As awards season gets underway and celebrates the last year in cinema, it’s time to look ahead to what’s coming up in 2019. From big, blockbuster returns and yet more superhero capers, to charming indie flicks and comedies that will have you falling out of your cinema chair with laughter, the year ahead looks like it will be a golden one in the film world. Grab your diaries and get to know some of the most essential movie releases ahead.
Beautiuful Boy
Release date: January 18.
Starring: Steve Carrell, Timothée Chalamet, Maura Tierney.
Why you need to see it: It’s a devastating but important look at addiction and its effects on a close-knit family. Timothée Chalamet plays teenage meth addict Nic Sheff with sensitivity and gut-wrenching realism, while Steve Carrell, as his dad David, swaps comedy for the most emotional performance of his career.
Mary Queen of Scots
Release date: January 18.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie.
Why you need to see it: The latest take on the rivalry between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen Of Scots is said to be a dark and haunting piece, in which Saoirse Ronan reigns as an equally vulnerable and powerful young queen.
Glass
Release date: January 18.
Starring: James McAvoy, Sarah Paulson, Samuel Jackson.
Why you need to see it: It’s the follow-up to Split and the conclusion to M. Night Shyamalan’s gripping Unbreakable trilogy. Plus, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Spencer Treat Clark, and Charlayne Woodard all appear for the first time since the first instalment, as McAvoy’s Kevin Wendell Crumb runs amok in his superhuman incarnation, The Beast.
Vice
Release date: January 25.
Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Sam Rockwell.
Why you need to see it: Because you won’t believe how much Bale and Rockwell look like as much-hated former US Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush respectively. A political biopic might sound dry but the film is already winning awards recognition and critical praise for its meta techniques and comedic turns.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Release date: February 1.
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant, Dolly Wells.
Why you need to see it: It’s McCarthy back at her side-clutching best after a couple of duds, according to reviews. She plays a celebrity biographer who, having fallen on hard times, begins to forge celebrity letters with healing – and harmful – consequences.
Green Book
Release date: February 1.
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini.
Why you need to see it: Based on a true story, Golden Globe-winning Green Book follows jazz pianist Don Shirley (Ali) as he tours through the racially segregated Deep South of America in the 1960s. The film focuses on his friendship with Tony Lip (Mortensen), a hardman he hires as his bodyguard and driver. Although it has caused controversy for advancing a “white saviour” line and after Shirley’s family claimed it exaggerated the pair’s friendship, it has also been praised for its charming take on an unexpected friendship.
On The Basis Of Sex
Release date: February 8.
Starring: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux.
Why you need to see it: Seen everyone on your Twitter feed raving about US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg but got no idea why? This biopic will give you some insight as Jones plays the woman dubbed the Notorious RBG and shows what she had to overcome to get to her position of power.
If Beale Street Could Talk
Release date: February 8.
Starring: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King.
Why you need to see it: Moonlight director Barry Jenkins has already proved himself to be an enthralling storyteller and his latest film only looks set to reinforce that. Adapted from James Baldwin’s novel of the same name, If Beale Street Could Talk follows pregnant Harlem woman Tish as she struggles to prove her fiancé has been charged with a crime he did not commit.
Boy Erased
Release date: February 8.
Starring: Lucas Hedges, Troye Sivan, Nicole Kidman.
Why you need to see it: It’s a sensitive but dramatic retelling of Garred Conley’s memoir of the same name, which sees Hedges forced into a gay conversion programme after being outed by his parents (Kidman, Russell Crowe). It also features Troye Sivan as one of Hedges’ peers and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea as a former convict.
Captain Marvel
Release date: March 8.
Starring: Brie Larson, Gemma Chan, Jude Law.
Why you need to see it: It’s the first Marvel movie to be led by a female superhero and Larson looks set to be a brilliant choice for Carol Danvers, the US airforce pilot whose DNA is merged with an alien’s genes during an accident, giving her superhuman strength, endurance, and the ability to fly.
The Kindergarten Teacher
Release date: March 8.
Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gael García Bernal, Ato Blankson-Wood.
Why you need to see it: It’s a remake of the 2015 Israeli film and stars Gyllenhaal as a nursery teacher convinced one of her charges is a child prodigy, and takes it upon herself to help the rest of the world see what she sees.
Us
Release date: March 22.
Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss.
