BY NICK JONES

**DISCLAIMER**: The following article includes opinions from me which you might not agree with.  Do not take it personally if I don’t like your favorite movie franchise.

Disney and other companies that are the property of Disney, (i.e. Marvel, Pixar), have announced a lineup of 11 movies set to be released in 2019.  Some of the later release dates could change.

Disney (and other properties) have released some amazing films during the last century and I am confident that they will continue to do so.  Lion King, Cars, and Captain America: Winter Soldier are among my favorite movies I have ever seen. The experiences of these movies just add to my personal hype around the movies set to release this year.  

Captain Marvel – March 9th, 2019 – Trailer

Notable Cast Members: Brie Larson (Carol Danvers), Samuel L Jackson (Nick Fury), Jude Law (Yon Rogg)

The twenty-first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain Marvel is the story of Carol Danvers becoming the most powerful hero in the galaxy.  With the help of Nick Fury, she attempts to save the Earth from an alien race called the Skrulls.  

I am 100% going to see this in theaters.  Based on Marvel’s previous projects, I bet this movie does really well in the box office.  Also, as great as feminism is, I hope the fact that she is a woman doesn’t take away from the story.  

Dumbo – March 29th, 2019 – Trailer

Notable Cast Members: Alan Arkin (J. Griffin Remington), Michael Keaton (V. A. Vandervere), Danny DeVito (Max Medici)

The classic story of the flying elephant is back with a whole new look.  Dumbo’s story of confidence and friendship will inspire a new generation of kids, this time, in live action.

I do not plan on watching this movie at all.  As a kid, I never really liked Dumbo, but if you did, I bet that you would enjoy this movie almost as much as you did the first time you saw him flap his ears.

Disney Nature’s Penguins – April 19th, 2019 – Trailer

Notable Cast Members: Steve (a real penguin named Steve), Wuzzo (also a penguin)

This movie is a documentary about an Adélie penguin named Steve on his quest to find a family.  He finds a friend along the way in Wuzzo, the Emperor penguin.

I am not a huge fan of documentaries, so I probably won’t watch this at all.  If I do, it will most likely be at 3 a.m. in the summer when I should be sleeping.

Avengers Endgame – May 3rd, 2019 – Trailer

Notable Cast Members: Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), + countless others

Marvel is being super secretive about this movie and the internet has about zero plot details.  All we know is that the remaining heroes are going to attempt to avenge the deaths of the killed heroes by going after Thanos, and Hawkeye is actually in the movie this time.

I will definitely be seeing this movie near the day it comes out because this film is the result of ten years of movies and it is the fourth installment of the “Avengers” series.  I have seen all of these screenplays and I wouldn’t want to miss the end of this particular story arc.

Aladdin – May 24th, 2019 – Trailer

Notable Cast Members: Naomi Scott (Jasmine), Will Smith (Genie), sadly not Robin Williams

Aladdin is another of the remakes that Disney is dropping next year.  Directed by Guy Richie, the story about a merchant and a genie is sure to amaze along with the new special effects that have been pioneered in this era.

As much as I love the music from Aladdin (A Whole New World might be my favorite Disney song ever), I don’t think I’ll see this movie because I don’t think it will be worth the price of admission.

Toy Story 4 – June 21st, 2019 – Trailer

Notable Cast Members: Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Keanu Reeves (Unknown), Jordan Peele (Bunny)

The toys are back in town for the fourth and last movie of the Toy Story series.  A new toy called “Forky” (it’s actually a spork so whoever named it needs to go back to school) joins the team of toys and teaches Woody and the gang how big the world is for a toy.

The Toy Story movies are a notable part of my childhood, so it is essential that I see this movie.  It’s probably a big deal for you too because Toy Story was definitely one of the first movies your parents ever showed you.

Spider-Man: Far From Home – July 5th, 2019 – Trailer

Notable Cast Members: Tom Holland (Peter Parker), Zendaya (Michelle Jones), Jake Gyllenhaal (Mysterio)

This movie is set to take place a few hours after the events of Avengers Endgame which means there is approximately a 100% chance that Peter Parker is brought back to life during the events of that movie.  The web-slinger goes on a field trip to Europe and is faced with the task of saving his friends.

Spider-Man is one of my favorite Marvel characters of all time.  I saw all the Tobey Maguire movies and recently played the Insomniac video game.  I am super excited for this movie because of what Spider-Man Homecoming did for the character and Tom Holland’s performance.

The Lion King – July 19th, 2019 – Trailer

Notable Cast Members: James Earl Jones (Mufasa), Donald Glover (Simba), Beyoncé (Nala), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), John Favreau (Director)

It’s the same inspirational story about a young lion, that taught us all how to deal with death and/or loss.  But this time, it’s in state-of-the-art CGI.

If you told me that you had never seen The Lion King, I would almost definitely question why you’re allowed to leave your house but also question why you hadn’t seen it yet.  It is literally the greatest animated movie I have ever seen and I can’t wait to see it again in realistic computer-generated imaging.

Artemis Fowl – August 19th, 2019 – Trailer

Notable Cast Members: Miranda Raison (Angeline Fowl), Josh Gad (Mulch Diggums)

Artemis Fowl is about a young kid, named Artemis Fowl II, who is a criminal mastermind.  The kid is Irish and he kidnaps the fairy LEPrecon officer, whatever that is.

This is a movie that is based on a fantasy book that I did not read, nor have heard of.  The trailer didn’t look too great, and overall the story didn’t appeal to me. But I guess if you read the book you might like it.

Frozen 2 – November 22nd, 2019 – (Trailer Has Not Been Released)

Notable Cast Members: Kristen Bell (Anna), Sterling K Brown (Unknown), Idina Menzel (Elsa)

Frozen was a very successful movie when it released in 2013.  So successful that it was adapted into a Broadway musical.  Six years later, Disney is delivering the sequel that the film deserved.

I saw the original Frozen in theaters and it was alright.  It was nowhere near as good as Cars or The Lion King.  I probably won’t see this one because I have better things to do.  If I was a bigger fan of the first one I would for sure go to watch it.

Star Wars Episode IX – December 19th, 2019 – (Trailer Has Not Been Released)

Notable Cast Members: Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)

While the plot of the film has yet to be revealed we do know that movie will pick up some time after The Last Jedi, which ended with the Resistance, the former Rebellion, escaping the clutches of the First Order, now led by the new Supreme Leader, Kylo Ren. Although he became one with the force, given Mark Hamill’s confirmation in the cast, it can be assumed that Luke will return as a force ghost. Lando Calrissian and Leia Organa are also confirmed as returning characters.

I’m not too excited for this movie, but I’ve seen all the other Star Wars movies so I’m gonna have to see the conclusion.  If it’s anything like The Force Awakens or The Last Jedi, it won’t be worth my time or money.

If I had to rank these movies from best to worst, my ranking would be:

• Avengers: Endgame

• Lion King

• Spider-Man: Far From Home

• Captain Marvel

• Toy Story 4

• Aladdin

• Star Wars Episode IX

• Dumbo

• Frozen 2

• Disney Penguins

• Artemis Fowl

Other Students’ Opinions:

Amateur moviegoer, Myah Giordullo, said Captain Marvel will be a great movie because it will empower women across the world.  

Star Wars super-fan Andrew Foley said, “Star Wars is, and always will be a timeless saga of films and Episode IX will be the final chapter. I am excited to see how the movie closes off new and old characters and leaves its mark on film history.”

Junior, Owen Holliday, stated he is not excited for the Lion King remake because “the first one embodied my childhood and it does not need a remake.”