Jan 2, 2017 7:00 AM

The 10 Movies We're Most Looking Forward to in 2017

Looks like it's going to be another big year for superheroes and space flicks. (Surprise!)

More Guardians! More Alien! More Star Wars! Next year is going to be a big one for movies—so big that it was kind of hard to condense our list of must-see flicks into something shorter than Anna Karenina. But we did it! Below are our picks for the movies we (hopefully) won't be able to take our eyes off of (figuratively) in 2017.

Lining up to see this one is a no-brainer. But even more than being the next *Star Wars* saga film—and marking the return of Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and all our other friends—it's Rian Johnson's *Star Wars* saga film. So for fans of Johnson's mind-bending films like *Brick* and [*Looper*](https://slim-weight.info/2012/09/pl_looper/), this is a big deal. We doubt *Episode VIII* will have [time travel](https://slim-weight.info/2012/09/looper-time-travel-tropes/) or teenage detectives, but we can't wait to find out. *—Angela Watercutter* Release Date: December 15
First, let's get one thing out of the way: We're a little disappointed *Suicide Squad* helmer David Ayer is in line to direct the Harley Quinn spinoff *Gotham City Sirens*. But, on the other side of the DC universe, we're *very* glad *Monster'*s Patty Jenkins is directing Wonder Woman's standalone film. Based on the [footage that was shown this year](https://slim-weight.info/2016/07/wonder-woman-comic-con-panel/) at Comic-Con International, and the [first full trailer](https://slim-weight.info/2016/11/new-wonder-woman-trailer/), it looks like the kind of bullet-deflecting, lassoing good time we've come to expect from Diana Prince. If there's any justice in the world, this should be stellar. *—Angela Watercutter* Release Date: June 2

20th Century Fox
Alien: Covenant
So, look. *Prometheus* wasn't what we'd call essential cinema. But the truth is, we'll still line up to go back into the world of *Alien* any chance we get. Ridley Scott is directing, and Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace are back reprising their roles from *Prometheus*, so this is worth a shot. (James Franco and Danny McBride are also mysteriously on the cast list. So there's that.) Also, the alien in the first poster (right) gave us chills—in all the best ways. *—Angela Watercutter* Release Date: May 19
Screen Media Films
The Bad Batch
Writer-director Ana Lily Amirpour's last film, *A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night* was an Iranian vampire western/love story. Her new movie is a post-apocalyptic cannibal love story. (Mostly. There's some religious stuff thrown in there, too.) It also stars future Aquaman, Jason Momoa. Count on this one to be your midnight movie pick of the year. *—Angela Watercutter* Release Date: TBD

*Guardians of the Galaxy* was amazing. Its follow-up, also directed by James Gunn, promises to be just as good—if not better. Why? This time around Groot is a baby (all together now: *awwwwww!*) and Kurt Russell as Ego the Living Planet. It will also, undoubtedly, have a killer soundtrack. *—Angela Watercutter* Release Date: May 5
Warner Bros.
It
The clown that made you fear clowns forever (or, at least one of those clowns) is back! That's right, Pennywise is here and he's just as freaky as ever. Unlike the 1990 TV miniseries version, though, this adaptation of Stephen King's massively popular novel is a full-on cinematic event, helmed by *Mama* director Andrés Muschietti. Get ready to be scared AF. *—Angela Watercutter* Release Date: September 8

Every part of *The Lego Movie* was great (the theme song wasn't "Everything Is Awesome" for nothin'). But one of the clear standouts was [Will Arnett](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004715/)'s Batman. Now, in true Hollywood fashion, the Plastic Caped Crusader is getting his own movie, with Jenny Slate as Harley Quinn, Rosario Dawson as Batgirl, and Mariah Carey as the mayor of Gotham. (Yes, really.) Oh, and also? Michael Cera as the Boy Wonder. So, yes, everything is still awesome. *—Angela Watercutter* Release Date: February 10
Get ready for even more adventures with dog-loving hitman John Wick—this time with model/DJ/aspiring action star Ruby Rose! But honestly, does it really matter what happens in this movie? Keanu Reeves will scowl, guns will go boom, bones will snap, and it will be grand. *—Angela Watercutter* Release Date: February 10

Luc Besson (*The Fifth Element*) spent years trying to get this adaptation of the French comic series *Valérian and Laureline* off the ground, and this year it'll finally take off into outer space. Part quirky space comedy, [part Star Wars](https://slim-weight.info/2016/01/valerian-laureline-star-wars/), *Valerian* is something movie-goers need right now: a whole new cinematic world to explore. (Added bonus? This one has Rihanna.) *—Angela Watercutter* Release Date: July 21
For decades, the possibility of a sequel to 1982's android-addled *Blade Runner* seemed more remote than an off-world colony. But now, following years of [rumors](https://web.archive.org/web/20050512000230/http://www.corona.bc.ca/films/directorscut/980308.html) and rights issues, Harrison Ford is back as Rick Deckard—the hard-drinking, rain-soaked original Blade Runner—while Ryan Gosling joins the series as K, an LAPD officer who stumbles upon a potentially devastating secret, and sets off to find Deckard. Co-written by Hampton Fancher, who worked on the original film, and directed by *Arrival’*s Denis Villeneuve, *2049* is a guaranteed replicant-miss. *—Brian Raftery*

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