By SiobhĂĄn Rich for Mr. Will Wong
The year that was 2017 is almost over and that means we have an entire slate of 2018 Movies to look forward to. Whether youâre a fan of animation, superheroes, or space cowboys one studio has the answer to all your dreams: Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada. As the home of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Disney Animation and Disney Live Action among others, they are host to the Must-See Movies of 2018 than you can shake a lightsaber at.
Before you start trying to figure out how Coco fits into the greater Pixar universe or prepare to jump to lightspeed in anticipation of Decemberâs Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the team here at Mr. Will Wong has your inside scoop to everything Disney in 2018.
Kicking things off in February, Chadwick Boseman returns as the eponymous hero in Marvelâs Black Panther. The action moves to the kingdom of Wakanda where TâChallaâs enemies are conspiring to take down the new king. Director Ryan Coogler has assembled a star-studded cast featuring a villainous Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger, and Lupita Nyongâo and Danai Gurira members of Wakandaâs elite all-female special forces.
Madeleine LâEngleâs 1962 book A Wrinkle in Time can be found on the shelves of countless children and movie critics around the world. In March, Oscar-nominated Director Ava DuVernay will tackle this timeless Novel with a Cast featuring Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon. Frozenâs Jennifer Lee adapted this story of a girl who learns her father is being held captive on a distant planet decides to save him the help of her brother, a classmate, and a little interdimensional travel.
There is no end of excitement for Mayâs Avengers: Infinity War. This Movie will bring together heroes from all corners of the Marvel universe as they battle Josh Brolinâs Thanos.
One word has the ability to make all animation fans thrill: Pixar. In June Brad Bird returns to direct of one of the most highly anticipated animated, superhero Sequels in decades: The Incredibles 2. Joining Bob, Helen, Violet and Dash is baby Jack Jack whose powers manifested at the end of last Movie. Pixar is keenly-aware of never messing with a good thing and have reunited not only the Director and Cast but also many of the behind-the-scenes people including the Composer and Producers. Prepare to be dazzled but remember: no capes!
November marks the return of Vanellope and Ralph (Sarah Silverman and John C. Reilly) in Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2. Details of this Disney Animated Sequel were first shared in July at D23 and although we canât tell you much we assure you Ralph Breaks the Internet is even better than the first.
As the holiday season approaches, Disney hopes to enchant audiences with their take on a Tchaikovsky classic in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. Most people will be thrilled to see Keira Knightley in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy to Mackenzie Foyâs Clara. Devoted ballet enthusiasts will no doubt be more focused on the addition of Misty Copeland in this ballet inspired Movie. Morgan Freeman is along for the ride as the mysterious Drosselmeyer.
But wait, thatâs not all! In May, head back to a galaxy far, far away when Solo: A Star Wars Movie hits the big screen. A third Marvel Movie is headed for theatres in July with Ant-Man and the Wasp. Finally, 2018 will definitely end on a high note when Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda sing their way to the big screen in Decemberâs Mary Poppins Returns.
Thatâs just a small taste of the wonders Walt Disney Pictures Canada has in store for fans next year. Small kids and big kids alike are sure to find something to love in 2018.
If you were tuned into last night’s World Series Game 7, you might have noticed something just a little bit exciting! In case you missed it, check-out this brand-new look at STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI!
Synopsis:
In Lucasfilmâs Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.
The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyongâo, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.
See the new Trailer:
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Friday, December 15, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
Premering tonight during NFL Monday Night Football’s halftime, the new Trailer for STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI finally has been unveiled!
Synopsis:
In Lucasfilmâs Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.
The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyongâo, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski and Jason McGatlin are the executive producers.
See the Trailer:
See the new Poster:
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI in theatres on Friday, December 15, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
As the D23 Expo continues to rock Anaheim, California this weekend, a brand new behind-the-scenes sneak peep at STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI surfaces.
