ver the past decade, Hollywood seems to have created a formulaic annual schedule for the silver screen. Spring kicks off the year with a collection of indie movies to warm the heart, then summer brings out the big guns (quite literally, in the movies anyway) and thrills audiences with over-hyped-trailers and stellar action sequences. Autumn brings in a slew of horror flicks before Oscar bait slowly creeps in for winter, along with the annual Star Wars, Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings thrown in to assure everyone it’s Christmas time. Rinse and repeat.
But 2018 feels different. The formula is broken, as we’ve already witnessed some of the biggest movies of the year – Black Panther gave people their Marvel fix, Steven Spielberg unleashed his much-anticipated Ready Player One and Jennifer Lawrence has already given her award-worthy performance in Red Sparrow. What’s going on? With movies like these already giving crowds quality entertainment, the blockbusters of summer 2018 are sure to pack a bit more of a wallop than usual, and that ain’t a complaint.
But 2018 feels different. The formula is broken, as we’ve already witnessed some of the biggest movies of the year – Black Panther gave people their Marvel fix, Steven Spielberg unleashed his much-anticipated Ready Player One and Jennifer Lawrence has already given her award-worthy performance in Red Sparrow. What’s going on? With movies like these already giving crowds quality entertainment, the blockbusters of summer 2018 are sure to pack a bit more of a wallop than usual, and that ain’t a complaint.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Long gone are the days of that first encounter with a dinosaur, that’s very much been there, done that. But Jurassic World cleverly put a spin on this and tried to commercialise dinosaurs, making them bigger and stronger, which inevitably was the downfall of the company when their creation ran rampant. Now, with the prehistoric amusement park abandoned, the dinosaurs are in danger of going extinct (again…) when a dormant volcano starts to erupt. It’s up to Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard to get them all off the island before history repeats itself. It seems a little far-fetched, but so did Pratt driving alongside a squad of raptors that he controls like a military team, and that turned out to be simply awesome. You’d think the main draw for Fallen Kingdom would be the T-Rex and other threats with teeth, we all know it’s Jeff Goldblum’s return as Ian Malcolm.
Director: J.A. Bayona
Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Jeff Goldblum, Rafe Spall
Release date: June 7
Long gone are the days of that first encounter with a dinosaur, that’s very much been there, done that. But Jurassic World cleverly put a spin on this and tried to commercialise dinosaurs, making them bigger and stronger, which inevitably was the downfall of the company when their creation ran rampant. Now, with the prehistoric amusement park abandoned, the dinosaurs are in danger of going extinct (again…) when a dormant volcano starts to erupt. It’s up to Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard to get them all off the island before history repeats itself. It seems a little far-fetched, but so did Pratt driving alongside a squad of raptors that he controls like a military team, and that turned out to be simply awesome. You’d think the main draw for Fallen Kingdom would be the T-Rex and other threats with teeth, we all know it’s Jeff Goldblum’s return as Ian Malcolm.
Director: J.A. Bayona
Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Jeff Goldblum, Rafe Spall
Release date: June 7
Ocean’s 8
Ah, the summer heist movie. It wouldn’t be right to not have a group of smooth and charming crooks steal a bazillion dollar item from a snob. What makes this one stand out? It’s another Ocean’s movie, and this time, it’s an all-female cast. Sandra Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, and in good ol’ Ocean fashion, assembles a team of misfits from various professional backgrounds in order to steal a US$150 million necklace. The catch (of course there’s a catch), they have to steal it from the neck of a famous celebrity (Anne Hathaway) while at the New York Met Gala. Why at that particular time? We’re sure there’s a good reason. Ocean’s movies strive on each character’s cool manner, and a hilarious script depicting how the heist goes and all the little screw ups the cast make along the way. Lets just hope this isn’t another try-hard Ghostbusters overhaul. That wasn’t necessarily bad, it just wasn’t… good.
