The Year Ahead: 9 Universal Movies to Look Forward to in 2018

in Entertainment, Movies, Movies & TV

With only a few days left in 2017, we can take some time to reflect on our favorite films from Universal Studios over the past year. This studio gave us some innovative new horror, hilarious animated comedy and plenty of action, and there’s even more to look forward to in 2018.

From horror-filled sequels to action packed originals, Universal Studios has a lot in store for 2018.

Here are the films you can get excited for in the New Year, in order of release date:

1. Insidious: The Last Key – January 5, 2018

Synopsis: Parapsychologist Dr. Elise Rainier faces her most fearsome and personal haunting yet – in her own family home.

Cast: Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Kirk Acevedo, Caitlin Gerard, Spencer Locke, Josh Stewart, Tessa Ferrer and more.

The third film in the “Insidious” trilogy, “The Last Key” promises to be another nightmare-inducing chapter in this frightening franchise.

2. Pacific Rim: Uprising – March 23, 2018

Synopsis: Jake Pentecost, son of Stacker Pentecost, reunites with Mako Mori to lead a new generation of Jaeger pilots, including rival Lambert and 15-year-old hacker Amara, against a new Kaiju threat.

Cast: John Boyega, Tian Jing, Scott Eastwood, Adria Arjona, Charlie Day, Riko Kikuchi, Burn Gorman and more.

This sequel to the action-packed 2013 film promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats as Universal provides another enormous monster movie.

3. Blockers – April 6, 2018

Synopsis: Three parents try to stop their daughters from having sex on Prom night.

Cast: Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, John Cena, Kathryn Newton, Graham Phillips, Gideon Adlon and more.

In what looks to be a hilarious and original new comedy, Mann, Barinholtz and Cena could have audiences laughing out loud this spring.

4. Truth or Dare – April 27, 2018

Synopsis: A college student is haunted by a supernatural presence after being tricked into playing a game of ‘Truth or Dare’.

Cast: Tyler Posey, Lucy Hale, Landon Liboiron, Nolan Gerard Funk, Sam Lerner, Violett Beane and more.

Another terrifying concept from the team at Blumhouse Productions, “Truth or Dare” is sure to cost moviegoers some sleep this April.

5. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – June 22, 2018

Synopsis: When the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.

Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Jeff Goldblum, BD Wong, Ted Levine, Toby Jones, James Cromwell and more.

Jeff Goldblum is back in a Jurassic Park movie! Do you really need to hear any more? We didn’t think so. Summer can’t come soon enough.

6. The Purge: The Island – July 4, 2018

Synopsis: A prequel to the popular “Purge” franchise that will focus on the events that lead up to the very first Purge event.

Cast: Luna Lauren Velez, Melonie Diaz, Chyna Layne, Lex Scott Davis, Aaron V. Williamson, Y’lan Noel and more.

Finally, we will get some answers regarding how the Purge came into existence in the first place. After watching so many people get slaughtered over three separate movies, I think we would all like to know.

7. Halloween – October 19, 2018

Synopsis: Laurie Strode comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Nick Castle, Andi Matichak and more.

Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Myers, John Carpenter and Blumhouse! This is the recipe for a perfect modern “Halloween” sequel. Plus, this one is essentially erasing every movie after the first two so that’s also a win!

8. How The Grinch Stole Christmas – November 9, 2018

Synopsis: A grumpy Grinch plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville.

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch… what else do you need?

Yes, there is another Grinch movie coming in 2018. And yes, it’s going to be tough to live up to the original animated special. However, Benedict Cumberbatch is the Grinch, so we’re excited!

9. Mortal Engines – December 14, 2018

Synopsis: Many years after the “Sixty Minute War,” cities survive a now desolate Earth by moving around on giant wheels attacking and devouring smaller towns to replenish their resources.

Cast: Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, Hugo Weaving, Jihae, Stephen Lang and more.

We can always trust Peter Jackson to make a gigantic, action-packed epic. Great leadership and a Mad Max-type vibe have us excited for this one. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait all year for it.

Universal certainly has some exciting things lined up for 2018. Which movie are you most excited about seeing in theaters?

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