So far there’s been a ton of spectacular blockbuster movies this year, from Christopher Nolan’s riveting WWII drama Dunkirk to big superhero entries like Spider-Man: Homecoming and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. But the year isn’t over, and the next four months are packed with new releases. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered. Grab some popcorn and take a look at the top five movies you can’t miss this year.
The Dark Tower (August 18 Release)
Scare maestro Stephen King has two movies hitting the big screen this year—a remake of the creepy clown classic IT, and the long-awaited adaptation of his eight-book fantasy saga, The Dark Tower. Set in the magical land of Mid-World, The Dark Tower is the entails the journey of Roland Deschain (Idris Elba), who is the last member of an order of knights known as Gunslingers. His quest is to find the Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey) and the Dark Tower itself, a relic that supposedly links all of the worlds in the multiverse together. This isn’t scary King, it’s epic King, and it’ll be interesting to see whether his Tolkien-esque tale delivers. Keep your eyes peeled for an August 18th release.
Blade Runner 2049 (October 6 Release)
It’s still hard to believe, but Blade Runner—arguably the most influential sci-fi film of all time—is finally getting a sequel. Helmed by Denis Villeneuve (Arrival), Blade Runner 2049 closely follows the lofty footprints laid by Ridley Scott’s masterpiece. Set thirty years after the events of the original, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling) is searching for the whereabouts of Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former Blade Runner who hunted and terminated illegal androids, or replicants, as a profession. Everything seems to be intact, from the rainy neon slums of LA to Egyptian inspired art design and the electro-synth score of Vangelis. Does Deckard dream about electric sheep? We’ll know soon enough.
Justice League (November 17 Release)
We’re in a golden age of superhero movies. Hot on the heels of the success of Wonder Woman, Warner Bros. latest blockbuster begins with the world mourning the loss of Superman (Henry Cavill), who sacrificed himself to stop Doomsday in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Now it’s up to Batman (Ben Affleck) to unite the world’s superheroes in order to stop a new threat: Steppenwolf (GoT’s Ciaran Hinds) and an army of Parademons. Justice League features all of the big DC super hero juggernauts, including The Flash (Ezra Miller), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher). Although he’s no Michael Caine, expect plenty of witty observations and superhero wrist-slapping from Alfred (Jeremy Irons) as well.
We think there’s plenty to love about this action-packed superhero bonanza. Warner Bros. may be on to a winner, especially with Wonder Woman pushing the DC Films franchise into the $3 billion mark for the global box office. Everyone is getting on board for this release, with merchandise including protein shakers to dog tags and even a Justice League slot from CasinoEuro.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (December 15 Release)
Forty years ago, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) left Tatooine on a quest to save a galaxy far, far away. Fathers were revealed, sisters were accidentally kissed, and yes, the Empire’s evil plans were thwarted. But 2015’s Force Awakens revealed that not everything went as expected—the Empire became the First Order, the Republic was destroyed, and Luke has been hiding in exile (for reasons still shrouded in secrecy). The Last Jedi resumes the tale of Finn (John Boyega), Rey (Daisy Ridley), Poe (Oscar Isaac) and the loveable BB-8, as they continue to resist Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) from destroying the Jedi.
The movie will also be the final time we see the beloved actress Carrie Fisher, who passed away late last year. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story smashed the 2016 UK box office in less than a month, and we think this one will follow along a similar path.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (December 29 Release)
In Jumanji, four students uncover a forgotten video game console tucked away in a closet at their high school. Upon starting the game, they’re transported into the world of Jumanji—a hostile and untamed land full of wild creatures and adventure. Each person assumes a new body related to one of the game’s avatars: Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Karen Gillan are the titular heroes, and each one has a super power—like impeccable fighting skills and super human strength. The special effects look stunning, the body swap dilemma promises plenty of laughs, and the Rock’s eyebrow is all over the place. There’s supposedly a reference to Robin Williams’s character from the original 1995 Jumanji, too.
Which movie are you excited to see the most? If you’re still catching up on some of the big movies from 2016, why not head south, hit the beach and check out Brighton’s Big Screen, where you can watch La La Land, Logan and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on a huge outdoor HD screen by the ocean.
