
The set of Christopher Nolan’s new war epic, Dunkirk; likely to be one of the years biggest film events
List compiled by Eddie on 13/01/2017
After a so-so 2016 that included some downright disappointing so-called blockbusters, 2017 looks like a rather intriguing year for movie lovers that could offer some of the most unique and satisfying event films in some time.
Of course there is your usual mix of superhero fuelled popcorn entertainment and a raft of big named remakes and reimaging’s but a brief rummaging over just some of the films picked here goes to show that there’s a huge collection of potentially brilliant experiences on offer by some of the best filmmaking talent the industry has to offer.
2017 seems to be offering up a great smorgasbord of Sci-Fi entertainment in particular, reflected in a number of films listed below and this should be exciting for all of us as quite often the really memorable experiences we have at the cinema stem from films of this genre, with filmmakers pushing the boundaries of what we expect and wowing us with their mind-bending visions.
So Sci-Fi fans, my advice would be to strap in tight you’re in for quite the ride, delivered to you by some of the best in the business.
I know I for one can’t wait to get stuck into the 2017 film calendar and what it has to offer and I look forward to seeing you all at the movies. Who’s bringing the popcorn?
Happy reading and happy watching!
10. Hostiles
Directed by: Scott Cooper (Black Mass) Starring: Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Ben Foster
In 1892, a legendary Army captain reluctantly agrees to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory.
Director Scott Cooper keeps teasing audiences with films that almost reach the next level, Crazy Heart, Out of the Furnace and Black Mass all attest to this but perhaps this Western that re-teams 3:10 to Yuma stars Christian Bale and Ben Foster is finally the film to catapult this promising filmmaker to the next level.
Australian release date – TBC
9. Mute
Directed by: Duncan Jones (Moon) Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Paul Rudd, Sam Rockwell
A mute bartender goes up against his city’s gangsters in an effort to find out what happened to his missing partner.
Moon will always remain one of the great film debuts but sadly Duncan Jones has not yet been able to replicate the heights of the small budget Sci-Fi in the years following with last year’s Warcraft a particular low point for the young director. He has a chance to get back on the right path however with this long talked about semi-follow up to Moon that returns Jones to the Sci-Fi realm and with a unique and intriguing premise, Mute could just be a new Sci-Fi classic.
Australian release date – TBC
8. The Dark Tower
Directed by: Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair) Starring: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey
Gunslinger Roland Deschain roams an Old West-like landscape in search of the dark tower, in the hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world.
As a big fan of Stephen King’s epic fantasy series of the same name I do have both equal amounts of concern and anticipation for this big screen adaptation that could go either way. The central story of gunslinger Roland Deschain and his quest to reach the mysterious Dark Tower is a good of a story as your likely to get but adapting King’s loaded material will be no easy task. A leaked trailer that found its way online late last year does show promise and the cast attached to the project certainly help make us believe.
Australian release date – July 27th
7. The Circle
Directed by: James Ponsoldt (End of the Tour) Starring: Tom Hanks, Emma Watson, John Boyega
A woman lands a job at a powerful tech company called the Circle, where she becomes involved with a mysterious man.
James Ponsoldt has quietly been carving out an impressive filmography of late with the brilliant The Spectacular Now and The End of the Tour suggesting the filmmaker is one of the industries greatest new talents. Here working with his biggest cast, budget and idea to date, this unique sounding Sci-Fi/Thriller could be one of the years sleeper hits and the production to finally get Ponsoldt the recognition he deserves.
Australian release date – May 25th
6. World War Z: 2
Directed by: David Fincher (Gone Girl) Starring: Brad Pitt
A zombie filled follow up to the 2013 original. Plot currently unknown.
While the first World War Z was nothing more than a nice piece of silly popcorn entertainment, the fact that rumours seem to suggest star Brad Pitt has secured the services of his director friend David Fincher to helm this troubled sequel makes me well and truly excited for a film I otherwise wouldn’t be at all anticipating. Fincher + zombies = something hopefully truly awesome.
Australian release date – TBC
5. Weightless
Directed by: Terrence Malick (Knight of Cups) Starring: Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett
Two intersecting love triangles. Obsession and betrayal set against the music scene in Austin, Texas.
There once was a time when a new Terrence Malick film was something the whole film world looked forward to but after a few so-so years with an increasing plate of projects on the go, Malick has found himself in a bit of a career funk. Needing to make a project of worth once more, there’s no reason why Weightless can’t be the one. With an eclectic and downright amazing cast attached to the project, Weightless seems on paper to be the new Malick film we can all get excited for once more.
Australian release date – TBC
4. Annihilation
Directed by: Alex Garland (Ex_Machina) Starring: Oscar Isaac, Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson
A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply.
2015’s Ex_Machina was one of the great films of the last decade and after a long career in the industry largely as a screenwriter, Alex Garland demands to be noticed. Once more delving into the Sci-Fi world that has treated him so well over the past, this adaption of Jeff VanderMeer’s book of the same name should be another dose of thinking-man science fiction that has the added bonus of Garland’s Ex_Machina star Oscar Isaac along for the ride once more.
