The year 2016 is filled with amazing new movie releases, and it’s pretty hard to keep track of what movie is coming out when.
I’ve compiled a list of some of the most anticipated movie releases of the spring and summer, filled with some very brief descriptions and trailers, all in one convenient post.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot- R
In Theaters: March 4
Cast: Tina Fey, Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, Margot Robbie, Alfred Molina
Tina Fey tries her take on a semi-serious role in this R-rated film about a journalist and her travels in the war-filled countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It’s based on the book "The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan" by Kim Barker. Although the ratings are low, it will be interesting to see Tina Fey play a journalist, which is a huge leap from her typical comedy movies.
London Has Fallen-R
In Theaters: March 4
Cast: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman
This action-packed movie is a follow up movie to Olympus Has Fallen, with much of the same cast. Instead of the White House, London Has Fallen is set in London at the funeral of the Prime Minister. Mike Manning, played by Gerard Butler, catches wind of rumors of a mass assassination of the top world leaders and attempts to stop it.
Zootopia- PG
In Theaters: March 4
Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba
This adorable animated movie features a utopia of sorts where animals live in harmony. A bunny becomes the first bunny cop, and is given mundane tasks because she is not well-respected as a cop because she is a small rabbit. When trouble arises, she joins up with a fugitive con fox on a wild adventure to solve the mystery.
The Divergent Series: Allegiant- PG13
In Theaters: March 18
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Miles Teller, Zoe Kravitz, Ansel Elgort
This is the third installment of The Divergent Series movies, based on the novels by Veronica Roth. The book series only has 3 novels, but there is a scheduled fourth movie installment to the series. Without giving much away, Tris and Four escape beyond the wall that surrounds the city and discover what and who lies beyond the wall. It’ll be interesting to see how the spin the ending, considering they have plans of a fourth movie.
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice- PG13
In Theaters: March 25
Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams
Batman fears some of Superman’s actions and takes him on. The world begins to question what superhero they really need. While Batman and Superman hash it out, Lex Luther threatens Metropolis, so they team up with Wonder Women to put an end to Lex Luther’s destruction. It’ll be interesting to see how this movie will turn out without the Nolan brothers directing, Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine.
Get a Job- R
In Theaters: March 25
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Brian Cranston, Miles Teller, Alison Brie
This movie is all too relatable for post-college grads. It shows how hard getting a job is after graduation. Swamped with college debt, the main characters take up strange jobs in order to make ends meet. Overall, this comedy movie looks like it’ll hit home for many people and a hilarious adventure.
The Boss- R
In Theaters: April 8
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage, Kathy Bates
Melissa McCarthy plays a wealthy woman who gets caught up in legal drama and is sent to prison and is wiped of all of her money. Bankrupt with nowhere to go, she turns to her old assistant. Her assistant, played by Kristen Bell, is a single mother living in Chicago. Melissa McCarthy’s character creates a new Girl Scout-like group to compete with the previous existing one called the Dandelions. A war between scouts ensues in this hilarious comedy.
The Jungle Book- PG
In Theaters: April 15
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, Bill Murray
The Jungle Book is a live-action spin on the Disney classic of an orphaned by raised by a bear with the help of wolves and a black panther.
Mother’s Day- PG13
In Theaters: April 29
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Britt Robertson, Julia Roberts, Jason Bateman
Similar to the interacting plots in Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve, Mother’s Day has intersecting stories of mothers’ lives that happen to collide on Mother’s Day. Jason Bateman plays the role of a mister mom dealing with raising two daughters on his own.
Captain America: Civil War- NYR (not yet rated)
In Theaters: May 6
Cast: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen, Robert Downey Jr.
According to IMDb, “Political interference in the Avengers' activities causes a rift between former allies Captain America and Iron Man.”
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising- (not yet rated, but more than likely R)
In Theaters: May 20
Cast: Zac Efron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Kiersey Clemons, Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Dave Franco
Mac –played by Seth Rogen –and Kelly –played by Rose Byrne –have finally started to get back into a new routine and are moving on from their previous neighbors, as seen in Neighbors, when a sorority moves into the house next door. In order to regain control of their neighborhood, they call their previous neighbor –played by Zac Efron –to help them.
Alice Through the Looking Glass- NYR (not yet rated)
In Theaters: May 27
Cast: Johnny Depp, Sacha Baron Cohen, Anne Hathaway, Alan Rickman
Alice Through the Looking Glass is the highly anticipated sequel to Alice in Wonderland (2010). Alice returns back to Wonderland in order to attempt to save the Mad Hatter.
Me Before You- PG13
In Theaters: June 3
Cast: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Jenna Coleman
Louisa Clark (played by Emilia Clarke) is struggling to find a job she can actually keep when she takes on the unlikely role as a caretaker for a recently paralyzed man, played by Sam Claflin. The pair start off with a rocky friendship that quickly blossoms into a passionate relationship. This movie looks like it’ll be a tear jerker.
Now You See Me 2- NYR (probably PG13)
In Theaters: June 10
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, Lizzy Caplan
According to IMDb, “One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public's adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, The Four Horsemen resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate. The man behind their vanishing act is none other than Walter Mabry, a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all."
Finding Dory- NYR (Probably PG)
In Theaters: June 17
Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Diane Keaton, Michael Sheen, Idris Elba, Albert Brooks
Finding Dory is the highly-anticipated sequel to Finding Nemo. Dory finally remembers her family and goes on a journey to reunite with them. Throughout the movie, multiple characters discover what the true meaning of family really is. If it is half as good as Finding Nemo, it will still be brilliant.
The Legend of Tarzan- NYR
In Theaters: July 1
Cast: Margot Robbie, Alexander Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson
This live-action adaptation of the Disney animated film Tarzan takes a different spin. Tarzan moves to London to be domesticated and live a normal human life. When he hears of trouble arising back in the jungle where his family lives, he goes back to investigate.
The BFG- NYR
In Theaters: July 1
Cast: Mark Rylance, Rebecca Hall, Bill Hader
This Spielberg directed Disney movie is sure to be a hit this summer. According to IMDb, “A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because unlike his peers refuses to eat boys and girls.”
The Secret Life of Pets- NYR
In Theaters: July 8
Cast: Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Kevin Hart
The Secret Life of Pets details how pets act in their home when their owners leave. Two specific dogs team up when they hear of a bunny who started an army of abandon pets with the ambition to attack all of the pets with owners and their owners.
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates- NYR (probably R)
In Theaters: July 8
Cast: Zac Efron, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Adam DeVine
Two rowdy brothers have to get their act together and bring dates to their sister’s wedding. They decide to place an ad online to find dates. They find dates and venture to Hawaii expecting to go wild, but soon find themselves outsmarted and out-partied by their dates.
Make sure to mark your schedules because these movies are definitely going to be worth seeing.