Sci-fi! Action! Aliens! Cartoons! Spies! Sequels! A bear! Jedi! I’ll show you my list if you show me yours. 🙂

It might still be early in the year, but there are a bunch of movies I’m absolutely looking forward to. Some of the ones on this list I didn’t realize were actually coming out, until I actually went ahead and looked at the list. How many of these did you know were coming out? Comment after you’ve finished reading the article below!

Also – these are in random order. 😉

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: VOL. 2

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big comic book fan, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 is no exception. The first film boasted an all-star cast (Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel) with some cool supporting roles (Glenn Close as Irani Rael, anyone? Hello, John C. Reily!). The sequel to its 2014 predecessor is going the same route, with names like Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell getting thrown into the mix. Not only do we get to find out more about Starlord’s parentage, but we get to see a major sacrifice scene (!) involving one of my favourite characters from the first film. I’ll spare you the spoiler, but all I know is that it’s going to be emotional. Plus, the soundtrack for this film is just as good as the first film’s soundtrack – and I’ve been listening to it ever since Niki Reitmayer recommended it on air. Swoon!

Have you checked out any of our recommendations from the show today? I’m currently taking @NikiReitmayer‘s advice! pic.twitter.com/w6C12ZkF6d

— Ria Renouf (@RiaCKNW980) April 29, 2017

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is out in theatres on May 5th, but will have late night showings in Metro Vancouver on May 4th. And yes, of course I already have my tickets for one of the first showings in the area!

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

OF COURSE this was going to show up on my list (see the first entry in this post for more details). I am a major Star Wars fan, and even though I’ve been skeptical of the last couple of movies in the universe, I’ve actually enjoyed them. It’s too early to really say what this film is about, all I know is that we’re going to see Rey, Luke and Leia make some big appearances. Also – this is Carrie Fisher’s last feature film before she died, so that in itself is worth heading to the theatres in December for.

PADDINGTON 2

This film’s predecessor surprised me: after hearing about the troubles trying to nail down a voice for the marmalade-loving bear (Colin Firth was originally supposed to voice him) I had very little hope for this British production. Enter Ben Whishaw, the new Q in the James Bond films, and boom! I fell in love. So did many others: the film holds a 98 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In this sequel,  Paddington tries to go after a thief who steals a pop-up book he’s trying to gift to his Aunt Lucy.

I’ve viewed the first film hundreds of times, and I know I love it because it’s actually on my BluRay shelf. (Yes, I own BluRay discs – don’t judge me!) You can catch Paddington 2 in theatres November 10. There’s no trailer as of publishing, but I’ve included one of my favourite scenes from the first film below.

COCO

Before you keep reading, I invite you to watch the trailer below. Hands down, this is one of the most beautiful trailers I have ever seen…

Coco is the story of a young boy named Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) who wants to become an accomplished musician. While trying to prove his talent, he ends up in the Land of the Dead. While he’s there, he meets a trickster named Hector, and the two of them set off on an adventure to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Gael Garcia Bernal and Benjamin Bratt also star. Coco hits theatres November 22.

ALIEN: COVENANT

So many movies, and yet – I don’t care. The last film in the franchise, Prometheus, was not my cup of tea, but if you’re into the franchise, it’s a must-watch. It’ll also be the set-up for Alien: Covenant, which is out this May. I expect this to be a rip-roaring, killer alien-filled good time. It’s in theatres on May 19.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Ah, yes, boasting one of my favourite directors (and one of my not-so-favourite actors in Johnny Depp), Kenneth Branagh takes the reins on the film remake of this 1934 novel. The cast is overall outstanding, with Penelope Cruz, Wilem Dafoe, Dame Judi Dench, Daisy Ridley and Josh Gad starring. Branagh will play Belgian Detective Hercule Poirot. The film hits theatres on November 19. There’s no trailer for this one as of writing.

BLADE RUNNER 2049

This one is just barely over the fence for me, but after seeing the first trailer, I admit I’m pretty excited for this film. Starring Ryan Gosling, Blade Runner 2049 is all about a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Gosling) who discovers a dark secret that may bring humanity’s end. He’s forced to find Rick Deckard (yes, that’s Harrison Ford), a former runner who disappeared 30 years before.

Included in the starring cast are Robin Wright, Dave Bautista and Jared Leto. You can catch the film in theatres this October 6.

DUNKIRK

Right out of the gate, it was pegged as Oscar bait, but now that I’ve seen a few more trailers, it could truly be deserving of some box office hardware. All about the Allied effort, this film was written, co-produced and directed by Christopher Nolan. (You know, the guy who did all those pretty sweet Dark Knight movies – or, my personal favourite, Inception.)

It’ll be in theatres this July.

ANNABELLE: CREATION

Time and time again I’ve been proven wrong by the James Wan suite (well, recently – I wouldn’t say Saw is anything remotely close to a masterpiece) but his Conjuring films have been great. Annabelle has played a part in that, although I wouldn’t say the first one was very good. I’ve got high hopes for this film, and I’m hoping to be wowed.

Annabelle: Creation will be in theatres to scare you on August 11.

KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

Yes! Yes! Yes! It’s the sequel you never knew you needed. The first Kingsman was impressive, with one of the best fight scenes in a church that I’ve ever seen. (Here, I’ve saved you the trouble. Take a look below and be amazed. Yes, it’s violent. You have been warned.)

Kingsman: the Golden Circle comes out on September 22. The trailer for the sequel is below.

VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS

I’ve been underwhelmed by Dane DeHaan, who, earlier this year, starred in the box office flop A Cure for Wellness. I’m pulling for him in this Luc Besson directed project, which also stars Cara Delevingne. Besson is, of course, best known for his work on The Fifth Element, another sci-fi staple.

In this story, Valerian (DeHaan) and Laureline (Delevingne) are special operatives charged with keeping order throughout human territories. The two are sent on a mission to Alpha, a metropolis where various species have come to live. A dark force is in Alpha’s heart, so it’s up to the duo to try and figure out what it is, safeguard Alpha, and, obviously, protect the universe.

This hits theatres July 21.

So, what do you think? Do you think I missed something? Is there something you’re looking forward to? Any of these not tickling your fancy? Drop me a line and let me know!