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2016 BLOCKBUSTERS, FAMILY FILMS, AND DON'T MISS MOVIES

By Kyrie Collins, Highlands Ranch-Parker-Castle Rock Publisher April 24, 2016

If you are a family of cinephiles, this year's lineup of movie releases is sure to thrill you!

January

Norm of the North • PG (Animated Comedy) Norm, a polar bear, and his three buddies are forced out into the world when their icy home begins to melt and break apart. They land in New York and begin life anew.

The 5th Wave • PG-13 (Sci-Fi) Four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Cassie is on the run, trying to save her younger brother, and preparing for the inevitable and lethal 5th wave when she meets the man who may become her final hope. Based on the first book in the popular Rick Yancey trilogy.

Kung Fu Panda 3 • PG (Animated Comedy) The third movie in the popular DreamWords Animation series starring Jack Black is sure to bring more fun, adventure, and laughter.

https://youtu.be/10r9ozshGVE

The Finest Hours • PG-13 (Drama/Action) Based on the incredible true story of the Coast Guard's most daring small boat rescue. See it in 3D or IMAX 3D for a truly immersive experience.


February

Hail, Caesar! • PG-13 (Comedy) The Coen brothers' next movie stars just about every Hollywood star you can name, including Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDorman, Channing Tatum, Scarlett Johansson, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hall, and many more.

https://youtu.be/kMqeoW3XRa0

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies • PG-13 (Action/Horror) The classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th century England is faced with a new challenge — an army of the undead. Based on the best-selling book by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith.

Deadpool • TBD (Action/Comedy) "A new class of super hero" looks sorta like Spider-Man, only darker. It's based upon Marvel Comics most unconventional anti-hero, played by Ryan Reynolds.

Zoolander No. 2 • TBD (Comedy) It's been 10 years since Derek (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson) stopped the assassination of the Prime Minister. They are modeling again and they're competition wants to take them out of the business. Let's hope it's as quirky and as hilarious as the original!

Race • PG-13 (Sports Drama) Based on the phenomenal true story of Olympic Legend Jesse Owens, audiences are sure to leave feeling awed and inspired.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny • PG-13 (Adventure) The sequel to the 2000 surprise hit, another generation of warriors begins a life-altering quest.


March

Zootopia • PG (Animated Comedy) We've watched the trailer for this one about a dozen times already. If the rest of the movie is even half as funny, it will surely become a family favorite!

https://youtu.be/bY73vFGhSVk

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot • TBD (Comedy) Tiny Fey plays a journalist working in Pakistan and Afghanistan, covering all the action on and off the battlefield.

The Divergent Series: Allegiant • PG-13 (Action/Adventure) Tris and Four fight to end the Bureau of Genetic Welfare's authoritarian reign in the conclusion of the trilogy based on the best-selling books by Veronica Roth.

The Little Prince • TBD (Animated Adventure) The adaptation of the iconic book is voiced by an amazing cast, including Rachel McAdams, Jeff Bridges, Benicio del Toro, Paul Rudd, James Franco, and Paul Giamatti.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice • PG-13 (Action/Adventure) The world's greatest DC super heroes face off (based on Frank Miller's 1986 comic book "The Dark Knight Returns").

https://youtu.be/0WWzgGyAH6Y

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 • TBD (Romantic Comedy) The highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time finally gets a sequel. Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, and many other favorites return for what is sure to be a bigger, fatter, Greeker wedding.


April

The Boss • R (Comedy) Melissa McCarthy stars as a powerful businesswoman who spends time in prison for insider trading. After serving her time, she tries to rebrand herself as America's sweetheart but not everyone is so quick to forgive and forget. The awesome cast also includes Peter Dinklage, Kathy Bates, and Cecily Strong.

The Jungle Book • TBD (Fantasy Adventure) As a child you probably loved Rudyard Kipling's book as well as the animated classic. Now, the story of Mowgli becomes an epic live-action adventure, with well-done CGI creatures and the voices of Bill Murray as Baloo, Ben Kingsley as Bagheera, and Scarlett Johansson as Kaa.

https://youtu.be/HcgJRQWxKnw

The Huntsman: Winter's War • TBD (Action/Adventure) The story of Snow White continues in another live-action fairy tale, starring Chris Hemsworth as The Huntsman and Charlize Theron as Queen Ravenna.

Born in China • G (Nature Documentary) Every year, DisneyNature releases an incredible nature film in celebration of Earth Day. This year's adventure follows three animal families in China: the panda, the golden monkey, and the snow leopard.

Keanu • TBD (Comedy) Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele's first movie together is about retrieving a stolen cat. If their show on Comedy Central is any indication, it should be a riotous good time!


May

Captain America: Civil War • PG-13 (Action/Adventure) When the government sets up a body to oversee The Avengers, the team becomes divided. Who would you choose to follow: Captain America or Iron Man? (Personally, tall, dark, and sarcastic wins me over every time!)

The Angry Birds Movie • TBD (Animated Comedy) It's a bird, it's a pig, it's a full-length animated movie based on an app. I'm not sure how they'll build a plot around this, but it is voiced by some of my all-time favorite comedians, including Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, and Jason Sudeikis.

