With 2018 now a distant memory and the Film awards season approaching rapidly, we thought we’d give you a taste of what’s to come in cinema this year. Featuring everything from comic book blockbusters to animation sequels, here’s our comprehensive guide to all the biggest movie releases you need to look out for in 2019!

Avengers: Endgame

UK Release Date: 26th April 2019
Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Brie Larson…
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Where else could we start? Its predecessor was the biggest film of 2018 and Avengers: Endgame is arguably one of the most anticipated movies of all time. Disney and Marvel have unsurprisingly kept a very tight lid on any real plot details but we do have a teaser trailer and the Russo brothers shot it back-to-back with Infinity War, so we know all the big MCU hitters will feature at some point. It’s anyone’s guess what’ll happen but we’re fully expecting some superhero deaths at the hands of Josh Brolin’s nuanced supervillain, Thanos. Just leave Cap alone, yeah?

Star Wars: Episode IX

UK Release Date: 20th December 2019
Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Keri Russell
Director: J.J. Abrams

It may be a long way into the future but Christmas 2019 will almost certainly be dominated by the closing chapter to the latest Star Wars saga. J.J. Abrams is back at the helm after Colin Trevorrow departed the project due to the old ‘creative differences’, but basically, we know nothing. It is, however, safe to assume the yet unnamed Episode IX will answer questions regarding Rey’s family lineage. But will Kylo Ren look on the bright side of life? And will Finn and Rey’s relationship blossom now Rose is on the scene? It’ll also be interesting to see how they deal with the sad passing of Carrie Fisher. We’d guess she’ll have a small appearance based on previously shot footage but really it’s anyone’s guess.

Joker

UK Release Date: 4th October 2019
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz
Director: Todd Phillips

Joaquin Phoenix is set to play a failed stand-up comedian turned psychotic anarchist in DC Comic’s latest movie, Joker. Directed by Todd Phillips (Hangover), like virtually everything these days plot details are sparse. But it’s expected to be a dark adaptation of Alan Moore’s graphic novel ‘The Killing Joke’, which explores the origins of Batman’s most iconic foe. While we’re warry for numerous reasons – none more so than Jared Leto played the character in Suicide Squad with varying degrees of success – all of the footage released so far has been extremely encouraging with Phoenix looking the part if nothing else.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

UK Release Date: 26th July 2019
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning, Damian Lewis
Director: Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino movies are always going to be hyped and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood will be no different. Set for a summer release, the film will star Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt as two aspiring TV stars hoping to succeed in the film industry in 1969 LA. The film is set to the backdrop of the Manson Family murders, so expect plenty of violence and deranged cult figure – the perfect Tarantino kindling.

Captain Marvel

UK Release Date: 8th March 2019
Cast: Brie Larson, Jude Law, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn
Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Before Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Comic Universe needs some expanding and even more characters apparently, so we’re going to be introduced to Captain Marvel in March. Written and directed by husband-and-wife duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Captain Marvel is Marvel Studios’ first female-led superhero production, and following the success of DC’s Wonder Woman, it’s a big moment for the studio. Expectations are high, with Brie Larson starring in the role of Carol Danvers, alias Captain Marvel, an ex-US Air Force fighter pilot gifted with superhuman strength. Her job? Join an intergalactic fight between Earth and two other extra-terrestrial worlds while getting to know her past and true identity. Multi-taking at its finest.

Toy Story 4

UK Release Date: 21st June 2019
Cast: Tim Allen, Tom Hanks, Joan Cusack
Director: Josh Cooley

We defy anyone to not have a lump in their throat during the final 15 minutes of Toy Story 3. Thankfully, the gang survived incineration as well as the charity shop and ended up with a new owner, the heartbreakingly brilliant Bonnie. But in Toy Story 4 Woody and the gang have a problem when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called ‘Forky; to her room. According to Disney, “a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy.” That’s all we know.

The Lion King

UK Release Date: 19th July 2019
Cast: Beyoncé, Donald Glover, Seth Rogan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, John Oliver, Billy Eichner, James Earl Jones
Director: Jon Favreau

Whether you’re a fan or not, Disney’s Live Action division is going to be working double-time this year with the release of not one but three movie releases. Director Jon Favreau’s all-new The Lion King takes the live action to the African savanna where a future king is born. You know the story by now and in the live-action version, Donald Glover will play Simba, Beyoncé is playing Nala, and Billy Eichner and Josh Rogan will be taking on Timon and Pumbaa. Also look out for live action versions of Aladdin and Dumbo this year.

