All Pirates Of The Caribbean Movies, Ranked

All Pirates Of The Caribbean Movies, Ranked

Legend has it, there was a time when no adventure was more engrossing and exciting than a swashbuckling journey with Captain Jack Sparrow, brought to life by Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

In 2003, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl grossed more than $654 million worldwide, a huge surprise for a film inspired by a Walt Disney World and Disneyland attraction, but as the series kept going and going, the world became more fascinated by superheroes than a quest for buried treasure, breaking curses, mermaids, and other ideas the franchise would eventually become known for.

With talk that Disney is developing a sixth entry into the series without Johnny Depp in the lead, it is almost hard to imagine a Pirates of the Caribbean film without the drunken, bumbling, inexplicably lucky former captain of the Black Pearl. Of course, we have five movies featuring Captain Jack to relive, for better or worse. But which of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies made the pirate's life most attractive?

5. On Stranger Tides (2011)

As far as sequels go in the series of Pirates of the Caribbean movies, this one seems to be the most lacking in what made the franchise special.

Using Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’s hint at Captain Jack Sparrow’s quest for the fountain of youth as a jumping point, On Stranger Tides (which is actually inspired by a 1987 novel by Tim Powers) sees Jack team up with former rival Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), who has been appointed by the King to lead a search for the fountain, and race to reach it before Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and his daughter (Penelope Cruz), who also happens to be Jack’s old flame, find it first.

Despite Johnny Depp’s chemistry with his former Blow co-star Penelope Cruz and the return of Keith Richards as Jack’s dad adding to the fun, the movie boils down to feeling less like a Pirates movie and more like an Indiana Jones rip-off. Just switch Indy vs. Nazis with Jack vs. more pirates and you have this.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides proved the Pirates of the Caribbean movies are not as effective with Captain Jack Sparrow leading the show without Orlando Bloom or Keira Knightley to keep it somewhat grounded, which they would eventually attempt to correct. More on that later.

4. Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)

After Dead Man’s Chest pulled a Back to the Future Part II with its cliffhanger ending, fans anticipated this third Pirates of the Caribbean movie would reveal the fate of William Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann’s (Keira Knightley) romance, why Barbossa was back from the dead somehow, and why Johnny Depp’s face was on the poster if Captain Jack Sparrow died in the last movie. While we get all of those answers, the journey to get there is a long and often confusing one.

For essentially being a part two to Dead Man’s Chest, the reason Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End scores lower for me is because it feels disconnected from its preceding chapter, with a bleaker tone, a forgettable new cast of characters, and a plot that begs the question, "This is still about pirates, right?" I’ll give the movie credit for Will’s intriguing send-off as heir to the Flying Dutchman, even if that felt unfair to Elizabeth. Still, this one is in fourth.

3. Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)

I must admit that I am a bit of an apologist for the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, somewhat because of my sympathy for pirates movies lacking relevance at the cinema lately, but also because I actually had some fun with it compared to some of the others.

In Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Johnny Depp reprises his most famous role as Captain Jack Sparrow, once again hunted by a crew of vengeful undead pirates, this time led by Captain Salazar. Meanwhile, Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites), the son of Will and Elizabeth, is looking to free his father from the Flying Dutchman’s curse.

The answer to both men’s problems can be solved by the universal curse-breaking power of the Trident of Poseidon, which astronomer Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario) holds the key to finding. Oh, and Barbossa is there, too, because who should tell Geoffrey Rush not to have a little fun every once in a while?

The plot is easily the zaniest of the franchise, but for my precious coin, it has some of the best action sequences of the series since Dead Man’s Chest. I also award points for the reunion of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley and Barbossa earning a heroic exit this time.

I will take points away, however, for Sir Paul McCartney’s cameo. A Beatle deserves better.

2. Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)

Believe it or not, The Curse of the Black Pearl was not what initially roped me into the Pirates of the Caribbean movies craze.

It was actually the first of its sequels, which saw Captain Jack Sparrow’s soul threatened by Davy Jones and William Turner’s and Elizabeth Swann’s wedding put on hold when he is commissioned to retrieve Jack’s enchanted compass… among other things.

The story is a mixed bag, trying to juggle political intrigue, pirate lore fantasy, indigenous mythology, and stunted romance. While it might be the franchise’s first sign of throwing out a simple good vs. evil adventure tale for overplotting, I still regard it as one of the best summer movie experiences of my young life and easily the closest a Pirates movie has come to matching the excitement of the film that started it all. Speaking of...

1. Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl (2003)

Disney took a chance on turning one of its theme park attractions into summer blockbuster adventure. Fortunately, they struck gold with the first of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, a tale of a washed up drunken pirate whose past catches up with him after he is enlisted to help a blacksmith rescue the governor’s daughter from the cursed crew of his fame former ship, The Black Pearl.

The Curse of the Black Pearl is pure popcorn movie glory with gorgeous sword fight choreography, cutting edge special effects, deliciously dark mysticism, and an Academy Award-nominated performance by one Johnny Depp. Who knew that the key to Disney’s golden goose would be a cross between Keith Richards and Pepé Le Pew in a bandana and rags?

