2019 Movie Preview: 29 Movies You Need to See This Year, From 'Avengers: Endgame' to 'Star Wars'
You're probably still busy getting caught up on all the major 2018 movie releases. Well, we've got good and bad news. 2019 is shaping up to be even more jam-packed. From epic superhero movies to remakes of Disney animated favorites, here are all the movies to look for in 2019.
'Glass' (Jan. 18)
2017's "Split" wasn't just a return to form for director M. Night Shyamalan, it also teased a major crossover with 2000's "Unbreakable." That crossover is finally arriving, as Samuel L. Jackson, James McAvoy and Bruce Willis all return for the ultimate clash of hero and villains.
'The Kid Who Would Be King' (Jan. 25)
If Hollywood insists on constantly churning out new King Arthur movies, at least they can find new ways of shaking up the usual formula. This film stars Louis Ashbourne Serkis (son of Andy) as a boy who claims Excalibur and leads the modern day fight against the evil Morgan le Fay.
'Cold Pursuit' (Feb. 8)
No January can start out properly without a movie featuring Liam Neeson scowling and beating up thugs. This film casts Neeson as a grieving father determined to punish a drug cartel for murdering his son.
'LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part' (Feb. 8)
One of the most pleasant animated surprises of the past decade is finally returning for a sequel. "The LEGO Movie 2" reunites all the major characters of the original for a new adventure set in a post-apocalyptic LEGO wasteland, which we assume is still much nicer than a regular wasteland.
'Alita: Battle Angel' (Feb. 14)
This long-awaited manga adaptation got pushed back multiple times in 2018, which makes us a little nervous about the final product. Still, if anyone can do justice to the story of a cybernetic killer who just wants to be a normal girl, and prove that Hollywood can do justice to iconic anime and manga stories, it's director Robert Rodriguez.
'Happy Death Day 2U' (Feb. 14)
The original "Happy Death Day" was much better than it had any right to be. Is it possible to reuse that "Groundhog Day" horror movie formula without it becoming stale? We'll find out soon enough.
'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World' (Feb. 22)
DreamWorks is wrapping up the "How to Train Your Dragon" trilogy in 2019. This final sequel sees Hiccup take the reins as leader of Berk, only to face a even greater threat to both Viking and dragon-kind.
'Captain Marvel' (Mar. 8)
Before "Avengers: Endgame" hits, MCU fans still need to be introduced to the mighty Captain Marvel. This movie flashes back to the '90s and explores a heroine truly caught between two worlds. Could this wind up becoming Marvel's answer to "Wonder Woman"?
'Us' (Mar. 15)
Jordan Peele rocked the movie world with 2017's "Get Out," and he's back with a follow-up in March. "Us" stars Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke as a couple attempting to enjoy a relaxing getaway, only to be saddled with some very unwelcome visitors. A vague description, but we don't need to hear any more than that.
'Captive State' (Mar. 29)
Originally due for release in August 2018, we'll have to wait until March 2019 to see the next sci-fi epic from "War for the Planet of the Apes" director Rupert Wyatt. This film unfolds a decade after the start of an alien occupation and explores life on both sides of the conflict.
'Dumbo' (Mar. 29)
We hope you're not tired of live-action Disney remakes, because there are plenty in store for 2019. First out of the gate is "Dumbo," with the inimitable Tim Burton lending his touch to a classic (and very traumatizing) animated Disney classic.
'Shazam!' (Apr. 5)
The DCEU continues its shift in a more lighthearted direction with the release of "Shazam!". Picture a superhero-flavored riff on "Big" and you have a pretty good idea of what to expect here. Asher Angel stars as Billy Batson, a surly teen orphan who gains the power to transform into a super-strong adult (Zachary Levi) when he speaks his magic word.
'Missing Link' (Apr. 12)
Animation lovers will be thrilled to know that there's a new film on the way from French studio Laika. This new adventure stars Hugh Jackman as an explorer determined to prove the existence of a mythical, Bigfoot-like creature named Mr. Link.
'Avengers: Endgame' (Apr. 26)
"Avengers: Infinity War" ended on a pretty dramatic cliffhanger, leaving half the MCU dead and Thanos victorious. "Endgame" wraps up this story as the battered remnants of the team rally together and find a way to avenge the countless millions Thanos murdered. Plus, we'll finally get to see Captain Marvel join the team.
'Aladdin' (May 24)
The second of Disney's three big live-action remakes for 2019, "Aladdin" offers a whole new look at the titular thief and his magic lamp. Look for a mix of old and new songs, and Will Smith taking over the role of the Genie from the late Robin Williams.
