Synopsis: A young girl is transported into a magical world of gingerbread soldiers and an army of mice.
Starring: Mackenzie Foy, Kiera Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren
Director: Lasse Hallstrom, Joe Johnston
Release: November 2
It is no secret that I am always excited about any movie produced and released by Disney, and just in time for next holiday season, the Mouse House is bringing its own unique twist to the classic tale of The Nutcracker. With 2016's The Jungle Book and 2017's Beauty and the Beast being among my favorite films of the last two years, Disney's recent live action success has made it nearly impossible to exclude this film in my top twenty most anticipated list for the upcoming calendar year. When Disney decides to tell a story, I will forever be there at the theater on opening day to witness these masterful filmmakers work their magic. The story of The Nutcracker is worth the price of admission alone for me, and the promising first trailer showcased the mesmerizing visual effects that will accompany the story. Plus, the cast of this film is awesome, including incomparable veterans Freeman and Mirren and newcomer Foy. I am especially looking forward to seeing Knightley's performance as she has become one of my favorite actresses over the last few years, due mostly to my growing admiration for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Ultimately, though, The Nutcracker, well, cracks my top twenty (I apologize for that cheap pun...) because this is a Disney film, and as it will become blatantly obvious throughout this list, when Disney is involved, my excitement immediately skyrockets.
19. Ocean's Eight
Synopsis: Debbie Ocean gathers a crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City's yearly Met Gala.
Director: Gary Ross
Release: June 8
Movies that feature a massive celebrity ensemble of a cast always seem to pique my interest regardless of genre, and Ocean's Eight is no exception. As a huge fan of the original Ocean's Eleven trilogy with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and company, the prospect of new filmmakers taking that concept and adding their own artistry to it is something to certainly be excited for. In this case, director Gary Ross takes the reigns for this female-led reboot of the franchise, and Ross's inclusion is one of the primary reasons this film makes this list. His biggest claim-to-fame thus far in his career is that he directed the first installment of The Hunger Games franchise to worldwide acclaim. His ability to balance drama with action is exquisite, and he was instrumental in characterizing the main protagonist of those films, Katniss Everdeen, to become a global icon. Now, he gets to blend drama and action once more while simultaneously characterizing eight brand new characters for audiences around the globe. Of course, he'll have some major help in bringing these characters to life as Ocean's Eight features some of the most talented actresses currently working in Hollywood, with Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter, and Rihanna, among others, joining the quartet mentioned above. The solid first trailer included some genuine comedy, high stakes, and intriguing character dynamics, so count me in for Ocean's Eight.
18. Venom
Synopsis: The plot is unknown at the time of this writing.
Starring: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Woody Harrelson
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Release: October 5
Upon first hearing about a standalone film focused on perhaps the best Spider-Man villain of all-time starring the incredible Tom Hardy, I was beyond ecstatic. When I began to hear all the details surrounding how this film will be set-up, though, I would be lying if I said my excitement didn't diminish quite a bit. You see, Venom is a classic comic book antagonist who was wrongfully shoehorned into Spider-Man 3 in 2007. As my admiration for the Spider-Man universe has grown ever since then, I found myself longing to see Venom receive some silver screen justice, preferably in a Spidey-centric film. However, 2018's Venom will not feature the webslinger whatsoever, which means that a villain will be without its protagonist. Don't get me wrong: I am not saying that the production of Venom should be shut down instantly until the studio forces Spider-Man to be involved as well, but I do feel a little cheated in not being able to see Venom battle Peter Parker on the big screen like we deserve. All that being said, though, once I remove my emotional fandom from the equation (as difficult as that may be), Venom has the makings of being a truly great film. Hardy is such a wonderful actor who should absolutely slay this role, and the talent around him is equally impressive. Plus, since Spider-Man is not starring in this movie, a comic book villain receiving the full spotlight could lead to a dark, gritty movie that can boldly go where no comic book movie has gone before, and that prospect is an immensely enticing one.
