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The 53 most anticipated movies of 2019
FROM JOHN WICK 3 AND IT: CHAPTER 2 TO TOY STORY 4 AND THE GOLDFINCH, WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE BIGGEST MOVIES WE'RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2019.
2018 is already shaping up to be a pretty solid year at the movies, but there is a whole lot more to look forward to next year. With that in mind, we’ve pored over the release calendar and scoured the internet for news about upcoming films to bring you this list of the most anticipated 2019 movies, so have a look below and start planning your monthly budgets!
JANUARY
- Hellboy (2019)
- Directed by: Neil Marshall
- Starring: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane
- Opening on: January 11, 2019
You may not have asked for a Hellboy reboot — how can they possibly improve on GDT’s original two takes on Mike Mignola’s graphic novel? – but we’re pretty sure you’ll take it when you hear who’s involved. The film, which will be distributed by Lionsgate, stars David Harbour (a.k.a. the chain-smoking, monster-smiting mayor of Hawkins), is directed by Neil Marshall (whose The Descent remains one of the scariest movies of the last two decades), and will feature Milla Jovovich as the Blood Queen, a sorceress after revenge.
- What Men Want (2019)
- Directed by: Adam Shankman
- Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Max Greenfield
- Opening on: January 11, 2019
This gender-swapped take on the Mel Gibson comedy What Women Want sees Taraji P. Henson playing a sports agent who can hear what the men in her industry are thinking. And, we suspect, she won’t take no s–t from any of them.
- Glass (2019)
- Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
- Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, James McAvoy, Sarah Paulson, Anya Taylor-Joy
- Opening on: January 18, 2019
Those who left Split absolutely buzzing at the hint of a Shyamalan-iverse were thrilled when it was announced that Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson would be joined by James McAvoy for this crossover named for Jackson’s Unbreakable villain, Mr. Glass.
FEBRUARY
- The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
- Directed by: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
- Starring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Channing Tatum, Will Arnett, Tiffany Haddish
- Opening on: February 8, 2019
Everything is less than awesome in Bricksburg five years after the events of the first Lego Movie, and they’re only set to get worse when some very marketable space invaders come to town.
- Silver and Black (2019)
- Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
- Starring: N/A
- Opening on: February 8, 2019
Sony’s developing its own kind of Marvel universe, featuring Venom, that will expand with the introduction of Black Cat and Silver Sable. Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love and Basketball, Beyond the Lights) is the first African-American woman to helm a comic book adaptation.
- X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
- Directed by: Simon Kinberg
- Starring: Sophie Turner, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
- Opening on: February 14, 2019
The X-Men franchise — not counting solo joints starring Logan and Deadpool — hit something of a speed bump with 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse, but it looks to rebound with one of the most popular stories from the comics, centered on the character of Jean Grey (Sophie Turner). Producer Simon Kinberg makes his directorial debut, while James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and the rest of the younger mutants return for this fourth entry in the soft-rebooted series that began with X-Men: First Class.
MARCH
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
- Directed by: Dean DeBlois
- Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Fererra, Cate Blanchett, Kit Harington, Kristen Wiig
- Opening on: March 1, 2019
Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson, and Gerard Butler return for the third and ostensibly final chapter of the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, which finds Hiccup leading the village of Berk, now a dragon utopia. When Hiccup’s dragon Toothless encounters a potential mate and a new threat bears down on Berk, however, the two of them embark on a journey to magical hidden world (natch) in order to save their way of life.
- Captain Marvel (2019)
- Directed by: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
- Starring: Brie Larson, Lee Pace, Samuel L. Jackson
- Opening on: March 8, 2019
However will the Avengers recover from the mass destruction wrought by Thanos in Infinity War? Some folks suggest we’ll get some answers in Captain Marvel, which takes place in the 1990s and introduces the world to Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), the Air Force pilot who receives superpowers from… Well, we won’t spoil anything here. Indie co-directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck take the helm as Captain Marvel becomes Marvel’s first female superhero to get her own solo movie.
- Dumbo (2019)
- Directed by: Tim Burton
- Starring: Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito
- Opening on: March 29, 2019
One of three Disney movies getting the live-action treatment in 2019 (if you count The Lion King), this remake of the 1941 animated classic marries the tale of a uniquely gifted circus elephant with the directorial stylings of Tim Burton. Sound like an odd pairing? Watch the teaser trailer and tell us if you still think so.
