2019 Movies

If you're a normal person, you might not realize what a jam packed year of movies we have in store. See me, I'm not normal and as I sit here and look at the movies we have coming in 2019, I realize one thing; for the first time in my life, I will be in a movie theater EVERY month of the year. I thought 2018 was heavy on releases but 2019 looks to ruin my free time and wallet at the same time. I'm not exaggerating at all either. December may be the only month I don't watch a movie but if I finally get into Star Wars like I've been planning to for a decade now, you can add that to the list. Let's go through all the movies I'll be paying for in 2019.

Escape Room

2019 starts off strong with a movie I don't think will get a lot of traction but I'm really looking forward to. Firstly, it's a PG-13 horror movie. I cannot stand PG-13 horror movies. Happy Death Day is the only one that comes to mind that I really enjoyed in the past 5 years or so. I like the concept of a deadly Escape Room because it reminds me a lot of the Zero Escape series. If you know anything about me or have read any of the posts on this blog, you'll know that Zero Escape is easily my favorite visual novel series of all time and it has a similar idea. If Escape Room can do what Zero Escape does in 2 hours, then it should be a fun movie to start my year off right.

Happy Death Day 2U

Happy Death Day was a surprise hit when it released in 2017. A horror take of one of my favorite movies Groundhog Day, the story of Tree dying over and over again, trying to find her killer and become a better person in the process made for a very fun film. Not only was it suspenseful, it was filled with great jokes and nods to the movies that inspired it. The sequel will hopefully do the same. The trailer shows that not only Tree but her friends are now in the time loop as well. It also shows that original killer Lori is killed in the new loop. Who's the killer? Why are Tree's friends involved? Why is the loop happening in the first place? Hopefully, all of these questions and more will be answered Valentine's Day 2019.

Captain Marvel

Here we go. The first of many superhero movies that will grace this list. The first superhero movie (not counting Glass) of the year and it's a major one. It's the first solo female MCU film and it releases on International Women's Day. Coincidence? I think not. CM is a prequel set in the 1990s and while it may not continue the storyline set in Infinity War, it will definitely introduce us to one of the power players featured in Avengers Endgame. I'm excited. I don't know too much about Captain Marvel but I'm looking forward to getting the Skrulls in the MCU and learning more about her character and exactly why it took Thanos killing half the population before she makes her presence felt. Marvel knows they have to go all out on their first solo female superhero movie so I expect CM to not only impress but break records when it releases in March.

Us

Are you ready for this next statement? Jordan Peele's Us is my most anticipated movie release of 2019. In a year where two of my favorite Disney movies are getting the live action treatment, where Marvel will be 'ending' an 11 year saga with Endgame and where my favorite superhero will get his 2nd solo MCU movie, Us is the movie I'm most intrigued to see. Get Out was my movie of the year in 2017. The roller coaster ride of emotions it took, the excellent job done by Lil Rel and it's satisfying conclusion made for a movie I was talking about LONG after the credits rolled. Now I will say this about Get Out VS Us; Get Out had the suspense of what was actually at play. What I mean is, no one in their right mind could tell you Get Out's twist based on the trailers. Us clearly shows us that the family will be apparently going up against versions of themselves. Doppelgangers. There is suspense on WHY this is all happening. Again, based off of Peele's last success, Us is a movie I have to see ASAP.

Shazam!

I feel like this movie was suppose to come out ages ago. I remember hearing so many things about this and Black Adam but in April, on Wrestlemania weekend, Shazam will finally release. I'm a huge fan of Zachary Levi and have been since Chuck so to see him in a starring role for a superhero movie is pretty surreal. The DCEU has been lacking the fun and campiness (not a word) of the MCU. Suicide Squad tried to desperately to be light hearted and it succeeds in some aspects but there is still nothing that compares to the fun like Thor Raganork. Hopefully, DC has a hit on their hands with Shazam.

Avengers: Endgame

This is it. The direct sequel to Infinity War. I really don't have to explain why this is many people's most anticipated movie for 2019 or why it will be the top grossing movie of 2019 (sorry Star Wars IX). It's the current 'end' of the 11 year saga, first started with Iron Man in 2008. This movie will hopefully answer many of the questions presented in its predecessors such as will everyone who was snapped away come back, how Ant Man got out of the Quantum Realm and if Thanos will really be the big bad for this movie. Regardless of how it goes down, people, including myself, will flock to the theaters to see how it will all go down. More importantly, I'm looking forward to post credit scenes. Kevin Feige said they could start working on Fox owned Marvel properties as early the start of 2019. Why couldn't they then film a quick scene featuring a Fox owned Marvel character finally making their way to the MCU? Maybe even the next big bad. Time will tell. All eyes will be on the big screen come April 26th.