Does our ranking of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies make you anxious for a sixth swashbuckling adventure, or does it convince you that this treasure should have stayed buried after 2003? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for updates here on CinemaBlend.

Avatar 2: A History Of All The Delays So Far

Avatar 2: A History Of All The Delays So Far

By December of this year, James Cameron’s intergalactic blockbuster (nay, block disintegrator) Avatar will turn 10 years old. One would assume that, with Hollywood’s sequel churning machine usually at breakneck speed, the highest grossing film of all time (for now) would have already brought in an Avatar 2, 3, or even 4 and 5 by now.

Well, James Cameron assures us that those four (count ‘em, FOUR) subsequent tales exploring the unseen areas of Pandora are on their way. When should we expect Avatar 2, you ask? Who knows anymore? Not even Cameron.

In yet another chapter of Avatar 2’s seemingly unending development hell, as of this week, the release date has been pushed back once again. We know what you’re thinking: is that six delays or only five? Well, to be honest in all the excitement, we’ve kind of lost track ourselves.

So, let’s retrace our steps to when James Cameron first told us we would return to Pandora and see if we can get to the bottom of when Avatar 2 can be expected, shall we? Starting off, let's look at when the talk of a sequel actually began.

When James Cameron Decided To Return To Make Avatar 2 (2010)

Technically, James Cameron has been in talks about sequels to Avatar since 2006, three years before the first film was even released. But talk of Avatar 2 really kicked into gear in October 2010 with the promise of two sequels. This was after Avatar had surpassed Cameron’s own Best Picture winner, Titanic, as the biggest cinematic money maker of all time with more $2 billion worldwide. So, naturally, talk of building a franchise off of this surprise cash magnet was inevitable.

The idea was to complete the proposed trilogy by filming the second and third chapters back to back with release dates set for 2014 and 2015. We even had direct promises from Fox that it would have no problem securing Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana to reprise their 10-foot tall, blue personas. This was, of course, prior to Saldana being cast as Gamora in Guardians of The Galaxy, but we're sure Worthington could have been easily available.

We feel inclined to mention that this announcement came around the same time Cameron was set to produce Guillermo del Toro’s At the Mountains of Madness, as well as a remake of the 1968 science fiction spectacle Fantastic Voyage, because neither of those films have been made either. It would feel unfair to assume that the Terminator creator has a few issues with time management since the Cameron-produced Alita: Battle Angel came out this year (Robert Rodriguez took over directing duties), but it’s something to consider when discussing a project of this magnitude.

Who Wants To See A Two-Part Movie Anyway? (2012)

In 2012, with Avatar 2 only two years away, the green light was still shining brightly on the Avatar trilogy, or so it seemed. James Cameron was excitedly talking about working with New Zealand effects company WETA on some sort of underwater motion capture system, teasing at sequences for that would present Pandora’s aquatic life and maybe test Zoe Saldana’s lung capacity while at it.

Someone who wasn't as excited about the sequels' plans was producer Jon Landau, who began having second thoughts at this time. Was it about putting multi-million dollar actors below sea level? Nooooo. Of course not. It was about the two-part sequel concept.

While James Cameron was planning to film Avatar 2 and 3 back to back, Landau was insistent that the films would still be presented as standalone films, and the second chapter would not be setup for the third. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Landau is quoted as saying:

That's where movies fall into trouble – when they try to say: 'You know what? It's really one movie and there's an intermission' – so we want each one to be a stand-alone movie.

Scrapping the idea of crafting a film's conclusion to serve as set up for future sequels, in 2012, must have sounded like the obvious choice. How times have changed. Thus, Jon Landau hinted that 2014 might be a hard date to make, but production setbacks are not uncommon, so there did not seem to be much cause for concern at the time. Of course, Avatar fans had no way of knowing this would be the first sign that development might be in trouble.

What’s Better Than An Avatar 2 And 3? Avatar 4! (2013)

Despite initial promises for an Avatar trilogy years before, James Cameron announced the idea of a fourth film, only to later say that just Avatar 3 would round out the series, and then tease the possibility of another entry again, even suggesting it could a prequel. For being one of the most ambitious filmmakers in history, he could not seem to make up his mind. Maybe he could asked Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige for advice.

Then, by December 2013 (only a year away from the proposed Avatar 2 release date), it was confirmed that Avatar 4 was included on the production schedule and would be shot simultaneously with the other entries in New Zealand. That meant that Chapter Two had not even been shot yet. In fact, none of the films had even been fully written yet.

It was clear, at this point, that we would not see Avatar 2 in 2014, but 2015 for sure. Well, that promise did not last long, as the film was then pushed to 2016. Apparently writing three science fiction/fantasy epics at once is no walk in the park.

If James Cameron needs a slight extension for his creative process to flow, fair enough. It is no question that the Academy Award-winning filmmaker is always up for a challenge, as he made very clear the following year.

