We're now in full preparation mode for the forthcoming entries in the comic book film genre that are coming throughout 2018. While Warner Bros./DC Comics had two major entries in 2017, they're taking a pretty big backseat for much of the year to bigger offerings coming from Walt Disney Studios/Marvel Studios, as well as some notable entries from 20th Century Fox.
So, what are the comic book films coming in 2018? Let's take a look!
Black Panther
Releasing on February 16
We certainly don't have to wait long into the year for the next fully-fledged entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed), the film will reacquaint us with the now King of Wakanda, T'Challa, whom we first met in Captain America: Civil War. Played once again by Chadwick Boseman and returning actors Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis to the MCU from previous outings, Black Panther will give us a far more in-depth look at the mysterious nation of Wakanda as T'Challa and CIA agent Everett Ross (Freeman) team up with Wakanda's special forces, the fabled Dora Milaje, to try and prevent a new world war.
Since this film marks the final stop in the MCU on the way to the sprawling and highly anticipated Avengers: Infinity War, expect a lot from this one -- it looks like it won't disappoint.
The New Mutants
Releasing on April 13
Perhaps one of the more unique-looking entries on this coming year's docket, The New Mutants will bring the highly popular team of characters from the X-Men's corner of the Marvel Universe into a full-on cinematic adventure of their very own. Writer-director Josh Boone will spearhead the film that tells the story of a group of mutants, first discovering their powers, going on a non-consented journey of self-discovery as they attempt to come together to escape their shared imprisonment in a secret facility.
Featuring comics characters Magik, Wolfsbane, Cannonball, Sunspot and Mirage, as well as Cecilia Reyes, the film looks like it's taking far more inspiration from films like The Conjuring and The Omen than it is from the likes of The Avengers. Can 20th Century Fox continue to make comics-based movies as unique as the likes of Logan before their absorption by Disney? We'll find out in April!
Avengers: Infinity War
Releasing on May 4
Arriving on the sixth anniversary of the theatrical release of the original Avengers film comes the third one, clearly the most ambitious and broadly-canvassed film that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is attempting to make. Featuring no less than 30 characters from prior MCU films, Infinity War aims to serve as the massive culminating piece to ten years worth of films, by featuring every major character to have appeared in the shared universe thus far. From Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, to Chris Evans' Captain America, to Tom Holland's Spider-Man and all of the Guardians of the Galaxy, it's difficult to overstate just how large and ambitious Infinity War really is.
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the very capable helmers of the second and third Captain America films, Infinity War is going to throw everything about the shared universe we've seen thus far in a mash-up of epic proportions. Something tells us it'll have to be seen to really be believed, especially if this may signal the beginning of the end for the current MCU.
Deadpool 2
Releasing on June 1
The sequel to the surprise smash of 2016, Deadpool 2 brings back Ryan Reynolds' boisterous Merc With a Mouth and adds Josh Brolin as notorious X-Man Cable for a film that promises to be very memorable. With Wade Wilson's irreverent, fourth-wall breaking humor on full display in the original film, you have to know that Wade's penchant for upping the ante will definitely bleed over into this highly anticipated sequel, especially if Wade knows he's in a movie with a big ol' number 2 on the end of the title.
Deadpool 2 is already making waves over its wacky spoof of a Bob Ross painting shown in one of its trailers, and if the universal love of the first film is any indication, Wade is going to bring a lot of people into theaters this summer for his second solo film.
Incredibles 2
Releasing on June 15
This one is neither live-action, nor based on a major comic book property, but considering that the original film is one of the best superhero movies ever made, we had to include it. When it was first released back in 2004, The Incredibles was a superhero team-up that succeeded in ways that "proper" comic book movies never had before. Arriving eight years before the original Avengers film and one year before the beginning of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy, the incredible effort from Pixar and director Brad Bird immediately made audiences stand up and pay attention.
With a new story that both picks up immediately where the first film leaves off, while also promising more family/superhero crossover shenanigans, it's hard not to be excited for seeing a sequel to the original film finally come to fruition after 14 years. Definitely find your super suit and head to the theater for this one in June.