APRIL
- Shazam! (2019)
- Directed by: David F. Sandberg
- Starring: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel
- Opening on: April 5, 2019
Hot off his two horror hits Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation, director David F. Sandberg picked up the reins to this DC superhero flick, about a teen who receives the power to transform into an adult hero with the powers of super-strength, flight, and more. Fourteen-year-old Billy Batson will be played by Asher Angel, while Chuck‘s Zachary Levi stars as Shazam himself.
- Pet Sematary (2019)
- Directed by: Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer
- Starring: Amy Seimetz, Jason Clarke, John Lithgow
- Opening on: April 19, 2019
Stephen King adaptations became a hot commodity after the runaway success of IT last year, and the ensuing scramble resulted in this new version of the tale about a man who discovers the pet graveyard behind his home possesses the power to bring the dead back to life… with caveats.
MAY
- Untitled Avengers Movie (2019)
- Directed by: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo
- Starring: Everybody
- Opening on: May 3, 2019
The yet untitled fourth Avengers movie promises to bring resolution to the conflict between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Thanos, the Mad Titan, which began in this year’s Infinity War. We know almost nothing about what will happen in the film, but the upcoming Captain Marvel (see above) will likely provide some clues, and considering this will mark the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “phase three,” we’ll probably end up saying good-bye to a few more characters.
- Detective Pikachu (2019)
- Directed by: Rob Letterman
- Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Suki Waterhouse
- Opening on: May 10, 2019
In case you hadn’t heard, Pokémon is the highest-grossing media franchise ever, so it’s a little surprising we’ve never gotten a proper blockbuster movie out of it. That’s all going to change next year with Detective Pikachu, a live-action/animation hybrid film based on the video game of the same name, which will feature Ryan Reynolds as the voice of Pikachu. While it’s not entirely off-brand for Reynolds to sign on for a role that only requires him to scream his character’s name over and over again, Detective Pikachu actually speaks, so don’t worry about him pulling a Vin Diesel/Groot here.
- The Rosie Project (2019)
- Directed by: N/A
- Starring: Ryan Reynolds (rumored)
- Opening on: May 10, 2019 (rumored)
Speaking of Ryan Reynolds, he’s also rumored to be attached to this romantic drama based on a novel by Australian writer Graeme Simsion. None of the cast or crew has been confirmed yet, and we don’t have any details on the plot, but the book centers on a straight-laced genetics professor who formulates criteria to find his perfect match, only to fall in love with a woman who doesn’t make the cut.
- John Wick: Chapter 3 (2019)
- Directed by: Chad Stahelski
- Starring: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Anjelica Huston
- Opening on: May 17, 2019
At the end of John Wick: Chapter 2, Keanu Reeves’ titular hitman went on the run after he broke the rules and murdered a high-level crime lord on the grounds of the Continental, the all-purpose sanctuary and day spa for assassins. This movie picks up right where that one left off, as John must survive the bounty on his head without the aid of the larger criminal underworld.
- Rocketman (2019)
- Directed by: Dexter Fletcher
- Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell
- Opening on: May 17, 2019
“Someone dared besmirch Harland Williams by remaking his classic Rocketman?!” Relax, that was our first reaction too, but this is actually a biopic on the life of Elton John. Taron Egerton stars, as the film covers John’s formative years: from childhood prodigy, to where Philadelphia freedom took him knee-high to a man, and into his wondrously fruitful partnership with lyricst Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell). Eddie the Eagle‘s Dexter Fletcher directs.
- Men In Black Spinoff (2019)
- Directed by: F. Gary Gray
- Starring: Tessa Thompson, Chris Hemsworth, Liam Neeson
- Opening on: May 17, 2019
Thor and Valkyrie reunite in the latest Marvel epic! No, we’re not talking about Avengers: Episode IV – Rise of Squirrel Girl, but the fourth Men in Black installment, which reunites Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson in another ancillary Marvel comic book movie. And it’s a new day for the franchise; Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones will not be involved with this one.
