We're now halfway through 2018, and in terms of cinema, there's already been a mix of huge hits, critical smashes, and inevitably, a few disappointments. Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Deadpool 2 have smashed records, and there's another Marvel movie--Ant-Man and the Wasp--still to come. While Solo: A Star Wars Story has proved to be a commercial disappointment, there's still plenty of other big movies due this summer, including the sixth Mission: Impossible movie, Fallout, and this week's Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Beyond these big tentpole franchises, other crowd-pleasing favourites are set to return. There DC's Aquaman and Pixar's The Incredibles 2, plus Skyscraper, from cinema's busiest star, Dwayne Johnson. And who isn't excited to see Jason Statham fight a giant shark in The Meg? The first of Sony’s Spider-Man spin-offs arrives in the shape of Venom, we'll find out if there's life in the Predator franchise, and the classic Halloween series returns just in time for, well, Halloween. So here's what you can look forward to over the rest of the year...
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Jurassic World wasn't just the fourth part in a series of big dinosaur movies; it was an absolute box office monster, and currently stands as the fourth biggest film of all time. For the follow-up, acclaimed Spanish filmmaker J. A. Bayona takes over from Colin Trevorrow, who remains on-board as producer and co-writer. Meanwhile Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard reprise their roles. Trevorrow has described the movie as a "Spanish horror thriller"(in reference to Bayona's earlier hit Mama) but most exciting is the return of Jeff Goldblum, who starred in Steven Spielberg's original Jurassic Park way back in 1993.
Release date: June 22
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
The drug cartel thriller Sicario was one of the most gripping movies of recent years, and hopes are high for this follow-up. Director Denis Villeneuve and star Emily Blunt aren't returning, but the movie is in good hands. Director Stefano Sollima is best known for the brilliant Italian crime drama series Gomorrha, and Benicio Del Toro is set to reprise his role as a former undercover agent turned morally ambiguous enforcer Alejandro. This time the movie focuses on attempts by the CIA to incite an all-out war between rival drug gangs in Mexico; writer Taylor Sheridan has said that "if Sicario is a film about the militarization of police and that blending over, this is removing the policing aspect from it."
Release date: June 29
The First Purge
The Purge series has proved to be one of the most successful horror franchises of recent years, and expectations are high for this fourth entry. The First Purge looks set to continue the mix of scares, action, and biting social commentary. As the title indicates, it’s a prequel that looks at the creation of the single night of legalised crime known as The Purge, and the first trailer suggests that it's lost none of its gory, satirical bite.
Release date: July 4
Ant-Man and The Wasp
The first Ant-Man was a welcome contrast to the likes of The Avengers and Captain America: Civil War. As much of a heist comedy as a superhero movie, it featured a winning lead role from Paul Rudd and put the emphasis much more on character and humor than huge CG-driven action sequences. With Avengers: Infinity War due in May, Ant-Man and the Wasp should be a good follow-up two months later. Evangeline Lily reprises her role as Hope Van Dyne, who now fights alongside Ant-Man as The Wasp, with Michael Douglas and Michael Pfeiffer as her parents. We don't know what direction the movie will go in this time, just that director Peyton Reed promises "an entirely different genre template."
Release date: July 6
Bleeding Steel
Action legend Jackie Chan might have slowed down a little in terms of the insane stuntwork he puts himself through, but last year's impressive thriller The Foreigner showed that the 63-year-old star can still deliver the goods. His latest movie is Bleeding Steel, a futuristic tale in which Chan plays a special agent trying to protect his daughter from biotech mutants. No one is expecting a movie to match the heights of Chan's earlier classics, but it looks like it will deliver an entertaining mix of action, sci-fi-thrills, and enjoyably idiotic storytelling.
Release date: July 6
Skyscraper
Another of Dwayne Johnson's 2018 action epics, this China-set thriller stars Johnson as a retired FBI hostage rescue agent who now works as a security assessor for the world's biggest skyscraper. While the first trailer doesn't reveal the specific dangers he must face while working in the world's most advanced building, we know they involve explosions, shooting, and lots of jumping. That said, it looks a bit less comedic than many of The Rock's other movies, as evidenced by the fact he has a prosthetic leg and a greying beard. All will be revealed in July.
Release date: July 13
Siberia
Keanu Reeves has remained one of Hollywood's most prolific and popular stars for 30 years now, and with the third John Wick movie now in production, he shows little sign of slowing down. While we wait for that, we have Siberia, a crime thriller in which he plays a diamond merchant who finds himself in trouble with gangsters when a mission to Russia to sell some dubious rocks goes wrong. It looks like more of a drama than the John Wick movies, but there also seems to be plenty of action too, as Keana takes on the Russian mob and finds love with a cafe owner along the way.
