The Oscars just passed us last month and contrary to popular belief, it does not mean a concluding run of good movies! In fact, there’s so many interesting and must-watch movies coming out this year, we definitely need to start saving up right now! These movies span across all genres, all ages, all languages, etc… which make for a richer and more varied movie experience. We at Zahara have done our research on all the movies hitting cinemas this year and came up with a list of five movies you should not miss!
The Boss
Director: Ben Falcone
Starring: Kristen Bell, Melissa McCarthy, Peter Dinklage
Genre: Comedy
Release date: April 7
Watch the trailer here!
If you’ve always wanted to see Melissa McCarthy play Martha Stewart and laugh your butt off, here is your chance. The comedienne who’s been starring in hit movies after hit movies is back as a ruthless industry tycoon who is sent to prison for insider trading. After paying her dues, she tries hard to rebrand herself as America’s sweetheart but fails spectacularly (and hilariously), especially for her former employees. Hey, it’s hard to forgive and forget, you know. Especially if you make it hard for people to love you!
Love & Friendship
Director: Whit Stillman
Starring: Chloë Sevigny, Kate Beckinsale, Xavier Samuel, Stephen Fry, Morfydd Clark
Genre: Drama, Romance
Release date: May 12
Watch the trailer here!
It’s only been a few months since the last Jane Austen adaptation (Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, anyone?). This movie, which is based on Austen’s earlier novel Lady Susan, tells the story of the titular character taking up residence at her rich in-laws’ estate to play matchmaker. For whom is the scheming widow trying to matchmake, you might ask? Well, her daughter and herself, of course!
Alice Through the Looking Glass
Director: James Bobin
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Release date: May 26
Watch the trailer here!
Who says Victorians can’t have sequels too? It’s not just for YA novel-adaptations and superhero franchises! In the follow-up to Tim Burton’s billion-dollar box-office hit Alice in Wonderland, Alice returns to the world of Wonderland to save the Mad Hatter from Father Time (played by Borat’s Sasha Baron Cohen). And she’s bringing her whole crew down the rabbit-hole with her; Helena Bonham Carter’s Red Queen, Anne Hathaway’s White Queen, Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter! This is also Alan Rickman’s final performance as the Blue Caterpillar. So are you ready to fall down the rabbit-hole again?
The BFG
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Bill Hader, Mark Rylance, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Ruby Barnhill
Genre: Family, Fantasy
Release date: June 30
Watch the trailer here!
Based on the popular children’s book by Roald Dahl, a girl named Ruby Barnhill meets a BFG (Big, Friendly Giant), played by this year’s Oscar-winning Mark Reliance. Despite his intimidating giant-ness, the BFG has a kind heart who refuses to eat humans, much to the dislike of his fellow giants. After casting him out, the BFG, together with Ruby’s help, set out to battle the BUGs (Big, Ugly Giants) and stop their human-eating ways!
The Legend of Tarzan
Director: David Yates
Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Christoph Waltz, Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson
Genre: Action, Adventure
Release date: June 30
Watch the trailer here!
It’s been a long while since we had an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s classic tale of a young boy raised by apes. In this new action adventure movie, Tarzan is already acclimatised to life in London with his wife Jane (played by the beautiful Margot Robbie). However, he is called back to the jungle to investigate suspicious activities at a mining camp but unbeknownst to him, he is a pawn in an evil military captain’s plan. It doesn’t take long for Tarzan to rip off his clothes and do his signature yell while swinging on the vines…not that we’re waiting for him to strip. Well, not entirely anyway!