Forget Quadrilogy, James Cameron Threw In Avatar 5! (2016)

It was at CinemaCon in April 2016, a day that will live in infamy, when James Cameron made the biggest announcement in the Avatar saga yet. The director said he planned not one, not two, not three, but four sequels to the worldwide box office smash, staying true to the plan of the simultaneous production of all entries in New Zealand. Wow!

The announcement came with the revised release dates in December 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023. This only increased speculation of the endurance, and even the probability, of the continuation of this franchise.

Were the scripts finished? Was principal photography just one trip to New Zealand away? Do we really need four sequels to Avatar, let alone even one? Could James Cameron really, finally, stick with a chosen release date?

Well, unless you, somehow, do not have access to a calendar, you know that it didn’t work out that way.

More Delays, This Time With Avatar 2's Release Date (2017)

Less than a year after the announcement that Avatar would be a five-parter now, James Cameron had to admit that we would have to wait just a little bit longer for Avatar 2. Within a month, Fox clarified the delay, revealing a two-year extension for each film.

The sequels would be released on the specified dates of December 18, 2020; December 17, 2021; December 20, 2024; and December 19, 2025. At this point, the most consistent pattern to be found in the franchise's development was a committed attachment to the month of December. From that point on, all there was to do was wait for the next delay announcement.

Yet later that year, in the wake of all the cynical speculation reaching its peak, something amazing happened: the cameras started to roll. Avatar 2 began principal photography, featuring notable cast returns such as Sigourney Weaver, and the introduction of Kate Winslet, who learned to dive for the underwater sequences.

Zoe Saldana, who completed her reprisal of Neytiri for the next two sequels by 2018, went on record about working double duty (not her first rodeo, of course) shooting scenes from Avatar 2 one day and 3 the next. Things were really looking up for this saga. Maybe we would see a return to Pandora at the (new) promised time.

How The Disney-Fox Merger Has Affected Avatar 2, 3, 4 And 5 (2019)

James Cameron, being the innovative visionary that he is, still most likely could not have seen how the Disney-Fox merger would affect the production of Avatar.

Walt Disney Studios, in a move formerly under the authority of Fox, made the announcement that Avatar 2 and its three following entries, once again, would be delayed. As of this week, the second chapter is slated for December 2021, with its sequels scheduled to follow every two years in that same month.

Rarely does news of a film set for 2027 come this early, but perhaps Avatar 5 had it coming. At least it and 4 could finally say they were greenlit.

What is the reason for this latest execution in Avatar's development scurvy, you ask? Can’t think of another property of Disney’s that would might be treated with a higher priority?

Indeed, a new trilogy of Star Wars films are set for release in 2022, 2024 and 2026. The new release schedule given to the Avatar franchise came in an effort to avoid overlapping with Disney’s other seemingly more important properties. You can't blame the studio for trusting its instincts.

Where Do We Go From Here With The Avatar Sequels?

It has been a long road for James Cameron to complete his vision. Even the first Avatar took its time until its 2009 release as a decision to wait for the appropriate technology to exist.

But now, the technology is here. The scripts are ready. The green light is on. But Avatar 2 is prepping to be seven years late… for now, at least.

Is now the time to lose hope? Could 2021 finally be the year we see the return to Pandora, or will it be pushed back farther and farther into an inescapable oblivion? Perhaps the most important question we have to ask by now is if and when Avatar 2 finally graces the screen, who will be left to actually care? More than a few, actually.

Ten years may have passed since the peak of Avatar's popularity, but its presence in pop culture outside of production purgatory has yet to slow down. In 2015, James Cameron collaborated with the makers of Cirque du Soleil to create a live show using Avatar as inspiration called Toruk - The First Flight, which is still running. Better than re-watching the film to revisit Pandora, fans can actually visit the place as an attraction as part of Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom.

Now, it is well known by now that Avatar has its critics. It has practically become the Nickelback of sci-fi movies, with people shamelessly taking shots at the film's wooden acting and cheesy dialogue, and often comparing its storyline to Pocahontas. With that logic, you might as well call The Walking Dead a Toy Story rip-off... Oh, yes, that theory exists.

However, to those who became the secret to Avatar's success in 2009, none of those things matter. What matters to the those who ignore the naysayers and are still proud to call themselves fans of the film is the world that James Cameron brought to life with complex world building, fantastic production design, astonishingly realistic visual effects, and even a whole new language to rival Klingon. Say what you want about the cutesy blue people romance, the lame Leona Lewis post-credits song, or the fact that Sam Worthington has been practically MIA ever since; Avatar means something to some people and that meaning can never be taken away from because this, this is their land!

Every franchise has its audience, of course, and, given the evidence I have provided, anticipation for this franchise is alive and well. However, the fate of Avatar 2 all depends now on the faith of its owners. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on the Avatar franchise.

