It’s okay that you’re probably still catching up on all the great films 2016 had to offer. The Oscar flicks, the critically-acclaimed indies, the larger-than-life blockbusters. You’re digesting Moonlight’s tender beauty and wondering if Amy Adams is your new film bae. Totally understandable. But 2017 has even more to offer cinephiles and casual filmgoers alike. Here’s 17 movies you should be most excited for in 2017.
John Wick: Chapter 2, Feb. 10
Here is an amazing thing Keanu Reeves says in the John Wick: Chapter 2 trailer: “Whoever comes, I’ll kill them. I’ll kill them all.” Here is an amazing thing Laurence Fishburne says in the John Wick: Chapter 2: “Get this man a gun.” If you want to imagine this is Neo and Morpheus teaming up again, we won’t stop you.
The Great Wall, Feb. 17
A whitewashing controversy surrounds this Matt Damon-starring film, though that neglects the underlying narrative here: The Great Wall is an experiment. This is the most expensive Chinese film ever made, and with the support of Hollywood, this Zhang Yimou monster flick could be a foray into truly global filmmaking.
Get Out, Feb. 24
Produced by horror giant Blumhouse Productions, this black horror movie from the mind of Key & Peele’s Jordan Peele isn’t just satirical but has some serious psychological underpinnings. Plus, who doesn’t love Atlanta’s LaKeith Stanfield?
Logan, March 3
There have been hits and misses alike, but Hugh Jackman’s 17-year run playing Wolverine within the X-Men franchise is a feat unlike any other we’ve previously seen in film. This will be his final turn as Logan and Jackman took a serious pay cut to ensure Logan could receive an R rating. While the trailer may get sappy with Johnny Cash’s “Hurt,” expect some serious carnage.
Song To Song, March 17
This newly-titled Terrence Malick flick likely includes someone you love. “A modern love story set against the Austin, Texas music scene,” Song to Song will feature Rooney Mara, Ryan Gosling (we love Gosling), Michael Fassbender, Natalie Portman, and possibly Christian Bale (with Malick, anyone could get cut). The director reportedly filmed on-set at SXSW in 2012 and IndieWire reports Patti Smith, Lykke Li, the Black Lips, Iggy Pop, Florence and the Machine, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will also appear.
Ghost in the Shell, March 31
When the Wachowski siblings were pitching The Matrix, they gave producers a copy of the Ghost in the Shell anime, and said, “We wanna do that for real.” But now Dreamworks is for-real making Ghost in the Shell. Whitewashing accusations surrounds Scarlett Johansson’s casting, so we’ll see if production can gracefully manage the controversy.
The Fate of the Furious, April 14
You either have bought into this delirious franchise or not by now. You either buy into their concept of family or think Vin Diesel isn’t that hip anymore (if he ever was). We remain ecstatically *in* on this movie, and hope you’ll join us.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, May 5
Free from fitting within the grand scheme of the Marvel universe, Guardians of the Galaxy was a delightful, singular sci-fi adventure. It made Chris Pratt a star, which remains an improbable situation as any other. Can the team find the magic once again? Early signs from the trailer say yes.
The Beguiled, June 30
Not only does this Sofia Coppola picture boast an all-star cast—Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning—it’s plot sounds devilishly tantalizing: an injured Union soldier gets imprisoned at a Confederate girls’ school. Lust and betrayal soon follow.
Spider-Man: Homecoming, July 7
It’s been a long while since Peter Parker appeared onscreen resembling anything close to his age: a teenager. Following Tom Holland’s refreshing and charming turn as Spidey in Captain America: Civil War, expectations remain high with everyone’s favorite webslinger.
Dunkirk, July 21
Christopher Nolan, the reigning king of cinematic sci-fi, twists himself instead into history with his latest film. Moody, gray, and claustrophobic, it marks a stark contrast to Nolan’s typical verve, yet no less enticing.
Baby Driver, Aug. 11
No one finds funny through editing and directing quite like the snappy British director Edgar Wright. In Baby Driver, a young getaway driver gets caught up in a heist that’s doomed to fail. In Wright’s world, that probably means things will blow up right in his face—perhaps, literally.
Blade Runner 2049, Oct. 6
When the trailer for this film dropped, we wrote an article with the headline, “The ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Trailer Is Here, Please Catch This Hype Train.” A brooding Gosling, plus ornery stepfather Harrison Ford, and with Arrival’s Denis Villeneuve providing that cyberpunk aesthetic, you can say we’re excited.
Logan Lucky, Oct. 13
We’ve heard Steven Soderbergh threaten retirement from film a few times now, but we’re glad the medium keeps pulling him back. Teaming up again with Magic Mike star Channing Tatum, and adding Adam Driver and a bleached Daniel Craig, this NASCAR comedy heist has some serious potential.
Star Wars Episode VIII, Dec. 15
It’s Star War, what more is there to say? How about JJ Abrams passing over directing duties over to Looper’s Rian Johnson, and the possibility of a “dark” Star Wars film following the pleasing regurgitation of Force Awakens? It almost doesn’t matter what you think, this is a movie that demands to be seen in theaters.
Okja, TBD
Director Bong Joon-ho delivered a reality-warping screed on classism and mainstream heroics with his English language-debut Snowpiercer. His follow-up, co-written with journalist Jon Ronson, has big names like Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhall, Paul Dano, and more.
Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Project, TBD
That’s a sexy title if we’ve ever seen one. What’s sexier? PTA convincing Daniel Day Lewis to play in his 50s fashion industry film. You can try to predict what’s coming, but it’s PTA, so chances are you’re going to be wrong. More than that, you’re going to enjoy being wrong.
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