What films to watch in 2019
What do you get when you combine big-budget superhero films with a few re-imaginations of age-old classics? A bloody good year of movies, that’s what.
We were pretty spoilt in 2018, with the big franchises releasing successful hits such as Avengers: Infinity War, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and most recently, Aquaman. So what does 2019 have in store for us?
Here are the films I’m most excited about.
Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel is the Marvel Studios’ first female-led superhero film (about time). Of course, that all adds to the hype, but check out the trailer and you’ll see that Brie Larson really steps up to the plate. She plays Carol Danvers, otherwise known as Captain Marvel, an ex-US Air Force fighter pilot gifted with superhuman strength. It looks set to be a blockbuster classic as Captain Marvel joins the alien Kree military team in the midst of an intergalactic fight between Earth and two other extra-terrestrial worlds.
Release date: March 2019
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
Marvel look set for a huge 2019 and second on my list is the latest instalment of the X-Men franchise, Dark Phoenix — a direct sequel to the 2016 X-Men: Apocalypse, in which the X-Men stood against the world-destroyer Apocalypse. In Dark Phoenix, the X-Men must face against the full power of the Dark Phoenix, as well as the alien Shi’ar empire. The lead role is Sophie Turner (of Game of Thrones fame) as Jean Grey (or the Dark Phoenix), a mutant who accidentally receives extreme power. She’s joined by an all-star lineup including James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Alexandra Shipp, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Evan Peters, Jessica Chastain. Gotta love the mutants.
Release date: June 2019
X-Men: The New Mutants
Another X-Men film?! Yep, although this one is a new take on the film series. A new cast of five young mutants discovers their abilities whilst being held in a sinister, secret facility. It looks darker than the original series but has the classic Marvel feel of escape and redemption. The cast also includes Charlie Heaton from Stranger Things. He looks set to become a real star.
Release date: August 2019
Star Wars: Episode IX
Not too much is known yet but we do know this will be the final instalment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Big question marks still remain on how the film will handle the character of Princess Leia, and what role Luke Skywalker will play.
Release date: December 2019
Godzilla II: King Of The Monsters
If you like monster films and epic battle scenes, you’ll like this. Godzilla II follows the agency named Monarch as its members take on a group of fearsome monsters, including Godzilla. Like the original, it seems Godzilla is fighting for the humans as he battles his ultimate nemesis, King Ghidorah (who has three heads). Add Millie Bobby-Brown from Stranger Things to the cast and it looks set to be a must-see-in-the-cinema kinda film.
Release date: May 2019
Endgame
Marvel is back once more after they released the first trailer for Endgame. So many rumours are flying around about the storyline following the mass killing of superheroes in the third instalment. But as we see in the trailer, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is adrift in space while his colleagues Captain America (Chris Evans) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) try to come up with a plan to save him. The third film, Avengers, was a roaring success, finishing with a huge ending (if you still haven’t seen it, sort it out), so big things will be expected from this. Plus, it will be the end to the Marvel series as we know it.
Release date: April 2019
Aladdin
Who wouldn’t want to see the retelling of one of the most classic Disney films of all time? Will Smith, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott star in this modern reboot.
Release date: May 2019
The Lion King
Similarly to Aladdin, this looks set to be a huge film in 2019. What wouldn’t you love about a CGI and live-action remake of the 1994 Disney classic? Plus, Beyonce joins Seth Rogan and Donald Glover on the cast. Goes without saying that big things will be expected, and given the style of the film, this is a must-watch in the cinema. Ahhh Zabenyaaa.
Release date: July 2019
Serenity
One of my favourite actors, Matthew McConaughey, and one of my favourite actresses, Anne Hathaway, team up in this mysterious thriller. It’s about a woman who wants her ex-husband to ‘take out’ her current, violent husband to save her and their son. A case of what’s right and what’s wrong.
Release date: March 2019
Toy Story 4
Yep, they are back. Almost 25 years after their first appearance, Buzz, Woody, Mr Potato Head and co. are now in the possession of a new owner, Bonnie. As always, expect adventure, and while Disney is playing it coy so far, what we do know is a new toy called ‘Forky’ will set the wheels in motion to show Woody how big the world can be for a toy.
Release date: June 2019
Brightburn
I love the look of this as it’s a dark take on the hugely successful superhero narrative. Starring Elizabeth Banks, the film focuses on the life of an alien who crashes to Earth, in the shape of a baby boy. A caring couple who desperately want a baby see him as a sign and take him in, but as he gets older, his mysterious powers grow in… very dark ways.
Release date: May 2019
Ones to watch out for:
Triple Frontier
Why? Look at the cast. Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Oscar Issac, Pedro Pascal, Garret Hedlund and Adria Arjona is like one hell of a heady mix.
The Intruder
Why? Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy (one of my favourite actors) and Meagan Good combine in a messed up thriller. Love it.
Men in Black
Why? Ermmm because it’s a reboot of Men In Black (minus Will Smith)… Dur.
Joker
Why? We don’t know much at this stage, but because Joaquin Phoenix (who I’ll always love since his epic performance in the Gladiator) takes on one of the most iconic movie villains of all time.
Us
A potential horror of the year? Starring award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o.
What’s on your watch list for 2019?
