Once every five years or so, it feels as though cinemagoers are treated to something special. To say that 2016 has been a great year for movies and the movie industry as a whole would be quite the understatement. But it’s not quite over yet! With many more new movies coming out this fall and into the Holiday Season, we will see which films will jam pack the theatres in a moment.
In times gone past, three major blockbusters per year would be deemed incredible. Yet in an age when cinema is vying to become the number one source of entertainment in its battle against video games and online streaming, it seems as though a blockbuster is released once every other week.
In its flirtation with 3D technology, cinema seemed to alienate its customer base. For every Avatar there was John Carter, Battleships, Piranha even Titanic got a 3D re-release. Instead, cinema has gone back to what it does best – storytelling.
Chances are you’ve gone to the cinema more times this year alone than you have since you were a child. Deadpool, Finding Dory, X-Men: Apocalypse, The BFG, Sausage Party, Sing Street there has been something for everyone, not matter age or genre you prefer.
So with the year quickly coming to a close, what else does Hollywood have up its sleeve to entice audiences? Well, quite a lot it would seem as we countdown the final 15 top movies of 2016 that has yet to arrive in cinemas.
1. The Girl on the Train – October 7, 2016
Director: Tate Taylor
Starring: Haley Bennett, Emily Blunt, Justin Theroux
Based on the acclaimed psychological novel by British author Paula Hawkins, The Girl on the Train follows the life of troubled alcoholic Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt).
In the aftermath of her divorce from cheating husband Tom (Justin Theroux), Rachel spends the majority of her train commute to work fantasizing about the seemingly idyllic relationship of Megan (Haley Bennett) and Scott Hipwell (Luke Evans), a recently married couple who live a couple of doors down from her.
Becoming increasingly obsessed by them, Rachel begins to set up a dream world for them to live in within her head. However, her life is forever changed when she witnesses a terrifying event.
Yet, the following day she wakes up with a hangover and little to no memory of the night before, but knows something not quite right happened. Her suspicions are proven correct when Megan is reported missing and Rachel finds herself enveloped in the case.
2. Max Steel – October 14, 2016
Director: Stewart Handler
Starring: Ben Winchell, Josh Brener, Maria Bello
Origin story in which teenage loner Max McGrath (Ben Winchell) discovers that his body can generate an incredible force like no other on earth. However, in order to contain and harness his newfound power, he must combine forces with a mysterious tech-organic alien being known only as Steel.
United as one they form ‘Max Steel’, the world’s newest and mightiest superhero, who must defend mankind against a new alien menace threatening our very existence.
3. The Accountant – October 14, 2016
Director: Gavin O’Connor
Starring: Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, Jon Bernthal
Mathematical genius Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) prefers dealing with numbers as opposed to people. A seemingly average guy working as a freelance accountant for a small town CPA office, this is actually a cover for his real job.
Serving as an accountant to some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organisations, Wolff finds himself coming under increasing pressure as the Treasury Departments Crime Enforcement Division under the command of Ray King (J.K. Simmons) come ever closer to uncovering his secret work.
Meanwhile, Wolff takes on a legit client in the form of a robotics firm, but trouble soon follows him as he discovers a discrepancy of millions in the company books. As he comes within reach of uncovering the truth, the bodies soon begin to pile up.
4. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back – October 21, 2016
Director: Edward Zwick
Starring: Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Robert Knepper
Explosive action thriller in which ageing vigilante Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) returns to right the wrongs of the past. Set four years prior to the events of the first instalment, Jack finds himself accused of committing a brutal murder which took place 16 years ago.
It isn’t long until Jack finds himself involved in something even bigger when he uncovers a major government conspiracy. Alongside Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders), they struggle to clear their names.
5. Doctor Strange – November 4, 2016
Director: Scott Derrickson
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton
One of Vertice Cinema’s top picks this year is the latest in Marvel’s ever-expanding cinematic universe, we follow the life of disgraced former renowned neurosurgeon Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch).
In the aftermath of a near fatal car accident which leaves his career in tatters, Strange is forced to put his ego aside and sets out on a journey of self-healing. The path he chooses leads him to the hidden underworld of mysticism and secret dimensions, it is here where he falls under the tutelage of the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), an all-powerful sorcerous.
From his New York City base, Strange becomes an intermediate of sorts between our world and the alternate worlds as he harnesses his newfound vast array of abilities to protect the universe as we know it. Will this film live up to the hype as becoming one of the best movies of 2016?
6. Arrival – November 11, 2016
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
Sci-fi drama in which a mysterious alien spacecraft on Earth. Not knowing what it is exactly the creatures on board the craft (dubbed the ‘Shells’) want and unable to communicate, the United States government enlist the help of acclaimed linguistics expert Louise Banks (Amy Adams) in an attempt to make first contact and decipher their language.
Working alongside physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) and Colonel Weber (Forest Whitaker), the trio struggle with the mounting barrage of red tape their work faces as the sceptic powers that be become locked in a new Cold War between rival nations, all vying to be the first to harness the new technology that may lie on board.
7. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – November 18, 2016
Director: David Yates
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Jon Voight, Ezra Miller
From the creative mind that brought you the Harry Potter series, we find bedraggled writer Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arriving in New York City in 1926 in order to meet with a top ranking official at the Magical Congress of the United States of America. In a world dominated by wizards and witches, the ultimate power lies within a magically expanding briefcase, which houses an innumerate amount of incredible and dangerous creatures.
The bumbling Newt manages to release the creatures and soon faces the wrath of the Magical Congress. With Magical and non-Magical relations at breaking point due to a fanatical extremist group dubbed the New Salem Philanthropic Society, Newt faces an uphill battle to correct his mistakes before all hell breaks loose.