Check it out below:
And if you haven’t seen it yet, this poster featuring Carrie Fisher in her final performance as Princess Leia is taking over the Internet. We are emotional.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Friday, December 15, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
SPLIT makes a big splash at the Box Office in its debut for Universal Pictures with a stellar $34.1 million from 3,038 theatres. Starring James McAvoy, the Thriller gets a 76% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences responded similarly with a B+ CinemaScore.
In second is xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE, which many projected to take the top spot in its opening. Alas it earns $19 million from 3.561 theatres, earning a 42% on the Tomatometer from Critics and an A- CinemaScore from Audiences.
HIDDEN FIGURES still is going strong in third with $15 million for 20th Century Fox from 3,416 theatres. In total it has grossed $82 million over four weeks.
SING lands in fourth with $8.6 million for Universal Pictures, nearing the $250-million-mark in five weeks.
LA LA LAND places fifth with $8.3 million from 1,865 theatres, still riding a high from its Golden Globes glory. It has earned $90 million thus far over seven weeks, a majority in limited release.
PATRIOTS DAY is in eighth with $5.3 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films, tallying-in at $23 million over two weeks.
Rounding-out the Top Ten is THE BYE BYE MAN with $3.3 million from 2,220 theatres, nearing the $20-million-mark in its second week out for VVS Films/STX Entertainment.
HIDDEN FIGURES after overtaking the monster that is ROGUE ONE last weekend, hangs-on to the #1 spot at the Box Office a second week in a row! The 20th Century Fox release earns $19.6 million in its fourth week out, coinciding with a thematically-appropriate Martin Luther King Weekend in the U.S., bringing its North American run to $60.5 million.
SING is in second this weekend with $$13.4 million for Universal Pictures, bringing its four week tally to a whopping $237.4 Â million!
LA LA LAND sees a huge boost from its Golden Globe success, sweeping seven categories, en route to a successful expansion to 1,848 theatres for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. Â Over six weeks, it has made $76.4 million domestically.
THE BYE BYE MAN is in fourth in its debut with  $16.3 million for STX Entertainment and VVS Films from 2,200 theatres. Critics gave the Horror 27% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a C CinemaScore, not enough to deter it from a fantastic opening in a market thirsty for a good scare of late.
ROGUE ONE slips to fifth with $12.9 million for Disney, just surpassing the $500-million mark over five weeks.
PATRIOTS DAY expands to a wide release this weekend, earning $12 million from 3,120 theatres for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films, good enough for sixth. Critics gave it a 79% on the Tomatometer, which is looking good combined with a phenomenal A+ CinemaScore from Audiences, giving it legs to go on via word of mouth in coming weeks despite a soft opening.
MONSTER TRUCKS debuts in seventh for Paramount Pictures with $10.1 million from 3,119 theatres. Â Its target Audience of young kids gave it an A CinemaScore, while Critics obliterated it with a 31% score on the Tomatometer.
SLEEPLESS opens in ninth for Open Road Films, with $8.5 million from 1,803 theatres. Audiences gave the Action-Thriller starring Jamie Foxx and Michelle Monaghan (who also stars in PATRIOTS DAY) Â a B+ CinemaScore, while Critics gave it a paltry 11% on the Tomatometer.
PASSENGERS rounds-out the Top Ten with $$5.3 million for Sony Pictures, a total run of $90 million.
In third this week out and first weekend in wide expansion, HIDDEN FIGURES takes the top of the Box Office with $22.8 million, playing now in  expanding to 2,471 theatres for 20th Century Fox. The Oscar contender starring Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, gets a stellar 92% on the Tomatometer. An A+ CinemaScore for this crowd-pleaser.
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY after three weeks atop the Box Office slips to second with $21.8 million from 4,157 theatres. This takes its domestic total to $478.2 million in North America.
In third this weekend is SING with $19.5 million for Universal Pictures. The Animated Feature has made $216.5 million in two weeks.
UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS debuts in fourth with $13.1 million for Sony Pictures from 3,070 theatres. Critics give this installment 18% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it a B+ CinemaScore.
LA LA LAND expands to 1,515 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films with $10.3 million, a total $52 million over five weeks of limited release.
