What must-see movies are out in 2018?

2017 was an amazing year for film and 2018 doesn’t show any sign of letting up.

This year sees huge franchises like Star Wars and Jurassic World take the spotlight, whilst indie stories continue to innovate. But, with so much coming out, what are the best picks for your cinema trips in 2018.

Solo – A Star Wars Story

The first Star Wars spin-off, ‘Rogue One’, saw the franchise go in a direction that we haven’t seen before, and the latest release, The Last Jedi, even more so. The next in the ‘Star Wars Story’ series is Solo, following the early life of the iconic smuggler, Han Solo. The brilliant Alden Ehrenreich takes up the mantle and veteran director Ron Howard at the helm, with this being the first Disney Star Wars flick to not be released in December, instead due out at the end of May.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Having been released to rapturous reviews in the US, ‘Three Billboard Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ is released over here on 12^th January. Coming from writer and director, Martin McDonagh who brought us ‘In Bruges’ and ‘7 Psychopaths’, this darkly comic, crime drama is a certain awards contender.

Super-hero Movies

Super-hero movies dominate the box office and this year is no different. 2018 will see our first black, solo superhero movie in Black Panther, the X-rated anti-hero return in Deadpool 2 and the whole Marvel squadron re-unite in Avengers: Infinity War. That’s not all – there is a new Spider Man flick, Ant Man returns, Aqua Man gets his own movie and anti – Spidey comes to our screen in Venom.

Disney Reboots & Sequels

After the success of The Jungle Book, Disney announced a run of reboots for the foreseeable future. Firstly the world went Lion King crazy last year when the cast was announced for the feature film. It includes Beyonce, Seth Rogan and original Mufasa, James Earl Jones, however hold your horses as it isn’t released until next year unfortunately. Aladdin is also set to take cinemas by storm in 2019, BUT there is still tonnes more Disney magic expected in 2018 with offerings that include the live action version of Mulan (US release November – UK TBA), Wreck it Ralph 2 and The Incredibles 2. We also see a different version of The Jungle Book (not Disney) directed by motion capture pioneer Andy Serkis. This version was in production before the 2016 release, but only comes to our screens now. And of course more on Mary Poppins further down!

A Wrinkle In Time

Starring Oprah Winfrey, Reece Witherspoon and child prodigy, Storm Reid, this fantasy film looks set to be one of the biggest releases of the year. Storm Reid’s, Meg Murry, discovers time and mind bending worlds beyond this one in the search for her genius father, played by Chris Pine.  In cinemas 23^rd March.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald

The Harry Potter world spin-off saga continues as our unassuming protagonist, Newt Scamander, tackles the crimes of Johnny Depp’s Gellert Grindelwald. This world is home to many fans and with the promise of seeing a young Albus Dumbledore, played by Jude Law, the magic is sure to return this November.

The Isle Of Dogs

In a year that sees many reboots and franchise films, it’s great to have something completely new, for which we can always rely on the quirky works of Wes Anderson. This time he brings us a scrunchy looking stop-motion animation starring voice actors like Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton amongst many others. Coming to UK cinemas 30^th March 2018.

Mary Poppins Returns

We are as excited as we are fearful of this one. Mary Poppins is cherished by all, and the idea of a reboot struck fear into our hearts. However, when we found out that Emily Blunt would be playing everyone’s favourite Nanny, and that Dick Van Dyke will return, we couldn’t help but get all giddy. Due out 21^st December, we’re already ready for our spoon full of sugar.

Mama Mia: Here We Go Again

Be prepared for your guilty pleasure of 2008 to become it again, ten years on. Ten years! Can you believe it? Bringing back together the original cast, as well as some fresh blood. Get your singing voices warmed up, we go again this July.

The Shape Of Water

Guillermo del Toro is a living legend in the film industry, having brought modern classics such as Pan’s Labrynth to our screens. His knew offering is set in a typically dark world where a mute janitor (Sally Hawkins) forms a relationship with a mysterious water monster kept in captivity. We can’t give you much more than that. The Shape Of Water comes to our screens this valentine’s day.

Darkest Hour

A certain awards contender, ‘Darkest Hour’ follows the early days of World War II as newly appointed Winston Churchill decides whether to negotiate with Hitler. Gary Oldman has already been praised with a career best performance of the icon, having been nominated as Best Actor for the Critic’s Choice Award, with the film also being nominated as Best Picture. Darkest Hour is out in the UK 12^th January.

Lady Bird

Lady Bird is close to a masterpiece, in our opinion. If you’re not into indie style films then it may not be on your radar, however this simple drama depicts the late teenage years of a young girl beautifully. Set in the early 2000s, this humble homage to family life in America has already been touted as a major Oscar contender, with Laurie Metcalf and Saoirse Ronan giving career best performances. If you prefer your small, Indie flicks to your big blockbusters, Lady Bird comes out in the UK Febuary 16^th.

First Man

We don’t know much about this Neil Armstrong biopic, but what we do know has already got our attention. The film is directed by Damien Chazelle, scored by Justin Hurwitz and stars Ryan Gosling, all three who worked on 2017’s musical masterpiece, La La Land. Due out this November, we’re ready and waiting for llift off.

Annihilation

Written by the man that brought us Ex Machina, Never Let Me Go and 28 Days Later, Annihilation stars Natalie Portman as she plays a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature no longer apply. The trailer is as mysterious as it is exhilarating, reminding us of the incredible, Arrival back in 2016.

Ready Player One

Steven Spielberg returns with a 1980s and 90s Sci-Fi adventure that will bring together some of your favourite characters of the science fiction and gaming worlds. The film is based on a bestselling novel and sees our adventurers travel to a virtual utopia where we meet cultural icons such as The Iron Giant and Freddy Kruger. In an era of Stranger Things recreating a Spielberg-ian world, we’re treated to an authentic one from old Steve, due out this March.

There’s our top 15, of course plenty more out this year too, let us know what you are looking forward to on Twitter & Facebook @TheGuideLpool.