'BrightBurn' (May 24)
James Gunn may have cut ties with Marvel, but he's not done making superhero movies by any stretch. This dark twist on the classic Superman origin story stars Elizabeth Banks and David Denman as a couple who adopt an extraterrestrial baby and discover the horrifying power hiding beneath its cute facade.
'Godzilla: King of the Monsters' (May 31)
2014's "Godzilla" was a visual stunner, if not much else. We're hopeful this sequel can do a better job of combining massive spectacle with a compelling story. The cast (both in terms of the actors and the monsters themselves) certainly suggests a memorable clash between humanity and atomic beasts.
'Dark Phoenix' (June 7)
The next entry in the series that began with 2011's "X-Men: First Class" could also wind up being the very last X-Men movie from Fox. "Dark Phoenix" attempts to do right by an iconic comic book story that was so thoroughly manhandled in 2006's "X-Men: The Last Stand." We're hopeful that Fox's decision to bump the release until the highly competitive summer months is a strong show of confidence.
'Men In Black International' (June 14)
Neither "Men In Black" sequel managed to come close to the 1997 original, but perhaps this spinoff can succeed where others have failed. The fact that "MIB International" reunites the terrific tag-team duo of Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth is a huge selling point all in its own.
'Toy Story 4' (June 21)
The "Toy Story" series is one of the rare few that just keeps getting better with each new installment. Can the fourth movie keep that trend going? We'll see. This sequel introduces Tony Hale as a homemade toy named Forky, one whose inability to accept his own existence will compel our heroes to embark on another dangerous road trip.
'Spider-Man: Far From Home' (July 5)
Marvel isn't exactly hiding the fact that at least some of the dead heroes from "Avengers: Infinity War" will be returning to life in "Endgame." Tom Holland's Peter Parker will be back in action in this follow-up to 2017's "Spider-Man: Homecoming." While Peter is hoping to relax during a class trip to Europe, the rise of Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) promises to put a major damper in his plans.
'The Lion King' (July 19)
"The Lion King" caps off Disney's trio of live-action remakes for 2019. It promises to be the most technically ambitious of the bunch, which makes us all the more glad "The Jungle Book" director Jon Favreau signed on see this adaptation through.
'Hobbs & Shaw' (Aug. 2)
Two of the most popular recurring characters in the "Fast and Furious" series are getting their own spinoff next summer. "Hobbs & Shaw" sends these former rivals-turned-reluctant allies on a new mission, one pitting them against a villain played by Idris Elba. Could this be the series' biggest moneymaker yet?
'It: Chapter Two' (Sep. 6)
2017's "It" became both one of the highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time and one of the most highly regarded Stephen King adaptations. However, it only told half the story. This sequel will jump forward to the present day, as the surviving members of the Losers Club are forced to confront Pennywise all over again and finally end his reign of terror.
'Joker' (Oct. 4)
Many comic book fans consider the very idea of giving Joker an origin story to be sacrilege. Not that that ever stopped Tim Burton in 1989's "Batman." We'll see if director Todd Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix can do justice to the Clown Prince of Crime in this '80s period piece that races how an ordinary guy becomes Batman's greatest nemesis.
'Zombieland 2' (Oct. 11)
The original "Zombieland" was another welcome reminder that zombies and slapstick comedy do indeed mix. After a failed attempt to expand onto TV, the series is headed back to the big screen just in time for its tenth anniversary. Better yet, it sounds like the entire original cast is returning (though probably not Bill Murray).
'Knives Out' (Nov. 27)
Sadly, there are no pics yet from the set of Rian Johnson's latest -- so this BTS image from "Last Jedi" will have to do. "Kbives Out" will be Johnson's take on the classic Agatha Christie/whodunit murder mystery, one marked by an all-star cast that includes Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Lakeith Stanfield, Michael Shannon, Ana de Armas, Don Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, and Christopher Plummer.
'Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 2' (Dec. 13)
2017's "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" turned out to be a surprise hit, especially coming right on the heels of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi." This time, the sequel will fire the first shot in 2019. This movie promises to reunite all four stars from the previous film for another wild romp.
'Star Wars: Episode IX' (Dec. 20)
The "Star Wars" sequel trilogy is due for an epic conclusion in late 2019. We don't know the plot or even the title of "Episode IX," but we do know that "The Force Awakens" director JJ.. Abrams is back in the saddle as he brings the story of Rey, Finn, Poe and the rest of these young heroes to a close. This is the first time Abrams has ever finished any of the big-screen trilogies he has been associated with, so fingers crossed he can provide a satisfying capper to this new trilogy.
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