PASSENGERS is in sixth with $8.5 million, a total $80.5 million earned over three weeks for Sony Pictures across North America.
ASSASSIN’S CREED rounds out the Top Ten with $3.8 million for 20th Century Fox in its third week. In total, it is just shy of $50 million-mark in its domestic run.
For a third straight week, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY dominates the Box Office with $50.8 million from 4,157 theatres across North America. Â In its North American run it has made $441 million thus far for Disney. This makes it 2016’s second-highest grossing Film, behind FINDING DORYÂ (also, Disney) which earned $486.3 million this year.
SING continues to be highly bankable for Universal Pictures, in second with $42.5 million from 4,209 theatres. In its two-week run, it has made $179 million already domestically.
PASSENGERS is in third this weekend for Sony Pictures with $15.5 million, a total of $65 million over two weeks.
MOANA is in fourth with $10.4 million for Disney, a six week total of $212.8 million.
FENCES is performing strongly, placing fifth with $$9.9 million for Paramount Pictures from 2,301 theatres, totaling $32 million over three weeks. It has an impeccable 95% score on the Tomatometer, with an A- CinemaScore.
LA LA LAND is in sixth with $9.4 million from only 750 theatres across North America. It has made $36.8 million already as it continues to expand over four weeks.
WHY HIM? is in seventh with $8.6 million for 20th Century Fox, a total $35.7 million in two weeks.
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.9Â million, a total $29.3 million in seven weeks.
What I love most about working with Team Mr. Will is that we really are connected on a deep level as true lovers of Film. We all at some point were that passionate fan who queued hours in rush lines at Festivals or fought valiantly to win a contest to an Advance Screening. Despite our eclectic tastes, we work with open minds and are a judgment-free zone. We read each other’s reviews, learn and grow from one another. Although it sometimes is a great challenge splitting titles among our team, it always is love and somehow always works out in the end. We’re Filmgoers just like you with lives, jobs and school, but no matter what there always is time for our greatest passion, Film.
Whether it be Jon Godfrey‘s artistic and aesthetic sensibility, David Baldwin‘s great attunement to detail, George Kozera‘s energy and wit, Justin Waldman‘s infectious passion for Sci-Fi and Animation, SiobhĂĄn Rich‘s vast knowledge and versatility or Amanda Gilmore‘s fresh on-the-pulse perspective, we all have a unique voice that comes together in harmony as a rich, complex chord.
 See our Team’s Ten Best-Of 2016 Lists.
Which speak loudest to you? Which inspire you to expand your cinematic horizons?
Mr. Will
SIOBHĂN RICH (@Typo_Eh)
This has been such a great year for Film I would have preferred to submit a Top Twenty list. My alphabetical Top Ten leaves off the fantastic Animated Movie The Red Turtle, Mark Duplassâ touching Black and White Film Blue Jay, the brilliant Documentary Tower, and great Oscar hopefuls like Nocturnal Animals, Twentieth Century Women and A Monster Calls. So, if those got left off my list imagine how great these ten Movies are!
Angry Indian Goddesses
Cameraperson
Everybody Wants Some!!
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Kubo and the Two Strings
Loving
Moonlight
Paterson
Toni Erdmann
The Womenâs Balcony
JON GODFREY (@Skot_Somers)
Instead of explaining each Film, Iâll explain my method for making this list. Iâve been doing this for many years now, and Iâve grown honest enough with myself to know that what I like may not be for everyone. Be that as it may, in the last twelve months these are the Films that left the greatest impression on me. These are the Films I enjoyed on the big screen, or at home on TV. These are the Films I lost myself in, or enjoyed with the people I love. These are the Films that made me feel like a kid again, or helped me grow as a man. For me, these have been the Ten Best Films of 2016.
1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
2. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
3. Loving
4. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
5. Eight Days a Week
6. Shin Godzilla
7. Moonlight
8. Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
9. Knight of Cups
10. Warcraft
DAVID BALDWIN (@DaveMABaldwin)
When I look back at 2016, it is hard to believe how wild and chaotic a year it has been. While there were dozens of genuinely terrific Films, there were an immense amount of disappointments. I may be getting increasingly harder to please at the Movies, but the Top Ten Films for me this year challenged my expectations and each had a profound affect that have lasted long after the credits finished rolling.
