Top 20 Most Anticipated Movies Of 2015

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.