Release date: July 13
The Equalizer 2
The Equalizer might not be one of Denzel Washington's most notable movies, but the gritty revenge thriller was nevertheless a big hit back in 2014. The Equalizer 2 arrives in July, and it's the first time that Denzel has ever appeared in a sequel. The first trailer delivers plenty of action, as Denzel's retired CIA operative sets out to avenge the death of a friend in suitably brutal style. We've seen a similar set up in many movies in recent years, from John Wick and Jack Reacher to the Taken series, but director Antoine Fuqua is hot from the massive success of The Fate of the Furious and is sure to deliver the violent goods.
Release date: July 20
Mission Impossible 6: Fallout
The Mission: Impossible series might be more than 20-years old, but on-set injuries aside, star Tom Cruise shows no signs of slowing down. Fallout sees Rogue Nation's Chris McQuarrie return to the directors chair, with Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, and Alec Baldwin all reprising their roles from previous movies. Superman star Henry Cavill joins the cast, as does his controversial moustache. Expect plenty of insane action.
Release date: July 27
Teen Titans Go! To The Movies
The irreverent animated DC comedy Teen Titans Go! continues to be a hugely entertaining and popular show, and 2018 sees the release of both a fifth season and a new movie. In keeping the self-referential tone of the show, Teen Titans Go! to the Movies see the Teen Titans discover that all the other superheroes in the DC universe have had their own movies, so they set about trying to find both a director to make their film and a suitably threatening supervillain to fight. Lego Batman star Will Arnett will voice the evil Slade, while The Good Place's Kristen Bell is the filmmaker who wants to bring their story to the big screen.
Release date: July 27
The Meg
Based on the best-selling 1997 novel, this big-budget shark thriller has been in development for several years and finally arrives this summer. Expendables star Jason Statham plays an expert diver who faces off against a 70-foot monster shark which is causing mayhem off the coast of China. The recent shark movie The Shallows was a great small-scale thriller with a limited location, but with a budget in excess of $150 million, expect The Meg to deliver something way more spectacular.
Release date: August 10
BlacKkKlansman
Director Spike Lee has never shied away from controversial material--classic movies such as Do The Right Thing, Jungle Fever, and Malcolm X addressed issues of race and relationships within American society, while his recent Chi-Raq was a musical that addressed inner-city gun violence. BlacKkKlansman is his highest profile movie in years, and is produced by Get Out's Jordan Peele. It's the amazing but true story of a black FBI agent who managed to infiltrate the KKK in the 1970s, and rave reviews from the Cannes Film Festival suggest a mix of smart comedy and powerful social drama. It stars John David Washington, son of regular Lee collaborator Denzel, plus Adam Driver, fresh from his role as Kylo Reno in the recent Star Wars movies. It's also got one of the best posters of the year so far--we can't wait.
Release date: August 10
The Happytime Murders
If nothing else, you can be guaranteed that you won't see another movie like The Happytime Murders in 2018. It's a comedy cop thriller, in which two mismatched detectives are thrown together to solve a series of grisly murders--so far, so generic. he difference here, however, is that many of the cast are foul-mouthed, drug-taking, sex-crazed puppets. Melissa McCarthy is among the human actors, who teams up with a horny blue cop, and the first trailer that was released this week is a hysterical, jaw-dropping, seriously NSFW delight. And if that wasn't enough, the movie is directed by Brian Henson, son of Muppet and Sesame Street creator Jim Henson. What would Fozzie think?
Release date: August 17
Alpha
The historical adventure movie Alpha might not have the name recognition or star power of this summer's other big movies, but it should deliver something epic. Set during the last Ice Age, it follows a young man (X-Men's Kodi Smit-McPhee) who is left for dead on a hunt and who must learn to survive in the wilderness with the help of a wolf. The uplifting new trailer is very different in tone to the darker one released last year, so it's not exactly clear if this is a brutal Revenant-style tale or something more family friendly. We'll find out in August.
Release date: August 17
Slender Man
Slender Man is the fictional horror character that first appeared as a viral internet myth in 2009 and has gone onto become a notable part of modern pop culture. It's somewhat surprising that it's taken nearly a decade for an official Slender Man movie to be made, but 2018 finally sees Hollywood's take on this urban legend. The movie's first trailer makes it looks like a pretty traditional teen horror movie, with disappearing kids, freaky long-haired children, spooky woods, and lots of weird, quickly cut imagery. But there are plenty of horror fans who have been waiting a long time to see the character on screen, and director Sylvian White is not a newcomer to the genre, having previously directed such horror TV shows such as The Originals and Sleepy Hollow.