1. Swiss Army Man
2. Nocturnal Animals
3. Arrival
4. La La Land
5. O.J.: Made in America
6. Zootopia
7. Hell or High Water
8. The Nice Guys
9. Moana
10. The Edge of Seventeen
JUSTIN WALDMAN (@DubsReviews)
This Top Ten list is in no particular order, but also self-explanatory. You have everything from must see blockbusters to small little things from brilliant Directors like Charlie Kaufman. While there may be some gigantic titles like that small space Indie about a galaxy far far away that everyone and their pets are seeing, but the small indies and the underrated Comedies must make my Top Ten list. 2016 was incredible, and these ten Movies are some of the best of the best.
Anomalisa
Bad Moms
The Edge of Seventeen
Deadpool
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Kubo and the Two Strings
La La Land
Loving
Moana
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
AMANDA GILMORE (@GilmoreAmanda)
The Top Ten Movies I have chosen for 2016 are varied from one another. There is a Film for everyone on this list. My list includes the most important Films from multiple genres and storylines.
1. La La Land
2. Moonlight
3. Arrival
4. Manchester By The Sea
5. Nocturnal Animals
6. 10 Cloverfield Lane
7. Zootopia
8. Jackie
9. Elle
10. Don’t Breathe
GEORGE KOZERA (@PartyG)
2016 may not have been a banner year for Movies for me personally, but since seeing it at TIFF ’16, I am still obsessed with Director Damien Chazelleâs musical masterpiece, followed closely by the most compelling Documentary I have seen since Hoop Dreams. Indie features, outstanding performances by female veterans (Meryl Streep and Sally Field), and an exciting new voice in Canadian Cinema rocked my world in 2016.
1. La La Land
2. OJ: Made in America
3. Closet Monster
4. Moonlight
5. Manchester by the Sea
6. Love and Friendship
7. Deadpool
8. Captain Fantastic
9. Florence Foster Jenkins
10. Hello, My Name is Doris
The Team Mr. Will 2016 Holiday Selfie
(L to R: Jon, Amanda, Dave, SiobhĂĄn + Justin)
…and of course we can’t forget George + our official Team Mascot, “Princess” (@APicByMrWill)
Mr. Will‘s own 2016 Best-Ofs? Click here for those!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/eOne Films/Elevation Pictures/Fox Searchlight/Universal Pictures/The Orchard/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada/ESPN Films)
As anticipated, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY debuts dominantly this weekend with $152.2 million from 4,157 theatres for Disney. Despite equally strong reviews from Critics with 84% on the Tomatometer, getting an A CinemaScore from Audiences also, it cannot best last year’s STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS‘ record-setting $247 million opening. This however, makes ROGUE ONE the second-highest opening ever for a Film in December.
MOANA makes it a Disney Double, placing second with $12.5 million, a total of $162.7 million over four weeks domestically.
OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY lands in third this weekend with $7.9 million for Paramount Pictures, a total $31 million over two weeks.
COLLATERAL BEAUTY lands in fourth with $7.2 million from 3,028 theatres for Warner Bros. Â Critics gave it a harsh 14% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences loved the Holiday Drama with an all-star cast including Kate Winslet, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren and Will Smith, with an A- CinemaScore.
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA expands to 1,208 theatres for Mongrel Media/Roadside Attractions, good enough for sixth with $4.1 million.
LA LA LAND also expands in its second week to just 200 theatres, earning a whopping $4.1 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. This looks great for the Oscar contender which continues its expansion in coming weeks. It gets a Canadian release Christmas Day in select cities.
ARRIVAL is in ninth with $2.9 million for Paramount Pictures, a total $86.6 million now in six weeks.
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS rounds-out the Top Ten with 1,246 theatres for Universal Pictures with $1.4 million. In five weeks it has made $8.8 million.
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