2018 is in the rear-view mirror and all told, it was a pretty good year for film. Check out our Top 20 of 2018 for a deeper look at the best of the best that Hollywood had to offer last year. But now, it’s 2019 and our attention has turned to the next 12 months. There are hundreds of films coming to cinemas in the last of the new millennia’s teenage years.
It’s jam-packed with potential, I’ll tell you that much. There’s the conclusion (of sorts) for the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the arrival of Avengers: Endgame. That highly anticipated sequel to the highest grossing animated movie of all-time, Frozen, finally lands this year too! Also high on the anticipation meter is the latest from Martin Scorsese, a mob story that features Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and even Harvey Keitel. Yeah, that’s enough to make your blood pressure rise from all the excitement. Before you get too excited, let’s add another one for ya… how about the return of Quentin Tarantino in a film about the Manson murders that stars Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio? Yeah, that. Oh, and that film also features Oscar nominee Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate.
Before we need an oxygen mask, let’s dive into the year that will be as The Movie Mensch presents our 30 most anticipated movies of 2019.
Glass
January 18
Why so psyched? M. Night Shyamalan shocked the world when, at the end of Split, it was revealed that it was a nobody-saw-this-coming sequel to his early hit film, Unbreakable. Reuniting Bruce Willis’ David Dunn with Samuel L. Jackson’s Elijah Price—aka Mr. Glass—all while The Beast (James McAvoy) runs amuck, has us all sorts of freaking out with excitement. The man who weaves twists like nobody’s business is back, baby, and looking better than ever. Just give me some Glass!
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
February 8
Why so psyched? Did you see the first The Lego Movie? How can anyone who enjoyed that slice of eye candy joy not be geared-up to return to Lego-land for the follow-up. Chris Pratt and Elizabeth Banks return, as does Will Arnett as our greatest Batman and a slew of other voices that will have you witnessing The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part saying, “Oh my, they’re in this too?!”
Alita: Battle Angel
February 14
Why so psyched? Robert Rodriguez working with James Cameron and our attention is piqued. The story follows a little girl, who is actually the most advanced and lethal weapon the world has ever seen. She discovers her true calling with the help of her creator/mentor—played by the always awesome Christoph Waltz. Rodriguez’s directorial talents—coupled with the special effects wizardry of Cameron and his team—should add up to one of the more original action/sci-fi flicks to come along in 2019. I am Battle ready… are you?
Captain Marvel
March 8
Why so psyched? Brie Larson (Room, Free Fire) as Marvel’s newest (and greatest) superhero? Yes please! After all, at the close of Avengers: Infinity War it was revealed that Captain Marvel was our last hope. With the arrival of Captain Marvel, we finally get to see why. Larson rocks the superhero suit and illustrates the birth of a her(o). Don’t get that last word? Check out the Captain Marvel trailer and it will all make some serious sensational sense.
Us
March 15
Why so psyched? Jordan Peele delivers a new nightmare with Us. Given what he delivered in the Oscar winning Get Out, prepare to be floored, scared, riveted, emotionally moved and have a few societal moirés crushed and exposed. The man also has a gift for placing a mirror to America’s face that has us not necessarily finding too much way in what we see. Peele does this all while electrically entertaining us.
The Mustang
March 15
Why so psyched? The healing power of animals is something that has been long documented through scientific studies and programs such as the one portrayed in The Mustang. Hardened criminals find their softer side when they are tasked with working alongside wild horses. Some you can break, others you cannot—and the lessons for life outside prison walls are numerous and layered. Got to love a prison story where the tears can flow as those behind those metal bars learn things about themselves that they never thought possible. Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre co-wrote and directed the sure-to-be touching tale about rehabilitation therapy. By the close of The Mustang, I suspect you will be a believer in its stunning power.
Shazam!
April 5
Why so psyched? DC Comics hopes to continue their hot streak after the success of Aquaman with the story of a teen boy orphan who comes to the aid of another boy who lives in his foster home. Due to that selfless act, he is given the power of the superhero Shazam! What those powers are, Zachary Levi’s titular character will have to find out with the help of his best friend—who could not be more thrilled at his BFF’s newfound powers. Think Big meets Captain America—and yes, I realize I crossed the power streams of two separate comic book studios! Levi was born to play this role… have you seen Chuck? And Mark Strong as the villain… oh, this is gonna be good.
Penguins
April 17
Why so psyched? Disneynature can do no wrong when it comes to its documentaries that entertain and enlighten us each Earth Day. We have cherished every single one and the fact that they are turning their exquisite cameras on one of our favorite creatures in the entire world… all the better. The story follows an Adélie penguin named Steve. He and his penguin pals embark on a journey that involves them searching for a perfect nest, a perfect mate and of course, those perfectly adorable little baby penguins! What’s not to love?
