2019, what will you bring us? Taking on the role of Nostradamus we give you our very own prophecies about what’s going to be interesting to watch in 2019.
Many remakes and adaptations are coming up, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Good stories can be told in several, different and equally entertaining ways. Great remakes are being made, some even transcend their source material. Of course, there are also completely original movies to be found.
To make a long story short, there are so many fantastic movies coming up in 2019 that you absolutely must read about them and mark their release date in red in your calendar:
What Men Want
Star Power : Adam Shankman (dir.), Taraji P. Henson, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Max Greenfield
When : January 11, 2019
What : It’s a fantasy comedy based on the 2000 film What Women Want that starred Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. The movie deals with a female sports agent who didn’t get the promotion she was expecting at work. She finds it hard to succeed in a men’s world. She suddenly attains the ability to hear men’s thoughts. She tries to take advantage of her new supernatural ability in order to get ahead. Friendships and relationships are put to the test.
Glass
Star Power : M. Night Shyamalan (dir.), Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, James McAvoy, Sarah Paulson
When : January 18, 2019
What : A dark superhero film, related to Shyamalan’s movies Unbreakable and Split . Shyamalan who’s known for his mind-bending twists has performed the ultimate twist at the end of Split , when it was revealed that Split takes place in Unbreakable’s universe. Sam Jackson and Bruce Willis will reprise their roles from Unbreakable (Mr. Glass and David Dunn), while McAvoy will play his character from Split (the beast). Dunn uses his supernatural abilities to track down the beast and his twenty-four personalities. Eventually they meet, and clash.
Serenity
Star Power : Steven Knight (dir.), Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jason Clarke, Diane Lane
When : January 25, 2019
What : A steamy Neo-Noir thriller about a fishing boat captain, whose quiet life get turned upside down when he is pulled into a web of lies and deception, as he is asked by his former spouse to kill her new abusive husband. It’s McConaughey and Hathaway’s second collaboration after they both starred in the 2014 Oscar winning film Interstellar . Steven Knight, the film’s director, is the creator of Peaky Blinders so we’re probably in for a tense and stylized movie.
Flarsky
Star Power : Jonathan Levine (dir.), Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron, Alexander Skarsgård, Bob Odenkirk, Andy Serkis
When : February 8, 2019
What : A comedy about an out of work reporter, down on his luck, who decides to woo his childhood crush (the woman who was his babysitter). She is now a powerful and ambitious politician. He ends up having a major role in her determined attempts on becoming the first female president of the United States. This is Seth Rogen and director Jonathan Levine’s 3 rd collaboration after 50/50 and The Night Before .
Greyhound
Star Power : Aaron Schneider (dir.), Tom Hanks, Elisabeth Shue, Stephen Graham, Lee Norris
When : February 8, 2019
What : A World War 2 movie about an international fleet of thirty-seven allied ships, who crosses the North Atlantic while being chased by deadly German U-boats. Tom Hanks will play the ship’s commanding officer. Hanks has a lot of experience with war movies, he starred in Saving Private Ryan and Forrest Gump (a part of it deals with the Vietnam War) and produced and had a small role in the miniseries Band of Brothers and The Pacific . He even has experience with boats as he starred in the Oscar nominated film Captain Phillips .
Alita: Battle Angel
Star Power : Robert Rodriguez(dir.), James Cameron (writer), Rosa Salazar, Jennifer Connelly, Christoph Waltz, Michelle Rodriguez
When : February 14, 2019
What : Based on the Japanese Manga of the same name and combines animation and live action, it’s about a cyborg girl (Jennifer Connelly) who tries to uncover the truth about her identity and struggles to save the world. The scientist (Waltz) who saved her, tries to help her out. Rodriguez who directed Sin City has experience creating dark and stylized settings, and Cameron who made Avatar knows a thing or two about futuristic movies and strong female characters.
Chaos Walking
Star Power : Doug Liman (dir.), Tom Holland, Daisy Ridley, Mads Mikkelsen, Demián Bichir, David Oyelowo
When : March 1, 2019
What : A sci-fi movie based on a book. It takes place in a dystopian future where there are no longer women and the surviving people can now hear each other’s thoughts. The special ability to read people and animals’ minds is called Noise. Many lose their sanity from all the sounds they hear. When a mysterious woman appears, everything changes. It’s Doug Liman’s first sci-fi movie since the successful 2014 movie Edge of Tomorrow , that starred Tom Cruise.
