2016 brings superheroes, sequels and comedy to movie screens
Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, opening Feb. 12.
"The 5th Wave," starring Chloe Grace Moretz, opens Jan. 22.
Mei Mei (voiced by Rebel Wilson) in "Kunf Fu Panda 3," opening Jan. 22.
Starring in "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" are (from left) Ellie Bamber, Bella Heathcote, Lily James, Millie Brady and Suki Waterhouse.
Scarlett Johannsson and Robert Downey Jr.
Chuck (Josh Gad) and Red (Jason Sudeikis) on the beach in "Angry Birds."
For fans of superhero fare, 2016, like last year, shapes up as being “Marvel”-ous.
On May 6, “Captain America: Civil War” brings the Marvel Universe crashing back into theaters. Chris Evans returns as the title character and Anthony Mackie will fly in as Falcon. In addition, “Deadpool” with Ryan Reynolds arrives in February, followed in May by a new “X-Men” installment.
Plenty of top titles will be available in the first half of 2016.
Here’s a look at what will be playing in a theater near you starting in January and ending in May (with all titles and opening dates subject to change, MPAA ratings provided where possible and most plots provided by imdb.com and many opening dates provided by Allied Integrated Marketing):
Jan. 15
“Norm of the North,” with the voices of Heather Graham, Bill Nighy and Rob Schneider in an animated tale about a polar bear and his three friends who seek to escape temperature change by relocating to New York City.
“Ride Along 2,” with Ice Cube, Kevin Hart and Olivia Munn in a PG-13 comedy sequel that has the mismatched lead characters challenging a drug kingpin in Atlanta.
“Where to Invade Next,” with Michael Moore directing an R-rated documentary during which the filmmaker visits countries to learn how the U.S. might improve its own prospects.
Jan. 22
“The 5th Wave,” with Chloe Grace Moretz and Liev Schreiber in a PG-13 action fantasy about an older sister trying to save her younger brother during an alien attack.
“45 Years,” with Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay in an R-rated drama about a couple preparing for their four-and-half-decades of marriage when a letter arrives that could shatter their lives.
“The Boy,” with Lauren Cohen and Rupert Evans in a PG-13 chiller about a life-sized doll that begins a reign of terror.
“Dirty Grandpa,” with Robert De Niro, Julianne Hough and Zac Efron in an R-rated comedy about a grandfather who reveals his perverted ways while on a car trip with his grandson.
“Risen,” with Tom Felton in a faith-based PG-13 picture about a Roman soldier charged with destroying rumors about a risen Messiah.
Jan. 29
“Fifty Shades of Black,” with Marlon Wayans, Jane Seymour, Mike Epps and Fred Willard in an R-rated spoof of “Fifty Shades of Gray.”
“The Finest Hours,” with Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Eric Bana in a PG-13 adventure tale about the brave Coast Guard members working to lessen the destruction caused by two oil tankers during a 1952 blizzard in Cape Cod. It will be available in IMAX and 3-D.
“Kung Fu Panda 3,” with the voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, David Cross, Bryan Cranston and Kate Hudson in a PG-rated, computer-animated sequel that has Po forced to handle a supernatural threat. It will be available in 3-D.
Feb. 5
“The Choice,” with Teresa Palmer, Maggie Grace and Benjamin Walker in a PG-13 romantic drama that’s based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks and involves a couple in a small coastal town whose relationship is tested.
“Hail, Caesar!” with George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Ralph Fiennes and Tilda Swinton in this broad PG-13 comedy about a Hollywood studio that in the 1950s hires people who can protect misbehaving stars and misdirect potentially devastating gossip.
“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” with Lily James and Lena Headey in a PG-13 spoof of the Jane Austen relationship novel that adds a walking-dead element.
Feb. 12
“Deadpool,” with Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin and Gina Carano in an adaptation of the Marvel comic about a government operative who becomes involved in a test that leaves him with accelerated healing powers.
