2014 was an up and down year in movies – there were some great performances and outstanding pictures, but there were also a bunch of mediocre offerings and highly anticipated offerings that fell flat at the box office.
Thankfully, there is a lot of cool stuff on tap for 2015 and so it only make sense to give you a heads up about the movies we’re excited about in the year ahead.
There are bound to be a bunch of movies that generate buzz during the year and become “Oh my god I have to see that movie!” movies along the way – it happens every year, usually with dramatic offerings and indie flicks, simply because the big budget, franchise joints get greater publicity in the lead up to their release.
But right now, these are the 10 flicks that we’re most excited about as we kick off the new year.
Selma
Release date: January 9, 2015
Ava DuVernay’s film historical drama about the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march is garnering a lot of praise from critics, earning four Golden Globe nominations. Starring David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. and featuring a number of standouts in smaller, supporting roles, this is one of the few films on this list you won’t have to wait a while to see as it gets its major release on January 9.
Tomorrowland
Release date: May 22, 2015
Disney + George Clooney + the director of The Incredibles, Ratatouille and M:I4 in a science fiction adventure tale that takes place in a time and space known only as Tomorrowland where there your actions have a Butterfly Effect-type impact on the world around you. The trailer looks great and the full film should be fun.
Straight Outta Compton
Release date: August 14, 2015
N.W.A. are one of the most influential groups in hip hop history and now director F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job) brings story of Easy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella to the big screen with this highly anticipated biopic that is scheduled to drop in August.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part II
Release date: November 20, 2015
Three down, one to go and with Mockingjay, Part I playing out like the series’ version of Empire Strikes Back, setting the table for what should be an epic showdown between Katniss and President Snow, we’re locked in and looking forward to the grand finale.
In the Heart of the Sea
Release date: March 13, 2015
Based on Nathan Philbrick’s 2000 book of the same name, this story was actually part of the inspiration for Melville’s Moby Dick. In 1820, the whaleship Essex was rammed and sunk by an enraged sperm whale, leaving the crew to sail for South America in hopes of surviving. Starring Chris Hemsworth and Cillian Murphy and directed by Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind), this one should be visually stunning as well as captivating.
Minions
Release date: July 10, 2015
Let’s be honest: Despicable Me 2 wasn’t very good except for the fact that it was a second opportunity to spend time with the minions. This year, Gru’s amusing yellow helpers get a movie of their own, with Kevin, Stuart and Bob taking the lead in this animated adventure detailing their history.
Pitch Perfect 2
Release date: May 15, 2015
Aca-believe it! Becca and the Barden Bellas are back for an encore in this follow-up to the enjoyable, addictive 2012 musical comedy. This time around, Elizabeth Banks is in the director’s chair and Hallie Steinfeld joins returning cast members Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Skylar Astin.
Spectre
Release date: November 6, 2015
Guess who else is back on the big screen this year? Bond, James Bond, that’s who. Spectre is the 24th film in the Bond franchise and the third featuring Daniel Craig as 007. Casino Royale and Skyfall were two of the best Bond movies of all time, so if you liked those, you should be pumped about Spectre.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Release date: May 1, 2015
The Avengers was amazing and now you’re adding Quicksilver, Scarlett Witch and Vision to the table as well? Plus James Spader as the voice of Ultron? May 8 can’t get here soon enough.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Release date: December 18, 2015
Oh my god! Oh My God! OH MY GOD! You’ve seen the teaser trailer, right? We’re trying to contain our expectations after the prequel trilogy ended up being only okay, but with J.J. Abrams at the helm and this one featuring not only a new cast of characters but also the original cast, we’re looking forward to the December 18 release date more than anything else this year.
