A belated happy new year — both Gregorian and Lunar — to all those reading this article. As always, this new year brings with it a new roster of movies to watch. But while it may now be the year of the rabbit (or cat or mouse deer, depending on the zodiac you follow), it is still the decade of the sequels, adaptations and remakes, and the first half of this year won’t change that. With that in mind, here are 15 of the biggest movies to watch out for before July.
“Antman and the Wasp: Quantumania” (Feb. 17)
The official start to Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this movie follows the titular duo of Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily and their allies as they find themselves forcibly transported to the Quantum Realm. Once there, they must adjust to a totally different reality while attempting to return home, encountering new friends and foes along the way.
“Creed III” (March 3)
This film catches up with Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) enjoying life at the top of the boxing world while he helps a newly released childhood friend Damian, played by Jonathan Majors, adjust to life outside prison. However, Damian, a skilled boxer, feels Creed stole the life he deserved and this resentment boils over into a challenge. Damian versus Creed, winner take all.
“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” (March 31)
Another attempt at developing the popular tabletop roleplaying game for the big screen, this adaptation follows a band of adventurers led by Edgin the Bard (Chris Pine). It contains Dungeons and Dragons mainstay characters like wizards, paladins and barbarians as they embark on a quest to retrieve a long lost relic. This quest quickly goes awry as they soon run afoul of the wrong people, putting all their lives in mortal danger.
“Scream VI” (March 10)
The sixth film in the Scream franchise, it catches up with the new generation of Ghostface survivors (Mellisa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Brown, Mason Gooding) who have sought a fresh start in New York City. However, they soon find no physical distance from their past will be enough, as a new Ghostface now walks the streets of the Big Apple, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake.
“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” (March 17)
The sequel to the surprisingly good and fun “Shazam!”, it follows Billy Batson (Zachary Levi and Asher Angel) and his superpowered foster sibling team as they confront a new threat, the Daughters of Atlas. To stop them and their plan to use a potentially world-destroying device, they must make peace with an incredibly powerful and angry group, the Gods from whom Billy draws his power.
“John Wick: Chapter 4” (March 24)
Another installment in the neo-noir action series that stars Keanu Reeves as the titular character, it follows the aforementioned John Wick as he seeks to defeat the High Table - an alliance of powerful criminal organizations - in order to gain his freedom. To do so, he must challenge a powerful new enemy whose network of powerful connections will force him to battle old friends and foes alike.
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (April 7)
A third (and hopefully better) attempt to adapt the Mario games to the big screen, this animated movie will follow our favorite plumber Mario (Chris Pratt) as he goes on a journey with Princess Peach (Anna Taylor-Joy) and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) to stop the evil Bowser (Jack Black) and his nefarious plans for world domination.
“Beau is Afraid” (April 21)
The third film from famed horror director Ari Aster, this horror comedy will follow Beau (Joaquin Phoenix) as he embarks on a surreal and nightmarish journey home after his mother - with whom he had a tenuous relationship - passes. Along the way, he will confront his deepest and darkest fears in a decades-spanning and time-hopping journey with threats both natural and supernatural.
“Evil Dead Rise” (April 21)
The second of the modern “Evil Dead” reboots, this film moves the franchise from its traditional isolated cabins in the woods to the polar opposite: a large apartment building in the middle of Los Angeles. It will focus on a resident (Alyssa Sutherland) and her family as they find themselves hunted and harried by demons after bringing the dastardly Necromonicon into their homes.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (May 5)
The third and likely final installment in the popular Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, we see the Guardians attempt to transform the planet/head of a deceased intergalactic being Knowhere into a safe haven for refugees from throughout the galaxy. However, after a brutal attack, the Guardians go on one final mission to protect the lives of one of their members, possibly at the cost of the group’s dissolution.
“Fast X” (May 19)
The tenth and hopefully final film in what has become one of the longest modern franchises, we catch back up with the Fast Family and their ally Tess (Brie Larson) as they attempt to get some much-deserved rest after the latest of their vehicular escapades. However, this break doesn’t last long as they soon face a new threat: their recurrent enemy Cipher (Charlize Theron) who has allied with a new character (Jason Momoa) in a plan to end the Fast Family once and for all.
“The Little Mermaid” (May 26)
A live action adaption of the popular children movie adapted from Hans Christian Anderson’s fairytale, it follows Ariel (Halle Bailey) as she trades her voice for human legs to explore the world above and meet a prince with whom she feels a strange connection. This movie promises to be an interesting adaptation with a solid cast and incredible music, though it remains to be seen if it will retain the animated version’s charm.
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Zev van Zanten is a Trinity junior and recess editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.