17. A Wrinkle in Time
Synopsis: After the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend to space in order to find him.
Director: Ava DuVernay
Release: March 9
I could basically just copy and paste my explanation from The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, edit some names and minor descriptions, and offer it as my reason for excitement looking ahead to A Wrinkle in Time. Like the aforementioned Knightley-led fantasy film, A Wrinkle in Time tells a classic story (based on the beloved novel by Madeline L'Engle) with a modern twist featuring gorgeous visual effects; it also stars bonafide superstars (Witherspoon and Winfrey, among others), and is being produced by Disney to be a spring blockbuster. As evidenced by the incredible first trailer, this film looks to challenge the status quo for family entertainment by proclaiming messages through a thought-provoking plot, and it proves that Disney is still more than capable of taking risks. Director Ava DuVernay became a household name in 2014 with the excellent Selma, and now, she has been given the reigns to a massive blockbuster, and that prospect alone has raised my excitement quite significantly. Plus, she is going to directing some immensely talented actors and actresses as I am thrilled to see Chris Pine working with Disney again and am intrigued to see Winfrey, an underrated actress, spread her wings in what seems to be the leading adult character for the film. A Wrinkle in Time has all the potential to be a dynamic, thoroughly entertaining hit for Disney.
16. Christoper Robin
Synopsis: Working-class family man Christopher Robin encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.
Director: Marc Forster
Release: August 3
Some have expressed their disdain for Disney's recent trend of adapting its most beloved animated films to the live action format with remakes such as Alice in Wonderland and Maleficent. However, I could not disagree more and am always beyond excited to see which classic story the studio will bring to life next as each live action remake, in my humble opinion, has been superb and worth the investment from the Mouse House. Next on the docket is a new story featuring our favorite characters from the Hundred Acre Wood in Christopher Robin. While much is unknown about the story of this film outside of a few minor details (we have yet to get an official image or trailer), the idea behind this film could lead to an entertaining and emotional film for the young and young at heart. Ewan McGregor is a great actor who deserves more starring roles (get that Obi-Wan Kenobi standalone film going, Lucasfilm!), and Disney has given him a role that should provide him with a fantastic opportunity to showcase his talent. Furthermore, Hayley Atwell is a hidden gem of Hollywood who needs to be a household name pronto, and with Christopher Robin, hopefully the script gives her a proper chance to shine. Plus, just seeing Pooh, Tigger, and the rest of the gang on the big screen again should be an amazing treat filled with wonder and charm, so August 3 needs to get here as quickly as possible.
15. Creed 2
Synopsis: Adonis Creed tries to seek revenge when he goes toe to toe with the man who killed his father.
Director: Steven Caple Jr.
Release: November 21
In 2015, Creed took me completely by surprise as it became one of my favorite films of recent memory. It was the kind of sequel/reboot of a beloved franchise from yesteryear that could have been disastrous, but director Ryan Coogler brought a genuine story to the table that was definitely worth telling to a new generation of moviegoers. It was a movie that essentially no one was asking for, but upon seeing it, we were all grateful for its existence. Michael B. Jordan officially announced himself as a superstar with his amazing portrayal of Adonis Creed, and it was an absolute treat to see Sly Stallone channel Rocky Balboa once again in one of the best performances of his career. Now, in 2018, we get a sequel to the sequel no one was asking for as we get to see whether or not Jordan and Stallone can catch lightning in a bottle yet again. If Ryan Coogler was coming back to direct Creed 2 (he was a little busy with a certain Marvel movie I'll mention later), this film would be much higher on this list given the cast and the storyline. However, the unknown talent of director Steven Caple Jr. has caused Creed 2 to fall lower on this list than I originally anticipated. Creed 2 is the first time we'll see him behind the camera of a major studio production, so therein lies the reasoning for my hesitation to rank this one higher on the list. Of course, every great director has to get their start somewhere, and I am hoping that Creed 2 propels Caple to superstar status just as its predecessor did for Coogler.