Aladdin

ARABIAN NIIIIIGGGGGHHHHTTTSSS, like ARABIAN DAAAAYYYYSSSS!! More often than not, Are hotter than hot, in a lot of good WAAAYYYYSSS!!!!! Can we take a minute to appreciate how amazing Disney TV show theme songs were? Anyway, Aladdin is my jam but I'm more or so attached to the animated TV series than the 1992 classic that's getting the reboot. I'm all for it. Once they started doing all these live action Disney classics, Aladdin was right at the top of the list in movies I wanted to see. I also love that the cast isn't whitewashed. The Princess Jasmine they got? She's gorgeous. I loved Naomi Scott in Power Rangers so I'm excited to see her play the powerful Jasmine. Will Smith as Genie is casting done right. Smith is probably my favorite actor due to his ability to play a variety of different roles. Playing Genie harkens back to his Fresh Prince goofy days and I hope he'll bring the character to life. Disney has been undefeated in their live action attempts so here's hoping Aladdin will be another billion dollar success.

Dark Phoenix

After numerous delays, the next movie in Fox's X-Men franchise will release. With Disney's purchase of 20th Century Fox, this movie is very intriguing. Will they find a way to tie it into the MCU or will it just be a stand alone movie? Regardless, I'm interested. I'm a fan of the X-Men movies and after the love it or hate it X-Men: Apocalypse, I'm very excited to see where the saga goes next. It will be a bit bittersweet if this is the end. The franchise has been going on for 19 years. That's longer than the MCU if you're counting. Hugh Jackman leaving the poster of Wolverine was a tough pill to swallow in 2017, especially after the Disney-Fox news. Anyway, I want to see how they'll handle the Phoenix Force saga and the introduction of the villain played by Jessica Chastain. Even if this is the end, I can't wait until June to see what they do.

Men in Black: International

Men in Black is back. It's been long rumored that a fourth entry in the MiB series would coming and even a movie that crossed over with the fantastic 21 Jump Street series. Well, this is neither of those films. This is a new spin off, featuring Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. You know, two stars of Thor Ragnarok, the best of the Thor trilogy. They had great chemistry so this should be fun for them to do something in a different element. There hasn't been any reports on whether Will Smith or Tommy Lee Jones will at least make a cameo but come on, please guys? Something real quick would do. MiB is one of the first series I fell in love with growing up and I hope they can do the series justice. Now, where is the next 21 Jump Street movie?!?

Toy Story 4 and Child's Play

We need to talk about this one guys. Does no one see how hilarious it is that two very different movies about toys is releasing on the SAME day in 2019? The highly anticipated fourth entry in the beloved Disney Pixar series and the reboot to one of the most iconic slasher villains in history releases on June 21st. This is a promotional gold mine. I can't wait to see the commercials for Child's Play. Anyway, both series are close to my heart. Toy Story is my favorite animated movie series of all time, with Toy Story 3's ending being so real and so easy to relate to, I almost cried while watching it. Child's Play always scared me as a child. I have a vivid memory going up of walking into the room as my mother was watching Child's Play 2. Remember the scene when Chucky is killing the teacher with the yard stick? I never will forget it. Child's Play, unlike Toy Story 4, is a reboot. While they're keeping the same characters, such as Chucky and Andy Barclay, they're completing doing away with the Good Guys name. They are now referred to as Buddi, with the I looking like a wi-fi signal. What could be worst than a Chucky with wi-fi access?!? That should be terrifying. Toy Story 4 will likely conclude the adventures of Woody, Buzz and friends. It looks to ask some important questions, like what counts being a toy? There's a new character named Forky, who's just a fork with some things added to look like a toy. He's suffering from a crisis, claiming he's not a toy. The issues it looks to deal with are as adult as the audience that looks to see the film. The best thing about Toy Story 4? Key and Peele are doing voices along with Keanu Reeves. Whatever your tastes, June 21st looks to scratch that need. You want your toys homicidal or do you want your toys to teach you a valuable life lesson? Well, I want both (as I'm selfish) and my wife and I are already discussing the double feature date day that is to come.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