Release date: August 24
The Little Stranger
Director Lenny Abrahamson is best known for acclaimed movies such as the absurd musical comedy Frank and the Oscar-winning drama Room, but The Little Stranger sees him step into spookier territory. Based on the 2009 novel by Sarah Waters, this is a ghost story set in the 1940s, about a country doctor who comes to work in an old hospital, where, inevitably, spooky things are afoot. Domhnall Gleeson--best known as Hux in the recent Star Wars movies--stars, and the cast also includes Will Poulter (Detroit) and Ruth Wilson (Luther).
Release date: August 31
The Nun
James Wan's The Conjuring was one of most successful horror movies of recent years, inspiring not only a prequel, but two spin-offs focusing on spooky doll Annabelle. The latest movie in this horror series is The Nun. It's set before the other four movies in the series so far, and focuses on the investigation into the earlier life (and death) of Valak, the terrifying demon nun from The Conjuring 2. Wan co-wrote the screenplay, and it's directed by Corin Hardy, who previously helmed the acclaimed low-budget shocker The Hallow and is about to start shooting the remake of The Crow. Expect plenty of scares.
Release date: September 7
Peppermint
Jennifer Garner is best known for her kick-ass lead role in JJ Abram's CIA thriller show Alias, which ran for five seasons between 2001 and 2006. In recent years, she's taken on more comedic and dramatic roles, but Peppermint sees her make a welcome return to the world of action. It's directed by Taken's Pierre Morel, and it definitely taps into that vein of gritty revenge-filled violence that the likes of Liam Neeson, Denzel Washington, and Keanu Reeves have found big success with over the last decade. Garner plays a woman who wakes from a coma to find her family dead and vengeance very much on her mind, and the first trailer suggests it's going to be satisfyingly brutal ride.
Release date: September 7
The Predator
Although the original Predator is an '80s action classic, the movies that have followed have ranged from interesting but flawed (Predator 2) to completely terrible (Alien vs Predator). The Predator is writer/director Shane Black's attempt to get the franchise back on track. Black's impressive resume ranges from writing Lethal Weapon to directing Iron Man 3, and as a young actor he even had a role in original Predator. Black himself has said that he only agreed to make the film if he could do it on a big, blockbuster scale, while still delivering the sci-fi horror goods. The first trailer arrived in May, and it looks like it will give the fans exactly what they have been hoping for.
Release date: September 14
Venom
Although the deal between Disney and Sony has ensured that Spider-Man is currently part of the former's Marvel Cinematic Universe, the movie right to the character ultimately remain with Sony. As a result, the studio is launching its own interconnected universe of characters from the canon of Spidey comic-books. Venom is first up; it stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, a photographer who ends up with superpowers after he is taken over by the alien parasite of title. It's directed by Zombieland's Ruben Fleischer, and the impressive supporting cast includes Michelle Williams, Woody Harrelson, and Riz Ahmed.
Release date: October 4
First Man
Given Neil Armstrong is the most famous astronaut ever, it's surprising that he's never had his own biopic until now. First Man is set between 1961 and 1969 and tells the story of Armstrong's preparations for his history-changing journey to the moon. It stars Ryan Gosling as the man himself and is helmed by Gosling's La La Land director Damien Chazelle. The impressive cast also includes Claire Foy, Kyle Chandler, Jon Bernthal, and Pablo Schreiber.
Release date: October 12
Johnny English Strikes Again
While it's unlikely that a third Johnny English film was high on anyone's most-anticipated movies list for 2018, the previous two spy spoofs were major box office hits, earning more than $320 million worldwide. Johnny English Strikes Again sees Mr. Bean actor Rowan Atkinson return as the inept superspy, who this time must thwart a master hacker. As the first trailer reveals, English travels to France with his loyal sidekick Bough to track his enemy down--and also launch missiles at French cyclists. Oscar winning actress Emma Thompson co-stars, alongside Olga Kurylenko, who appears to be parodying her role in the 2008 James Bond movie Quantum of Solace.
Release date: Fall 208.
Halloween
The Halloween series might be one of longest-running and most profitable horror franchises in movie history, but most fans would agree that every entry hasn't necessarily been a good one. The last time Michael Myers stalked the screen was in Rob Zombie's hugely divisive remakes a decade ago, but now, on the 40th anniversary of John Carpenter's original movie, the killer also known as The Shape is back. Plot details for this latest Halloween are under wraps, but it's got an impressive pedigree. It's directed by acclaimed indie auteur David Gordon Green and produced by Blumhouse Films, which has scored major successes in recent years with the likes of Get Out, Paranormal Activity, and the Purge movies. Original star Jamie Lee Curtis returns, and if that wasn't enough, Carpenter himself is creatively involved and providing another iconic soundtrack. Could this be the Halloween reboot that finally gets it right?
