Ready, set, action: Look ahead into 2016 with the most anticipated movies of the year
Jan 6, 2016, 9:15 PM
Grab the popcorn and find the best seat in the house: It’s time to look ahead at 2016 through the most anticipated movies of the year.
Although we just rang in the new year, it is never too early to start planning ahead, right? And what better way to do that then with TIME.com’s list of top movies for 2016.
So sit back, relax and get ready to sail away to a theatrical world of superheroes, ghostbusters and models. What movie are you most looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below.
February:
Hail, Caesar! (Feb. 5)
The latest Coen Brothers’ installment deals with a Hollywood official, played by Josh Brolin, trying to save a movie star — ala George Clooney — after being kidnapped to the future.
Zoolander 2 (Feb. 12)
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson star as models Derek Zoolander and Hansel who are on a mission to stop a conspiracy to kill the world’s most beautiful people.
Deadpool (Feb. 12)
Deadpool, starring Ryan Reynolds, follows Wade Wilson as he deals with his new superhero life after undergoing an experiment that gave him new abilities.
How To Be Single (Feb. 12)
This movie based off of the best-selling book of the same name stars Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson as bachelorettes who travel the world to find love.
Race (Feb. 19)
Race stars Stephan James as Jesse Owens, a real-life track and field great who competed in the 1936 Olympics, winning four Olympic gold medals.
March:
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (March 4)
Tina Fey stars as Kim Barker in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, which follows Barker as a war correspondent in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Hello, My Name is Doris (March 11)
Sally Fields stars as Doris, an older woman working hand-in-hand with her granddaughter to win the affection of a much younger co-worker.
The Lobster (March 11)
This European comedy stars Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz, two citizens in a dystopian city who are forced to find a lover in 45 days or be sent to live in the woods.
Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice (March 25)
Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill star as the title characters, respectively, who are put head-to-head in an effort to settle personal vendettas.
April:
The Jungle Book (Apr. 15)
This real-life film adaption of the classic Disney book stars Neel Sethi as Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves who sets out on a journey of self-discovery.
Keanu (Apr. 22)
While there has been no official trailer released for Keanu, comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele’s first movie together, word has it the movie deals with recovering a stolen cat.
May:
Captain America: Civil War (May 6)
Snowden (May 13)
Joseph Gordon Levitt stars as Edward Snowden, a former CIA employee who gained worldwide notoriety after he leaked classified information from the Federal National Security Agency to the media in 2013.
X-Men: Apocalypse (May 27)
The group of mutants reunite in this sequel to the 2014 film X-Men: Days of Future Past to stop Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant.
June:
Finding Dory (June 17)
In the much-anticipated sequel to Disney’s 2003 classic Finding Nemo, Finding Dory follows the beloved and forgetful fish as she travels with father-son duo Marlin and Nemo to reunite with her parents.
Independence Day: Resurgence (June 24)
Although it does not star Will Smith, the sequel to 1999’s Independence Day follows a group of brave men and women who are pitted against aliens in an effort to save the world.
July:
The Legend Of Tarzan (July 1)
Alexander Skarsgård stars as Tarzan in this real-life adaptation of the much-beloved animated series.
The BFG: Big Friendly Giant (July 1)
This movie, based off of the classic Roald Dohl book of the same name, follows a young girl, a queen and a giant on a mission to stop an invasion of man-eating giants.
Ghostbusters (July 15)
Although no official trailer has been released, this remake of the 1984 film of the same name features an all-female starring cast who must defend their world from ghosts.
Star Trek Beyond (July 22)
The sequel to 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness is the thirteenth film in the Star Trek film franchise and the third installment in the reboot series.
August:
Suicide Squad (Aug. 5)
Suicide Squad, starring Margot Robbie and Jared Leto, follows a group of anti-superheroes as they perform operations directed by the government.
September:
Bridget Jones’ Baby (Sept. 16)
Because who doesn’t need another Bridget Jones movie? There is no official trailer for this film, but we’d bet it deals with Jones on her journey to motherhood.
Masterminds (Sept. 30)
Although Masterminds underwent delays in 2015 due to bankruptcy, we are still looking forward to this heist comedy starring Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis and Owen Wilson.
October:
The Girl On The Train (Oct. 7)
Starring Emily Blunt as the girl, this film based on the novel of the same name follows a self-destructive, alcoholic woman who finds herself in the middle of a messy situation.
November:
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (Nov. 18)
Harry Potter fans will be flocking to theaters to watch this prequel to the beloved book and movie series, starring Eddie Redmayne as a “magizoologist.”
Moana (Nov. 23)
Fourteen-year-old Hawaii native Auli’i Cravalho beat out hundreds of young women from the Pacific Islands to voice the main character, a teenage Polynesian princess in search of a fabled island.
December:
The Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Dec. 16)
This spinoff film of the Star Wars series is set between Episodes III and IV, telling the story of fighters trying to steal the Death Star.
Passengers (Dec. 21)
With the lack of an official trailer, not much is known of this sci-fi romance, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, but it is sure to draw crowds after Lawrence spoke publicly about filming her first sex scene.
