Let’s face it, folks. 2016, on the whole, was pretty mediocre as far as movies go. There were a lot more bombs than there were success stories and audiences felt frustration and disappointment on more than just a handful of occasions.
From the fumbling of the DC Extended Universe thanks to Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad to several big, dumb blockbusters that did nothing but waste our time (we’re looking at you Gods of Egypt, Alice Through the Looking Glass, X-Men: Apocalypse and many more), there was definitely a lot to be upset about at the movies this year. Sure, triumphs like Deadpool, Arrival, Captain America: Civil War, Zootopia and Manchester By the Sea popped up every now and then, but ultimately, there just wasn’t enough to outweigh the garbage.
And so, as we close off what’s been a fairly “meh” year for film, it’s time to look to the future and see what 2017 will bring. Already we’ve identified several sure to be hits, and countless other titles that look like they have a good chance at going down as winners. Of course, after the past 12 months we’ve learned not to judge a book by its cover, but as of right now, we’re optimistic that the 30 movies you’ll find in the gallery above will have everyone talking next year, and for all the right reasons.
From big tentpoles like Wonder Woman and Spider-Man: Homecoming to smaller genre flicks like John Wick: Chapter 2 and Free Fire, these are the films to keep your eye on as we head into 2017.