There are a lot of great movies coming out in 2018. While we’re all for the spandex tights and superpowers that will ultimately be the backbone of 2018’s greatest blockbusters, there are plenty of other movies being released this year that don’t necessarily involve childhood fantasies about saving the world. These are our favorites.
The 15:17 to Paris
February 9
The 15:17 to Paris, aka The 15:17 to Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train, and Three American Heroes is an autobiographical film that tells the story of the 2015 Thalys train attack and three Americans facing a terrorist attack aboard a train bound for Paris. The film stars Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler and Alek Skarlatos as themselves, aka a bunch of guys you’ve never heard of being directed by the one and only Clint Eastwood with an additional cast including Judy Greer, Jenna Fischer, Jaleel White and Thomas Lennon. Billed as a film that’s equal parts drama, history and thriller, The 15:17 to Paris is one film that’s going to put everyone behind the project to the test. Based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s going to be an accurate representation of the entire affair that will go on to win plenty of awards.
Annihilation
February 23
Alex Garland, the writer/director behind 28 Days Later and the more recent Ex Machina, has teamed up with novelist Jeff VanderMeer to adapt the first book of the Southern Reach Trilogy, Annihilation, into what is sure to become part of the adventure/drama/fantasy canon after it’s released at the end of February. With notables like Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Oscar Isaac, Tessa Thompson and Gina Rodriguez on the other side of the lens, and an official trailer that teases a few things that live inside the “Shimmer,” it’s no wonder that Paramount Pictures already pictured up the rights to complete film adaptations of the entire award-winning trilogy.
Isle of Dogs
March 23
Almost a decade ago, Wes Anderson forever changed the way we would think about stop-motion film with the hilariously quirky and absolutely enthralling Fantastic Mr. Fox based on Roald Dahl’s novel of the same name. Anderson is back in the stop-motion film game with Isle of Dogs, a film set in dystopian future Japan that sees local dogs quarantined to the remote eponymous island for fear of “canine flu”… until one brave boy ventures to the island to rescue his dog. As with everything Anderson does, the ensemble cast is nothing short of amazing: Bryan Cranston, Ed Norton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Bob Balaban, Liev Schreiber, and the list goes on and on. This movie will ultimately get nominated for or win a shitload of awards, but you should go see it because it’s going to be an amazing throwback to a different era rendered beautifully with modern technology and a storyline that’s probably, most likely, going to make you tear up at some point.
Ready Player One
March 30
Plenty of critics love to hate on Ernest Cline’s book Ready Player One for its heavy use of reference and 80’s nostalgia as plot vehicles to help tell a story about a dystopian future where the only escape is the virtual reality simulator known as OASIS. If we’re being completely honest, we’ve always loved the references and throwbacks to all the stuff we grew up on—which is why we named it one of our favorite books of the last decade—and we’re even more excited to see what Steven Spielberg can do when it comes to bringing all those jaw-dropping visuals to life on the big screen. If the Ready Player One trailer is any indication, the movie adaptation is going to be one hell of a ride.
Super Troopers 2
April 20
On 4/20 of all days, the sequel to one of the most hilarious stoner comedies of all time will finally, FINALLY be released. This time around, Jay Chandrasekhar (Thorny), Kevin Heffernan (Farva), Steve Lemme (Mac), Paul Soter (Foster) and Eric Stolhanske (Rabbit)—aka the entire Broken Lizard team—are joined by Emmanuelle Chriqui, Rob Lowe, Lynda Carter, Brian Cox and plenty of other notables. The plot centers around a border dispute between the U.S. and Canada and “the Super Troopers are tasked with establishing a Highway Patrol station in the disputed area.” Will there be burger punks? Will there be littering? Will there be people that like Meexxxiiiccoo? Your guess is as good as ours, but we’re willing to bet this will be one of the most quotable movies of the year—just like its predecessor.
Deadpool 2
June 1
We could spend an entire week telling you about all the comic book/manga/superhero movies we’re looking forward to in 2018. Off the top of our heads: Avengers: Infinity War. Black Panther. Venom. X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Alita: Battle Angel. Ant-Man and the Wasp. New Mutants. But if there’s one, just one, movie we had to pick in the genre that we’re most looking forward to it’s absolutely the sequel to Deadpool. Outside of the Bob Ross-ian trailer that we’re still laughing about, there’s a lot to love about Ryan Reynold’s take on everyone’s favorite assassin the second time around. The untitled Deadpool sequel has John Wick co-director David Leitch at the helm. Reynolds, Morena Baccarin and T.J. Miller all reprise their roles, and Josh Brolin joins the fray as Cable from X-Force. It’s probably not going to win any awards, but it’s gonna be an action-filled, hilarious tour-de-force that you’ll end up watching at least four times in 2018.
Ocean’s 8
June 8
When it comes to great heist films, there’s just something about the Ocean’s series that’s always delivered watchability, fun, comedy and clever plot twists. This time around, Danny Ocean’s estranged sister Debbie (Sandra Bullock) is the leader of the all ladies team on a mission to steal pricey jewelry right off the neck of the lady wearing it during The Met’s annual gala. The all star cast includes Sandra Bullock, Olivia Munn, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Katie Holmes, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina and Adriana Lima, along with appearances by Matt Damon, Richard Armitage, and Damian Lewis. There’s no reason not to love the idea of another Ocean movie, and we can’t wait to see Ocean’s 8 in theaters when it drops in June.
Bohemian Rhapsody
December 25
Combine one of favorite new actors (Rami Malek aka Elliott from Mr. Robot) with one of favorite vocalists (that’s Freddie Mercury aka the soul of Queen aka author of some of the greatest karaoke, as well as just regular, hits of all time) and it’s easy to see why Bohemian Rhapsody would be on the list of movies we’re most excited about in 2018. While the directorial credit for the project is in question amidst a scandal involving Bryan Singer, shooting was almost complete so we fully expect this rock biopic about one of the greatest bands in history to drop in 2018. There are a few naysayers out there that were questioning Malek’s ability to fill such iconic shoes (stache?) but we’ve seen the pictures released so far—he’s going to kill it, and he might be the only one capable of doing Freddie Mercury justice.
The Irishman
TBD
There are quite a few reasons to love The Irishman, and most of them boil down to the people involved. Namely: Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Jesse Plemons, Ray Romano, Kathrine Narducci and quite a few other stars that have been involved in just about every popular mob film or TV show from history. The star-studded cast and production team behind The Irishman are telling the story of “a mob hitman recalling his possible involvement with the slaying of Jimmy Hoffa.” The story is historically significant. Joe Pesci came out of retirement for the film. It’s the first Scorsese/De Niro feature film since Casino over two decades ago. In other words, this is going to be a film for the history books. Literally, because it’s partially based on I Heard You Paint Houses.