14. Ready Player One
Synopsis: When the creator of a virtual reality world called the OASIS dies, he releases a video in which he challenges all OASIS users to find his Easter Egg, which will give the finder his fortune. Wade Watts finds the first clue and starts a race for the Egg.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Release: March 30
I could go on and on about the merits of this film that have spiked my anticipation over the past few months. The first trailer grabbed my attention and never let go while the subsequent marketing tools have only heightened my excitement. Moreover, I recently purchased the book that Ready Player One is based on, a worldwide bestseller from author Ernest Cline that is filled with endless possibilities for the silver screen (I have not read the book yet, unfortunately...maybe I should get on that...). Based on the story description above, this film has all the potential to be an extremely entertaining blockbuster for everyone of every age. I could also mention that the cast is an awesome one, featuring relative newcomer Sheridan going up against seasoned professionals Mendelsohn (in a seemingly villainous role) and recent Oscar-winner Rylance. However, the primary reason I am excited for Ready Player One is that Steven Spielberg is directing it. Without question, Spielberg is my favorite director of all-time as part of his filmography is basically a top ten list of my favorite movies in the history of cinema. Every time he announces a new project, it becomes not a question of if it will make my Top 20 Most Anticipated Films list, but where it will make my Top 20 Most Anticipated Films list. To see the masterful legend back at work in blockbuster territory is an exceedingly enlivening prospect with the potential for this film to rank among the best of the decade, not just the best of 2018.
13. Aquaman
Synopsis: Arthur Curry learns that he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and must step forward to lead his people and to be a hero to the world.
Director: James Wan
Release: December 21
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me; fool me more than twice, and, well, shame on humanity. The brutal, undesirable reality is that DC Comics has made five movies since 2013 in their recent attempt to emulate the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and they've only produced one truly great film in 2017's Wonder Woman. The first installment in the DC Extended Universe, 2013's Man of Steel, was a mixed bag that leaned towards being pretty good, and the studio's massive collaboration event Justice League was aggressively fine. However, the other two films, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, are simply bad movies that possess very few redeeming qualities. So why do I even have their next effort, Aquaman, on this list in the first place given DC's spotty track record? In short, the potential uniqueness of this literal fish-out-of-water story just might be strange enough for DC to pull off. Plus, Zack Snyder's influence over the larger DCEU seems to be diminishing daily, which is undoubtedly an overdue development given his struggles with Batman v. Superman and Justice League. With Aquaman, we get fresh voices and a more talented director to helm the origin story of the weirdest comic book character in the DC canon. James Wan has proven himself to be more than capable of crafting a great blockbuster given his success with The Conjuring franchise and the immensely entertaining Furious 7. Jason Momoa was also one of the few highlights from Justice League, so being able to see him front and center in a starring role is really exciting. My faith in you is small, DC, but I would love nothing more than to be proven wrong.
12. Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2
Synopsis: Six years after the events of Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph and Vanellope, now friends, discover a wi-fi router in their arcade, leading them into a new adventure.
Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack MacBrayer, Jane Lynch
Director: Rich Moore, Phil Johnston
Release: November 21
The theme of "Disney is making a movie, so I'm all in" continues as the Mouse House presents their next animated feature with this one being a sequel to the superbly entertaining hit from 2012, Wreck-It Ralph. This sequel's predecessor has everything you could want and expect from a Disney animated film: hilarity, heart, and hubris. Countless bursts of laughter followed the zany and nostalgic jokes found throughout this endearing story about a villain trying to find his true place in the world, and Wreck-It Ralph stands as one of Disney's most original, bold, and daring animated features of the past decade. Naturally, given the world of technology that Ralph and company reside in, a sequel was destined to transpire, and in 2018, that sequel finally arrives as we leave the world of video games and head straight to the World Wide Web. The original quartet of voice actors mentioned above are back, which is obviously a great thing considering how sensational they all were in Wreck-It Ralph, and in this sequel, they are now joined by the original voice actors of the modern day Disney princesses (Kristen Bell, Mandy Moore, Jodi Benson, and Anika Nona Rose, among many others) as the likes of Anna, Rapunzel, Ariel, Tiana, and more join Ralph and Vanellope on this new quest through the Internet. It is yet to be revealed how integral the princesses will be in the storyline of the film, but regardless, this shows that Disney is once again going big and bold with their animated films. I'm not crazy about the title of the movie (did it make too much sense to call it Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet), but when the title of the movie is my only concern and the only reason to temper expectations, you have all the components to create another homerun from Disney.
11. Mission: Impossible 6
Synopsis: The plot is unknown at the time of this writing.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Henry Cavill, Simon Pegg
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Release: July 27
There are very few genuine movie stars in existence in the modern era of Hollywood. A movie star is defined by someone who by his or her name alone can draw a crowd to the theater to watch their movie regardless of story or genre (Dwayne Johnson and Chris Pratt are two recent examples of movie stars, for instance). Perhaps the most bankable and recognizable movie stars of multiple generations has been Tom Cruise, who can act in a straight-up drama (Rain Man, A Few Good Men) just as impressively as he can act in a comedy (Tropic Thunder, Knight & Day) and an action-packed film (Jack Reacher, War of the Worlds). His superstar-making role, though, came when he landed the lead of Ethan Hunt in Brian De Palma's 1996 spy thriller, Mission: Impossible. Over two decades later, Cruise and the M:I has never been more popular as each installment in the franchise seems to always improve upon its predecessor. The fifth film, Rogue Nation, was yet another series highlight after the fourth one, Ghost Protocol, was christened the franchise highlight just a few years before Rogue Nation. Needless to say, anticipation and excitement is really high for this sixth installment as this film sees series favorite Pegg, Michelle Monaghan, and Ving Rhames unite with newcomers Rebecca Ferguson (the star of Rogue Nation), Alec Baldwin, and, Superman himself, Henry Cavill in what is probably his most high-profile role outside of the DCEU. Director Christopher McQuarrie did a magnificent job directing Cruise in Jack Reacher and Rogue Nation, so the chemistry between these two geniuses will certainly be on display in what should be another spectacularly entertaining addition to this beloved franchise.
10. Fantastic Beasts and the Crimes of Grindelwald
Synopsis: The second installment of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series which follows the adventures of Newt Scamander.
Director: David Yates
Release: November 16
I was cautiously optimistic about the prospects of a Harry Potter prequel series that had nothing to do with the core group of witches and wizards we grew to love throughout the epic saga. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in 2016 as the world was properly introduced to the extraordinary talent of Eddie Redmayne (if they hadn't discovered those talents already in such films as Les Miserables and The Theory of Everything). He is spectacular as one new leading character, Newt Scamander, and I am very intrigued to see what he does in this highly anticipated sequel. Furthermore, Katherine Waterston was equally impressive in this sequel's predecessor as she became a superstar thanks to the wizarding world. I know the casting of Johnny Depp has created some unfortunate controversy surrounding this film, but putting his personal life aside, I believe Depp is still an insanely talented actor who can absolutely knock the role of Grindelwald out of the park. I could be wrong, but I'm really hoping to be right. The real star, though, of the Fantastic Beasts series is the incomparable J.K. Rowling, who expertly penned the script for the series's first installment and will do so again for this film. She has created a world that everyone just wants to inhabit and reside in, and any opportunity we get to return to that world is destined to be a genuine treat for moviegoers of all ages.
