Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

by Olaf Lesniak
Top 10 Most anticipated movies of 2019

Farewell 2018 and hello 2019! With a new year comes more movies to enjoy, laugh or cry to, make fun of or throw a tantrum over. But today that’s all irrelevant as we focus on what we’re anticipating. Here I bring you my top 10 most anticipated movies of 2019.

None of the films included on this list mean these will be guaranteed critical or box-office hits. They’re simply my personal picks that I hope live up to my expectations. Before all that, let’s take a look at some notable films worthy of a mention:

The “Why Wasn’t This Movie on the List?” Group

Captain Marvel — The trailers look boring and bland; nothing new.

Aladdin — I mean, did you see Genie?

The Lion King — So sick of these remakes.

The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part — The story ended in the first film and it seems like it’s going to struggle to make up an excuse to justify the need for a second one.

Joker — Piss poor awards bait?

Toy Story 4 — I don’t care how “emotional” it sounds, leave this franchise to its perfect ending.

Spider-Man: Far From Home — More like Spider-Man Meets Spy Kids.

New Mutants — I’ve lost all interest in this film.

Dark Phoenix — It looks identical to other X-Men movies, and I doubt there’s much else to hook me in.

Terminator 6 – I feel like I should care, but I can’t bring myself to.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via CNet

The “I’m Looking Forward to These But Not as Much as the Ones That Made the List” Group

Godzilla: King of the Monsters — I’ve avoided the trailers, and as someone who likes the 2014 reboot of Godzilla, I am really excited for this one.

Frozen 2 — Disney isn’t known for green-lighting theatrical animated sequels (interested to see if it’ll pay-off).

Jumanji 3  — Welcome to the Jungle was such a major surprise. I never expected to want more of Jumanji.

It: Chapter 2 — I loved the first one and saw it twice in the theater.

Glass – Let it begin!

Dumbo — The only Disney remake that may have something interesting to offer with Tim Burton’s wacky style.

Angry Birds 2 — The first one was a pleasant surprise.

Pet Sematary — The trailer looks intriguing!

Spies in Disguise – Tom Holland and Will Smith lending their voices to a spy story? Sounds like pure fun!

Alita: Battle Angel — Originally on my list until I saw some footage, but I still withhold hope (please be good).

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2018

image via Observer

And now onto the list:

#10: Us

The trailer that came out for this film caught me off guard. I enjoyed Get Out, but I wondered whether Jordan Peele would continue to have critical success moving forward. After seeing the trailer I’m convinced this will blow Get Out out of the water. Horror has had a major resurgence and the streak will continue in 2019. Nonetheless, nothing as of late came close to giving me the shivers as this trailer did.

Us looks like a visual creepster that might be the first horror movie since childhood to spook me hard. What I’ll call ‘doppelgangers’ for now crawl under my skin. There’s a lot of haunting imagery going on here that would not completely click together without the secret ingredient of beautiful cinematography. Look no further than the quick snippet of the girl in the darkly lit room. Her face blends with the darkness while her attention-grabbing eyeballs force you to look into nothing but fear.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via IGN

#9: Farmageddon: A Shaun the Sheep Movie

What? Shaun the Sheep Movie is getting a sequel? That’s amazing! The 2015 animated film was one of the most charming and best movies of that year. I’ll be eagerly awaiting this one with high expectations for something that hopefully rivals its predecessor.

There’s not much we know about this movie, nor do I want to know much. I wanna go into this one with as little spoiler knowledge as possible. Shaun the Sheep is a character that lends himself to a variety of scenarios. They could make fifty of these and it would never get boring. (Well, there is the original TV series which basically reaffirms my argument and that’s an important distinction to make when we’re talking about sequels like this or your Toy Story 4s or The LEGO Movies.)

All I know is this time around we’re going to have aliens. Yes please, give me more!

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via Paste Magazine

#8: John Wick: Chapter 3

I refuse to call this movie John Wick 3: Parabellum. Is it that hard to keep a consistent title structure? I digress. If you remember the ending of the second film then you know we’re in for a ride that’s going to get really intense….or the stakes could disappear if they try to do too much. I have faith in the director’s ability to tell a perfect continuation as he did in Chapter 2.