6 Questions We Still Have Before Seeing Shazam!

6 Questions We Still Have Before Seeing Shazam!

DC is coming off of a major win after the massive success of Aquaman, and we'll see if lightning can strike twice with Shazam! The newest DC film is promising the same light and fun tone as Aquaman, and early reviews for Shazam! have been really positive. We'll know for sure next month if Shazam! will be a hit, but in the meantime, we are left to wonder on the last remaining details that the film has kept hidden.

Shazam! finds orphan Billy Batson (Asher Angel) chosen as the next champion of the wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou), granting him incredible powers that transform him into an adult superhero (Zachary Levi). It's a recipe for a really fun fish-out-of-water (or body) story and as with any superhero blockbuster, details have been kept extra slim. There are still plenty of questions left unanswered, and we've got the six most important ones we'd like to know listed below.

Why Does The Wizard Need A New Champion?

The basic concept of Shazam is that a wizard names him as his next champion and the protector of all magic, granting powers that put young Billy Batson on the level of Superman. In the comics, the reason tends to vary as to WHY the Wizard chooses Billy, but it's usually because he has a pure heart. The Wizard's reasons aren't clear in the movie, but we also have to wonder why he needs a new champion in the first place. Does he need to pass on his power before he dies? Is some kind crisis looming and the world will need a new champion? Whatever the case, the Wizard better have a pretty good reason for picking a 14-year-old orphan to fight his battles.

What's The Deal With Sivana?

Every hero needs a villain, and for Shazam! that villain is Dr. Sivana (Mark Strong). In the comics, Sivana is a decrepit mad scientist obsessed with magic. Usually, he doesn't have any powers, though the latest comic reboot gave him the ability to "see" magic. The movie decides to kick it up a notch and really shoots him full of steroids. Sivana has powers on par with Shazam, so question one is how did he get these abilities? Questions two is what does he want them for? Sivana is clearly up to no good, and word on the street is that he has a revamped backstory (which I won't spoil for you here), but it's unclear exactly what his true motives are and what he hopes to accomplish.

Will A Justice League Member Cameo?

The DCEU has adopted a strategy of keeping its various superhero films standalone rather than referencing or setting up other DCEU films. That worked out for Wonder Woman and Aquaman, but that hasn't stopped rumors that Shazam! might have a cameo from a Justice Leaguer. Superman (Henry Cavill) has been the popular choice and there are rumors that a Superman cameo was shot for the film, though, it's been a subject of debate whether  Cavill was involved or not. While I don't think Shazam! needs a Superman cameo, it would still be really cool to see. Shazam! already references other DC characters, so why not have one actually show up?

How Does Black Adam Factor Into All This?

Before they had begun working on Shazam!, Warner Bros. had already lined up Dwayne Johnson to play classic Shazam anti-hero Black Adam. There have been tons of different reports over the status of Black Adam and what Warner Bros. wants to do with him, with a solo film looking like the most popular option. However, Black Adam is heavily involved in the Shazam mythology and backstory, and it's tough to see the Shazam! movie going its whole runtime without Adam factoring in somewhat. Will he just be referenced, or did Johnson film a secret cameo? Johnson is one of the biggest stars on the planet, so it's hard to imagine that Warner doesn't capitalize on that soon.

Is There Going To Be A Talking Tiger Or Not?!

Forget Superman and Black Adam. Where's the talking tiger? For those who don't know, Shazam comics used to be super weird and at one point a recurring character was a posh talking tiger in a suit named Tawny. What the tiger actually did, I have no idea. All I know is that he needs to be in live-action, trading jokes with Zachary Levi. Some versions of the character is just a regular tiger who gains the ability to speak later on thanks to Shazam's magic. Honestly, I'd be fine if Tawny was just a tiger at the zoo (which he was in the New 52 reboot), but if we can have a talking raccoon bring in millions of box office dollar, then why can't we have a tiger?

Will The Shazam Family Appear?

Shazam! takes a ton of inspiration from the New 52 reboot version of the character. Perhaps the most famous addition from the storyline was the introduction of the Shazam Family when Billy shared his mighty powers with his foster family. It was a powerful moment in the comics that saw Billy finally accept his new family, and it would make sense for the movie to do the exact same. While not officially confirmed by the studio, there are actors cast in the film who certainly look like they could play older versions of the child actors. Plus, there was some merchandise that indicated the Shazam Family would appear, but unless actually confirmed by footage, I'm not counting that!

There are still some important elements of Shazam! that are unknown to fans, but it's a good thing that the marketing isn't spoiling everything about the movie. It'd be a real bummer if it showed Superman or Black Adam appear in a trailer when it would have been better to just go into the theater cold. We also don't know for sure if the Shazam Family or a talking tiger will be making an appearance. Considering the importance of family to Shazam, I'd say that there is a pretty strong chance we'll see a bunch of super-powered kids running around by the time the credits roll. The jury is still out on that tiger, though.

