Top 50 Most Anticipated Movies of 2017

By Darian Scalamoni

            It’s crazy to think that we’re already half way through the first month of 2017 and though I’ve only seen a few movies thus far, it really does seem like it’s going to be a terrific year for cinema. Even though we’re sixteen days into the new year, there are still tons of movies that I’m dying to see and I’m anticipating the most. So without further ado, here’s my most anticipated movies of 2017!

50. Power Rangers (March 24^th)

From the original Mighty Morphin’ series, I’ve been a huge Power Rangers fan my whole life. This new incarnation of the Rangers looks interesting and incredibly similar to 2012’s Chronicle, a dark and gritty tone that is a breath of fresh air for the film. I’

m a fan of RJ Cyler too, who is playing Billy and with legitimate actors like Elizabeth Banks and Bryan Cranston playing Rita Repulsa and Zordon respectively, it’s hard not to be excited for this movie. 

49. All Eyez on Me (June 16^th)

With Straight Outta Compton being a massive hit, it seems that biopics on rap legends were going to be the new craze, well in the summer we’re getting a Tupac Shakur movie. Marcc Rose played Shakur in the N.W.A. biopic but this time it’s Demetrius Shipp Jr. taking the lead role. It’s evident though that Shipp Jr. looks exactly like the legendary rapper and many are hoping the movie turns out as good as Straight Outta Compton. The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira and Lauren Cohen also co-star in the movie and we’ll even have an appearance from Jamal Woolard who will reprise his role as Biggie Smalls after starring in Notorious back in 2009.

48. The Circle (April 28^th)

Based on a best-selling book, The Circle follows a young woman who lands a job at a powerful tech company before being consumed in their own world of technology through the maker of the titular system. The premise sounds like its straight out of a Black Mirror episode but what makes this so interesting is the cast and director. Starring Emma Watson with supporting turns from John Boyega and 2-time Oscar winner, Tom Hanks, it just adds to the intrigue of such a promising story. The trailer is very mysterious and displays a weird tone but even more weird is that the film is directed by James Ponsoldt who had previously directed excellent character studies like The End of the Tour and The Spectacular Now.

47. Wildlife (Fall)

The directorial debut of one of the most underrated actors ever, Paul Dano is a welcomed one especially when he’s already worked with a crop of some of the greatest directors of all-time. His film starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan follows a family that moves to Montana and falls apart. Its seen through the eyes of the main character who will be played by Alex Oxenbould who starred in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Visit. It’s a great team attached too, with Dano and his real-life partner, Zoe Kazan penning the script. Also, Oren Moverman is producing and it’ll likely be released around Fall festival season. 

46. Wonder Woman (June 2^nd)

After making her big-screen debut as the Amazonian princess warrior in the disappointing Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Gal Gadot will have to carry a whole movie on the weight of her shoulders this time around. Wonder Woman has always been a favorite DC character of mine and I’m very excited for this movie. With a supporting cast that features Chris Pine, Robin Wright and Connie Nielsen, the movie will be the first real solo movie in the newly-minted and thus far, not good, DC Extended Universe. Patty Jenkins directs the iconic female super heroine and directed Charlize Theron to an Oscar over 10 years ago so she might just be the right woman to helm the first film about Princess Diana.

45. Stronger (Winter)

The second movie this year to cover the events of the Boston Marathon bombing, though this one takes a different approach. Instead of focusing on the tragedy itself, the movie focuses on Jeff Bauman, a man who lost his legs due to the terrorist events. Directed by David Gordon Green, who has just as many great movies as he has disappointments, the movie will hopefully garner Jake Gyllenhaal his long overdue second Oscar nomination and also be a launching pad into movies for Emmy winner, Tatiana Maslany.

44. Darkest Hour (November 24^th)

The historical drama that follows Winston Churchill battling Adolf Hitler’s German army in the early days of WWII looks like it could be a potential awards candidate with that release date and one of the greatest method actors ever in Gary Oldman playing Churchill (yes, that’s Gary Oldman in the picture up above the title.) It has a great cast that also stars the emerging Lily James and one of my favorite actors today, Ben Mendelsohn. In addition to that, Joe Wright is directing and the last time he directed a historical drama, we got Atonement which was terrific.

