2017: The Films to Come

So, just sat down for a second to take a list of confirmed releases for next year; I'm aware of some bigger titles that are 'maybes' at this point, but that's not a very reliable sign so late in the year, so they weren't included below. I've also very roughly fragmented the list based off what I consider 'Guaranteed' Blockbusters Vs. 'Modest' Money Makers.

All in all, it looks like it's going to be a pretty ridiculous year that we're headed into - After 2016, both in terms of film quality and general world issues, I think espcapism might be well received if the efforts been put in.



------------------------------------------------------------------Definite Blockbusters

Fifty Shades Darker
Even with decline in interest, which doesn't seem to be the case, this isn't doing under 400,000,000 worldwide.

Lego Batman
Lego Movie received great reception, as have the trailers for this. Grim-Dark Batman V Superman might have also added to the audience potential for a lighter Batman; personally see this as 400,000,000 worldwide as well.

Logan
I'm torn on this; X-Men has built up some good faith since the last Wolverine movie, but Apocalypse spent some of that as well - With it being Rated R, being Jackman's last go, and apparently the first faithful adaption of Wolverine, I'd say this will probably make more than the 1st for around 425,000,000 worldwide, if not more.

Kong: Skull Island
I can't argue about whether or not this turns a profit, since the 2005 remake was notorious for it's budget, and Warner has already gone all in on Godzilla, and this having a similar (Though, in my opinion, higher quality) tone - That said, I can't see this making under 450,000,000 worldwide, as an absolutely minimum. Good Reviews and word of mouth good push this to 650,000,000, I feel.

Beauty and the Beast
Sky is the limit, purely dependent on quality. Trailer has the populace mesmerized, as does everything to have come out - If the final product matches that quality, I personally see this over a Billion - Lowest at 750,000,000.

Fate of the Furious
Hard to say after Paul Walker's unfortunate exit... But again, it's a 1.5 Billion Franchise at this point; this couldn't possibly come in under 800,000,000.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2
Best original Marvel Film since Iron Man getting a sequel... 750,000,000 lock, barring awful reviews.

Alien: Covenant
Prometheus pulled 400,000,000 without having Alien in the title - I think this being a true to name sequel with ensure that the mixed review for Prometheus balance out with the excitement; can't see it making less than Prometheus, so 425,000,000 as a minimum.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Same as Fate of Furious; hard to say how this will be received after the last entry, though receipts are guaranteed - No way this doesn't clear 850,000,000.

Wonder Woman
Oh, DC... Hard call, but I don't see the first Female superhero movie making under 600,000,000 - And I'd say that's based off quality, but people showed up for Suicide Squad, and that was after Batman V Superman, so who knows.

Cars 3
Disney seems to be going a darker route on this series, or at least is trying to present it as such - Either way, it shows an awareness of the 'child' friendly aspect of the brand, which the company seems to be trying to tweak. Cars has always been a cash cow for Pixar, and I feel 500,000,00 is a guarantee.

Transformers: The Last Knight
...I don't know what to say. It will make money. Regardless of everything, and I mean everything, it will make at least 800,000,000, because... People.

Despicable Me 3
The second wasn't received as warmly as the first, but built no negativity into it's reception either - Might even fall a bit in comparison to it's predecessor, but I don't see it falling past 900,000,000.

Spider-Man: Homecoming
'Give the rights back to Marvel' - Close enough, really. No way Disney got involved in this, with their machine of a company being so efficiently consistent, without ensuring a certain bar for the first film, and for that reason, I think this will be huge. They even used Civil War to help quality control his entry over Sony... 800,000,000, I really don't it not being huge.

War of the Planet of the Apes
This is the Dark Knight Rises of the series, so I really don't see it falling below the last, even if it barely matches the second entry; it's got amazing faith from it's fan, of which there are deservedly many, thanks to the series' consistent quality. 700,000,000 at the lowest.

Dunkirk
Nolan, War, Nolan, IMAX - Not going below 600,000,000, probably somewhere between there and 800,000,000.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle
The first made 400,000,000+ on a 100,000,000- budget; that's a blockbuster, small as it may be. Though first did very well after theatres, and with an increased budget and more visceral capability, I don't see this making less than 450,000,000.

Thor: Ragnarok
Marvel. Threequel. Hulk. Dr. Strange. Thor. 700,000,000 at the very least.

Justice League
See Wonder Woman ( - 'First Female Movie' + 'DC Full Team' + 'Who knows?') = 700,000,000.

Star Wars: Episode VIII
All the money. I mean, really. It's a guarantee that it will make so much money; do we need a number? 1,200,000,000 lowest.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------Smaller Fare

Pitch Perfect 3 (250,000,000)
XXX: Return of Xander Cage (250,000,000)
John Wick: Chapter 2 (200,000,000)
T2: Trainspotting (25,000,000 - 100,000,000) *
Power Rangers (80,000,000 - 300,000,000) **
Boss Baby (350,000,000)
Ghost in the Shell (200,000,000 - 700,000,000)***
Baywatch (100,000,000)
The Mummy (200,000,000 - 600,000,000)***
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (150,000,000 - 400,000,000) ****
The Dark Tower (350,000,000)
Annabelle 2 (200,000,000)
It (100,000,000)
Blade Runner 2049 (300,000,000 - 700,000,000)*****
Insidious 4/Saw Legacy (150,000,000/150,000,000)
Jumanji (400,000,000)

* Totally a toss up; if fanbase responds well, could show up in droves, and popularize the cult movement for newer generation. If not, inflation will carry it past the first off curiosity alone.
** Very hard to say, and entirely dependent on reception as well - Could be a flop, or a franchise starter)
*** This one is similar to Trainspotting, in that the potential is huge, but the fanbase fickle - If done accurately enough for fans and accessible enough for general audiences, could take on life past its source material.
**** Luc Besson is a hard call... Even at his best, this could never be globally loved, but it could take a strong hold of a loyal market, if the product lives up to expectations.
***** See Valerian, but bigger scale, with a bit of Trainspotting/Ghost in the Shell Dilemma.

Again, some of these figures are pretty generous, but they're based off my thoughts, some of which are biased and influenced by more than pure statistic - More than happy to discuss any of the above!

(For anyone curious, using the lowest of any figures mentioned, those numbers add up to 16,500,000,000 - If we can assume that I'm off on.... 20% of the overall gross, that would place a more 'conservative' figure at 13,204,000,000, and that's not including a single other film than mentioned, of which there are many.)

In other words... 2017 is going to be absolutely and inevitably insane at the Box Office, barring an impressive amount of flops!