The price of a movie ticket doesn’t come cheap these days, but if you’re going to pay to be entertained at the silver screen, or ahem, through other methods, here’s a list of what we recommend you to spend your time and money on. (In all seriousness, piracy is bad.)

1. The Wolf of Wall Street

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Release date: 2 January 2014

Synopsis: The 5th collaboration between Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese, this movie depicts the rise and fall of a 90’s Wall Street stockbroker investigated for corruption and fraud.

Who should watch it?

Money. Power. Parties. And Leonardo Dicaprio. This is basically a 20th Century version of The Great Gatsby. Fans of the 2012 film will enjoy this one too. Also, who doesn’t love watching the downfall of a rich man who thinks he’s got it all?

2. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

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Release date: 2 January 2014

Synopsis: Jesse’s been marked. Now, with the help of his friends and family, he needs to fight the supernatural forces after him

Who should watch it?

After dealing with demonic possessions and witchcraft, the Paranormal Activity franchise has delved into voodoo. Horror-movie lovers need to add this movie to their must-watch lists. The trailer has a creepy factor of about 9. Imagine the actual movie…

3. Wa is for Wayang

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Now Showing, free for Singaporeans & PRs (you read that right, more details here)

Synopsis: This movie is about three underdog students who fall in love with Chinese Opera, and it aims to explore wider themes of social norms and acceptance.

Who should watch it?

Those who like us, find the young Indian boy from the trailer extremely cute, and haven’t had enough of him speaking Chinese. Also for anyone simply looking to enjoy the screening of a free local movie.

4. Her

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Release date: 16 January 2014

Synopsis: A slightly futuristic love story of a heartbroken, lonely writer (Joaquin Phoenix) and an operating system that interacts with him in the form of a female voice (Scarlett Johansson).

Who should watch it?

Those who are unsatisfied with their iPhones. The operating system, “Samantha” is basically like Siri but more helpful to its owner’s needs and with a sexier voice. This movie is also one for Spike Jonze fans, people who are lonely and looking for love, and anyone who has a soft spot for unlikely romances.

5. Dallas Buyers Club

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Release date: 23 January 2014

Synopsis: Walk in the steps of Texas electrician Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), as he attempts to provide medication for AIDS patients like himself during a time when AIDS was still considered an enigma.

Who should watch it?

Everyone. The story of an underdog going against the system is one that everyone loves. Dallas Buyers Club is also based on a true story, which makes it that much more touching. Lastly, Oscar buzz has been growing for McConaughey, with many saying that this is his big career-defining role. Fun fact: Matthew McConaughey lost 18 kg to play the HIV patient and activist. Jared Leto also underwent drastic weight loss to play a transsexual and fellow AIDS patient.

6. Robocop

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Release date: 30 January 2014

Synopsis: A remake of the 1987 sci-fi thriller of a good cop who is critically injured and saved by technology to become a half man/half machine super cop.

Who should watch it?

Action buffs will enjoy this reboot, the trailer itself is filled with cool shootouts and explosive special effects. Also, you could never go wrong with a cast of Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson.

7. The Lion Men - Part 1

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Release date: 30 January 2013

Synopsis: Set for a Chinese New Year release, Jack Neo returns with a film on the rivalry between a traditional lion dance troupe and a modern one that advocates hip hop influences.

Who should watch it?

While it is annoying that the film is already set to be in two parts, fans of Ah Boys to Men should catch this to see more of the ensemble cast. The audience can also look out for fresh young faces in this movie, 21 new actors to be exact.

8. The Lego Movie

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Release date: 6 February 2014

Synopsis: He was considered an average Joe in the Lego World. Well, that is until he is mistakenly recruited to take down an evil LEGO tyrant.

Who should watch it?

Everyone. Come on, most of us grew up playing with LEGO. Wouldn’t it be amazing to watch the figures we grew up with on the big screen?

9. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

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Release date: 20 February 2014

Synopsis: San Diego's top newsman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) returns to his news desk. Steve Carell, David Koechner and Paul Rudd also reprise their roles as reporters for the channel.

Who should watch it?

Fans of the 2004 original Anchorman, your 10-year wait is over. Anyone looking for a good, silly laugh should find it in this veteran cast of comedians. Not to mention Paul Rudd is still handsome as ever. He doesn’t look a day older, despite his ageing cast members.

10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

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Release date: 3 April 2014

Synopsis: Captain America, played by Chris Evans, faces a brand new enemy, an agent known as the Winter Soldier.

Who should watch this?

Anyone who squealed at the brief Captain America cameo in Thor 2. You’re probably a fan of Marvel comics. Has the 2-year wait since the last Captain America movie been too long for you? If you answered yes, you should mark your calendars for April 3rd

11. Rio 2

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Release date: 10 April 2014

Synopsis: Just when Blu the bird thought he had seen it all, he has to come face to face with his biggest fear - his father-in-law.

