So far, 2018 has gotten off to a much better start than the legacy 2017 left behind. In fact, it looks lit. The two big films that highlighted the January and February box offices were Steven Spielberg’s The Post and Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther. Both were commercial and critical successes, and both were timely and important films in their own rights. With such a great start, I’m pretty excited about what the rest of the year holds for film. Below, I’m listing the movies I’m most excited about in 2018.
A Wrinkle in Time — d. Ava DuVernay (March 9)
Okay. I’ve watched the trailer for this movie at least twelve times. Ava DuVernay is one of my favorite directors, and I’m extremely excited about the take she’ll have on a classic book series. I’ll also be interested to see if this will become a film series, or if the movie will be an amalgam of the L’Engle quintet. Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon, Bellamy Young, Chris Pine, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw are all part of the all-star cast, which seems to be A Thing™ this year.
Ready Player One — d. Steven Spielberg (March 30)
Another book adaptation I’m interested in seeing is Spielberg’s take on Ernest Cline’s 2011 science fiction novel. Sci-fi usually interests me for its propensity toward social commentary and beautiful (if dark) cinematography and visuals. I’m hoping that the virtual reality and futuristic dystopia aspects of the story will provide plenty of both.
Ocean’s 8 — d. Gary Ross (June 8)
Both the cast and the plot of this film have me really hype for it. Sandra Bullock plays “Debbie Ocean” who assembles an all-female team to pull off a heist at the New York Met Gala. The assortment of misfits include Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Olivia Munn, Rihanna (!!!!), Mindy Kaling, Katie Holmes, Sarah Paulson, and Dakota Fanning. (Apparently there are men in this movie, too.)
Incredibles 2 — d. Brad Bird (June 15)
We have waited long enough, and finally no more! (Except, like, THREE MONTHS!) As with all sequels to movies I really love, I worry that disappointment might taint the original. However, I am holding out hope that the Incredibles sequel will follow the tradition of Toy Story and Monsters, Inc., and provide quality entertainment, even if it’s not up to the standard of the original.
Widows — d. Steve McQueen (November 16)
No official trailer has been released for this film yet, but the plot, as well as the cast and director, have piqued my interest. Focusing on and written by women, this film about four different widows dealing with the aftermath of their husbands’ deaths looks like it has potential as a suspense/thriller.
Trailer | IMDb
As more movie news comes out, and more release dates are given, this list will be added to and updated. And I may later regret my initial interest in these movies, but so it goes. That being said, let the countdown to A Wrinkle in Time begin!
Magic Time 