Three of the year's biggest films have already been released. "Deadpool" and "Batman v. Superman" both came close to breaking the billion dollar box office benchmark. "Captain America: Civil War" just released and is making its way up the list, and you can be sure with the hype and the overwhelmingly positive response from critics and audiences that it will be the first billion dollar film of 2016. So assuming you've already seen "Civil War" or are planning to do so, let's take a look at the movies still yet to come out in 2016 that you should see.
1. "X-Men: Apocalypse"
First up, coming out May 27 is the sequel to 2014's hugely successful "X-Men: Days of Future Past." Bryan Singer ("X-Men," X2, and "Days of Future Past") is back in the director's chair, and the X-Men are back to face their biggest threat yet, the villain Apocalypse. The Apocalypse is a 10,000-year-old mutant with a god complex and just about every power you can think of. He also has backup from his servants, the four horsemen. It appears it will be a pretty exciting movie, and Apocalypse has been awaiting a live action turn for some time now.
2. "Independence Day: Resurgence"
Remember the sci-fi, patriotic classic starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman? Well the long awaited sequel is finally almost here, 20 years after the original and also set 20 years after the events of the '96 film. Will Smith will not be returning, unfortunately, probably because he looks just the same as he did 20 years ago, and it would be confusing to see him next to his much more visibly aged co-stars. But other favorites are returning, like the aforementioned Goldblum and Pullman. The film releases June 19.
3. "The Conjuring 2"
If you're a fan of horror, you'll want to see this one, the sequel to the 2013 film "The Conjuring." James Wan ("Saw," "Insidious," "Insidious Chapter 2)is directing again, and if it's anything like the first film at all, it should be one heck of a treat with a bucket of scares for fans. Fun fact, the original film was rated R but not for any mature content. Instead, it was because reviewers said it was just "too scary." Hopefully this sequel will live up to that. "The Conjuring 2" hits theaters June 10.
4. "Star Trek: Beyond"
All of the crew is back for the third film in the reboot series that began in 2009 with J.J. Abram's "Star Trek." This go around, though, it's Justin Lin ("Fast and the Furious," "Fast Five," and "Fast and the Furious 6") in the director's chair. Idris Elba has also joined the cast. The promotional material hasn't revealed much about the movie, and it's questionable whether this film will live up to the quality of previous entries. But the action and effects look just as amazing. Although I know that isn't what Star Trek is about, it should still be an entertaining romp and a serviceable entry into Star Trek cannon.
5. "Jason Bourne"
He's back. The one and only Jason Bourne, amnesiac super spy and former government assassin. The original trilogy of Bourne films starring Matt Damon saw much critical and financial success. A tie-in sort of sequel entitled the "Bourne Legacy" released in 2011, starring Jeremy Renner, but it was poorly received. Now, though, original star Matt Damon is back in the title role, playing the original character, and director Paul Greengrass ("The Bourne Supremacy" and "Ultimatum") is back behind the camera. The first trailer came out a few weeks back, and it is sure to be crazy, intense, action-packed thriller. In the least, it will be better than "Spectre."
6. "Suicide Squad"
Thus far Warner Bros. have struggled with building its own comic book movie universe like Marvel. I actually enjoyed both "Man of Steel" and "Dawn of Justice," but not everyone agrees with my opinions. There is reason to hold out hope with this one, though. For one, Zack Snyder is not involved, so if his fingerprints being all over "Man of Steel" and "Dawn of Justice" was one of the reasons you didn't like them, that won't be a problem here. Instead, director David Ayer is taking up the camera. He's the mastermind behind acclaimed films "End of Watch" and "Fury." Ayer has experience with team/buddy sort of films with soldier types, like a majority of the cast of "Suicide Squad." So far three trailers have come out, and each one has been better than the last. The movie seems to be going for a more darkly comedic theme rather than straight-faced seriousness like the previous two DC films. It's also about a team of super villains, instead of heroes, so it will be interesting to see this different approach. It has Jared Leto as the new Joker, who looks and acts appropriately psychotic. The film releases August 8.
7. Marvel's "Doctor Strange"
Marvel Studios' second film of 2016 after "Captain America: Civil War" opens in theaters November 4. It stars British actor Benedict Cumberbatch as the title character, Doctor Stephen Strange. Strange is the world's greatest neurosurgeon, that is, until he's in an accident that ruins his hands. He then goes on to search the world, looking for anyone who can heal him. In a final, desperate attempt to find help, he travels to Tibet and encounters an individual known as the Ancient One. The Ancient One sees a potential for greatness in Strange and decides to make him an apprentice, training him in the mystical arts. This will be Marvel's first foray into straight-up magic territory, opening up many new storytelling options. It will be interesting to see how it turns out. Marvel has built up more than enough good will for us to not doubt them.
8. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"
The Harry Potter fans have returned. Author J.K. Rowling will bring viewers back to the wizarding world this fall. "Fantastic Beasts" is the first film in a planned trilogy starring Eddie Redmayne ("The Theory of Everything") as Newt Schamander. To readers of the Harry Potter books, you'll recognize him as the wizard who wrote one of the Hogwarts schoolbooks, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." J.K. Rowling herself wrote the script, from an original story of her own creation. It follows Schamander as he travels to America and arrives in New York City during the 1920s. This film looks interesting if for no other reason than finally getting to see the American wizarding community, exploring an earlier time in the world of Harry Potter, and just finally getting to go back to the wizarding world.
9. "Assassin's Creed"
Releasing December 21, "Assassin's Creed" is based on the popular action video game series of the same name. Michael Fassbender stars as Callum Lynch, and Marion Cotillard stars as Dr. Sophia Rikkin. If the casting, the talent and the promotional material thus far is anything to go by, then it looks set to break the cycle of terrible movies based on video games. The film also stars Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson and Michael Kenneth Williams. It is directed by Justin Kurzel, the man behind last year's acclaimed film, "Macbeth."