9. First Man
Synopsis: A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
Director: Damien Chazelle
Release: October 12
As you can tell from this list, I am a huge fan of Hollywood blockbusters. From franchises to cinematic universes, when studios go big, you can almost always find me rushing to the theater as quickly as possible to witness it all for myself. However, every once in a while, a smaller, lower-budgeted film comes along that causes my excitement and anticipation to peak as it ultimately cracks the top ten of this list, and this year, First Man has my complete and undivided attention. Director Damien Chazelle has become one of my favorite directors currently working in Hollywood thanks to his extraordinary work on 2014's Whiplash and 2016's La La Land. His prolific talent for writing and directing is so great that whatever story he wants to tackle next, I have no doubt in my mind that he will craft a masterpiece of a movie. Chazelle is a prodigy, and to see him tackle the biopic of Neil Armstrong should be a memorable experience. Just as Chazelle has become one of my favorite directors, Ryan Gosling has become one of my favorite actors working in the business thanks to his work in La La Land and 2017's Blade Runner 2049. His charisma and comedic chops are complemented brilliantly by his understated ability to channel legitimate drama when the scene calls for it. Armstrong's life and career could provide Gosling with the role of a lifetime given the fact that Armstrong lived a truly exceptional life that deserves the Hollywood treatment. With Chazelle and Gosling teaming up once more, First Man could not only be a major Oscar contender next season, but could very well be one of the best biopics of the modern era.
8. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Synopsis: When the island's dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.
Director: J.A. Bayona
Release: June 22
Since I have already revealed my admiration for director Steven Spielberg, I guess it should now come as no surprise to you that his classic film Jurassic Park is one of my favorite movies of all-time. The deft blend of awestruck wonder, groundbreaking visuals, and subtle elements of horror combined to create a masterpiece of epic proportions. Therefore, when it was announced that we'd be getting an overdue sequel/reboot of the beloved franchise with 2015's Jurassic World, I was beyond ecstatic. Furthermore, after seeing Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, Chris Pratt immediately became one of my favorite actors in the business, so the prospect of seeing Pratt inhabit the world of Spielberg's dinosaur-invested universe was almost too much to handle. The result was Jurassic World, a remarkably entertaining film that proved that audiences really dig dinosaurs and Chris Pratt as a leading man. Now, in 2018, the sequel to this sequel comes in the form of Fallen Kingdom, and after seeing the intriguing first trailer, the filmmakers have seemingly embraced those signature horror elements of the series on a massive, blockbuster-style scale, which is an interesting direction for the series to go. Director J.A. Bayona is a young, but capable filmmaker who has proved his ability to handle Hollywood monsters with genuine heart (see A Monster Calls if you don't believe me). Let's be honest, though: if you're excited for this movie, your excitement stems strictly from two specific reasons: seeing Chris Pratt on the silver screen again and seeing dinosaurs fight other dinosaurs for two hours during the summer blockbuster season.
7. X-Men: Dark Phoenix
Synopsis: Jean Grey begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix. Now the X-Men will have to decide if the life of a team member is worth more than all the people living in the world.
Director: Simon Kinberg
Release: November 2
While I was obviously thrilled to hear of the news regarding Disney's purchase of 21st Century Fox, allowing the Fantastic Four, Deadpool, and the X-Men to finally join forces with Iron Man, Captain America, and the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I must admit to feeling a tad disappointed as well. In a perfect world scenario, the X-Men cast as currently constructed would simply stay on board and continue bringing their characters to life in the MCU, but I am fully aware that this is not how Hollywood contracts work. A new cast of mutants will probably be hired once the Disney/Fox merger is complete in order to differentiate the universes. Therefore, X-Men: Dark Phoenix could very well be the end of McAvoy, Fassbender, and Lawrence leading our favorite group of mutants, a well-warranted grand finale for an immensely talented group of actors and actresses who deserve to go out in a blaze of glory. If this is the end for this cast, I want Dark Phoenix to be the best X-Men movie yet, and this one has all the potential to be just that. Ever since Fox decided to reboot the X-Men franchise in 2011 with First Class, I have rediscovered my love and admiration for the X-Men after a dry spell of mediocrity that included X:Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. With this new cast, the filmmakers were able to recapture the magic of the franchise's first two installments, and that continued in the subsequent sequel, Days of Future Past (Apocalypse was fine, but nothing special, unfortunately). Now, in Dark Phoenix, this version of the X-Men will tell the story of one of the most famous storylines in X-Men comic book history as the ever-powerful Jean Gray is thrust into the spotlight once and for all. This story is considered by comic book aficionados to be a genuine classic, so I am super excited to see series veteran Simon Kinberg bring it to life for the world to see alongside this supremely talented cast.
