With the arrival of 2024, numerous outstanding films are set to grace the screen. Whether it’s iconic action series, blockbuster superhero movies that create a buzz, or animated hits suitable for family viewing, there will be many films worth looking forward to.
January
El Muerto
Director: Jonas Carlon
Starring: Bad Bunny
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Adventure
Release Date: January 12, 2024 (USA)
Originally, Sony’s “Spider-Woman” (see below) was set to be the studio’s first Spider-Adjacent film to be released in 2024, but now it will be “El Muerto,” starring popular singer-turned-actor Bad Bunny. He plays one of Spider-Man’s most low-key allies.The adventures of superhero El Muerto based on the original comic books.
February
Madame Web
Director: S.J. Clarkson
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott, Isabela Moner
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Adventure
Release Date: February 14, 2024 (USA)
Sony’s “Spider-Man Film Series (Without Spider-Man)” has had its highs (Venom) and lows (Morbius), but Madame Web, played by Dakota Johnson, as a Spider-Man supporting character known as the clairvoyant, might be worth checking out even without Peter Parker himself. Sydney Sweeney, Adam Scott, and Yasmeen Metcalfe co-star.
March
Elio: Earth’s Special Emissary
Director: Adrian Molina
Starring: Jonas Gibréabu, America Ferrera
Genre: Drama / Comedy / Sci-Fi / Animation / Fantasy / Adventure
Release Date: March 1, 2024 (USA)
Following 2023’s “Crazy Elemental City,” Pixar announced its 28th feature film, focusing on an 11-year-old boy named Elio, who is accidentally transported to space and mistakenly believed to be Earth’s ambassador on another planet. This marks Adrian Molina’s directorial debut, known for his involvement in Pixar films like “Coco,” “Toy Story 4,” and “Luca.”
The Fall Guy
Director: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Shu Qi
Genre: Drama / Action
Release Date: March 1, 2024 (USA)
Is there a better action director than David Leitch right now? The former stuntman, known for directing “John Wick,” “Atomic Blonde,” “Deadpool 2,” and “Hobbs & Shaw,” takes on a film adaptation of the ’80s TV show “The Fall Guy,” portraying a stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt take the lead roles.
Kung Fu Panda 4
Directors: Mike Mitchell / Stephanie Ma Stine
Starring: Jack Black, Seth Rogen, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Liu Yuling
Genre: Comedy / Action / Animation / Family / Fantasy / Adventure
Release Date: March 8, 2024 (USA)
DreamWorks Animation’s “Kung Fu Panda” series quietly turned what might have been a silly premise into something entertaining, filled with impressive fight scenes. At CinemaCon 2023, it was revealed that Mike Mitchell would direct the film, following Po as he faces off against a chameleon adversary and searches for new kung fu warriors.
A Quiet Place: Day One
Director: Michael Sarnoski
Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff
Genre: Drama / Sci-Fi / Thriller / Horror
Release Date: March 8, 2024 (USA)
Apart from the opening sequence of the second film, the action in the “A Quiet Place” series occurs after the super-hearing, super-lethal extraterrestrials have invaded and destroyed society as we know it. As the title suggests, the third film in the series will showcase the first day of the alien attacks, before anyone knows what happened or has expectations for these creatures. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, who delivered one of Nicolas Cage’s best performances in 2021’s “Pig.” While most of the announced cast is new, we will see Djimon Hounsou’s character returning from the second installment.
Dune: Part Two
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler
Genre: Drama / Action / Sci-Fi / Adventure
Release Date: March 15, 2024 (USA)
The initial day-and-date release on HBO Max for the first part raised questions about the sequel, but fortunately, WB deemed it fitting to give Denis Villeneuve the green light. Part Two sees additions to the cast with Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler, and Christopher Walken, among others, and Villeneuve continues to narrate the latter half of Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novel.
Snow White
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap
Genre: Drama / Romance / Musical / Fantasy / Adventure
Release Date: March 22, 2024 (USA)
Despite critics not being particularly friendly to Disney’s live-action remakes of classic animated films, they have been well-received by moviegoers at the box office. This might explain why Snow White, 87 years after the 1937 original animated film, is receiving the same treatment. Rachel Zegler from “West Side Story” plays Snow White, and Gal Gadot, known for Wonder Woman, portrays the Evil Queen.
Untitled Ghostbusters: Afterlife Sequel
Director: Gil Kenan
Starring: Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Kumail Nanjiani, Barton Oswalt
Release Date: March 29, 2024 (USA)
Regarding this sequel, we don’t have many confirmed details, except that director Jason Reitman has been replaced by Gil Kenan, who co-wrote “Afterlife” with Reitman. We also know that stars Carrie Coon, McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, and Paul Rudd will return, along with newcomers Kumail Nanjiani and Barton Oswalt. Finally, we know that the film is set in New York and the firehouse from the original film, paying homage to the end of “Afterlife.”
Mickey 17
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Starring: Robert Pattinson / Steven Yeun / Toni Collette / Mark Ruffalo / Naomi Ackie / and more…
Genre: Drama / Sci-Fi / Adventure
Release Date: March 29, 2024 (USA)
South Korean director Bong Joon-ho, following his Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” adapts Edward Ashton’s sci-fi novel “Mickey 7.” Robert Pattinson plays a disposable employee whose body regenerates with complete memory after each death, carrying the mission of colonizing a distant world.
April
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Director: Adam Wingard
Starring: Dan Stevens / Rebecca Hall / Brian Tyree Henry / Kelly Hott / Chen Fei
Genre: Action / Adventure
Release Date: April 12, 2024 (USA)
The two greatest monsters in history return after their 2021 showdown in the monster universe. The plot suggests that they may have been allies from the beginning, facing a massive undiscovered threat hidden in our world. Dan Stevens, along with returning GvK actors Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Kelly Hott, takes on the lead roles in this film. Adam Wingard, who directed the previous match, will also be behind the scenes for this epic encounter.
Challengers
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Starring: Zendaya / Josh O’Connor / Mike Faist / Fais Feiy / Kristen Dailey / and more…
Genre: Drama / Romance / Sports
Release Date: April 26, 2024 (USA)
Zendaya takes the spotlight in Luca Guadagnino’s latest film, “Challengers.” The movie revolves around the relationship between Zendaya, a coach with a background as a tennis prodigy, her struggling former champion husband (Mike Faist), and her former best friend (Josh O’Connor) – who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend.
May
Deadpool 3
Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Ryan Reynolds / Hugh Jackman / Emma Colins / Owen Wilson / Morena Baccarin
Genre: Comedy / Action / Sci-Fi
Release Date: May 3, 2024 (USA)
The foul-mouthed mercenary is back – and so is Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine? The first “Deadpool” film since Disney’s acquisition of Fox is sure to be a spectacle, featuring Ryan Reynolds’ R-rated humor that fans adore. After the acclaimed “Logan,” the return of Jackman as Wolverine adds an extra layer of mystery.
Mad Max: Furiosa
Director: George Miller
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy / Chris Hemsworth / Nathan Jones / Tom Burke
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Thriller / Adventure
Release Date: May 24, 2024 (USA)
Anya Taylor-Joy takes on the role of a young Imperator Furiosa, driving war rigs, in this prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road,” one of the best films of the century so far. Directed once again by George Miller, Chris Hemsworth joins the cast, telling the story of Furiosa’s abduction and her rise within the Immortan Joe’s ranks.
Garfield
Director: Peter Hewitt
Starring: Breckin Meyer / Jennifer Love Hewitt / Stephen Tobolowsky / Bill Murray / Evan Arnold
Genre: Comedy / Family
Release Date: December 17, 2004 (China) / June 11, 2004 (USA)
After Chris Pratt voiced Mario, he cried because there were no more animated characters to conquer. Just kidding! He will voice everyone’s favorite lasagna-loving, Monday-hating cat, Garfield, in a new film adapted from the long-running comic strip. Samuel L. Jackson will voice Garfield’s owner, Vik.
Imaginary Friends
Director: John Krasinski
Starring: Ryan Reynolds / John Krasinski / Phoebe Waller-Bridge / Fiona Shaw / Steve Carell
Genre: Drama / Comedy / Fantasy
Release Date: May 24, 2024 (USA)
John Krasinski and Ryan Reynolds – who also star in the film – developed this fantasy comedy, written by Krasinski. It tells the story of a young girl who discovers she has the ability to see abandoned imaginary friends (hence the name IF). Reynolds and Krasinski join a cast of voice actors, including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Matt Damon, Steve Carell, Emily Blunt, Okafina, and more.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Director: Wes Ball
Starring: Owen Teague / Freya Allan / Pete Mako / Aika Davit / Kevin Durand
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi
Release Date: May 24, 2024 (USA)
Caesar, the chimpanzee leading ape-kind’s rule of the world, died at the end of 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes,” concluding the classic sci-fi series’ reboot trilogy. However, there’s more ape business to attend to. Directed by Wes Ball, known for the “Maze Runner” films, this fourth installment is set years after the war events.
June
Ballerina
Director: Len Wiseman
Starring: Anna de Armas / Keanu Reeves / Lance Reddick / Ian McShane / Laurence Fishburne / More…
Genre: Action / Thriller
Release Date: June 7, 2024 (USA)
The first spin-off film in the John Wick universe, starring Anna de Armas, portraying one of the female assassins trained by the criminal organization Ruska Roma under the leadership of Anjelica Huston’s “Director” and appeared in “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.” Details are scarce, but it promises another revenge story set between the events of Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, with Keanu Reeves and his Continental associates making appearances.