Pet Sematary
April 21
Why so psyched? I’m not always the biggest fan of a reboot. Let’s look at how that It movie turned out. Pretty good, no? Pet Sematary was a solid Stephen King adaptation. In the new one, John Lithgow stars as the crotchety old man who informs his new neighbors (a family led by Jason Clarke) about the hallowed ground just beyond their property in the forest. It is rumored to bring the dead back to life. We, of course, know that things don’t end well for anyone who takes their pets into the eerie forest, hoping to bring Fluffy back from the dead. As the tagline says so brilliantly, “Sometimes, dead is better.” Count. Us. In.
Avengers: Endgame
April 26
Why so psyched? You have to ask?! It has all come down to this! After spending a decade with these superheroes, we’re not going to see how this whole thing concludes? Please! After half of The Avengers were turned to dust by Thanos, it’ll be fascinating to see how the Russo brothers have our heroes pick up the pieces. What’s left of Marvel’s greatest, battling the evil Thanos (Josh Brolin) and bringing balance back to the galaxy, is an epic concluding tale that compels no matter what angle you approach the story from. That Avengers: Endgame trailer teased that power and finds us believing that April 26 cannot come quickly enough. We wish we could just snap our fingers… oh, wait. Let’s not do that.
John Wick: Chapter 3
May 17
Why so psyched? The first two John Wick films pushed the action envelope and renewed our adoration for Keanu Reeves at his badass best. The third chapter finds our anti-hero battling for his good name and he has some help, none other than Oscar winner Halle Berry. Who’s ready for action? We are.
Rocketman
May 31
Why so psyched? Besides possessing an absolute adoration for all things Elton John, this biopic promises to be different in every sense than any that has come before. Given the success of Freddie Mercury and Queen’s story in Bohemian Rhapsody, we suspect all of those behind the British rocker’s rise to fame are pretty stoked the world has a passion for going behind the scenes of the 70s’ and 80s’ greatest British musicians. But, if you look at the Rocketman trailer, one thing becomes immediately clear. Rocketman will be an entirely different type of cinematic experience. It is a fantasy. It is not a traditional rock biopic. Judging by Sir Elton’s life story, that could not be a more perfect tone to take.
Dark Phoenix
June 7
Why so psyched? Normally, I wouldn’t be so high on a Jean Grey-centric character story serving as the next step on the X-Men movie chain. Judging by the cast, and how this definitely appears to be a continuation of the X-Men saga that commenced with X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past, we are ready for Dark Phoenix. Yes, we are mentally skipping over X-Men: Apocalypse. See, writer Simon Kinberg oversees the series now as he makes his directorial debut. I believe with his helming, the X-Men ship will be righted. Dark Phoenix will feature Professor X (James McAvoy), Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and the rest of the gang alongside Sophie Turner’s titular character and that promises to be something truly special.
Men in Black: International
June 14
Why so psyched? That third Men in Black movie was truly a disappointment. Given the fact that fans had waited years for Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones to don those black suits once again, the letdown hit the fandom hard. The sole triumph was witnessing Josh Brolin do his best Jones imitation. It was thought that this universe was over and if anything, was headed for a reboot. The news that Men in Black: International was green-lit gave fans hope that this alien-centric world could live again and above all else—triumph. As the Men in Black: International trailer dropped and teased stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson in those iconic suits—our anticipation meter has gone through the roof. Who knew that the American MIBs are merely the tip of this otherworldly iceberg?
Shaft
June 14
Why so psyched? Samuel L. Jackson is back in the Shaft world and in a generational shift, he and Richard Roundtree (who originated the role back in the 70s) have made Shaft, circa 2019, a true family affair. John Shaft Jr. is a cyber security expert who, while in the midst of mourning his BFF, calls up his dear ole dad and grandad for help in finding the individual or individuals responsible for his pal’s untimely death. I loved Jackson in the role back in 2000 and could not be more excited for three generations of black private dicks to extol their unique and most badass version of justice.
Toy Story 4
June 21
Why so psyched? Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) are back and the legions who believe that the Pixar series is among the best ever, have to wonder where the franchise can go after the masterwork that was the Oscar winning third installment. The toys are heading to a different house and in a stroke of genius, we see how they mingle with the hand-made toys that inhabit so many kids’ rooms, like the spork figurine that tore us up at the end of the Toy Story 4 teaser. Those characters are so beloved, I’d even show up to see the gang read the phone book at this point and have confidence it would pack an emotional punch, deliver countless laughs and hit us firmly in the heart in the most extraordinary of ways.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
July 5
Why so psyched? Tom Holland as Spider-Man, that’s why. He charmed us to no end in his “debut” in Homecoming after stealing scenes from an iconic ensemble in Captain America: Civil War. After his work in Avengers: Infinity War, I cannot wait to see Holland—post Thanos wipeout—work his webbed wonder yet again. Oh, and Jake Gyllenhaal is our villain? A most fabulicious of yeses!
