With 2016 nearing it’s end, one could say that this year has been phenomenal with movies. Disney in particular has had a huge success with it’s properties. From the release of Finding Dora, Zootopia, The Jungle Book and Moana not to mention the huge success of the the Marvel movies and recently Star Wars Rogue One. It’s safe to assume that Disney dominated this year’s box office.
2017 in the other hand is looking promising with it’s releases. With possible box office draws like Guardians of The Galaxy Vol 2, Kong: Skull Island not to mention intriguing releases such as the remake for Stephen King’s It, a Blade Runner sequel as well as the movie adaptation of The Dark Tower. Nonetheless 2017 should be a great year for cinema and cinema goers alike.
But without further ado, here is my top 10 list for movies I personally can’t wait to watch.
10. Thor: Ragnarok
Though a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Thor franchise hasn’t quite had the success of Iron Man and Captain America. However with the movie’s third installment, interest are peaked as this time he’s being joined by not one but two major MCU characters in the form of Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk and Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr Strange.
However what really intrigued me about this movie is it’s director Taika Waititi. Taika is a film director from New Zealand and being from New Zealand myself I’m rooting for this movie to be exceptional. With a very satirical form of film making it will be interesting to see what he does with the property.
Stars
Chris Hemsworth (Thor)
Cate Blanchett (Carol)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange)
Directed By: Taika Waititi (Hunt for the Wilderpeople)
Release Date: 3 November 2017
9. It
Everyone is familiar with the 1990s mini-series with the same title as well as the popular book. Well It is now being remade into a full-length movie and I for one am pretty excited for It. Having seen the mini-series I’m intrigued on how It will transition to a full-length film.
The mini-series of course was in two parts and it fleshed out the characters and really gave that epic feel to it. This movie will be directed by Andres Muschietti who did Mama which is another horror movie nonetheless we can only hope this movie will be something worth remembering in the future.
Stars
Bill Skarsgard (Allegiant)
Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things)
Jaeden Lieberher (Midnight Special)
Directed By: Andrés Muschietti (Mama)
Release Date: 8 September 2017
8. Justice League
Despite the disappointing turn out of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, what that movie did is sort of cement the foundations of the DC Cinematic Universe. Zack Snyder is directing again and a part of me is hoping that he has learned his lesson and actually give this a decent story and be a competent movie overall.
I have a feeling it won’t be as strong as the first avenger movie but I am rooting for it not to be a complete disaster. I am looking forward to this movie just for curiosity’s sake but if anything can redeem the the current state of the DC Cinematic Universe it would be Justice League.
Stars
Ben Affleck (Live By Night)
Ezra Miller (Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them)
Gal Gadot (Batman V Superman)
Directed By: Zack Snyder (Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice)
Release Date: 17 November 2017
7. Dunkirk
Christoper Nolan’s next film following Interstellar is Dunkirk. Dunkirk is a WW2 movie and despite moving from the usual Science Fiction that Christopher Nolan usually does. It’ll be interesting to see what he does in a big budget war movie.
As usual expectations will be high coming in to this movie and I have no doubts that Dunkirk will give it’s audience a great cinematic experience.
Stars
Tom Hardy (The Revenant)
Cillian Murphy (Anthropoid)
Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies)
Directed By: Christopher Nolan (Interstellar)
Release Date: 21 July 2017
6. Annihilation
Coming from his amazing directorial debut Alex Garland’s new project is Annihilation. Based on the first book of The Southern Reach Trilogy Annihilation tells the story of four women who venture into a place where the laws of nature don’t apply. I’ve read the book this film is being based off on and I wasn’t too thrilled about it. However with Alex Garland adapting the screenplay I can’t wait to see what he does with this adaptation.
Alex Garland did an incredible job with Ex Machina, which I think was the best movie of 2015 and to see him tackle another Sci-Fi project is exciting. I’m looking forward to this movie and I am sure it will be just as good if not better than Ex Machina.
Stars
Natalie Portman (Jackie)
Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight)
Oscar Isaacs (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
Directed By: Alex Garland (Ex Machina)
Release Date: 2017
5. Spider-Man: Homecoming
The third comicbook movie on this list is of course Spider-Man. Ever since we’ve learned that Spider-Man will be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe a whole new wave of excitement swept over fans all over the world. We’ve already seen him in Captain America: Civil War and everyone loved him.
Now that we know he’s going to have his own solo franchise under the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). This gives the property a much needed boost as now we know he can interact with the other heroes within the MCU. I personally can’t wait to see this movie and once again I’m sure it will be a great comicbook movie.
Stars
Tom Holland (Captain America: Civil War)
Michael Keaton (Birdman)
Robert Downey Jr (Captain America: Civil War)
Directed By: Jon Watts (Cop Car)
Release Date: 7 July 2017
4. Star Wars: Episode VIII
With the revitalized success that the Star Wars is getting we can only assume this well oiled machine will keep going. Following The Force Awakens is Episode VIII and it continues the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley) and the new character from episode VII.
I can only hope this won’t make the same mistake as The Force Awakens did which is being a carbon copy of A New Hope. But rather give the audience something new and exciting.
Stars
Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
Adam Driver (Silence)
John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
Directed By: Rian Johnson (Looper)
Release Date: 15 December 2017
3. The Dark Tower
Number 3 is a book adaptation and it is one a lot of people have been waiting for. This is of course the adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower. A lot of people have been wanting to see Roland Deschain’s story in the big screen and I’m personally very much excited about this project.
Idris Elba will be playing the main character and Matthew McConaughey will be playing the Man in Black and with those two attached to this project it gives that star power that can push this as a huge blockbuster movie.
Stars
Idris Elba (Star Trek: Beyond)
Matthew McConaughey (Gold)
Katheryn Winnick (Vikings)
Directed By: Nikolaj Arcel
Release Date: 28 July 2017
2. Beauty and the Beast
Growing up in the 90s I was a huge fan of the Disney Renaissance. With Disney having a successful track record of transforming it’s animated properties into live action. I can assume that Disney will do this property right and give it a great live action adaptation.
With an all star cast and two strong leads in the form of Emma Watson and Luke Evans. I can guarantee Beauty and the Beast will be a terrific movie, one that fans of the original can enjoy.
Stars
Emma Watson (Perks of Being a Wallflower)
Luke Evans (The Girl on the Train)
Dan Stevens (Night at Museum 3)
Directed By: Bill Condon(Mr. Holmes)
Release Date: 17 March 2017
1. Logan
Finally my most anticipated film is Logan. With Fox taking the same approach they did with Deadpool, making this movie Rated-R. There’s no better way to send off Hugh Jackman with his final role as Wolverine with Logan. With 16 Years in his belt as Wolverine, Hugh Jackman has expressed his interest to move away from the property.
Though as disheartening as it is to hear this, it is completely understandable and with his final role as Wolverine, no doubt Logan will be an emotional and satisfying send off. I personally can’t wait to see this movie and I’m sure it will be all sorts of amazing.
Stars
Hugh Jackman (Eddie the Eagle)
Patrick Stewart (Green Room)
Stephen Merchant (Hello Ladies)
Directed By: James Mangold (The Wolverine)
Release Date: 3 March 2017
So there you go my top 10 most anticipated movies of 2016. Again this is just movies that I’m looking forward to. There are a lot of movies to look forward to in 2017. From Guardians of The Galaxy Vol 2 to the next Fast and Furious movie as well as another Transformers movie and Kong: Skull Island. 2017 will be another great year for movies. These 10 are the one I’m looking forward to the most but feel free to comment what are yours. Merry Christmas and have a nice day.
Ken's Reviews 