6. Ant-Man and the Wasp
Synopsis: As Scott Lang balances being both a Super Hero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past.
Director: Peyton Reed
Release: July 6
One of the greatest achievements in modern cinema is the sustained success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When the ambitious plan was launched in 2008 with the release of Iron Man, nobody other than studio chief Kevin Feige could have possibly predicted the critical and financial prosperity that Iron Man, Captain America, and company would reap for Marvel. The superhero behemoth has been able to retain a loyal audience for nearly a decade now due to its willingness to try something new every now and then, and in 2015, Marvel released perhaps their most daring film yet due to its insanely weird premise: Ant-Man. If Marvel could make comedic sidekick Paul Rudd a viable leading man as a hero who is capable of mustering superhuman strength while being the size of an ant, then Marvel could officially do anything. The final result was a hilarious film full of heart and tremendous performances, a film that took everyone completely by surprise by how much they found themselves enjoying it. Now, in 2018. Marvel looks to build on that success with a sequel that will expand Evangeline Lilly's role as The Wasp to a co-lead alongside Rudd's Ant-Man, and I couldn't be more excited to see the final product. Director Peyton Reed was brought on board for this sequel's predecessor late in the game after Edgar Wright left the project due to creative differences, meaning he had to blend his vision with Wright's original vision. This time around, though, it is his show from the start, and I fully anticipate that he will produce another hit for Marvel. I love everything about the MCU as my excitement spikes every time I walk into a theater to watch one of their movies, and Ant-Man and the Wasp is truly no exception. I am pumped to see these characters back in action as they continue the incredibly connected storyline of the superhero dynasty.
5. Mary Poppins Returns
Synopsis: In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael's three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.
Director: Rob Marshall
Release: December 25
Without hesitation, I proudly admit that Walt Disney's classic film Mary Poppins is my favorite movie of all-time. From the iconic songs from the Sherman Brothers to the visual spectacle of blending the live action and animated elements to the unrivaled performances of Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, it exemplifies pure Disney magic and stands as Walt's grand masterpiece for the ages. I hold this movie in such high regard that when Disney initially announced Mary Poppins Returns as sequel to the 1964 film, I voiced my skepticism for the project in unison with thousands of diehard Disney fans from around the world. Mary Poppins is such a perfect movie that does not inherently need a sequel, so why was Disney planning to take us back Cherry Tree Lane without any prompting from fans to do so? Of course, the cynical answer is that the studio likes to make money, and this movie will undoubtedly pull a profit, but as I began to think about the prospects for Returns, the more I found myself not only taking myself in to it, but I also found my excitement level rising with every passing thought of the upcoming film. I believe that story is still paramount at Disney, so I expect Returns to tell a worthwhile story that strongly justifies the film's mere existence. Plus, the talent that Disney has assembled for this film is truly spectacular. While no one can surpass Andrews' iconic performance, Emily Blunt is definitely more than capable of bringing the world a genuinely memorable performance as everyone's favorite nanny. Furthermore, I am thrilled to see Lin-Manuel Miranda star in his first major role post-Hamilton as he attempts to channel his inner Van Dyke and give us a endearing performance. Director Rob Marshall is also well-versed in producing a massive Hollywood musical (his film Chicago won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2003), and having him direct this phenomenal cast should lead to a cinematic experience that only Disney could offer.