Captain Marvel
Star Power : Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck (directors), Brie Larson, Lee Pace, Samuel L. Jackson
When : March 8, 2019
What : It’s a superhero film taking place in the Marvel universe during the 90’s. Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) has to step up when a galactic war breaks between two alien species. Danvers is an Air Force Pilot who gets superpowers. You’ll have to watch the film to find out how she gets them. Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck previously directed together films that had a more Indie tone to them – Sugar , It’s Kind of a Funny Story and Mississippi Grind .
Us
Star Power : Jordan Peele (dir.), Lupita Nyong’o, Elizabeth Moss, Winston Duke, Tim Heidecker
When : March 15, 2019
What : Very little is known about the sequel to the 2017 hit social horror-thriller, Get Out . Get Out was a huge success, both critically and at the box office. It won an Oscar for best original screenplay and was praised as being scary, thought provoking and darkly funny. Its budget was 4.5 million$ and it sensationally made $255,457,364 worldwide. Jordan Peele who wrote and directed Get Out is doing the same for US.
Dumbo
Star Power : Tim Burton (dir.), Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito
When : March 29, 2019
What : It’s of course a remake of the 1941 animated Disney classic of the same name and tells the story of a uniquely gifted circus elephant whose big ears enable him to fly. It’s only loosely based on the beloved original, it’s a live-action film and not an animated one. It’s directed by the visionary director Tim Burton ( Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ) so it will definitely be a visually stunning movie.
John Wick 3: Parabellum
Star Power : Chad Stahelski(dir.), Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Anjelica Huston
When : May 17, 2019
What : The third part in the action-thriller franchise sees John Wick on the run, after he broke the rules and killed a man inside the hotel. A huge reward is offered to the person that will end his life. John must survive against all odds and escape from New York. Chad Stahelski is the director of the film. He also directed both previous John Wick movies. Stahelski has a TV series called Rain coming up, in which Keanu Reeves will play an assassin…
Aladdin
Star Power : Guy Ritchie (dir.), Will Smith, Naomi Scott, Nasim Pedrad, Mena Massoud
When : May 24, 2019
What : A family friendly romantic fantasy. It’s another live-action remake of an animated Disney classic (the first mentioned in the article was Dumbo ). Will Smith will play the Genie, while Mena Massoud will play Aladdin and Naomi Scott will take Princess Jasmine’s role. The family film is quite a change in tone for director Guy Ritchie, who previously made mainly crime and action movies such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, RocknRolla and Sherlock .
Dark Phoenix
Star Power: Simon Kinberg (dir.), Sophie Turner, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
When: June 7, 2019
What: A superhero film which is a part of the X-Men film franchise. It tells the story of Jean Grey that develops amazing abilities that transform her into a Dark Phoenix. Now the X-Men are left with no choice but to turn against her. It will be Simon Kinberg’s directorial debut. He previously wrote X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse and the Fantastic Four .
Shaft
Star Power : Tim Story (dir.), Sam Jackson, Alexandra Shipp, Regina Hall, Richard Roundtree
When : June 14, 2019
What : Shaft will continue the story of the movie of the same name that was made 19 years earlier and revolved around a tough detective called…Shaft. The first Shaft movie was released in 1971 and starred Richard Roundtree in the main role. It was one of the first blaxploitation movies and probably the most popular one. Richard Roundtree will have a role in the upcoming movie as well.
Toy Story 4
Star Power : Josh Cooley (dir.), Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Laurie Metcalf
When : June 21, 2019
What : The computer animated comedy is the 4 th film in the immensely successful Toy Story franchise. The story will revolve this time around Buzz and Woody going out on a quest to find Woody’s crush, Bo Peep. Most of the cast will reprise their roles from the previous Toy Story films. It will be Josh Cooley’s directorial debut. He’s famous for writing the script for the brilliant and critically acclaimed 2015 film Inside Out .
Spider-Man: Far from Home
Star Power : Jon Watts (dir.), Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marisa Tomei, Michael Keaton
When : July 5, 2019
What : The movie follows Peter Parker and his buddies as they go on a summer holiday in Europe. They encounter there a villain called Mysterio, and Peter has to fight him and protect his friends. It will be Jake Gyllenhaal’s first superhero movie.
Steve Ditko who wrote and illustrated many of the comic books on which the Spider-Man movies are based, sadly died a few months ago. He was 90 years old.
