one of my favourite childhood movies. For the next couple months until the movie comes out, I’m going to be plagued with thoughts such as “what crazy adventure is the gang going to end up on this time?” and “What future lies ahead for these hodgepodge set of toys?” Regardless of the answers, I know that I’ll be grinning like a kid throughout the entire film. – Leigh-Ann Brodber
9. Spider-Man: Far from Home (July 5)
In my 24 years of life, I’ve realized there are only three things I need to sustain myself: laughter, orange juice with a ton of pulp in it, and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. He swung his way into cinemas (and my heart) in 2017, and I’ve been dying to see what’s next for the friendly neighborhood hero ever since. Spider-Man: Far From Home will take Peter Parker ‘round the world for more ass-kicking and name-taking, but there’s much left unclear: How will he bounce back from the devastating place Avengers: Infinity War left him? How might his globe-trotting adventures affect the way Tony Stark sees him and his worthiness as a potential Avenger? Will Holland and his on-screen adversary, Jake Gyllenhaal, the man behind Mysterio, end up becoming best buds off-screen? (Please? Please.)
With any luck, Spider-Man: Far From Home will answer every question I — and all Marvel comic movie fans — have. I only wish July 5 wasn’t so far away. I’ll be biting my nails and biding my time until then. – AJ Caulfield
8. Aladdin (May 24)
Aladdin is already a film people have many feelings about and it hasn’t even come out yet. Negative or positive, there is still a lot of anticipation and excitement for the film. Despite its problems (and the fact that it seems no Middle Eastern people were at all involved behind the scenes), Aladdin is still representation that doesn’t have the usual Middle Eastern/North African actors playing terrorist number three in Homeland. Disney’s live-action movie has an excellent cast, including Will Smith as the Genie, Marwan Kenzari as Jafar, and Mena Massoud as Aladdin and will undoubtedly have plenty of magic, romance, humor, dramatics, and friendship (with a touch of nostalgia, of course) as we’re once again asked to journey into a whole new world. – Mae Abdulbaki
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7. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood (July 26)
Opinions vary when it comes to Quentin Tarantino (he is a divisive filmmaker in The Young Folks headquarters), but it’s hard to deny that when he has a new film in theaters, it’s an event. Sure enough, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Tarantino’s ninth film, will cause quite a stir when it makes its way into theaters in the dead heat of summer 2019. But it’ll get attention. And it will likely get a great deal of controversy too. Starring an impeccable ensemble that includes, but certainly isn’t limited to, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie (as the late Sharon Tate, no less), Dakota Fanning, Al Pacino, and too many people to count in a short blurb, this explosive new genre-infusion from the well-recognized director will play fast-and-loose with the facts and quick-and-deadly with the violence. If you like to experience the insanity that Tarantino dishes out, though, you’ll surely make your way to the cinemas to see Quentin’s latest joint. – Will Ashton
6. The Lion King (July 19)
I just can’t wait for The Lion King to be released! Disney’s next blockbuster adaptation is shaking up to be the best one yet. The Lion King packs a powerhouse of stellar voice talents, like Donald Glover, Beyoncé (she’s creating an original song too!), and James Earl Jones, who’s returning to voice Mufasa. From the teaser alone, The Lion King’s CGI looks breathtaking. And, the songs from the original film will be making an appearance, so all the nostalgia will be in full force. This movie will be a great way to celebrate The Lion King’s 25th anniversary. – Justin Carreiro
5. Little Women (December 25)
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Does the world really need another version of Little Women? With Greta Gerwig’s sensitive, capable hands on the wheel, the answer is yes. The story of the four March sisters has been adapted numerous times, most notably Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 film with Winona Ryder as the effervescent Jo, and most recently in a meandering BBC television series. But with Florence Pugh (fresh off The Little Drummer Girl) as petulant Amy, Timothée Chalamet as Laurie, Eliza Scanlen (who frightened us to death in Sharp Objects) as Beth, not to mention Emma Watson as Meg and Saoirse Ronan as Jo—what an embarrassment of riches. Inject this movie straight into my veins, please. – Deborah Krieger
4. Us (March 15)
After the monumental critical acclaim from Get Out, Jordan Peele embarks on a compelling new horror epic called Us, starring Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke. Peele gifted the world with the inaugural trailer on Christmas and at first glance, there is a lot to be excited about. It’s visually stunning and the performances from our cast immediately feel natural and lively. The trailer gave us a few nuggets to chew on while we wait, one of those being a neighboring family who bares an eerie resemblance to our main cast. It may be too early to speculate, but one thing is for certain, Jordan Peele is creating horror on his terms and if all goes well, he may have another Oscar nomination on his hands. – Mark Wesley
3. Star Wars: Episode IX (December 20)
While 2015’s Force Awakens rejuvenated the Star Wars franchise. 2017’s Last Jedi left more to be desired for those in love with the galaxy far, far away. Leading Disney to call upon Force Awakens’ director J.J. Abrams to help conclude this most recent trilogy. Too many questions remain unanswered entering this ninth installment, such as who are Rey’s parents? Will Kylo Ren meet his demise? And what will happen with the late Carrie Fisher’s beloved Leia character? Oh, and not to mention, what will the official title for Episode IX be? December 20th can’t get here fast enough! – Anthony Guivas
2. Avengers: Endgame (April 26)
Come April 2019, we will witness the finale of an 11-year saga in Avengers: Endgame that began with Iron Man in 2008. Back then, I was a pimple nosed teenager who embarked on an hour and a half bike ride to the next town in order to line up on opening day and I have been hooked on all things Marvel Studios ever since. My anticipation is sky high for Avengers: Endgame, but while my excitement rises for the action and quips we have all come to love, I am more excited for the immense potential that this film has as a finale for some of our favourite heroes. Joe and Anthony Russo have proven very adept directors at action and balancing screen time for the many heroes that need to appear, but they have not had much room to showcase the power of emotion that has built up in the relationships of these characters over time. If the brother duo can nail one more aspect on this massive spectacle stage, Avengers: Endgame will prove to be as satisfying a finale as we have ever seen in Hollywood history. – Grant Jonsson
1. Captain Marvel (March 8)
It’s taken Marvel just over ten years but come March 2019, we’ll see the first female-led superhero with Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. Brie Larson has been a star on the rise ever since stunning performances in Short Term 12 and then the Oscar win for Room. Many of us thought that Black Widow would be Marvel’s first solo female-led film but alas this is not the case. I’m looking forward to Captain Marvel because this film is going to be big. Meanwhile, the film is also paving the way for Secret Invasion so look out! – Danielle Solzman
Here’s to another great film year!
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