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Releasing on July 6
The sequel to one of the MCU's more irreverent entries, Ant-Man and the Wasp will bring Paul Rudd's lovable former con Scott Lang together with Evangeline Lilly's Hope van Dyne in order to take on a brand new mission for their mentor, Hank Pym. Taking place after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Ant-Man and the Wasp reunites Rudd, Lilly, and Michael Douglas with MCU newcomers including Michelle Pfeiffer as Jane van Dyne, and Laurence Fishburne as Bill Foster.
Regardless of how you slice it, a second Ant-Man film will likely feel like a bit of a comedown after having seen the sure-to-be behemoth known as Avengers: Infinity War, but director Peyton Reed will no doubt make for a fun and interesting new entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe if the first Ant-Man film is any indication.
Venom
Releasing on October 5
Continuing Sony's desire to make a Spider-Man universe without Spider-Man comes Venom, directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Gangster Squad) and starring Tom Hardy as (we think) Eddie Brock. While Venom has only had one major cinematic appearance when played by actor Topher Grace in 2007's Spider-Man 3, he counts as one of the few transcendent characters introduced during the Marvel Comics of the late 1980's that came to full, popular fruition in the 90's.
There's not much about Fleischer's film that we know, and nothing we've yet seen outside of a couple of images posted to social media by production personnel, but chances are that a lot of eyes will be on this film to see whether or not it can truly match up to the better examples of the character's appearances in the comics to truly stand apart from the plethora of other Marvel-based films releasing this year. Fingers crossed for the alien symbiote.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
Releasing on November 2
Marking 20th Century Fox's -- and writer-director Simon Kinberg's -- second attempt to tell the story of Jean Grey's powerful alter-ego after 2006's widely-panned X-Men: The Last Stand, the follow-up to 2016's X-Men: Apocalypse brings back that film's primary cast to show us what the team was up to in 1992, eight years before the events of the original film (presuming that's even in continuity, it's a little hard to tell these days).
While 2014's Days of Future Past seemed like a shot in the arm for the aging franchise, the 2016 follow-up didn't seem to do a significant amount of favors for the new ideas introduced when combining the classic cast with the one from First Class. Still, taking another crack at adapting a beloved X-Men comic book story may end up being a positive thing, but it's hard to deny that the X-Men series may be running out of options coming off of the masterpiece that took Hugh Jackman's Wolverine off of the proverbial table. Here's hoping they can pull this attempt off.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Releasing on December 14
The second animated film on this list sees Sony bringing the "Ultimate" Spider-Man, Miles Morales, into the fold for an adaptation of a recent and beloved comic book story that appeared in the pages of The Amazing Spider-Man by longtime series writer Dan Slott. Morales is a beloved character from the current Spidey mythos, and seeing the potential of opportunity that could arise from making him a primary character while also adapting a recent and popular story looks like a good, solid combination. Add to that a screenplay by The Lego Movie's Phil Lord and Chris Miller, and you have a potentially very unique entry in the Spider-Man film series.
While a lot of details are still a little sparse, 2018 will definitely be a big year for Spidey enthusiasts, considering that we'll get to see Peter's return in Avengers: Infinity War, a solo Venom movie, and now this animated outing. If your favorite comics sound effect is "THWIP!," 2018 should be an eventful year for you.
Aquaman
Releasing on December 21
The sole entry on this list to originate from the characters of DC Comics, Jason Momoa reprises his role as "protector of the oceans" from Justice League to take up his quindent in a wholly solo effort. Honestly, Aquaman has the potential to be one of the most unique superhero films of the year due to its undersea setting in the city of Atlantis, while also giving both Momoa and Amber Heard a bigger canvas on which to expand their well-received roles in the troubled (but awesome!) Justice League film.
With a visionary director in the form of James Wan (The Conjuring) and a solid supporting cast that includes the likes of Patrick Wilson (Watchmen) and Willem Dafoe (from...the fact that he's Willem Dafoe), we're greatly looking forward to Warner Bros. and DC's only entry in superhero cinema for 2018. Jason Momoa as Aquaman was one of the best parts of Justice League, so seeing that in a movie of the character's own is reason enough for us to get excited.
Which superhero movie are you most looking forward to?
