The turn of the year can be a depressing time. The holidays are over, it’s cold outside, and everybody insists that THIS is the year they’re going to get in shape. However, if you’re looking for a reason to be excited for 2017, look no further than your local movie theater.
If you thought 2016 was a geek’s dream with movies like Rogue One, Captain America: Civil War, and Arrival, just wait until you see what’s in store this year. 2017 is looking like being the most wallet-draining, blockbustery, geek-pleasing year at the movies of all time.
Hidden Figures (January 6)
We all know the story of the astronauts involved in the US’s space race with Russia, but Hidden Figures sheds light on the brilliant minds that helped make it all possible.
Underworld: Blood Wars (January 6)
Kate Beckinsale first appeared as Underworld’s Selene all the way back in 2003, and she’s reprised the role at regular intervals ever since. 2017 starts with what might be her last ever appearance in this hit or miss franchise.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (January 27)
Starting right after the events of 2012’s Resident Evil: Retribution, The Final Chapter is exactly what it sounds like: The last entry into a movie franchise that’s been ticking along for a decade and a half.
Rings (February 3)
The popular horror franchise is back, this time with Vincent D’Onofrio in tow. When will people learn that VHS is dead?
The Space Between Us (February 3)
Following an interplanetary romance, The Space Between Us is being dubbed as Romeo and Juliet in space. Think: The Martian for your teenage daughter or niece, but with some decent SFX and Gary Oldman thrown in for good measure.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (February 10)
John Wick (Keanu Reaves) and his dog are back in the sequel to one of 2014’s most explosively brilliant movies.
The Lego Batman Movie (February 10)
The Lego Movie was a quite simply a lot of fun, thanks in no small part to Lego Batman (Will Arnett. Now, the minifig version of the Dark Knight has got his very own movie. Will Arnett > Batfleck?
The Great Wall (February 17)
After saving himself from Mars in 2015, the world’s most likable action hero prepares to save China from an army of terrifying monsters in this bizarre story from World War Z’s Max Brooks.
Get Out (February 24)
What starts out sounding like a movie about racist parents soon starts feeling like 2017’s first genuinely exciting horror prospect. Oh, and did we mention it’s written by Jordan Peele of ‘Key and Peele’ fame?
Logan (March 3)
We’ve grown to love Hugh Jackman as 20th Century Fox’s Wolverine. From what we’ve seen so far, it might just be that the Aussie actor has saved his best X-Men performance for last.
Kong: Skull Island (March 10)
King Kong is back, and we couldn’t be more excited. If you’re thinking he’s looking a lot bigger than normal, you’d be right. The King’s new, amped-up size is all down to the fact that he’ll be facing off with Godzilla in a few year’s time.
Wilson (March 24)
There’s nothing sci-fi or horror about Craig Johnson’s Wilson, but it is based on a brilliant graphic novel from Daniel Clowes, so we’re putting it on the list anyway.
Power Rangers (March 24)
These are not the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers you grew up with. Can a new origin story, and the talents of Elizabeth Banks (Rita Repulsa) and Bryan Cranston (Zordon) breathe new life into this classic franchise?
Ghost in the Shell (March 31)
Whether it’s because of the casting controversy or the epic storyline, you can bet your bottom dollar that a lot of people will be talking about Ghost in the Shell come March. Regardless of how you feel about the adaptation, the source material is a world-renowned Manga, and therefore this movie is absolutely worth checking out.
Colossal (April 7)
If you’re looking for a Kaiju movie with a difference, look no further than Colossal. The movie features the standard hallmarks of a Kaiju movie: destruction, terror, and more destruction. The only difference? This Kaiju shares a telepathic link with a woman named Gail who is busy destroying certain parts of her own life.
The Circle (April 28)
Emma Watson will be causing a lot of buzz with her turn as Snow White this year, but just one month later, she’ll be appearing in the highly-anticipated adaptation of Dave Eggers’ hit book, The Circle. This will be the movie that makes you think twice about how you use Facebook or Google.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (May 5)
What was a surprise hit back in 2014 has now spawned one of the most anticipated movies of 2017. Baby Groot will probably steal the show, but we can’t wait to find out how the Guardians will tie back into the wider MCU.