Director: Gary Ross
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter
Release Date: June 7
Ah, the summer heist movie. It wouldn’t be right to not have a group of smooth and charming crooks steal a bazillion dollar item from a snob. What makes this one stand out? It’s another Ocean’s movie, and this time, it’s an all-female cast. Sandra Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, and in good ol’ Ocean fashion, assembles a team of misfits from various professional backgrounds in order to steal a US$150 million necklace. The catch (of course there’s a catch), they have to steal it from the neck of a famous celebrity (Anne Hathaway) while at the New York Met Gala. Why at that particular time? We’re sure there’s a good reason. Ocean’s movies strive on each character’s cool manner, and a hilarious script depicting how the heist goes and all the little screw ups the cast make along the way. Lets just hope this isn’t another try-hard Ghostbusters overhaul. That wasn’t necessarily bad, it just wasn’t… good.
Director: Gary Ross
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter
Release Date: June 7
Deadpool 2
Being true to his comic book character by constantly breaking the fourth wall, Deadpool was made for the big screen, and it’s box office takings of US$781 million (QR2.8 billion) only proves it. With the absolute crudest of jokes you can’t help but laugh at, poking fun at the studio that let the movie be made and the ridiculous amount of gore on display, this sequel seems to want to push it all further, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s also impossible to figure out what will actually go on in the movie, as the IMDb synopsis literally reads: “After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfil his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope.” While this is a great concept, we doubt this is the case. Expect to see a hyped up Josh Brolin play Cable, a time-travelling mutant who wants someone dead, and the quirky Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool trying to stop the madman.
Director: David Leitch
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller
Release date: Out in cinemas now.
Being true to his comic book character by constantly breaking the fourth wall, Deadpool was made for the big screen, and it’s box office takings of US$781 million (QR2.8 billion) only proves it. With the absolute crudest of jokes you can’t help but laugh at, poking fun at the studio that let the movie be made and the ridiculous amount of gore on display, this sequel seems to want to push it all further, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s also impossible to figure out what will actually go on in the movie, as the IMDb synopsis literally reads: “After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfil his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope.” While this is a great concept, we doubt this is the case. Expect to see a hyped up Josh Brolin play Cable, a time-travelling mutant who wants someone dead, and the quirky Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool trying to stop the madman.
Director: David Leitch
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller
Release date: Out in cinemas now.
Incredibles 2
Finally! Okay, in a midst of sequels, remakes and reboots, it doesn’t come as a surprise this Pixar gem got a follow-up, but people have been asking for this since 2004. For a lot of us, our nostalgia senses are off the charts. We find our favourite superhero family back right where we left them, taking on The Underminer and bringing the costumed vigilante name back into the spotlight. Now though, baby Jack-Jack needs to be taken care of properly with his powers awakening, so Mr Incredible stays at home while Elastigirl does what she does best, kick supervillain keister and save the day. Like all Pixar movies, it looks like it will be about the hilarious struggles of a dad trying to handle a superpowered baby, but we all know there will be a tear inducing message to smack us right in the face. Don’t worry, you won’t be the only adult sitting in the cinema with a bunch of kids (we hope).
Director: Brad Bird
Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Sophia Bush
Release Date: June 14
Finally! Okay, in a midst of sequels, remakes and reboots, it doesn’t come as a surprise this Pixar gem got a follow-up, but people have been asking for this since 2004. For a lot of us, our nostalgia senses are off the charts. We find our favourite superhero family back right where we left them, taking on The Underminer and bringing the costumed vigilante name back into the spotlight. Now though, baby Jack-Jack needs to be taken care of properly with his powers awakening, so Mr Incredible stays at home while Elastigirl does what she does best, kick supervillain keister and save the day. Like all Pixar movies, it looks like it will be about the hilarious struggles of a dad trying to handle a superpowered baby, but we all know there will be a tear inducing message to smack us right in the face. Don’t worry, you won’t be the only adult sitting in the cinema with a bunch of kids (we hope).
