The 50 movies, shows, albums and tours we're looking forward to in 2018 (plus a few extra)

Yara Shahidi is set to star in a spin off of the successful sitcom “Black-ish,” a comedy about a black family that uses its episodes to discuss issues or fun quirks about being black in America. “Grown-ish” follows Zoey, (Shahidi) as she becomes a freshman in college who is going to learn, without the stability of her family, what it’s like to be grown(ish). There will be a few recurring regulars from “Black-ish” with roles in “Grown-ish,” including the hilarious Deon Cole. The series premiere is early January. 

We still believe... after all these years there can be a good return to "The X-Files" that weren't solved in the last movie. And in 2018, it's good to know we have friends on the inside at the Bureau.  

Yes, this show is only on mid-season hiatus, but it can’t come back soon enough. One of the most basic philosophical questions revolves around what happens to us when we die. It’s been answered a thousand times over in human history, but “The Good Place” easily has the most hilarious take on it. The show, featuring Kristen Bell and Ted Danson, is an exercise in philosophy and ethics through a collection of recently-passed people who believe that they are in “The Good Place” only to realize that nothing is what it seems. Season 2 picks back up in January and is a brilliantly written sitcom for those who love to joke about their existential crises. 

To end 2016, Camila Cabello suddenly announced that she would be leaving pop group Fifth Harmony, so 2017 has been the year of Cabello figuring out who she is as a solo artist. So far, so good: the 20-year-old spent part of the year opening for Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic Tour. Her single “Havana” has dominated — peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s only right that 2018 should bring us her debut solo album.

It’s been three years since Kimbra dropped her last studio album, “The Golden Echo,” and there was a bit left to be desired on that project. It felt all over the place and over-produced, but Kimbra’s talent and voice was still able to shine through on what wasn’t her best work. With about three and half years between “The Golden Echo” and the scheduled release of” Primal Heart,” Kimbra has had plenty of time to bring a completely polished album into the world. If we’re lucky, we’ll get more of the unique, adventurous Kimbra that we saw on “Vows” and her “Settle Down” EP. 

We've been waiting for a Hollywood adaptation of the best-selling The Alienist  for more than twenty years now, if only to have an American counterpart to Sherlock Holmes that is soaked in New York City history. Hopefully the show captures the atmosphere of the novel where every shadow in the night tells a secret. Dakota Fanning plays Sara Howard in a role we expect her to complete own. 

This is something to look forward to every year. On Jan. 28, the 60th Annual Grammys will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The most-nominated artists are Jay-Z (8), Kendrick Lamar (7), Bruno Mars (6) and several artists nominated five times such as Khalid, SZA and Childish Gambino. For all the nominations, click here.

2018 starts with a bang as the follow-up to the uber successful and sinfully catchy "Culture" releases to the delight of a generation of fans who just want to have a little fun with their hip-hop. Featuring guest appearances from Cardi B and Nicki Minaj, "Culture 2" may not run away with awards season, but it's likely to run away with your summer as the soundtrack to poolside lounging and party hopping.

The long-awaited sequel to Nipplegate — Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson’s joint Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004. Timberlake will be the halftime performer on Feb. 4 from Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium. No definitive word if Jackson will join, but if so the world might actually end. 

We always say we're not going to give into all the pomp and ceremony of the Olympics, but a day in and we're checking the start times for curling matches, watching massive ski jumps for hours on end and are suddenly experts on speed skating. As we always say, better to watch all the people compete in the cold than have to go outside ourselves. 

Scottish band Franz Ferdinand may not be bringing disco back per se, but their upcoming album absolutely wants to, and it's not a bad thing. The first single happens to be the title track, a rousing, pulsating piece of music that demands to be danced to, harkening back to a similar time when turning the beat around helped ward off the realities of a less than hospitable world.

Ryan Reynolds is back as the Merc with the Mouth, but he's not alone as "Deadpool 2" expands on what made the 2016 sleeper such a hit despite a hard R rating. Joining Mr. Pool in his gleeful family-unfriendly adventures is Josh Brolin as Cable and Zazie Beetz, who stars as comic book favorite (with a twist) Domino. With the possible purchase of Fox by Disney, this could be the last time we see Deadpool in all his filthy glory.

Superhero movies have dominated the box office for the better part of the last decade, and one of the most anticipated releases of 2018 is Marvel’s “Black Panther.” The star-studded movie boasts the likes of Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett. More than anything else, the black-led cast is an extremely good look considering how Hollywood is still struggling to represent identities other than straight, white, and male – especially in the superhero genre. After Ta-Nehisi Coates brought the comic back to life, “Black Panther” is going to help bring this hero to a similar plane that Superman, Batman and Spider-Man exist on. 

