19 movies we’re definitely looking forward to in 2019

18. Shazam!

If you’ve seen the trailers, you’ve probably had a good laugh. Shazam!  could end up being DC’s fun, lighthearted alternative to Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame, which will no doubt be an emotional ride of 10-year-old-discovering-you-can-kill-the-guests-in-Rollercoaster–Tycoon proportions. And what kind of topsy-turvy universe are we living in when it’s DC releasing the lighthearted romps while Marvel goes dark? Hopefully one in which both movies are good.

Shazam! follows a 14-year-old boy in foster care who can turn into a super-powered adult with nothing more than a magic word, a concept which certainly lends itself to humor. The trailers are definitely hilarious—Shazam accidentally explodes a guy’s phone and tests out the limits of his superpowers in a hilarious series of home videos. The director himself has already shown a propensity for joking around with the fans online, responding to questions about a possible costume change for the titular hero by confirming that Shazam would occasionally be wearing the Aquaman suit.

Fun fact: Shazam was originally known as Captain Marvel, which has historically led to some confusion. It’s ironic that both Shazam! and Marvel’s own Captain Marvel are coming out in the same year, though it looks like the two movies could hardly be more tonally different.

All in all, Shazam! looks like it’s going to be a welcome change of pace from DC’s other more dour movie offerings. Aquaman, set to premiere on Dec. 21 this year, also seems to be adapting an upbeat tone; it will be interesting to see what difference DC’s thematic change will make. Certainly the Shazam! trailers are looking pretty stylish.