Now that the Oscars are over, the props have all been put away, and the parties are over its time to start looking ahead to the films that audiences will be going to see in for the rest of the year. 2017 is shaping up to be the year of the sequel, the remake, and of course horror. Some of the repeat offenders this year are Blade Runner, Pirates of the Caribbean, Fifty Shades, Cars, Star Wars, Despicable and even Train Spotting will be back for the next chapter this year. The question will be will they be able to grab the same audience numbers as they did the previous years? There is quite a bit on the menu this year for the fan of yester year and some new films as well so here is our list of what we think will be the biggest box office draws this year, some of the top rated movies, the Summer blockbusters.
Kong: Skull Island
I know, I know, there are loads of Kong films floating around, some wonderful, some terrible – so what’s different about Kong: Skull Island you’re probably wondering? Well the cast for starters, their backgrounds have been changed to follow a more true, human nature. They tie in the world of journalism so delicately into the inner workings of each shot that it’s breathtaking, especially in today’s social media identity. Plus it stars Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, and Brie Larson, so there’s that too.
Logan
How in the world this could be Hugh Jackman’s ninth and final X-Men film as Wolverine is beyond me. His portrayal of Logan is one we followed for over 18 years and it shows such deep, raw, true talent, plus his character is a pretty big bad-a**. The film is scheduled to be released on March 3 and it’s safe to say that fans are eagerly waiting to see what happens next.
Beauty And The Beast
As soon as news dropped that this beloved Disney animated film was being turned into a live-action remake – hearts exploded with joy all over the globe. Pure joy continued to spread further when it was announced that Emma Watson would play the lead female role of Belle. Of course the additions of Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, and Ian McKellen are just as magical. See you at the theater on March 17!
Blade Runner 2049
When your cast includes Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, that pretty much says it all. This film is the sequel to Blade Runner and luckily, Ford is reprising his role as the legendary Rick Deckard. Blade Runner 2049 picks up 30 years after the first film and will take its audience on an unpredictable quest. The 6th of October is a long time to wait!
Dunkirk
This epic British-French-American action thriller is set during the Second World War and follows the hellish Dunkirk evacuation. Did we mention that Tom Hardy and former ‘One Directioner’ Harry Styles are in the film? You know where to find me on July 17.
John Wick: Chapter 2
My mind still can’t wrap around the fact that Keanu Reeves, Common, Laurence Fishburne, and Ruby Rose (to name a few) are featured in this action-thriller film. Chapter 2 is the sequel to the 2014 John Wick film and it comes out on February 10! Get ready to watch the legendary hitman come out of retirement and square off against some of the world’s worst assassins.
Justice League
The plot for this star studded film starts off after a year following the events of Batman v Superman, inspired by Superman’s sacrifice for humanity, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince rally a team of metahumans to face a new and highly dangerous threat before its too late. November 17 can’t come soon enough!
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Now, I wasn’t familiar with the series when I saw the first one but I was intrigued by the storyline. I will preface this by admitting that I can totally get into James Bond, Neo, Anikin Skywalker and other fantasy characters if I can get taken away by the story. But even with that said the first film pushed the boundries of even my imagination with the toxic dart that turns normal people into phycotic killers. I’d be hard pressed to think they could bring be back with the plot of the second in the series but the cast alone makes us overly excited to watch the film Taron Egerton, Julianne Moore, Mark Strong, Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal, Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges, and Elton John (!). Mark your calendars for October 6, folks, you don’t want to miss this.
XXX: Return of Xander Cage
In January, this action film was released and our hearts just can’t take it. Mainly due to the fact that it’s the third installment in the xXx franchise and a sequel to both other films, there is even talk of a fourth film beginning in May. The film also has a lot of extreme stunts done by our beloved Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Deepika Padukone, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, Toni Collette and Samuel L. Jackson.
Spider Man: Homecoming
Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Peter Parker, along with his mentor Tony Stark, tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student with fighting crime as a new, dangerous threat emerges. This superhero thriller is due to be released on July 7 and there is even a sequel scheduled to be released on July 5, 2019!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
For many fans, the new Star Wars film brings bittersweet feelings to the surface. OF course, we all want answers after the way the last film ended but seeing Carrie Fisher one final time (following her heartbreaking death on 27 December, 2016) is almost too much to handle. I guess it’s lucky that Star Wars: The Last Jedi is scheduled for release on December 15 so we have time to recover from all our world-wind of emotions.