Jeff VanderMeer’s cryptic eco-dystopian Southern Reach trilogy may have been ultimately unsatisfying, but it delivered a wholly original atmosphere and a gallery of intriguing characters. Trust director Alex Garland (“Ex Machina”) to translate the creepy, dreadful atmosphere of the first volume and hope he can instill some narrative coherence with a first-rate cast that includes Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Oscar Isaac.

One of our favorite books being made into a movie directed by one of our favorite directors (Ava DuVernay of "Wonder Woman" and "Selma" fame) and a cast that includes Storm Reid, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Mindy Kaling AND Oprah? 

Even Wes Anderson skeptics fell for the director’s first animated feature, “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” Here comes another heavily stylized animated animal story, an old-fashioned adventure yarn wrapped up in dystopian sci-fi about a boy looking for his lost pet, Spot, with the help of a pack of exiled dogs. 

Ernie Cline's beloved pop culture love letter finally makes it to screens in 2018, and better yet, it's directed by Steven Spielberg, which is fittingly meta for a story that is all about what it means to be meta. The first trailer alone highlights the DeLorean time machine from "Back to the Future," Freddy Kruger from the "Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise, and the Iron Giant from, well, "The Iron Giant." "Ready Player One" is a flick designed to catch you right in the nostalgia feels, and we're here for it.

2017 was a messy year for the Grammy winning Swedish occult pop-metal band Ghost. A lawsuit filed by four former members alleged that frontman Papa Emeritus unfairly hoarded the band’s profits; the suit also unmasked Emeritus, aka Tobias Forge, and several other former members, diminishing the band’s supernatural mystique. But the follow-up to 2015’s "Meliora" should correct Ghost’s trajectory.

“Westworld” was an original sci-fi/western fusion that captivated audiences in the summer of 2016. After a year off, “Westworld” will return in 2018 with more conscious-gaining robots learning how to feel in a human world. Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins) is gone, but the world in which he imagined is still living, and so are the robots. There’s no telling what kind of fantasy humans will seek in “Westworld” in 2018, or maybe it’ll be the robots seeking out their own fantasies this time around. 

Another 19-year-old absolutely bombarding the music industry in 2017 was Khalid. The El Paso singer is nominated for five Grammys and has announced a 2018 North American tour named after his dog, Roxy, who he rescued recently from a Los Angeles shelter. For every ticket sold, $1 will be donated to local animal shelters in each city. For more information, click here.

What began with 2008's "Iron Man" comes to a head one year later as Marvel Studios finally gives fans the payoff they've been waiting for with the sprawling epic superhero heist film "Avengers: Infinity War." The first part of a two-film combo, "Infinity War" finally allows Thanos (Josh Brolin) to get out of the throne and cause some real damage. Everything in the Marvel Cinematic Universe changes after this one, and long-time fan favorites look to be moving on to their just reward, or as we better know it: Death.

When Taylor Swift is in cycle, you are forced to pay attention to some degree. Luckily for Swift, who has millions of fans worldwide, there are plenty of people willing to spend lots of money to give her their undivided attention during her upcoming Reputation Tour. 

Named after her sixth studio album "Reputation," which quickly became 2017’s top-selling album after a Nov. 10 release, the tour will begin May 8 in Glendale, Ariz. For full dates, click here.

In 2017, Mother Monster has been filming the reboot of "A Star is Born" alongside Bradley Cooper. The film — originally made in 1937 but remade both in 1954 with Judy Garland and 1976 with Barbra Streisand — is about a movie star (played by Cooper) mentoring a young talent (Gaga) as he battles his own demons. Gaga, though,  has decided to be credited by her real name, Stefani Germanotta, instead of her stage name.

Every few years, pop culture likes to see a storybook romance end in a big gorgeous wedding, and even though the idea and concepts of monarchy are largely just for show, everyone loves a big party, and the wedding of Prince Harry to now-former actress Meghan Markle looks to be a party for the ages. This wedding ticks off a number of boxes, not to mention the first modern interracial wedding for any of the royals in the United Kingdom, which is more than fitting for our current time and place in history. 

It was recently announced that the federal government is trying to seize "pharma bro" Martin Shkreli's assets to pay the $7.4 million in debt after he was found guilty and convicted for securities fraud. Among his assets is the only known copy of the Wu-Tang Clan's “Once Upon A Time in Shaolin.” It's unclear if the federal government will actually make the album available to the American public, but if 2017 has taught us anything, it's that nothing is outside the realm of possibility.