“How to Be Single,” with Dakota Johnson, Alison Brie, Leslie Mann, Rebel Wilson and Damon Wayans Jr. in an R-rated comedy about the romantic challenges of the modern dating game.
“Tumbledown,” with Joe Manganiello and Rebecca Hall in an R-rated drama about a widow forced to confront the reasons behind the death of her folk-singer husband.
“Zoolander 2,” with Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Olivia Munn, Penelope Cruz, Benedict Cumberbatch and, playing himself, Justin Bieber, in a comedy sequel with the self-important male models trying to get back on the runway.
Feb. 19
“Race,” with Stephen James, Jeremy Irons and Jason Sudeikis in a PG-13 biopic about running great Jesse Owens and his triumph over Adolf Hitler’s athletes in the 1936 Olympics.
“Viral,” with Analeigh Tipton in a chiller about two sisters whose lives are threatened by a mysterious infection that also threatens the lives of everyone else around them.
Feb. 26
“Eddie the Eagle,” with Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman and Christopher Walken in the story of the first British skier to enter the Winter Olympics.
“Gods of Egypt,” with Chadwick Boseman, Gerard Butler and Rufus Sewell in a tale about a battle between a young thief and Egypt’s god of darkness.
“Kidnap,” with Halle Berry and Lew Temple in a thriller about a mother who uses any means necessary to locate her abducted son.
March 4
“Me Before You,” with Emilia Clarke (who made an impression as Sarah Connor in “Terminator Genisys”) and Sam Clafin in a drama about the relationship that develops between a recently paralyzed man and the young woman who cares for him.
“Knight of Cups,” with Natalie Portman and Christian Bale in a thriller, directed by gifted filmmaker Terrence Malick (“Days of Heaven”), about a Los Angeles screenwriter trying to make sense of a series of strange events.
“London Has Fallen,” with Morgan Freeman and Gerard Butler in an action tale about an assassination plot against world leaders visiting England.
“Triple 9,” with “The Walking Dead” favorite Norman Reedus and Gal Gadot in a thriller about criminals and corrupt cops planning a heist.
“Zootopia,” with the voices of Idris Elba, Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman in a Disney animated movie about a fox and a rabbit who team after becoming targets of a conspiracy. It will be available in 3-D.
March 11
“Grimsby,” with Penelope Cruz, Isla Fisher and Mark Strong in a story about a top spy forced to work with his intense athlete brother.
“The Other Side of the Door,” with Sarah Wayne Callies and Jeremy Sisto in an R-rated fright film about heartbroken parents who experiment with an ancient ritual to bring their young son back to life.
”The Young Messiah,” with Sean Bean in the PG-13 adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel that tells the story of Jesus at 7.
March 18
“The Divergent Series: Allegiant,” with Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Naomi Watts, Miles Teller and Maggie Q in a franchise title that follows two of the characters who venture into the outside world. The fantasy, which will be available in 3-D, is from the book by Veronica Roth.
“Miracles from Heaven,” with Queen Latifah and Jennifer Garner in a drama about a girl who suffers from a rare digestive disorder that disappears after she’s involved in a serious accident. It’s based on Christy Beam’s novel, “Three Miracles from Heaven.”
March 23
“God’s Not Dead 2,” with Jesse Metcalfe, Ray Wise, Robin Givens and Ernie Hudson in a sequel to the faith-based favorite.
March 25
“Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” with Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill as the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, respectively, in this PG-13 tale about Batman trying to erase the Krypton native’s out-of-this-world powers. It will be available in IMAX and 3-D.
“The Little Prince,” with the voices of Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd and Jeff Bridges in an animated French import about a daughter who is introduced to a fantasy world where anything can happen.
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” with Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Rita Wilson and John Stamos in a comedy-drama in which the main characters are dealing with a troubled teen daughter, confronting marriage woes and planning — you guessed it — a Greek wedding.
April 1
“Rings,” with Johnny Galecki in the third installment of the series about horror arriving via videotape.
