With the Superbowl taking place last Sunday, that means an onslaught of new tv commercials. And mixed in with those commercials are movie trailers. Just about every big movie got a Superbowl trailer update, and there’s a few other surprises mixed in. So if you’re looking for something to be entertained with in 2016 (movies, tv shows or video games) then you can probably find something worth anticipating below:
High Rise
One of the more interesting looking films in this round of trailers envisions an alternate realty 1975 where Londoners decided to relocate into vertical living arrangements while keeping class systems in place, to (what appears to be) a sinister effect. Some film critics are claiming it could be this year’s Snowpiercer. The US release arrives on May 13th.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
If you’re remotely interested in big comic book action movies, then you’ve likely already seen multiple trailers for this one, but the Bats vs Supes movie has gotten a “final” trailer treatment this past week, ahead of its March 25th theatrical release. The dark and gritty motif worked well for Nolan’s Batman trilogy, and to mixed-reviews for 2013’s Man of Steel. Whether or not it works for the two combined is left to be seen.
Flaked
On a lighter note, Will Arnett returns to play a version of the same character he’s been playing for the past decade in Flaked, a new Netflix comedy that drops on March 11th. The show is executive produced by Mitch Hurwitz of Arrested Development fame, so it’s fitting if it seems like Arnett’s character in this trailer appears to be a slightly less offensive and more empathetic version of Gob Bluth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKOpvm7BcOo
Jason Bourne
Matt Damon reprises his role as Jason Bourne in the fifth major film release, after taking a break from the series in 2012’s The Bourne Legacy. If you’re interested in spy films, but want your hero a little less Bond-ian and a little more Damon-esque, well, save the date for July 29th.
X-Men: Apocalypse
The quick 40-second superbowl update gives us few details on the next film in the X-Men series (in theaters May 27th), but a couple of extra glimpses of some of the characters in action, including Oscar Issac’s titular Apocalypse, Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey and Olivia Munn’s Psylocke. If the new film can keep the momentum running from 2014’s Days of Future Past, then consider the X-Men back on solid film footing.
Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates
A couple of weeks ago, Dirty Grandpa was released upon the world (currently holding a 9 percent on Rotten Tomatoes) — a spring break-ish raunchy comedy starring Zac Efron, Aubrey Plaza, and some other people. Enter Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates, a spring break-ish raunchy comedy starring Zac Efron, Aubrey Plaza, and some other people. This one arrives July 8.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
Not a big week for new video game trailers, but Nintendo fans will likely get excited about some new shots of the nearly released high def update of Twilight Princess. It’s hard to believe that the original release was already 10 years ago during the final throes of the Gamecube and launch of the Wii. Get ready for better graphics on March 4th.
The Jungle Book
Disney continues their streak of live action adaptations and reboots with this year’s Jungle Book, hoping to repeat the success of Alice in Wonderland, Pirates of the Caribbean, Into the Woods or Cinderella. While the trailer looks average at best, Jon Faverau could do the source material justice, and the voice talent is all top notch. Arrives on April 15h.
Captain America: Civil War
The biggest Marvel super hero release this year is technically Captain America 3, but as the trailer reminds us, it should play out like Avengers Lite, given the amount of screen time the full ensemble cast is likely to capture in the continued saga that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You can stand in line to see it opening day on May 6th.
Independence Day: Resurgence
A clever nod to football and Americana was front and center in this short Superbowl teaser for the new Independence Day sequel. If the alien invasion exploding the White House was iconic in 1996, then this trailer should tell you that a whole lot more explosions are on the way on June 24th.
Criminal
Quick, what was the last movie you were excited about seeing Kevin Costner in? While the actor hasn’t exactly been retired, new film Criminal could be seen as a potential career restarter for someone who has fallen out of the limelight since his height in the nineties. Get ready for both action and feels when Criminal is released on April 15th.
Silicon Valley: Season 3
Mike Judge’s band of misfit entrepreneurs return to the small screen on April 24th. The teaser doesn’t give a lot to go on, but at least will get you excited about the show’s return on HBO on April 24th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMAUG8oVY_4
Mr. Right
Nearly twenty years ago, I fell in love with a lesser known romantic comedy about a hitman falling in love called Grosse Pointe Blank. It’s worth seeking out for both the dark comedy as well as guns blazing shootout scenes, and likely a good way to anticipate new film Mr. Right, which appears to tread familiar territory. Opens on April 8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXJQmVxFs-M
The Purge: Election Year
Look who’s purging now! With two high-performing films under its belt, The Purge has grown into a successful horror franchise without a whole lot of hype or commotion. The third installment plays upon 2016 being a big election year, although while the film’s futuristic presidential candidates are calling for an end to the purge, current IRL candidates are just getting things moving in that direction. Opens on July 1.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2
Yep. They’re the world’s most fearsome fighting team. If you’re a child of the nineties, you grew up with TMNT, and while the second coming of their film franchise (on June 3rd) promises more Michael Bay style action, superfans are likely excited to see what’s in store with the additions of Bebop, Rocksteady, Casey Jones and Krang.