Director: Brad Bird
Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Sophia Bush
Release Date: June 14
Peter Pan: The Quest for Never Book
Following the widely successful release of its modern take on Peter Pan and two full-fledged seasons running successfully worldwide, DQ Entertainment comes back with another hit, a 90-minute feature film on the quest for Never Book. The power-packed tale finds Neverland in great danger when the famous Never Book falls in the hands of the crooked Captain Hook. The evil pirate, in typical evil pirate fashion, misuses its magical powers to unleash evil monsters so as to destroy Peter Pan and his friends. Will Peter be able to fulfil the fabled prophecy of the Never Book? You’re going to have to watch to find out if he will, with the help of his friends Tinker Bell, Wendy, Michael, John, and the Never Kids. Peter needs to save Neverland and London, and they trust him infinitely to do just that. Join Peter in this roller coaster of an adventure to find out!
Directors: G Chandrasekaran and Jake Paque
Cast: Sarah Natochenny and Michael Dobson
Release date: June 14
Following the widely successful release of its modern take on Peter Pan and two full-fledged seasons running successfully worldwide, DQ Entertainment comes back with another hit, a 90-minute feature film on the quest for Never Book. The power-packed tale finds Neverland in great danger when the famous Never Book falls in the hands of the crooked Captain Hook. The evil pirate, in typical evil pirate fashion, misuses its magical powers to unleash evil monsters so as to destroy Peter Pan and his friends. Will Peter be able to fulfil the fabled prophecy of the Never Book? You’re going to have to watch to find out if he will, with the help of his friends Tinker Bell, Wendy, Michael, John, and the Never Kids. Peter needs to save Neverland and London, and they trust him infinitely to do just that. Join Peter in this roller coaster of an adventure to find out!
Directors: G Chandrasekaran and Jake Paque
Cast: Sarah Natochenny and Michael Dobson
Release date: June 14
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
The Sony Pictures’ massively popular animation returns with a very summery twist! You may think Drac’s life is as perfect as it gets: he’s surrounded by his family and the hotel is doing so well, but he’s feeling a bit lonely. That’s why when his daughter, Mavis, suggests that they go for a vacation, he can’t wait to go and spend more time with her and the rest of the family. The first-ever cruise for monsters is a hoot: from monster volley to moon tans, it’s all a monster could ever ask for. He even finds love on the ship, but there’s more to this monster trap than meets the eye. Will Drac figure it out or be blinded by love? Watch and see how Johnny, Mavis’ husband, helps with his mid-90s DJ skills to try and save the day and Dennis – their 5-year-old – will do after he secretly sneaks his elephant-sized pet onto the cruise.
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Cast: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez
Release date: July 12
The Sony Pictures’ massively popular animation returns with a very summery twist! You may think Drac’s life is as perfect as it gets: he’s surrounded by his family and the hotel is doing so well, but he’s feeling a bit lonely. That’s why when his daughter, Mavis, suggests that they go for a vacation, he can’t wait to go and spend more time with her and the rest of the family. The first-ever cruise for monsters is a hoot: from monster volley to moon tans, it’s all a monster could ever ask for. He even finds love on the ship, but there’s more to this monster trap than meets the eye. Will Drac figure it out or be blinded by love? Watch and see how Johnny, Mavis’ husband, helps with his mid-90s DJ skills to try and save the day and Dennis – their 5-year-old – will do after he secretly sneaks his elephant-sized pet onto the cruise.
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Cast: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez
Release date: July 12
Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!
Could they have named the sequel anything else? The sensational musical that had everyone in movie theatres around the world dancing and singing along to every Abba song, returns. The whole cast will be making a comeback, except with more of a focus on their younger selves as Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) learns about her mother’s (Meryl Streep) past in Greece. While we may not get to see much of the faces we’ve come to know in the past film, we do get to see an energised younger cast dance and sing to the songs of Abba. Oh, and maybe, just maybe, if we wish hard enough, Pierce Brosnan won’t have to sing again in this one. At least he tried.
