Many agree that 2016 was a rough year for everything, even the cinema. We had to sit with our little siblings while they watched the Angry Birds Movie, which despite top name talent, couldn’t overcome the fact that it was based on a passé iPhone app. There was Batman v. Superman, which even though we didn’t have very high expectations, it still fell flat. I mean after all, D.C. made it, and besides that, who’s favorite superhero is really “Superman” anymore? (Cap for the win!) But because 2016 was basically rock bottom, there’s no way to go but up from here. So ditch your choker (and every other ridiculous trend that should stay in 2016) and get yourself to a local theater, because 2017 is about to be epic.
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
We’ve waited six long years to see Orlando Bloom in that sexy lace up shirt again, and that is six years too long. This big budget film introduces plenty of new talent, like newcomer Brenton Thwaites, who plays Henry, the son of couple-goals Elizabeth Swan and Will Turner. Also added to the powerhouse franchise is Kaya Scodelario, most known for her role as ‘Teresa’ in the Maze Runner Series. “Dead Men Tell No Tales” is rumored to be the last installment in the powerhouse franchise, and you best believe that Disney isn’t about to let their fans down.
2. A Dog's Purpose
This movie, released conveniently close to Valentine’s Day, should increase Kleenex sales everywhere. Seriously- don’t come to this movie without a full box. The plot follows a dog who tries to find his life purpose by being reincarnated over several lifetimes. He saves lives, provides companionship when his master needs him most, and even brings together two unrequited lovers. If you’re a dog lover, watch this movie. If you don’t love dogs, watch this movie. I guarantee it will make you love them.
3. Split
Don’t let the movie’s MTV-esque teen leads fool you. Split is a fast paced psychological horror thriller that will leave you glued to the big screen for the entire performance. The premise itself is inherently eerie: Kevin (James McAvoy), a sufferer of dissociative identity disorder, kidnaps three teenage girls in anticipation of sacrifice to his newly emerging 24th personality: the Beast. James McAvoy is perfectly cast, playing everything from a little boy to a sophisticated woman with ease. His performance is what will truly cement this movie as one of the best things to happen to the thriller genre in 2017.
4. Star Wars: Episode VIII
This film is already a box office hit, and it hasn’t even hit theaters yet. The highly anticipated second installment in the new Disney Revamp is scheduled to hit theaters in December of 2017, leaving Disney with plenty of time to build anticipation by dropping teaser trailers. Though no one really knows much about the film (it doesn’t even have a title!), they do know that it has an All-Star cast, including Lupita Nyong’o as new comer Maz Kanata, a bad-a** pirate and long-time friend of Han Solo Chewbacca. John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Adam Driver are also reprising their roles in the upcoming film.
5. Logan
The X-Men franchise has had its ups and downs, most recently on the up with its recent installment, “X-Men: Apocalypse” which wowed viewers and critics alike. I believe 2017, however, will be an even bigger year with the addition of the much anticipated Wolverine Origin Story: Logan. It is a great day for Hugh Jackman fans everywhere, who get to see his toned body fight bad guys one final time.
6. World War Z 2
We thought we had gotten through the year of the zombie movie (looking at you 2012), but it’s just about time to see Brad Pitt fight another wave of the undead. There’s not a lot of details about the much anticipated sequel other than the release date, but that’s really all we need. It’s time to get pumped, people!
7. Beauty and the Beast
If 2017 will be remembered by any movie, this will be it. Disney’s newest live action rendition of the classic story is perfectly cast, with a demure Emma Watson at the helm. If you enjoyed the animated flick (where’s my fellow 90’s babies at?) or even Disney’s live action Cinderella, be sure to go see it when it comes out next spring.
8. Fifty Shades Darker
For all you single ladies out there, this movie has given you another reason to stay in on a Friday night alone with a bowl of popcorn and your own tears of loneliness. The Fifty Shades of Grey franchise is back, and sexier than ever before. The trailer includes steamy scenes like Dakota Johnson’s Anastasia slipping off her panties in the middle of a restaurant (Seriously, who does that? How do they slide off so easily?) and about 16 shower scenes.
9. Pitch Perfect 3
It’s Pitch Perfect. THREE. Enough said.
10. Hidden Figures
This movie, which technically comes out late 2016, is the perfect Segway to a year of cinematic masterpieces. With talent like Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henderson, and even Pharell Williams, this flick is all but guaranteed to be a hit. It tells the story of three African American women, who crossed all gender and race lines to propel America into the space race. This movie is the kind of triumph that a post election America needs.
