The 17 Movies You Must See in 2017
One of the most inspired elements (in a movie full of them) in 2014’s The Lego Movie was the casting of gravelly-voiced, deadpan comedian Will Arnett as the caped crusader. The sequel looks like a sure-fire bet in the late-winter market.
Warner Bros. – February 17
Warner Bros.
Rumored to be Hugh Jackman’s last turn as the clawed mutant, Fox hopes to cash in on the same late-winter release date that saw Deadpool become something of a surprise blockbuster last year. Unlike Deadpool, the trailer, with Old Man Wolverine protecting a young girl and a dying Professor X, is super grim … but advance word has been stellar.
20th Century Fox – March 3
20th Century Fox
The beloved 1994 animated classic gets a live action reboot with Emma Watson in the title role.
Disney – March 17
Disney
Despite some minor controversy around the casting of white-girl ScarJo in the lead role, hopes remain high among fans for this adaptation of a beloved cyberpunk-anime classic. Early trailers have certainly hit all the right cues, and Miss Johansson has proven herself capable of handling sci-fi action before.
Dreamworks – March 31
Dreamworks
Despite the best efforts of cranky critics, the Fast & Furious series has become one of the most successful film franchises of all time. Constantly adding new stars, new cars -- this year includes a tank -- and crazy new set pieces has proven to be a winning formula. Complaining that they are bloated and stupid entirely misses the point.
Universal Pictures – April 14
Universal Pictures
Like its most illustrious predecessors, the first Guardians of the Galaxy went from shaggy underdog to superhero in record time. Now back with a new adventure, can Star Lord & co. deliver the goods now that expectations are so high?
Disney – May 5
Disney
Director Ridley Scott continued to deny that Prometheus was a prequel to Alien, the film that put him on the map, right up until the point at which it obviously was. Now firmly on board with the franchise, Scott returns for the next chapter in the birth of the dreaded Xenomorphs.
20th Century Fox – May 19
After years of failures, Wonder Woman was finally brought to the big screen in last year’s Batman v Superman, where she was the only light in that dark mess. Now given her own movie, Diana looks to show the boys how it’s done.
Warner Bros. – June 12
Warner Bros.
Due to a complicated legal bind, your friendly neighborhood Spiderman has largely been unable to play with the other Avengers, but after some peacemaking between Sony and Disney, the web-slinger was able to be one of the most memorial parts of Captain America: Civil War. Now Disney returns the favor with Iron Man dropping in. Welcome to the MCU, Spidey.
Sony/Marvel – July 7
Sony/Marvel
No one quite expected 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes to be a thoughtful reimagining of the source material for the age of genetics, nor that it would be so wildly successful at the box office. And no one predicted that a sequel that kept only its simian stars would do almost as well. Will the third time be a charm, or will the series finally run out of gas?
20th Century Fox – July 14
One of the few original films with much buzz (though arguably WWII is a franchise of its own), Christopher Nolan’s based-on-a-true-story thriller marks the director’s first real step outside of fantasy worlds. By pedigree alone, it’s already in Oscar contention.
Warner Bros. – July 21
Warner Bros.
The first of two Stephen King adaptations to hit the big screen this year, this is the odder duck. Based on a genre-bending fantasy Western series with a diehard fan base -- though less well known and certainly weirder than King’s usual fare -- the film is boosted by the super-charismatic casting of Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey as the Gunslinger and the Man in Black. This will be interesting.
Sony Pictures – July 28
Sony Pictures
Were it not for its borderline incomprehensible ending, It would probably be regarded as Steven King’s best novel. Its size and complexity mean that only a middling, early-‘90s miniseries was ever attempted (mostly remembered for Tim Curry’s terrifying clown). Focusing on just the kids’ part of the story is probably a smart, but they really have to figure out that ending and make sure that Bill Skarsgard holds his own against Curry.
New Line Cinema – September 8
New Line Cinema
Harrison Ford continues to revisit his iconic characters. With original director Ridley Scott on board, Blade Runner 2049 aims to update the classic -- and perhaps turn it into a franchise along the lines Scott’s other sci-fi masterpiece, Alien. Whether it returns to the original film’s striking design and philosophical musings, or just a cash grab remains to be seen.
Warner Bros. – October 6
Warner Bros
Marvel’s cinematic universe assembly line shows no sign of slowing down amid continued success. Though plot details are thin, the general word is that this might be the most “comic book-y” of the films, with two of its most outsized characters battling in space.
Disney – October 28
Disney
Hoping to at long last compete with Disney/Marvel’s Avengers franchise, the sputtering DC Comics universe rolls out its all-star team. But fans are beginning to become weary of director Zach Snyder’ s dismal version of these heroes, particularly Superman. Warner Bros. needs this one to work.
Warner Bros. – November 17
Warner Bros.
Star Wars continues its evolution from a beloved series of films to part of the franchise machine that it helped create. Even before the tragic news of Carrie Fisher’s death, this was going to be a giant hit. Now everyone will have one more reason to see it: To say goodbye to their Princess.
Disney – December 15
Disney