In my mind, there’s just no way Marvel Studios can top last year’s Captain America: Civil War. It was the ultimate superhero movie. And Rogue One was a masterpiece of Star Wars storytelling. Not to mention the gorgeous story of Moana. Yep, the Disney 2017 movie lineup sure has its work cut out for it.
Then again, now that I look at the full slate of Disney films for 2017, I’m certainly ready to start getting the popcorn! Seriously, Disney somehow pulls that magical pixie dust out of its hat (most likely the Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey’s hat no doubt) and continues to release insanely awesome films for the whole family.
This year in particular, I’m probably most pumped for Thor: Ragnarok as it’s one of my all-time favorite comic book stories. To sum it up: it’s the ultimate War for Asgard that brings Hela (the ruler of Asgardian Hel) into the fray. With Hulk tossed into the mix, it should be non-stop Marvel madness. Oh and yeah, many of my female friends will just keep repeating the phrase “eye candy” when it comes to the Odinson.
The other film I’m most pumped to see is Beauty and the Beast! It’s always been one of my favorite Disney animated films, even moreso after meeting Angela Landsbury and the rest of the cast last year at a special Beauty and the Beast event in NYC.
Of course, all of those Disney 2017 films will take a backseat to Star Wars: Episode VIII the second I see the first trailer. In the meantime, read on to get a taste of what this new year of Disney films has in store for you!
Beauty and the Beast
March 17, 2017
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.
The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s father; Josh Gad as LeFou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Audra McDonald as Madame de Garderobe, the wardrobe; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; Hattie Morahan as the enchantress; and Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; with Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.
#BeautyAndTheBeast #BeOurGuest
Born in China
April 21, 2017
Narrated by John Krasinski (“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” NBC’s “The Office,” “Amazon’s “Jack Ryan”), 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.
#BornInChina
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
May 5, 2017
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.
#GotGVol2
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
May 26, 2017
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.” The rip-roaring adventure 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 (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea—notably Jack. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it he must forge an uneasy alliance with Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry (Brenton Thwaites), a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy. At the helm of the Dying Gull, his pitifully small and shabby ship, Captain Jack seeks not only to reverse his recent spate of ill fortune, but to save his very life from the most formidable and malicious foe he has ever faced.
#PiratesOfTheCaribbean #APiratesDeathForMe
Cars 3
June 16, 2017
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) 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 (voice of Cristela Alonzo), 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!
#Cars3
Thor: Ragnarok
November 3, 2017
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!
#ThorRagnarok
Coco
November 22, 2017
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: Episode VIII
December 15, 2017
#StarWarsVIII
Here’s a rundown of Disney’s 2017 releases:
- March 17 – Beauty and the Beast
- April 21 – Born in China
- May 5 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- May 26 – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
- June 16 – Cars 3
- November 3 – Thor: Ragnarok
- November 22 – Coco
- December 15 – Star Wars: Episode VIII
View the full 2017 Walt Disney Studios Preview Kit (PDF) for details!
Which movie are you most excited to see?
I have always adored Beauty and the Beast. I like of course it is Disney, but I like that it can be used as a learning tool. It can teach empathy and about differences. It iis just a nice story.
I def want to see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales!