Our 10 most anticipated films of 2018

Featuring heists, horrors, and hijinks.
 By 
Angie Han
 on 
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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

No, we know – 2017 isn't even officially over yet.

But like a kid peeking at presents before Christmas, we just can't help getting excited about the goodies to come.

A look at the release calendar teases heists, horrors, hijinks – and, yet again, more superheroes than you can shake a stick at. There are extravagant blockbusters and shoestring indies, oddball discoveries and cozy comforts, and we are here for all of it.

Well – most of it. Some of it we're more here for than others. Below, a list of our ten most highly anticipated films of the next twelve months.

1. Black Panther (February 16)

Black Panther became one of our favorite MCU heroes the moment he burst onscreen in Captain America: Civil War. Next year, he finally gets a solo film worthy of a king. Ryan Coogler is directing this one – if you've seen Creed or Fruitvale Station, you know what he's capable of – and what he's come up with is a vision of an Afrofuturist paradise that looks like nothing else at the multiplex in recent memory.

2. Annihilation (February 23)

Okay, so the producer drama and the timid release strategy aren't super encouraging. This is still a movie written and directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina), based on the award-winning sci-fi novel by Jeff VanderMeer, and featuring Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Gina Rodriguez among its cast. Needless to say, we're all in.

3. A Wrinkle in Time (March 9)

Ava DuVernay's first narrative feature since Selma looks like nothing she's done before – and we cannot wait to see what she makes of a rich science-fantasy premise and the nine-figure budget to bring it to life. With a cast that includes Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, and, of course, Storm Reid as the brave young heroine, this one looks as unforgettable as its source material.

4. Solo: A Star Wars Story (May 25)

Solo had a rough go of it in 2017, losing directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller to "creative differences" in the middle of production. Here's hoping new director Ron Howard was able to right the ship, because let's be honest – nothing's gonna keep us from checking out this one.

5. Ocean's 8 (June 8)

Here are some names: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina. Here are some words: Met Gala jewelry heist. Do we really need to say more?

6. The Spy Who Dumped Me (July 6)

Because the only thing that sounds more appealing than "Kate McKinnon and Mila Kunis play BFFs" is "Kate McKinnon and Mila Kunis play BFFs who get caught up in international intrigue after the latter discovers that her ex, played by Outlander's Sam Heughan, was an international spy."

7. Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again (July 20)

There is a pretty high chance that Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is going to be a mess, and an even higher chance that we're going to enjoy the hell out of it. You know, just like with the first one. Meryl Streep's character may be dead(?? We think?? It's unclear!) but there's a whole new cast of younger stars to know and love. Not to mention Cher(!!) as Streep's mother.

8. Crazy Rich Asians (August 17)

Think of Crazy Rich Asians as a Cinderella fantasy spiked with Jane Austen's wit. Fresh Off the Boat breakout Constance Wu plays Rachel, an ordinary American gal whisked into a live of unimaginable glamour and privilege when she discovers her boyfriend hails from one of the wealthiest families in Asia. (Also worth noting: that premise means Crazy Rich Asians is the rare mainstream Hollywood film to feature a majority Asian cast.)

9. Widows (November 16)

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Steve McQueen Credit: Mike Windle / Getty Images for AACTA

What happens when you combine 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen, Gone Girl writer Gillian Flynn, an starry cast led by Viola Davis, and an irresistible premise involving an unusual heist? We don't know, but we can't wait to find out. Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Elizabeth Debicki, and Michelle Rodriguez play four women whose husbands are killed while trying to pull off an armed robbery – and subsequently step up to finish the job themselves.

10. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (December 14)

It sounds like an Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt gag made real: Sony's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces multiple Spider-Men (including the first big-screen iteration of Miles Morales) at the same time that yet another, unrelated Spider-Man is off Infinity War-ing with the Avengers. But if the movie is even half as fun as this teaser, we're ready to give the "Too Many Spider-Men" refrain a rest.

Topics Marvel

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Angie Han

Angie Han is the Deputy Entertainment Editor at Mashable. Previously, she was the managing editor of Slashfilm.com. She writes about all things pop culture, but mostly movies, which is too bad since she has terrible taste in movies.

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