April 8
“Demolition,” with Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts and Chris Cooper in an R-rated drama about an investment banker whose life shatters after his wife dies in an accident.
April 15
“Amityville: The Awakening,” with Jennifer Jason Lee in a chiller about a mother and her three children who move into the threatening house without knowing its history.
“Barbershop: The Next Cut,” with Ice Cube, Common, Regina Hall, Anthony Anderson and Nicki Minaj in the third installment of the comedy franchise that has the crew at Calvin’s Barbershop coming up with a way to pay the bills.
“Criminal,” with Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, Alice Eve, Gary Oldman and Kevin Costner in a crime fantasy about how the memories and skills of a deceased CIA agent are implanted into a lethal criminal.
“Everybody Wants Some,” with Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch in a story, directed by Richard Linklater (“Boyhood”), about some college baseball players experiencing freedom for the first time.
“The Jungle Book,” with the voices of Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, Bill Murray, Lupita Nyong’o and Ben Kingsley in a telling of the Rudyard Kipling story of a boy who grows up in the jungle with animal friends. The film, directed by Jon Favreau (“Elf”), will be presented in 2-D and IMAX 3-D.
April 22
“The Huntsman Winter’s War,” with Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron in a story about Eric the Huntsman, who previously helped Snow White.
“Keanu,” with Luis Guzman, Keegan-Michael Key and Will Forte in a comedy about two guys who try to get back a stolen cat by posing as drug dealers.
“Mother’s Day,” with an ensemble cast including Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Jason Sudeikis, Britt Robertson and Jon Lovitz in a tale, directed by Garry Marshall (“Pretty Woman”), featuring overlapping stories on mom’s special day.
“Nine Lives,” with Jennifer Garner, Kevin Spacey, Christopher Walken and Cheryl Hines in a comedy about a rigid businessman who finds himself trapped in the body of a cat.
May 6
“Captain America: Civil War,” with the title character (Chris Evans) in a rift with Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) during a Marvel epic that also includes the characters of Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), War Machine (Don Cheadle), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland). According to Entertainment Weekly, the film is “based loosely on Marvel Comics’ 2006-2007 seven part ‘Civil War’ series.” It will be available in IMAX and 3-D.
“Going in Style,” with Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, Ann-Margret and Matt Dillon in a reboot of the 1979 favorite about three bored senior citizens planning a bank heist. (The original, directed by Martin Brest, stars George Burns, Art Carney and Lee Strasberg.)
May 13
“Money Monster,” with Julia Roberts, George Clooney and Giancarlo Esposito in a dark comedy/thriller about a disgruntled investor who threatens to shoot a money manager unless his stock gets out of the red and back in the black. Jodie Foster directed the reality-series spoof.
May 20
“The Angry Birds Movie,” with the voices of Peter Dinklage, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis, Maya Rudolph, Josh Gad, Keegan-Michael Key, Danny McBride and Kate McKinnon in an animated tale with a secret plot. It will be available in 3-D.
“Neighbors 2,” with Zac Efron, Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Selena Gomez and Chloe Grace Moretz in a sequel that has coeds moving into the suburban area.
“The Nice Guys,” with Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Matt Bomer, Kim Basinger and Keith David in a mystery thriller about a private eye investigating a porn star’s death in the 1970s. Talented Shane Black, who created the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, directed and co-wrote.
May 27
“Alice Through the Looking Glass,” with Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Mia Wasikowska, Alan Rickman, Michael Sheen and Sacha Baron Cohen in a Disney fantasy in which Alice returns to Wonderland to rescue the Mad Hatter. It will be presented in IMAX and 3-D.
“X-Men: Apocalypse,” with Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy as Mystique, Magneto and Charles Xavier, respectively, in a filmed-in-secrecy epic featuring Marvel characters. New York native Bryan Singer, who helmed the original “X-Men,” directed.
Sources include: imdb.com, Movie Insider, Leonard Maltin’s “2014 Movie Guide,” Allied Integrated Marketing, Entertainment Weekly, filmratings.com, rottentomatoes.com