Why you need to see it: It’s the next film from Get Out director Jordan Peele and, from the trailer, it looks set to be even more terrifying. Gabe (Duke) and Adelaide Wilson (Nyong’o) take their kids to their beach house for a relaxing holiday, but are thrown into turmoil when a group of “strangers” appear on their driveway.
Dumbo
Release date: March 29.
Starring: Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Eva Green.
Why you need to see it: Tim Burton’s loose remake of the Disney classic looks as creepy as you’d expect from the director – and will challenge your memories of the Dumbo of your childhood.
Pet Sematary
Release date: April 5.
Starring: Jason Clarke, John Lithgow, Amy Seimetz.
Why you need to see it: It’s another Stephen King adaptation to tide you over while you’re waiting for the next part of It. It’ll also make you think twice about burying any dead pets at the bottom of your garden.
Shazam!
Release date: April 5.
Starring: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Michelle Borth.
Why you need to see it: It plays into many kids’ fantasies of being able to turn yourself into a superhero at the drop of a hat – or word. Zachary Levi will play the titular hero, who transforms from a teenage boy into an adult with superhuman abilities just by shouting his name.
Mid90s
Release date: April 12.
Starring: Lucas Hedges, Sunny Suljic, Katherine Waterston.
Why you need to see it: It’s Jonah Hill’s directorial debut and has received a ton of acclaim over in the States. It follows Stevie (Suljic), a 13-year-old in 1990s LA as he finds escape from his difficult home life in his new friendships with those that hang out at a local skate shop.
Avengers: Endgame
Release date: April 26.
Starring: Karen Gillan, Brie Larson, Chris Hemsworth.
Why you need to see it: Not much is known about the plot right now, but you can bet the Avengers will be busy kicking ass in their continued battle against Thanos.
Eighth Grade
Release date: April 26.
Starring: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily Robinson.
Why you need to see it: It’s a empathetic and excruciatingly realistic walk through the life of 13-year-old Kayla (Fisher) – a loner who inhabits the personality of a confident and compelling vlogger when the school bell rings – that will remind you of the awkward chaos of your own school days.
Rocketman
Release date: May 24.
Starring: Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas Howard, Richard Madden.
Why you need to see it: Elton John himself is involved with this look at his dazzling career so expect it to be flamboyant and fabulous. It also arrives just in time for his first UK gigs on his huge farewell tour so should be the perfect thing to get you in the mood for celebrating one of British music’s most unique icons.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Release date: July 5.
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal.
Why you need to see it: It’s Gyllenhaal’s first step into Spidey’s universe after almost playing the title role back in Tobey Maguire’s days as the web-slinging hero. He’ll play villain Mysterio, who rudely interrupts Spider-Man’s (Holland) European holiday.
The Lion King
Release date: July 19.
Starring: Beyoncé, Donald Glover, Seth Rogen.
Why you need to see it: CGI Disney remakes might not be the coolest or best thing in cinema right now but it’s hard to see how The Lion King can go wrong when you look at its cast. As well as Beyoncé, Glover, and Rogen, it’ll also feature Keegan-Michael Key, Billy Eichner, Eric André, James Earl Jones, Amy Sedaris and a ton more.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
Release date: July 26.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie.
Why you need to see it: It’s one of the most anticipated films of the year with an all-star cast and Quentin Tarantino’s take on the murder of Sharon Tate and Hollywood in the midst of the Manson murders. Expect gore, grit, and glamour.
It: Chapter Two
Release date: September 6.
Starring:James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Skarsgård.
Why you need to see it: If you stuck around for the credits of the first It, you’ll know Pennywise is alive and well, thus the next chapter will be full of his creepy child-luring antics. In this sequel, he re-emerges 27 years later ready to target a new generation of kids. As per the original kids’ pact, they must return to Derry, Maine to try and defeat It once more.
Joker
Release date: October 4.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz.
Why you need to see it: Joaquin Phoenix becomes the next actor to take on the iconic role, while director Todd Phillips (The Hangover) should bring a touch of humour to the tale of a failed comedian turned psychopathic murderer.
Star Wars: Episode IX
Release date: December 20.
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o.
Why you need to see it: It’s the final film in the trilogy, Force Awakens director JJ Abrams is back, and Carrie Fisher makes her final appearance as Leia Organa. Oh, and you can see why John Boyega described it as “all out war”.