4. Black Panther
Synopsis: T'Challa, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king.
Director: Ryan Coogler
Release: February 16
As I alluded to earlier, now is the time that I get to talk about director Ryan Coogler. While still a relatively new talent in Hollywood, the impact he has made on the movie industry has been quite extraordinary thanks to his breakout hit Fruitvale Station and his commercial breakthrough Creed. Coogler's ability to deftly balance raw human emotion with drama and action is a skill that few young directors possess. Naturally, whenever I heard that Marvel had hired him to direct one of their movies, I was pumped beyond belief. Then, when I heard that he would be directing the long-awaited Black Panther standalone film, I immediately knew that this movie could reach to new heights for my beloved superhero studio. T'Challa/Black Panther was wonderfully introduced in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, and in a film that is packed with hero upon hero, Chadwick Boseman's King of Wakanda was a true revelation, a highlight in a film full of highlights (Boseman and Tom Holland's Spider-Man are genuine scene-stealers). The consensus among Marvel fans after Civil War was that this Black Panther movie simply couldn't get here soon enough, and with every new trailer released by the studio, anticipation has risen exponentially. It looks as if Coogler and company have crafted a totally different Marvel movie, a potential game-changer when it comes to how the studio handles their standalone origin films going forward. Not only does it look visually stunning, but the cast surrounding Boseman may easily be Marvel's finest to date. In addition to the four mentioned above (Jordan is the movie's villain...I mean, come on now!), Forest Whitaker, Daniel Kaluuya, Andy Serkis, Sterling K. Brown, and Martin Freeman will visit Wakanda as well. Simply put, Black Panther has it all, from the proven studio to the director to the cast to the production value. This movie should truly be epic.
3. The Incredibles 2
Synopsis: Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) is left to care for Jack-Jack while Helen (Elastigirl) is out saving the world.
Director: Brad Bird
Release: June 15
Pixar's original films are almost universally praised as groundbreaking stories that are among the best in cinema regardless of genre. From the studio's debut film Toy Story to their most recent masterpiece in Coco, Pixar thrives when they are allowing their imaginations to soar through unique storytelling and fresh ideas. Pixar's sequels, though, have fans and critics alike more split on their merit. On one hand, when Pixar gets a sequel right, they really get it right. Films such as Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 prove that sequels can be just as innovative as the originals. Movies such as Monsters University (I know it's a prequel, but just work with me here) and Finding Dory show that even middle-of-the-road Pixar is still better than most animated studio offerings. However, the general consensus seems to be that Pixar's worst film to date is a sequel: Cars 2. All that being said, fans approach a new Pixar sequel the same we approach any sequel by any studio: with a sense of cautious optimism. We love to go back to the world created by the original film, but we also don't want the sequel to ruin our fond memory of the original. With that in mind, though, I think we can all agree that if a Pixar original movie deserved and frankly demanded a sequel, it was the classic superhero family film The Incredibles, and in 2018, after fourteen long years of waiting, we finally get the sequel we all need as we rejoin the adventures of the Parr family in the world created by mastermind Brad Bird. The whole gang is back together as the roles have seemingly been reversed for the sequel since the story description indicates that Helen/Elastigirl will be the lead character while Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible will be a supporting one. In all reality, I don't really care what the character dynamics or the storyline is going to be for The Incredibles 2. I am just ecstatic that Brad Bird is back working with Pixar (his films The Incredibles and Ratatouille are two of my favorite movies of all-time, Pixar or otherwise), and I cannot wait to see what this cinematic genius has in store for us after all the years of waiting to see who in the world the Underminer is and what exactly are Jack-Jack's powers.
2. Solo: A Star Wars Story
Synopsis: Han Solo and Chewbacca's adventures before joining the Rebellion, including their early encounters with Lando Calrissian.