Director: Ol Parker
Cast: Lily James, Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan
Release date: July 19
Could they have named the sequel anything else? The sensational musical that had everyone in movie theatres around the world dancing and singing along to every Abba song, returns. The whole cast will be making a comeback, except with more of a focus on their younger selves as Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) learns about her mother’s (Meryl Streep) past in Greece. While we may not get to see much of the faces we’ve come to know in the past film, we do get to see an energised younger cast dance and sing to the songs of Abba. Oh, and maybe, just maybe, if we wish hard enough, Pierce Brosnan won’t have to sing again in this one. At least he tried.
Director: Ol Parker
Cast: Lily James, Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan
Release date: July 19
Mission: Impossible – Fallout
We start to question if these missions are actually impossible, seeing how Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has survived five other missions and is now going on to his sixth. Regardless, it’s always a welcome surprise to see the Mission Impossible franchise going on strong, and Fallout seems like it will continue that trend. This time, Ethan Hunt’s team find themselves racing against time after a mission goes wrong. We know, it sounds like every other Mission Impossible entry, but each one always puts a nice twist in the story to keep audiences on their toes. Expect to see a lot of death-defying stunts – with people flying through windows and, of course, Tom Cruise dangling from in the air at a very, very unsafe height. Apparently, Cruise even broke his foot while filming this one and, get this, continued on in order to get the shot.
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan
Release Date: July 26
We start to question if these missions are actually impossible, seeing how Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has survived five other missions and is now going on to his sixth. Regardless, it’s always a welcome surprise to see the Mission Impossible franchise going on strong, and Fallout seems like it will continue that trend. This time, Ethan Hunt’s team find themselves racing against time after a mission goes wrong. We know, it sounds like every other Mission Impossible entry, but each one always puts a nice twist in the story to keep audiences on their toes. Expect to see a lot of death-defying stunts – with people flying through windows and, of course, Tom Cruise dangling from in the air at a very, very unsafe height. Apparently, Cruise even broke his foot while filming this one and, get this, continued on in order to get the shot.
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan
Release Date: July 26
Ant-Man and The Wasp
Another Marvel blockbuster! With Black Panther and Avengers Infinity War before it, our two mite-sized heroes will have a lot to carry on their shoulders. Or do they? Director Peyton Reed knows how Ant-Man is depicted – a strange hero with stranger powers – which is why he made his debut pure fun. A battle with a giant Thomas the Tank Engine is not something audiences often have an excuse to see, and this sequel will bring a host of new ideas Reed can play around with. The trailer already shows a building turn into a suitcase, and a giant Hello Kitty used as a weapon. Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly make for a comedic powerhouse of a duo, and they’re up against a villain called Ghost, who can (you guessed it) become intangible like a ghost. Call them a joke if you want, but Ant-Man and The Wasp probably have the coolest powers in all of Marvel and will be a spectacle to see.
Director: Peyton Reed
Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer
Release Date: July 5
Another Marvel blockbuster! With Black Panther and Avengers Infinity War before it, our two mite-sized heroes will have a lot to carry on their shoulders. Or do they? Director Peyton Reed knows how Ant-Man is depicted – a strange hero with stranger powers – which is why he made his debut pure fun. A battle with a giant Thomas the Tank Engine is not something audiences often have an excuse to see, and this sequel will bring a host of new ideas Reed can play around with. The trailer already shows a building turn into a suitcase, and a giant Hello Kitty used as a weapon. Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly make for a comedic powerhouse of a duo, and they’re up against a villain called Ghost, who can (you guessed it) become intangible like a ghost. Call them a joke if you want, but Ant-Man and The Wasp probably have the coolest powers in all of Marvel and will be a spectacle to see.
Director: Peyton Reed
Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer
Release Date: July 5
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