Toy Story, Star Wars and 7 more films to get excited for in 2019

From Star Wars to Toy Story 4, here are our most anticipated films to watch this year

This year promises to be a truly huge 12 months in movies. So big, in fact, that our most anticipated movies of 2019 has become an ever-growing list. Whether it’s Disney’s three live-action remakes (The Lion King, Aladdin and Dumbo), the epic finale of a superhero era (Avengers: Endgame), another installment of a giant science-fiction space opera (Star Wars: Episode IX) or the return of some old favourites (Toy Story 4), there are some enormous films for you to sink your teeth into.

Of course, it’s not all big-budget beasts. Another music biopic comes our way with Rocketman, this time focused on the life of Elton John, Hereditary director Ari Aster returns with Midsommar, a tale of a festival gone awry, and Get Out’s Jordan Peele is back with more zeitgeisty horror beats thanks to Us. There’s even the long-rumoured Downton Abbey film. So get the popcorn ready: here are the most anticipated films of 2019.

Final release dates for most aren't confirmed yet, and while these films will be on show around the world, they are not confirmed for China. Yet. We'll let you know when they're heading here, but until then...

Us

Clear your diary – and your Twitter feed – for Jordan Peele’s latest zeitgeist-capturing horror film. Like his ace debut flick Get Out, Us promises to wrap some seriously barbed racial commentary in visceral shocks. Stars Lupita Nyong'o, Elisabeth Moss, Winston Duke and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

Release: March

Dumbo

Ever seen a live-action elephant fly? You will when Disney’s loose remake of its classic 1941 animation arrives this spring. Tim Burton is behind the camera so expect some gothic touches, and a quirky Danny Elfman score, as the stompy little mammal joins the circus. Stars Eva Green, Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton and Danny DeVito. 

Release: March

Wild Rose

Glaswegian cleaner and part-time country singer Rose-Lynn Harlan dreams of Nashville stardom in a drama that promises plenty of toe-tapping tunes and loads of raw emotion. It’s A Star Is Born with a hoover and a showcase for the substantial talent of actress-musician Jessie Buckley. Also stars Julie Walters, Sophie Okonedo and Jamie Sives. 

Release: April

Avengers: Endgame

Likely to be the biggest movie of the year, this one will definitely have the highest body count as the world absorbs the fallout from Thanos’s foul deeds in Infinity War. Who can succeed where the cream of the Marvel superheroes has failed to defeat the all-powerful titan? Someone call Bananaman. Starring the usual, including Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans. 

Release: April

Rocketman

This warts-and-all biopic of Elton John promises to be this year’s Bohemian Rhapsody – only, you know, with the warty bits left in. It stars Taron Egerton as Elton and Jamie Bell as his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. Expect songs, spectacle and plenty of dream-like, stylistic sequences. Also stars Bryce Dallas Howard and Richard Madden. 

Release: May

Toy Story 4

Woody, Buzz, Bo Peep and friends regroup for an unexpected but still much-anticipated fourth outing. This one – directed by one-time Pixar storyboard artist Josh Cooley – introduces new characters (look out for Forky) and, with Andy now at college, a new home for the toys. Stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Keanu Reeves, Patricia Arquette and Joan Cusack. 

Release: June

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino’s crime film is sure to hoover up attention and headlines when it lands in the summer. It promises to be a luridly realised Hollywood story with the backdrop of 1969’s Manson murders. Leonardo DiCaprio plays an actor trying to make it in the movie business and Brad Pitt is his stunt double. Also stars Margot Robbie, Dakota Fanning, Al Pacino and Kurt Russell. 

Release: July

Joker

With Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, this dark spin-off movie should offer a pre-Halloween frightfest of its own. The actor is a master of playing off-kilter characters and there are few characters as off-kilter as the DC master-villain. This smaller-scale film will chart his origins as a failed stand-up comedian. Also stars Robert De Niro and Zazie Beetz. 

Release: October

Star Wars: Episode IX

The latest, sure-to-be-enormous installment is rumoured to pick up a year after The Last Jedi. Taking the reins again is JJ Abrams (The Force Awakens) as the light side and the dark side resume hostilities. The plot is very much under wraps, but we do know that Billy Dee Williams will be back as cloak-wearing space scoundrel Lando Calrissian, and we're obviously hoping for the return of Daisy Ridley. 

Release: December

To read about the 100 best Chinese films of all time, hit 'Read more' below. 

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