2017 was filled with superhero movies. Wolverine hung up his claws for good with “Logan“, we got our first female superhero film in a long time with “Wonder Woman“, and reboots like “Power Rangers“.
The good news is, 2018 shows no sign of slowing down. Marvel is set to follow the trend by releasing 3 more blockbusters including the highly-anticipated “Avengers: Infinity War”. With 9 superhero films releasing this year, including 3 sequels, it goes to show that this particular genre is stronger than ever.
Mark your calendars for these superhero flicks:
1. “Black Panther”
- Release Date: 15th February 2018
“Marvel Studios’ ‘Black Panther’ follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.”
Get to know more about the “Black Panther” heroes and villains here.
2. “The New Mutants”
- Release Date: 12th April 2018
“The New Mutants” appears to be venturing into the psychological and physiological terrors that haunt 5 young mutants. Unlike the Marvel original comics, it doesn’t seem like these young mutants are at Charles Xavier’s school. Instead, the teenagers seem to be confined in an eerie asylum where they’re kept in cells and observed for study. As Dr. Cecilia Reyes explains, baby rattlesnakes are more deadly than the adults because they have no control over their venom yet. Likewise, the mutants are seemingly trapped because they’re dangerous.
Update: There is word that the film has been delayed by 10 months and will only be released on 22nd February 2019.
3. “Avengers: Infinity War”
- Release Date: 26th April 2018
Said to be the culmination of everything in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since 2008’s “Iron Man”, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (together with the Guardians of the Galaxy) will face off against Thanos and his personal team, the Black Order, in an epic showdown. The Avengers and their superhero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful the Mad Titan before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.
4. “Deadpool 2”
- Release Date: 17th May 2018
“After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfil his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavour – finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover.”
Deadpool even has a word of advice for all you peeps. As he says at the end of the trailer, “Keep your pants dry and your dreams wet and remember hugs not drugs.”
5. “The Incredibles 2″
- Release Date: 14th June 2018
The first teaser is not a massive trailer, but it does offer a little idea about the upcoming sequel’s plot and tone. The teaser focuses on 2 members from the Parr family: Mr. Incredible and the youngest Parr of the bunch, baby Jack Jack.
If you remember, Jack Jack’s powers didn’t manifest until the closing scene in the 2004 animation when he was kidnapped by the supervillain Syndrome . The sequel will pick off immediately where “The Incredibles” left off. Babies are already quite destructive in their normal state. This trailer shows us that just how dangerous babies with superpowers can be.
6. “Ant-Man and The Wasp”
- Release Date: 5th July 2018
“As Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a superhero and a father while trying to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past.”
7. “Venom”
- Release Date: 4th October 2018
Step aside Spider-Man, Venom will be facing off against a new antagonist in his solo spin-off called Carnage. Venom has always been viewed as Spider-Man’s longtime nemesis, so it’s hard to think of him as one of the good guys. However, if you think Venom is bad enough, Carnage is worst. He’s known to be one of the most ruthless and violent villains. In comics, Venom ends up joining forces with Spider-Man together with Black Cat, Cloak, and Dagger, in order to defeat Carnage.
8. “X-Men: Dark Phoenix”
- Release Date: 1st November 2018
“X-Men: Dark Phoenix” will revisit the Jean Grey/Phoenix saga. “Game of Thrones” actress Sophie Turner will be reprising the titular role. You may remember that “X-Men: Apocalypse” established that she was already wrestling with some deep, hidden powers, which she used to defeat En Sabah Nur. This movie will show us how she came to host the Phoenix. The film then becomes a fight for Jean’s soul as the Phoenix seeks to control her mind and divide the X-Men.
9. “Aquaman”
- Release Date: 20th December 2018
The brooding Aquaman/Arthur Curry made his official sassy debut in last year’s “Justice League” but DC’s lord of the seas will look slightly different as we delve into his own solo feature. The Atlantean King will be forced to reconcile his loyalties to the surface world with his role in the undersea kingdom of Atlantis, while trying to maintain peace among the Atlanteans.
Out of all the superhero blockbusters listed here, which ones are you most excited to watch? Let us know in the comments below.
