As the calendar year comes to a close, many wonder about what’s next. I view blockbuster movie releases like holidays, sometimes looking forward to them from a year away or more. 2024 will be an exciting year for movie-goers, with many highly anticipated films coming out.
The majority of 2024 movies that have been announced are sequels, prequels, remakes or spin-offs of other films, musicals or books. Following strikes from SAG-AFTRA and WGA this year, many movies that were meant to be released in 2023 were pushed to 2024, which makes for a long list of releases next year, ones that people have been looking forward to for quite a while. Below, I’ll list my top 10 most anticipated movies of 2024.
10:The “Garfield” Movie
I enjoyed the animated Garfield movies as a kid, and with a stacked cast including Chris Pratt as Garfield and Samuel L. Jackson as Garfield’s dad, It’s sure to be, at the least, a funny kids movie with a notable cast. It’s set to release on May 24, 2024.
9: “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”
Also opening on May 24, 2024, “Furiosa” is a prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road” about one of the main characters of that film named Furiosa. I haven’t seen many of the Mad Max movies, but Anya Taylor Joy is a stellar actress who I always look forward to seeing in films, and based on the promotions so far, it seems to be filmed in a stylistic way that makes me intrigued.
8: “Kung Fu Panda 4”
“Kung Fu Panda 4” is set to release on March 8, 2024. This is also on the list because of its nostalgic value. I enjoyed the first two movies in the series as a kid, and enjoyed the third one less as an older kid but nonetheless liked it because of the voice cast and I also enjoyed it because I enjoyed the original and liked watching a continuation of the story. Jack Black, who plays the main character, Po, and Kyle Gass, who are a musical duo called “Tenacious D,” well known from the HBO show by the same name, are said to be writing some music for the movie. That makes me look forward to the fourth installment of “Kung Fu Panda” even more. I’m a fan of the “Tenacious D” show and movie and the hilarious music featured in it.
7: “Borderlands”
“Borderlands” releases on Aug. 9, 2024. It’s an adaptation of the video game of the same name. I haven’t personally played the game, but the film is directed by Eli Roth, who recently released a movie “Thanksgiving” (2023) which I really enjoyed. Jaime Lee Curtis, Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart make for a notable cast. I’m also a sucker for sci-fi. I’m definitely looking forward to this one.
6: “The Lord Of The Rings: The War of the Rohirrim”
“The Lord of The Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” opens Dec. 13, 2024. I’m a sucker for fantasy – especially Lord of The Rings stuff. This movie is an animated prequel to the Lord of the Rings story, about a king of Rohan named Helm Hammerhand, the namesake of the castle Helms Keep in “The Lord of The Rings,” played by Brian Cox. Though it isn’t an actual Tolkien story, this spinoff is sure to entertain fans of the previous books, movies and the show set in Middle Earth.
5: “Deadpool 3”
“Deadpool 3” is being released July 26, 2024. Deadpool has been one of the most enjoyable Marvel characters on film to me, and the comedy of the first film in the series changed Marvel movies forever, pioneering comedy in blockbuster superhero films. I enjoyed the second film a lot too, it was arguably just as good. I’m looking forward to this movie a lot, as it’s been five years since the second film came out. “Deadpool 3” is directed by Shawn Levy, who directed comedies such as “Night at the Museum” and “Free Guy.” I’m expecting the movie to maintain the comedic value of the first two films. I’ll probably go see this one in the theater.
4: “Joker: Folie à Deux”
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is set to release on Oct. 4, 2024. The sequel to the Oscar winning “Joker” (2019), this film stars Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as The Joker, and joining the cast as Harley Quinn is Lady Gaga. I enjoyed “Joker;” and I look forward to seeing the sequel. One thing that intrigued me is that it’s rumored to be a musical, and I don’t know what to think about that other than it’s original. I look forward to seeing how it works out, and if a superhero movie can work as a musical too.
3: “Nosferatu”
“Nosferatu” is set to release on Dec. 25, 2024. I’m a big fan of the director, Robert Eggers’ films “The Witch” (2015) and “The Lighthouse” (2019) and I’m a big fan of the original Nosferatu film, as well as the 1979 Werner Herzog remake. This film will have a recognizable cast, with Bill Skarsgård as the vampire, Count Orlok; Nicholas Hoult as the main character, Thomas Hutter; as well as Lily Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe. I look forward to this movie a lot and I plan to see it in theaters. I love the stylized type of horror Eggers makes, and with such an awesome cast it’s one of my most anticipated of the year.
2: “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse”
Though the exact date of release hasn’t been confirmed, this movie is set to release in 2024 and I’ve been eagerly waiting for its release since I saw its predecessor, “Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse,” in theaters this last summer. The first two movies in the series are not only some of the best animated films, but some of my favorite superhero movies. The last film left off on a cliff-hanger, which also helps to make this one of my most anticipated films of 2024, I’ll definitely be going to the theater to see it as soon as it releases.
1: “Dune: Part Two”
As I previously said, I have a weak spot for sci-fi. I read the book “Dune” in middle school and it remains one of my favorite books to this day. The previous adaptations of the book into film were just horrible, and didn’t capture the full scope and complexity of the story. I went to see the first film in theaters on opening day, and it was the best adaptation so far. I’m so glad they split this into two movies instead of cramming it into one. The first film won six Oscars, and I expect the second to be just as astounding, if not even more so. Before the film-industry strikes this year, “Dune: Part Two” was set to release in Nov. 2023, but it was pushed to March 1, 2024. With the A-list cast of the first film returning, as well as additional characters and cast added such as Christopher Walken as the Emperor Shaddam IV, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, and Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha, This is my most anticipated film of the year.
