Love films at the cinema? Popcorn in hand, tango ice blast melting beside you, the lights dim and suddenly real life fades to black.
From pulse-racing thrillers and jump scares to teary romances and blockbuster adventures, this year’s line-up offers pure escapism worthy of the big screen.
We’ve already been graced with some massive releases, with plenty more to come.
Film News Blitz’s Francesca O’Callagan runs the rule over some incredible movies.
‘Wuthering Heights’
Wuthering Heights is based on the iconic Gothic novel by Emily Brontë, which centres around the intense romance between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw on the Yorkshire moors.
A multi-generational drama that explores the themes of desire, obsession, class conflict, and the paranormal.
Emerald Fennell’s film was released in cinemas on 13 February to much fanfare, dividing fans of the book, critics and cinema audiences alike.
But why were lovers of the book outraged by the film’s adaptation?
Concerns over whitewashing and the novel’s racial and age-based nuances were heightened by the casting of Australian actors Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, with critics questioning whether they could capture Yorkshire’s cultural and vocal authenticity.
Still, that didn’t stop it from grossing over $240 million worldwide at the box office.
We all love a toxic romance, and if you haven’t seen it already, will this movie be added to this year’s watchlist?
Reminders of Him
Over the past few years, Colleen Hoover’s novels have taken booktok by storm, captivating millions of readers with stories that explore love, grief, and the complicated nature of second chances.
Directed by Vanessa Caswill, Reminders of Him brings Hoover’s 2022 novel to life, following a young mother, Kenna Rowan, as she returns home after prison to rebuild her life and reconnect with her daughter.
However, the community she left behind refuses to welcome her back, and nearly everyone stands in the way of her redemption.
The only person willing to give her a chance is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner tied closely to Kenna’s past.
Reminders of Him graced cinemas on 13 March, and while it didn’t quite wow critics, it enjoys a relatively fresh audience score of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Will this adaptation be the next romance drama to leave audiences reaching for the tissues again and again?
‘Michael’
The Michael Jackson biopic details his extraordinary early days in the Jackson 5 to becoming the visionary artist whose creative ambition fuelled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.
Since its release on 22 April, Michael has gone on to storm the box office, currently standing as the second-most successful music biopic of all time, having grossed over $500 million worldwide.
So, why has it been such a massive hit?
Besides the fact that Michael Jackson is considered the “king of pop”, his own nephew, Jaafar, plays him, which ensures a level of authenticity, accuracy in dance moves, looks, and voice.
Producer Graham King has stated the goal was to provide a balanced, “unfiltered” look at Jackson’s complex life, including his triumphs, personal struggles, and the intense scrutiny he faced.
Have you moon-walked to see Michael in the cinemas yet?
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’
After 20 years, the much-anticipated sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, is in cinemas, and so is the original cast.
Let’s slip into our red shoes and vintage Chanel and dive into this new, fashionable showpiece.
The movie follows a seasoned Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) navigating the decline of print media, alongside original film stars Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.
The plot centres on this power shift as Miranda faces the potential end of her career.
While many have worried that the second movie won’t be as iconic or fashion-driven as the first, the director, David Frankel, has ensured that it will still be as thrilling.
Reactions from critics and audiences thus far suggest fans needn’t be worried.
‘Moana’ (live action)
Over the past decade, The Walt Disney Company has revisited many of its most iconic animated stories through live-action adaptations, including the likes of The Lion King and Aladdin.
Each film reimagines a familiar story for a new generation while keeping the heart of the original that audiences know and love.
Moana is the latest Disney animated flick to get this treatment.
Set among the islands of ancient Polynesia, the story follows Moana, the strong-willed daughter of a village chief who feels an unbreakable connection to the ocean.
Along the way, she encounters the legendary demigod Maui, and together they face dangerous creatures, impossible odds, and discover what it truly means to be a hero.
Catherine Lagaʻaia takes on the role of Moana alongside Dwayne Johnson, who returns as the charismatic demigod Maui.
With breathtaking ocean landscapes, familiar songs, and a story that celebrates heritage, will this live-action retelling recapture the magic of the original when it lands in cinemas on 10 July?
‘The Odyssey’
Could The Odyssey be another masterpiece from world-renowned and award-winning director Christopher Nolan?
For over 20 years, he has graced our screens with films like Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight, each of which aligns with his signature style of muted palettes, striking visuals, and humanity’s search for meaning.
The Odyssey, coming to cinemas on 17 July, adapts the Greek epic of the same name, following the King of Ithaca’s perilous journey home after the Trojan War.
Film fans are not only excited to witness another Nolan gem but also a powerhouse cast, with Matt Damon as the lead, alongside Tom Holland, Zendaya, and many more.
‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’
Since the release of The Hunger Games in 2012, audiences have been captivated by the brutal world of Panem, brought to life through the adaptations of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novels.
Now, the franchise returns with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, a new prequel that takes viewers back to the 50th Hunger Games.
The narrative follows a young Haymitch Abernathy, long before he became the cynical mentor audiences recognise from the original series.
The story explores the horrors of the games, the surrounding political spectacle, and the rise of one of the franchise’s most complex characters.
As a darker chapter of the games unfolds and new tributes enter the arena, will this prequel become another unforgettable The Hunger Games moment?
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is in cinemas on 20 November.
‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Marvel fans, listen up!
Avengers: Doomsday is coming to cinemas on 18 December, depicting the X-Men, Avengers, and Fantastic Four banding together to fight Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), who causes a multiversal crisis.
The announcement that RDJ, who played Iron Man for over a decade, is returning to the MCU as the villainous Doom caused widespread shock and excitement ahead of the film’s production.
Grab your capes, your masks, and your shields, and get ready for this action-packed superhero frenzy.
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