Top 10 Comic Book Adaptations Coming in 2016

Last Updated on August 3, 2021

With AGE OF ULTRON and ANT-MAN behind us and STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS on the horizon, 2015 is wrapping up a bit more underwhelmingly than anticipated a year ago. But, 2016 is already promising to be one hell of a year for comic book fans. With more than 10 major genre films, many based on comic books, and some exciting small screen properties as well. Here is our ranking in order of how excited we are for each. If you disagree or your favorite didn’t make the cut, feel free to let us know in the talk backs below.

#1 – BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE

Haters are gonna hate Zack Snyder no matter what he does. But, that doesn’t mean the prospect of DC Comics two biggest heroes facing off before teaming up isn’t going to pack audiences into theaters. The promise of seeing Wonder Woman and Aquaman on the big screen for the first time is just frosting on the cake. Capitalizing on the controversial destruction in MAN OF STEEL and turning it into an epic new chapter in DC’s Cinematic Universe makes this movie our most anticipated of 2016.

#2 – DEADPOOL

Ryan Reynolds’ passion project has been a long time coming and the footage debuted at Comic Con already has cemented the R-rated orgy of violence required to pull off the Merc with a Mouth. There is no memory of X-MEN: ORIGINS lingering after seeing the DEADPOOL trailer and if the movie can live up to this tease, we are all going to be talking about this movie for a long time to come. Chimichangas!

#3 – CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

Marvel Studios has a very ambitious slate of films coming in Phase Three and it all kicks off with CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. Less a solo film for Cap but rather an ensemble film that will divide the Avengers while also introducing us to both Black Panther and Spider-man, this movie has all of the makings of the biggest MCU movie that doesn’t start with an A. Here’s hoping The Russos deliver a movie as strong as THE WINTER SOLDIER.

#4 – DOCTOR STRANGE

Scott Derrickson’s mystical Marvel movie has yet to show us any glimpses of star Benedict Cumberbatch or his supporting roster that includes Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, or Chiwetel Ejiofor. But, with a release date just over a year away, we are still crossing our fingers that the Sorceror Supreme will bring a new leading man to the MCU that could hold his own alongside Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans.

#5 – SUICIDE SQUAD

David Ayer is going to try something very different for DC Comics with SUICIDE SQUAD. Not only is he going to try and launch a comic book team based on less known characters (like GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) but he is also going to try and take a different approach to an iconic Batman villain (like THE DARK KNIGHT) all while launching the next step of a Cinematic Universe (like THE AVENGERS). Okay, so SUICIDE SQUAD isn’t that different from other comic book movies, but it does look pretty damn cool.

#6 – X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

Those excited about Bryan Singer’s follow-up to X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST were quickly deflated when they realized how Apocalypse would look on screen. We have yet to see the final cut of the trailer, many are still anxious as to whether this will live up to the synopsis. With a cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, and James McAvoy returning alongside new additions Olivia Munn as Psylocke and Oscar Isaac as the titular villain, X-MEN: APOCALYPSE could close out the reboot trilogy with a bang.

#7 -Preacher

This DC/Vertigo comic has had a long journey to the big screen but it is the small screen home of Breaking Bad and Mad Men that will finally show us the adventures of Jesse Custer. Seth Rogen and AMC will bring the first season of Preacher next year and if it sticks close to the source material, this could be the next Walking Dead.

#8 – Daredevil (Season 2)

Marvel took massive strides with their small screen efforts thanks to their partnership with Netflix. Daredevil brought us the darkest MCU character study yet and kept up the quality over thirteen episodes, kickstarting the Defenders end game. Whether Jessica Jones lives up to Daredevil later this year, next year’s second season promises Elektra and The Punisher which makes it must see viewing.

#9 – GAMBIT

It may still be an unknown if this movie is actually going to happen, but the plan is still for it to hit theaters in 2016. When and if it happens, GAMBIT will finally bring the popular X-Man to life in his own solo film. Channing Tatum may not be the ideal Gambit for a lot of fans but I am reserving judgement until the rest of the cast and crew get rounded out.

#10 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2

While I may be in the minority of those who enjoyed the 2014 reboot, next year’s sequel looks to bring in more of the fan favorite elements from the classic animated series. Bebop and Rocksteady may not instill confidence in audiences, but a change in directors could be just what this franchise needs to win back those on the fence.

Source: JoBlo.com

About the Author

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Alex Maidy has been a JoBlo.com editor, columnist, and critic since 2012. A Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and a member of Chicago Indie Critics, Alex has been JoBlo.com's primary TV critic and ran columns including Top Ten and The UnPopular Opinion. When not riling up fans with his hot takes, Alex is an avid reader and aspiring novelist.