It goes without saying that 2016 going to be great for cinema because there are a million and one blockbuster movies slated for release in the coming months.
Movie buffs and sci-fi geeks are, of course, already looking forward to franchise follow-ups such as “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice“, “Captain America: Civil War“, “X-Men: Apocalypse“, “Star Trek: Beyond“, and “Star Wars: Rogue One“. But did you know that there’s also a list of long-awaited sequels to look forward to this year?
A lot of the upcoming ones (from comedy to horror, to action and some animated flicks) have unfortunately gotten lost in translation because of the other heavily promoted summer blockbusters but that’s okay, we’ve got them sorted out in a handy list! Prepare to see a lot of familiar faces or hear a lot of familiar voices as these movies will be making their return after long absences:
Note: Release dates are as per current US release dates. Subject to change according to region.
1. “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny” (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2)
Synopsis: The sequel tells the story of a group of noble and legendary knights and soldiers who fight for peace and justice by protecting a 400-year old blade named The Green Destiny in Qing Dynasty China. It is based on the final book in Wang Dulu’s Crane-Iron series, “Iron Knight, Silver Vase”, and deals with the legacy of The Green Destiny, the mythically powerful sword wielded by Chow Yun Fat in the first film.
Release date: 26th February 2016
2. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2”
Synopsis: After spending most of their time focusing on their troubling teenage daughter, Toula and Ian are facing marital problems while also having to deal with yet another Greek wedding – this time, even bigger and fatter.
Release date: 25th March 2016
3. “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” (Snow White and the Huntsman 2)
Synopsis: As 2 evil sisters prepare to conquer the land; 2 renegades – Eric the Huntsmen – who previously aided Snow White in defeating Ravenna, and his forbidden lover, Sara set out to stop them.
Release date: 22nd April 2016
4. “Alice Through The Looking Glass” (Alice in Wonderland 2)
Synopsis: Alice returns to Wonderland to battle the half-clock, half-human creature, Time, to save her best pal, the Mad Hatter. She is warned that she won’t be able to win a race against time and change the past, but she winds up going on a time travel adventure to prevent the loss of her friend.
Release date: 27th May 2016
5. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2)
Synopsis: The Turtles come into conflict with T.C.R.I. scientist Dr. Baxter Stockman, the Foot Clan, and the return of their enemy, The Shredder, who has hired Stockman to create mutants of his own in the form of Bebop and Rocksteady. Meanwhile, an invasion above New York City is led by the Dimension X inhabitant known as Krang. The Turtles are joined in the fight by their human friends April O’Neil, Vern Fenwick and the vigilante Casey Jones.
Release date: 3rd June 2016
6. “The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist”
Synopsis: Paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising 4 children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.
Release date: 10th June 2016
7. “Now You See Me 2”
Synopsis: 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.
Release date: 10th June 2016
8. “Finding Dory” (Finding Nemo 2)
Synopsis: The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish reunites with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family along the way. The film will take place 6 months after the events of “Finding Nemo” and will be set off the coast of California.
Release date: 17th June 2016
9. “Independence Day: Resurgence” (Independence Day 2)
Synopsis: 2 decades after the first Independence Day invasion, Earth is faced with a new extra-Solar threat. Using recovered extraterrestrial technology, the nations of Earth collaborate on an immense defense program to protect the planet. When the aliens attack with unprecedented force, only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can save the world.
Release date: 24th June 2016
10. “Ghostbusters” (Ghostbusters Reboot)
Synopsis: Erin Gilbert (played by Kristen Wiig) and Abby Yates (played by Melissa McCarthy) are a pair of unheralded authors who write a book positing that ghosts are real. A few years later, Gilbert lands a prestigious teaching position at Columbia University, but her book resurfaces and she is laughed out of academia. When ghosts invade Manhattan, Gilbert reunites with Yates, teaming up with a nuclear engineer, Jillian Holtzmann (played by Kate McKinnon), and a subway worker, Patty Tolan (played by Leslie Jones), to bust ghosts and save the world.
Release date: 15th July 2016
11. “Ice Age: Collision Course” (Ice Age 5)
Synopsis: Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colourful new characters.
Release date: 22nd July 2016
12. “Untitled 5th Bourne Film” (Bourne 5)
Synopsis: The next chapter of Universal Pictures’ Bourne franchise will find the CIA’s most lethal former operative drawn out of the shadows.
Release date: 29th July 2016
13. “Bridget Jones’ Baby” (Bridget Jones’ Diary 3)
Synopsis: With 2 men (played by Colin Firth and Patrick Dempsey) in her life, a pregnant Bridget Jones (played by Renée Zellweger) must figure out who’s the father of her baby.
Release date: 16th September 2016
14. “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” (Jack Reacher 2)
Synopsis: Jack Reacher returns to the headquarters of his old unit, only to find out he’s now accused of a 16-year-old homicide.
Release date: 21st October 2016
15. “Underworld: Next Generation” (Underworld 5)
Synopsis: “Underworld: Next Generation” will reportedly continue the story of “Underworld: Awakening”, in which vampire “death dealer” Selene (played by Kate Beckinsale) woke from a cryogenic sleep to find herself in a future world where the existence of vampires and werewolves had become public knowledge.
Release date: 21st October 2016
Which ones are you personally looking forward to? Are there any sequels you think should be included in the list above? Let us know in the comments box below 🙂
