It’s hard to keep track of the upcoming releases. The emergence of streaming services has only broadened the options available to viewers with original content being produced at a rapid pace. However, there are some pretty epic blockbusters set to be released this year and these are some of my most anticipated.

1. Dark Phoenix (June 7th)

So that everyone is aware, the Dark Phoenix storyline is one of my all time favourites. Unfortunately, the original attempt at the story in X-Mex: The Last Stand did not do justice to the brilliance of this story. There was a lot that didn’t go right in that film, but the latest batch of X-Men films with Mcavoy and Fassbender leading has been a breath of fresh air for the X-Men universe. From the look of it, Sophie Turner has relished the chance to bring this iconic story to life. Time will tell whether or not this film delivers, but I have high hopes.

2. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (May 16th)

I’ve still not seen the second one, but I really enjoyed the first film and this franchise is one of the more compelling action films. We need a good revenge thriller to indulge in every now and then and John Wick is the one I’d turn to.

3. The Lion King (July 19th)

I can understand why people would be hesitant to jump on the bandwagon for these films. Disney has a slew of live actions films lined up for the next couple of years and it’s only a matter of time that they exhaust the material available. However, it was hard to deny the fangirl in me when this teaser trailer was released. Lion King was my favourite Disney film, despite the trauma of witnessing Mufasa’s death, and truth be told I had no idea what to expect from the live action film but so far so good. It’s hard to keep expectations in check, but this Lion King film has plenty of potentials.

4. Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (May 10th)

This could be either the worst film of 2019 or the biggest surprise. I had no idea that there even was a Pokémon film in development, let alone that Ryan Reynolds provides the voice of Pikachu. More than anything I’m intrigued to see the different Pokémon that will make their appearance in the film.

5. Avengers: Endgame (April 26th)

I don’t think anything can top the anticipation for this film. Infinity Wars was a brilliant set up for this conclusion to Marvel’s current phase of films, and the stakes are higher than ever in Endgame. Fans have already theorised the numerous ways the Avengers could reverse the Snap, and it’s clear that Antman will have vital information that could help them on this mission. However, the real story lies in the sacrifices that must be made to achieve this. On top of that, you have endless possibilities of cameos from upcoming Marvel superheroes and the introduction of new villains, but it’s clear that when it comes down to it, this film will be the swan song for some of our original heroes and I am not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster this will be.

Bonus

Star Wars: Episode IX (December 20th)

Confession, I actually forgot this was coming out this year! The revival of the Star Wars franchise in these latest films have done wonders for the universe and introduced new generations to this franchise. What’s so great about this film is how they’ve kept the focus on our new characters and utilised the roles of Hamill, Ford, and the late Carrie Fisher as a means of boosting the trajectory of our newcomers. I have no idea what to expect from Episode IX, but I have no doubt that it will be a thrilling ride.

What are your most anticipated films of 2019?