Alien: Covenant (May 19)
Ridley Scott says his R-rated Alien: Covenant will “scare the shit out of people“. Between that quote and this terrifying trailer, it looks like Alien fans can get excited about their beloved franchise getting back to its roots this May.
Wonder Woman (June 2)
The DCEU is in need of a win, and we’re not alone in hoping that it’s Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman that delivers it.
The Mummy (June 9)
An Ancient Egyptian princess emerges after a millennia-long sleep to terrorize the planet. Unfortunately for her, Earth’s greatest action hero is on hand to take her down. Is there anything Tom Cruise can’t do?
Transformers: The Last Knight (June 23)
Can a new writing team and an appearance from Sir Anthony Hopkins give the Transformers franchise the injection of quality it so desperately needs?
Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7)
It’s a tough task pleasing Spider-Man fans, but with Tom Holland it looks like Sony and Marvel have found a real gem. Expect lots of web-slinging humor and action, all set to the backdrop of what we’re told will be a John Hughes-esque group of high school characters.
War for the Planet of the Apes (July 14)
What a pleasant surprise this reboot of a sci-fi classic has been. Andy Serkis returns as Alpha Ape, Caesar, and we’ll all no doubt be wondering when they’ll create an Academy award for motion capture performances.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (July 21)
Luc Besson endeared himself to sci-fi fans everywhere with The Fifth Element, and there are more than a few shades of that classic in the director’s latest effort. Summer space opera is back on the menu.
The Dark Tower (July 28)
It’s not easy making a movie, but it’s even harder when that movie is based on one of Stephen King’s most popular novels. The Dark Tower has taken over a decade to make it to our screens, and fans of the book will be keeping their fingers crossed that Idris Elba is the Gunslinger they’ve all been waiting for.
It (September 8)
Prepare for a reboot of some classic scares this fall. Stephen King’s Pennywise is returning to give a whole new generation of people some serious clown issues.
Flatliners (September 29)
27 years after Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, and co. first got themselves into a mess by dicing with death, a new generation of stars will follow in their footsteps in this reboot/sequel.
Blade Runner 2049 (October 6)
Prepare for some mind-bending sci-fi chills as one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time finally gets the sequel treatment. Harrison Ford returns as Deckard, with Ryan Gosling and Robin Wright heading up the rest of the cast.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (October 6)
The cheeky spies of Kingsman are coming to America in this sequel to one of 2015’s most entertaining movies. Expect more of Director Matt Vaughn’s R-rated action and laughs, all with the added bonus of Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges joining the already-stacked cast.
God Particle (October 27)
JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot studio surprised everybody when they dropped 10 Cloverfield Lane last year. We’ve got a bit more warning on the next installment into the ‘Cloverfield’ Universe, but that still doesn’t mean we have any idea what it’s going to be about.
Thor: Ragnarok (November 3)
See what Thor was up to during #CaptainAmericaCivilWar! Get this & other bonus on Dig HD 9/2 https://t.co/tWbG2IIs9h pic.twitter.com/M97y6CM1Mg
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 28, 2016
The last installment in the Thor movie series might have missed the mark, but with Taika Waititi directing and the promise of a team-up with Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, there’s plenty of reason to be excited for Ragnarok.
Justice League (November 17)
A lot is riding on Zack Snyder’s Justice League movie. Not only is it the first time DC Comics’ superhero collective have been brought to the big screen in a live-action format, but it might just have the fate of the entire DCEU in its hands. Thankfully, the first trailer looks like Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Ezra Miller’s The Flash have given the franchise the injection of humor it so desperately needed.
Star Wars: Episode VIII (December 15)
This is the big one. After the success of The Force Awakens, this new group of characters has the potential to make Episode VIII one of the biggest movies of all time. However, with the passing of Carrie Fisher late last year, there will be a sad note to what are normally joyful proceedings.
