【Action Archives】

At the end of 2016,Action Archives we naively hoped 2017 would be better. Instead, 2017 turned out to be so bad that we're basically dreading 2018. Because if there's one thing we learned this year, it's that no matter how awful things get, they can still get worse.

And yet.

The otherbig lesson we got this year was that even at the worst of times, there's always gonna be stuff to love, and still more stuff to look forward to loving.

So, sure, 2018 is probably gonna suck. But it won't be allbad, and we know that because there are at least 27 things we expect to be freakin' awesome over the next 12 months.

In no particular order:

1. Cap's beard in Avengers: Infinity War

Yes, we already got a glimpse of it in the trailer. But imagine how much better it'll look in action: rippling as Cap flies through the air to punch a bad guy, rustling as Cap strokes it thoughtfully, standing stiffly at attention while Cap delivers an inspirational speech. Honestly, Cap's beard might already be our new favorite Avenger.

2. Rihanna hosting the Met Gala

Just weeks before she tries to pull off a heist at the Met Gala in Ocean's 8!

3. Lin-Manuel Miranda's press tour for Mary Poppins Returns

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The Hamiltonmastermind is one of of the most likable celebrities we have right now, and no one is better than Disney at deploying star charisma.

4. Finding out what the hell the next Cloverfield movie is about

We have no earthly idea what's going on with this film, formerly titled God Particle, but that's part of the fun.

5. Eating all our feelings in Donut County

If 2017 made you want to take everything in the entire world and throw it in a big hole, Donut Countyis here to realize that dream. You play as a hole, and as you swallow more and more things, the hole grows and changes to help you consume absolutely everything. Perfect. – Kellen Beck

6. Westworld's Samurai World

Remember when WestworldSeason 1 ended in 2016, and we mourned because 2018 felt so far away? Well, it's almost here now – and with any luck, the new run of episodes should take us into some new corners of the universe, including Samurai World.

7. Eleanor and Chidi's romance (probably) in The Good Place

It seems inevitable that these two will be back in each other's arms, even if the hows and whys aren't quite clear.

8. Beyoncé at Coachella

Even those of us who can't afford tickets will be scouring the web for clips and pics from this momentous occasion. And since Eminem will be there too, dare we hope for a live performance of "Walk on Water"?

9. Paddington's stay in prison

Do you think they'll let us bring marmalade sandwiches into the visitor room?

10. The What We Do in the Shadows spinoff

If you haven't seen Taika Waititi's laugh-out-loud funny vampire mockumentary yet, do that – and then keep your eyes peeled for news on Wellington Paranormal, a TV spinoff about the oblivious cops.

11. Chance the Rapper becoming Chance the Actor

That SNLhosting gig was no fluke – Chance the Rapper is ready to show off his chops as an actor. His first feature film performance will be in Slice, an indie horror flick about the murder of a pizza delivery guy. It's from A24, so you know it'll be idiosyncratic and probably brilliant.

12. Something something Winter Olympics

We never really plan to watch the Winter Olympics. It just kind of happens, and then we find ourselves getting way more invested than we expected, and by the end of it all we're armchair experts in a bunch of sports we never knew we always loved. (Ditto the World Cup.)

13. Henry Cavill's Mission: Impossible 6 mustache

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This contractually obligated mustache is the reason Henry Cavill's upper lip looked so funny through much of Justice League. Time to find out if it was worth it.

14. Trans talents getting the spotlight in Pose

Everyone in Hollywood loves paying lip service to LGBTQ inclusion; far fewer people in Hollywood are actually doing something about it. Ryan Murphy is one of those few. With over 50 LGBTQ characters – including, according to FX, "the most trans series regulars ever" on American TV – and trans writers and directors behind the camera, Poseis a show that actually walks the walk.

15. Harry and Meghan's royal wedding

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A few weeks after the due date for Will and Kate's third baby. It's a big year for the Windsors!

Speaking of which ...

16. Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown

Alas, Claire Foy's time as Queen Elizabeth II has come to an end. But we expect Olivia Colman will do a brilliant job of stepping into her sensible, low-heeled pumps in Season 3. (Assuming The CrownSeason 3 actually arrives in 2018, that is – Netflix has yet to announce a release date.)

17. Jonah Ryan's presidential campaign in Veep

Should Jonah Ryan actually win the White House, Veep's reality might finally become as dark and depressing as ours.

18. The release of Terry Gilliam's The Man Who Killed Don Quixote

This film's famously troubled 20-year development process is itself the stuff of legend (and the subject of a 2002 documentary). Which is why it blows our minds to realize we might actually get to see it next year. No, seriously – Gilliam's finally finished shooting it and everything.

19. Sense8 getting the finale it deserves

Netflix cancelled the sci-fi drama in June 2017, but the subsequent outpouring of grief and love was so overwhelming that they were inspired to greenlight a two-hour finale episode. Savor it, sensates – you've earned it.

20. Jessica Jones getting a new jacket in Season 2

We love the leather jacket, but it's about time our favorite don't-say-superhero expanded her wardrobe.

21. The first female Doctor

Peter Capaldi will be dearly missed, but we cannot wait to see what Jodie Whittaker will do as the 13th Doctor – and the first one in a female body.

22. Mahershala Ali and Carmen Ejogo in True Detective Season 3

Sure, True Detectivehas had its ups and downs. But if Ali and Ejogo are in, so are we.

23. The long-awaited return of Kingdom Hearts

Kingdom Hearts II came out more than 12 years ago, and as the years dragged on the possibility of the series turning into a trilogy looked less and less likely. But Kingdom Hearts IIIis actually, finally coming in 2018 with all of the Disney and Final Fantasy characters we’ve come to love. And now that Disney owns half of the entertainment world, maybe we’ll get to run into some new characters in the series, like the Avengers or some porgs. – Kellen Beck

24. Joe Cornish's next movie

If you saw Attack the Block(starring future stormtrooper John Boyega and future Doctor Jodie Whittaker), you know exactly why we're eager to see director Joe Cornish's sophomore effort, The Kid Who Would Be King.

25. Regina George's Broadway debut

It's time to see Mean Girlsin a whole new light – by which we mean stage lighting, since the musical adaptation hits the Great White Way this year.

26. Lando Calrissian's space capes in Solo: A Star Wars Story

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Donald Glover is one of those dudes who can pull off a brown velvet tux and make it look easy. Lando Calrissian is one of those dudes who has an entire closet full of sweet space capes just waiting to be worn. This casting could not be more perfect.

27. Jason Statham battling a prehistoric shark in The Meg

Sometimes you just want to watch a movie about a ridiculously muscular man fighting a ridiculously giant creature. (See also: Dwayne Johnson's Rampage.)