From The Jungle Book to Mother’s Day, April’s Anticipated Theatrical Releases, Ranked

Now that we’ve moved on from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, what is there to look forward to seeing this April? There are at least 25 24 films slated for release in the month of April and here’s the trailer for all of them, ranked by anticipation:

1. The Jungle Book (April 15th)

The original animated version of The Jungle Book had an estimated budget of $4 million. The live action version in 1994 cost $27 million. This bundle of CGI goodness was shot in downtown LA and none of the film was shot on location so even though there’s no released budget information, another increase of 7 times the ’94 budget wouldn’t be surprising.

2. The Huntsman Winter’s War (April 22)

The follow up to the 2012 box office hit is actually a prequel.

3. Keanu (April 29)

If I’m being completely honest, this is the movie I’m looking forward to the most in April. (Warning: Trailer is NSFW)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjEusWO6VPg

4. Demolition (April 18)

Going out on a limb and declaring this will be the best film of April.

5. Miles Ahead (April 1)

It’s unlikely this will get even a limited release it deserves, this movie might not make it to a theater near you which could mean VOD or DVD as the only way to see the brilliant Don Cheadle as Miles Davis.

6. Sing Street (April 15)

“Coming of age” film in ’80s Dublin about a group of teens who form a band. Based on writer/director John Carney’s life and love of music. He did Once and Begin Again, so it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore to see this film win over an audience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_YqJ_aimkM

7. A Hologram for the King (April 22)

Boring synopsis. Interesting trailer. Tom Hanks.

8. Hardcore Henry (April 8)

The movie most likely to induce vomiting. You have to give it points for being unique, at least. Right?

9. Kill Your Friends (April 1)

Someone was inspired by American Psycho, weren’t they?

10. Barbershop: The Next Cut (April 15)

What’s up with waiting over a decade for a sequel? If anything, the follow up feels nostalgic and Cedric the Entertainer is very funny. Plus, how can you ever go wrong with Nikki Minaj?

11. The Boss (April 8)

In 15 years, this will be a biopic about the life and times of Bruce Springsteen but for now it’s Melissa McCarthy being Melissa McCarthy in a movie where she plays a Donald Trump-type. Expect inexplicable, big box office numbers here.

12. Green Room (April 15)

A24 has been on fire as of late so maybe we’re underselling this one. The studio that brought you Ex Machina, The End of the Tour, Amy and MHT’s best movie of 2015, Room is behind this terrifying release. That should really say enough.

13. Criminal (April 15)

Deadpool gets put in the head of the guy from Waterworld by the dude who hunted down The Fugitive to help the chap who tried to kill Leon: The Professional but memories of Wonder Woman humanize him. Or something like that.

14. Elvis & Nixon (April 22)

Michael Shannon as Elvis. Kevin Spacey as Nixon. Huh?

15. Ratchet & Clank (April 29)

Haven’t we learned our lesson about converting video games to movies? It’s entirely possible we did and this has been sitting in moth balls somewhere for a decade since the first video game incarnation of these characters came out 14 years ago!

16. Colonia (April 15)

When you are one of the stars of the Harry Potter franchise, it’s hard to separate yourself from such a larger-than-life film. This film bares no resemblance to Harry Potter and Emma Watson’s character is a sharp left turn from Hermione.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDBBmxGe82s

17. One More Time (April 8)

Is this big enough to get Christopher Walken back on SNL? Probably not but one can dream.

18. Mr. Right (April 8)

This won’t be good but Anna Kendrick is kind of delightful, yeah?

19. The Invitation (April 8)

The hardest film to figure out in April. Could be a sleeper indie hit or a huge letdown. It looks unnerving.

20. Louder than Bombs (April 8)

Jesse Eisenberg’s attempt to totally separate himself from his unusual take on Lex Luthor. This looks like April’s heaviest film.

21. The Meddler (April 22)

Didn’t Diane Keaton already make this movie with Mandy Moore?

22. Meet the Blacks (April 1)

The idea of The Purge as a franchise was always a head scratcher. Now, there’s a parody of The Purge. Umm…

23. Before I Wake (April 8)

Back from development hell! This film was supposed to be released on May 8, 2015 then September 25, 2015 then April 8, 2016. Relativity Media has pushed this movie back again: October 16, 2016 is the new date.

24. God’s Not Dead 2 (April 1)

Nope… not an April Fool’s joke.

25. Mother’s Day (April 29)

You think this is unnecessary? Wait until they release Flag Day!

25. The Meddler (April 22)