That James Wan Produced Mortal Kombat Movie Is Really Happening

That James Wan Produced Mortal Kombat Movie Is Really Happening

Not too long ago, a new Mortal Kombat reboot was announced that would bring the franchise into theaters once again. As New Line Cinema is still the force of studio nature that will be making the film, and James Wan is producing the film with his steady hands of action and horror, fans have undoubtedly been excited for things to get going on the film’s production.

But even with the initial whisperings surrounding the project, the consensus was it wasn’t going to happen for a while. Well, the wait is closer to being over, as Mortal Kombat just rang the bell on pre-production, putting the film in the process of making its move for big screen glory.

The project’s status update came from an announcement made by several South Australian government officials, including premier Steven Marshall. Mortal Kombat is a huge prospect for the region’s film industry, and one that producer James Wan is happy to see being brought to life in the country where he made his last huge hit, Aquaman.

What’s even more interesting about this new Mortal Kombat movie is its choice in directing talent. Making his feature film debut, and still signed on after almost two years of development hell, is Australian director Simon McQuoid, who up until now has been known for his commercial work. However, looking at his resume in that field, one can see how and why he got the gig.

Having directed commercials for such franchises as Halo and Call of Duty, as well as ads for Playstation and Duracell, McQuoid has shown a slick visual flare that just happens to pair well with geek friendly properties. Especially when that Duracell ad just happened to be one that saw Star Wars, and the power of imagination, in the middle of the action.

With Simon McQuoid’s resume boasting such material, it cannot be stated enough that Mortal Kombat is a good fit for the man’s talents. What's also interesting is that thanks to the details that Variety has reported on the project, it sounds like the film will be the largest to ever shoot in South Australia when it finally kicks into high gear.

Unfortunately, the good news of Mortal Kombat’s pre-production start within the month comes with some uncertainty about what the film’s story will cover. Previously, there were two different concepts being talked about: one in which a brand new character would be created for the story to follow, and one in which we’d see the return of Christopher Lambert’s Raiden, as well as some dimensional portal hopping. Seeing as the former draft has been searching for a 14-year-old to play the thunder god of the Mortal Kombat realm, it doesn’t seem likely these two concepts will be folded together.

Still, in a world where Pokemon has drawn successfully from the nostalgia well, Mortal Kombat seems primed to deliver a very similar result. And if the world building holds up as well as Pokemon: Detective Pikachu's did, there's no telling where the world of this gruesome action spectacle might go with the public.

While Mortal Kombat may not have a release date to speak of, that doesn’t mean the theaters are empty. Head over to our 2019 release schedule, and see what’s waiting for your hard earned movie money today!

Sounds Like Rocket Has A Major Role In Avengers: Endgame

Sounds Like Rocket Has A Major Role In Avengers: Endgame

There are just two movies left in Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Following the unexpected ending of Avengers: Infinity War, it was clear that the Russo Brothers weren't fooling around, and are willing to kill off any and all characters to service the greater story. Thanos' victory in accruing the Infinity Stones wiped out half the galaxy, with both the surviving heroes and the audience left to watch in horror as countless characters faded to dust.

The Guardians of the Galaxy were hit especially hard from Thanos' assault, with Gamora being killed so her adopted father could get the Soul Stone, and everyone but Rocket wiped out from Thanos' snap (aka The Decimation). Sean Gunn plays Rocket via motion capture on set, and recently teased a major role for the foul mouthed Guardian in Avengers: Endgame, saying:

All I can say is that Rocket gets to meet a lot of interesting new people that he has not met before in Endgame and I think I'll leave it at that.

Bring on the crossovers. Prior to Infinity War, the Guardians of the Galaxy were kept largely separate from the rest of the MCU, due to their cosmic setting and place in the overall timeline of the shared universe. But Rocket is here in the present, and will be among the rest of the survivors once Endgame finally arrives in theaters next month.

Rocket and Groot spent much of Infinity War alongside Chris Hemsworth's Thor, as he went on a journey to get Stormbreaker. It was a great character pairing, and he and Thor will likely continue vibing during Endgame. The trio ultimately made it to the Battle of Wakanda in the nick of time, and took out Thanos' forces in quick succession. But it wasn't enough to stop the snap, and Rocket watched Groot turn to dust before his eyes. And this time, his best friend didn't come back to life.

Rocket was seen among the rest of the survivors in the Avengers: Endgame trailer, although his role and the entire movie's story are a complete mystery to the general public. But Sean Gunn's comments to IGN are sure to excite the fandom, who are hoping that the character shared by Gunn and Bradley Cooper will have plenty of screen time in the upcoming blockbuster. The surviving heroes are going to have to lean on each other if they hope to reverse Thanos' snap, and will need help in the form of Captain Marvel, Ant-Man, and Ronin.

It should be interesting to see who Rocket ends up interacting with in Endgame, especially given the character's signature attitude. He seems like the perfect foil for uptight Avengers like Captain America and Bruce Banner, as well as egos like Iron Man and Captain Marvel. Smart money says he ends up providing some much needed comedic relief to an otherwise somber movie.