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
August 9
Why so psyched? Quentin Tarantino! Him alone gets me in the theaters. Then, I read about the storyline for the Oscar winning filmmaker’s latest. Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio portray a western actor and his stunt double in late 60s Hollywood. Just as the hippies are taking over the movie business, a killing spree haunts the moviemaking world, led by the nefarious Charles Manson and his family of murderers. An actress by the name of Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) was among those killed by the evil clan. Witnessing what QT can bring to a story like this will be fascinating. Pitt and DiCaprio’s characters live next door to Tate and thus, get sucked into this drama from the front row. Now, if we could just have a trailer… please Quentin?!
It Chapter Two
September 6
Why so psyched? It rocked my world. The “remake” of the television movie based on Stephen King’s iconic novel was so brilliantly done it managed to cull audiences who do not normally find themselves sitting in the theater witnessing a horror movie. It was that good. The tale of a group of kids who face every child’s nightmare, a horrific clown, resonated with legions of folks across generations. The filmmaking team that brought us that masterwork is back in the follow-up that finds our little heroes all grown up. The casting is sublime. Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader lead the adults who must reunite when their least favorite clown re-emerges in their hometown to wreak havoc as only Pennywise (the brilliant Bill Skarsgård) can achieve.
The Kitchen
September 20
Why so psyched? The Kitchen of the title refers to Hell’s Kitchen. In this fall flick, Elizabeth Moss, Tiffany Haddish and Melissa McCarthy star in a drama that finds the latter two comedic actresses getting serious. Hollywood history is littered with a long list of comedic thespians who knock us out dramatically and I see no reason why McCarthy and Haddish cannot achieve greatness as well. After all, McCarthy could be looking at a second Oscar nomination for her dramatic work in last year’s Can You Ever Forgive Me? The trio portray wives of gangsters in 70s NYC when their husbands wind up on the wrong side of the prison bars. Writer-director Andrea Berloff brings the graphic novel to life and features a cast that goes beyond the brilliance of those three titanic talent actresses. Domhnall Gleeson, Common, James Badge Dale and Margo Martindale are merely a taste of the bodacious brilliance that appears to be coming our way next September.
Joker
October 4
Why so psyched? Have you seen those pictures of Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic DC Comics villain? Also, Todd Phillips co-wrote the screenplay and is directing. Yes, the man who gave us The Hangover is at the helm of a DC Comics villain tale and strangely, I think it is an impeccable fit. The film also features Robert De Niro and Deadpool’s Zazie Beetz. I’m also loving the synopsis, however brief it is: “A failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and becomes a psychopathic murderer.” Didn’t know you needed a Joker origins story, did ya? Well, now you do! Time to address the elephant in the room. After the Oscar winning performance given by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, one could believe that the character—at this point—is hallowed ground. If there is anyone who could make us seriously embrace a “new” Joker, it is Phoenix. He’s got the chops, the persona and the cinematic presence to command a Joker solo movie. Is it October 4 yet?
Zombieland 2
October 11
Why so psyched? The question here should actually by why did it take so long to get a sequel to Zombieland? Wichita (Emma Stone), Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) and Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) return to do what they do best—annihilate zombies in the comedic post-apocalyptic landscape given us so brilliantly by Ruben Fleischer in the 2009 surprise hit. This time out, they move to America’s midsection and what they find there are zombies who have evolved to become even more vile and lethal. Some of the survivors aren’t exactly the warmest souls on the planet either. Guess who is returning? Yup, Bill Murray! And he’s joined by another comic legend portraying himself in this zombie running rampant world… Dan Aykroyd.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
October 18
Why so psyched? After the enormous success, both critically and commercially, of the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, is anyone surprised that a biopic on Fred Rogers was not too far behind? The best person to portray the children’s television icon who broke down walls and barriers and helped so many millions grow up over four decades must be Tom Hanks. Lucky for us, that is exactly who scored the role in director Marielle Heller’s flick that lands right in the middle of Oscar season in the latter half of 2019. As the doc that landed in theaters last summer showed, the world needs Mr. Rogers more than ever. There can never be too much visiting of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. If 2018 gave us the brilliance that was Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, 2019 gives us the greatest gift of all—A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.