43. Tully (Fall)

Jason Reitman reunites with Diablo Cody who wrote two of his best films (Juno, Young Adult) and the star of the latter, Charlize Theron, where she plays a mother of three struggling to cope with a newborn who hires a night nanny and forms a bond with the young woman. That young woman is played by Mackenzie Davis, who stars in the incredibly underrated AMC drama, Halt & Catch Fire and is poised to break out. Reitman might be able to get her there as he badly needs a good film after his last two movies bombed at the box office and critically. He hopes to return to old form with this dramedy that is expected to be released around Fall festival season. 

42. Mudbound (Fall)

Though this movie just debuted at Sundance, it’s likely to get a wide release closer to award season. Directed by Dee Rees, who previously helmed the HBO movie, Bessie, Mudbound could be an under the radar Oscar contender for 2018. Based on a best-selling novel that dealt with racial injustice, PTSD and family tragedy and led by an underrated ensemble of actors like Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Clarke and Jason Mitchell in his first big role post-Straight Outta Compton, it seems that this could wind up being one of the better movies of this year.

41. The Old Man and the Gun (Winter)

One of the only films on this list that has yet to begin production, the movie directed by David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Pete’s Dragon) stars two actors he’s worked with previously in Casey Affleck and Robert Redford. It also stars the legendary Sissy Spacek in a film that follows Redford as an elderly bank robber who escaped prison over a dozen times before moving into a retirement home. He wants to do one last big heist before he kicks the bucket and enlists in the recent Golden Globe winner, Affleck to assist him. Could be tons of fun, just like Lowery’s last live-action Disney remake named earlier.

40. Lady Bird (Fall)

The directorial debut of indie darling Greta Gerwig, who previously co-wrote Frances Ha and Mistress America with Noah Baumbach that stars 2-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan in a semi-biographical movie. Not only is Ronan terrific but you also have Lucas Hedges coming off of an incredible performance in Manchester by the Sea and the always comparable Tracy Letts is also in the movie. Gerwig had a big 2016 in front of the camera with Maggie’s Plan, Jackie and 20^th Century Women but I’m intrigued to see what she’ll be able to do when crafting her own film behind the lens.

39. Goodbye, Christopher Robin (Fall)

The life and story of A.A. Milne, the author and creator of the wondrous Winnie the Pooh character inspired by his son C.R. Milne. The cast is terrific with Domhnall Gleeson playing Milne along with Margot Robbie playing his wife and Phoebe Waller-Bridge who is coming off of her leading role in the Amazon series, Fleabag. As a giant fan of Winnie the Pooh and growing up on the stories following the lovable bear, I’m excited about this biopic. Especially since Gleeson is one of my favorite actors under 35 at the moment.

38. Landline (Late Spring/Early Fall)

The female-led indie that just debuted at Sundance could be this year’s 20^th Century Women. Led by Jenny Slate, Edie Falco and newcomer Abby Quinn, the movie follows a teenager who lives with her sister and parents in the 90s before discovering that her father is having an affair. Slate and Falco are immensely talented but also roles for Jay Duplass and John Turturro make this project so fascinating. It could be a showcase for all talent involved including director, Gillian Robespierre who directed Slate in the refreshing rom-com Obvious Child that could make something special that has the chance of being awards fare.

37. The Snowman (October 13^th)

Tomas Alfredson’s long-awaited follow up to Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy stars one of the finest working actors today, Michael Fassbender. The Oscar-nominated actor plays an alcoholic Norwegian detective that is investigating the disappearance of a woman whose pink scarf is found wrapped around a mysterious looking snowman. The premise makes it sound like a crazy noir and after previous reports that Martin Scorsese wanted to direct, the source material has to be pretty great. The author of the original novel also wrote the book that Morten Tyldum’s Headhunters was adapted from. Not only that but also a screenplay that was co-written by Hossein Amini who wrote the best noir film in recent memory, Drive and a supporting cast that includes Rebecca Ferguson, J.K. Simmons and the triumphant return of Val Kilmer can make this one of the best of the year.