The Lion King
Star Power : Jon Favreau (dir.), Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, James Earl Jones, Alfre Woodard
When : July 19, 2019
What : A live-action and CGI adaptation of the 1994 animated classic. After the success of The Jungle Book (won an Oscar and earned $966,550,600 worldwide), Disney decided to give director Jon Favreau the opportunity to adapt another animated hit. The voice actors include Donald Glover as Simba, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Alfre Woodard as Sarabi and Beyoncé as Nala.
Hobbs And Shaw
Star Power : David Leitch) dir.), Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba, Vanessa Kirby, Eddie Marsan
When : July 26, 2019
What : A spinoff of The Fast and Furious movie series ($4.4 billion worldwide, 8 th highest grossing movie series ever), the plot will revolve around Dwain Johnson’s character Luke Hobbs and his unlikely partner Deckard Shaw, played by Jason Statham. With these two starring and with David Leitch, who started out as a stunt coordinator, directing ( Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde ), the action is bound to be amazing and very over the top.
Artemis Fowl
Star Power : Kenneth Branagh) dir.), Judi Dench, Josh Gad, Ferdia Shaw
when : August 9, 2019
What : A Disney produced fantasy adventure film, based on a book. It’s about a young criminal mastermind, Artemis, who catches an evil fairy, and tries to exploit her supernatural powers in order to save his family. Branagh also directed Thor and Murder on the Orient Express . Josh Gad previously starred in Frozen, Pixels and Beauty and the Beast . For young Ferdia Shaw who will play Artemis, it will be the first time in which he appears in a film.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Star Power : Quentin Tarantino (dir.), Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning, James Marsden, Kurt Russell
When : August 9, 2019
What : A crime mystery focusing on the Manson Family murders. An actor and his stunt double (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt) go on a quest to become famous in 1969 L.A, around the time of the Charles Manson murders. This is not the first time Tarantino collaborates with some of the movie’s actors: DiCaprio starred in Django Unchained , Brad Pitt starred in Inglourious Basterds and Kurt Russell starred in Death Proof and in The Hateful Eight .
It: Chapter Two
Star Power : Andy Muschietti (dir.), Stephen King (based on his novel), Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Bill Skarsgård
When : September 6, 2019
What : A sequel to the 2017 horror film based on Stephen King’s book. It’s set in 2016, almost thirty years after the events of the first film. It , the evil supernatural clown, returns, and the losers’ club try to eliminate him for good this time. The first movie was both critically acclaimed and a box office smash that made $700,381,748 worldwide. Its budget was relatively modest, $35,000,000.
Downton Abbey Movie
Star Power : Michael Engler (dir.), Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Imelda Staunton, Geraldine James
When : September 20, 2019
What : It was only a matter of time till a movie based on the acclaimed and beloved period drama series was made. Downton Abbey won 3 Golden Globes and 19 Emmy Awards. The show also won 54 other awards. The carpenter who had to build trophy cabinets for the show’s rewards is now probably a wealthy man. The original cast of the series will reprise their roles in the movie.
The Kitchen
Starring : Andrea Berloff (dir.), Elisabeth Moss, Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy, Domhnall Gleeson, Common
Opening on : September 20, 2019
What : The story takes place in New York during the 70’s and revolves around the wives of Irish gangsters, who take over their business after the they get locked up. The period crime-drama is Andrea Berloff’s directorial debut. She previously wrote the scripts for World Trade Center, Straight Outta Compton and Blood Father . Although it doesn’t really sound like it, the movie is actually based on a comic book by Ollie Masters and Ming Doyle.
Gemini Man
Star Power : Ang Lee (dir.), Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen.
When : October 4, 2019
What : A sci-fi action thriller about a middle aged professional hitman who wants out of the messy business. He finds himself fighting a younger clone of himself. Esteemed director Ang Lee returns to action territory after a 15 years break. In 2003 he directed Hulk and in 2000 he made his most successful movie to date – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (4 Oscars and $213,525,736 worldwide on a $17,000,000 budget). Clive Owen has experience playing in movies about hitmen, he played in Shoot ‘Em Up and in Killer Elite .
Joker
Star Power : Todd Phillips (dir.), Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro, Frances Conroy
When : October 4, 2019
What : The movie will be a character study that will center on an unsuccessful stand-up comedian who loses his sanity and turns into the psychopathic criminal mastermind, The Joker. Joaquin Phoenix who know a thing or two about character-study movies ( Walk the Line, I’m Still Here, Her, You Were Never Really Here ) will play the Joker, while Robert De Niro will play a talk show host, also not for the first time ( The King of Comedy ).
