With 2015 being such a huge year for film, Empire Cinemas – the UK’s largest independent cinema chain – takes a retrospective look at this year’s major big screen successes, as well as a look forward at what film lovers can expect from cinema in 2016.
In the past year Empire Cinemas has screened an enormous 495 films, with the top films being the much anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens (December), SPECTRE (October), and Avengers: Age of Ultron (October), as well as summer hits; Jurassic World (May), Minions (June) and Inside Out (June).
2016 looks set to be another huge year for film, with a number of high-profile releases coming to the big screen. January kicks off with Joy (January 1st), which sees Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper team up for the fourth time in four years; whilst February sees the much anticipated return of Ben Stiller and Co in Zoolander 2 (February 12th), which will undoubtedly be as hilarious as the original. In March, two of cinema’s biggest superheroes will come face to face in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (March 25th), a scenario that comic fans across the globe have dreamed of, which will see Ben Affleck taking over the bat ears for the first time.
The Jungle Book (April 15th) looks set to star at the worldwide Box Offices in April; this live action take on the 1967 original will appeal to audiences both young and old. Meanwhile May will play host to a number of great titles, from the film of the hit game Angry Birds (May 20th) to X-Men: Apocalypse (May 27th). June sees the hugely anticipated release of Finding Dory (June 17th), which is set to conquer children’s hearts.
Independence Day 2 (July 1st) is likely to be one of the biggest Sci-Fi thrillers of the year, and on that topic, July also sees the return of Star Trek Beyond (July 8th). Both are set to fight for the title of ‘Sci-Fi of the Year’. Month of the blockbusters, July will include Tarzan (July 1st), the all-female casted Ghostbusters (July 15th) and The BFG (July 22nd). One of the most hyped and star-studded films of 2016, Suicide Squad (August 5th), will hit the big screen in August and witness Jared Leto as the Joker. September will see Chris Pratt and Denzel Washington starring in The Magnificent Seven remake (September 23rd), directed by the award winning Antoine Fuqua.
In October, Inferno (October 14th) will see Tom Hanks and Felicity Jones star in the film based on Dan Brown’s novel, which follows the success of 2009’s Angels & Demons. The blockbuster book adaptations don’t stop in October, for in November Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them (November 18th) will hit the big screen, starring the ever-excellent Eddie Redmayne. This Harry Potter spin-off has every potential to be a huge hit in 2016, and Potter fans will be delighted to see more of J.K. Rowling’s amazing stories turned into film format. 2016 ends in a similar style to 2015, with the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story(December 16th), the first film of the spin-off Star Wars Anthology series, directed by Godzilla 2014’s Gareth Edwards.
Jon Nutton Marketing Director of Empire Cinemas said: “After a magnificent line-up of films in 2015, 2016 looks set to be just as entertaining for our customers. Every month sees a stellar line-up of exciting titles and incredible acting talent and we look forward to hosting cinemagoers at the home of where all films should be experienced.”
Other releases to keep an eye out for in 2016:
JANUARY
The Danish Girl – Released January 1st
The Revenant – Released January 15th
FEBRUARY
Goosebumps – Released February 5th
A Bigger Splash – Released February 12th
MARCH – The Divergent Series: Allegiant – Released March 11th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G0C-vMHcQY
Kung Fu Panda 3 – Released March 18th
APRIL
Eddie the Eagle – Released April 1st
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYjX7WmQyvc
Captain America: Civil War –Released April 29th
MAY
Bad Neighbours 2 – Released May 6th
Alice through the Looking Glass – Released May 27th
JUNE
Warcraft: The Beginning – Released June 3rd
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 – Released June 3rd
The Secret Life of Pets – Released June 24th
JULY
The Purge 3 – Released July 15th
Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur (3D) – Released July 22nd
AUGUST
Sausage Party – Released August 12th
Project XX – Released August 26th
SEPTEMBER
Patient Zero – Released September 2nd
Bridget Jones’ Baby – Released September 16th
OCTOBER
The Girl on the Train – Released October 7th
Jack Reacher 2 – Released October 21st
NOVEMBER
The Accountant – Released November 4th
Why Him? – Released November 11th
DECEMBER
Let It Snow – Released December 9th
Assassin’s Creed – Released December 26th
For further ticketing information visit www.EmpireCinemas.co.uk or call 08714 714 714.