2014 is coming to close, which means it’s that time of the year again, where we post the best and worst of the year. Of course that means we have to look forward to 2015, and it will be quite a year. There are plenty of comic book films, sequels, prequels, reboots, and a few original projects to look forward to, and we have our list right here. Obviously there are films like Spectre, Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and other blockbuster films, but there are also films like The Hateful Eight, Silence, Southpaw, and more.
We will also include a couple of honorable mentions to let you know that 2015 in film is much more than superheroes, disturbances in the force, two Pixar films, and other fancy blockbuster tentpoles. Hit the jump to see what flims your favorite staff writers from MovieViral are anticipating to see.
First up, our honorable mentions.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
I love Henry Cavill. There, I said it. I think he has been sheltered in the shadows for far too long, and I am extremely happy to see him blow up after Man of Steel. It seems 2015 might be the year of the spies, as this marks yet another spy filled adventure. Guy Ritchie directs, and if his Sherlock Holmes films proved anything, it’s that the man sure knows how to entertain an audience. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. opens August 14. (Conor Behrens)
Entourage
The HBO comedy series gave us a look into the life of a rising star in Hollywood. It was at times gripping and really engaging and the series finale was bittersweet. Now an actual movie is coming out to hopefully give more closure to the series. Entourage opens in theaters on June 2, 2015 (Caleb Hamliton)
Kitchen Sink
A movie about humans, vampires and zombies who all have to band together to fight aliens? I’m there. The script to this film was originally touted on the famous Black List. The horror comedy stars Vanessa Hudgens, Ed Westwick, and Bob Odenkirk. It will be released in theaters on September 4, 2015.(Christopher Moore)
Kingsman: The Secret Service
I can’t remember the last time my jaw dropped while watching a trailer, but the footage we’ve seen from Matthew Vaughan‘s latest looks fantastic. His signature frenetic style, coupled with a great cast that includes Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson, should hopefully make this an early 2015 treat. The film opens February 13. (Alex Gerage)
Jane Got A Gun
The Natalie Portman-starring vehicle western has been through production hell and back. The script by Brian Duffield, which appeared on the 2011 Black List, had an all star cast lined up, with talent like Michael Fassbender, Jude Law, and Bradley Cooper starring at some point in time. But due to the scheduling conflicts, and other behind-the-scenes problems kept the film’s production at near halt. But the idea of seeing Natalie Portman as yet another strong female character in a western is already exciting enough, and has gotten my interest. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, Jane Got A Gun opens September 5. (Michael Lee)
Southpaw
Southpaw is another film that should be on your radar. The Antoine Fuqua-directed sports drama was written by Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter. Film star Jake Gyllenhall looks to give yet another riveting performance as the film’s lead. In fact the image above shows just how dedicated he is to the role. Unrecognizable, beaten, and bloodied, I can’t wait to see what Gyllenhall does in this one. The film also stars Rachel McAdams, Naomie Harris, Forest Whitaker, Victor Ortiz, Tyrese Gibson, and Miguel Gomez. No official release date has been set.
Continue on to MovieViral.com’s Top 20 Most Anticipated films of the year.