- Aladdin (2019)
- Directed by: Guy Ritchie
- Starring: Will Smith, Naomi Scott, Nasim Pedrad, Mena Massoud
- Opening on: May 24, 2019
Disney’s supremely lucrative live-action adaptations project continues unabated, with this update of the 1992 animated classic. Mena Massoud has been cast as Street Rat #1 Aladdin, with Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine. Will Smith is the Genie this time, with director Guy Ritchie making his family entertainment debut.
- Minecraft (2019)
- Directed by: Rob McElhenney
- Starring: Steve Carell
- Opening on: May 24, 2019
Having cultivated his directing skills on a few It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia episodes, Rob McElhenney begins to harvest with Minecraft, which he’s co-directing with Shawn Levy. It’s based on the ubiquitous video game, and while we have no idea yet what the plot’s going to be, we expect the blocking to be tremendous.
- Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
- Directed by: Michael Dougherty
- Starring: Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Kyle Chandler, Sally Hawkins, Ken Watanabe
- Opening on: May 31, 2019
Let them fight! Big, mean, green(?), Godzilla is back in the global ring, with new challengers Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah. Original Godzilla reboot director Gareth Edwards is leaving blockbuster filmmaking for a while after Rogue One, allowing Michael Dougherty (Krampus, Trick ‘r Treat) to suit up. Franchise lynchpin Ken Watanabe is back, as Vera Farmiga, Sally Hawkins, Millie Bobby Brown, and Kyle Chandler enter the fray.
JUNE
- Gambit (2019)
- Directed by: N/A
- Starring: Channing Tatum, Lizzy Caplan
- Opening on: June 7, 2019
Do you believe in development hell, mon ami? Gambit has had a very public development over the past few years, with directors Rupert Wyatt, Doug Liman, and Gore Verbinski all entering and exiting. With no new director yet slotted, the only thing keeping this Marvel adaptation alive is Channing Tatum’s commitment to play the ragin’ Cajun.
- Charlie's Angels (2019)
- Directed by: Elizabeth Banks
- Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Kristen Stewart (rumored)
- Opening on: June 7, 2019
Who’s the Bosley? No word yet on this new movie take on the classic ’70s/’80s action franchise about thee kick-ass female detectives. Elizabeth Banks moves further into the directing game after Pitch Perfect 2; Lupita Nyong’o and Kristen Stewart are currently rumored to star.
- The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)
- Directed by: Chris Renaud
- Starring: Patton Oswalt, Eric Stonestreet, Lake Bell
- Opening on: June 7, 2019
Without breaking a sweat, Minion-peddler Illumination Entertainment created another hugely profitable animated series with 2016’s The Secret Life of Pets, a colorful look into what animals get into when you’re out, gadding about. Patton Oswalt, the Christopher Plummer of comedy, will replace Louis C.K. as the voice of Max, the Jack Russell Terrier.
- Shaft (2019)
- Directed by: Tim Story
- Starring: Sam Jackson, Alexandra Shipp, Regina Hall
- Opening on: June 14, 2019
Shaft’s back, can ya dig it? Like the 2000 movie, this is actually a continuation of the story with, count ’em, three generations of John Shafts filling the screen. There’s Richard Roundtree, the original Shaft from the ’70s; Samuel L. Jackson, the J.S. from 2000; and franchise newcomer Jessie Usher as the third in this line of illustrious gumshoes.
- Toy Story 4 (2019)
- Directed by: Josh Cooley
- Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Laurie Metcalf
- Opening on: June 21, 2019
Just about everyone agrees Toy Story 3 ended the trilogy on a perfect note, not to mention it maintained the franchise’s stunning 99% Tomatometer average. So Pixar must have a good reason to come back and risk poisoning the well, especially since they’ve been releasing occasional TS shorts. Toy Story 4 details are scarce, though we know the main cast will return, and it’s being directed by Josh Cooley in his feature-length debut.
- Cowboy Ninja Viking (2019)
- Directed by: Michelle MacLaren
- Starring: Chris Pratt
- Opening on: June 28, 2019
Guardians of the Galaxy’s Star-Lord Pratt takes the lead in this adaptation of the Image Comics series of the same name in which Multiple Personality Disorder patients are trained to form a deadly counter-intelligence unit. After disbanding, some of the very disturbed killers, known as “Triplets,” become highly effective assassins. Duncan – the most skilled among the Triplets and whose personalities take the form of a cowboy, a ninja, and a Viking – is tasked with hunting them down.
