2015 is already on its way to breaking box office records thanks to the success of "Jurassic World," "Fast and Furious 7" and "Avengers: Age of Ultron." The upcoming releases of these five films should seal the deal -- especially that of the next "Star Wars" blockbuster, which is likely to break records on its own.
Though it isn't a sequel or part of a franchise, "Everest" should still attract a crowd. Scheduled for a September 25 release, Baltasar Kormákur's film will have already benefitted from serious media attention thanks to its opening night slot at both the Deauville American Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival. Add to that a screenplay based on the true story of a disastrous ascent of the tallest mountain in the world and a cast that includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, Jason Clarke, Robin Wright and Keira Knightley, and you've got a recipe for success.
Meanwhile, Thomas, the protagonist of the first "Maze Runner" installment, which brought in more than $330 million world-wide, will, along with the other Gladers, have to surmount another massive challenge with "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials." Coming out September 18, this sequel, still based on the novels by James Dasher, is once again directed by Wes Ball.
The American director has created a dystopic world which recalls that of "The Hunger Games," film whose final installment comes out November 20. "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" will once again pit Katniss against her sworn enemy, the president of Panem, Snow. This final confrontation is expected to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and score big at the box office. In 2014, the first part grossed over $750 million.
Before finding out how Katniss's adventure ends, audiences will get to discover James Bond's latest mission. On November 6, "Spectre" will pick up where "Skyfall" left off. The latter, with $1.1 billion in global box office receipts, is the highest grossing film in the franchise to date, and with Sam Mendes at the helm and Daniel Craig back in the starring role, this one could prove even more lucrative. The MI6 agent's investigation into a mysterious organization known as Spectre will lead him to cross paths with the likes of Christophe Waltz, Monica Bellucci and Léa Seydoux.
Of course, the most eagerly anticipated film of the rest of the year is J.J. Abram's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," hitting theaters December 18. Nearly 40 years after the release of the first film, the famous science fiction saga promises a generational mix, with original stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill appearing alongside the likes of Adam Driver, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Lupita Nyong'o.