20 – Fantastic Four
Easily the film with the least amount of positive buzz, Fantastic Four is actually positioned to be one of the surprise hits of 2015 if it turns out to actually be good. One glimmer of hope: I doubt Disney/Lucasfilm would hands the reins to one of their big budget Star Wars spinoff films to Josh Trank based off of Chronicle alone. There has to be something redeeming about this movie. Starring Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, and Tobey Kebbell, Fantastic Four opens August 7.(AG)
19 – Terminator: Genisys
More like Terminator: Days of Future Past, am I right? While I’ve heard some not so nice things that have me worried, but certain story elements really excite me! I hope this isn’t the final nail in the Terminator franchise’s coffin. Directed by Alan Taylor, Terminator Genisys is scheduled to be released by Paramount Pictures on July 1. (Caleb Hamliton)
18 – Ted 2
I’m a huge fan of the first film, so I’m I can’t wait to laugh out loud in theaters again at silly and bawdy humor, when this film is released. Mark Wahlberg reprises his role as John Bennett, a grown man who is best friends with a living breathing teddy bear named Ted, who is voiced and mo-caped by the film’s director, Seth MacFarlane. Amanda Seyfried and Liam Neeson are the film’s newest additions. Ted 2 opens in theaters on June 26. (CM)
17 – Mission: Impossible 5
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol was simply stellar, and while I would have loved to have seen Brad Bird return to direct this sequel, the franchise has always been about Tom Cruise, and what death-defying stunt he’s willing to subject himself to next. Jack Reacher was a solid debut for Christopher McQuarrie, so the potential is certainly to continue the franchise’s positive momentum. Yes that’s Tom Cruise doing this own stunts in the image above. Mission: Impossible opens December 25. (AG)
16 – Pixels
Adam Sandler being a part of this film, does make me worry a little, but being an old-school gamer, the storyline involving 80’s video game characters attacking NYC does make me very interested in it. Plus, Peter Dinklage plays a badass video game champion, so that’s worth the price of admission. Pixels opens July 24. (CM)
Continue on to MovieViral.com’s Most Anticipated films of the year.
15 – The Good Dinosaur
Pixar’s latest has seen many ups and downs. Bob Peterson was removed from his duties as a director when the animation studio felt that the story wasn’t progressing as quickly as they would have hoped. Peter Sohn was then hired to take his place, and the film’s release was pushed back an entire year. We have yet to see what kind of changes have been made, but for now, The Good Dinosaur is still scheduled for a November 2015 release. (ML)
14 – Pitch Perfect 2
Pitch Perfect caught me completely off guard. At first I thought it just be another sing-songy film that wouldn’t amount to anything. But it was just fun to watch, so much so that you couldn’t help but tap your foot to the beat of the music. Now it’s one of my most anticipated films of 2015. Yes it may have cheesy pop songs; yes, kids everywhere post YouTube videos of them playing cups; and at one point, everyone was adding “aca” as a prefix. But the film was a whole lot of fun. Elizabeth Banks makes her directorial debut helming the sequel, which stars Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson. It opens May 15. (ML)
13 – Ant-Man
I’m putting this film here, because I’m hoping it will surprise me, but I have lots of reservations about the film ever since Edgar Wright left the project. It’s got a good cast and has the potential to create some cool action scenes, so it may turn out to be better than what I fear. Directed by Peyton Reed, Ant-Man stars Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, and Corey Stoll. It opens July 17. (CM)
12 – The Martian
Andy Weir‘s novel about a botanist and mechanical engineer stranded on Mars is becoming a motion picture directed by Ridley Scott. The book was really exciting so I’m hoping Ridley does it justice. The cast (consisting of Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, and Kristen Wiig) so far is amazing. Written by Drew Goddard, the film opens November 25. (CH)
11 – Tomorrowland
With all the mystery surrounding this film, I’m intrigued to see where Brad Bird will be taking us with the story. I’m glad they’re not telling everything in the trailers. Co-written by Damon Lindelof, Disney’s upcoming sci-fi epic stars George Clooney, Britt Robertson, and Hugh Laurie. It opens May 22. (CM)
Continue on to MovieViral.com’s Top 10 Most Anticipated films of the year.
