With Avengers: Age of Ultron currently raking it in so soon after the mega success that was Cinderella, Disney is clearly having a good year. And they’re far from slowing down anytime soon. With another 18 movies scheduled till the end of 2016 (including a smattering of entries from Marvel Studios and the Star Wars universe), Disney’s set to dominate the box office for the foreseeable future.
Related: Age of Ultron Redefines Superheroes
[divider]Tomorrowland[/divider]
Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.
Starring George Clooney, Hugh Laurie and Brit Robertson, Tomorrowland is written and directed by The Incredibles’ Brad Bird and is set for a 21st May 2015 release.
[divider]Ant-Man[/divider]
Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Hot off the success of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Michael Douglas and is directed by Peyton Reed. Look forward to Marvel Studios’ smallest hero to hit the screens on 16th July 2015.
[divider]Inside Out[/divider]
Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters.
Because we all need a little more Pixar in out lives, Inside Out will be released on 20th August 2015, starring Bill Hader, Amy Poehler and Mindy Kaling and is directed by Pete Docter.
[divider]Selfless[/divider]
An extremely wealthy elderly man, dying from cancer, undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness to the body of a healthy young man, but all is not as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body’s origin and the secret organization that will kill to protect its cause.
Directed by Tarsem Singh and starring Ryan Reynolds, Michelle Dockery, Matthew Goode and Ben Kingsley, Selfless will be released on 10th September 2015.
[divider]Autobahn[/divider]
An American backpacker gets involved with a ring of drug smugglers as their driver, though he winds up on the run from his employers across Munich’s high-speed freeways.
Starring Felicity Jones, Nicholas Hoult and, term, Ben Kingsley (again), Autobahn is directed by Eran Creevey and will be released on 12th November 2015.
[divider]The Good Dinosaur[/divider]
The Good Dinosaur asks the generations-old question: What if the cataclysmic asteroid that forever changed life on Earth actually missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct?
Lucas Neff, Neil Patrick Harris and John Lithgow star in Pixar’s second entry for the year in The Good Dinosaur, directed by Peter Sohn and set to be released on 26th November 2015.
[divider]Star Wars: The Force Awakens[/divider]
A continuation of the saga created by George Lucas set thirty years after Star Wars: Episode VI – The Return of the Jedi.
Directed by J.J. Abrams, the seventh entry to the Star Wars saga stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and—oh, forget it. You know you’re gonna watch it no matter who’s acting. 17th December 2015. Mark your calendars.
[divider]The Finest Hours[/divider]
The Coast Guard makes a daring rescue attempt off the coast of Cape Cod after a pair of oil tankers are destroyed during a blizzard in 1952.
Starring Chris Pine, Graham McTavish, Ben Foster and Casey Affleck, this adaptation is directed by Craig Gillespie and is set for a 4th February 2016 release.
[divider]Zootopia[/divider]
In the animal city of Zootopia, a fast-talking fox who’s trying to make it big goes on the run when he’s framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Zootopia’s top cop, a self-righteous rabbit, is hot on his tail, but when both become targets of a conspiracy, they’re forced to team up and discover even natural enemies can become best friends.
With only Jason Bateman having been announced to star in this movie by Byron Howard, look for it to be released on 3rd March 2016.
[divider]The Jungle Book[/divider]
This live action/CGI remake of the classic tale of The Jungle Book follows the life of an orphan boy, Mowgli, who was raised in the Jungle with the help of a pack of wolves, a bear and a black panther.
Starring like a whole bunch of Disney alums (Neel Sethi, Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, Ben Kingsley, Lupita Nyong’o and Christopher Walken) and directed by Jon Favreau (who is also a familiar face at Disney, The Jungle Book will be released on 14th April 2016.
[divider]Captain America: Civil War[/divider]
Following the events of the Age of Ultron, the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers cause two factions that side with Iron Man (pro registration) or side with Captain America (anti registration) which causes an epic conflict between former allies.
If the Marvel deprivation since this year’s Ant-Man was starting to kill you, you can breathe easy now. Written and directed by the Russo Brothers, Captain America: Civil War stars Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan and Robert Downey Jr. Where’s a time machine when you need one, eh? (It’s with the X-Men. It’s always with the X-Men.)
[divider]Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass[/divider]
Because somebody apparently liked Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland so much that they felt that turning it into a franchise would be a good idea, we’ll be subject to yet another acid trip of Alice. Be sure to watch this in 3D to feel the full burn of unnecessary expense.
Expected to hit cinemas on 26th May 2016, this sequel to the 2010 flick is directed by James Bobin and stars Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Mark Rylance and a big dose of Why. As in, “Why do we need a sequel?”
[divider]Finding Dory[/divider]
The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish reunites with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the true meaning of family along the way.
This sequel to Pixar’s 2003 hit, Finding Nemo stars Ellen Degeneres resuming her role as Dory, Albert Brooks and Diane Keaton and if directed by Andrew Stanton.
[divider]The BFG[/divider]
The tale of a young girl, the Queen of England and a benevolent giant known as the BFG, who set out on an adventure to capture the evil, man-eating giants who have been invading the human world.
Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Mark Reliance, Ruby Barnhill and Bill Hader, The BFG is expected to be released on 30th June 2016.
[divider]Pete’s Dragon[/divider]
A young orphan seeks refuge from his abusive adoptive parents with the help of a pet dragon and a couple who live in a lighthouse.
Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley, Oakes Fegley and Robert Redford and directed by David Lowery, Pete’s Dragon will be released on 18th August 2016.
[divider]Doctor Strange[/divider]
After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under his wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.
With only Benedict Cumberbatch announced as the titular character and Scott Derrickson as director, Doctor Strange still has a fair bit of casting up its sleeve. Nevertheless, expect this to dominate the box office on the week of 3rd November 2016.
[divider]Moana[/divider]
A young woman uses her navigational talents to set sail for a fabled island. Joining her on the adventure is her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui.
Already receiving attention for being the first Disney movie featuring a Polynesian Disney Princess, Moana is directed by Ron Clements and John Musker and stars Dwayne Johnson… though I’m gonna hazard a guess that he isn’tMoana on 24th November 2016.
[divider]Star Wars: Rogue One[/divider]
Can we just rename December to Star Wars Month or something? I know May should be the one actually given that honour, but it seems like we’re gonna be getting a new Star Wars movie every December here on out. I’m not complaining, though. I’ve been starved of my cinematic Star Wars fix since 2005 and would prefer to forget The Clone Wars movie.
Said to star Felicity Jones and with Gareth Edwards set to direct, Star Wars: Rogue One will be released on 15th December 2016.