Charlie’s Angels
November 1
Why so psyched? I am an enormous Charlie’s Angels fan, dating back to the hit show from Aaron Spelling and also adored the two films that featured Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu as the legendary trio of badass babes. Barrymore is serving as producer for the reboot that finds Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska tackling the envelope-pushing roles. Little is known about the plot, but I would bet that this film will feature a landscape aimed directly at a decidedly new audience. It will not be a project rooted in nostalgia. Behind the camera finds the always awesome Elizabeth Banks, who will pull double duty as she tackles the role of Bosley.
Frozen 2
November 22
Why so psyched? Frozen landed in 2013 and before long, Disney Animation had itself the highest grossing animated film of all-time. The story of Anna and Elsa became a sensation that is still resonating with legions of little girls (and quite a few boys too!). It has captured the imagination of kids who were not even born when the first film came out. There are anticipated sequels, and then there is Frozen 2. Little is known about the latest adventure of Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel), Princess Anna (Kristen Bell), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and Olaf the snowman (Josh Gad, reprising the role that made him a star). What I can glean is that the sequel will get our quartet out of the Arendelle and send them deep into the forest to answer questions raised by a mystery about their beloved kingdom. Joining the cast is Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown. Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee return to direct the film that is the follow-up to the one that gave them each an Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2014.
Knives Out
November 27
Why so psyched? Rian Johnson (fresh off of Star Wars: The Last Jedi) has written and directed a murder mystery that features a cast that is, well… to die for. Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Michael Shannon, Christopher Plummer and Toni Collette all star in the thriller that promises to entertain quite a few folks looking for a distraction from all that family over Thanksgiving weekend. I adored his last few writer-director efforts—most notably Looper and Brick. It’ll be fabulous to see him returning to his auteur roots after tackling Star Wars in a film that was divisive—to say the least. Look for critics to go nuts for the flick and I can honestly say that this critic will be front and center opening night.
Star Wars: Episode IX
December 20
Why so psyched? It’s the final chapter in the third Star Wars trilogy. I mean, what else needs to be said? Given that, there is still much to be said. Coming after the aforementioned divisive The Last Jedi, J.J. Abrams is back behind the camera to usher in the final leg of a nine-film series that somehow will feature Carrie Fisher, even though she passed away before a single frame of Star Wars Episode 9 was filmed. It also will find a way to employ Mark Hamill, even though his Luke supposedly died at the end of Episode 8. Anticipation could not be higher for any movie arriving during this calendar year. All of the newbies we met in Episode 7 return and there are so many plot threads, we cannot even begin to list them all. High up on the list has to be learning who Rey’s parents are and how Kylo Ren will be seen as a villain compared to the man who he looks up to—Darth Vader. Time will tell… on all these fronts. And don’t be surprised if Abrams’ film ends without all the questions being answered. I’m not so sure that this series will be official completed. We know that Johnson will be helming a new trilogy that has nothing to do with the George Lucas created world. Who’s to say that they will stop at nine with the Skywalker saga?
Cats
December 20
Why so psyched? A big screen version of one of the most popular Broadway musicals of all time? Yeah, that’s going to raise some temperatures! As if the production itself wasn’t enough to draw millions to the theaters this Christmas, the cast will drag in anyone else who was trying to resist. Idris Elba, Ian McKellen, James Corden, Judi Dench, Rebel Wilson, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson and Jason Derulo all star in the production that is based on a Tony winner and one of creator Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular productions. Director Tom Hooper could not have been a better choice. His work on Les Mis is the stuff of legend.
Little Women
December 25
Why so psyched? Do we need another adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s iconic novel? Yes, yes we do—especially because it serves as the follow-up to director Greta Gerwig’s uber-successful Lady Bird and has a cast that is utterly sublime. Gerwig’s Lady Bird star Saoirse Ronan is Jo March, Harry Potter’s Emma Watson stars as Meg March and Outlaw King breakout Florence Pugh tackles Amy March. Oscar nominee for Call Me By My Name, Timothée Chalamet, has been cast as Theodore ‘Laurie’ Laurence with Meryl Streep as Aunt March and Laura Dern as Marmee March. I mean, come on! Right?!
The Irishman
Date TBD
Why so psyched? Martin Scorsese has reunited with some of his favorite thespians, including Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino in the story that chronicles a hitman’s possible role in the assassination of Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). The drama also finds Jesse Plemons, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Jack Huston, Harvey Keitel and Ray Romano in what could easily win the award for best ensemble of 2019. The other headline here is Scorsese returning to the mob movie genre that he made his own, along with a few performers who are at their best, when they are joining the mob. No release date has been announced yet, but whenever it does arrive, it will be on Netflix as Paramount passed on this film. Who in their right mind would pass on Scorsese’s return to a mob movie with that cast? Rhetorical question…