Australian release date – TBC
3. Blade Runner 2049

The boys are back! Villeneuve with cast members Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling with added Ridley Scott
Directed by: Denis Villenvue (Arrival) Starring: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Jared Leto, Ana de Armas
Blade Runner sequel. Plot currently unknown.
If I was being totally honest, the idea of Denis Villeneuve directing a pot plant would get me excited at the moment as the French/Canadian director has quickly become one of the industries very best filmmakers in the space of a few hugely impressive years. Here taking the reins of his biggest and more noteworthy project to date, you get the feeling that the beloved Blade Runner world is in very safe hands with this long talked about follow up to the Ridley Scott classic of the early 80’s.
Australian release date – October 5th
2. Star Wars: Episode V111
Directed by: Rian Johnson (Looper) Starring: Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver
Having taken her first steps into a larger world in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Rey continues her epic journey with Finn, Poe and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the saga.
It’s sad to say farewell to J. J Abrams who did so well with The Force Awakens but you get the feeling that new to the franchise Rian Johnson has stepped into a film that for all intents and purposes should be just as good as 2015’s Star Wars hit. With the prospect of more Rey, Kylo Ren and of course Luke Skywalker (hopefully BB 8 to), this new journey to a galaxy far far away should be quite the event.
Australian release date – December 14th
1. Dunkirk
Directed by: Christopher Nolan (Interstellar) Starring: Tom Hardy, Harry Styles, Cillian Murphy
Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire, Canada and France are surrounded by the German army and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.
Ever one to keep testing himself, famed director Christopher Nolan goes to war with his epic Dunkirk. Recruiting a star studded cast led by Tom Hardy and featuring One Direction member Harry Styles (boy I hope he can act), Nolan’s film should be one of the cinematic events of the year, demanding to be seen on the biggest screen available and when you consider Nolan has never let us down yet, Dunkirk should be a film on all movie lovers radars.
Australian release date – July 20th
The Best of the Rest
11. Live by Night – Director: Ben Affleck (The Town) Starring: Ben Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Brendan Gleeson
“A story set in the Prohibition Era and centred around a group of individuals and their dealings in the world of organized crime.”
12. Gold – Director: Stephen Gaghan (Syriana) Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Bryce Dallas Howard
“An unlikely pair venture to the Indonesian jungle in search of gold.”
13. War for the Planet of the Apes – Director: Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) Starring: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn
“A nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar become embroiled in a battle with an army of humans.”
14. The Lost City of Z – Director: James Gray (The Immigrant) Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Tom Holland, Sienna Miller
“True-life drama which centres on British explorer Col. Percival Fawcett, who disappeared while searching for a mysterious city in the Amazon in the 1920s.”
15. The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara – Director: Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan) Starring: Oscar Isaac, Mark Rylance
“The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara recounts the story of a young Jewish boy in Bologna, Italy in 1858 who, having been secretly baptized, is forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian.”
16. Wind River – Director: Taylor Sheridan (feature debut) Starring: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen
“An FBI agent teams with the town’s veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.”
17. Bright – Director: David Ayer (Fury) Starring: Will Smith, Joel Edgerton
“Plot – undisclosed police drama”
18. Suburbicon – Director: George Clooney (The Monuments Men) Starring: Matt Damon, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin
“A crime mystery set in the quiet family town of Suburbicon during the 1950s, where the best and worst of humanity is hilariously reflected through the deeds of seemingly ordinary people. When a home invasion turns deadly, a picture-perfect family turns to blackmail, revenge and betrayal.”
19. The Snowman – Director: Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In) Starring: Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson
“Detective Harry Hole investigates the disappearance of a woman whose pink scarf is found wrapped around an ominous-looking snowman.”
20. Kong: Skull Island – Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts (The Kings of Summer) Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson
“An action/adventure story centered on King Kong’s origins.”
I just paid for an unlimited movie ticket for the year, hopefully there’s a lot of good films! Might see all the ones on this list.
Sounds like the type of ticket I need! Enjoy it man.
E
Must admit you’ve compiled a pretty comprehensive list, I’m really looking forward to Dunkirk, Christopher Nolan seems to have the golden touch, so a war film in his hands could be great. Blade Runner 2049 feels like it’s been coming since Blade Runner came out, so long awaited feels like a phrase made for this film, genuinely intrigued to see how it works.
I might throw in something like ‘Logan’, I have either a guilty pleasure or understandable pleasure (depending on your viewpoint) in the Wolverine films and X-Men in general, so I’m looking forward to this, must admit the trailer looks great, but then again I’ve been stung by the “don’t judge a film by its trailer” idea before. Maybe ‘John Wick 2’ as well, primarily because I want to see if they can replicate the surprise success of the first again.
Still great list, got me excited for 2017 again. I might just rent a seat at the cinema this year. Anyway, great work guys, love the blog.
Cheers man appreciate the kind words! I really think this year has something for everyone.
E
Great list 😀 For me the one I am looking forward to the most is Dunkirk. I have seen a 5-6 minute preview for it, that was shown in front of Rogue One, and I was completely blown away by it. I literally had goosebumps on my arm.
