Top 10 Most Anticipated Releases of February 2018

The fifth studio album from this indie rock ground is significant for a number of reasons. For starters, co-guitarist/keyboardist Nick McCarthy exited in 2016. Franz Ferdinand has since gained two new members, Dino Bardot and Julian Corrie. They might be entering a new era, but the colorful music video for their synth-heavy title track has already received a positive response from Rolling Stone, being described as “vivid.” So it’s safe to say that that this Scottish band is showing no sign of descending.

Considered by many to be the definitive satirical superhero, The Tick has left a lasting impression through an animated series, a cult live-action series, and now an Amazon reboot. The latest incarnation of The Blue Guy returns this month with six new episodes, rounding out Season 1. Picking up where we last left our intrepid heroes, The Tick sets out to rescue sidekick Arthur from some nefarious evildoers. Will justice prevail? Grab an iPad, grab a seat, and grab a SPOON to find out!

In an era where CG primarily dominates feature animation, it’s always refreshing to see a stop-motion film, especially when it’s from Oscar-winner Nick Park and the other brilliant minds at Aardman Animations. Going back to the dawn of time, “Early Man” centers on a conflict between two tribes as the Stone Age clashes with the Bronze Age. It’s like “10,000 BC” meets “300” with a dash of “Wallace and Gromit.” It also has an all-star cast of British actors, including Tom Hiddleston, Eddie Redmayne, and Maisie Williams. Sounds like a gay old time. Oh sorry, wrong prehistoric franchise.

The first entry in this hack and slash game series hit store shelves over twenty years ago. With the main series on the verge of entering double-digit territory, you’d think this franchise would’ve grown stale by now. “Dynasty Warriors 9” will shake things up, however, offering an open world environment with dynamic weather and time cycles, and an emphasis on stealth. Throw in every character from “Dynasty Warriors 8: Empires,” along with a few new ones,” and you’ve got an action-packed game well worth fighting for.

Where the first two seasons of “Ash vs Evil Dead” arrived just in time for Halloween, the third season will premiere shortly after Valentine’s. That’s… kind of an odd choice, but, then again, “Army of Darkness” also had its wide release in February, and Ash himself is known to be a bit of a ladies’ man. Ashy Slashy breaks out the chainsaw yet again as he not only battles Deadites, but also faces his greatest challenge yet: fatherhood. With comedy, horror, and the invaluable Bruce Campbell, we can anticipate something gloriously gory, as well as groovy.

If everything goes according to plan, February 2018 seems set to be Justin Timberlake’s month: he’s headlining the Super Bowl LII halftime show, and he’s releasing his first studio album since 2013, entitled “Man of the Woods.” Okay, snarky internet commentators may’ve had a field day with the trailer introducing the album and its concept, but with producers like Timbaland, Pharrell and Danja in the lineup, you have to admit you’re at least a little excited to see what’s in store. Plus, JT says “Man of the Woods” is heavily inspired by his hometown, Nashville, Tennessee. So, can we expect a country blues rock-influenced Justin Timberlake album, or more electro-funk like the debut single “Filthy”? Well, either way, it’s clear JT has got his swagger back.

“Shadow of the Colossus” was one of the most acclaimed and unique exclusives to hit the PlayStation 2. Those who overlooked the game upon release were given a second chance to play it through a PS3 remaster. Now longtime fans and newcomers alike will be able experience an ultra-high definition remake on the PS4. While essentially the same game, this updated version introduces polished controls and more detailed graphics that were rebuilt from the ground up, possibly making this the definitive version of a classic.

Based on Richard K. Morgan’s novel of the same name, this sci-fi series imagines a future where death is virtually nonexistent since people can download their consciousness into new bodies. Interestingly enough, creator Laeta Kalogridis already explored this concept, as she was an executive producer on “Avatar.” It was also touched upon in the Emmy-winning episode of “Black Mirror,” “San Junipero.” While we probably won’t see any blue aliens or 80s attire, “Altered Carbon” should put a fresh, hardboiled spin on an already fascinating idea.

Writer/director Alex Garland previously brought us “ex_machina,” which earned him a Best Original Screenplay Oscar nomination. Now Garland will try his hand at a sci-fi adaptation with “Annihilation.” Based on the first book in Jeff VanderMeer’s “Southern Reach” Trilogy, the film stars Natalie Portman as a biologist who ventures into uncharted territory following her husband’s mysterious encounter with the unknown. It’s been awhile since we’ve gotten a truly great “Alien” or “Predator” movie. So here’s hoping that “Annihilation” fills the void, or at least gives us a new void to gaze into.

The MCU’s latest entry is not only the final outing before “Avengers: Infinity War,” but also the franchise’s first film to feature a primarily black cast. Chadwick Boseman reprises his role as T’Challa in an ensemble that also includes Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, and Forest Whitaker. There’s diverse talent both in front of and behind the camera, as director Ryan Coogler follows up “Fruitvale Station” and “Creed.” Marvel’s recent hot streak only makes us more confident that “Black Panther” will have us hailing to the king.

Do you agree with our list? What release has you the most pumped up for February? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.