Now that we’re two weeks out from Avengers: Endgame and everybody mostly seems to be coming down off the high of Marvel’s 22nd film, I think it’s about time we looked forward to what the rest of 2019 has to offer us moviegoers. In particular, here are the top ten films that I am most hyped to experience for the rest of the year:
John Wick: Chapter 3– Parabellum (May 17)
I wasn’t expecting much out of the first John Wick film and now it’s one of my favorite films thanks to some of the most exciting action sequences ever put to film and an endlessly fascinating mythology that I can’t wait to explore more of. The second is just as much fun. If Parabellum is anything like its predecessors, then it could easily end up one of my favorite films of 2019.
BrightBurn (May 24)
Written by James Gunn and produced by his brothers, BrightBurn is essentially a dark Superman Elseworlds story where instead of coming to Earth as a baby and being raised as the Big Blue Boyscount we all know, a Kryptonian-esque child grows up to become a ruthless, super-powered slaughterer. It sounds like a fun flip flop on what we typically get out of the superhero genre and with minds as creative as the Gunn’s behind it, then at least we know it’s going to be unique.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (May 31)
I love giant monster movies, so naturally I’m a fan of Godzilla. Unfortunately, the last time we saw him in a movie, we didn’t see much of him. King of the Monsters seems to be making up for that by promising all the big-budget kaiju altercations I could ever want in a single sit down. The marketing for this film has kept my hopes high and my blood pumping ever since we saw the first trailer at last year’s ComicCon.
The Dead Don’t Die (June 14)
Jim Jarmusch is one of the most prolific filmmakers of his time. His latest project is a comedic spin on the zombie apocalypse genre. However, it’s not just the talent behind the camera that lands The Dead Don’t Die on this list. The cast is stellar: Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Steve Buscemi, and Danny Glover. Hell, Iggy Pop is in this film! This is a party I can’t imagine myself missing.
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood (July 26)
Quentin Tarantino has built his legendary career with quick-witted scripts bustling with quirky characters, electric dialogue and explosive action sequences. He always manages to assemble all-star casts to bring it all to life. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood seems to be traveling down that same path with Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie as late actress Sharon Tate. What’s more is that I’ve become a bigger fan of Tarantino’s later body of work and if it’s true this film is to be his penultimate project, then I will need to savor it all the more.
Good Boys (Aug. 16)
I was afraid Good Boys was going to rely too much on the “Superbad but with kids” shtick. However, the trailer had me laughing consistently and managed to sell me on the three boys at the film’s heart and their charming interplay. They look like they’re having a blast. Plus Jacob Tremblay is one of the most exciting young talents in Hollywood right now and Seth Rogen as a producer isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of acceptable comedy. Good Boys looks like a fun time at the theater.
IT: Chapter Two (Sep. 6)
Of all the recent Stephen King adaptations, IT made the biggest splash, both critically and at the box office. It unexpectedly became an event and the hype for Chapter Two has been real ever since the credits rolled on the first film back in 2017. In addition to capitalizing on the pop culture thirst for more 1980s nostalgia, the film brought together a lovable cast of young talent and Andy Muschietti brought out an unforgettably chilling performance from Bill Skatsgard as Pennywise the Dancing Clown on the way to crafting a new horror icon.
The Joker (Oct. 4)
The last three Jokers we saw on the big screen were all portrayed by Oscar-winners. Though he’s been nominated for the honor, Joaquin Phoenix has yet to take home the coveted gold. Don’t let that fool you, though. Phoenix is every bit the performer as each of them and to see him step into such an iconic role with as much pedigree behind it as the Joker is the stuff of dreams. By the looks of him in the trailer, Phoenix is fully committed to giving us his best Clown Prince of Crime as possible. Plus knowing Martin Scorsese was at one point attached to produce means there’s something special about this script that’s drawing the attention of some of the most noteworthy talent in the industry. Count me in.
Knives Out (Nov. 27)
Rian Johnson is arguably one of the most creative filmmakers of his generation. This year the Star Wars: The Last Jedi director is going back to his indie roots for Knives Out, an Agatha Christie inspired crime thriller boasting one of the year’s most stacked casts, which includes Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, LaKeith Stanfield, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette, Christopher Plummer, Katherine Langford, and Frank Oz. Are you kidding me! Take my money!
The Lodge (TBA)
Goodnight Mommy is one of my favorite films of the decade. And now directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz are back with what appears to be another spellbinding exercise in psychological torment. As of writing this, The Lodge has yet to secure a theatrical release. Still, the film has been receiving mostly praise from those who’ve scored screenings on the festival circuit. Of course, this has done nothing but get me more excited. The sooner my eyeballs get on this movie, the better.
There you have it, my picks for the most-anticipated films to look forward to for the rest of the year! What do you think about my list? Do we share any films? What are you hyped for in 2019? Jump down to the comments below and let me know!
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