The Dark Tower The Fate of the Furious
The Dark Tower film is based on the Stephen King novel but it has been stated as not a typical adaptation, and rather more of a new take on the series. The film stars two iconic and incredibly talented actors, Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. Of course the casting has received many mixed reviews (some not so good ones) but we’ll be the judge of that come July 28.
The Fate of the Furious
The Fate of the Furious marks the first film of the franchise since The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift to not to star Paul Walker, who sadly died in a single-vehicle crash in 2013. The eighth installment promises to shatter all previous perceptions of family and loyalty, the roots of the crew. On April 14, we’ll watch Dom as we’ve never seen before, a man on the verge of betraying his family.
Thor: Ragnarok
Thor: Ragnarok is one incredibly star studded superhero film – Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, and Anthony Hopkins to name a few. On November 3, we’ll get to see what happens with Thor versus the many villains attacking all he holds dear.
Transformers: The Last Knight
It’s finally here, never thought I’d see the day that the fifth and final Transformers film came to life. It’s the final film directed by Michael Bay and is scheduled for release on June 23. Optimus Prime returns after having left Earth in search of the Creators, watch as two worlds collide and only one survives.
Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets
Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets is the French sci-fi film based on the French science fiction comics series ‘Valérian and Laureline’. It stars Dane DeHaan and supermodel Cara Delevingne. It hits theaters on 21 July and we for one, can’t wait.
Wonder Woman
The premise here follows an American pilot, Steve Trevor, who crashes on the island of Themyscira, he tells Diana Prince about a world war that is raging, Diana leaves her home to try to stop the war and ultimately becomes Wonder Woman. This superhero film hits theaters June 2, starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Robin Wright to name a few. The film features a strong, female lead, one we can all get behind.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Okay, so we’re cheating a bit adding this super kick a** film into the list, since it came out on the 27th of January, but we just had to. It was five years ago that Resident Evil: Retribution flooded the big screen, now Milla Jovovich returns to finish the chapters. The sixth installment will pick up right where Retribution left off, giving all of us some much needed closure.
The Lego Batman Movie
When The Lego Movie first dropped, everyone mocked such a proposal, a Lego movie? Really? But when it earned almost $470 million, everyone was suddenly rooting for those plastic bricks. And Warner Bros. has gotten the hint, they’ve created their very own super studded spin-off featuring Mariah Carey, Zach Galifianakis, Will Arnett, and Michael Cera to name a few. “Everything is Awesome” indeed!
The Great Wall
February 17 brings us Zhang Yimou’s historical fantasy, The Great Wall, which did receive some abuse over casting Matt Damon in what should have been an entirely eastern plot. It basically follows the story of the Great Wall of China being built to stop some unwanted “neighbors” from entering. When we say “neighbors”, we’re talking zombie apocalypse, people! Yeah, you’re intrigued now. We know, it’s totally cool, who wouldn’t want to see that?
Power Rangers
Go Go Power Rangers! Doesn’t matter who you’re rooting for, the red, yellow, pink, blue, black ranger – cause we’re about to see an explosive kick a** cast dominate the big screen. With all their ninja glory, villain plotting, and teenage angst, thus fulfilling our 90s hearts.
Ghost in the Shell
On the 31st of March, we will finally get to see Rupert Sanders’ adaptation of the insanely popular Masamune Shirow manga series, despite the fact that it received extremely harsh criticism for casting Scarlett Johansson as the main heroine, the Mayor. However, we can’t look over the fact that Johansson is an incredibly talented actress who many flock to see on screen, plus Sanders and Johansson even were bestowed an in-person blessing from the original creators of the story.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Well Marvel revealed they were going to turn a pretty obscure comic of some “ragtag” team of intergalactic do gooders, and the team includes some raccoon-like creature and an alien that looks like a tree, into a $200 million film, everyone called them dumb. Said it was going to be the biggest flop ever. Then some $775 million receipts later, everyone knew this could be the start of a new and successful franchise. We’re definitely excited to see the goofy superhero Chris Pratt reprise his role as Peter “Star-Lord” Quill and the rest of the crew. See you in theaters on May 5th!
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Finally after ages of script and budget issues, the fifth installment is hitting theaters May 26. In this film, we watch Captain Jack Sparrow as he’s pursued by an old rival, and it also see the return of Orlando Bloom’s Will Turner under his new guise as Davy Jones.