- 48 Meters Down (2019)
- Directed by: Johannes Roberts
- Starring: N/A
- Opening on: June 28, 2019
What’s more terrifying than being 47 meters below sea level? Being just that little bit deeper. This sequel to 47 Meters Down follows a group of adventurous backpackers who go diving to explore an underwater city and end up perfectly safe and fine. Just kidding. Things get bitey.
JULY
- Untitled Annabelle Sequel
- Directed by: Gary Dauberman
- Starring: N/A
- Opening on: July 3, 2019
Originally a prequel to The Conjuring, the first Annabelle went on to spawn a prequel of its own, and next year we’ll get a third installment. We’ve got a release date, and we know that screenwriter Gary Dauberman, who wrote both of the previous Annabelle movies and last year’s horror hit IT, will be making his directorial debut. That’s about all we know at this point, though.
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- Directed by: Jon Watts
- Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marisa Tomei, Michael Keaton
- Opening on: July 5, 2019
Just to get it out of the way, we’ll acknowledge that the existence of this movie itself is essentially a spoiler for Avengers 4 — though that didn’t make Peter Parker’s final scenes in Infinity War any less moving. In this follow-up to Sony’s 2015 reboot of the character, Tom Holland’s Spidey faces off against Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio, and Jon Watts returns to direct. Oh, and thanks to a conveniently “accidental” reveal by Holland on Instagram, we now know what the title will be.
- The Lion King (2019)
- Directed by: Jon Favreau
- Starring: Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, James Earl Jones, Alfre Woodard
- Opening on: July 19, 2019
Director Jon Favreau has already shown he is the king of live-action Disney adaptations with 2016’s The Jungle Book, which has a Tomatometer of 95%. Here he takes on another beloved Disney classic, and he’s gathered up a formidable voice cast that includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé as Nala, and James Earl Jones returning to the role of Mufasa. Those who have gotten sneak peeks at the opening scene say to set your jaws to “Dropped.”
- Hobbs And Shaw (2019)
- Directed by: David Leitch
- Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham
- Opening on: July 26, 2019
Recognizing the star power of Dwayne Johnson, Universal decided to spin his character off from the Fast and Furious franchise alongside Jason Statham for what will likely be some high-octane version of a buddy-cop action flick. Stunt coordinator-turned-director David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2) is signed on for this one, so we expect the action will be appropriately bonkers.
AUGUST
- The New Mutants (2019)
- Directed by: Josh Boone
- Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Maisie Williams, Charlie Heaton, Alice Braga
- Opening on: August 2, 2019
The Fault in Our Stars director Josh Boone collects some of today’s hottest young stars — including Split’s Anya Taylor-Joy, Game of Thrones’ Maisie Williams, and Stranger Things’ Charlie Heaton — to play next-generation X-Men from Marvel’s comic book series of the same name. But the New Mutants’ dark path is riddled with horrors as they discover their abilities while imprisoned in a secret facility.
- Artemis Fowl (2019)
- Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
- Starring: Judi Dench, Josh Gad
- Opening on: August 9, 2019
Director Kenneth Branagh and stars Judi Dench and Josh Gad, who all worked together on last year’s Murder on the Orient Express, reunite for this adaptation of the popular fantasy book series that centers on a young criminal mastermind who kidnaps a fairy in hopes of ransoming her to an evil pixie in exchange for his father.
- Once Upon a Time In Hollywood (2019)
- Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
- Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning, James Marsden
- Opening on: August 9, 2019
For his ninth film (if you count Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 as one movie), Quentin Tarantino has recruited a killer cast to tell a story that revolves around an aspiring actor and his stunt double who attempt to establish their careers in Tinseltown in 1969 just as the Manson Family murders are taking place. So, you know, typical family-friendly Tarantino stuff.
- Grudge (2019)
- Directed by: Nicolas Pesce
- Starring: Andrea Riseborough, Betty Gilpin, John Cho, Demian Bichir, Lin Shaye
- Opening on: August 16, 2019
A remake of the American remake of the Japanese horror favorite, Grudge once again focuses on a vengeful ghost with a long memory. Critical darling Andrea Riseborough stars, and director Nicolas Pesce has some form: critics called his The Eyes of My Mother a haunting slasher.
