Grab Some Popcorn: Disney’s 2018 Movies Are Just Getting Started

So maybe you already heard about a little movie called Avengers: Infinity War that opened last week? Disney’s super hero extravaganza broke the company’s own domestic opening weekend record with $258 million in ticket sales. Previously the honor belonged to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Worldwide weekend sales for Avengers topped $640 million, which was also a record. This is on top of the phenomenal success of Disney’s Black Panther earlier this year. In other words, Disney’s movie business is doing just fine. Think the company is done yet? To quote the loveable Olaf, “Nope!” Here’s a quick look at the “other” Disney movies scheduled to release in 2018.

Better grab some popcorn. It’s quite an interesting list.

Theatrical poster by Lucas Films and Walt Disney Pictures

May 25: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Next up for Disney, and interestingly overlapping the theater life of Avengers, is a new stand alone Star Wars film called Solo: A Star Wars Story. Similar to Rogue One in 2016, Solo will supplement the storyline of the traditional episode films. More specifically, Solo shares the background of Han Solo before he meets Luke Skywalker in that crazy bar on the two-sun planet of Tatooine. (Geek alert. I love saying Tat-oo-ween.) Supposedly we’ll learn how Han Solo became a smuggler, met his suave friend Lando Calrissian and secured ownership of the famous Millennium Falcon.

The film stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo and Donald Glover as Lando. Other cast members include Woody Harrelson, Thandy Newton and Paul Bettany. It could be difficult for Ehrenreich to fill the shoes of Harrison Ford, but I’m keeping an open mind. Early buzz has been mixed. We’ll find out soon. You can watch the Solo trailer here.

June 15: The Incredibles 2

After fourteen years, Pixar’s finally sharing the second installment of a quirky superhero family in the suburbs. Most of the original cast is back along with Brad Bird, the film’s director. Disney hasn’t shared a whole lot about the plot, but we do know the new film will pick up right where the first one ended. If you can’t remember, like I couldn’t, it was a battle scene downtown with a brand new villain called Underminer. The storyline also follows Helen Parr (known as Elastigirl) as she works on a campaign to bring her fellow superheroes out of hiding. With Helen devoting more time to her new project, Mr. Incredible takes over more responsibilities at home.

The overall superhero landscape for movies today is quite different than it was in 2004, and Disney has had a lot to do with that. Pixar is unique of course, but I’m curious to see how this film fits. You can watch the latest trailer for Incredibles 2 here.

Image of Disney’s Christopher Robbin released by Entertainment Weekly.

August 3: Christopher Robbin

Later this summer Disney plans to release a new live-action film entitled Christopher Robbin starring Ewan McGregor. The movie, based on the popular characters from A. A. Milne and set in the 1940s, follows an adult Christopher Robbin trying to reclaim his childlike wonder. As part of this journey, he encounters his old friend Winnie the Pooh and his other pals from the Hundred Acre Wood. Supposedly the characters appear as stuffed animals to the rest of the world, but Christopher sees them as living, breathing friends. Early previews look sweet and slightly sad, similar to the live action Cinderella.

Jim Cummings provides the voice for Winnie in a manner very similar to Sterling Holloway’s performances in the Disney animated films. Here’s a look at the teaser trailer.

November 2: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Disney’s kicking off the holiday season with a bang with The Nutcracker and the Four Realms in early November. The film follows the story of Clara, from the famous Nutcracker ballet, searching for a key to unlock the mysterious box her mother left her before her death. The imagery reminds me of a mix of the live-action Beauty and the Beast and Alice Through the Looking Glass. Maybe a little Narnia too? There are beautiful snow-filled landscapes, dramatically decorated ballrooms and plenty of dancing. Of course the music will be lovely too.

The film is directed by Lasse Hallstrom and features Mackensie Foy, Keira Knightly, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren and Matthew Macfadyen (aka “you have bewitched me body and soul”) among others.  You can watch the full trailer here.

Image by Walt Disney Studios

November 21: Ralph Wrecks the Internet

The sequel to the popular Wreck It Ralph hits theaters around Thanksgiving this year. Disney loves this release date and has had much success with it in the last five years (Frozen, Moana, Coco…) Can Ralph measure up?

The storyline picks up six years after the original movie. Ralph and his friend Vanellope, ride the arcade’s new wi-fi router to the internet and encounter new adventures.  I confess I was less excited about this one than the others on the list, until I watched the trailer. It’s cheerful, satirical and downright funny. The second trailer, released in early June, includes a scene with ALL of the Disney Princesses. Surprising? Um, Yes.

Let’s hope the whole movie is this delightful and unpredictable. Ralph Wrecks the Internet opens November 21.

December 5: Mary Poppins Returns

If you think Alden Ehrenreich will have a hard time filling Harrison Ford’s shoes as Han Solo, what do you think of Emily Blunt taking on the beloved Julie Andrew’s Mary Poppins? It’s a big challenge, for sure and Disney is taking its best shot.

Mary Poppins Returns picks up twenty five years after the conclusion of the first Mary Poppins film. It’s now 1935 London and the kids, Jane and Michael Banks, are full grown and facing new challenges. Mary returns, as you could guess from the title, to bring magic and joy back to the Banks family.

The film also stars the talented Lynn Manual Miranda of Hamilton (and Moana!) fame and features some serious star power. Julie Walters, Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury and Meryl Streep all have roles in the film. Expect a bit part by Dick Van Dyke too, who played the chimney-sweeping Bert and the stodgy banker Mr. Dawes Sr. in the original.

I’m excited about this one, and perhaps a little apprehensive too. After all, the original Mary Poppins is “practically perfect in every way.” I’m glad they decided to extend the story into new territory, rather than reworking the original. We’ll see how the magic continues on Christmas Day. Until then, you can watch the teaser trailer here.

And that’s it. Six more movies in Disney’s impressive line-up for the balance of 2018. Did your popcorn hold up? Ready for a refill? Hopefully this list gives you another great Disney movie to look forward to this year.

Which one looks the best to you? Let me know in the comments below.

Until then, add a little (cinematic) magic to your world!