Continuing our preview into the 2016 studio releases, we’re now onto Lionsgate Films. A studio that has steadily been growing and cranking out some solid properties, they are now in their post-The Hunger Games era. There’s no doubt that any studio would have a franchise such as The Hunger Games as their tentpole property, but unlike a Disney or Universal, we just don’t know what to expect from Lionsgate following the ending of that franchise – which actually isn’t ending since they’re looking into a number of prequels for down-the-line.

So, here’s the list of the growing studio’s 2016 releases, which is without a major tentpole franchise for the first time in four years:

Norm of the North

Official synopsis: A polar bear of many words, Norm’s greatest gripe is simple: there is no room for tourists in the Arctic. But when a maniacal developer threatens to build luxury condos in his own backyard, Norm does what all normal polar bears would do…he heads to New York City to stop it. With a cast of ragtag lemmings at his side, Norm takes on the big apple, big business and a big identity crisis to save the day.

Release date: January 15th.

Dirty Grandpa

Official synopsis: Jason Kelly (Zac Efron) is one week away from marrying his boss’s uber-controlling daughter, putting him on the fast track for a partnership at the law firm. However, when the straight-laced Jason is tricked into driving his foul-mouthed grandfather, Dick (Robert De Niro), to Daytona for spring break, his pending nuptials are suddenly in jeopardy. Between riotous frat parties, bar fights, and an epic night of karaoke, Dick is on a quest to live his life to the fullest and bring Jason along for the ride. Ultimately, on the wildest journey of their lives, “dirty” Grandpa and his uptight grandson discover they can learn from one another and form the bond they never had.

Release date: January 22nd.

Exposed

Official synopsis: When a detective starts to investigate his partner’s shocking death, he uncovers disturbing evidence of police corruption and a dangerous secret involving an unlikely young woman.

Release date: January 22nd.

The Choice

Synopsis: The Choice tells the story of a long love affair that begins when Travis Parker and Gabby Holland first met as neighbors in a small coastal town and end up pursuing a relationship that neither could have foreseen. It spans a decade and traces the evolution of a love affair that is ultimately tested by life’s most defining events.

Release date: February 5th.

Busco Novio Para Mi Mujer

Official synopsis: An unlikely comedy about a husband so fed up with his wife that he comes up with an ingenious plan to get rid of her — find her a boyfriend — but even the best laid plans can backfire.

Release date: February 19th.

Gods of Egypt

Official synopsis: The survival of mankind hangs in the balance as an unexpected mortal hero Bek (Brenton Thwaites) undertakes a thrilling journey to save the world and rescue his true love. In order to succeed, he must enlist the help of the powerful god Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) in an unlikely alliance against Set (Gerard Butler), the merciless god of darkness, who has usurped Egypt’s throne, plunging the once peaceful and prosperous empire into chaos and conflict. As their breathtaking battle against Set and his henchmen takes them into the afterlife and across the heavens, both god and mortal must pass tests of courage and sacrifice if they hope to prevail in the epic final confrontation.

Release date: February 26th.

Coco (2016)

Synopsis: An aspiring hip-hop artist discovers the world of slam poetry.

Starring: Hana Mae Lee, Common, and Lorraine Toussaint.

Release date: March 11th.

The Divergent Series: Allegiant

Official synopsis: After the earth-shattering revelations of The Divergent Series: Insurgent, Tris must escape with Four and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they will leave the only city and family they have ever known in order to find a peaceful solution for their embroiled city. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths. Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.

Release date: March 18th.

Criminal (2016)

Official synopsis: The story of the right man in the wrong body. In a last-ditch effort to stop a diabolical plot, a dead CIA operative’s memories, secrets, and skills are implanted into an unpredictable and dangerous death-row inmate in hopes the he will complete the operative’s mission.

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, Alice Eve, Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, and Tommy Lee Jones.

Release date: April 15th.

Compadres

Official synopsis: A disgruntled Mexican cop is forced to work with a teenage hacker to hunt down the criminals who killed his wife, and dismantle their operation

Starring: Eric Roberts, Kevin Pollak, and Aislinn Derbez.

Release date: April 22nd.

Now You See Me 2

Official synopsis: THE FOUR HORSEMEN (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan) return for a second mind-bending adventure, elevating the limits of stage illusion to new heights and taking them around the globe. One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, the illusionists resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate. The man behind their vanishing act is none other than WALTER MABRY (Daniel Radcliffe), a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all.

Release date: June 10th.

La La Land

Official synopsis: A jazz pianist falls for an aspiring actress in Los Angeles.

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, J.K. Simmons, Finn Wittrock, Rosemarie DeWitt, and John Legend.

Release date: July 15th.

The Shack

Official synopsis: In the aftermath of a devastating personal tragedy, Mackenzie Allen Philips receives a mysterious note in his mailbox inviting him to The Shack. The letter is signed Papa, his wife’s nickname for God. Mack responds and finds himself in the presence of God, and a life-transforming journey of truth, forgiveness, and ultimately acceptance.

Starring: Sam Worthington, Radha Mitchell, and Octavia Spencer.

Release date: August 12th.

Mechanic: Resurrection

Official synopsis: Jason Statham reprises his title role as a master assassin who faked his death, in an attempt to walk away from his former profession, in order to lead a peaceful and quiet retirement.

Starring: Jason Statham, Jessica Alba, and Tommy Lee Jones.

Release date: August 26th.

Deepwater Horizon

Official synopsis: Based on the true events that occurred on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, the story chronicles the courage of those who worked on the Deepwater Horizon and the extreme moments of bravery and survival in the face of what would become one of the biggest man-made disasters in world history.

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, Kate Hudson, Dylan O’Brien, Gina Rodriguez, and John Malkovich.

Release date: September 30th.

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

Synopsis: Rafe Khatchadorian must use all of his wits to battle bullies, hormones and a tyrannical principal at Hills Village Middle School.

Release date: October 7th.

As with every movie studio, these are plenty of films that will become known. As the year and film festivals go on, more films will be introduced under the Lionsgate umbrella.

Below you can see our other studio previews for 2016:

• https://apocaflixmovies.com/2016/01/02/studio-preview-sony-pictures/