If you’re a film buff like me, you already know 2024 is shaping up to be an epic year at the movies. From long-awaited sequels to fresh adaptations, blockbusters to indies, there’s something for every taste. I don’t know about you, but I’m already eagerly awaiting opening night for many of these flicks.
Looking over the lineup, it’s clear that 2024 has massive star power. We’re talking Ryan Gosling, Robert Pattinson, Will Smith – the list goes on. Of course, what we really care about is seeing these stars inhabit juicy new roles. And 2024 has that in spades. Try Robert Pattinson as a space clone. Or Will Smith and Martin Lawrence getting into antics one more time as the dynamic cop duo of Bad Boys.
Beyond the big names, there are directors who always get my attention. Visionaries like Bong Joon-ho, Denis Villeneuve, and Guillermo del Toro are bringing their singular styles to highly anticipated projects next year. I don’t know about you, but I’m already reserving my opening night tickets.
From animations to apes, alien invasions to amusement park rides, musicals to monsters – 2024 has something exhilarating in store for every movie lover. In this preview, we’ll dive into the films that already have us buzzing. Grab some popcorn, because 2024 is going to be a wild wide spanning the biggest blockbusters, most intriguing indies, and everything in between. Let’s get to it!
Wicked: Part One
One of Broadway’s most beloved hits flies into theaters in 2024’s Wicked: Part One. This two-part adaptation retells the iconic origin story of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
With epic sets and costumes, Wicked promises to be a visual feast perfectly captured for the big screen by director Jon M. Chu. Of course, the real magic comes from the music, including hit songs like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular.”
Seeing these complex frenemies come to life through the powerhouse talents of Erivo and Grande will be wickedly good fun. Backed by a stellar supporting cast, including Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater, Wicked: Part One kicks off what’s sure to be an unforgettable cinematic experience for musical lovers.
After years of fans wishing for a film version, Wicked finally arrives next year to charm and delight us. I already hear Oz calling – see you at the theater!
Back in Action: Bad Boys 4
We just can’t get enough of Mike and Marcus! It’s been a minute since we last saw Miami detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) getting into wild shootouts and hilarious hijinks. But the boys are back in 2024’s Bad Boys 4.
Three years after Bad Boys for Life slayed the box office, Bad Boys 4 reunites our dynamic cop duo for another ride-along. Plot details are still under wraps, but based on the explosive trailer, we can expect tons of action-packed set pieces and banter between Mike and Marcus.
Honestly, the main draw here is seeing Will and Martin together again. They have off-the-charts chemistry that makes the Bad Boys flicks so much fun. While the last installment seemed to wrap things up for Mike and Marcus, I’m pumped to see them team up for one last mission.
With Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah returning as directors, Bad Boys 4 promises all the scale, humor, and heart we loved in the previous films. Pull up to theaters in 2024 and get ready for Mike and Marcus to deliver thrills and laughs in signature Bad Boys style.
Argylle
Get ready to dive into the glitzy, outrageous world of espionage through the eyes of an unlikely spy. Director Matthew Vaughn gathers an A-list ensemble for rollicking action-comedy Argylle, led by a game Bryce Dallas Howard as Elly Conway – a bestselling novelist who finds her fiction bleeding dangerously into reality.
When a crime syndicate takes interest in Conway’s latest novel about suave super-spy Argylle (Henry Cavill), the author suddenly sees herself the target of a very real threat. Luckily, she soon crosses paths with an eccentric intelligence operative (Sam Rockwell) who might be her only hope for survival.
Backed by scene-stealing support from Samuel L. Jackson, Catherine O’Hara, John Cena and pop sensation Dua Lipa in her acting debut, Argylle looks to deliver thrills, laughs and glamour in spades. From its flashy locales to outrageous set pieces, Vaughn promises a wildly fun time at the movies with this globetrotting, star-powered romp. Buckle up for espionage excitement as only Hollywood could imagine it.
Twisters
Just when you thought it was safe to go outside again…Twisters touches down in 2024! Director Lee Isaac Chung brings the 1996 disaster film into the modern age with heightened realism and effects.
