With all the recent snow days off from school, lots of people are most likely wrapped up in a blanket watching some good movies. There were many noteworthy films from 2018, and 2019 looks like a promising year in the film category. With multiple remakes and tons of sequels, there will be no shortage of compelling movies this year. But what does MHS think of these upcoming films?

To find out I decided to poll students via social media and asked them for their thoughts and opinions. For each film, I obtained between 75 and 100 votes.

Superhero Movies

It seems that there are four main categories that a majority of the movies coming out this year can fit into, one of them being superhero movies. Marvel has been thriving recently, cranking out movies left and right, and it seems 2019 won’t be any different.

Captain Marvel

Captain Marvel is being released on March 8 and is directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. It’s a Marvel film based on previous comic books that follows Carol Danvers, a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot while she fights in the middle of a galactic battle between two alien worlds. It is the 21st film in the Marvel movie franchise.

The response to Captain Marvel was very mixed with some people expressing their excitement saying that it’s “gonna be lit” or that they “LOVE [Marvel] and can’t wait.” But not everyone is very keen on this idea. Some say that is “seems cheesy” or that “it doesn’t seem super interesting, but could be good.” Most students seem to be really excited for this film while others aren’t; however, it looks as though most are optimistic.

Shazam

Set to be released on April 5 and directed by David F. Sandberg, Shazam is set two years after the Justice League events and follows Billy Batson, a teenage boy who can say the word “Shazam” and turn into an adult superhero. He gains these powers after he is running away from his foster family and gets on the subway. He is transported to somewhat of an alternate universe where a wizard grants him his powers that he then has to learn to use for the rest of the film. This is the seventh installment in the DC Extended Universe.

Most students were not very excited about Shazam, as most people seem to prefer the Marvel universe. Some say it’s “the worst idea on earth” while others say “it’s a good idea and I want to see it, but I don’t think it will be that good.” Some say it looks cheesy and some students express their negative opinions towards DC by saying things such as  “Oh god another DC movie” or just flat out calling it “dumb.”

Avengers: Endgame

This sequel to Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War is set to be released on April 26. Anthony and Joe Russo are directing this 22nd installment to the Marvel franchise. The film will capture the aftermath of the Infinity War, but the full synopsis is still unknown.

Most all students are looking forward to Avengers: Endgame saying it’s “the best Marvel movie that will be created” and that it is a “must watch.” Very few students are not eager for its release saying that it will be “way too dramatic.”

Spider-Man: Far From Home

The sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming is directed by Jon Watts and will be released on July 5. While on a school trip in Europe, Peter Parker is recruited by Nick Fury to help fight and stop the Elementals and save the world.

Most students seem highly excited for Spider-Man: Far From Home because everyone seems to love Tom Holland and Spider-Man in general. Most people responded saying that “it should be great” and that they’re “for sure looking forward to it.” The only people who weren’t excited were students who just aren’t Spider-Man fans.

Live Action Remakes

Another large portion of movies this year will be live action remakes of older animated films, most of them being Disney movies which is most likely thanks to the success of the remakes of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and The Jungle Book.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Pokémon Detective Pikachu is about a former Pokémon trainer who, unlike everyone else, can understand Pikachu. Together, they solve mysteries and uncover a devious plot that could pose a threat to the Pokémon universe. It is directed by Rob Lettermen and will be released on May 10.

Most people were not very enthusiastic about Pokémon Pikachu Detective, as 60% of students polled said they were not interested. One student said that “it’s about anime so it could drive people away, but if it has a good story it could be amazing.”

Aladdin

This remake of the original Disney animated film is being directed by Guy Ritchie and will be released on May 24. The plot will follow the same as the original where a street criminal named Aladdin ends up with a magic lamp with a genie inside; the genie (originally voiced by Robin Williams) grants wishes will be played by Will Smith in this adaptation.

Aladdin was much better received than Pikachu Detective with 80% of students saying that they were interested. Most students think that “Disney does everything amazing.”

The Lion King

The Lion King is a beloved Disney classic from 1994 where Simba, son of King Mufasa, is manipulated to think he was responsible for the death of his father when it was actually the infamous Scar. Simba ends up fleeing and finds himself with a warthog and meerkat who end up raising him, and in the end, he fights Scar for his rightful spot on the throne. Directed by Jon Favreau and set to be released on July 19, The Lion King is one of the most anticipated films of this year.

The Lion King received the most responses with 103 students voting. The results showed that only 10% of students were not interested in seeing this film and that this is one of the favorites for this year.

Dumbo

Unlike The Lion King and Aladdin, Dumbo is not going to follow the same storyline as the original; it will be loosely based off of it and introduce new characters thanks to Director Tim Burton. The film will be released on March 29.