Either way, I’m excited to see how this franchise hopefully concludes and how the action sequences will continue to deliver. Another one of my hopes is for an upward box-office gross intake that not only surpasses the previous film, but gets it to the $300 million mark globally. Remember, as highly regarded as these movies are they haven’t passed the $200 million mark which is a bit shocking to hear given how beloved the franchise is. I just think this series is long due for the numbers it so deserves.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via D’Marge

#7: How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Another franchise that fails to keep a consistent title form.

From the trailers there’s a lot of sequel clichés that are common in kid’s animation. It turns out there is a new world they never heard of before and our animal protagonist falls in love with his female counterpart. On paper, it sounds uninspired. Then there is the fact that I never considered myself a How To Train Your Dragon fan.

None of the movies really did anything for me, yet I’m sensing something special this time around. It’s as if the film is purposefully hiding extra details. May it prove that thirds don’t always have to be a letdown. I’m ready to strap in for an emotional rollercoaster ride. I’m telling you, this one is it.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via GeekTyrant

#6: The Irishman

Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. That’s all you need!

Netflix is making a massive splash with this massive project. I’m amazed that industry titans are teaming up with the streaming giant considering what many of them say about it.

I’m all for Netflix investing into content that rivals the likes of traditional Hollywood studios. If it makes the guys like Christopher Nolan or Steven Spielberg tremble, I say good! Make them feel as threatened as possible. Only through competition can we get filmmakers to push greater visions, and The Irishman is a real competitor in that regard.

The budget estimates are around $150-200 million and Netflix is giving all of the creative control to Scorsese. It’s exciting not only for this movie but the future of cinema. Everyone should root for this movie’s success, despite whether they like it or not. It’s an opportunity for high-budget movies to return to the days of when they weren’t centered on wowing us with the action, VFX, and scale. Those things are important, but a lot of times the narrative is not first in the equation. Even though I do find some of Martin Scorsese’s work underwhelming I have faith that his partnership with Netflix will prove beneficial.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via The Independent

#5: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

I open my top five with another movie that I don’t know a lot about, but I know Tarantino will hit it out of the park. The cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and my favorite Margot Robbie. The movie is set to win Oscars for the plot description alone which revolves around TV actors trying to earn a name for themselves in the film industry with the Manson murders acting as a backdrop.

If you know anything about awards bait, the best ones include love letters to Hollywood, social-political commentaries, and big names. Not to mention six studios fought over the rights to this one with Sony beating out the likes of Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Lionsgate and Annapurna. The deal included the director’s demand of the final cut, a $95 million budget and “extraordinary creative control”.

This movie is a big deal and you can smell it a mile away.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via IMDb

#4: Shazam!

This is one of the few superhero projects of 2019 that I’m really excited about. Not only does it look entertaining but it also looks to have plenty of charisma and heart that is normally missing from your everyday blockbuster. I’m excited to see a big-budget movie that’s more focused on the story than a giant finale with a beam in the sky, a screen overstuffed with CGI or universe ending stakes.

The idea seems refreshing, we don’t get enough kid superheroes which is a missed opportunity. Shazam! is going to be a family hit, especially with boys.

As we’ve seen with Aquaman and the announcement of the solo-Joker film, it seems that Warner Bros. is open to giving their directors more freedom. What’s more exciting is that Shazam! appears to be a more self-contained story as well.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via YouTube

#3: Detective Pikachu

Me before the trailer: “Why is there a Detective Pikachu movie in development? This is stupid and it’s definitely going to flop. Why not just make a Pokemon movie?”

Me after seeing the trailer: “Take my money!”

I somehow got suckered into this movie and I have absolutely no regrets about it. As stupid as Detective Pikachu sounds, the movie feels like it was made as a result of a dare than the intention to make money. The idea is so out there yet it opens doors to a ton of possibilities. It’s a mystery in a backdrop of the popular Pokemon world — that’s so fun!

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via Polygon

We’ll get to witness the world from the perspective of Justice Smith’s character and Pikachu voiced by none other than Deadpool Ryan Reynolds. He’s going to be the star of this movie, no doubt.