Mary Queen of Scots

UK Release Date: 18th January 2019
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn, David Tennant, Guy Pearce
Director: Josie Rourke

The controversy surrounding Mary Queen of Scots’ gender in the 16th century makes her a prime candidate for depiction in film. And with female empowerment at the forefront of Hollywood, now would seem as good a time as any to give it another crack. In Josie Rourke’s movie, it’s Saoirse Ronan who’ll be taking on the role as her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England (Margot Robbie) attempts to overthrow her. Don’t expect a light-hearted story; this one will be brutal.

Glass

UK Release Date: 18th January 2019
Cast: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, James McAvoy, Sarah Paulson, Anya Taylor-Joy
Director: M.Night Shyamalan

On our list purely for its sheer ambition, Glass sees director M.Night Shyamalan play Pick n’ Mix with his previous works as he takes characters from different films and throws them into something entirely of its own. Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson, David Dunn and Mr. Glass from 2000’s Unbreakable, join James McAvoy’s Kevin Wendell Crumb and his ‘The Beast’ alter-ego from 2016’s Split in this thrilling psychological horror film. It’s on Netflix and it’s truly perplexing.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

UK Release Date: 8th February 2019
Cast: Chris Pratt, Jason Momoa, Margot Robbie, Channing Tatum, Alison Brie
Director: Mike Mitchell

Kids and big kids alike, rejoice: The Lego Movie is back with its second part aptly called The Second Part. With the same production team as the previous one, the film is set five years after the first with our Lego hero Emmett facing an extra-terrestrial invader named Sweet Mayhem who wants kidnap his friends. That means it’s time for Emmett to travel to outer space, we assume with meta-hilarious consequences.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu

UK Release Date: 10th May 2019
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Ken Watanabe
Director: Rob Letterman

It seems pretty unbelievable it’s taken until 2019 to get a live-action Pokémon film. But in May, the wait will be over as Ryan Reynolds gets the privilege of playing the voice of Pikachu. Normally we wouldn’t give this sort of thing a second a look but judging from the trailer, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu has gone down The Lego Movie route of meta-humour and it’s very welcomed. The mystery comedy film sees Pikachu equipped with a Sherlock Holmes-style hat, as he goes around the Pokémon world solving mysteries.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum

UK Release Date: 17th May 2019
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Laurence Fishburne, Halle Berry
Director: Chad Stahelski

John Wick was by far 2014’s biggest surprise. Out of nowhere, Keanu Reeves and his not-quite-retired, dog-loving hitman John Wick smashed all expectations with an uber-violent, stylised comic-thriller that was just the adrenaline rush we didn’t know we needed. This year, he’s back for the third and final chapter and there’s a $14 million bounty on his head. Chad Stahelski is returning to direct, and Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne and Halle Berry are likely to be friend one minute and foe the next.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix

UK Release Date: 7th June 2019
Cast: Sophie Turner, Michael Fassbender, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence
Director: Simon Kinberg

There is no such thing as too much Marvel, and nothing says that better than the twelfth (yes, you read that correctly) instalment of the X-Men saga. A direct sequel to the X-Men: Apocalypse, X-Men: Dark Phoenix will centre around one of the gang’s own, Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) as she develops powers beyond her control and begins to turn into a corrupt Dark Phoenix. Save or friend or save the world?

Jojo Rabbit

UK Release Date: TBC
Cast: Roman Griffin Davis, Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson
Director: Taika Waititi

A new Taika Waititi film should always be on your radar, and the Hunt For The Wilderpeople, What We Do In The Shadows and Thor: Ragnarok director will be back this year with something a little different. Jojo Rabbit centres around a Jojo “Rabbit” Betzler, a 10-year old boy living during World War II who’s imaginary friend is none other than Adolf Hitler played by Waititi himself. So a dark comedy then? We’d assume so with Sam Rockwell, Stephen Merchant and Rebel Wilson on board, as well as Scarlett Johannson who’ll play Jojo’s secretly anti-Nazi mother. There’s no release date as of yet but it’s certainly one to keep an eye on!

What are you looking forward to most this year? Let us know in the comments below and check out what we think are some of the TV shows you should be looking out for during the course of 2019!

The post All the Films You Need to Watch in 2019 appeared first on Average Joes.