It’s been a gargantuan year, filled with so many incredible new releases and conclusions to now-classic TV shows, games, comics, novels, films and more. We FINALLY saw the Marvel Cinematic Universe wrap up its first eleven years of film in the biggest cinematic event of all time with Avengers: Endgame.
After such a monumental cinematic event, it can be hard recalling all the other great releases of 2019. Luckily, an elite squad of Supanova team members managed to open a quantum tunnel into the past and bring back all our favourites of the year. Plus, we look at what we’re excited to see in the far future of 2020.
DANIEL Z (FOUNDER & EVENT DIRECTOR)
What was your favourite release of 2019?
Avenger: Endgame. The build-up after all these years paid-off and while not flawless, the fan service of seeing Cap, Thor, Iron Man and the Hulk, among the rest, throwing down against Thanos was epic. Mind you, I’d love to say Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, as that’s 2019, but [we’ll have to wait and see]!
What release are you most excited for in 2020?
Top Gun 2: Maverick. What can I say other than…. I feel the need… The need for speed! Once upon a time I was young and saw the original at the cinema, which totally blew me away with an adrenaline high that’s still causing me to flashback!
Honourable mentions: Wonder Woman 1984 and Godzilla vs. Kong.
How did your most-anticipated release of the year stack up?
The final season of Game of Thrones delivered imperfectly but in some ways that’s left room for the books, when they finally arrive, to be the real deal, which is as it should be, given they’re the original source material.
JAMES ORR (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)
What was your favourite release of 2019?
Control. Don’t get me wrong, Jedi: Fallen Order is good. But the best game of the year that uses Force-like powers is Control. I was enthralled from the beginning thanks to the gameplay, environment, characters, and story. It’s one of those games where they all come together perfectly, whether your throwing mutated goons at one another or reading through creepy case-reports.
I played it while I was recovering from two broken feet (earned from a poorly thought-out shortcut), and it was the only game that kept me feeling in control.
What release are you most excited for in 2020?
Bayonetta. There’s heaps I’m looking forward to next year: Cyberpunk 2077, Wonder Woman 1984, BoJack Horseman, the next generation of consoles, being able to walk without wincing. But there’s only one that lets you create demons from hair: Bayonetta 3.
How did your most-anticipated release of the year stack up?
The final season of Game of Thrones was my most anticipated release this year, and I can say it had its moments. Some of them were even good. The book, A Dream of Spring, is definitely better though. Mostly because it doesn’t exist yet.
KRISTY ANDERSON (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)
What was your favourite release of 2019?
Avengers: Endgame didn’t quite match the heights of Infinity War, but it managed to bring the first three phases of the MCU to a satisfying conclusion while still leaving things open enough for the future. The Portals scene was brilliant.
What release are you most excited for in 2020?
Black Widow. After having tidbits of Natasha Romanoff’s past scattered throughout her MCU appearances, it should be interesting to dig into the meatier parts of her story in a solo film.
POKE (2IC, AV/TECH DEPARTMENT)
What was your favourite release of 2019?
UNTITLED GOOSE GAME.
Why was it your favourite release of 2019?
PRESS Y TO HONK.
What release are you most excited for in 2020?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Tom Nook sends you to be the sole resident of a deserted island under the guise of it being a “getaway”. As you do all the hard work to make the island hospitable, he gets to market it to other saps who will, in turn, show up and help make the island a true paradise, all while Tom sits back and makes fat stacks of bells to retire on. Capitalism at its finest.
How did your most-anticipated release of the year stack up?
HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK
SAMMY FEE (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)
What was your favourite release of 2019?
Doctor Sleep. I’m an avid Stephen King fan and was eagerly awaiting the film sequel to The Shining. In the Stephen King fandom, the first movie is often despised, as it strayed quite far from the book. However, we were told that this film would redeem the first film by linking back more strongly to the source material. It did not disappoint! Finally, we got the story of The Overlook Hotel as it was supposed to be. Sadly this film has had mixed reviews and has not done well at the box office. But I loved it, there’s even talk of another film being made!
What release are you most excited for in 2020?
If It Bleeds by Stephen King. We’re getting a new collection of novellas in May next year and I can hardly wait! King’s novels are great, he has the time in a novel to work his way into your mind and spook you. In a novella, he has less time and so the scares come thick and fast!