Plot details are still tightly sealed, but Twisters promises to capture the same spirit of weather-gone-wild mayhem that made the original, starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, such a hit.
Of course, a lot has changed regarding storm chasing technology and our understanding of tornado science since the 90s. With global warming possibly increasing twister intensity, I’m stoked to see what boundaries this sequel pushes.
Twisters thrilled audiences back in the day by bringing the dangers of tornadoes straight into cinemas. I have no doubt that with today’s sound design and CGI, the destruction will feel more immersive and utterly terrifying. Batten down the hatches!
A Quiet Place: Day One
Before the Abbott family, there were the first days. The first days of loss, fear, and fighting back. A Quiet Place: Day One goes back to where the alien invasion all began.
Starring Lupita Nyong’o, this prequel promises to provide the tense origin story for the terrifying new world we met in A Quiet Place 1 and 2. We’ll get to experience those confusing initial hours as people struggle to understand why making noise means instant death.
With John Krasinski passing the directing torch to Michael Sarnoski (Pig), I’m curious to see if Day One replicates Krasinski’s knack for quiet suspense. But with Nyong’o leading the charge and assisted by Joseph Quinn and Alex Wolff, the cast alone gets me hyped.
While sequels and prequels can often feel stale, fleshing out the early days of this deadly invasion sounds incredibly compelling. Here’s hoping Day One measures up to the riveting world Krasinski crafted.
Joker: Folie à Deux
Gotham’s Clown Prince of Crime returns with a twisted new partner in crime for 2024’s Joker: Folie à Deux. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck, aka Joker, while music icon Lady Gaga joins the cast as Dr. Harleen Quinzel. Before she becomes the psycho girlfriend Harley Quinn, Dr. Quinzel starts as Joker’s psychiatrist who slowly loses her mind and falls for Arthur’s charms.
As if bringing these two explosive actors together wasn’t exciting enough, Joker 2 adds a music twist by being a full-fledged musical. I don’t know about you, but I’m so ready to see Phoenix and Gaga sing and cause delicious chaos as one of comics’ most dysfunctional couples.
Director Todd Phillips knocked the first solo Joker film out of the park, delivering a chilling character study that felt like a Scorsese crime saga. Expect him to bring that same inventive style and gritty realism to this musical sequel.
Get ready to waltz with madness when Joker: Folie à Deux hits theaters next year. Phoenix and Gaga are sure to captivate as Mr. and Mrs. Joker.
Beetlejuice 2
It’s showtime! The ghost with the most is back in 2024’s Beetlejuice 2. Michael Keaton returns as everyone’s favorite bio-exorcist Betelgeuse alongside newcomer Jenna Ortega as a whole new generation steps into the world of Tim Burton’s kooky 1988 classic.
Details are still hush-hush, but Beetlejuice 2 promises more of Burton’s brilliantly bizarre magic with Keaton unleashing his hilarious manic energy once again as Betelgeuse. It’ll be great to see him interact with a fresh face like Ortega, who’s on the rise after Scream and Wednesday. Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara also reprise their roles as Lydia and Delia Deetz.
No director does oddball outsider charm like Burton, so I’m jazzed to see him revisit Beetlejuice’s ghostly domain. This long-awaited follow-up will hopefully capture the same quirky spirit that made the original a beloved spooky sensation. Mark your calendars for more gonzo fun when Beetlejuice 2 arrives in 2024.
Alien: Romulus
Facehuggers on the loose! The iconic Alien series continues in 2024 with Alien: Romulus, director Fede Álvarez’s fresh installment featuring a group of imperiled young adults.
Taking place between Alien and Aliens, Romulus seems to ditch the existential themes of the recent prequels. This time it’s back to basics: a bunch of terrified people battling bloodthirsty Xenomorphs in space. Except the protagonists are teens and 20-somethings rather than Ripley and the Nostromo crew.
Horror master Álvarez has proven he can deliver intense sci-fi thrills on a budget with films like Don’t Breathe. And putting a youthful spin on Alien is an intriguing choice that could breathe new life into the decades-old franchise.