Answers will come when Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters on April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

20 Iconic '90s Movies That Bring On The Nostalgia

20 Iconic '90s Movies That Bring On The Nostalgia

2019 marks the last year that will see a wave of 20 year anniversaries to the most beloved films of the 1990s. Over the past decade, the celebrations of nostalgia have been strong for that last decade of the 20th century, and with the movies it produced, there’s no surprise that it’s been as strong as this crop we’ve seen.

The 20 movies we’re about to run down are probably the most memorable of the decade, and one of the most diverse lineups you could ever expect. If you really want to max out the nostalgia factor, feel free to read this on your old PC, running a dial-up modem connection, and popping open a can of Pepsi Twist. But it’s perfectly fine if you proceed on a modern rig, as nostalgia reads true through any screen.

Space Jam

The perfect triangle of ‘90s love came together when they created Space Jam. Nostalgia for the Looney Tunes, admiration of Michael Jordan’s legendary sports career, and a killer hit soundtrack are the building blocks for this favorite of kids who grew up watching it. Throw in some comedic references of the era it was created for, and you’ve got a movie so perfect for its time, it could have been President.

Forrest Gump

It’s starting to look like the ‘90s were the era of nostalgia themselves, as another memorable hit of the decade was director Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump. A movie so heartfelt and bittersweet it made many an audience member teary with emotion, Tom Hanks’ protagonist makes his way through history in a way that made adults fond of their youth, and their children fond of this film. Sometimes life is like a box of chocolates, and when you’re crying over some of the stuff Forrest goes through, chocolate helps.

Titanic

You can hear it, can’t you? The penny whistle melody. The waves on the ocean. Kate Winslet’s voice amazed at the fact that she’s flying. Titanic is already engrained in your memories if you’re reading this list, and you don’t even have to be a child of the ‘90s to have that fate. Between the long lasting scientific debates, the box office records, and even the hit single that Celine Dion provided for the film, director James Cameron’s mammoth epic was the ship of dreams for many who saw it in its initial theatrical run, as well as all who saw it on home video.

Pulp Fiction

If Reservoir Dogs was the warning shot that started Quentin Tarantino’s career, then Pulp Fiction was the full barrage of gunfire that finished the job. With interwoven plots in the same universe, multiple lines of insanely quotable dialogue, and Tarantino’s unique brand of dark gallows humor, audiences latched onto this film almost instantly. We’re betting that golden briefcase Marcellus Wallace was after contained pure box office magic.

The Lion King

Just as Titanic almost instantly sets the scene once its name is invoked, you can practically see the opening of The Lion King once it has been dropped in conversation. A crowning achievement in Disney’s renaissance, it taught kids life lessons about responsibility, entertained them with catchy songs, and probably traumatized a lot of kids with Mufasa’s death due to wildebeest stampede. Some circle of life.

Jurassic Park

People love dinosaurs, and science has proven this fact time and time again. But when Jurassic Park came out in 1993, even the bullish of speculators probably couldn’t guess how big director Steven Spielberg’s dino theme park would become. CGI had its first big success at the movies, and everyone got to see an adventure that was not only 65 million years in the making, but also worth every day of the wait.

The Silence of the Lambs

The biggest thing that audiences tend to forget when talking about The Silence of The Lambs is that Clarice Starling is actually the lead character in the film. That’s not a knock towards Jodie Foster’s portrayal of the hero from Thomas Harris’ best-selling novel, but rather that’s a comment on just how chilling Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of Hannibal Lecter hit home with audiences of the era. Lecter’s still as creepy and brilliant now as he was then, but over time, it’s been easier to see just how amazing Foster’s green, but tenacious FBI agent compliments it.

The Matrix

It began with a cryptic Super Bowl ad, asking one crucial question: “What is The Matrix?” A couple short months later, the answer would be clearer than ever: it was a cultural goldmine. Mixing the influences of anime, kung fu movies, and philsosophy, The Wachowskis set the world on fire with their tale of an epic war between man and machine. They also made a name for themselves as filmmakers who weren’t afraid to get weird with their product, and helped make Keanu Reeves into an action superstar.

The Big Lebowski

Bowling kind of lost its cool for a little while in the ‘90s, with the sport being relegated to something that only dads did. Then along came The Big Lebowski, which introduced The Dude, the man who made it all cool again. A stoner/slacker who took life one moment at a time, and loved to roll some thunder on the lanes, his beloved sport gained some cool points during his caper to untangle himself from the troubles of someone with the same name. So now when you think of bowling, you think of Jeff Bridges slinging a ball down a lane, a White Russian at the ready, with some Creedence in the tape deck. You could do worse if that’s your sport’s image.