36. The Masterpiece (Maybe Winter?)

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the often-referred “worst movie ever made”, James Franco directs and stars as Tommy Wiseau who created The Room in a movie being adapted from a book from one of the movies original stars. The film could be one of the funniest of the decade if done properly and because this movie’s release date keeps getting pushed, it seems that Franco is taking his time with the formerly-titled “The Disaster Artist”. All of his pals are along for the ride as well with roles for Seth Rogen, Dave Franco and Christopher Mintz-Plasse but also serious actors like Jacki Weaver, Zoey Deutch and even Bryan Cranston have roles in the film. With Franco describing the movie as a mixture between Boogie Nights and The Master, it makes it seem like it could even be released around awards season and it could be better than anyone could’ve anticipated.

35. A Futile and Stupid Gesture (Fall)

Doug Kenney was the founder of National Lampoon magazine which had a meteoric rise and later resulted in spinoff films that were surreal comedies that have become favorites since the 80s and 90s. Will Forte stars as Kenney and with Wet Hot American Summer writer/director David Wain directing with his absurd style and mind, he seems to be the most perfect guy to adapt the story of this company. Domhnall Gleeson and Emmy Rossum also co-star but I’m more excited to see Joel McHale as Chevy Chase, Seth Green as Christopher Guest and Jon Daly as Bill Murray. An interesting career loaded with immense talent could make for a great movie.

34. Yeh Din Ka Kissa (Fall)

The next film from Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Frances Ha) stars his most recent muse Ben Stiller along with a surprising co-star in Adam Sandler. Not only that but also roles for Oscar winners, Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson make this the most interesting cast of any film this year. The plot follows an estranged family gathering together in New York to celebrate the artistic work of their father, played by Hoffman. Baumbach is one of the most stylized filmmakers in the industry and is on a hot streak recently, even if I wasn’t a huge fan of While We’re Young, other critics adored it.

33. Okja (Summer)

I wasn’t aware of Bong Joon-Ho’s filmmaking until I saw the incredibly underrated Snowpiercer just a couple of years ago. Okja follows a young Korean girl who is traveling the world to protect her best friend, who happens to be a giant creature named Okja from a corporation trying to take it down. It’s a fantastical premise and has a tremendous cast with Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Lily Collins and Giancarlo Esposito. If you can tell from the above image, yes that is Gyllenhaal and it looks like a kooky adventure to be released on Netflix in the summer season. 

32. Mother (Fall)

Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming project that stars Oscar winners Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem follows a young couple that receive uninvited guests at their home. It’s a psychological thriller from the mind of a man whose done it well in the past (Black Swan), so much so that the star of that film won an Academy Award for her performance. Not much else is known about the movie other than Lawrence and Bardem are joined by Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer and Domhnall Gleeson and that it is shot on 16mm. The movie should be released around Oscar season, most likely.

31. Wonder (April 7^th)

The film based on the best-selling children’s novel follows a young boy that is born with a facial deformity and decides that he’ll start attending a real school after years of being home schooled by his mother. The source material is riveting and intense but speaks to the truth of how awful some kids could be when seeing something they don’t truly understand. With a cast that includes established talent like Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Mandy Patinkin as well as Jacob Tremblay in the lead role coming off his breakout turn in Room in 2015. Steven Chbosky is also directing coming off one of the greatest coming-of-age films of all time with The Perks of Being a Wallflower, so he knows how to adapt from the page to the screen. 

30. Baby Driver (August 11^th)

It’s been quite a little while since we saw the stylized Edgar Wright put something on screen, well this summer he’s releasing his long-awaited next film that has the best cast he’s ever assembled. Starring Ansel Elgort, known best for his leading role in The Fault in Our Stars, he’ll play a music-obsessed getaway driver for bank robbers who must save his girlfriend when a job goes wrong. The crime caper also has Jamie Foxx and Jon Hamm as the bank robbers, rising star Lily James as Elgort’s girlfriend and one of the greatest living actors, Kevin Spacey having a role as well. It’s been four years since we’ve seen a film directed by Wright and to be honest, that is just WAY too long.