X-Men: Apocalypse • TBD (Sci-Fi Action/Adventure) The 9th installment in the X-Men series features Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) and Professor X (James McAvoy) leading a team of young X-Men to stop Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant, from destroying mankind.

Alice Through the Looking Glass • TBD (Adventure) Ready for a little madness? Yes please! Has there ever been a better Mad Hatter than Johnny Depp? Lewis Carroll's most whimsical characters return and Alice continues her adventures in this sequel to the 2010 movie.

https://youtu.be/OiEG3Zr_Jxs


June


Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows • TBD (Action/Adventure) Not your average turtles, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael continue to fight crime in this sequel to the 2014 hit movie. Cowabunga!

Now You See Me 2 • TBD (Action/Thriller) The Four Horsemen (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, and Lizzy Caplan) return for another mind-bending heist.

Warcraft • PG-13 (Fantasy Adventure) An epic fantasy adventure based on the popular video game series.

Finding Dory • TBD (Animated Comedy) Marlin, Nemo, the Tank Gang, and (obviously) Dory return in this follow-up to the 2003 Academy Award® winner for Best Animated Feature. Ellen DeGeneres says the movie "has everything I loved about the first one. It's got a lot of heart, it's really funny, and the best part is — it's got a lot more Dory."

https://youtu.be/iG0P6bjyUNI

Independence Day: Resurgence • TBD (Sci-Fi Adventure) In 1996, Independence Dayredefined the epic event movie genre. Twenty years later comes the next chapter in the story with the return of Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, and Bill Pullman ... but not Will Smith, oddly enough.


July

The BFG • TBD (Fantasy Adventure) Based on the enchanting Roald Dahl story and directed by the amazing Steven Spielberg ... that's pretty much all you need to know, right?

https://youtu.be/h1d7wgKWANA

The Legend of Tarzan • TBD (Action/Adventure) The action adventure based on the legendary character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs stars as Alexander Skarsgård as Tarzan.

The Secret Life of Pets • TBD (Animated Comedy) What do our pets do while we are away at work and school? You'll have to see the movie to find out!

Ghostbusters • TBD (Comedy) The reboot of the 1984 hit movie features an all-female team of Ghostbusters (Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones) and their male receptionist (Chris Hemsworth).

Star Trek Beyond • TBD (Sci-Fi Adventure) This is the third installment of the new Star Trek franchise starring Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Dr. Spock.

Ice Age: Collision Course • TBD (Animated Comedy) In the fifth movie of the popular Ice Age series, Scrat sets off a series of cosmic events in his pursuit of the elusive acorn and Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and set off on a new quest in order to save themselves.

https://youtu.be/yPmm1JhygIo


August

Pete's Dragon • TBD (Fantasy) An orphaned boy named Pete forms a special bond with a dragon named Elliott. The 1977 version is the first movie I remember crying at the ending.

The Shack • TBD (Drama) Based on the William Paul Young novel of the same name, you'll want to bring an entire box of tissues to this one.


September

Bridget Jones's Baby • TBD (Comedy) Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger), now in her 40s, is trying to have a baby before it's too late. Colin Firth returns as well, but Hugh Grant does not.

The Magnificent Seven • TBD (Western) This remake of the 1960 film (which was a remake of a 1954 film) stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke.

Storks • TBD (Animated Comedy) Storks used to deliver babies, now they deliver packages. Featuring the voices of comedian Andy Samberg as well as the hilarious duo known as (Keegan-Michael)Key and (Jordan) Peele.

Masterminds • PG-13 (Action/Comedy) Based on true events, David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) is lured into an absurd heist plan by his flirty work crush Kelly Campbell (Kristen Wiig) and a band of half-brained thieves (including Owen Wilson and Jim Carrey). Ghant pulls it off and makes off with $17 million in cash ... but then hands over the money and has been set up to take the fall.

https://youtu.be/6XYVXJ2pVuk


October

The Girl on the Train • TBD (Thriller) Based on the book by Paula Hawkins that became an instant best seller, this mystery stars Rebecca Ferguson, Emily Blunt ,and Justin Theroux.

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life • TBD (Comedy) Based on the book series by James Patterson, middle schoolers everywhere will relate to Rafe Khatchadorian as he battles bullies, hormones, and a tyrannical principal.


November

Trolls • TBD (Comedy) The frizzy-haired fad from the 80s gets its first feature film. Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick are featured as the voices of Branch and Princess Poppy.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them • TBD (Fantasy/Adventure) This prequel to theHarry Potter series follows the adventures of magiczoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) as he documents magical creatures. The first installment of a planned trilogy, it is based on J.K. Rowling's book inspired by the Hogwarts textbook of the same name.


https://youtu.be/XWXUQq7OsKQ

Moana • TBD (Animated Advnture) Disney's next princess is a Polynesian teenager in search of a fabled island. Kids will admire her courage and spirit of adventure; parents (of girls, especially) will appreciate that she is shaped more like a real teenager ... thanks, Disney!


December

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story • TBD (Action/Fantasy Adventure) This Star Wars spin-off, set between episodes III and IV, is about rebel fighters set out on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. As if Star Wars fans need to know the plot before buying their tickets.

Jumanji • TBD (Fantasy Adventure) It's called a "re-imagining" of the 1995 movie but I still feel sad about Robin Williams' death so I'm not sure I'm ready.