At the moment, all the talk is on Oscars, BAFTAs and Golden Globes. But frankly who needs awards prestige in order to have a great time at the cinema? From Batman v Superman to the year’s other blockbusters, we look at the crowd-pleasing hits that are set to draw the crowds and (hopefully) blow us all away.
1) Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill go mano a mano in this testosterone-drenched follow-up to 2013’s Superman reboot, Man of Steel. Things to get excited about include Gal Gadot’s debut as Wonder Woman, Jesse Eisenberg’s geekified take on long-time Supes nemesis Lex Luthor, and the big screen bows of The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg. Certainly, if you like superheroes, then 2016 looks like it was made especially for you. Released: 25th March
2)
Captain America: Civil War
Coming over as more of an superhero-stacked Avengers movie than a Captain America one, Civil War pits most of the Marvel universe’s costumed heroes against each other in this epic smash-em-up based on the cult comic book by Mark (Kick-Ass, Kingsman) Millar. But perhaps more exciting than seeing Captain America and Iron Man scrapping it out is the first MCU appearance from the new Spider-Man, now played by Brit Tom Holland. Yippee!
3)
X-Men: Apocalypse
X-Men: First Class was set in the 60s, X-Men: Days of Future Past moved the action on to the 70s and now the X-prequels make the leap to the 1980s with this Bryan Singer-directed sequel where we finally find out how Professor X (James McAvoy) lost his man mane. Star Wars’ Oscar Isaac is on big bad duties as the world’s first ever mutant, the impossibly powerful Apocalypse, in this movie that will Singer calls “kind of a conclusion of six X-Men films”. No sign yet of any appearance by Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. :(
4)
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie
Twenty-four years on from its TV debut, Jennifer Saunders’ savage satire on the fashion industry makes the leap to the big screen. Expect an avalanche of celeb cameos (Kate Moss, Harry Styles, Kim Kardashian, Joan Collins and Cara Delevingne are all rumoured to be popping up) as the perennially sozzled fashionistas Edina and Patsy find themselves in the middle of a media firestorm after “a major incident” at a launch party.
Released: 1st July
5)
Ghostbusters
There was much scepticism when news first broke of an all-female remake of Ghostbusters, but director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Spy) has not only assembled a stellar, lady-heavy cast (Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones), but also convinced most of the original’s surviving stars to cameo (Rick Moranis is the only one who said no). If you’re going to remake a classic, it looks like this is the way to do it...
6)
Star Trek Beyond
Having lost director JJ Abrams to its long-time sci-fi rival, the Star Trek franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary with a script by Simon Pegg and a new director in the Fast & Furious’ Justin Lin. All we know so far is that the movie takes place after the beginning of the crew’s five-year mission and Idris Elba is the baddie. Sadly, there doesn’t appear to be cameo room for the original Captain Kirk, William Shatner. Boo.
7)
Bourne 5
After the universal shrug that greeted the Jeremy Renner-fronted The Bourne Legacy, the Bourne series gets back on track with Matt Damon back in his most iconic role and Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum) back in the director’s chair. Things we do know: 1) It’ll co-star Tommy Lee Jones, Julia Stiles and Vincent Cassel. 2) It won’t be called Bourne 5. Things we don’t know: 1) What it’s about.
Released: 29th July
8)
Bridget Jones’s Baby
Another long-gestating sequel, Bridget Jones’s Baby picks up the story of the love-hungry singleton 12 years on from the last film, The Edge of Reason. Hugh Grant has decided to sit this one out, but rest assured, ladies, Colin Firth is back as Mr Darcy, with newcomer Patrick Dempsey joining the ensemble as Bridget’s new love interest.
9)
Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch becomes Marvel’s latest cinematic superhero when he dons the cape of the neurosurgeon-turned-sorcerer in this psychedelic journey into the weird. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton are all onboard this movie that promises something genuinely fresh for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
10)
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them
JK Rowling makes her screenwriting debut with this much-anticipated Harry Potter spin-off. Set in 1926, the movie stars man-of-the-moment Eddie Redmayne as the fabulously named Newton Scamander, a chronicler of magic creatures who causes a major panic in New York when his animals escape. For all those suffering major Harry Potter withdrawal, then this return to the wizarding world (albeit with more American accents) should satisfy your cravings. Erstwhile Harry Potter director David Yates is calling the shots.
What movies have we missed out? Tell us
@Cineworld.
