Mark Your Calendars: 2017 Movies
The other day I read the top 10 list of highest (worldwide) grossing movies for 2016. It was no surprise to see Disney holding strong in the top 5 spots with Captain America: Civil War, Finding Dory, Zootopia, The Jungle Book and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. When I shared the list of upcoming Disney movies with you last year, I said it was going to be an amazing year. I think I undersold it.
Captain America: Civil War earned every penny of that top spot. Maybe I’m a bit biased because I was able to interview the Captain America: Civil War cast, walk the Civil War red carpet and get a sneak preview. Nah. It was just that good. The others… yup… pretty awesome also.
Each year when the movie slate is released, I’m in awe of all the titles, the stories, the talented actors involved and of course, the excitement of the movie trailers. While keeping track in my head as announcements are made, it isn’t until I see it all written out that the magnitude of how much I enjoy movies really becomes apparent. If I happen to be blessed with the opportunity to bring you exclusive interviews, previews or set visits again this year, I certainly will. If not, keep an eye on the hashtags I’ve included below so you can learn more from the 25 bloggers invited on the press trips for each of these movies! Those hashtags (usually with the word event at the end) are your passport to exclusive interviews, photographs and amazing content and give you a behind-the-scenes look at each of these Disney releases. Last year even included a super-secret set visit for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 (and maybe others that we don’t know about yet) as well as visits to Pixar and Skywalker Ranch!
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Disney standing atop the records again for this lineup of movies.
2017 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Slate
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Walt Disney Studios)
Release date: March 17, 2017
Genre: Live Action musical
Cast: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Hattie Morahan and Nathan Mack with Ian McKellen and Emma Thompson
Follow on social: #BeautyAndTheBeast and #BeOurGuest as well as Facebook
The story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic “Beauty and the Beast,” a stunning, cinematic event celebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within.
BORN IN CHINA (Disneynature)
Release date: April 21, 2017 (Earth Day)
Genre: True Life Adventure
Cast: Narrated by John Krasinksi
Director: Lu Chuan
Producers: Roy Conli, Brian Leith, Phil Chapman, Lu Chuan
Follow on Social: #BornInChina and Facebook
Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure film “Born In China” takes an epic journey into the wilds of China where few people have ever ventured. Following the stories of three animal families, the film transports audiences to some of the most extreme environments on Earth to witness some of the most intimate moments ever captured in a nature film. A doting panda bear mother guides her growing baby as she begins to explore and seek independence. A two-year-old golden monkey who feels displaced by his new baby sister joins up with a group of free-spirited outcasts. And a mother snow leopard—an elusive animal rarely caught on camera—faces the very real drama of raising her two cubs in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on the planet. Featuring stunning, never-before-seen imagery, the film navigates China’s vast terrain—from the frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest—on the wings of red-crowned cranes, seamlessly tying the extraordinary tales together.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (Marvel Studios)
Release date: May 5, 2017
Genre: Action-Adventure
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Tommy Flanagan, Laura Haddock and Kurt Russell.
Follow on Social: #GotGVol2 and Facebook
Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES (Walt Disney Studios)
Release date: May 26, 2017
Genre: Action-Adventure
Cast: Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario, Kevin R. McNally, Golshifteh Farahani, David Wenham, Stephen Graham and Geoffrey Rush
Follow on Social: #PiratesOfTheCaribbean and #APiratesDeathForMe as well as Facebook
Johnny Depp returns to the big screen as the iconic, swashbuckling anti-hero Jack Sparrow in the all-new
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” a rip-roaring adventure that finds down-on-his-luck
Captain Jack feeling the winds of ill-fortune blowing strongly his way when deadly ghost sailors, led by the
terrifying Captain Salazar, escape from the Devil’s Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea—notably
Jack.
CARS 3 (Disney / Pixar)
Release date: June 16, 2017
Genre: Animation
Cast: Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, Cristela Alonzo as Cruz Ramirez, Armie Hammer as Jackson Storm
Follow on Social: #Cars3 and Facebook
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez, with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!
THOR: RAGNAROK (Marvel Studios)
Release date: November 3, 2017
Genre: Action-Adventure
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban, with Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins.
Follow on Social: #ThorRagnarok
In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk!
COCO (Disney / Pixar)
Release date: November 22, 2017
Genre: Animation
Cast: Gael García Bernal, Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, Renée Victor
Follow on Social: #Coco and Facebook
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (Lucasfilm)
Release date: December 15, 2017
Genre: Action-Adventure
Follow on Social: #StarWarsVIII #TheLastJedi
More details about Star Wars: Episode VIII coming soon!
See what I mean? Another stellar lineup of movies for Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars in 2017! See you there… and don’t forget the popcorn!
Which 2017 movie(s) are you most excited to see?
I am curious how they are going to spin spin the next star wars movie now that Carrie Fisher has passed on.
It should still be great either way! I just watched the second trailer for the Cars 3 movie and I can’t wait to see that one!
It will be interesting to see how they address her character in future movies, Heather. Filming wrapped for Episode VIII so we will get to see her in that. It will definitely be sad but won’t keep me from going to see it. I remember the same feelings when Robin Williams died but I still haven’t watched the last Night at the Museum!
This is going to be a great year for family movies! I am personally excited for Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorites.
I don’t even know what I’m most excited to see. These are all favorites for my Disney/Marvel loving family. Star Wars! Cars for my four-year-old. Yes!
These will all be great movies. I am super excited about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Star Wars: Episode VIII.
I am so excited about Beauty & The Beast! It was my fave growing up and seeing it with live elements will be so wonderful! My kids are excited about Star Wars, this is a great list!
Besides from Star Wars, we can’t wait for Cars 3! Looks like 2017 is going to be an awesome Disney year!
My boys will be most excited for Cars 3! I’m looking forward to the Guardians of the Galaxy and of course, Star Wars!
So many great movies… Beauty and the Beast, Guardians of the Galaxy, Pirates, Thor!!! Can’t wait 🙂
OMG! I am looking forward to so many of these! Can’t wait to see Beauty and the Beast and Guardians of the Galaxy with my kids. Thor is a favorite as is Star Wars, of course! Coco looks cute. Definately have to check that one out, and Cars 3 as well. Love Disney movies!