Above: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure WONDER WOMAN 1984, a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
If the upcoming movies are any indication, this really may be the Year of the Woman! Grab your friends and family and a BIG bucket of popcorn. Your Must-Watch list is about to get even longer!
| JANUARY |
1917 (War Drama | R) This war film is based on a story that the grandfather of director Sam Mendes told him about his own experiences in World War I: of a messenger taking a perilous journey to deliver life-or-death information. Two young soldiers, played by George MacKay and Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman, are tasked with crossing enemy lines in order to warn a British battalion of a German ambush. Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Firth co-star. (Jan. 10)
Just Mercy (Drama | PG-13) Adapted from the memoir of Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan), a lawyer and activist who has spent his career representing vulnerable defendants in the American South, including Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), a black man who is sentenced to die for the murder of a white woman despite overwhelming evidence pointing to his innocence. (Jan. 10)
Like a Boss (Comedy | R) Can you say GRRRRRL Power? Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne play two best friends with their own cosmetics company. Salma Hayek plays the manipulative titan trying to steal their secrets. The beauty business is about to get hilariously ugly. (Jan. 10)
Dolittle (Family Comedy | PG) One of my all-time favorite actors, Robert Downey Jr., stars as the eccentric doctor who can talk to animals. That alone would be enough but then add in adorable animals voiced by John Cena, Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, and more. Yup, I'm in! (Jan. 17)
Bad Boys for Life (Action | R) It’s been 25 a quarter of a century since detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) partnered up. The highly-anticipated final installment of the series involves a midlife crisis or two, a Romanian mob boss, and a whole lotta swagger. (Jan. 17)
The Gentlemen (Action/Comedy | R) American expat Mickey Pearson built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. Word that he’s looking to cash out of the business triggers plots, schemes, bribery, and blackmail. It's not usually my kind of movie, but the all-star cast — Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant — is enough to intrigue me. (Jan. 24)
The Rhythm Section (Thriller | R) Based on the book by Mark Burnell, Stephanie Patrick (the divine Blake Lively) seeks revenge on those who intentially caused a plane crash that killed her whole family. It looks dark and enthralling — this one is definitely not a family film. (Jan. 31)
| FEBRUARY |
Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (Action | R) The DC Extended Universe is relentlessly dark. It finally got a box office smash with a female superhero in the form of Wonder Woman. Can the unhinged Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and her crew of female vigilantes do the same for the villains? (Feb. 7)
Downhill (Comedy | R) Laugh your way through Valentine's Day with Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who play a married couple reevaluating their relationship after barely escaping an avalanche. (Feb. 14)
The Photograph (Drama | PG-13) If romance is what you're looking for, Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield star in this sweeping love story about forgiveness and finding the courage to seek the truth, no matter where it may lead you. (Feb.14)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Action/Comedy | PG) Can't find a babysitter for Valentine's Day? Based on the global blockbuster video game franchise, the world's speediest hedgehog Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) and his new best friend Tom (James Marsden) team up to defend the planet from the evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). I suppose there are worse ways to spend Valentine's Day. (Feb. 14)
The Call of the Wild (Adventure | PG) Did the book make you cry? Yeah, me too! Will you see it anyway? Yeah, me too! The film stars Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens, Omar Sy, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford and Colin Woodell. (Feb. 21)
The Invisible Man (Thriller | R) This reboot of the 1933 film based on an H.G. Wells novel stars Elisabeth Moss as a woman who starts being haunted by her abusive ex-boyfriend — who is presumed dead but she suspects otherwise. (Feb. 28)
Wendy (Fantasy | PG-13) will open in theaters February 2020. The story of Peter Pan is reimagined with a female lead. Lost on a mysterious island where aging and time have come unglued, Wendy must fight to save her family, her freedom, and the joyous spirit of youth from the deadly peril of growing up. (Feb. 28)
| MARCH |
Onward (Animated Comedy | TBD) Two teenage elf brothers (voices of Chris Pratt and Tom Holland) embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left in the world. From the team behind Monsters University and also featuring the voices of Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer, this Disney•Pixar film is sure to be as enjoyable for the adults as it is for the kids. (Mar. 6)
My Spy (Comedy | PG-13) JJ (Dave Bautista) is a hardened CIA operative surveiling a family. When a 9-year-old girl named Sophie (Chloe Coleman) discovers what he's been up to, she convinces him to teach her to be a spy in exchange for not blowing his cover. Of course, JJ discovers he is no match for Sophie. (Mar. 13)
Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always (Drama | TBD) Two teenage girls (and cousins) in rural Pennsylvania head to New York City to seek medical help for an unintended pregnancy. This intimate look into a challenging situation could open the door to an important conversation with your teen. (Mar. 13)
A Quiet Place Part II (Thriller | TBD) A follow-up to the 2018 original, the Abbott family (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe) must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path. (Mar. 20)
Mulan (Adventure | TBD) Out of love for her family and her country, a courageous young woman risks everything to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known. Masquerading as a man to take her father's place in a war, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner strength to embrace her true potential. (Mar. 27)
| APRIL |
