Most Anticipated Movies of 2016

I’m going to see Deadpool tonight, and the weather cannot stop me no matter the conditions. I mean it! It’s no real secret that I am a fan of the Superhero film genre, give or take a film here or there, mostly, I like them, a lot. Deadpool is my favorite comics hero, so his first movie, that actually does him justice if everything I’m hearing about the film isn’t a lie, is not going to escape my eyes on opening night. So, I decided that before I see this movie, which is easily my most anticipated movie ever, that I would do my most anticipated movies of 2016 list, excluding Deadpool, which would obviously take the number one spot.

In other news, before we get to the list, my top and bottom ten lists of last year are coming, soon, I just have a few more movies to get through personally before I can justify putting the list out there. Now, let’s begin.

Unlike last year’s rendition of this list, I’m not going to order it. And I’m not going to limit the list to ten films either. This may, or may not, get lengthy. You’ve been warned.

Movie #1: Knight of Cups 

If I’m being honest, this is probably the one I’m most on the fence with simply because of two words, Terrence Malick. He’s made some films I have thoroughly enjoyed, and others I downright despise for the choices made. For every Badlands or Days of Heaven there’s a To the Wonder to make you at least question the genius. The film currently sits with a few rather poor reviews. I hope that changes once the film undergoes a wider release.

Movie #2: Green Room

 

I’ve only seen one of director Jeremy Saulnier’s prior films, Murder Party, and that was so ridiculously amazing and hilarious I hope nothing more than for this film to follow suit. For which I have little doubt that it will. 

Movie #3: Elvis & Nixon

Michael Shannon as Elvis, Kevin Spacey as Nixon, do I need to say anything else?

Movie #4: Keanu

Unfortunately, not a movie about Keanu Reeves portrayed by a cat. This movie instead stars Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele, and written by Peele and Alex Ruebens, the writers of Key & Peele. Also, “Kitten, please.”

Movie #5: Snowden

Making my list last year, when it was still slated to release in 2015, I’m not really sure what explanations are needed. Perhaps the fact that people still see Snowden as a traitor, when all he was doing was showing how we were being betrayed by our own government. Perhaps that Snowden is being played by JoGoLev (Jo Go Lev? Jo Go-Lev??), I can call him that, we go way back, 3^rd Rock from the Sun back. All I know is, that Oliver Stone makes some good movies, and this looks to be no different.

Movie #6: Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

It’s Neighbors but girls this time.

Movie #7: The Nice Guys

Dubbed the spiritual successor to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang by the director of both films Shane Black. I cannot wait if this is anything like it’s spiritual predecessor.

Movie #8: Finding Dory

Dory is lost, and now we need to find her, in whatever sense that may end up being. If it’s anywhere near as good as Finding Nemo was, this is sure to be a sequel well worth the waiting period.

Movie #9: Assassin’s Creed

Video game movies tend to spell out failure from the start, and Assassin’s Creed has been a very hit or miss title. I only hope it can capture the magic that makes the series occasionally great, rather than what makes it sometimes terrible.

Movie #10: Star Wars: Rogue One

Episode VII wasn’t all everyone wanted it to be, people expected way too much, and got way too little. While some are still hailing it as their number one movie of the year, which is ridiculous, it was still a solid movie. Rogue One, I suspect, will follow suit and give us another solid addition to the Star Wars cinematic universe.

Movie #11: Warcraft

Having played the games for roughly seven or eight years of my life, it’s easy to say that the Warcraft story has a place in my heart. Even though I quit the game (a few times now… hopefully for good now, though) the lore is still, in my opinion, some of the best writing and storytelling out there. The trailers make this look like it is going to be a visual marvel, and I cannot wait to witness the story I’ve loved for so long on the big screen.

Movie #12: Zootopia

The trailer sold me, and I’m not one hundred percent sure why it did. But Disney’s animation studios have been on a roll with Frozen and Big Hero 6, I only hope that this is just as good, if not, better.

Movie #13: Ghostbusters

I’m actually one of the guys looking forward to this reboot. Do I care that it’s an all-female cast? No, not really. I enjoy (for the most part) all of the actresses in this film. I can understand some people’s distaste for Melissa McCarthy, Tammy and quite a few other projects she’s been involved in were, frankly, terrible. But Spy was one of the best films of last year, so at least she can be funny... to me.

Movie #14: The Jungle Book

It’s been a while since I’ve seen the animated film. And while I’m hoping this film doesn’t have as many songs, as that may just take me out of the element. Bill Murray singing “Bear Necessities” is a must.

Movie #15: Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

And so begins the list of every superhero movie coming out this year (except for the one I’m watching tonight). I’m not going to lie and say that the trailers haven’t put me off a bit on this film. Man of Steel didn’t do it any favors either. But it’s Superman, and Batman, in the same movie.

Movie #16: Doctor Strange

Probably the sole reason I am looking forward to this, as much as I am, is Benedict Cumberbatch. That man hasn’t done a single thing I’ve hated. Except for the Hobbit movies, which he was the best parts of. Cumberbatch’s portrayal of the Sorcerer Supreme is bound to be something we won’t soon forget.

Movie #17: X-Men: Apocalypse

When Days of Future Past, rebooted the X-Men cinematic universe I about leapt for joy as it meant Origins and X-3 never happened, at the cost of X-Men and X-2. But also, it meant that they were continuing the series, starting over fresh with a new cast, bringing old X-Men back, introducing new one’s too. Also, Oscar Isaac is the villain.

Movie #18: Suicide Squad

Harley Quinn and Jared Leto’s Joker.

Movie #19: Captain America: Civil War

The end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it. That is of course if this goes the way of the comics. Following The Winter Soldier, I trust the Russo brothers with these movies wholeheartedly.

Just one film shy of twenty movies, I could keep going, but nothing more really piques my interest as much as these films do. I would throw Kung Fu Panda 3 into the mix, but it's already out, so I decided not to simply on those grounds.

the next task on my to do list is to get my top 10 lists out there. See you then.