The Addams Family
Star Power : Greg Tiernan & Conrad Vernon (directors), Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Allison Janey
When : October 11, 2019
What : With so many animated versions adapted into 2019 live-action movies ( Dumbo, Aladdin, The Lion King ), it’s only fair that there will be an adaptation of a live-action film into an animated one. There were several live-action Addams Family movies during the 90’s (starring Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston and Christopher Lloyd), and now comes the animated version. The plot will revolve around the eccentric Addams family and will see their life gets turned upside down when they fight with a greedy TV personality and prepare for a big family gathering.
The Goldfinch
Star Power : John Crowley (dir.), Sarah Paulson, Nicole Kidman, Finn Wolfhard, Ansel Elgort, Jeffrey Wright, Luke Wilson
When : October 11, 2019
What : It’s based on a Pulitzer winning book titled likewise and deals with a kid who loses his mother in a terrorist attack in an art museum. Confused and upset by the tragedy he steals an artifact called the goldfinch. He becomes a criminal involved in art forgeries. Director John Crowley previously made highly acclaimed movies that also focused on young heroes – Boy A (BAFTA winner) and Brooklyn (nominated to 3 Oscars).
You Are My Friend
Star Power : Marielle Heller (dir.), Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper
When : October 18, 2019
What : After the success of the documentary film Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (critically praised and made $22,609,437 with a non-existent budget), that told Fred Rogers’ life story, now comes the scripted biographical drama. The lovable Tom Hanks will play the role of the lovable Fred Rogers, the star and creator of the popular kids’ show – MisteRogers’ Neighborhood . The talented Marielle Heller (Th e Diary of a Teenage Girl, Can You Ever Forgive Me? ) is the film’s director.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Star Power : Jeff Fowler (dir.), Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter
When : November 15, 2019
What : The movie will blend animation and live action and is based on Sega’s popular video game with the same name. The story will revolve around a sheriff from a small town that travels to San Francisco in order to help Sonic the Hedgehog against the evil Dr. Eggman. In the meantime, the government is trying to capture Sonic. The movie will mark Jim Carrey return to the big screen after a 3 years hiatus.
Frozen 2
Star Power : Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee (directors), Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad
When : November 27, 2019
What : The directors and stars of the 1 st Frozen movie will return for the sequel. Plot details are still unavailable. The original movie’s success was phenomenal, it won 2 Oscars and earned $1,276,480,335 at the box office. Frozen is no longer just a movie, it became an international brand with a revenue of Billions of Dollars. The brand includes musicals, Disney theme park attractions, dolls, dresses, video games, books and many more.
Jumanji 2
Star Power : Scott Rosenberg (dir.), Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Kevin Hart
When : December 13, 2019
What : It’s Sony’s sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (that was a sequel in itself to the Robin Williams starring movie from 1995 called Jumanji ) that was a box office success with $962,076,292 made worldwide. All the stars from the first movie will return for the sequel. The movie promises to be funny, exciting and with impressive special effects. Dwayne Johnson, the star of the movie is keeping himself busy, it will be his sixth movie since 2017 (plus appearing in a TV series or two in between).
Star Wars: Episode IX
Star Power : J. J. Abrams (dir.), Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o
When : December 20, 2019
What : After J. J. Abrams directed Star Tre k nobody believed he’d move on to the competing, slightly more successful, space saga. After Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (nominated for 5 Oscars and grossing $2,068,178,225 worldwide) Abrams is directing his 2 nd Star Wars movie. Almost everything he touches turns into gold, and everything Star Wars is already gold…so there’s no reason to doubt this movie will be a tremendous success.
Detective Pikachu
Star Power : Rob Letterman (dir.), Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Suki Waterhouse
When : May 10, 2019
What : Pokémon is an ultra-successful franchise, and this is only the first time someone tries to make a blockbuster film out of it. The video-game based fantasy-comedy will combine animation and live action, and will focus on Detective Pikachu (Reynolds), an extremely clever Pokémon, who is able to talk. After the huge success of the Deadpool movies, Reynolds seems likely to produce another box-office smash with Detective Pikachu . Director Rob Letterman is known mostly for his animated films Shark Tale and Monsters vs. Aliens .