The Shawshank Redemption

Some stories feel like they started as fairy tales, but found themselves molded into something adults could take to heart themselves. The Shawshank Redemption is one such story, as Stephen King crafted a world that very much took place in our own reality, but saw Andy Dufrense go through perils not unlike any prince or princess in all of literature. Seeing writer/director Frank Darabont’s classic go from theatrical flop to absolute classic, all thanks to old school video stores, felt as good as watching Andy emerge from the sewers.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

James Cameron ruled the ‘80s with Terminator and Aliens being his huge efforts in that particular decade, but that wasn’t enough. And before he could even set himself up to rule the world with Titanic, Cameron entered the decade with a sci-fi classic that would forever define him: Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Turning the T-800 into a good guy was only the start, as James Cameron similarly transformed a grim and violent franchise into a meditation on fate, time travel, and personal responsibility. But boy, was it still violent as ever!

Scream

Speaking of reinvention, Wes Craven had a crack at turning a table near and dear to himself when he made Scream. A post-modern slasher film, Craven used his skills as a horror professional, teamed up with writer Kevin Williamson’s hip script, and created some new nightmares for the kids of that era. While Ghostface is a more grounded evil than Freddy Kruger, it’s certainly as memorable, as you could still quiz people about the rules of a horror film and they’d probably be able to answer correctly.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Divorce isn’t an easy subject to discuss in any context, especially when humor and heavy prosthetic makeup are involved. Yet both are key ingredients to just why Mrs. Doubtfire works as a movie, as not only does Robin Williams navigate the laughs with perfect timing, he also works with Sally Field to ground the reality of their failed marriage. It’s funny, but knows when to take itself seriously; much as it’s a dramatic film that knows how to balance the fun with the tears.

Beauty And The Beast

Around the same time The Disney Store started to invade your local mall, Beauty and The Beast made its way into theaters across the world. This tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, was so big of a hit that it landed a nomination for Best Picture, in an era with no Best Animated Film category. And after you saw Belle and her Beast fall in love for the first time, there was the Disney Store, waiting to offer you a pre-order for the film on VHS, and some cute merch you could wear to school the next day.

Clueless

If you ever wanted to study the ‘90s as a cultural era, you basically need to throw Clueless into the fold. The clothes, the slang, and the usage of pop culture to adapt a story as classic as Jane Austen’s Emma are all hallmarks of the decade, and Alicia Silverstone’s Cher is the perfect icon to represent each of those aspects it embodies. Also, if you want proof that Paul Rudd is ageless, watch Clueless right before you see Avengers: Endgame. You’ll start forming your own theories once that’s in the noggin.

Independence Day

Will Smith has seen his share of interesting creatures, and Independence Day was the first time he actually got to whoop some otherworldly ass on the big screen. As part of an all star ensemble that included Jeff Goldblum, and a very young Mae Whitman, he was one of the last lines of defense against invading forces hellbent on ruining our planet. While the entire ensemble had their own memorable moments, it's hard to argue against Smith being an MVP, as this film helped catapult him into box office royalty; as well as started his career in alien relations.

Hocus Pocus

Some movies don't hit automatically, but once they get to VHS, they soar. The Shawshank Redemption saw that sort of fate, and to a certain extent, so did Hocus Pocus. As a tepidly reviewed film in its initial release, the Disney spooktacular would go on to become a Halloween staple for all who remembered growing up with it. This only helped future generations find their way to the antics of the Sanderson Sisters, and the lesson of what happens when you let a virgin light a black flame candle on Halloween. You'd think the fact that it's a black flame would scare people away from even trying to light that special candle.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

If it wasn't for the quirky pet detective that Jim Carrey inhabited in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, who knows if his rise to fame would have ever happened? While playing a lot of fun and memorable characters on TV's In Living Color, Carrey really took off once he started palling around with animals, solving crime with Courtney Cox and Tone Loc, and snooped around all of Miami to find a missing mascot. Would he have been a star without the film? We're not sure, and we're al-righty with not finding out that particular cosmic truth.

Seven

Another question that drove moviegoers crazy throughout the decade was “What’s in the box?” Whether it be repeated mockingly, or with serious intent, director David Fincher left the world on a hell of a cliffhanger by the time Seven came to a close. Watching Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman doing their best detective work helped usher in Fincher as a talent to watch out for, but also gave us one of the best mystery stories to be told in such a bleak and grim manner.

Men in Black

Over 20 years ago, Agent J and Agent K defended Earth from the worst scum in the universe, as Men in Black made Will Smith the king of the 4th of July box office for a spell. With a deft hand mixing the tones of comedy and drama into the story of a top secret organization sworn to monitor and fight extraterrestrial activity, and some really good casting at work putting Smith alongside Tommy Lee Jones, Men in Black is a movie that’s so fun to revisit, it’s almost as if you’re watching it for the first time.

And those are the 20 classics that, we feel, bring the most nostalgia to the table. Of course, nostalgia is pretty subjective, and the '90s were so big that there's plenty of films that might feel left out. So if you've got a particular favorite that isn't on our list of the most memory making films of that decade, send 'em our way in the comments below. It's as good a time as any to have a nostalgia party, so don't be shy and share away!