10 – Jurassic World
I first saw Jurassic Park when I was 8 or 9. I credit that movie with sparking my love for film and wanting to actually make movies. Like a ton of other people, I’ve been eagerly anticipating Jurassic World. However, some story elements worry me, but I’m mostly optimistic that this film will rejuvenate a stagnant franchise. Starrring Chris Pratt, and directed by Colin Treverrow, Jurassic World opens June 12. (CH)
9 – Spectre
You could argue that the James Bond franchise, one of the longest running and known franchises in cinema, is at the moment, underrated. Such is the age of superhero films. It’s a shame though, as Skyfall deserved far greater awards consideration when it came out in 2012, and with most of the creative team coming back, and a terrific cast assembled, I expect Spectre to be just as great. (AG)
The 24th James Bond 007 film is called… #SPECTRE https://t.co/g8CCxtk5ga
— James Bond (@007) December 4, 2014
8 – Inside Out
Pixar’s next film looks like a fun concept, even though it’s almost like an animated version of the old TV sitcom, Herman’s Head. The animated family comedy comes from the mind of Pete Docter, based on a story written by Michael Arndt, the film features the voice talents of Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, and Phyllis Smith. Inside Out opens June 19. (CM)
7 – Furious 7
The loss of Paul Walker was tragic, and for the franchise to take such a hit was devestating. But some how James Wan, who takes Justin Lin’s place, managed to put the film together. This time an enemy (Jason Statham) they never see coming takes his revenge on Dominic (Vin Diesel) and his crew, and he won’t rest until he gets it. The film looks to bring back the car chases of the 70s, and still has the same big action sequences with insane stunts, exotic locations, and lots of bulging muscles. Let’s not forget the one-liners. Furious 7 opens April 7. (ML)
6 – Silence
With all the blockbuster tentpoles, sequels, and prequels, it’s hard to believe that there is a Martin Scorsese film in the mix. But there is. Following his effort of The Wolf Of Wall Street, the acclaimed director will try his hand at an adaptation of Shūsaku Endō’s novel Silence. The film centers on two Jesuit priests in Japan during the 17th Century. Filming began back in July 2014, and there is no official release date set. The film stars Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, Issei Ogata and Ken Watanabe.
Continue on to MovieViral.com’s Top 5 Most Anticipated films of the year.
5 – Crimson Peak
I’m a sucker for anything by Guillermo del Toro and based on the amazing production design and costumes being done for this film, I’m excited to see his take on a gothic horror story. Written and directed by Del Toro, Crimson Peak stars Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam, and Jessica Chastain. It opens October 26. (CM)
4 – The Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarintino is a masterful director. At this point, that goes without saying. I was an enormous fan of his 2012 film, Django Unchained. I immensely loved Quentin’s dive into the western genre, and I suppose he had quite a bit of fun, as he is back directing another one. I cannot wait for another action packed western. It is set for a December 2015 release. (CB)
3 – Mad Max: Fury Road
I remember seeing the Mad Max Returns film as a kid in a drive-in with my Dad and brother. I’m a big fan of the original films with its frenetic energy and crazy car stunts and this one seems to be cut from the very same cloth with Tom Hardy doing a great job filling the post-apocalyptic shoes of Mel Gibson. This movie looks insane and a total blast. Also starring Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne (in a role unrelated to the one he played previously), and more, Max Max: Fury Road opens May 15. It’s directed by George Miller. (CM)
2 – Avengers: Age Of Ultron
In an odd way, my interest in the Avengers sequel was diminished somewhat after seeing Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The latter film easily stands as one of the greatest superhero films of all time, and I just couldn’t imagine how Marvel could top it. But then Ultron’s first trailer hit, which promptly calibrated my interest and expectations to proper levels. It still may not be as good as The Winter Soldier, but it sure looks like it will try. (AG)
1 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Most of the writing staff never got to experience the original trilogy in its true theatrical form. Soiled by George Lucas’ special edition touch ups, and even more appalling Prequel Trilogy, a new Star Wars trilogy is born in Disney’s acquisition of LucasFilms. Now we are seeing what has become of it with the new J.J. Abrams directed film. Set to open December 18, we still know next to nothing about the highly anticipated sequel, but if the trailers tell us anything, it will bring us back to everything we liked about watching the original trilogy on VHS: the action, the suspense, and maybe even a little romance. Star Wars: The Force Awakens stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow, with Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker reprising their roles from previous films. (ML)
That’s our list. While there are many films to look forward too, let’s no also overlook The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II, the final film in The Hunger Games Trilogy; Minions, the animated prequel to the Despicable Me franchise; Richard Linklater’s Now That’s What I’m Talking About, the director’s “sequel” to Dazed and Confused; Judd Apatow directing the Amy Schumer written comedy Trainwreck; and Neill Blomkamp’s sci-fi film Chappie. We will be there for WonderCon, San Diego Comic-Con, Star Wars Celebration, the LA Film Festival, and of course D23 Expo. We’d also like to thank you for your readership, and look forward to providing you the best viral coverage in 2015.