Flixist’s most anticipated movies of 2015

Did you know that the beginning of February is the perfect time to look ahead at the new year? Why is that, you ask. Because now we’ve gotten rid of all the crap and Oscar leftovers that January is full of and we can actually talk about the films of 2015. 

We’re doing something a bit different this year. Instead of hammering out a list of big releases and such we’re delivering our curated favorites. Two or three films that we’re all desperately dying to see. It may not include everything, but it’s what we’re most excited about. Dive in and let us know what you’re looking forward to in the comments.

Jupiter Ascending
Director: Andy and Lana Wachowski
Release date: February 6th, 2015

There’s not a whole lot of information about the plot of this movie beyond Mila Kunis being the reincarnation of a space queen and Channing Tatum is some kind of dog man… but I’m still super excited about it. I like the Wachowskis’ other movies (excluding the last two of The Matrix trilogy), so I’m hoping this will be on par with their previous work. Even if it’s not, it’ll at least look cool as hell. —Megan Porch

Chappie
Director: Neil Blomkamp
Release date: March 6th 2015

Every criticism for this movie seems to be, essentially, “It looks like Short Circuit meets Robocop!” Yeah, so? That’s flipping awesome. AND Die Antwoord is in it…playing themselves. This is going to be a weird, wonderful movie and I am vibrating with anticipation over it. — Sean Walsh

Furious 7
Director: James Wan
Release date: April 3rd 2015

With Furious 6 seemingly peaking the series’ awesomeness, James Wan taking over for Justin Lin, and the tragic passing of Paul Walker, there are plenty of things that could go wrong with Furious 7. But with such a strong attachment as I have for these films (#FAMILY), I really want this to succeed. To be both a new end and beginning would be a wonderful thing. It won’t be the same without Walker, but hopefully that isn’t a bad thing. — Nick Valdez

Avengers: Age of Ultron
Director: Joss Whedon
Release date: May 1st, 2015

The second phase of Marvel’s cinematic universe comes to a close by introducing one of their greatest villains, Ultron (voiced by James freaking Spader), as well as three(!) new members in Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and the Vision. On top of that, there’s a very strong possibility we’ll get a look at Wakanda, home of Black Panther. The first movie blew the roof off. Age of Ultron is going to bring the whole damn place down. ii Sean Walsh

Mad Max: Fury Road
Director: George Miller
Release date: May 15th, 2015

After that explosive Comic-Con trailer burst through the gate, Fury Road has caught all of my attention. It’s a reboot and a sequel that I can’t see going wrong. Directed by George Miller, the guy who heralded the originals, and with Tom Hardy looking gruff, Charlize Theron looking siiiiiiiiick, I just want this in my eyeballs already. Please be good, or at least good to watch. — Nick Valdez

Pitch Perfect 2
Director: Elizabeth Banks
Release date: May 15th, 2015

Apparently, all of my anticipated films are sequels. That’s totally weird considering my staunch stance on them, but 2014 helped changed my perspective. With sequels now redefining their purpose and becoming entertaining in their own right (and not weakening the original in any way), I’m hoping Pitch Perfect 2 can capitalize on all the aca-awesome potential of the first film. While it was great (and something I saw at least seven times), it reminded me too much of Bring It On: a lightning in a bottle film whose ridiculousness revealed itself in sequels. But hey, I’m keeping my mind open. It’s Elizabeth Banks’ directorial debut, and she’s one of the best women in the game right now. And if it isn’t any good, at least the music will be entertaining. But I’m excited for the full package deal that could come out of this. — Nick Valdez

Inside Out
Director: Pete Docter
Release Date: June 19th, 2015

It’s no secret that I love anything that comes from the House of Mouse, and that includes things from its extended family. Inside Out is Pixar’s latest, and it focuses on the emotions that are inside the mind of a girl. The cast is phenomenal — Diane Lane, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, and Lewis Black are all kind enough to lend their voices for the film. However, I’m just a tiny bit hesitant.

This is the first Pixar film that I can remember that has so many protagonists. There’s five or six senses, then the girl herself. The closest I can think of that comes to it is The Incredibles, which featured Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Violet, Dash, and Syndrome. My fears were slightly assuaged after the teaser was released, but Pete Docter’s writing credits include Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Wall-E, and Up. I’m sure he’ll make it work. I look forward to eating my words in June. — Jonathan Wray