29. Song to Song (March 17^th)

Terrence Malick’s latest features two intersecting love triangles against the music scene in Austin, Texas. I previewed this movie when the first image surfaced recently; shot back-to-back with last year’s Knight of Cups, it features actors from that film like Natalie Portman and Christian Bale but also acting juggernauts like Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett among others. One thing is for sure, the film will be beautiful to look at like Malick’s other efforts but here’s hoping it’s more in the vein of The Tree of Life featuring an overarching feeling of joy when walking out of the theater unlike some of his most recent fare. 

28. Murder on the Orient Express (November 22^nd)

Looking to make a splash at next year’s Academy Awards is Kenneth Branagh’s remake of the classic crime/mystery, Murder on the Orient Express. The 1974 classic directed by Sidney Lumet was nominated for six Oscars and featured an all-star cast that included Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Sean Connery, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Ingrid Bergman, who won as Oscar for the original. Branagh counters with a cast that includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench, Michael Pena, Daisy Ridley and Branagh himself as the lead Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. He’s investigating the murder of a wealthy American while on board the most famous train in the world, the Orient Express. Could be terrific with the talent involved but it’ll be hard to outdo the beloved original.

27. Downsizing (December 22^nd)

Another possible Oscar film from one who is familiar with the territory, Alexander Payne, director of The Descendants and Nebraska will bring Downsizing to big screens. A movie that has been in development for quite a while with a starry cast to boot, the film follows a man who agrees to shrink himself along with his wife after he goes through turmoil and more issues before she backs out at the last minute for him to experience it all for himself. Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig star as the couple as Alec Baldwin, Jason Sudeikis, Neil Patrick Harris and even Christoph Waltz have supporting roles in what seems to be the hilarious and fantastic concept.

26. Kong: Skull Island (March 10^th)

The latest movie to cover the monstrous ape is directed by little known indie director Jordan Vogt-Roberts who is coming off The Kings of Summer, and shows a different side and kind of gorilla then we’ve ever seen. One that can compete with Godzilla in future spinoffs and battle feature films. This movie though seems to be stylized (hopefully in the right way, that last trailer was very strange) with a 70s tone as a group of scientists, soldiers and government officials travel to Skull Island in the Pacific to discover the giant King Kong as well as other creatures amongst the island. Tom Hiddleston, John Goodman, Samuel L. Jackson and recent Oscar winner, Brie Larson are just some of the terrific ensemble collected for the film that will be released in just a short time. The epic scale also seems to have a lighter tone by the previews as this has potential to be the best non-superhero blockbuster of 2017.

25. War Machine (Spring)

The biopic that follows Brad Pitt as Stanley McChrystal, the Runaway General that President Obama appointed in charge of the war in Afghanistan before alienating his bosses and allies. In the above image you can see Pitt sporting grey hair in the film that is supposed to be a war drama with comedic elements. The cast is loaded with talent including underrated young actors Keith Stanfield, Emory Cohen and Will Poulter. Another movie to get Netflix in the awards hunt, hopefully its Spring release date won’t hurt it.

24. Blade Runner 2049 (October 6^th)

The surprising sequel to Ridley Scott’s sci-fi cult classic that was released 35 years ago, marks the return of Rick Deckard thirty years after the events of the original and he’s joined by recent Golden Globe winner, Ryan Gosling. Instead of Ridley Scott directing, Blade Runner 2049 marks the next effort from one of the best directors in the industry today, Denis Villeneuve following his own successful original sci-fi film, Arrival. Frequent collaborators Roger Deakins and Johan Johansson will shoot and score the movie so it will look and sound amazing but we could tell that already by the trailer. The supporting cast is also tremendous with Dave Bautista, Robin Wright, Barkhad Abdi, Lennie James, Mackenzie Davis and Jared Leto on board so hopefully it lives up to its massive hype surrounding it.