Release date: October 19
Bohemian Rhapsody
This biopic of Queen legend Freddie Mercury has been in development for many years, with various directors and stars attached to the project. Even when the cameras started rolling the problems didn't stop--director Bryan Singer was fired by the studio during production, to be replaced by British filmmaker Dexter Fletcher. But the movie is now finished and set for release in November. Mr. Robot star Remi Malek takes on the role of the iconic frontman, and it charts the rise of the band through the '70s to their world-conquering success in the '80s. It's produced by the band, and the trailer suggests that it might be more a celebration of the music than a look at the darker side of Mercury's life. But it looks like an absolute must-see for Queen fans.
Release date: November 2
The Grinch
The classic Dr. Seuss story How the Grinch Saved Christmas was adapted into a hit Jim Carrey movie 18 years ago, and a new animated version hits the screen in November. Doctor Strange and Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch will provide the voice of the Holiday-hating title character, and the first trailer arrived last week. The movie was actually meant to be released last year, but the trailer is colourful and fun and the movie will hopefully be worth the wait.
Release date: November 9
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
The Harry Potter series might have finished in 2011, but the wider movie universe goes from strength to strength. The success of 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them led to the announcement of a further four movies, the first of which arrives in November. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander, with Jude Law as the young Dumbledore, who enlists the help of Newt to help defeat the dark wizard Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). David Yates directs once more, from a screenplay by Potter creator JK Rowling.
Release date: November 16
Widows
Ocean's Eight isn't the only high-profile heist movie coming our way in 2018. Widows is the latest film from Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave) and is written by Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn. The movies focuses on four women whose husbands are killed in a failed heist, who then decide to finish the job themselves. It's based on a British TV show of the same name from the 1980s, and the star-studded cast includes Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Colin Farrell, Liam Neeson, and Get Out's Daniel Kaluuya. Films like 12 Years and Shame proved that McQueen can deliver prestigious, acclaimed dramas, so hopes are high that he is equally adept at making edgy crime thrillers.
Release date: November 18
Creed 2
While most thought that the legendary movie boxer Rocky Balboa had finally hung up his gloves, the 2015 spin-off Creed not only gave the character one of his finest movies, it paved the way for director Ryan Coogler to get the job of directing Marvel's wildly successful Black Panther. Coogler won’t be back for the sequel, but star Michael B. Jordan is, once again playing the son of the original movies' Apollo Creed. Rocky creator and star Sylvester Stallone is back too, as both co-star and co-writer. Steven Caple Jr. directs this time, and it's rumoured that Creed 2 will bring back another iconic character from the original series--Rocky IV's Russian powerhouse Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren).
Release date: November 21
Robin Hood
Ridley Scott's 2010 version of the the Robin Hood myth wasn't a critical or commercial success, but that hasn't stopped yet another version of the story heading to screens in 2018. This time we have a younger Robin, with Kingsman star Taron Egerton in the lead role. The cast also includes Jamie Foxx as Little John and Rogue One's Ben Mendelsohn as the Sheriff of Nottingham, and it's directed by TV director Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror). The first trailer is suitably action-packed, but we'll find out in November if this Hood is any good.
Release date: November 21
Ralph Breaks the Internet
The 2012 animated comedy Wreck-It Ralph was a critical and commercial hit, and the sequel arrives in November. It focuses on the arcade game villain-turned-hero of the title, who this time enters the internet after the arcade his game lives in goes online. John C. Reilly is the voice of Ralph, with Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Taraji P. Henson, and James Corden also part of the voice cast.
Release date: November 21
Mortal Engines
While Peter Jackson's first post-Hobbit directorial effort is yet to be revealed, he is heavily involved with this upcoming sci-fi adventure. Jackson produces and co-writes alongside his regular collaborator Fran Walsh, while Christian Rivers--who has worked with Jackson since his early horror days--makes his directorial debut. Mortal Engines is an adaptation of the first of four YA novels written by Philip Reeve and is set in a post apocalyptic steampunk world where motorised cities-on-wheels are at war with one another. As you'd expect from Jackson, it all looks truly spectacular, and if the storytelling matches the level of visual invention, it should make a lavish treat this Christmas.
Release date: December 14
Aquaman
The DC universe has had a bumpy ride so far, with only Wonder Woman connecting with both audiences and critics. But there's every reason to be hopeful that Aquaman could do the same. Director James Wan is a skilled genre operator, whether delivering crowd-pleasing horror (Saw, The Conjuring) or blockbuster action (Furious 7), and there's a killer cast that includes Patrick Wilson, Willem Defoe, Nicole Kidman, and '80s action icon Dolph Lungren, plus Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Amber Heard as Mera. Wan recently debunked the rumour that the film would be overstuffed with multiple villains, and promises an "emotional and powerful" origin movie.
Release date: December 21
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