Movies worth seeing in 2017
2016 might have disappointed with its plethora of similarly themed action-fantasy movies and sequels to movies that were popular a generation ago, but there's plenty to get excited about amongst this year's cinematic line-up.
1. Trainspotting 2 (February 23)
Just over 20 years after Danny Boyle's film (as well as its poster and soundtrack) about Edinburgh's drug culture captured the cultural zeitgeist, Spud, Renton, Begbie, Sick Boy and the rest of Irvine Welsh's gang are back with more misadventures.
2016 proved that long-gestating sequels generally do not big box office make (think Zoolander 2, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2), but could this prove to be the exception?
2. Logan (March 2)
Hugh Jackman's latest outing as X-Man Wolverine looks both poignant and powerful.
Early footage suggests it’s based on the comic-book Old Man Logan which focuses on his and an aged Charles Xavier's (Patrick Stewart) attempts to protect a young girl who is being hunted by sinister forces. Could yet be the best X-Men movie so far.
3. Kong: Skull Island (March 9)
Yes, they're remaking King Kong just over decade after Peter Jackson's effort, but has a great cast – Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L Jackson, John Goodman and Brie Larson – and it's actually a piece of a "cinematic universe" not many people knew existed.
Jordan Vogt-Roberts' film is intended to help set up a showdown with Godzilla in 2020.
4. The Lego Batman Movie (March 30)
The breakout star of The Lego Movie, Will Arnett's Batman's solo spin-off finally offers a mostly family friendly take on Gotham's favourite vigilante.
This time around he has to learn to share his Bat-space with young ward Robin and battle The Joker. The impressive vocal cast also include Michael Cena, Zach Galifianakis, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes.
5. Beauty and the Beast (March 30)
While the live-action versions of fellow Disney animated classics Cinderella and The Jungle Book have been stonking successes, is it too soon for what looks like a pretty close replica to the 1991 Oscar-nominated musical?
Fortunately, the casting looks spot on with Emma Watson as Belle, Sir Ian McKellen voicing Cogsworth and Luke Evans as the pompous Gaston.
6. Ghost in the Shell (March 30)
Whatever Scarlett Johansson thought about her time in Wellington, it's going to be fascinating to see the pre-quakes capital city up on the big screen standing in for futuristic Japan.
Based on the popular manga and anime, it's the story of a cyborg policewoman who attempts to bring down a nefarious computer hacker.
7. Fast and Furious 8 (April 13)
The once seemingly dead franchise that keeps going from strength to strength steps up another gear with the addition of Charlize Theron and Helen Mirren into the high-octane mix.
Rumour has it that the action this time will be set in New York, but most interest will centre on how the franchise gets on without the late Paul Walker.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (April 25)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe carries on its merry way with the return of cinema's breakout stars of 2014. Groot, Gamora, Drax and Rocket are this time helping in the search for Peter Quill's true parentage.
Nathan Fillion and Kurt Russell are new additions to the cast.
9. Alien: Covenant (May 18)
Ridley Scott's attempts to connect the dots between facehuggers old and new with this Australasian-shot adventure which sees a new group of colonists thinking they've discovered paradise – a planet only inhabited by a single synthetic called David.
Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup and Danny McBride join the expected carnage.
10. Despicable Me 3 (June 29)
Scheduled to open a week after Pixar's second Cars sequel, this third outing for Gru and his girls sees the emergence of the former megalomaniac's twin brother Dru.
South Park's Trey Parker is set to play the movie's big bad – Balthazar Bratt, a former child star obsessed with the character he played back in the 1980s.
11. Captain Underpants (July 6)
Ed Helms, Kevin Hart and Kristen Schall star in this hotly anticipated animated version of Dave Pilkey's much-loved book series.
For those who don't know, or have never had kids under 10, it's the tale of two mischievous kids who hypnotise their mean high school principal and turn him into their comic-book creation.
12. War for the Planet of the Apes (July 13)
As the 21st Century "reimagning" of the much-loved 1960s and '70s action series continues, a nation of genetically evolved apes (led by Andy Serkis' Caesar) become embroiled in a battle with an army of humans.
Once again, our own Weta Digital's skill with motion capture will take centre stage.
13. Dunkirk (July 20)
Almost three years after Interstellar, Christopher Nolan finally returns to the director's chair with this World War II drama focused on the eponymous battle.
Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance and Kenneth Branagh are among the actors suiting up for battle.
14. The Dark Tower (July 27)
Idris Elba teams up with Matthew McConaughey for this Stephen King-penned horror about a gunslinger who roams an Old West-like landscape in search of the titular tower.
He hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world.
15. IT (September 7)
Another adaptation of a popular Stephen King novel. Previously made into a 1990 mini-series, King's killer clown Pennywise finally gets the big-screen treatment he deserves.
Bill Skarsgard is among those trying to keep him at bay.
16. Blade Runner 2049 (October 5)
Little is known about this sequel to Ridley Scott's near 35-year-old sci-fi cult classic, but the cast and crew sound exciting.
Harrison Ford returns as Rick Deckard, joined by the likes of Ryan Gosling, Jared Leto and Robin Wright. Arrival's Denis Villeneuve is the man behind the camera.
17. Thor: Ragnarok (October 26)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe gets a Kiwi infusion, with Taika Waititi behind the camera and Karl Urban and Sam Neill joining series regulars like Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Mark Ruffalo for this latest Asgard adventure.
Likely to set up the two-part Avengers' blockbuster Infinity War.
18. Star Wars: Episode VIII (December 14)
Naturally security has been tighter than a Death Star for information on the latest instalment of the 40-year-old recently revived space opera.
All we can tell you at this stage is expect more Luke, Looper's Rian Johnson is directing and new cast additions include Benecio del Toro and Laura Dern.
19. Jumanji (December 21)
Dwayne Johnson continues his one-man conquest of Hollywood with this big-budget "reboot" of the 1995 Robin Williams action-adventure.
This time around, four-teenagers are sucked into the world of the dangerous board game. Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Rhys Darby and Doctor Who's Karen Gillan co-star.
20. Paddington 2 (December 26)
Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson are among those joining the expect fun for the second outing for the Marmalade-loving bear from darkest Peru.
This time the plot revolves around Paddington picking up a series of odd jobs so he can buy a present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday.
Tell us in the comments below, which of these films are you looking forward to seeing this year?
Written by James Croot. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
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