Cars 3
Oh yes, another 3D animated adventure with the one and only Lighting McQueen (Owen Wilson). Cars 3 follows Lightning McQueen and a new generation of chic race cars. After he is forced out of racing following a devastating crash, McQueen must push himself onto the road of recovery. With the help from race tech Cruz Ramirez, he begins training to get himself back in the game and against his new rival, Jackson Storm. The scheduled release date is June 16.
Despicable Me 3
Eek, it’s here! The third installment of the Despicable Me film series follows the lovable Gru who is now facing off against Balthazar Bratt, a former child star obsessed with the character he played back in the ’80s. Oh yeah, Gru has a bit of sibling rivalry when he meets his long lost twin brother, Dru. June 30 promises a hilarious summer flick for everyone to love.
War for the Planet of the Apes
The incredible director Matt Reeves is back, picking up right where Dawn of the Planet of the Apes left off, he says we need brace for the new conflict brewing and the epic battle ahead. Andy Serkis is back as the apes’ leader, Caesar, he’s joined by Steve Zahn (a new ape) and Woody Harrelson (known as the Colonel, possibly the new chief antagonist). Reeves co-wrote the script and is keeping storyline totally hush-hush. July 14 brings us the summer hit and we can’t wait.
IT
Yup, IT is the new supernatural horror adaptation of Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel “It.” The film has a lot of hype to live up to but we think with Bill Skarsgård and Finn Wolfhard, the breakthrough young cast from Stranger Things, this adaption stands a chance. September 8 is when this horror film hits theaters.
Saw: Legacy
Turns out that the eighth installment, according to composer Charlie Clouser, will be a “reinvention” of the series. Clouser went on to say that co-directors Michael and Peter Spierig offer “a fresh take on the material that will establish a new storyline and new characters that can carry the saga into the future.” The release date is October 27, just in time for Halloween. ~GULP.~
Fifty Shades Darker
The second film in the Fifty Shades film series, is in theaters starting February 10th. Film stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey are picking up right where they left off, apart from a few dark and dangerous past events that follow Christian to his present.
Baywatch
The <i<baywatch< i=””> film is of course the action-comedy film directed by Seth Gordon, and it is based on the television series with starred David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson, who will be in this 2017 film as well. It follows a no-nonsense veteran lifeguard (Dwayne Johnson) who goes head-to-head with a reckless recruit (Zac Efron), but they must put aside their differences when a criminal plot threatens their beach. See you in theaters May 26!</i<baywatch<>
Jumanji
Like most fans of the original Jumanji, I find some comfort that this 2017 film is apparently more of a spiritual sequel and continuation of the 1995 film, and it will have a tribute to the late Robin Williams. The cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Nick Jonas which isn’t entirely horrible! The scheduled release date is December 22 in 2D, RealD 3D, IMAX 3D.
The Commuter
Ahh, the incredibly Liam Neelson in another action-thriller film that is said to have suspense and mystery at every turn, along with some pretty powerful fight scenes. It hits theaters on October 13.
Wonder
Based on the 2012 novel by R.J. Palacio, the film stars Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. They are the parents of a young boy who struggles to overcome a facial deformity, portrayed by Jacob Tremblay. Wonder is scheduled for release on April 7.
Snatched
The hilarious Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn team up as mother and daughter who become part of an unexpected adventure when their vacation goes very wrong. This is also Hawn’s first film since 2002 so you can imagine how excited everyone to see this diva back on the big screen come May 12.
Pitch Perfect 3
The Pitches are back in an all new third installment of the series. Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Britanny Snow will be joined by new member Ruby Rose (we can’t wait!) The film is currently in production so we don’t know much of what to expect, all we know is the release date, see you there December 22.
The Mummy
For me, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz were the best things of The Mummy franchise so when I heard a new one is hitting theaters on June 9 starring Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, Jake Johnson, Courtney B. Vance and Russell Crowe, I’m equal parts impressed and skeptical to say the least. Let’s see what happens this summer with this epic action-adventure horror film.
The Snowman
This British crime drama is based on the novel by Jo Nesbø. The film stars the iconic Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Toby Jones, J.K. Simmons, and Jakob Oftebro. The premise might sound odd as we watch Detective Harry Hole (Michael Fassbender) investigate the disappearance of a woman, whose pink scarf is found wrapped around an ominous-looking snowman. However with this cast, we don’t imagine it’ll go wrong. The film hits theaters October 13.
T2 Trainspotting
Danny Boyle does it again. And this time with a sequel to his 1996 film, Trainspotting, ‘T2’ features all the original ensemble cast, which includes Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly Macdonald. You can expect to see the same witty humor, powerful music, and film clips as the first film in theaters around February, March time.