“Ocean’s Eight” is a spin-off of the “Ocean’s Eleven” series of films that featured Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his crew pulling off huge heists in Las Vegas casinos. “Ocean’s Eight” will feature Debbie Ocean ( Sandra Bullock), Danny’s sister, and a crew of eight women who will attempt to pull off a heist at New York Fashion Week. The women-led cast is as strong as any from the Ocean’s series and will star Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, Mandy Kaling, Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter and Sarah Paulson. 

Dramatized retellings of 1990s true crime are so in right now. It all started with last year's “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” While everyone is excited for “The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” USA Network's “Unsolved” promises to be twice as good – it'll focus on the Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. murders. 

Even without the United States, the quadrennial global soccer tournament is still the greatest and most significant sporting event in the world. Next year’s edition, to be hosted by Russia, offers plenty of potential juicy story lines: FIFA’s ongoing corruption scandal, Russia’s entanglement in American politics, and the usual upsets, collapses, and other on-field surprises. Argentina, Brazil, and defending champs Germany are the heavy favorites, while Portugal, Spain, France, and Belgium are strong contenders. 

Rumors abound that Jack-Jack might become a real fighter in the latest installment of the "The Incredibles" series, which we hope is true, because turning into a giant fireball of rage is just what we're like when we're upset. 

Remember the rule: NO CAPES!

We wanted to love both Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt in the last installment of the "Jurassic" franchise, but it felt like the heart was missing. This time though they're returning to the island to save the dinosaurs from a volcanic eruption. We'd hate to see a second dino extinction on our watch, so hopefully the pulling at the heart-strings to save animals that could certainly be our end does the trick. 

Italian director Stefano Sollima has had a hand in some of the smartest, slyest, bloodiest crime movies and TV shows in Italy – he directed the original Netflix movie “Suburra” and 10 episodes of the series “Gomorrah.” He makes his English-language debut with the sequel to the smart, suspenseful 2015 narco thriller “Sicario.” Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro reprise their roles as maverick CIA agents working the Mexican border. 

Season 4 of “Power” ended with Ghost’s daughter Rania getting murdered in front of her school. Her death, along with all of the trouble Tariq has gotten into over the last few seasons, had led Ghost, Tommy and Kanan (played by 50 Cent) to reunite to take care of a common enemy. Ghost is ostensibly out of the legal issues he dealt with for much of season 4, but aside from his own family tragedy, he going to have a new set of issues with Dre going full Judas on him and Tommy. The drama is far from over, and the way that season 4 ended, things are just getting started.

Robert Rodriguez directing and James Cameron producing a movie based hugely popular magna comic can go one of two ways: incredibly groundbreaking both visually and stylistically... or a world we might not want to return to any time soon it's so scary. Either way, we're watching. 

It's impossible for us to get tired of the "Mission Impossible" series while Tom Cruise is out there doing all of his own stunts and generally mugging at the camera being charming. That said, this is going to be the first in the series that is in 3D – generally not a good sign for a franchise. ("Jaws 3D," anyone?)

Drizzy covered The Hollywood Reporter in early November, but the focus wasn’t the fact that his "More Life" album was named by Apple as the year’s most popular album. Rather, the fact is that the rapper is making major moves into the television and film industry, as the cover story was titled “Drake’s Hotline to Hollywood.” 

Drake currently has his producer-debut in "The Carter Effect ," which debuted at the Toronto Film Festival and chronicles NBA legend Vince Carter. Projects still in the works are the Netflix revival of "Top Boy," which goes into production early next year.

The end of season 3 of AMC's follow up to the now classic "Breaking Bad" finally gave us a glimpse of the Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) we've all been waiting for. Season 4 looks to be a bit of a crossroads as it could be in this season that we no longer rely on flashbacks, but catch up with our favorite morally questionable counselor after the events of the final season of "Breaking Bad." We last saw Cinnabon Saul keel over of a maybe fake heart attack mid-season 3, so who knows what that could mean this year — but we're absolutely ready to find out!

Art-house superstar director Steve McQueen (“Hunger,” “12 Years a Slave”) teams up with novelist and screenwriter Gillian Flynn (“Gone Girl”) for this update of a 1980s British cops-and-robbers soap about three women who take over their husbands’ criminal operation after their deaths in a heist gone wrong. McQueen’s version features an all-star ensemble including Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Jacki Weaver, Daniel Kaluuya and Liam Neeson.

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith’s 19-year-old son is really beginning to step into his own. Jaden released his debut solo album "SYRE" on Nov. 17 (named after one of his middle names), and it is nothing to scoff at. This is not a child of famous people making stuff just because he’s the child of famous people. Jaden has set the foundation for his artistic career. Smith has teased a SYRE Tour. Be on the lookout. 

November 2018 will mark the 10th anniversary of Kanye West's most underrated album. Knowing Yeezy, there will be some kind of special release for a record that shifted the paradigm of pop music to be more closely aligned to hip-hop. 