Who should watch it?

Fans of the original Rio movie with it’s colourful and quirky characters should be overjoyed to know they can have another hefty helping of Blu and friends with Rio 2. Also, if you need help dealing with your own father-in-law, you should watch this too and take notes.

12. Muppets: Most Wanted

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Release date: 24 April 2014

Synopsis: The Muppets find themselves entangled in a European jewel-heist whilst on their grand world tour.

Who should watch it?

Anyone who likes a good laugh, because that's what you're gonna get from the nasty but comical Ricky Gervais and the brilliant Tina Fey. Modern Family fans will also enjoy Ty Burrell as an Interpol agent. Psst, everyone’s favourite Tom Hiddleston and singer Lady Gaga have appearances in it too.

13. The Amazing Spider-Man 2

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Release date: 1 May 2014

Synopsis: Peter Parker thought he had seen the last of Oscorp but in this sequel, he battles a reign of terror, as multiple supervillains are unleashed upon him.

Who should watch it?

Tobey Maguire vs. Andrew Garfield. Who do you think was the better Spider-Man? If you answered Tobey Maguire, well okay, but you should watch it anyway. Also, if you’re a fan of Hollywood starlet Emma Stone, this movie is definitely for you.

14. X-men: Days of Future Past

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Release date: 22 May 2014

Synopsis: This movie guarantees a thrilling ride as mutants battle each other for the survival of their kind.

Who should watch it?

If you feel nostalgic thinking about the older characters of the X-Men trilogy and if last year’s The Wolverine did not satiate your hunger for the X-Men franchise, this movie was made just for you. Older characters from the original X-Men trilogy join forces with the newer characters in X-Men in battle. If that’s not enough, the star-studded cast consists of Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Halle Berry.

15. How to Train Your Dragon 2

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Release date: 19 June 2014

Synopsis: The discovery of a secret ice cave, a lair to wild dragons, leads to an epic battle to maintain the peace between mankind and dragons.

Who should watch it?

If you’re a fan of the movies Dreamworks has put out the past couple of years, this animated movie with a compelling and heart-racing storyline should be right up your alley. Plus, based off the massive success How to Train a Dragon was, this movie is very promising.

16. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

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Release date: 17 July 2014

Synopsis: As Caesar’s hegemony grows, survivors of the simian plague launch a battle to save the human race.

Who should watch it?

Loyal fans of the original Planet of the Apes movie released in 2001. If you thought you had seen the last of Caesar in 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes, you were dead wrong. Andy Serkis (the genius that is Gollum), puts on the motion capture suit again to reprise his role as Caesar. Be part of this thrilling experience as the genetically evolved ape comes back bigger and better.

17. Jupiter Ascending

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Release date: 24 July 2014

Synopsis: Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) is a house cleaner who suddenly discovers that because of her DNA, she is a threat to the Queen of the Universe. Channing Tatum plays a genetically-engineered hunter from a different planet who is sent to Earth to track her.

Who should watch it?

Sci-fi fans and fellow geeks should expect to see what the Wachowski siblings have to offer, after the Matrix trilogy and the mind-blowing movie adaptation of Cloud Atlas. And yes, Channing Tatum will be shirtless at one point or another.

18. 22 Jump Street

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Release date: 24 July 2014

Synopsis: Officers Schmidt and Jenko are back on yet another undercover mission in a high school. Guess they forgot how well it went the first time round.

Who should watch it?

Amidst all the blockbuster action-packed films being released this year, sometimes you just need a laugh-out-loud comedy to ease you back from the edge of your seat. 21 Jump Street was a huge success and 22 Jump Street looks just as promising with funny guys Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill starring in it.

19. Afterimages

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Targeted release in September 2014

Synopsis: A group of young adults burn a paper effigy camera as an offering to the dead and they receive a 16mm film roll - a collection of the five horror stories from hell.

Who should watch it?

This is one for the horror film buffs. Watch to the end of the trailer and tell me the images aren’t scary enough for ya. If that isn’t enough, this film also stars the likes of Lim Kay Tong, Keagan Kang and even Class 95 DJ Mike Kasem.

20. Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

Release date: Late 2014

Synopsis: After the jaw dropping ending in Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the heroine, Katniss Everdeen, comes back as the symbol for mass rebellion.

Who should watch it?

This is definitely a must-see for fans of the Hunger Games books and fans of the ever-bubbly Jennifer Lawrence and her equally attractive costars Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.

21. The Hobbit: There and Back Again

Release date: 18 December 2014

Synopsis: Experience the climatic events that took place before J. R. R. Tolkien’s iconic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings.

Who should watch it?

If you have been a diehard follower of the Lord of the Rings franchise or if you would like to immerse yourself in an unforgettable cinematic experience, this movie is what you should be looking out for in 2014. It’s the perfect way to end the year, don’t you think?

What movies are you looking forward to this year?

Top photo from here

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