23. Last Flag Flying (Winter)

Richard Linklater’s next movie is actually a sequel to a movie he did not direct, The Last Detail. The 1973 dramedy directed by Hal Ashby originally starred Jack Nicholson and Randy Quaid as two Navy officers that must bring a young offender (played by Otis Young) to prison but show him one last good time before they do so. Linklater has been known for doing spiritual successors to even his own films (Everybody Wants Some!! was just that to his Dazed & Confused), but Darryl Ponsican wrote the aptly-titled novel in 2005 that was a follow-up to The Last Detail. This was in development since the novel was released and Linklater has cast Bryan Cranston and Steve Carell in the roles of Buddusky and Meadows respectively with Laurence Fishburne playing the young offender who is now old, who goes along with his buddies to return Meadows’ son to his hometown after being killed in the Iraq war. 

22. Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7^th)

The first Marvel movie to crack my list is the third try at a franchise for the popular web-slinger. Though Sony solely produced the first two efforts led by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, Marvel Studios now has dipped their creative hand into the cookie jar and is collaborating with Sony to make Spider-Man standalones. This movie that is being described as “Spider-Man in a John Hughes movie” and it sure feels like it from the trailer; Tom Holland puts on the costume this time around after being probably the best part of one of the best movies of 2016, Captain America: Civil War. Marisa Tomei also returns as Aunt May as well as Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau making appearances as Tony Stark and Happy Hogan. Donald Glover is another popular name that shows up but it is perhaps Michael Keaton in the villainous role as Vulture that will get many casual viewers heading to the theaters after his recent work has been considered his best in years.

21. Under the Silver Lake (Fall)

David Robert Mitchell’s follow-up to one of the most pleasant surprises of 2014, It Follows, is a noir set in modern Los Angeles. When I hear that, I instantly think something in the same style as Drive or even more so, Nightcrawler, but then I see Andrew Garfield attached and I become that much more intrigued. Garfield had a terrific 2016 with Hacksaw Ridge and Martin Scorsese’s Silence on the backend, now he’ll work with an up and coming premiere filmmaker who is getting to work with premiere talent. Not much else is known but Topher Grace, Riley Keough, Girls’ Zosia Mamet and Westworld breakout, Jimmi Simpson are all on board for the cast and A24 will distribute the movie and they’ve had very little failure since becoming a production company. 

20. Kingsman: The Golden Circle (October 6^th)

The highly-anticipated sequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service cracks my top 20 due to Matthew Vaughn returning to direct as well as incredible additions to the cast like Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, Halle Berry and Pedro Pascal. They join the returning talents of Colin Firth, Mark Strong and Taron Egerton, who broke out into Hollywood with the previous film based on the graphic novels. In this movie, Eggsy will have to team with an American Statesman to save the world (I’m assuming that Statesman is Tatum), which sounds like tons of fun. It will truly be hard to up the ante on the action sequences though as the “Freebird” sequence might be one of the best action scenes in recent memory. As such a big fan of the first movie, it’s hard not to get excited about the sequel. 

19. Untitled Dick Cheney Biopic (December)

A movie that truly no one knows much about other than the subject matter and director. Adam McKay directs after coming off his Oscar-winning dramatic showcase, The Big Short that was one of my absolute favorite films of 2015. That film brought together a remarkable and talented cast that included Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell. This was a huge feat for a former SNL writer turned legendary comedy director (Anchorman, Step Brothers) to start to dip his feet into dramatic territory. McKay won the Academy Award for his Adapted Screenplay and now he’s moving to the former VP of the United States. He’ll reteam with Brad Pitt’s production company, Plan B that has had massive success in the recent years and now the question is, who will play Cheney himself? 

