19 movies to get excited about in 2019

With the summer blockbuster season now in full-swing and movie studios already cashing in on the biggest films of the year, now seems the perfect time to cast an eye towards 2019, to see what’s on the horizon.

Hey, it might seem early, but 2019 is only seven months away! In movie speak, that’s like tomorrow!

Below is a guide to 19 movies heading to a multiplex near you in 2019.

Be excited. Be very, very excited.

Hellboy

No, that’s not Ron Perlman in that Hellboy make-up, that’s Stranger Things star, David Harbour! Harbour will be starring alongside Ian McShane and Milla Jovovich in director Neill Marshall’s reboot of Hellboy – a film NOT connected to the two previous Hellboy movies.

Will it be any good? Well, Harbour looks the part and Marshall has some great films under his belt (Dog Soldiers (2002), The Descent (2005) etc), so it’s looking like a winner!

Hellboy is scheduled for release in January 2019.

Glass

In 2016, Universal Pictures and M. Night Shyamalan pulled a big trick on us all, by placing a sequel to 2000’s Unbreakable right under our noses. That sequel was the James McAvoy-starring Split.

Fast forward a couple of years and we’re not far off from seeing the next chapter in the ongoing story, the Unbreakable/Split mash-up Glass!

McAvoy will be sharing the screen with Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson when Glass arrives in cinemas in January 2019.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

As if this one needs any explanation at all! The Lego Movie (2014) has a sequel; it will feature animated toys; it’ll be awesome – what else do you need to know?

OK, here’s a few more details: Mike Mitchell is directing; Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Raphael Bob-Waksberg have written the screenplay; Chris Pratt and Elizabeth Banks will star. Oh and it’s due in cinemas February 2019.

Dark Phoenix

Originally set for release in November 2018, Dark Phoenix is the slightly delayed next entry in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men series of movies. The film will see the X-Men venture into space for yet another stab at the Phoenix Saga – last attempted in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).

All of the main players of the prequel films will return, with Simon Kinberg on directing duties and Jessica Chastain taking on a mystery role. The film hits cinemas in February 2019.

Captain Marvel

Marvel Studios kicks off 2019 with the first of three films – the highly anticipated Captain Marvel!

Set during the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an origin story which will introduce audiences to the cosmic superhero, with Brie Larson taking on the title role. Samuel L. Jackson, Clark Gregg, Annette Bening and Jude Law co-star.

Captain Marvel hits cinema screens in March 2019.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Hot on the heels of Captain Marvel is Godzilla: King of the Monsters – the sequel to 2014’s Godzilla. King of Monsters is the third entry in Warner Bros.’ MonsterVerse – behind the aforementioned Godzilla and 2017’s Kong: Skull Island and will lead up to 2020’s big face-off, Godzilla Vs. Kong!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…

Godzilla: King of Monsters stars Vera Farmiga, Ken Watanabe and Millie Bobby Brown, with Michael Dougherty in the director’s chair. The film arrives in May 2018.

Dumbo

Disney continues to remake all of its animated movies with another live-action offering, this time in the shape of Dumbo (1941) – the classic cartoon about the elephant with big ears and an even bigger heart. Tim Burton is in the director’s seat, with Michael Keaton and Danny DeVito amongst the cast.

Dumbo lands in March 2019.

Shazam!

Directed by David F. Sandberg, Shazam! stars Levi, alongside Asher Angel, Mark Strong and Grace Fulton. The movie will introduce the character of Billy Batson, a teenage boy who transforms into a superhero upon uttering the phrase ‘Shazam!’.

Based on the DC Comic character of the same name (originally known as Captain Marvel) Shazam! is being produced by New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures.

The movie is scheduled for release in April 2019.

Avengers 4

This is the big one. This is the one EVERY BODY wants to see!

Yep, the fourth Avengers movie hits cinemas in 2019, drawing a close to eleven years of Marvel Studios movies, while kick-starting a new era entirely.

*SPOILER* Expect everyone from Infinity War to return, along with a number of old favourites and new characters. The Russo Bros. direct.

Avengers 4 is due in cinemas in May 2019.

Aladdin

Another live-action remake of a Walt Disney Classic, this time focusing on Aladdin. Guy Ritchie directs, Will Smith, Naomi Scott and Mena Massoud star and Walt Disney Pictures produces.

As with previous Disney live-action remakes, expect a fairly faithful retelling of the 1992 animated movie, complete with songs and flying carpet.

Aladdin arrives in May 2019.

Men in Black

In 2019, the Men in Black return! Only this time, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are stepping aside to make way for Thor actor, Chris Hemsworth.

Hemsworth has already proved he’s got the comedy chops for an MIB movie, thanks to hilarious turns in Ghostbusters (2016) and Thor: Ragnarok (2017), so expect more goofy hijinks with aliens aplenty! F. Gary Gray directs.

Men in Black is currently scheduled for a June 2019 release.

Toy Story 4

To infinity and beyond – again!

Yep, Buzz, Woody and all their friends are returning for a fourth entry in the always enjoyable Toy Story series from Disney/Pixar. Josh Cooley directs.

Toy Story 4 is due for release in June 2019.

Spider-Man

The final Marvel Studios movie of 2019 – a co-production with Sony Pictures – is the as-yet-untitled sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Tom Holland is back on board as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, with the story picking up after the events of Avengers 4.

The Lion King

Yep, another Disney live-action remake – and yep, another awesome classic!

Jon Favreau is in the director’s chair, calling the shots on a cast that includes Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Chiwetel Ejiofor and James Earl Jones. And yes, James Earl Jones will be providing the voice of Mufasa.

The Lion King is currently scheduled for release in July 2019.

The New Mutants

The long-delayed movie, The New Mutants finally arrives in 2019 – marking not only the first horror tale for 20th Century Fox’s X-Men series, but quite possibly the last entry in their X-Men series, period!

The New Mutants is directed by Josh Boone and stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Maisie Williams and Charlie Heaton. The film arrives in August 2019.

It: Chapter II

The second – and concluding – chapter in the It saga arrives in late 2019, bringing the story of The Losers Club to an epic finale.

Andy Muschietti directs, with Bill Skarsgård back in the Pennywise make-up alongside newcomers Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Andy Bean and Jame Ransone.

It: Chapter II will scare the living crap out of audiences in September 2019.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Speaking of things designed to scare the living crap out of you, 2019 will also see the arrival of Are You Afraid of the Dark? – a big budget update of the classic Nickelodeon show.

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon are behind this one, so expect a slightly toned down offering, with a bunch of kids telling ghost stories around a creepy campfire.

Paramount will be submitting Are You Afraid of the Dark? for audience approval in October 2019.

Wonder Woman 2

Before 2019 draws to a close, expect two powerful woman to hit movie theatres. The first is in the shape of Wonder Woman, who is returning to the big screen for a sequel to the 2017 hit!

Patty Jenkins is directing, Gal Gadot will star and Kristen Wiig is taking on bad gal duties.

Wonder Woman 2 smashes onto screens in November 2019.

Star Wars: Episode IX

And finally, the other big action heroine of 2019 is of course Rey, who is appearing in one of the most anticipated movies of the year – Star Wars: Episode IX.

Expect answers to many burning questions, along with an epic conclusion as the current cast tie-up loose ends and bow out from the saga. J. J. Abrams directs, with Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver set to star.

Star Wars: Episode IX will be unmissable and arrives in cinemas just in time for Christmas 2019.