Even after all these years, there are still plenty of scares to wring from this world, especially with today’s advanced effects. So grab a motion detector and prepare to be terrified when Alien: Romulus arrives next year.
Challengers
Love and rivalry collide on the tennis courts in Luca Guadagnino’s sizzling new drama, Challengers. Zendaya ignites the screen as Tashi, a former tennis phenom whose dreams were cut short by injury. Now coaching her rising-star husband Art (Mike Faist), Tashi signs him up to compete against her former flame Patrick (Josh O’Connor) in a tournament where it becomes clear unresolved tensions still simmer beneath the surface.
As physiques glisten and emotions run high under the sweltering sun, Tashi finds herself torn once more between the two men in her orbit – and rivalries new and old. With electric performances and lush cinematography, Challengers looks to be a sexy smash sure to have audiences cheering.
Mickey 17
The mysterious premise of Mickey 17 has sci-fi fans chomping at the bit. Re-teaming with Snowpiercer director Bong Joon-Ho, Robert Pattinson brings his trademark intensity to the role of Mickey, an “expendable” employee on Niflheim, an ice-covered corporate colony. The twist? When workers perish on deadly missions, their memories are implanted into cloned “copies” to carry on the job.
As Mickey’s replacements stack up, identity begins to fracture. Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette round out the cast in undisclosed roles. With Joon-Ho’s knack for high-concept thrills, and Pattinson in perhaps his most complex role yet, Mickey 17 should deliver a mind-bending descent into the warped reality of corporate space expansion.
Inside Out 2
Remember the little voices inside your head? Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger are back in Inside Out 2!
Pixar takes us inside teenage Riley’s mind as she experiences new emotions like Anxiety, voiced perfectly by Maya Hawke. Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith and Lewis Black return as Joy, Sadness and Anger, while Tony Hale and Liza Lapira take over as Fear and Disgust.
It’s been seven years since Inside Out tugged our heartstrings and dazzled us with stunning visuals of Riley’s inner world. Now we get to revisit familiar mindscapes, like abstract thought and imagination land, while exploring new settings tailored to Riley’s teenage trials.
Leave it to Pixar to craft stories that speak profoundly to both kids and adults. Inside Out remains one of their most imaginative and poignant films. With creative new characters and voice talent, Inside Out 2 promises an emotional journey that will make us laugh, cry, and reflect on the shared experiences of growing up.
Ballerina
John Wick’s world expands in 2024 with Ballerina, a stylish spin-off following a young female assassin out for revenge. With Keanu Reeves blessing the spin-off with an appearance reprising his role as Baba Yaga, Ballerina aims to deliver the same slick action that made the John Wick flicks so beloved.
Leading the charge is Ana de Armas as Rooney, the titular ballerina-turned-assassin. With director Len Wiseman (Die Hard 4) behind the camera, expect hard-hitting fight choreography from de Armas reminiscent of Charlize Theron in Atomic Blonde.
Seeing de Armas kick butt and hear tales of the High Table should make Ballerina a wickedly fun ride for John Wick fans. And who knows, maybe Reeves will stick around longer than his cameo to mentor young Rooney. Either way, Ballerina pirouettes into theaters ready to thrill with stylish world-building and hard-R action.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Caesar’s legacy continues. Set years after War for the Planet of the Apes, 2024’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes depicts a new crossroads for apes and humans.
Director Wes Ball (Maze Runner) picks up the reins from Andy Serkis’ trilogy, bringing a fresh take while honoring the intricate world developed across three previous films. With Caesar gone, new tyrant Proximus rules with an iron fist, forcing the next generation to unite apes and humans once and for all.
Teaser images already show the amazing effects bringing the apes to life just as compellingly as the previous films. Between the gripping man vs. primate drama and ties to real world themes of civilization and leadership, this franchise remains one of sci-fi’s most poignant and epic.
I’ve loved this rebooted series from the start and can’t wait to see it enter an intriguing new chapter under Ball’s guidance. Here’s hoping Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes continues the saga with heart and vision.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Before she was Imperator, she was just Furiosa. Anya Taylor-Joy takes the wheel as a young Furiosa in this highly anticipated Mad Max prequel. Set long before Fury Road, Furiosa promises to chronicle her ascent through the ranks to become one of cinema’s most badass heroines.