Director: Ron Howard
Release: May 25
Long before Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, I was already a humongous fan of the Star Wars universe. Therefore, when the Mouse House pulled the trigger and Lucasfilm officially became a subsidiary of Disney, it was a genuine match made in heaven in my nerdy mind. Since the acquisition, Disney/Lucasfilm has produced three Star Wars movies, and each hold a special place in my heart as some of my personal favorite movies ever made. J.J. Abrams's The Force Awakens transported me back to the universe I had grown up loving in a fresh yet familiar way that introduced everyone to an excited new cast of character who interact with our iconic heroes from the original trilogy. The first anthology film, Rogue One, took a story I had always been fascinated by and brought it to the big screen to rousing success, and most recently, Rian Johnson crafted a bold, daring, hilarious, and heartfelt film with The Last Jedi, which in my book is the best Star Wars film since The Empire Strikes Back. Now, in 2018, we journey back to that galaxy far, far away and find ourselves nestled in the time period of Rogue One between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope as we witness the origins of everyone's favorite stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder: Han Solo. While some may complain that this story does not need to be told as a full-fledged standalone film, I find myself wholeheartedly disagreeing since we know very little about Han prior to him arriving on the scene in the Mos Eisley Cantina in the original film. How did he meet Chewbacca, and why are they such good friends? What's the background of his relationship with Lando? How did he acquire the Millennium Falcon? What exactly is a Kessel Run? To me, there are so many questions that need to be answered in Solo, and I cannot wait to see what Lucasfilm has in store for us with this next anthology film. Much has been written about the behind-the-scenes directorial problems for this film, but I have too much faith in Lucasfilm as a creative entity to believe that Solo is bound to suffer tremendously from the turmoil. This cast is too awesome (Glover as Lando is perfect...Clarke as, well, anyone is perfect), Ron Howard is an underrated auteur, and plus, this is a new Star Wars movie, for crying out loud. Just being able to live in this galaxy again for a couple of hours is enough to get me excited for Solo.
1. Avengers: Infinity War
Synopsis: The Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo
Director: Anthony and Joe Russo
Release: May 4
This is it: the beginning of the end for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it. From the moment when Tony Stark first proclaimed, "I am Iron Man," back in 2008 to the ultimate reveal of the Wakanda King, everything has led to Infinity War. We've been to Asgard, Nazi Germany, Knowhere, the Quantum Realm, Kamar-Taj, plus so much more, and now, the Kevin Feige-culmination event of a lifetime is mere months away from unleashing its Thanos-led awesomeness on the world. With Infinity War finally getting ready to hit theaters, the entire emotional payoff of the MCU that has been a decade in the making is drawing nigh for diehard and casual fans alike. If you thought Civil War had a ton of characters in it, just wait until you see the cast for Infinity War, which unites every main and supporting character in the MCU to defend Earth from the mad titan, Thanos. Over the course of the MCU, Thanos's looming presence has been teased in small scenes here and there, but in 2018, he will finally take up his Infinity Gauntlet and head to Earth to fight our beloved Avengers, and I cannot wait to see what mayhem he will unleash. The Russo brothers and Kevin Feige himself have hinted that this movie will feature Josh Brolin's Thanos just as much, if not more, than it will feature the Avengers, and rightfully so considering that if all of these heroes are coming together to fight a singular villain, you better make sure that the villain poses a severe, potentially world-altering threat. As evidenced by the terrific teaser trailer for Infinity War, this film is going to be a massive blockbuster that will undoubtedly entertain en route to being a cinematic experience that could define an entire generation of moviegoers and comic book fanatics. If Marvel can stick the landing over the next couple of years with what is left on the schedule for the current MCU, it will easily be the greatest achievement by a studio in the history of Hollywood. I have been with the MCU since day one, so it really goes without saying that my excitement for Infinity War rises each and every day, therefore leading to it coming in at #1 on my list as my most anticipated film of 2018.
