If there’s one word to describe 2017 for blockbuster movies, it’s “rebound.” After a disappointing summer last year, the future looks bright, especially with the return of several franchises riding on a high.
For the first time ever, Marvel Studios will release three movies (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok), which surely will satisfy audiences, but also serve as a test for them.
After a triumph theatrical run and successful resurgence, Star Wars returns with the highly anticipated follow-up to J.J. Abrams’ The Force Awakens. Other franchises making their return include War for the Planet of the Apes, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Transformers: The Last Knight, and of course, The Fate of the Furious.
Apocaflix! Movies would like to share with you our Most Anticipated Films of 2017 consensus list. To determine this list, we created a point system to determine the value of each movie from each person’s (3) individual list. Movies ranked #1 on a list received a point value of 15. Movies ranked #2 received a point value of 14, all the way to the #15 which received 1 point. With all that said, here’s our most anticipated movies of 2017, drum roll please…
Honorable Mentions
10. Beauty and the Beast (16 points)
Disney has found their footing with live-action adaptations of their animated classics, with Cinderella and The Jungle Book. Now comes possibly their most important adaptation in Beauty and the Beast. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, and many more, we have loved everything we’ve seen from this movie thus far. Beauty and the Beast opens on March 17th.
9. Kong: Skull Island (17 points)
The producers of the 2014 monster hit Godzilla are now brining us the 8th wonder of the world in Kong: Skull Island. The trailers for this movie have been spectacular, with its star studded cast, and Vietnam war era setting that’s reminiscent of Apocalypse Now. Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson lead the charge as a group of explorers and soldiers come across a monster unlike any other. We’re convinced this creature can take on Godzilla, and cannot wait for him make his introduction into this shared universe. Kong: Skull Island smashes into theaters on March 10th.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (22 points)
A couple years ago, the idea of a comic book movie featuring a talking raccoon and a walking tree led by the guy from Parks and Recreation seemed silly. Now, the Guardians of the Galaxy are known by many, and the sequel is generating tons of excitement. We still don’t know much about the plot, but after its fantastic first trailer, we’re convinced it’ll be even more fun and awesome this time around. Get ready for Baby Groot! Guardians of the Galaxy is released on May 5th.
7. Thor: Ragnarok (24 points)
The Thor franchise is most well known for being the lesser of Marvel’s cinematic universe. While I’ve enjoyed the two movies, many haven’t as much as I have, but that will all change this year. Taking a piece from the most recent MCU movies, Thor: Ragnarok will act as an Avengers type movie, as it will team Thor with the Avengers secret weapon, Hulk. Not only that, but it will have the return of Odin, Loki, Heimdall, and Sif, as well as the introduction of Hela, The Grandmaster, Valkyrie, Skurge, and last but not least, feature an awesome cameo from the good doctor himself, Steven Strange. But those are just characters, the story? Oh you know, just the universe shattering event known as Ragnarok, which if executed, could mean the end of everything Asgard. Oh, and of course I can’t forget, just a little thing known as Planet Hulk bleeding through its veins as well. Excited now? Thor: Ragnarok smashes into theaters on November 3rd.
6. Spider-Man: Homecoming (24 points)
What separates this Spider-Man movie from the previous is that it takes place within Marvel’s cinematic universe. In Homecoming, Peter Parker is a teenager trying to balance crime fighting with high school. Under the guidance of Tony Stark, we are finally going to witness the (long-waited) coming of age story of Marvel Comics’ most popular character. The first trailer is everything a comic book fan could ask for, with the right amount of humor, action, and fresh tone that’s never been applied to the character on the big screen. Tom Holland reprises his memorable role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man after his spectacular debut in Captain America: Civil War, and is joined by a strong supporting cast that includes Robert Downey Jr., Marissa Tomei, Jon Favreau, and Michael Keaton as The Vulture. Spider-Man: Homecoming swings into theaters on July 7th.
5. Justice League (27 points)
Finally, the heroes of DC Comics come together on the big screen for the first time. Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, and Cyborg (and Superman eventually) must unite together against a deadly threat in Stephenwolf. This movie has the potential to be a major turning point for the young and tested DCEU. Like many of you, we’re anxious to get our first official trailer, after an impressive sizzle reel that was released at comic con last summer. Can Zack Snyder get this universe back on track? Justice League is set top open on November 17th.
4. War for the Planet of the Apes (27 points)
While we were looking forward to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, that can be no where near a description of the anticipation revolving around its sequel. The title alone is the only real reason you need to be bouncing off the walls to see the return of Caesar and his apes, as this time, this time is finally the moment we’ve been waiting for, war. Woody Harrelson takes over this time as the human lead, playing the Colonel, a hell-bent soldier willing to do anything to save mankind. But does he really think he can go up against the legendary Caesar? Come on now… And with the clear nods to the original 1968 film, this is easily one of this year’s most exciting films. War for the Planet of the Apes is released on July 14th.
3. Wonder Woman (29 points)
Diana Prince. Daughter of Hippolyta. Princess of Themyscira. Wonder Woman. This film has been 75 years in the making. And while it may feel decades overdue, it couldn’t be coming at a better time. With the DCEU in a bit of a “flux,” one of the shining spots of Batman v Superman could be very well be the shared universe’s savior, in her own movie. Sure, it’s the first female-led superhero film, but this is Wonder Woman. The most iconic female superhero of all-time. And with pretty damn good trailers up to the point, it looks like her true big screen debut is well worth the wait. Wonder Woman opens on June 2nd.
2. Logan (34 points)
Hugh Jackman is officially retiring as Wolverine, but not before playing the character one last time in Logan. Jackman is joined by Patrick Stewart (Professor Xavier) as they come across a young mutant who’s being hunted by a dangerous organization. The first trailer absolutely blew us away, featuring a perfect mash of Johnny Cash music and tones reminiscent of Children of Men and No Country for Old Men. We’ve followed Jackman’s career playing the X-Men character since we were little kids, and now as adults, we’re excited to see the character known for his berserker rage finally get the R-rating he deserves. Logan slices in theaters on March 3rd.
1. Star Wars: Episode VIII (45 points)
Did you expect anything else? I would guess that this is the consensus vote around the world. After the incredible and straight up nerdgasm return with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the Star Wars franchises is at an all-time high, possibly making Episode VIII the highest anticipated sequel of all-time. With director Rian Johnson in the chair this time around, taking the reigns from J.J. Abrams, and a (still mysterious) story that’s been debated, speculated, and rumored, from the moment The Force Awakens was released, how can it not be the most exciting movie of 2017? *SPOILER* Han Solo has died, what happens next? Luke Skywalker makes his return, how powerful is he? When do Rey and Kylo Ren meet next? The questions are endless, but I’m sure the answers will be very well worth what seems like a too damn long wait! Star Wars: Episode VIII hits a theater in a galaxy near you on December 15th.
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