Terminator: Genisys
Director: Alan Taylor
Release date: July 1st, 2015

Every time I try and get out, Terminator keeps PULLING ME BACK IN. Seriously, the rest of the staff here can tell you I’ve been really annoying in the emails. I go from “Ugh, Genisys sounds like the worst” to “That doesn’t look too bad” to “DID YOU SEE ARNOLD?” to “Ugh why is spelled that way?” I’ve never been more vocal for a sequel than with Genisys. Ever since Schwarzenegger made his way back into movies, I’ve been waiting for the film that can capture the old “Blockbustah Ahnuld” I used to love. The more I see of Genisys, the more I think this is close. Also, big fan of openly rebooting a series. Please be good. — Nick Valdez

Magic Mike XXL

Director: Gregory Jacobs
Release date: July 3rd, 2015

The boys are back! A prime example of a movie that didn’t need a sequel, I’m still excited about watching Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, and all the rest shake their shit for another two hours. I loved the first movie, so why not? Former editor Jenika Katz said it best in her two word review of the first movie, and it bears repeating: “DAT ASS.” — Sean Walsh

Ant-Man
Director: Peyton Reed
Release Date: July 17th, 2015

This movie has been in production for what feels like eternity. Ant-Man is far from my favorite Marvel character, but I’m curious to see how he’ll translate onto the big screen. The tone of the teaser trailer was pretty weird to me, but I like Paul Rudd so I’m looking forward to this, even if I can’t separate him from Bobby Newport. — Megan Porch

Hitman: Agent 47
Director: Alexander Bach
Release Date: August 28th, 2015

Yes, really.

Look, here’s the deal. I love the Hitman franchise. I’ve been playing since the first game came out, back when the computer I played on couldn’t handle Hitman 2’s Pentium 3 450 MHz requirement. It’s a gaming franchise that’s very near and dear to my heart, and I don’t care, I can’t wait. I even managed to enjoy the first film.

I’ll be watching with sadness in my heart, however, knowing that Paul Walker was originally cast for this role. He seemed to be looking to make a name for himself in the action world outside of the Fast and Furious movies, and this would’ve been a fantastic start. The film’s currently in post-production, and it was actually scheduled to be released this month, but I guess it needed some reshoots or something. I’m not expecting Hollywood gold here, but as long as I can see Tobias Reaper sneaking around and completing contracts (the final of which, I’m sure, involves a ton of money, a girl, a car, the nation’s security, or a combination of all of the above), I’ll enjoy it. — Jonathan Wray

Spectre
Director: Sam Mendes
Release Date: November 6th, 2015 

Remember when Sam Mendes directed Skyfall and it was awesome and old school and just fantastic Bond? Well now he’s doing it again except this time he gets to use classic Bond villain Blofeld and Christoph Waltz is playing him and that’s better than anything ever. There’s been some dust up over a crappy ending that leaked out during the Sony hack, but this is Bond and Bond always gets me excited no matter what. We don’t know too much about Spectre, but as I said it’s Bond and that instantly makes it my most anticipated film of the year. – Matthew Razak

The Martian
Director: Ridely Scott
Release Date: November 26th, 2015

I have not yet read the book of the same name that The Martian  is based on, but I will. What I hear is that it is an incredibly touching, humorous, dramatic and scientifically accurate bit of science fiction. What does that mean? That means Ridely Scott getting back to his roots of simpler science fiction that relies on atmosphere and not set pieces to amaze. Scott has been to over blown these past few years and it’ll be good to see him narrow his focus with a film that should be far simpler and character driven than what he’s done recently. Here’s also hoping for an incredible solitary performance from Matt Damon as the titular “Martian.” – Matthew Razak

Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Director: JJ Abrams
Release Date: December 18th, 2015

What can I even say about this? It’s freakin’ Star Wars. And it looks like it’ll actually be GOOD. I started out cautiously optimistic about this, but after seeing the teaser I was all over it like a fat kid on cake. There is nothing I love more than this franchise (though the prequels still make me cringe), and this looks like it’ll finally be the Star Wars movie we all deserve. — Megan Porch

Everything from South Korea (Especially Agassi)
Director: A multitude (e.g. Park Chan-Wook)
Release Date: Frequently (ASAP)

So here’s a cop-out answer if I’ve ever seen one, but you know what? South Korean movies continue to excite me, and instead of choosing a couple of options, I just went with everything. I’m excited about South Korean cinema in general. There’s gonna be plenty of terrible movies, but I look at this list, and I’m like, “Let’s do this!” Even the sequel to My Sassy Girl. Also, I somehow missed this, but Park Chan-Wook is back in South Korea making a movie called Agassi, which means “Young Lady” and is an adaptation of Sarah Waters’ novel Fingersmith. I need that thing in my life immediately.

Also, if my life plans work out the way I want them to (they probably won’t), I’ll be in South Korea at some point before 2015 ends, and then I can watch the movies there without subtitles and be super confused about it. I’ll still review them, though. — Alec Kubas-Meyer