18. Untitled Woody Allen Project (Late Summer/Early Fall)

At 81 years old, Woody Allen continues to make content on a yearly basis which is unbelievable. Not only that, but he also released an Amazon series, while also releasing his 47^th film, Café Society last year, which made my top 10 of the year list. His 48^th movie is currently filming and stars Kate Winslet and Justin Timberlake in the summer of the 1950s in Coney Island. Timberlake plays a lifeguard that the older Winslet meets and forms a relationship with, much like many of the other romantic relationships we’ve seen in other Allen movies. With the talent attached though and coming off Café Society, it makes me very excited for his next feature that is in my top 20 anticipated for the year. 

17. The Glass Castle (Fall)

Hot on the heels of their massive success on the magnificent indie film, Short Term 12, Brie Larson and director Destin Daniel Cretton reunite for an adaptation of a best-selling novel. The Glass Castle tells the true story of Jeanette Walls and her poor upbringing with her mentally troubled parents. Their first film was one of my favorite indies of all-time, filled with realism and detail, this film that also stars Woody Harrelson and Naomi Watts as Larson’s parents, looks to be one of the best films for awards season with a late release date most likely.

16. Battle of the Sexes (Summer)

From the directors of Little Miss Sunshine, this film follows a true story of the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, the sexist former tennis player. The legendary match was also a huge publicity stunt back in the 70s when Riggs claimed that even at age 55, he could defeat the best female player in the sport because “women were inferior to men” before King gave him the whooping he deserved. The film is also produced by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionare, Steve Jobs) who originally was in line to direct and written by Oscar-winning screenwriter, Simon Beaufoy. One of the most relevant films of this year could also be one of the best and funniest. Emma Stone and Steve Carell play King and Riggs, respectively.

15. Justice League (November 17^th)

The first team-up film of the DCEU brings together the biggest and best of DC’s comic book heroes on screen. Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg work together after Superman’s death to take on a bigger enemy that they can’t take down unless they act in a cohesive way. Directed by Zack Snyder in his third straight DC movie, he’s looking to build more of Man of Steel feel, rather than the more recent Batman v. Superman that was a huge disappointment. With a terrific cast that also gives us our first look at new DC characters Commissioner Gordon, Iris West and Nuidis Vulko along with the beloved super team, all fans are hoping is that the movie is great.

14. Logan (March 3^rd)

One of two films in the top 15 that will be released in the next two months, the last film to feature Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine (so he says), is inspired on the Old Man Logan comic to where the title character is now grizzled, beaten and old. Possibly on his last legs, he along with a 90-year old Professor X and a very young girl, who we now know is X-23 are trying to preserve and protect the young mutant from Boyd Holbrook’s villainous Donald Pierce. The R-rated comic book fare looks to be ultra-violent but also seems to have depth and real stakes to it. Based on the first trailer alone featuring Johnny Cash’s “Hurt”, the movie catapulted into a prestigious spot on my list and makes it one of the most impressive feats for Jackman who is set to play Wolverine for the 9^th time in 17 years.

13. Logan Lucky (October 13^th)

Steven Soderbergh’s return to directing feature films is being described as the “redneck Ocean’s Eleven” which he also directed back in 2001. The premise is that two brothers plan a heist against the backdrop of a NASCAR race. Daniel Craig, Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Hilary Swank and Katherine Waterston are just some of the stars among this movie that is quickly becoming an “event” after being away from directing features since Side Effects in 2013. Also, Katie Holmes, Sebastian Stan, Seth MacFarlane, Katherine Heigl and Riley Keough, who stars in the Soderbergh-produced Starz series, The Girlfriend Experience, all come along for the ensemble crime film. Other than that not much is known but it seems to be an exciting prospect to see Soderbergh possibly having a return to form with Logan Lucky.

12. Beauty and the Beast (March 17^th)

The live-action telling of the animated Disney classic of a young woman falling in love with a monstrous looking prince has assembled one of the greatest casts in the history of movies. Emma Watson stars as Belle while rising star Dan Stevens (soon to be seen in FX’s Legion) stars as the Beast. Not only that, but the kitchen appliances in live-action look great with Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson and Gugu Mbatha-Raw voicing some of them, it looks to be a great reincarnation of the original movie. The clip of Emma Watson singing also sounds spectacular so 

now the only question that remains is how much money can this film actually make come March?

