Let’s be honest here: 2015 was an amazing year for film. With five movies making it to the top 20 highest-grossing movies of all time list, it’s pretty impressive. What’s equally impressive is that “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is on its way to beating “Avatar” for the exclusive title of being the highest grossing film of all time by earning $2 billion.
One might assume that 2016 is just going to be another year full of movies, some good and some bad. Nothing special. Well, I am here to tell you that you’re so wrong. More and more franchises are set to have releases, leaving me to believe 2016 is going to give 2015 a run for its money. With soon to be blockbuster hits like “Captain America: Civil War” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” we won’t even remember last year.
Below is a list of movies we can’t wait to see in 2016.
“Dirty Grandpa” follows the story of an uptight grandson tricked into driving his foul mouth grandpa to Daytona Beach, Florida for spring break because his grandfather is on a quest to live his life to the fullest. But, what they find is that the pair can learn from each other and form a bond they never expected to have.
Starring: Zac Efron and Robert De Niro
Release date: Jan. 22, 2016
The first superhero release of the year, “Deadpool” tells the story of how former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson becomes the foul mouth, hard hitting superhero we will all come to love.
Starring: Ryan Reynolds and T.J. Miller
Release date: Feb. 12, 2016
After 15 years since the first movie was released, Derek Zoolander and Hansel McDonald are back. Set ten years later, their lives have changed, and they’re not relevant in the fashion world anymore. There will be cameos from Selma Hayek and Justin Bieber.
Starring: Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson
Release date: Feb. 12, 2016
After the crazy revelations discovered in “Insurgent,” Tris and Four must escape and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago in order to find a peaceful solution for their embroiled city. Tris will be forced to make impossible choices in order to survive. “Allegiant” will be split into two films with part two set for a March 24, 2017 release.
Starring: Shailene Woodley and Theo James
Release date: March 18, 2016
Even though “Man of Steel” wasn’t that great, it is so easy to get excited about this movie. Batman and Superman must band together to defeat a foe that is bigger than the both of them. All while the world wrestles to figure out what hero they really need. Introducing new superheroes such as Wonder Woman and Aquaman, this movie is bound to be a box office hit.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Jesse Eisenberg
Release date: March 25, 2016
The fantastic story of Snow White is coming back to the big screen, but for this particular story, there is no Snow White. “The Huntsman” is a prequel to the 2012 film, “Snow White and the Huntsman,” and will be giving a back-story to how the Huntsman came to be. While giving a deeper look into the Evil Queen’s life while introducing her sister, the Ice Queen. Most of the cast is set to return, except Kristen Stewart.
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt
Release date: April 22, 2016
When the government sets up a program to oversee the Avengers, the team splits up into two. One led by Steve Rogers, who believes that the Avengers needs to remain free and defend humanity without the interference of the government. The other is led by Tony Stark, who surprisingly decides to support the government’s decision. The two will clash in what eventually turns into a civil war.
Starring: Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr.
Release date: May 6, 2016
With seven movies behind it, “X-Men: Apocalypse” is going to tell the story of one of Marvel’s greatest villains, Apocalypse. The band of mutants is back together to defeat Apocalypse, who is pretty intent on destroying human civilization.
Starring: Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence
Release date: May 27, 2016
“Finding Nemo” was released in 2003, and now, 13 years later, we finally get to see what happens next. Although it shows the events following the reunion between Nemo and his father, the movie still focuses on quirky sidekick Dory.
Starring: Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks
Release date: June 17, 2016
Another franchise is brought back to life years after the first film’s release. The international community has recovered and built up Earth’s defenses, using technology from the alien forces. But, the aliens are back, and this time, they’re bigger than ever. Hopefully, they have a secret weapon because Will Smith isn’t here to save the day again.
Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman and Liam Hemsworth
Release date: June 24, 2016
Who you gonna call? Starring an all female cast, the Ghostbusters are back in business. The story follows two unnoticed authors who wrote books on how ghosts are real. When ghosts start to invade Manhattan, the authors reunite and try to save the world.
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones
Release date: July 15, 2016
The latest installment celebrates the 50th anniversary of the franchise. The movie has gone through some production pains. Robert Orci left the director’s chair and was quickly replaced by “Fast Furious” director Justin Lin. Since Orci’s script was scrapped when he left, one saving grace the franchise has is that Simon Pegg came in to co-write the script alongside Doug Jung, known for his work on “Banshee.” After all the commotion, we still have no information on the movie’s plot.
Starring: Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto
Release date: July 22, 2016
Even though the fifth film in the “Bourne” series still remains nameless, it has most of the original stars returning and has the old “Bourne” duo back. Paul Greengrass will once again return to the franchise to direct, and the original Bourne, Matt Damon, is back to reprise his role. No information has been released, so the plot is still up in the air.
Starring: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles and Tommy Lee Jones
Release date: July 29, 2016
Forget the superheroes, this film focuses on the villains. The movie has a mix of well-known and unknown villains who have been recruited by the government to accomplish a task that is too dangerous for superheroes.
Starring: Jared Leto, Will Smith and Margot Robbie
Release date: Aug. 5, 2016
Another release for Marvel that follows the story of a New York surgeon robbed of his touch after a car accident. After a stint as a wandering derelict, he comes into contact with a healer in the Himalayas and learns how to tap into his psychic powers to battle evildoers.
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams and Tilda Swinton
Release date: Nov. 4, 2016
Takes place in New York, roughly seven decades before the Harry Potter saga begins. “Fantastic Beasts” is based on the Hogwarts textbook of the same name. The adventure follows the textbooks author, Newt Scamander. This is the first installment of the Harry Potter spinoff, which is planned as a trilogy. J.K. Rowling is the screenwriter of the film.
Starring: Eddie Redmayne and Ezra Miller
Release date: Nov. 18, 2016
Of course there is another Star Wars related release in the following year. It makes complete sense to piggyback off of the other movie’s success by releasing another one right after. This spinoff is set between Episodes III and IV and tells the story of a band of resistance fighters who come together to steal the Death Star plans.
Starring: Forest Whitaker and Felicity Jones
Release date: Dec. 16, 2016
Get ready for another 12 months of expensive movie tickets, popcorn and soda, because it’s going to be a great year for film.
