Summer is one of the most exciting cinematic times of the year – the big blockbusters and the acclaimed independent films with awards season in sight.
Where once the Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit and Harry Potter dominated the release schedule, we are now seeing Star Wars take their positions and other potential mega-hits.
Need some food before the movie? Perth’s best burgers Perth’s best pizza Perth’s best fish and chips Perth’s best doughnuts
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWIt is also the lead-up to the Golden Globes and Academy Awards, where distributors release their best films in hopes to win the gold statues.
Here is a list of what we are looking forward to the most:
10. Moana, December 26
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson lends his voice to this Disney animation film that looks like a lot of fun for children and adults. We are excited about the cultural diversity with the focus on Maui people.
9. Manchester by the Sea, January 26
Despite writer/ director Kenneth Lonergan’s last film Margaret being heavily edited, the subject of legal battles and shelved for two years, it was a stunning, fascinating and enthralling film. We have high hopes for Manchester by the Sea, over which we presume he was allowed more creative control.
8. Queen of Katwe, December 26
This could be Disney’s shot at Oscar glory in the New Year, about a Ugandan girl whose world changes after she is introduced to chess. A family friendly film with a stellar cast that includes David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong’o.
7. LA LA Land, December 26
After giving us Whiplash, writer/director Damien Chazelle looks like he has softened with this re-teaming of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in a film about a jazz pianist that falls for an aspiring actress. The trailer is enchanting; we can’t wait to see the whole thing.
6. Passengers, January 1
Two passengers on a spacecraft transporting thousands of people to a distant colony planet wake up 90 years too early. A mix of humour, romance and action with two of Hollywood’s hottest stars Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt – sign us up.
5. Jackie, January 12
Natalie Portman could be gunning for Oscar number two as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, fighting through grief and trauma in the aftermath of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy
4. Lion, January 19
Never one to turn her back on her roots, Nicole Kidman stars in the Australian co-produced and filmed Lion, about a Calcutta boy adopted by an Australian couple who, 25 years later, sets out to find his biological family. The powerful trailer promises an emotional journey.
3. Red Dog: True Blue, December 26
Being a box office smash and hit with audiences, there is no surprise director Kriv Stenders returns to the story of beloved and legendary Red Dog – this time exploring the early events leading to his discovery on the road to Dampier. If it is anything like the original, tissues will be required.
2. T2: Trainspotting, February 9
If 20 years isn’t enough to build anticipation, we don’t know what will. The long awaited sequel to the 1996 cult classic Trainspotting finally hits screens with the original stars and director. Warning: this trailer contains some adult themes.
1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, December 1
Star Wars. Enough said.