Future flicks

As 2015 exits with cinema successes such as Star Wars, The Revenant, and Inside Out, the question remains as to whether or not the new year will bring a line of commercial successes, or a stream of flops. But looking at the list of upcoming releases, it isn’t much of a question at all.

January

Ride Along 2 (PG-13)

Release date: January 15

With big shoes to fill, this Universal sequel knocked The Force Awakens out of first place as it shot to number one over its opening weekend, earning $34 million. A classic buddy-cop movie with a comedic spin thanks to the leads, Kevin Hart and Ice Cube,  this movie follows the journey of two brother-in-laws-to-be, one a rookie cop trying to move up in rank, the other, an experienced detective trying to tolerate his future relative.

The 5th Wave (PG-13)

Release date: January 22

Starring teen favorite Chloё Grace Moretz, this movie follows the dystopian trend that’s influenced movies like Divergent and The Hunger Games. Based on Rick Yancey’s 2013 novel, the plot revolves around teenager Cassie Sullivan (Moretz), who is on a quest to reunite with her younger brother Sam (Zackary Arthur), as a series of alien attacks decimate both the planet and the human race.

February

Zoolander 2 (R)

Release date: February 12

Ben Stiller is back both on-screen and behind the scenes as he joins Justin Theroux in directing and writing the movie. Join Zoolander (Stiller) and his rival Hansel (Owen Wilson) as they try to stop a conspiracy to kill the world’s most beautiful people. Owen Wilson, Penelope Cruz, Will Ferrell, and a blend of celebrity cameos such as Benedict Cumberbatch have helped Zoolander 2 gain both publicity and comedic relief.

Deadpool (R)

Release date: February 12

Based on a Marvel antihero, this movie is sure to attract large, nostalgic audiences. The plotline follows Deadpool, who gained his superpowers after a series of experiments, as he tries to get revenge on the man who nearly destroyed his life. Flanked by accelerated healing powers and a twisted sense of humor, this movie will have audiences raving.

March

Allegiant

Release date: March 18

Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort revive their roles as Caleb and Beatrice Prior after their major success The Fault In Our Stars, along with co-stars Theo James, Zoe Kravitz, and Miles Teller in the newest addition to the Divergent franchise. This time, Beatrice (Woodley), or Tris for short, is joined by Four (James) as they fight to end the Bureau of Genetic Welfare’s reign over the United States. The first of the two-part finale in the movie adaptation of Veronica Roth’s bestselling book series, this movie already has a dedicated fanbase, and is sure to be a success.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (PG-13)

Release date: March 25

This highly anticipated film starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, and Gal Gadot has mankind threatened. The impending showdown between Batman (Affleck), who has a personal vendetta against Superman (Cavill). With audiences practically running to theatres already, this movie is sure to be a hit.

April

The Jungle Book

Release date: April 15

This live action take of the Disney classic, The Jungle Book is sure have families flocking to theaters. With a star studded cast including Scarlett Johansson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Idris Elba, this movie combines past and present as older viewers reminisce on the 1967 classic, while younger ones journey into Mowgli’s forest for the first time.

Amityville: The Awakening

Release date: April 15, 2016

This supernatural horror/drama comes in at number 14 in the Amityville saga. Starring Bella
Thorne, it tells the story of a teenage girl (Belle) who moves into a new house with her mother, comatose brother and little sister. As strange occurrences become routine, Belle realizes that she and her family have moved into the infamous Amityville house.

May

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

Release date: May 20

Starring Zac Efron and Seth Rogen, this movie trails after the 2014 original as Mac Radner (Efron) and Teddy Sanders (Rogen) reunite to battle the sorority sisters who have moved into the neighboring house. Selena Gomez and Chloe Grace Moretz have recently been announced as part of the cast, boosting this movie’s status with the younger generation.

June

Finding Dory

Release date: June 17

The nostalgia-filled Disney classic is back, this time, Dory (Ellen Degeneres) takes the lead as Nemo and Marlin (both voiced by Albert Brooks) join the forgetful fish on a quest to reunite with her parents. A good pick for all ages, this movie is sure to be a box office success.

July

Ghostbusters

Release date: July 15

Starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, this comedic spin on the 80s hit keeps the audience laughing as four women (including a disgraced professor) try to defend Manhattan when ghosts invade.

Tarzan

Release date: July 1

In this 2016 spin on the Disney classic, Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), having moved to England, returns to the Congo on a mission for a Belgian captain (Christoph Waltz). Little does the boy of the jungle know, he’s become a pawn in a deadly plot.

The BFG

Release date: July 1

Directed by Steven Spielberg, this movie, based on the book by Roald Dahl, follows the story of a young girl (Ruby Barnhill), a queen (Penelope Wilton), and the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance), as they try to stop and invasion of man-eating giants. With a $130 million budget, and an Oscar-winning director, this Disney movie is sure to be a hit.

August

Suicide Squad

Release date: August 5

Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Will Smith, and Cara Delevingne are just a few of the A-listers starring in this much anticipated movie. A new plotline follows some of DC’s most infamous villains as they embark on a secret government mission that almost guarantees their deaths. this flick is sure to leave fans with a bittersweet ending.

September

Patient Zero

Release date: September 2, 2016

Starring former Doctor Who lead Matt Smith, Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer, and Hollywood legend, Stanley Tucci, this movie follows the story of a man (Matt Smith) on a mission to find a cure and save his wife after a super virus turns humankind into highly-intelligent, streamlined killers, known as “The Infected.”

Bridget Jones’s Baby

Release date: September 16

In this sequel to the 2004 movie, Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth return as Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy, while Patrick Dempsey joins the cast. Based on the fictional columns of Helen Fielding, this movie joins the list of 2016 sequels, hopefully, as a success.

October

Boo! A Madea Halloween

Release date: October 21

In this Tyler Perry movie, Madea (Tyler Perry) returns as she spends a hilariously haunted Halloween fending off killers and paranormal poltergeists, all while keeping a watchful eye on a group of troublesome teens. Featuring popular Youtubers Yousef Erakat, JC Caylen, and Kian Lawley, this movie’s demographic is crystal clear.

November

Doctor Strange

Release date: November 4

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, this Marvel movie follows the story of a brilliant but arrogant surgeon who rises from the ashes. After his career is destroyed when a sorcerer takes him under his wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.

December

Assassin’s Creed

Release date: December 21

Starring Michael Fassbender, as Callum Lynch, this movie follows his quest to battle the powerful Templar organization with deadly skills learned using revolutionary technology, allowing him to visit his ancestor, Aguilar, in 16th century Spain.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Release date: December 25, 2016

Based on the 2011 novel by Ransom Riggs, this film follows a 16-year-old boy’s adventure on a mysterious island with peculiar children residing at Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an orphanage. He protects the children and leads them away from the horrible monsters the island holds.

And that tops off the Dragon Tribune’s list of movies to watch in 2016; from comedies to horrors, these flicks set the stage for next year’s future Oscar winners or woeful flops.