It’s the start of a brand new year, folks. So you know what that means: Plenty of hard-hitting action to look forward to! And judging from the following list we’ve compiled this year, it is going to be a good one. Keanu Reeves will start swinging again, Schwarzenegger might make a huge comeback as Conan, and Marvel is going to deliver the goods with a Captain America sequel that could be the best Marvel film to date. Awesome stuff! So without further ado, check out the action-heavy highlights below, and let us know what you think in the comments, on Twitter, or on Facebook.
LET’S BEGIN!!
✔Civil War
Release date: May 06, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: After another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps, one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.
Why you should be down to see it: 2015’s Avengers sequel, Age of Ultron, wasn’t the pay off to Marvel’s Phase 2 that some thought it would be (unfortunately). Civil War seems to be, which makes a lot more sense in retrospect: Tony’s ongoing reckless behavior and paranoia, Steve Roger’s hunt for Winter Soldier, Hydra’s manipulation of events, Hulk’s removal from the team, the Avenger’s ongoing path of destruction…it all comes to a head here! And the best part: The Russo brothers are back in the saddle again.
✔John Wick 2
Release date: TBA
The lazy IMDB synopsis: The continuing adventures of former hitman, John Wick..
Why you should be down to see it: The first John Wick was an instant cult hit. Primarily for its gun violence and choreography. The story to the original film left something to be desired, but that won’t stop us from experiencing John’s next one-man army killing spree.
✔Doom
Release date: Q1 or Q2 of 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: Doom is the upcoming reboot of the Doom series by id Software following the release of its last title, Doom 3, in 2004. It will be released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2016. After years in development with almost no news from id Software, it was restarted completely in 2011 with Bethesda Softworks serving as the publisher for the game.
Why you should be down to see it: It’s Doom! The series that defined first-person shooters! It has a legacy to live up to and it damn sure better. No pressure.
✔Rogue One
Release date: December 16, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: A band of resistance fighters unite for a daring mission to steal the Death Star plans. Felicity Jones, who stars in “Rogue One,” will play a rebel soldier. The film will take place between Episode III and Episode IV, but closer to “A New Hope.”
Why you should be down to see it: While Force Awakens may have left some of us here at Action A Go Go a bit cold, the idea of a Star Wars spy tale is a little too good to deny. Especially when the concept behind Rogue One is intended to highlight the squad that secured the Death Star’s plans — leading to the Rebel’s victory in A New Hope. Here is hoping this one rambles way less than the last Star Wars film.
✔Birkebeinerne
Release date: Feb 12, 2016 (in Norway, but we’re hoping for it to pop up on Netflix before the end of the year.)
The lazy IMDB synopsis: In the year 1206 Norway is raged by civil war. The King’s illegitimate infant son, Håkon Håkonsson, which half the kingdom wants killed off, is guarded in secrecy by two men. A story which changed the course of the country’s history.
Why you should be down to see it: A historical thriller set along the dangerous heights of the Norwegian mountains? Yes, please. Who says history can’t be fun?
✔Bourne 5
Release date: July 29, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: Not yet finalized
Why you should be down to see it: Truth be told, there hasn’t been a bad Bourne movie (even the Jeremy Renner one was pretty entertaining), so a fifth Bourne film is already enough to be excited about. Couple that with the fact that the Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass are returning, and you’ve got a lot of potential for greatness.
✔Devolution
Release date: January 20, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: Every living creature on Earth has been devolved – the evolutionary clock turned back, reverting all life to odd mutations and prehistoric incarnations. The cities of man are little more than bloody territories ruthlessly dominated by tribal Neanderthals ruling from the backs of mammoths, packs of saber-toothed tigers, and giant man-eating insects. Writer Rick Remender (Black Science, Fear Agent), artist Jon Wayshak (The Authority), and colorist Jordan Boyd (Ant-Man, Planet Hulk) take you on a journey with the last band of “Still Sapien” humans in the hope of locating an antidote and re-evolving the human race.
Why you should be down to see it: What if the government created a way to eradicate religious fanaticism by using a chemical compound? That’s the springboard concept to Devolution by Rick Remender (Uncanny X-Force, Fear Agent) and Paul Renaud (Warlord of Mars, Army of Darkness). Based on the premise alone, Devolution is enticing. But Remender and Renaud don’t stop there. the creative duo are going to explore the consequences of science gone mad in ways that completely devolve humanity, and turn the population into bloodthirsty neanderthals. Nature always finds a way.
✔Ip Man 3
Release date: Jan 22, 2016 (United States)
The lazy IMDB synopsis: When a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over the city, Master Ip is forced to take a stand.
Why you should be down to see it: Ip Man vs. Bruce Lee: Yep. Ip Man vs. Mike Tyson: Check. You’ve run out of excuses.
✔The Revenant
Release date: January 8th
The lazy IMDB synopsis: A frontiersman named Hugh Glass on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s is on a quest for survival after being mauled by a bear.
Why you should be down to see it: Hitting theaters this weekend, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s wintery revenge tale is already generating Oscar buzz for cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki and for actor Leonardo DiCaprio. But we don’t care about that because this movie just looks intense as hell.
✔Tom Clancy’s The Division
Release date: March 8, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis:
We live in a complex world. The more advanced it gets, the more vulnerable it becomes. We’ve created a house of cards: remove just one, and everything falls apart. Black Friday – a devastating pandemic sweeps through New York City, and one by one, basic services fail. In only days, without food or water, society collapses into chaos. The Division, an autonomous unit of tactical agents, is activated. Leading seemingly ordinary lives among us, these agents are trained to operate independently in order to save society. When society falls, we rise.