The New Mutants (Sci-Fi | TBD) The next generation of X-Men will introduce a veritable cornucopia of new characters played by actors from popular shows. We are a house full of Marvel fans, but have never been able to get into the X-MEN... they seem as dark as DC Comics. This one looks especially jarring. (Apr. 3)
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (Animated Comedy | TBD) Based on the lovable characters and tales of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, this will be a great family movie just in time for Easter. (Apr. 3)
No Time to Die (Action/Adventure | TBD) Daniel Craig returns for his fifth film as the dashing and charming Bond… James Bond. The 25th (!!!!) movie in the 007 franchise also stars Rami Malek, Ralph Fiennes, and a plethora of shaken martinis and beautiful women, I’m sure. (Apr. 10)
Trolls World Tour (Animated Comedy | PG) Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return in an all-star sequel to DreamWorks Animation’s 2016 musical hit. Featuring six different Troll tribes devoted to six different kinds of music, this movie may have the largest and most acclaimed cast of musical talent ever assembled! (Apr. 17)
Promising Young Woman (Thriller | TBD) Revenge. Intrigue. Living a double life. Cassie (Carey Mulligan) seeks out vengeance against those who cross her path in an effort to right the wrongs of her past. (Apr. 17)
| MAY |
Black Widow (Superhero Action | TBD) Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow in Marvel's action-packed spy thriller that starts Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (May 1)
Scoob! (Animated Adventure | TBD) Learn the story of how Scooby and Shaggy first met and how they teamed up with Fred, Velma, and Daphne. Now, with hundreds of cases solved, Scooby and the gang face their biggest and most challenging mystery ever. (May 15)
Fast & Furious 9 (Action | TBD) Fast cars, high action, and explosions galore. Does the plot even matter? I've said it before and I'll say it again... if we keep seeing them, they'll keep making them! (May 22)
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (Animated Comedy | TBD) #SaveGary! After SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary is snail-napped, he and Patrick embark on an epic adventure to The Lost City of Atlantic City to find him and bring him home. Between this and the touring Broadway musical, it seems SpongeBob is more popular than ever. (May 22)
Artemis Fowl (Sci-Fi Adventure | TBD) Based on the book by New York Times best-selling author Eoin Colf, Artemis Fowl is the young and wealthy descendent of criminal masterminds who will do anything to find his missing father. In the process, he and his Butler discover an ancient, underground world of fairies, and Artemis Fowl concocts a plan to kidnap the Fairy LEPreco Officer Holly Short. I've never read the books but I am so intrigued by the trailer! (May 29)
| JUNE |
Wonder Woman 1984 (Superhero Action | TBD) Gal Gadot returns as the title character in DC’s highest-grossing film ever. Chris Pine gets to come back too. (June 5)
Soul (Animated Adventure | TBD) Meet Joe Gardner, a middle school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz. Just when Joe thinks his dream might be in reach, a single unexpected step sends him to a fantastical place where he’s is forced to think again about what it truly means to have soul. Featuring an incredible cast and incredible music, it looks like nothing I've ever seen before. (June 19)
In the Heights (Musical | TBD) From the creator of Hamilton and the director of Crazy Rich Asians comes an original musical that is already at the top of my summer bucket list! Turn up the volume on your dreams. (June 26)
Top Gun: Maverick (Action | TBD) Maverick (Tom Cruise) is back, now dealing with drone technology and his own group of Top Gun graduates. (June 26)
| JULY |
Free Guy (Action/Comedy | TBD) When a bank teller (Ryan Reynolds) discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, he decides to become the hero of his own story… one he rewrites himself. (July 3)
Minions: The Rise of Gru (Animated Comedy | TBD) Our favorite goggled creatures continue their search for a tyrannical leader. (July 3)
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Action/Comedy | TBD) When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind. (July 10)
Morbius (Action/Thriller | TBD) One of Marvel’s most compelling and conflicted characters comes to the big screen as Oscar® winner Jared Leto transforms into the enigmatic antihero, Michael Morbius. Dangerously ill with a rare blood disorder and determined to save others suffering his same fate, Dr. Morbius attempts a desperate gamble. What at first appears to be a radical success soon reveals itself to be a remedy potentially worse than the disease. (Jul. 31)
| AUGUST |
Bill & Ted Face the Music (Comedy | TBD) William "Bill" S. Preston Esq. (Alex Winter) and Theodore "Ted" Logan (Keanu Reeves) are now middle aged best friends but they're still trying to fulfill their rock 'n' roll destiny. (Aug. 21)
| SEPTEMBER |
The King's Man (Action/Comedy | TBD) In the third installment of the Kingsman franchise, one man must race against time to stop the world's worst criminal masterminds who are working together to destory millions. (Sep. 18)
The Many Saints of Newark (Crime Drama | TBD) Fans of The Sopranos won't want to miss this prequel to the popular HBO TV series. Set in the '60s and '70s, it focuses on the early years of Tony Soprano. The lead role will be played by Michael Gandolfini, following in his late father's footsteps. (Sep. 25)
| OCTOBER |
Respect (Biography | TBD) Jennifer Hudson stars as music icon Aretha Franklin. Christmas comes early this year! (Oct. 9)
| NOVEMBER |
The Eternals (Action | TBD) Marvel brings us another new superhero film, this one starring Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek about a race immortal beings who shaped Earth's history. (Nov. 6)
Clifford the Big Red Dog (Animated Comedy | TBD) Based on the beloved cartoon, a young girl loves a tiny puppy so much, it makes him gigantic! (Nov. 13)
Godzilla vs. Kong (Sci-Fi | TBD) Which one will defeat the other to become King of the Monsters? (Nov. 20)
| DECEMBER |
West Side Story (Musical | TBD) The adaptation of the 1957 musical that was inspired by William Shakespeare's tragic love story is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Rita Moreno and Ansel Elgort. (Dec. 18)
The Croods 2 (Animated Comedy | TBD) Everyone's favorite prehistoric family returns with a new challenge: they're trying to keep up with the Bettermans, who claim to be better and more evolved. (Dec. 23)
