2018 is the year these things happen...

What lies ahead in the upcoming year? We've gazed into our crystal ball to make some bold – and some obvious… - predictions of what to expect, get excited about and look out for. We think 2018 is the year of…

The year of... superfatigue

While we love a good superhero yarn as much as the next geek we can't help but think things are now super out of control. A quick rundown of all the comic book movies hitting the cinema this year (deep breath): Avengers: Infinity War, Black Panther, Deadpool 2, The New Mutants, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Venom, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Aquaman. You're gonna need the super-stamina of a true believer and buns of steel to sit through all the upcoming cinematic spandex.

The year... guitars stay sidelined

R'n'B continues to be one of the most innovative and star-making genres of music, and 2018 may see the return of a number of auteurs – Frank Ocean is expected to (belatedly) follow through on his promise of releasing five albums before he's 30; Blood Orange has "mostly" finished a new record; and Childish Gambino is expected to follow up 2016's Awaken, My Love.

The year of... not watching Game of Thrones

HBO displayed all the sympathetic nature of a Lannister and all the urgency of author George R.R. Martin by announcing that the final season of Game of Thrones would not be forthcoming this year. That's right, winter is coming but not for another full year. Bastards.

The year... gigs make us broke

18 is already stacked with a range of huge concerts and it's barely started. There's bound to be more and more confirmed as the year rolls on. But for now Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift each have massive Mt Smart Stadium shows scheduled, while Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Pink and Mariah Carey will take the stage at Spark Arena throughout the year. Start saving your pennies now.

The year... we evolve into couch potatoes

Having disrupted network and subscription television with its on-demand convenience and bingeability, Netflix now appears to be taking aim at the hallowed grounds of the cinema. With over 80 (!) original movies scheduled to drop next year we're convinced their ultimate goal is to ensure humanity never gets off the couch again.

The year... kiwis come home to roost

It's business time for Flight of the Conchords who have a whole lot of activity planned. Firstly, they're returning to the small screen with a one-hour special (hope Murray's present…) and, secondly, they're returning to performing with a series of live shows. No local gigs announced yet but it'd be hugely surprising if the fiercely patriotic duo didn't hit some stages here. Chart topper Kimbra has also been getting busy and is lining up to release her third album Primal Heart shortly.

The year... a new day appears on the horizon

After a year in which the top three highest-grossing films featured female protagonists, cinema (gradually) continues to diversify – for the better. 2018 will see a number of heavyweight films featuring diversity in race, gender and sexuality, such as Disney's A Wrinkle in Time, Marvel's Black Panther, the all-female Ocean's 8, Natalie Portman's sci-fi Annihilation and the gay conversion therapy drama Boy Erased.

The year of... the pop queens

In 2018, expect to see some of pop music's greatest stalwarts return to show everyone how it's done. Beyonce has reportedly recorded an album with her husband Jay-Z, while Rihanna is expected to follow up 2016's fantastic Anti; Ariana Grande, Carly Rae Jepsen and Lady Gaga all also reportedly have new albums on the way. Get ready to dance.

The year... we become movie stars

Last year was a great one for Kiwi films and that's set to continue. January's Hibiscus & Ruthless is from the director of Three Wise Cousins and looks super cute, while May's The Breaker Upperers is Madeleine Sami and Jackie Van Beek's new rom-com about relationship busters for hire. Meanwhile, Jason Statham's action film Meg was shot in and around Auckland, stars Cliff Curtis and features a giant shark and is due in August. And rev your motor for the Peter Jackson-approved Mortal Engines, out in December.

The year... time's up

How will Hollywood move forward in a post-Weinstein landscape? After the Golden Globes all eyes now turn to the Oscars to see how the stuffy awards acknowledge the conversation. Especially after famously bungling its best picture announcement last year. There's also the question of sexual assault-accused director Woody Allen's next film, which reportedly features a sexual relationship between a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl. It'll be interesting to see how they justify that one.

The year... Kiwis take Hollywood

KJ Apa and Frankie Adams are steadily becoming big names in tinsel town, and more Kiwis are set to join them this year. Already making waves with parts in Slow West and Denial, actress Caren Pistorius has upcoming roles in Mortal Engines, Gloria (starring Julianne Moore) and the Netflix film Cargo; meanwhile, The Changeover star Thomasin Mckenzie joins Russell Crowe in Aussie drama The True History of the Kelly Gang. And of course Kathleen Kennedy, the boss of Star Wars, wants director Taika Waititi to helm one of the franchise's yearly spin-off films.