With eight Comic Book movies lined up for next year as well as a ton of Sci-Fi films, there’s quite a list to pick from.
Comic book movies used to be a scarce commodity in the film world. You’d be lucky to get more than one decent film based off a comic book hero in a given year, but we’re living in the golden age of superheroes and sci-fi, with a resurgent Star Wars series(not that it ever went anywhere), the Avengers in full swing, and a real Justice League on the way. Here are our top picks for upcoming comic book and sci-fi films for 2016:
10: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
Not exactly the most appealing of titles in the 2016 lineup, but TMNT looks to at least be the most fun option in the list. From the trailer it looks to be above all else an enjoyable spectacle. Hopefully this time around it’ll capture some of the character and charisma of the cartoon.
9: Gambit
I sort of hoped I could place this film a bit higher but there’s still so little information out about this movie. We know Channing Tatum will play the lead, and that may be enough to gather an audience, it isn’t enough to win me over. I’m still waiting for Fox to produce a comic book movie that people won’t forget over the course of a week and I’m not sure a character as thin as Gambit can do that. Hopefully they prove me wrong.
8: Deadpool
Maybe I still feel the burn of Ryan Reynolds playing the Green Lantern, but I’m still a bit iffy on this. The writers have had hits, like Zombieland, and not so great movies like G.I Joe: Retaliation. I don’t doubt the action will be there or the wit, I’m just hoping there’s some depth beneath the surface and I’m not at all certain we will get that, so iffy.
7: Star Trek: Beyond
There may have been a lot of mixed feelings from the last Star Trek, but I for one enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see what direction they plan on taking the series. With a lot of the same writers as well as Simon Pegg jumping on the writing team, it looks to be a fun film.
6: Suicide Squad
Despite all the hype this one has been getting, I’m not buying it as the super edgy villains only movie they make it out to be. Sure it sports some cool, decent actors, but it is still a PG-13 movie. I can’t remember the last time I saw a real edgy and dark PG-13 movie. If they had pulled out all the stops and went for the R-rating, my expectations would have been much higher.
5: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
This all comes down to the question, did they give away too much in their last trailer? In part yes. I definitely don’t know exactly what the film is about but it appears that the whole conflict between Batman and Superman comes to a standstill rather quickly. What we can hope for is a few good lines, a pretty cool fight between the two, and a whole lot of grim back drop. That’s the “Dark Knight-ification” of comic book movies for you.
4: Doctor Strange
Who doesn’t love Benedict Cumberbatch? He’s pretty awesome in everything he does, in film and on T.V. I’m really excited to see him join the Marvel cinematic family as Doctor Strange, definitely the least orthodox character in the current Marvel lineup. I have no doubts he’ll kill the role, just hoping he gets a great script to play off.
3: X-Men: Apocalypse
This film looks awesome. The phenomenal cast is back with Oscar Isaac as a truly powerful and terrifying villain will set this one apart from the rest. This may be the best comic book movie of the year.
2: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
I’m sure they’ll trim that title when time gets closer, but Rogue One, despite the lack of information at the present moment looks to be an interesting story. The cast, director, and writers are very hit or miss, but I trust in Disney’s direction under the guiding hand of J.J Abrams, especially after the huge success episode 7. However, considering this looks to be a prequel, hopes couldn’t push this epic to the number one spot.
1: Captain America: Civil War
This looks less like a Captain America movie and more like an Avengers movie led by Captain America, and that’s definitely a good thing. We’ll be able to get more character depth, as only some avengers are in it, not to mention Tom Holland will make his debut as Spider-man in this one. Out of all the films on this list, we’ve had trailers and experience with Captain America films and I’m sure this one will be on many other’s lists for most anticipated comic book movie of 2016.