Filling Charlize Theron’s rugged boots is no easy task, but Taylor-Joy has the grit and intensity to sell Furiosa’s physicality and determination. With Chris Hemsworth as the villainous Dementus, the action promises to impress, although it’ll be odd not having Theron back as the one-armed warrior.
Regardless, Furiosa is in capable hands with George Miller returning to direct. He revolutionized practical effects and car chase choreography with Fury Road, so I’m pumped to see what boundary-pushing action he cooks up here. This franchise thrives on films that feel like hyper-powered fever dreams. Let’s hope Furiosa carries on that legacy with sandstorms of style and ferocity.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Grab your cloak and ready your sword, we’re returning to Middle Earth in 2024’s The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. This animated prequel takes us back to the land of Rohan generations before the events of Peter Jackson’s iconic trilogy.
Centering on the legendary King Helm Hammerhand, voiced by Brian Cox, The War of the Rohirrim chronicles how the noble king defended Rohan from an onslaught by the Dunlendings. Fans will recognize Rohan as the home of the valiant horse lords and shield maidens that rode into battle during The Two Towers and Return of the King.
While live-action would be amazing, the animation looks simply stunning in the teasers. This allows the film to truly capture the scale and imagination of Tolkien’s world in ways even Peter Jackson couldn’t. And having Miranda Otto return as Éowyn for framing narration is a perfect touch.
The Lord of the Rings remains one of the greatest fantasy epics ever told. I can’t wait to return to Middle Earth for a thrilling animated tale set long before Bilbo and Frodo’s adventures. This is one ring I’m ready to bear.
Civil War
America tearing itself apart has sadly become less fiction and more reality. Which makes Alex Garland’s 2024 thriller Civil War all the more chilling.
Starring Kirsten Dunst, this dystopian vision shows the US in the throes of a second civil war as militias and extremists exploit divisions. Considering Garland’s previous acclaimed sci-fi parables Ex Machina and Annihilation, expect Civil War to craft thoughtful political commentary within an intense narrative.
With masterful direction and cinematography, Garland has proven he can transform familiar genres into something uniquely haunting. Civil War looks no different. This promises to be a poignant, provocative sci-fi thriller that shows where society’s darkest tendencies could lead if left unchecked.
The Fall Guy
Ryan Gosling adds another iconic action role to his resume in 2024’s The Fall Guy. Based on a 1980s TV show, this adrenaline-packed comedy sees Gosling as a stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter.
Re-teaming with his The Gray Man directors, Gosling gets to flex his comedic chops while thrilling us with wild practical stunts. And playing his ex-girlfriend turned director is Emily Blunt, who finally gets the big action platform she deserves.
As a huge fan of The Nice Guys, I’m pumped to see Gosling in a similar action/comedy mold that plays to his strengths. With a cast that also includes Winston Duke and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, The Fall Guy has all the ingredients to introduce a new franchise icon in Gosling’s charming action hero.
The Original Vampire Tale: Nosferatu
The legend returns in 2022 with Nosferatu, starring Bill Skarsgård as the iconic vampire. This remake comes from horror maestro Robert Eggers, who is no stranger to bringing a modern edge to classic monster stories (see: The Witch, The Lighthouse).
Nosferatu promises to be Eggers’ spookiest outing yet. Skarsgård is bone-chilling as Count Orlok, the mysterious Transylvanian vampire who becomes obsessed with a woman named Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp). Willem Dafoe co-stars as a vampire hunter hot on Orlok’s trail.
As a lifelong fan of the 1922 original, which practically invented the vampire genre, I’m thrilled to see these legendary characters back on the big screen. And who better to reinvent Nosferatu for modern audiences than Eggers? His mastery of atmosphere and commitment to practical effects should make this a terrifyingly good time.