Dumbo had more people interested than not with 75% of students saying it sounded interesting to them.

Sequels and Series Continuations

Hollywood sure likes to drag out series and franchises as long as they can which is why we can expect a substantial amount of sequels and continuations.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

This sequel to the 2014 film will be released on February 8 and is directed by Mike Mitchell. Taking place five years after the first film, the Lego universe is turned into a post-apocalyptic wasteland after the Duplos invade. The main character Emmet’s friends are kidnapped, and it is up to him to save them as they travel through space. The first movie provoked many mixed emotions, and it seems the second will do the same.

Without polling, it’s difficult to grasp student responses fully, but if people’s ideas are anything like they were for the first film, lots of people think it will be great while others extremely dislike the idea.

Toy Story 4

Toy Story 4 will introduce a new character, Forky, a craft made by the toy’s owner Bonnie, who believes he is not actually a toy. Woody takes it upon himself to help Forky embrace being himself. Bonnie takes the toys on a road trip, and Woody finds himself on an unexpected detour where he finds his long lost girlfriend, Bo-Peep. The film is set to be released on June 21 and is directed by Josh Cooley.

Eighty percent of students voted that they think this movie sounds like it will be good with some students saying that it’s “gonna be really sad” and one student compared it to another film saying “it could be good or not because Shrek 4 was a flop, but I don’t know yet”. Overall it seems pretty well received.

Frozen 2

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, Frozen 2 will star the same beloved characters as the original 2015 film. Anna and Elsa realize that since their parents are gone, they don’t have any Christmas traditions. Olaf takes it upon himself to go door to door finding the best ideas for Anna and Elsa to use to celebrate. It’s set to be released on November 22.

Only 60% of students said they were interested in seeing this which makes sense because it is more targeted towards younger children, but many people still love these kinds of movies.

Star Wars: Episode IX

The third installment to the Star Wars sequel trilogy will be the final installment of the main franchise. It will be released on December 20 and is being directed by J.J. Abrams. The full synopsis is unknown, but it will be set one year after the events of The Last Jedi.

Around 65% of students said they were interested in Star Wars: Episode IX  which was a bit surprising as I thought that a lot more people would have been super excited. One student said that “It sounds legendary.”

It: Chapter Two

The second Part to the It series will take place 27 years after the events of the first film and will follow the Losers’ Club as they come back to their hometown to fulfill their promise to destroy the infamous clown, Pennywise. To their surprise, he has come back stronger than ever and is waiting to get revenge on them. It: Chapter Two is directed by Andy Muschietti and will be released on September 6.

Most students seem really excited for It: Chapter Two with 75% of students sharing that they were interested in it. My guess is that the 25% that said they weren’t interested were students who don’t necessarily love horror movies as from what I have gathered, anyone who’s seen It thoroughly enjoyed it.

Biographies, Mysteries and More

Thankfully not every movie this year is a superhero movie, a remake or a sequel. Here are some other types of movies coming to the big screen in 2019.

Rocketman

Directed by Dexter Fletcher, Rocketman will follow the life and career of Musician Elton John. Fletcher was one of the directors of the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, so we can expect Rocketman to be similar. It is set to be released on May 31.

The mood toward Rocketman was very mixed with only 55% of students saying they were interested. Some students say that it “sounds so good.”

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Lloyd Vogel is a cynical journalist who’s assigned to write a piece about beloved television icon, Fred Rogers, or Mr. Rogers. The movie tells the story of their friendship and how Mr. Rogers changed Vogel’s perspective on life. A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood stars Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers and is directed by Marielle Heller. It will be released on November 22.

The results were almost half and half with more students saying they were interested than not and one student said that “it sounds like it would be based in the old times. Don’t get me wrong, I love those kinds of movies, but I just feel like it wouldn’t be that interesting.”

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

This mystery crime film will star noteworthy actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie. Set in 1969, around the time of the Charles Manson murders, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood follows a TV actor and his stunt double as they attempt to make a name for themselves in the film industry. It’s directed by Quentin Tarantino and will be released on July 26.

Not many people expressed care about this movie as only 66 people voted and only 60% found it interesting. One student who did find it interesting said that “Leonardo DiCaprio is THE babe,” so it seems that the casted stars may be what’s drawing people in.  

The Addams Family

This movie is an animated comedy about the Addams family that will star the voices of stars such as Finn Wolfhard, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Nick Kroll. The Addams family is preparing for their extended family to arrive for a major celebration. It is directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan and will be released on October 18.

The results for this film were interesting because they were completely split and showed that half of students were interested in it while the other half were not.

All in all, none of the movies received an overwhelmingly negative response, showing that 2019 will be a pleasurable year for film.