Disney has knocked it out of the park and has a 2015 slate that I am only sure every other studio in town (I live in Burbank where most of the studios are located) most be quite enviable of. Here are the 10 movies I can’t wait to see and I bet you can’t wait to see them either.
1. Let’s go ahead and start with the elephant in the room: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The absolute fervor surrounding this movie with my husband, my boys and our family friends is immeasurable. We will be getting tickets for opening night at the Archlight… and dressing up. Period. It’s on and we are basically counting down the days until December 18, 2015. (Or as my husband and sons call it “the most sacred day of the year.”
2. Although this movie comes in second on this list, in my heart it is tied for first with Star Wars. I very, very excited to see the reimagining of the 1950s classic “Cinderella.” Oh, and excited is a crazy understatement. Disney has managed to combine the story of a Disney princess and two of my favorite actresses from Downton Abbey (my favorite television show) and put them in a movie that is sure to deliver on big, beautiful dresses and magic. If it weren’t considered weird, I would definitely dress up for Cinderella too… Do you think it would be ok for me to wear a tiara?
I’ve watched this trailer more times than I can count. Really. This movie comes out March 13, 2015.
3. For my husband and boys the second most sacred day of the year is May 1 when “Avengers: Age of Ultron” opens. In this installment of the Avenger, Tony Stark jumpstarts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Iron Man; Captain America; Thor; The Incredible Hulk; Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as they battle to save the planet from destruction at the hands of the villainous Ultron.
4. For obvious reasons, I am super excited for “Tomorrowland” to come out. After all, this is Babes In DISNEYLAND. “Tomorrowland” is mystery adventure a jaded, former boy-genius Frank
(George Clooney) and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity who embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.”
What’s better than Clooney and Disney finally teaming up? It’s Disney, Clooney and a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird. The film also stars Hugh Laurie as brilliant scientist David Nix, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Judy Greer, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Robinson.
5. In July, our family will be lining up for “Ant Man” because we are a super hero kind of family. The film is about master thief Scott Lang who must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats.
6. My husband is really looking forward to taking the boys to see “MacFarland USA.” After Million Dollar Arm last year, he is looking forward to sharing another great sports story to share with the kids. Based on the 1987 true story, “McFarland, USA” follows novice runners from McFarland, California as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school, with whom they ultimately bond to build not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.
“MacFarland USA” opens February 20, 2015.
7. In the spirit of Walt Disney’s True Life Adventure Films,“Monkey Kingdom” showcases the adventures of new mom Maya, a clever and resourceful monkey in South Asia who’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. I am always happy when a new Disneynature film comes out and marvel at the commitment and effort that goes into making them. For every ticket sold opening week (April 17-23, 2015), Disneynature will make a donation to Conservation International to help protect monkeys and other endangered species in their natural habitats.
8. In June, Disney and Pixar are releasing the movie “Inside Out” about a little girl named Riley who has moved from the Midwest to San Francisco. She is a gal guided by her emotions, and her emotions live in
Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school. I am really looking forward to this film, as I think it just might be a really great tool for kids to better understand their own emotions and how sometimes they can be confusing.
9. “The Good Dinosaur” asks the generations-old question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? In theaters November 25, 2015, the film is a humorous and exciting original story about Arlo, a lively Apatosaurus with a big heart. After a traumatic event unsettles Arlo’s family, he sets out on a remarkable journey, gaining an unlikely companion along the way – a human boy. “The Good Dinosaur” is an extraordinary journey of self-discovery full of thrilling adventure, hilarious characters and poignant heart.
10. Although not too much has been released about the movie, “The Jungle Book” is a remake of the Disney classic and will be a live action/animation hybrid with live actors and animated animals. This movie is slated to come out in October.
Which Disney movie are you looking forward to most?