Walt Disney Studios 2018 Preview

Superheroes, intergalactic smugglers, video game characters, and even a magical super nanny are among the characters audiences will be able to see at the cinema this year. Between multiple live-action adaptations, Disney’s 57^th animated theatrical film, and offerings from Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Studios has something for everyone. The following is a quick play-by-play of what fans can expect to see on the big screen in 2018.

Black Panther

Studio: Marvel Studios

Release Date: February 16, 2018

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, and Winston Duke

Synopsis: After his father’s death in Captain America: Civil War, T’Challa returns home to Wakanda, an isolated but technologically advanced African nation, to take his place as king. However, an old enemy appears and draws T’Challa into a conflict that will test him both as the new king of Wakanda and as the superhero Black Panther. He’s going to need all the strength of Black Panther and of his allies to prevent his people’s conflict from exploding into worldwide chaos.

A Wrinkle in Time

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Release Date: March 9, 2018

Starring: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Peña, Storm Reid, Zach Galifianakis, Chris Pine, Levi Miller, and Deric McCabe

Synopsis: A new adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic science fiction/fantasy novel, A Wrinkle in Time follows middle school student Meg Murry after the mysterious disappearance of her scientist father. Meg, her classmate Calvin, and her gifted younger brother Charles Wallace meet three celestial beings: Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Who, who inform Meg her father is still alive. Traveling via the wrinkling time and space, the children set off on a quest to save him from an evil force that threatens not only Mr. Murry, but the entire universe.

Avengers: Infinity War

Studio: Marvel Studios

Release Date: May 4, 2018

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Elizabeth Olsen, Zoe Saldana, Mark Ruffalo, Karen Gillian, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, Sebastian Stan, Chadwick Boseman, and the list goes on and on…

Synopsis: Ten years of building the Marvel Cinematic Universe have led to this: the ultimate showdown pitting the Avengers and their superhero allies against intergalactic baddie Thanos and his Infinity Gauntlet. With the entire universe at stake, sacrifices will be made, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it will never be the same.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Studio: Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Pictures

Release Date: May 25, 2018

Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover, and Joonas Suotamo

Synopsis: This second Star Wars spinoff film takes viewers back to the early days of fan-favorite smuggler Han Solo, before he met Luke and was drawn into the fight against the Empire. Here we follow Han through a dangerous criminal underground, where he meets future copilot Chewbacca and gambler Lando Calrissian. Little else has been revealed about the plot, so hopefully a trailer will give us a little more information to chew on shortly.

Incredibles 2

Studio: Pixar Animation Studios

Release Date: June 15, 2018

Starring: Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, and Samuel L. Jackson

Synopsis: This long-awaited sequel to Brad Bird’s 2004 hit, Incredibles 2 turns the tables as Helen/Elastigirl takes the spotlight in fighting crime, with husband Bob/Mr. Incredible on household duty with their super children Violet, Dash, and baby Jack-Jack – who is developing a whole collection of superpowers. But when a new villain appears, the whole family must come together yet again – along with Bob’s super pal Frozone – to put a stop to the dastardly plan.

Ant-Man and The Wasp

Studio: Marvel Studios

Release Date: July 6, 2018

Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Tip “T.I.” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Hannah John Kamen, Abby Ryder-Fortson, and Randall Park

Synopsis: Following his imprisonment in Captain America: Civil War, Scott Lang is faced with balancing the consequences of serving as the superhero Ant-Man with being a good father. But just as he tries to get the home-work balance under control, he’s approached by fellow superhero Hope van Dyne (The Wasp) and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent mission that requires Scott to suit up again and learn to work alongside his new teammate as they delve into secrets of the past.

Christopher Robin

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Release Date: August 3, 2018

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Mark Gatiss, and Jim Cummings

Synopsis: This live-action adventure follows an adult Christopher Robin, who has lost his way and needs the help of his old stuffed animal friends from the Hundred Acre Wood to reawaken the child inside of him. Winnie-the-Pooh and his pals will have to enter the real world in order to assist their friend. It’s not yet been announced how the classic animal characters will be portrayed, but let’s hope that whatever visual approach is used honors the spirit of the original animated cartoon.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Release Date: November 2, 2018

Starring: Mackenzie Foy, Jayden Fowora-Knight, Keira Knightly, Helen Mirren, and Morgan Freeman

Synopsis: Inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic nutcracker story, this colorful iteration sees young Clara searching for a key to unlock a precious gift box given to her by her late mother. What she finds instead is a parallel world consisting of four Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers, Land of Sweets, and a dangerous fourth realm under the control of the villainous Mother Ginger. Clara must work with soldier Philip to brave the fourth realm, retrieve her key, and restore harmony to the world.

Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It-Ralph 2

Studio: Walt Disney Animation Studios

Release Date: November 21, 2018

Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, and Taraji P. Henson

Synopsis: Ralph and pal Vanellope von Schweetz are back, but this time they’ve left the video game arcade and braved the expansive world of the Internet on a quest to find a replacement part to save Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush. The citizens of the Internet – the netizens – guide the pair on their search, including Yesss – a website entrepreneur and the force behind popular trend-making site “BuzzzTube.”

Mary Poppins Returns

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Release Date: December 25, 2018

Starring: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Colin Firth, and Meryl Streep

Synopsis: In 1930s Depression-era London, twenty-four years after the events of the original Mary Poppins film, an adult Michael Banks still lives at 17 Cherry Tree Lane with his three children Annabel, John, and Georgie, along with housekeeper Ellen. After the family suffers a personal loss, Mary Poppins, along with her lamp-lighting friend Jack, comes back to help restore the missing joy and wonder to their lives.

Via Disney Press Release and imdb.com.

What do you think of Disney’s 2018 film lineup? Which of these movies are you most looking forward to seeing this year?

Edited by: Kajsa Rain Forden