Why you should be down to see it: This Tom Clancy-inspired pandemic game from Ubisoft got pushed back to 2016 last MAy. But that’s totally okay. Let them take their time. If the game looks this amazing without polish then we can wait to play the finished version.
✔The Great Wall
Release date: November 23, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: A mystery centered around the construction of the Great Wall of China.
Why you should be down to see it: Snowpiercer seems to have started a new trend in Hollywood: American financed thrillers helmed by some of Asia’s most impressive talent. This one comes from director Zhang Yimou, the man who gave us Hero and House of Flying Daggers. So expect the type of jaw-dropping action that will make you stand up and appreciate gorgeous violence.
✔Suicide Squad
Release date: August 5, 2016
The lazy synopsis: A secret government agency recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for clemency.
Why you should be down to see it: Admittedly, we’re still not quite sure what to make of Suicide Squad, but…man, does it look cool! Yeah, we shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover (or a DC film by its trailer), but this villain-focused superteam film has done something that even our favorite superhero films haven’t done in awhile: Be unpredictable.
✔The Legend of Conan
Release date: Admittedly, this is just wishful thinking.
The lazy IMDB synopsis: Unknown
Why you should be down to see it: We don’t know a lot about The Legend of Conan, but it’s being described as the culmination of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s run as Robert E. Howard’s sword-wielding barbarian. This is a film years in the making and we’re hoping for a great pay off. Will the The Legend of Conan start production in time for a 2016 release date? We’re not sure, but we sure as hell hope so.
✔Daredevil Season 2
Release date: March 18, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: A blind lawyer, with his other senses superhumanly enhanced, fights crime as a costumed superhero. Second season should feature the Punisher as well as Elektra.
Why you should be down to see it: Punisher, Elektra, and (possibly) Bullseye! The first season of Daredevil was surprisingly gritty and a welcome departure from the kid gloves approach that even some of the more grimdark superhero movies and TV shows fall victim to. With the second season, we’re officially getting all the introductory stuff out of the way and getting into the nitty gritty of what so many people love about the title character.
✔Dreaming Eagles
Release date: Issue #1 available now!
The lazy IMDB synopsis: Inspired by true events, Dreaming Eagles tells the story of the first African American fighter pilots to join the United States Army Air Force in WWII and whose humble beginnings in Tuskegee, Alabama propelled them into the deadly skies above Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. Not only were they instrumental against the Nazi war machine, but also braved an equally great challenge, overcoming everyday bigotry amongst their fellow American soldiers as well as civilians at home. High in the heavens, they fought a battle that would change their country and their world forever. Industry legend Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys, Hellblazer) joins artist Simon Coleby (2000 AD, The Authority) for this high-flying tale of love, war and family.
Why you should be down to see it: Writer Garth Ennis’ war comics feature some of the most well-researched, emotionally violent, and downright riveting adventures. With Dreaming Eagles, the man who gave us Preacher and Punisher MAX embarks on a tale about race during wartime and how it ultimately connects back to concerns now. The first issue is out now and we can’t wait to see where Ennis’ deft approach to historical action takes us.
✔The Nice Guys
Release date: May 20, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: A private eye investigates the apparent suicide of a fading porn star in 1970s Los Angeles and uncovers a conspiracy.
Why you should be down to see it: Screenwriter/director Shane Black has written some of the greatest action-crime films of our time. Like what? Oh, I don’t know…like Lethal Weapon, Last Boy Scout, Long Kiss Goodnight, Last Action Hero and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang! With Nice Guys, Shane is back in his element with a quick-witted tale about seedy Los Angeles and two guys who are way in over their head. Win.
✔Warcraft
Release date: June 10, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: An epic fantasy/adventure based on the popular video game series.
Why you should be down to see it: It looks like the most epic fantasy film since Lord Of The Rings, and could be the best movie based on a video game ever. With the VERY talented Duncan Jones (Moon) behind the camera, we have our hopes set high.
✔Deadpool
Release date: February 12, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers and adopts the alter ego Deadpool.
Why you should be down to see it: Fox has been slowly atoning for its past sins against Marvel movies by making solid X-films. Deadpool — which was put into production after some test footage went viral — seems eager to hammer that home by giving the fans what they want: An R rated, foul mouthed, good time! Here’s hoping they can seal the deal on this one.
✔Westworld
Release date: Sometime in 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: A series inspired by the 1973 film of the same title directed by Michael Crichton about a futuristic theme park populated by artificial beings.
Why you should be down to see it: Based on the cult classic sci-fi tale, this project looks to be a lot of fun. With the way TV adaptations have gone these last several year, the producers could take the core concept into any number of directions, and if anyone has proved that they can make solid television…it’s HBO. Also, with talent like Ed Harris and Anthony Hopkins in tow, it’s bound to be entertaining.
✔Dr. Strange
Release date: November 4, 2016
The lazy IMDB synopsis: After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under his wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.
Why you should be down to see it: If you are a Marvel fan, or a superhero fan, or a fan of fantasy, then there are no real downsides here. Dr. Strange is a bedrock Marvel comics character with loads of fun marterial that could light up the big screen. Nevermind that Benedict Cumberbatch will be starring and that the first Marvel film in a series is usually the best one.
So that wraps it up! Did we miss something you are excited for? If so let us know in the comments below! No point in keeping all the awesome to yourself, pal!