Baby Driver
Don’t let the name fool you, this British-American comedy action crime film is said to be spectacular. Written and directed by the incredible Edgar Wright, starring Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm, Kevin Spacey, and Eiza González. The plot is centered around a talented, young getaway driver who falls in love and wants out of the crime life but it doesn’t go quite according to plan.
Get Out
This horror film first debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and is set for release on February 24th. The film follows a young biracial college couple who are set to meet each other’s parents. As they are in the girlfriend’s upscale suburban neighborhood with her parents, the boyfriend quickly releases this fancy area has a rather sinister history of young black men disappearing.
Rings
That’s right, Rings is in fact the third film of The Ring franchise which takes place 13 years after the first film came out. Since it’s release on February 3, 2017, it has grossed $66 million worldwide.
American Made
American Made is a chilling biographical criminal drama-thriller film, starring the wonderful Tom Cruise. It’s based on the life of Barry Seal, a former TWA pilot who becomes a drug smuggler in the 1980s and is later recruited by the DEA to provide intelligence. The release date is September 29, 2017. Fun fact – this is the actually first film directed by Liman to be released by Universal Pictures since The Bourne Identity films.
The Circle
Tom Hanks and Emma Watson star in this chilling thriller about a powerful Internet corporation and the future of humanity. The film is based on Dave Eggers’ 2013 novel of the same name (so for all you bookworms, read the book first!). It is set for release on April 28 and we really can’t wait!
Murder on the Orient Express
November 22 brings us this mystery film and we can’t wait especially since the screenplay is on the 1934 novel of the same name by famed mystery novelist, Agatha Christie. Our favorite part, okay second favorite, is the cast – Kenneth Branagh (director as well), Tom Bateman, Lucy Boynton, Olivia Colman, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Derek Jacobi, Marwan Kenzari, Leslie Odom Jr., Michelle Pfeiffer, Sergei Polunin, and Daisy Ridley. I know, that’s a lot of names but it is a star studded film!
Fist Fight
This hilarious comedy stars Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Christina Hendricks, Jillian Bell and Tracy Morgan. The whole plot follows two ordinary teachers who plan to fight each other after one of them gets fired. It has already come out in theaters so you better watch it now!
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
Everyone knows the story of King Arthur but this epic adventure drama is being directed by Guy Ritchie and was written by Joby Harold, and it stars Charlie Hunnam (smoldering and gorgeous, hello!), Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou, Aidan Gillen, Jude Law (smoldering and gorgeous #2), and Eric Bana. Yup, you know where to find me come May 12.
Coco
Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures bring us the lovely tale of Coco. The comedy-fantasy film follows Miguel, a 12-year-old boy, who sets off a chain of events that relate to a century-old mystery. The scheduled release date is November 22.
Geostorm
Watch the handsome Gerald Butler as a satellite designer trying to save the world from a massive storm caused by climate-controlling satellites. After much back and forth, the film is set for release on October 20.
The Emoji Movie
With current social media trends, it was just a matter of time before a movie based on emoji’s came out. The film follows Gene, who is a a multi-expressional emoji that has set out to instead, become a normal emoji. It’ll hit a theater near you on August 4.
Annabelle 2
This supernatural horror flick is the sequel to the 2014 film Annabelle, and is also the fourth installment of The Conjuring film series. It is set for release on August 11.
Insidious: Chapter 4
Director Adam Robitel brings us the fourth installment in the Insidious franchise. It comes out in theaters on October 20, starring Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, and Angus Sampson.
Amityville: The Awakening
Here we go again, Amityville: The Awakening is the eighteenth installment of the Amityville saga. Starring Bella Thorne, Cameron Monaghan, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Thomas Mann, Jennifer Morrison and Kurtwood Smith. It is scheduled for release on June 30.
A Cure For Wellness
This science fiction psychological horror thriller film came out in theaters on February 17. The plot, we won’t even explain, it’s just too darn scary. Way too scary.
Everybody Loves Somebody
This is not your typical romantic comedy. The dialogue (both in English and Spanish) is riveting and so refreshingly human and that is more than enough to draw you in and keep your attention. It already came out in theaters on February 17, so what are you waiting for?
Before I Fall
Ugh, this beautiful drama is based on the 2010 novel of same name written by Lauren Oliver. It follows the riveting story of a high school girl who lives the same day over and over until she gets it right and she must uncover the truth of her death. See you in theaters on March 3.