I have a lot of questions. Come July, we'll know many of them but currently, the biggest question is just when this movie takes place in the MCU timeline. Spider-Man, along with many of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, are gone, snapped away thanks to Thanos's Decimation. Putting a Spider Man movie on the calendar basically spoils that he'll be back. That is, unless the film is taking place during a different time period. Maybe it doesn't and it's a continuation of the events of Endgame? This is certainly a major talking point when the movie releases. (I did some research and it does take place AFTER Endgame, so there's that.) Peter Parker's main villains in the movie will be Mysterio and the Elementals. With Mysterio able to do mystical things and the Elementals able to um...control the elements, Spider Man gets no break in his next adventure. As the first movie post Endgame, I'm expecting Spider-Man to bring back some joy that has sure to have been lost in the aftermath of Thanos and whatever happens in Endgame. If anyone can do it, it's Spider Man. Hoping for another successful solo outing from my favorite superhero.

The Lion King

Disney just wants ALL the money in 2019. Like the other remakes before it, The Lion King will be a mix of live action and computer animation. The remake is very welcome as Lion King will be celebrating its 25th birthday in 2019. Disney went all out with the voice cast too. Simba voiced by Donald Glover? Yes please. Troy from Community is one of my favorite TV characters and I love him in Atlanta as well. Nala his love interest? Voiced by none other than Beyonce. Have you guys ever heard of her? Apparently, she's super famous. Timon and Pumbaa? Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen respectively. I don't like to say this the word perfect but this is perfect casting. Rogen as Pumbaa just freaking fits. I never knew how much I needed that in my life until it was announced. While the story will remain the same, I'm interested in what ways this new direction will take to get there. If the cast is anything to go by, Disney has ANOTHER billion dollar movie in 2019.

The New Mutants

We all should have seen this movie by now. This was originally set to be released in April 2018, before getting a 10 month delay to February 2019. It was THEN delayed again 6 more months to its current August 2019 release date. TNM coming out in August may hurt it. By then, we should have a clearer answer of how they plan to integrate Fox owned Marvel characters into the MCU, whether it be clues in Endgame or Far From Home or hints from the team at Comic Con. Will people want to see a pointless movie with characters that Disney may or may not use in the future? What makes this movie unique is that it's a horror based movie, something that hasn't been attempted in any superhero cinematic universe yet. I'm very intrigued with a horror movie where the victims have supernatural abilities. How do you invite fear to them? I guess we'll see in August, if it even releases...


It: Chapter Two

I really didn't expect It to be as amazing it was back in 2017. The story had been adapted before in 1990 and it was a well respected version of a classic novel. Well, until the end. Of course though, Hollywood is always out to remake or reboot a franchise and It was one of the major successes of 2017. Managing to be scary, funny and a thrill ride from start to finish, the kids of Derry turned out to be better this time around then in the 90s. As with the original, it's been split into two parts; childhood and adulthood. Chapter Two will focus on adulthood with some flashbacks going back to their youth. As with the first one, I'm not going to set my standards so high and disappoint myself but with this great cast that includes Young Professor Charles Xavier and the guy from the Old Spice commercials (I know their names!), this should be fun. Also, they should be able to kill one of them off and show it. I mean, really show it. Pennywise can't be the only one getting maimed in this one.

Although there are many other movies to cover, such Joker, Zombieland Too, Are you Afraid of the Dark, Terminator 6, Charlie's Angels, Sonic the Hedgehog (it's going to suck, I just KNOW IT!), Kingsman: The Great Game, and Star Wars IX, I'd figured I'll leave to speaking about those when I actually see them. Plus, 2019 has crept up on me and I haven't gotten this post out yet and Escape Room releases on Friday! So, for time's sake, let's stop here.

2019 has just about everything covered. Superhero, action, nostalgia, gore, comedy, it's all going down. 2019 might be the biggest payday for Hollywood ever, with Disney movies almost assuredly going to rake in billions upon billions. Look at it; Captain Marvel, Avengers Endgame, Spider Man: Far From Home from Marvel; Star Wars Episode IX for Lucasfilm, and Dumbo, Aladdin, Lion King, Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 from Disney studios and Pixar. Avengers is $2 billion alone, Star Wars $1.5 billion, Toy Story and Frozen $1 billion each, the others will definitely all get close. I don't think $10 billion isn't out of reach for them in 2019.

Time will tell but it's going to be an epic year for movies.