Upcoming Superhero Movies: A guide to Marvel, DC, X-Men movies releasing until 2019 (Updated in September 2018)
Upcoming superhero movies (updated in September 2018): For most people, the year revolves around big events, festivities, and celebrations - but for us, the brand of superhero movie loyalists, it's all about the cinematic universes and their big releases that pretty much defines our schedule. Now, 2018 - which has already been a witness to some of the biggest features like 'Black Panther' (February), 'Avengers: Infinity War' (April), and 'Deadpool 2' (May), and awaits many more blockbusters - has officially taken the 'year of superhero movies' spot.
With a host of big-budget releases still in the docket - spanning across franchises and frequently-competing universes of MCU, DCEU, and XCU - it might get a tad bit jarring to keep track of all the upcoming comic book flicks. Here's where we come in, with a comprehensive guide to all the must-not-be-missed upcoming superhero movies releasing from July 2018 through 2019.
Let this be your superhero-bible as you navigate through the sea of larger-than-life action!
Ant-Man and the Wasp - July 6
Beginning with this very weekend, director Peyton Reed's next, 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' starring Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily in the titular roles, graces the top of our list. Coming from Disney-owned Marvel Studios, the movie is a much-anticipated sequel to 2015's hit sci-fi thriller 'Ant-Man' and follows the pair of shape-shifting superheroes. The only difference is this time around there is a Ghost - let loose and all set to wreak havoc as Ant-Man and Wasp search for Hope's mother in the mysterious Quantum Realm.
Venom - October 5
Two words - Tom Hardy. Set in the Marvel corner of Sony's superhero universe, 'Venom' is an R-rated take on the classic symbiote storyline with Hardy tackling the lead role. As the journalist-turned-anti-hero, Eddie Brock, the actor will be famously slipping into the alien skin, replete with that monstrous tongue and eyeballs. Interestingly enough, Sony is keeping their 'Venom' card close to their chest, releasing only limited information ahead of its October release.
Here's to hoping that this time, both Hardy and Sony get their superhero game on point.
Aquaman - December 21
2018's only DC release, 'Aquaman,' has been riding high on the hype machine and rightly so. In his debut appearance, as the King of Atlantis, Jason Momoa not only cast an overbearing shadow over the other members of the 2017 ensemble movie, 'Justice League,' but also earned rave reviews for his stint - making 'Aquaman' an instant priority for the Warner Bros studios.
What more? The 'Aquaman' teasers that have been released so far, only continue to fuel the buzz surrounding Momoa's standalone DCEU movie. Coupled with his chiseled looks and long mane, we have no doubts that DC fans are going to flock to the theaters this December.
Moving into 2019...
X-Men: Dark Phoenix - February 14
The X-Men movie universe is about to go through a complete overhaul, thanks to a certain Disney-Fox deal. Given the circumstances, it's just a matter of time before a new set of creatives take over the franchise, shaping it in a completely different mold. But before all that, 'X-Men: Dark Phoenix,' starring a host of big names like Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Kodi Smit-McPhee, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, and Michael Fassbender, will set free in the theaters.
Captain Marvel - March 8
Fixing Marvel's shortcoming in terms of lack female representation, especially in lead roles, in the superhero cinematic universe, is the upcoming Brie Larson movie, Captain Marvel. With Anna Boden helming, along with her long-time collaborator Ryan Fleck, the film will transport MCU fans back in time, to the 90s to be precise, following the origin story of Carol Danvers. (Although Marvel bosses insist its nothing like any other origin movie)
Asides Larson, 'Captain Marvel' also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Jude Law, Clark Gregg, Gemma Chan, and McKenna Grace.
Shazam! - April 5
If 'Aquaman' is one pillar on which rests DCEU's resurrection, the other is the much-talked-about 'Shazam!' movie, starring Zachary Levi in the titular role. Fortunately or unfortunately, the film has been steeped in controversies since the very beginning, more so because of Dwayne Johnson's involvement with the arc in his anti-hero role as Black Adam. But with the Rock completely separating himself from the flick, the responsibility falls on Levi and director David F. Sandberg to deliver out and out entertainment, something that DC fans have been craving since 2017's 'Wonder Woman.'
Avengers 4 - May 3
In April this year, Marvel came all guns blazing, debuting their first proper antagonist in the form of finger-snapping Thanos. Boasting one of the biggest ensemble cast, 'Avengers: Infinity War,' undoubtedly, set the bar high and now it all rests on the untitled Avengers sequel arriving in May for aptly concluding the Phase III of MCU.
Apart from the update about the film's directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, not much information is available at the moment surrounding the fourth Avengers movie. It would be quite a gamble for the comic book franchise, though, so as to justify the plotline and possible resurrection of a host of dead Marvel heroes.
Spider-Man: Far from Home - July 5
When 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' released last year, it was almost like a revival of Sony's superhero universe, with Tom Holland's web-slinging superhero earning rave reviews from both fans and critics. Naturally, expectations are high from the sequel to the rebooted franchise, which will see Jon Watts returning to the director's chair and Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers penning the script for 'Far from Home.'
If everything goes as per plans, one might even see Jake Gyllenhaal joining the cast as the villain Mysterio alongside Michael Keaton's Vulture.
The New Mutants - August 2
This 20th Century Fox film is another project that has been marred by delays. For over a year now, in order to accommodate production and re-shoots, the release date of the film is being pushed. Hoping that the studios would now keep with their 2019 schedule, the horror-laced finds the second last spot on our superhero cheatsheet.
Centered on young mutant, in an un-superhero environment, 'The New Mutants' has Maisie Williams leading the cast that also includes names such as Alice Braga, Charlie Heaton, and Henry Zaga.
Wonder Woman 1984
All our hopes rest on the slender-and-strong shoulders of Wonder Woman, an iconic DC comics character famously brought to life on the big screen by Gal Gadot. Against all odds, the Patty Jenkins-directed solo 'Wonder Woman' feature had broken records at the box-office in 2017. And loyal fans of the franchise are hoping big that Gadot-Jenkins combination continues with their winning streak with the upcoming sequel as well.
Prepare to be taken back in time, though, as Wonder Woman flies high against the backdrop of cold war in 1984.