As for other movies to look forward to, I am cautiously optimistic for Wonder Woman. The trailers do look promising, but ofcourse it is DC and not Marvel who have had a less than stellar track record.
I do think 2017 will be a better year than 2016. (well at least on paper it looks better 😀)
Oh wow lucky with the Dunkirk preview! It will be one I have to catch on Imax. I to hope Wonder Woman is a decent flick.
E
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Great list man! My most anticipated one is Dunkirk. Can’t wait for it.
It should be another Nolan treat!
E
Blade Runner 2049. Biggest film of the year for me.
I cant wait mate. It should be brilliant.
E
And if it isn’t, my blog will shake the pillars of heaven! (slightly obscure John Carpenter reference there).
Every year I’m like saying to myself that there will be absolutely nothing to watch… Well, and almost every year I’m deeply wrong.
Totally lost ‘Blade Runner 2049’ with the oldy Harrison Ford, but at least with Blade Runner sequel I trust Gasling and Villeneuve. With ‘The Dark Tower’ it’s completely unknown, but I don’t want it successes. Too much love for a book version.
Of course waiting for ‘Dunkirk’ and ‘Mute’. Nolan and Jones always knew what they do want to show in their movies.
With ‘Star Wars’ I completely lost my faith in something wonderful like with original trilogy, but will see. Maybe you guys could explain me somethig of it 😉
Terrence Malick is always strange. In love with ‘The Tree of Life’, but after it is just the only way down. Just hoping.
And of course you forgot some cool movies, guys. What about ‘Logan’, and the untitled projects of Paul Thomas Anderson, Darren Aronofsky and Roman Polanski? Oh, and don’t forget ‘Roma’ by Alfonso Cuaron. Are you also waiting for these guys?)
As for the rest a very good list though.
Some gooď titles you’ve mentioned there. I hope Logan is good I am a little worried it’s being over hyped. Here’s to a great year of films.
E
Some great looking films on there. 2016, if you had a hunt around was very positive for cinema I thought — Room, Arrival, Manchester By The Sea, The Revenant etc. stood out and there were some entertaining “blockbusters” too i.e. Doctor Strange, Star Wars 3.5: Rogue One and CA3: Civil War. A quirky delight like Men and Chicken from Denmark was a curious joy too.
I’ll definitely try and catch most of the films on your list. Not sure of their release dates in Australia but in the UK I am very much looking forward to seeing revenge thriller Elle and contemporary horror Raw; which I saw at the London Film Festival and would recommend to people who like intelligent, thought-provoking horror films. You don’t get too many of those but Raw is brilliant.
Very keen for Raw mate. I’m sure Jordan will be to as a keen horror fan.
E
Suburbicon sounds really interesting. I actually like Clooney as a director. Of course, I am looking forward to the continuation of the Blade Runner & Star Wars sagas. Although I wasn’t a fan of the Dark Tower books I am intrigued to see how Idris Elba stacks up.
Yeh I’m onto last Tower book and really enjoying the series
I do worry about the movie. Hope it’s at least decent
I enjoy Elba’s style. McConaughey on the other hand is hit or miss.
I forgot about Bright. Would have put that on my own list if i remembered
Yeh despite not knowing a whole lot about it mate, I am hoping it’s a return to form for Ayer.
E
Nice list! I would add Paul Thomas Anderson’s film. It doesn’t have a title yet, but it’s supposed to be released by late 2017
Anything he does mate I will be there opening day 🙂 especially when it’s a team up once more with Day Lewis.
E
Reblogged this on C.A. Greyson and commented:
Great Read!
That top three! This year has a lot to live up to but I really believe they’re going to be fantastic!
I reckon to mate 🙂 fingers crossed.
E
Reblogged this on DGF Blog and commented:
10 MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES OF 2017: EDDIE’S TAKE
I disagree with the notion that 2016 was a bad year for blockbusters, the problem I saw it was that there was no great mid-level films. This year included three of the best ten superhero movies of the past ten years which are Deadpool, Dr. Strange, and Captain America: Civil war. Also, it included the film in the the bigest film franchise in the world in over thirty years.
I would say around 9 out of 10 Blockbusters last year were pretty much total trash. Dr Strange was a lot of fun and while Captain America and Deadpool were fun they were and will be forever overrated. Here’s hoping to a more memorable 2017 for bug budget flicks.
E
Love this post! I’m particularly excited about the World War Z sequel, I thought the first was superb! The new Kong film should be a lot of fun as well 👍
I’ve got my fingers crossed for this sequel, I reckon it could be one of the rare cases where the 2nd film is better than the first.
E
I’m gonna reblog this on my page guys I hope you don’t mind!
Absolutely fine mate.
E
Reblogged this on WatchThatTV and commented:
I think you guys will like this article 👌
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Dunkirk seems interesting. I’ve certainly surprised myself on liking alot of war movies ( when they have a great storyline). Black Hawk Down being one of them.
I’m looking foward to Blade Runner( Ridley Scott has been a busy man),as I loved the original, Alien: Covenant and Murder on the Orient Express.
This year really does have a few flicks to get excited about! And there’s no reason why Dunkirk won’t be a true War classic.
E
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