11. Thor: Ragnarok (November 3^rd)

While the first two Thor films are some of my least favorites from the MCU, the third in the trilogy could be far and beyond the best with the potential it already has behind it. Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) will direct and has already shown that with his comedic flare, the Thor character can thrive in his short film, Team Thor released last year showcasing what the Asgaardian was doing while the events of Civil War were happening. He’s joined by two more heroes in this film that weren’t featured in the latter in Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange that just debuted at the end of last year. The buddy-cop esque tone that has been teased for this movie should work incredibly well but will be brought back down to dramatic moments with the legendary, Cate Blanchett as the villain Hela. Also, roles for Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban and Jeff Goldblum, the movie is stacked with talent and could result in one of the finer offerings in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

10. Annihilation (Fall)

The sophomore effort from Alex Garland who had one of the best directorial debuts ever with the ambitious sci-fi film that won an Oscar for visual effects and got a nomination for Best Original Screenplay, Ex Machina. His second film titled Annihilation will stay in the genre with a bigger scope, budget and cast, as he adapts the book by Jeff VanderMeer. Oscar Isaac returns to team-up again with Garland but he’s joined this time by Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson and Gina Rodriguez. The source material is great and gives Garland a lot to play with but it’s going to be hard to outdo his last movie. Here’s hoping he can get the job done with Annihilation. 

9. Suburbicon (Fall/Winter)

George Clooney’s latest directorial effort following the massive disappointment, Monuments Men, is a 1950s drama/thriller called Suburbicon that will be written by The Coen Brothers. Interested yet? Well think that this is Clooney’s sixth film as a director and with great films already on his resume like Good Night and Good Luck as well as The Ides of March, it’s easy to see why the film could be great. Want more support? The cast includes Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin and Woody Harrelson, all whom are astounding talents. I can’t wait for this movie, the only thing that worries me is the release date, it sounds to me like an Oscar type of film so the later the release date the better.

8. Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri (Late Spring/Early Summer)

A Missouri woman goes to war with the authorities after her daughter is murdered and local police want to cover it up, that woman is played by Frances McDormand who is quietly becoming one of the most consistent actresses in Hollywood. Directed by Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths), the movie will be only his third feature to which his last two were startlingly good. Another black comedy/drama that will also bring back two of his regulars, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell along with Peter Dinklage and the Oscar-winner, McDormand, the movie promises to be well-acted and even better directed. Hopefully this is the movie that gets McDonagh some recognition from the Academy on a grander scale since his win for Best Short Film, Live Action in 2006. 

7. Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson 1950s Fashion Drama (Late Fall/Early Winter)

The only reason this isn’t higher is because of all the mystery behind it. The latest film from Paul Thomas Anderson who directed such incredible movies as Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood will reunite with the star of the latter, 3-time Oscar winner, Daniel Day-Lewis for his first movie in five years. Anderson will explore the London fashion industry of the 1950s for this project, which may or may not be based on the life of Charles James. No other details or cast is known and with that little known it’s hard to put it within my top 5 most anticipated but it garners a spot in the top 10 nonetheless.

6. The Current War (Late Fall/Early Winter)

The second feature from breakout director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon who directed one of my favorite films of all-time, Me & Earl & the Dying Girl, has an ambitious movie that has way more star power than his last had. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon as Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse competing to try and build a sustainable and safe electricity system to sell to the public. Two acting juggernauts lead with support from Nicholas Hoult, Tom Holland and Katherine Waterston, along with a committed director to create something that reeks of being a contender at the Oscars come next year.

5. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (May 5^th)

The sequel to one of the best, and definitely the most surprising film of the MCU yet, Guardians of the Galaxy. The follow-up returns James Gunn and his favorite cast of misfit heroes led by Chris Pratt. Groot is now a baby and possibly the most adorable thing we’ll see all year but this movie is expected to be even better, funnier and on a grander scale compared to the last. Kurt Russell is set as the villain Ego and even an appearance from Sylvester Stallone is in the cards. With a soundtrack blaring all 80s favorites mixed with comedy and action in another galaxy, the first Marvel release of the year could very well be their best movie to date.

