Top 8 Sequels Of 2014

by Helen Earnshaw | 18 February 2014

Every year delivers some highly anticipated sequels as we get the chance to revisit characters and worlds.

2014 is no different as we have a whole host of sequels that we are super excited to see.

We take a look at some of the sequel films that you absolutely cannot miss over the next twelve months.

- Captain America: The Winter Soldier - released 28th March

No year is complete without a Marvel film, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the one that we are looking forward to the most.

We were introduced to the character for the first time back in 2011, and this is the first solo movie that sees Steve Rodgers in the modern world.

Chris Evans is back in the title role, while Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford, and Anthony Mackie make up a terrific cast list.

However, it is all change in the director's chair as Anthony and Joe Russo are at the helm this time around. But early trailers promise a really epic feel to this second Captain America film.

The movie follows Rodgers as he struggles to settle in the modern world. Soon he is called back into action to battle the Winter Soldier.

We have been treated to a string of great Marvel films in recent years, and The Winter Solider promises to continue that trend.

- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 - released 21st November

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was one of the best blockbusters that I saw last year; I was excited for the sequel the moment the credits rolled.

Mockingjay - Part 1 is already one of the most anticipated films of the year, as we see Jennifer Lawrence return as Katniss Everdeen.

Directed by Francis, Lawrence, Mockingjay - Part 1 promises to be the biggest film in the series so far, as we see Katniss and co at war with the Capitol. Katniss has become the symbol of the rebellion.

Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland and Sam Claflin are all also on board.

Julianne Moore is one of the new names on the cast list as she is set to play President Alma Coin.

The Hunger Games has been one of the best franchises to hit the big screen, and I am super excited to see how the first half of the final book will be explored by a great director.

- X-Men: Days of Future Past - released 22nd May.

It was back in summer 2011 when we saw the last X-Men film, X-Men: First Class hit the big screen. Now Bryan Singer is back in the director's chair, for what could be the biggest film in the franchise so far.

I love the X-Men films and I am very excited to see Singer back - he has brought together one hell of a cast list.

James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Hoult are all back, while we will also be seeing actors from the original franchise.

Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry complete a fabulous line-up.

The movie follows Wolverine as he is send back in time to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

Singer has hinted that with this movie, he may undo/change/improve events of The Last Stand, and I can't wait to see him return to this fantastic franchise.

- 22 Jump Street - released 6th June

If there is one comedy that I cannot wait to see this year, then it is 22 Jump Street.

21 Jump Street remains one of the best comedy films that I have seen in recent years, and now Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are back.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are also back in the director's chair for another round of outrageous undercover fun.

Hill and Tatum will be joined on the cast list by Dave Franco, Ice Cube, Peter Stormare, and Nick Offerman.

After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college.

But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team, and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership. Now they don’t have to just crack the case - they have to figure out if they can have a mature relationship.

If you haven't seen the trailer then you really should check it out, as this looks set to be another laugh out loud comedy.

- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - released 17th July

Rise of the Planet of the Apes was one of the major surprises of summer 2011; it really was one of the best blockbusters.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the sequel to that film, and I cannot wait to see what director Matt Reeves has done with this story.

Reeves is new to the director's chair as he takes over from Rupert Wyatt. He has also brought together a new and super talented cast.

Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Judy Greer, Jason Clarke, and Toby Kebbell are some of the new faces on board. Andy Serkis is also back as he reprises his role as Caesar.

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier.

They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes promises to be bigger and more epic than its predecessor: fingers crossed it is as good as the first film.

- The Raid 2 - 11th April

If you haven't seen The Raid then you really should check it out, as it is one of the best martial arts action movies of recent years.

This is one of the action films that I am so excited about, as Gareth Evans returns to the director's chair; he has also penned the screenplay for the film.

The movie sees him reunite with action star Iko Uwais, as he reprises the role of Rama.

Uwais is joined on the cast list by Yayan Ruhian, Julie Estelle, Alex Abbad, and Marsha Timothy.

The Raid 2 is set after the events of The Raid, and follows Rama as he goes undercover and climb through the hierarchy of competing forces until it leads him to the corrupt politicians and police pulling the strings at the top of the heap.

If The Raid 2 is as action packed and high octane as The Raid, then we are in for a major treat.

- Sin City: A Dame to Kill For - released 29th August

Fans of the first Sin City film have had to wait nine years for this highly anticipated sequel - yes, Sin City was released released back in 2005.

This is one of the movies that I cannot wait for, as I was such a huge fan of the first film.

The movie is based on the graphic novels by Frank Miller, while Miller and Rodriguez are back in the director's chair.

There are some familiar names to look out for, as Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, and Rosario Dawson are all back.

However, there are also some great new additions as Eva Green, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Juno Temple, and Josh Brolin are also set to star.

Not too much is known about the project, and we are yet to see the first trailer for the film.

- 300: Rise of an Empire - released 7th March

300: Rise of an Empire is a second graphic novel adaptation not to miss. The movie is based on Xerxes by Frank Miller, and has been directed by Noam Murro.

The movie follows on from the fantastic 300, and sees Greek general Themistokles leads the charge against invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy.

Lena Headey, Rodrigo Santoro, and David Wenham are back as Queen Gorgo, Xerxes, and Dilios, while Eva Green, Sullivan Stapleton and Jack O'Connell are some of the new faces to watch out for.

Much like its predecessor, 300: Rise of an Empire looks set to be one of the most stylish looking movies of the year.