AOIFE HILTON (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)
What was your favourite release of 2019?
The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Claire. The book expands the Shadowhunters universe through characters previously involved in stories without being point-of-view characters. Overall, it’s a great addition to the series and written in a style the fandom hasn’t seen before but would definitely like to see again!
What release are you most excited for in 2020?
Chain of Gold by Cassandra Claire. Again, this book is different to Cassie Claire’s others, not in the world that it’s set but in the way that it explores that world. It will star her original main characters, Clary and Jace from The Mortal Instruments, after the events of the series and the spin-offs that came afterwards. I expect this book to assume the characters have grown since last we’ve seen them and thus kick-off with a more adult vibe than the original series, suiting the audience as it stands today.
MADDIE (COMMUNICATIONS)
What was your favourite release of 2019?
Pokemon Sword and Shield. As the first core game in the series to come out on the Switch, Pokemon Sword and Shield far exceeded my already high expectations.
Despite following much the same formula as its predecessors, the developers have injected enough fresh ideas into the game play, such as Dynamaxing and (admittedly limited) multiplayer in the Wild Area, that the format we know so well still feels new and exciting.
What release are you most excited for in 2020?
Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.0. After nearly 13 years, the Rebuild of Evangelion film series is about to come to its conclusion, and as a long-time fan of the franchise, I could not be more excited.
We’ve glimpsed some phenomenal animation in the teaser trailers, and after totally diverging from the original in the last instalment, You Can (Not) Redo, I’m eager to see what no doubt traumatic fates await our young pilots.
How did your most-anticipated release of the year stack up?
My most anticipated film of 2019 was Alita: Battle Angel, and while it wasn’t quite as engaging as I’d hoped, it was visually remarkable and totally justified James Cameron’s two decade-long wait to undertake the project.
RACHAEL SULLIVAN (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)
What was your favourite release of 2019?
Nothing will compare to the anticipation that led up to Game of Thrones season eight. For six long weeks, my life was overtaken by Game of Thrones – from conspiracy podcasts to hour-long trailer analysis videos, and of course the memes. I was so hyped I even wore a Fitbit during episode three, The Long Night, just to see where my heart jumped. It was a once in a lifetime kind of thing. Whether you loved the last season or not, it was an experience to be a part of the Game of Thrones fandom.
What release are you most excited for in 2020?
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is bringing a whole new element to the classic World of Warcraft. I’m eager to get to know the different Covenants and make a lasting decision that will impact the way I play through the game. No one really knows what to expect with the new expansion, and that’s a pretty exciting mystery. I’m also not opposed to the idea of having a Pandaren Death Knight running around.
TC PHILLIPS (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)
What was your favourite release of 2019?
In a year which has had some phenomenal releases, Joker brought home that the key ingredients in any truly well-made film is to simply include an amazing performance and a well-told story. For me, Joker’s real success was telling a story where a character like the Joker can be born solely from society’s continued indifference. An absolute masterpiece.
What release are you most excited for in 2020?
Falcon and Winter Soldier Disney+ series. As the first live-action series directly linked to the MCU, it’s going to set a precedent for much of the Marvel Universe moving forward with both film and TV finally all reporting up to Kevin Feige.
DAN CRIBB (MANAGING EDITOR & SCREEN INDUSTRY OUTREACH)
What was your favourite release of 2019?
I was hoping I’d be able to put the greatest show of all-time in here, Nivanna The Band The Show, but its third season has been delayed due to network issues. Now that I’ve managed to give it a plug, one of my favourite releases of 2019 (and maybe even the decade) was the third season of Spanish series La Casa de Papel, a.k.a. Money Heist. Part three of the heist/thriller endeavour dropped on Netflix and maintained the pacing and intensity put in motion across its first two parts. It is seriously amazing.
What release are you most excited for in 2020?
Nivanna The Band The Show season three. Did I mention how great it is? It’s a show about two best friends and roommates, Canadian duo Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol, who have one goal in life – to get a gig at local live music venue the Rivoli. Each episode sees them map out a convoluted master plan (that usually ends in hilarious failure) and also parodies a wealth of pop culture gems, from Daredevil, Goosebumps, Star Wars, The Walking Dead, Indiana Jones and more.
Also can’t wait for Money Heist part four.
How did your most-anticipated release of the year stack up?
Fine, I cried during Toy Story 4. Happy?