Why Emperor Palpatine Is Probably Alive In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker

Why Emperor Palpatine Is Probably Alive In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker

In what has been one of the biggest Star Wars twists since Darth Vader pulled a "who's your daddy" on Luke in The Empire Strikes Back, Emperor Palpatine has been revealed to play a part in the drama that is Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. While some have speculated we'll see Palpatine in the form of a Sith force ghost or via recordings, I have reason to suspect he'll actually be alive in the film.

That's right, "Papa Palpatine," as he was referred to as in Robot Chicken, is either back in the land of the living or he never left in the first place. Believe it or not, there's plenty of canon material and things we know about the character to support that, much of which can be found below. Start getting used to the idea, as these are all the reasons Emperor Palpatine is probably alive in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Sith Are Resilient Survivors

Take a look at some of the biggest Sith enemies in the Star Wars films and think back on how many bounced back from some incredible injury. There's Darth Maul, who managed to bounce back from being sliced in half, and Anakin Skywalker, who lost most of his limbs and was burned alive. Even General Grievous somewhat counts, although technically he's not really a Sith, just an organic cyborg with impressive lightsaber skills.

The point is the Sith's hatred, for all its downsides, seems to be a superpower, in that it fuels their will to survive. Few Sith hated or channeled the Dark Side as much as Palpatine, so it's hard to believe even in his advanced age that he was completely unable to bounce back like the Sith before him.

Let's also remember he was only thrown down a very large hole. Sure there's was an explosion towards the end that implied he collided with some energy source and was vaporized, but maybe that was some advanced illusion or tactic to protect his body. Clearly his plan had failed, so it makes sense he'd fake his death and perhaps try again three decades later.

Sith Can Return By Putting Their Essence Within An Object

This is a rather recent development in the Sith lore, which comes to us courtesy of Marvel Comics' Darth Vader comics. There, readers learned of Momin, a Sith who had unlocked some of the secrets behind returning from death back to the world of the living as a Sith. He does this via his dark essence, which lingers in the helmet he wore when he was alive.

Through the helmet, Momin was able to possess the bodies of others who donned it and live on through them. It's also worth noting Momin discovered a way to open the door to the ethereal plane, which Vader used in an attempt to bring Padme back to life. Vader was ultimately unsuccessful, although Momin used the door to the Dark Side to bring his original body back to the land of the living.

This new Star Wars story isn't just important because it shows Sith returning from the dead, but also because it establishes that Momin's studies were known of by Palpatine. After he was killed by Vader, Momin's mask was stored on Darth Sidious' private yacht. So the Emperor may have studied Momin's methods and worked out a way to achieve a similar artifact with his essence.

One downside of this tactic, of course, is that someone would need to don Palpatine's artifact for him to possess and assume their form. With that said, it appears a significant chunk of the Death Star survived that fall, which could mean a small community of stormtroopers survived as well. This is just speculation, but say this method was utilized and there were surviving stormtroopers. Palpatine could have kept on living despite his death through host soldiers.

It's an exciting thought, imagining a cult of the Empire still hanging on in a brave new world, but largely separated from the war at large. He could be in hiding or simply waiting until one side has emerged as a victor so he can infiltrate and begin his next reign all over again. Man, wouldn't that be a kick in the teeth?

Palpatine Has A Clone Contingency Plan

Ok, so we know Disney isn't about to open up the can of worms and start making all parts of the former expanded Star Wars universe canon, but there has been some things that have returned. Grand Admiral Thrawn is one big example, and it's possible the Emperor's clone contingency plan could make a return as well.

For those who are unfamiliar, Emperor Palpatine had a cloning facility explicitly built for the purpose of transferring his essence into a new body should he be killed. The Emperor was successfully transferred over to clones, although his immense power meant he had a tendency to burn through the bodies rather quickly. It wasn't ideal, but it allowed him to keep on living indefinitely, which he then used to attempt and regain his former power.

While Dark Horse's early '90s Dark Empire run is no longer canon, it's worth wondering if Star Wars is looking to it for inspiration as it seeks to wrap up the Skywalker Saga. This series is notable not just for the Emperor's cloning, but for its inclusion of Han and Leia's son, although his name is Anakin and not Ben. It also featured the return of Boba Fett, which a recent Star Wars tale has implied is alive once again.

Are these all just coincidences or the foundation that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has based its story on? Again, there's a precedence of Star Wars cherry picking past Legends stories and tweaking them in a way that makes sense for the new canon. With cloning established as a viable technology in the Prequel Trilogy, this would be a great way to bring those films into the mix and strengthen this saga's connection even further.

These are just some of the ways Palpatine can return, and while something like a Force ghost, flashbacks or holocron recordings are a possibility, it would be so much cooler to see him return in the flesh. Would Rey be able to stand against such a powerful Sith lord in battle? What about Kylo Ren? I don't have the answers, but it'd be cool to see a battle between the three to find out!

Those with other ideas on how Palpatine will return can sound off in the comments below, or vote in our poll on whether they think he'll return from the dead or not. We'll find out in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which is in theaters Friday, December 20.