Smith’s squeaky performance in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom didn’t leave a great impression on a lot of people, but know this: the kid has serious acting chops. He also starred in last year’s film Every Day. Although his role was brief he left a mark and clearly has what it takes to carry the main role.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via Kotaku

#2: Avengers: Endgame

I always knew that Avengers: Infinity War would be nothing in comparison to what Endgame would eventually have in store for us.

I’m really happy about the idea of putting the attention back on the original Avengers. I don’t need deaths in this movie, I just want stakes. Please do not alter storylines in fear of missing out on toy sales.

What can we expect from this movie? Well, we know this will be the longest MCU movie to date. The Russos even went on to suggest it might end up being 3 hours long. Yes, please! Go out The Lord of the Rings style on this one. Make it 3 and a half if you have to.

Word is that time travel will be utilized in this one. I’m not a fan of the idea on face value but if they find an inventive, original way to push passed the concept’s limits and away from the tropes, count me in. My other worry is Captain Marvel. She’s said to be the Thanos slayer and the most powerful superhero in the MCU. Is this Marvel trying to make up for not beating Wonder Woman to the punch or something? I’m worried they’ll make Carol Danvers the solution to their major problems. After 11 years of build up, I do not want the most important role to go to a newbie who had her introduction only 2 months before the finale.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via Wikia.com

#1: Star Wars: Episode IX

I apologize to all the Star Wars fans who will get mad at me here. Don’t get me wrong, I do see he flaws in The Last Jedi, but I also can’t deny that it’s a great movie. As someone who was never a devoted fan, I can surely say that this film made me one. I smiled through every ounce of unpredictability.

I want Kathleen Kennedy to stick to her guns. The hate for Episode VIII is overexaggerated and will pass with time. Don’t cop-out, doing so will only show you are bending to the vocal mob. Even if the mob was right, just don’t do it. Changing your ideals will only hurt Episode IX.

Instead try to continue the story you’re trying to tell, but also acknowledge the worries and try to appease them. You can create a balance that will show everyone why your plan was worth it, not just to people like me, but to a good majority of the ones that had major issues with The Last Jedi. This isn’t having your cake and eating it too, it’s adjusting to circumstances. Don’t make a big deal out of it, make it feel earned.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

image via CNet

With the unfortunate passing of Carrie Fisher, the plans for the ninth installment definitely underwent a major reconstruction. I’m sure Luke Skywalker’s fate would’ve looked different if they had known. As confirmed, the decision to take Carrie’s deleted scenes from The Force Awakens is a brilliant solution, one I’m not sure will definitely solve Leia’s importance to the plot.

I’m excited to see the continuation of a great story, general reaction, fan opinions, and whether the box-office declines or not. There is so much more at play than what already meets the eye and the worst part will be waiting 12 months to finally find out whether this is all ends on a happy note.


Thank you for reading! What are your most anticipated movies of 2019? Comment down below!

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9 comments

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Reply
Sam Simon January 6, 2019 - 3:10 pm

Toy story 4? I’ll watch Toy story 3 for the first time in my life tonight! Now I’m curious about the perfect ending…

By the way, 2019 sounds interesting in terms of movies!

Reply
Olaf Lesniak January 12, 2019 - 8:35 pm

Hey, just reading your comment now. What did you think of Toy Story 3 and do you share my sentiments about the 4th one on the way?

Reply
Sam Simon January 13, 2019 - 6:50 am

I enjoyed Toy story 3 more than the previous one! I found it well done and fun, with an incredible rhythm!

As for Toy story 4… I dont’t know, Pixar can be surprising at times, so I guess it could be good? After all, they seemed to improve over time with the Toy story franchise! Or it could be another Cars 2…! :–)

Reply
Babies for Days January 4, 2019 - 5:16 pm

So excited for How to Train Your Dragon! Hiccup is such a wholesome protagonist. Also, the music rocks. Also, DRAGONS AND VIKINGS!

Reply
The Animation Commendation January 2, 2019 - 3:28 pm

Can’t wait until Farmageddon gets a US release date!

Reply
Liz Gauffreau January 1, 2019 - 6:11 pm

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” sounds good. I’ll look forward to the review!

Reply
Karalee January 1, 2019 - 4:58 pm

I really want to see Detective Pikachu!!!

Reply
Nick Kush January 1, 2019 - 2:54 pm

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