4. Untitled Detroit Riots Movie (August 4^th)

Zero Dark Thirty, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated movies of the decade. Bolstered by a career making performance for Jessica Chastain, an impeccable script by Mark Boal and phenomenal direction from Kathryn Bigelow, it was robbed at the Academy Awards. Their next film will be sure to be the most timely of any on the list while the 50^th anniversary of the Detroit Riots is upcoming, this summer will see Bigelow’s film providing a look at the terror and impact that the police raid of 1967 had on the United States and racial America. With police brutality and racism coming to the forefront of America in 2016, Bigelow will bring realism and a powerful film to screens in the summer. The superb cast includes John Boyega, Jack Reynor, Will Poulter, Anthony Mackie, John Krasinski, Jacob Lattimore and Jason Mitchell just to name a few. Annapurna just announced it will be their first film that they will distribute and it’s sure to be heard at the Oscars next year, no matter its summer release date.

3. Molly’s Game (Late Fall/Early Winter)

The directorial debut of quite possibly the best screenwriter of all-time, Aaron Sorkin will finally come to fruition with Molly’s Game. After his Oscar-winning screenplay for The Social Network turned the heads of thousands, it led to him exploring a project that he wanted to direct, in this case it’s going to be his adaptation of the best-selling memoir from Molly Bloom. She went from being a former Olympic hopeful skier to one of the most successful entrepreneurs after running high stakes poker games for celebrities all around the world. Jessica Chastain will play the lead with support from Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera and Chris O’Dowd, hopefully they’ll be able to get the “song and dance” style of writing that Sorkin has and this group could be looking at an awards season for the ages with Sorkin getting behind the camera.

2. Dunkirk (July 21^st)

Christopher Nolan has already solidified himself as one of the best filmmakers of all-time though he only has had one of his films nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards (Inception). His upcoming WWII drama will be the first time that he steps away from sci-fi, fantasy or comic book fare since Insomnia and looks to be one of the best upcoming films of 2017. Starring Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh, Jack Lowden, Cillian Murphy, last year’s Best Supporting Actor Mark Rylance and even One Direction’s Harry Styles, the war film will tell the story of the evacuation of British soldiers in 1940 when civilian ships helped evacuate 300,000 men from France as the Germans bombed them on the beach. The first trailer just gives a glimpse of how gorgeous and substantial this movie will be. Hopefully, it will earn Nolan all the praise he deserves and is as good as everyone is hoping for it to be.

1. Star Wars: Episode VIII (December 15^th)

What else would it be? Everyone needs to find out all the answers to the questions following 2015’s The Force Awakens. Directed by Rian Johnson (Looper), this film is being described as the new Empire Strikes Back already without seeing any footage but the movie has the return of Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, General Hux, Kylo Ren, BB-8 and even the legendary characters Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in the late, great Carrie Fisher’s last performance as the character. Benicio Del Toro and Laura Dern are also set to join the Star Wars universe and that’s all we know at this point but don’t you want to know what Luke says to Rey at the top of that mountain? Hmm.. I wonder.

That’s it for my most anticipated list of 2017 but of course, there are honorable mentions and TONS of them listed below. Thanks for reading! Comment below on your thoughts and list some of your most anticipated films of the year.

The Space Between Us, The Lego Batman Movie, T2: Trainspotting, Wilson, Free Fire, Life, Ghost in the Shell, Going in Style, Gifted, The Fate of the Furious, The Lost City of Z, Alien: Covenant, Baywatch, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, The Book of Henry, Cars 3, War for the Planet of the Apes, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, The Dark Tower, American Made, The Mountain Between Us, God Particle, Paddington 2, Jumanji, The Greatest Showman, The Mercy, The Dinner, Mute, The Discovery, Get Out, Wonderstruck, Hostiles, Felt, HHHH, Bright and The Death and Life of John F. Donovan