When Nosferatu rises from the dead this year, expect chilling visuals and a nerve-shredding journey into the heart of darkness. I know I’ll be first in line to see Skarsgård embody one of horror’s greatest monsters.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Before Simba, there was Mufasa. The Lion King’s powerful father takes center stage 2024’s Mufasa: The Lion King. Serving as a prequel to the animated classic, this photo-realistic journey explores Mufasa’s turbulent rise to becoming king of Pride Rock.
Director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) brings his artistic sensibility to the famous franchise, assisted by stunning visual effects that blur the line between reality and CGI. We’ll see Mufasa as a young prince, voiced by Aaron Pierre, on his way to the throne.
Of course, Mufasa’s journey can’t be told without Scar, aka his bitter brother Taka, voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr. Their complicated sibling rivalry provides the core drama as Mufasa struggles to accept his destiny in the circle of life.
Mufasa remains one of Disney’s most legendary characters over 25 years later. Now we’ll finally witness the untold story of how a prince became a lion king. With its knockout cast and Jenkins’ poignant approach, The Lion King prequel promises to be a roaring success.
Gladiator 2
He lived, he fought, and now he returns. Russell Crowe’s iconic gladiator gets resurrected in 2024’s Gladiator 2, which sees Lucius following in Maximus’ footsteps. Taking up the sword this time is Paul Mescal, the breakout star of Normal People.
Also suiting up for gladiatorial action are Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Oscar winner Denzel Washington. Of course, director Ridley Scott returns to steer this ship over two decades after the original smashed box office records and won Best Picture.
Fans have awaited the next chapter in Maximus’ story ever since he rode off into the afterlife at the end of Gladiator. With Scott back at the helm and a fresh cast bringing their talents, Gladiator 2 promises to deliver the same epic action and drama that made the first a marvel. Time to return to the Colosseum!
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Just when you thought they’d fought their final round, the MonsterVerse’s leading leviathans – Godzilla and King Kong – will unite against a dangerous new foe in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. After forging an unlikely alliance in the last film, the titans must join forces once again as a terrifying threat emerges from within Kong’s new subterranean home, threatening not just the hollow earth but the world above.
Stacked with eye-popping creatures and no shortage of smashing showdowns, this epic sequel promises to ramp up the action as two of cinema’s greatest icons battle side-by-side. With humanity caught in the middle, the very fate of the planet could hang in the balance. Get ready for the biggest brawl yet when Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire erupts into theaters soon.
Dune: Part Two
Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi saga continues as Paul Atreides’ mythic ascent gains momentum in the highly-anticipated Dune: Part Two. As foretold in ominous dreams, Timothée Chalamet’s reluctant warrior continues on the warpath, amassing an army of the galaxy’s most lethal fighters to seek vengeance against those who destroyed his family.
But destiny also weighs heavily on Paul’s shoulders as he walks the razor’s edge between savior and destroyer – struggling to prevent the dark future only he has foreseen. Zendaya returns as the Fremen warrior Chani, Paul’s ally and lover, while new heavy-hitters join the fray including Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and Austin Butler.
With Oscar-winner Hans Zimmer back to provide soaring accompaniment, Villeneuve promises an emotional payoff on the operatic scale of the first film’s visual splendor. After years of waiting, fans can finally witness the next breathtaking chapter in Paul Atreides’ journey from fugitive to potential god-emperor. Dune: Part Two should prove well worth the anticipation.
Deadpool 3
Break out the chimichangas because Deadpool is back in 2024’s Deadpool 3! After Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, many fans worried we’d never get an R-rated, joke-slinging threequel. Thankfully, the makers of Deadpool 3 knew not to mess with a good thing.
Ryan Reynolds returns as the Merc with a Mouth alongside a familiar fanged face – Hugh Jackman as Wolverine! Seeing these two team up on the big screen after years of fictional bickering is a dream come true.
Director Shawn Levy also makes sure to pack the threequel with more irreverent humor and over-the-top action sequences as Deadpool is forced to reluctantly team up with Wolverine. And who better to hunt our anti-heroes than new villain Emma Corrin?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting forever for the comedic combos and inevitable bickering between Deadpool and Wolvie. After stealing scenes in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, they finally get to share the spotlight for a long overdue bromantic team-up.