Which bring us to... 

In 2016, Kanye dropped “The Life Of Pablo,” what might have been his most divisive album to date. That year, Ye also said that he’d drop a second album called “Turbo Grafx 16,” named after a video game system that came out in the late 80s that looked a bit like the Sega Genesis. In 2016, that album did not drop. Heading into December 2017 we still don’t have “Turbo Grafx 16.” Despite the lack of a release, Kanye has been seen with Kid Cudi and Partynextdoor while two songs featuring Migos, Young Thug, and A$AP Rocky have surfaced this year. The album feels imminent — 2018 has to be the year. 

This goes without saying, as James Corden and his "Late Late Show"  have gifted us tremendously with the creation of "Carpool Karaoke." This year brought us car rides with Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Steph Curry, LeBron James, Usher, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus and so many more.

Rockstar Games' long-awaited follow up to the breakout hit of 2010, “Red Dead Redemption" looks like a pure Game of the Year candidate and it's not even playable yet. Featuring gorgeous views of Wild West splendor, "Red Dead Redemption 2" promises to be your favorite spaghetti western come to life, complete with train robberies, backstabbing, and awesome gunfights that deliver action unlike any other game available on the market. Goodbye, social life!

The monumental metal trio will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2018 with a national tour and a new album – two things the California road dogs, well on their way to establishing themselves as the legitimate successors to Motörhead, have proved they know how to do better than just about any other modern American metal band. 

It's been a hot minute since Vampire Weekend put out new material – their last, “Modern Vampires of the City,” came out in 2013. Whatever their new album is called – the band hasn't announced the title yet – it'll be Vampire Weekend's first without multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij, who went solo this year.

The strange career of Selina Meyer comes to an end next year, one way or another, with the final season of HBO’s profane and on-point political sitcom. It’s probably a good time to pull the plug – real-life events have overtaken the show’s absurdity and cynicism, making it seem less like necessary satire and more like a rough draft of the next news cycle.

After a tumultuous time shooting the film, "Bohemian Rhapsody," the project is still moving along after finding a new director in Dexter Fletcher. "Mr. Robot" actor Rami Malek will star as Freddie Mercury, and the biopic is set to hit theaters on Christmas Day 2018.

Real talk: Bill Hader's departure from “Saturday Night Live” threw the show in a downward spiral that lasted until Donald Trump decided to run for president and they could bring in Alec Baldwin every week. Hader, arguably the greatest impersonator the show has had, has always been a star. “Barry,” a dark comedy where Hader plays a hitman for hire who's trying to make it in Hollywood, will hopefully show the world why.

In November, Brian Michael Bendis, responsible for some of the better Marvel comics out there (he co-created Miles Morales, the Afro-Latino Spider-Man), announced that he was leaving for DC comics. Bendis hasn't announced what he'll be working on, but given that it'll be his first project under DC, it has to be huge.

"If you liked two thousand and seventeen then you'll love two thousand and eighteen," Frank Ocean cryptically wrote in a short note for Vice. “Blonde” came out in 2016, but we'll forgive him for being wrong if it means new music.

In his last movie – 2013's “Gravity” – Alfonso Cuaron went to outer space. In 2018, Cuaron appears to be headed home. The Mexican director is currently in post-production on “Roma,” a movie about a middle class family in Mexico during the 1970s. By the few details available, it's a safe bet to say that this movie will be somewhat autobiographical.

There are few things in the sports world that will be more fascinating in 2018 than Serena Williams’ return to tennis. She’s more than just a legend on the court, she’s become a pop culture icon especially when you look at the stars who take the time to watch her play to the star-studded wedding she had with Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian. The last time we saw Serena on the court, she was holding up the Australian Open trophy, 20 weeks pregnant, after not dropping a single set. If she returns for this year’s Australian Open, it’s the biggest sports story until the Super Bowl; if she wins it, one of the most incredible sports stories of all time. 

We didn't think "Justice League" did much for one of our favorite superheroes, so hopefully a stand along film (directed by the talented James Wan) will allow Jason Momoa to really bring life to what is one of the better DC universe extended stories. 

Fans of the cinematic buster of demons and other oddities were dismayed to learn that director Guillermo Del Toro would not get to finish his trilogy, but almost as soon as that news leaked out, creator Mike Mignola let us in on a bit of a shocker as the Right Hand of Doom would officially be getting a reboot makeover. That fact was punctuated by new "Hellboy" actor David Harbour in costume, immediately showing fans there's a new demon and town — and he doesn't look half bad. 

Sure, it doesn’t come out until January 2019, but we’re going to spend all 2018 waiting for it.