Bad Boys 4
Directors: Adil El Arbi / Bilall Fallah
Starring: Will Smith / Martin Lawrence / Lea Seydoux / Vanessa Hudgens / Alexander Ludwig
Genre: Comedy / Action / Thriller / Crime / Adventure
Release Date: June 14, 2024 (USA)
If the third film in the “Bad Boys” series had a different title, the fourth could easily be named “Bad Boys 4 Life Again.” For now, it’s simply “Bad Boys 4,” where detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) reunite for another explosive action-adventure.
Inside Out 2
Director: Kelsey Mann
Starring: Amy Poehler
Genre: Drama / Comedy / Animation / Fantasy / Adventure
Release Date: June 14, 2024 (USA)
The captivating Pixar film “Inside Out” showed us the emotional inner workings of a young girl. How to follow it up? By delving into the mind of a teenager. “Inside Out 2” will reexamine Riley as she heads to college, introducing a new set of emotions. Reports suggest not all original voice actors, including Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, will return for the sequel, except for Amy Poehler.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise / Hayley Atwell / Ving Rhames / Simon Pegg / Esai Morales / More…
Genre: Action / Thriller / Adventure
Release Date: June 28, 2024 (USA)
One can only imagine what death-defying stunt Tom Cruise will perform in the eighth installment of the “Mission: Impossible” series, serving as a sequel to the first part released in 2023. Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson seem set to reprise their roles from previous films, alongside newcomers Hayley Atwell and Esai Morales as the antagonist.
July
Despicable Me 4
Directors: Chris Renaud / Patrick Delage
Starring: Steve Carell / Kristen Wiig / Pierre Coffin / Miranda Cosgrove / Steve Coogan
Genre: Action / Animation / Adventure
Release Date: July 3, 2024 (USA)
Don’t forget who the Minions serve. Two years after the last installment of the franchise, the spin-off “Minions: The Rise of Gru” returns to the mainline series. Specific details about what trouble Gru and the Minions will encounter this time are still under wraps.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Director: Barry Jenkins
Starring: Aaron Pierre / Little Kelvin Harrison / Seth Rogen / Billy Eichner / John Kani
Genre: Drama / Animation / Musical / Adventure
Release Date: July 5, 2024 (USA)
A “live-action” (100% computer-generated, not real-live) prequel to “The Lion King” is in the works, exploring the background story of Simba’s father, Mufasa. James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa in the original and the remake, will not voice this younger version. Aaron Pierre takes on the role. Little Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays Scar, who will go by the name Taka when the events of the movie unfold.
Venom 3
Director: Kelly Marcel
Starring: Tom Hardy / Juno Temple / Chet Hanks / Tom Holland / Benedict Cumberbatch
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Thriller / Adventure
Release Date: July 12, 2024 (USA)
Tom Hardy returns for the third installment in the Spider-Man adjacent anti-hero series, centered around a San Francisco journalist bonded with an alien symbiote. Writer Kelly Marcel is stepping behind the camera, and details about the plot are still scarce.
Twisters
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones / David Corenswet / Daryl McCormack / Kiernan Shipka / Glenn Powell
Genre: Action / Thriller / Adventure
Release Date: July 19, 2024 (USA)
Originally planned as a sequel to the 1996 disaster film “Twister,” though it’s referred to as a “new chapter,” it’s currently unclear if it has any connection to its predecessor. Director Lee Isaac Chung makes a leap from indie dramas to a summer blockbuster, with Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glenn Powell, and Anthony Ramos set to star.
Captain America: Brave New World
Director: Julius Onah
Starring: Anthony Mackie / Harrison Ford / Liv Tyler / Sebastian Stan / Tim Blake Nelson
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Adventure
Release Date: July 26, 2024 (USA)
Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), formerly known as Falcon, who took up the mantle of Captain America in the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” is now ready to make his big-screen debut. Tim Blake Nelson plays a character set to become the leader of Marvel villains, reprising a role he first teased in “The Incredible Hulk” until now seemingly forgotten. Harrison Ford also joins, playing Thaddeus Ross after the death of William Hurt.
August
Untitled Alien Movie
Director: Ridley Scott
Genre: Sci-Fi / Thriller / Horror
Release Date: August 16, 2024 (USA)
This new film from “Don’t Breathe” director Fede Álvarez follows “a group of young people on a distant world who find themselves in a battle against the most terrifying life form in the universe.”
Kraven the Hunter
Director: J.C. Chandor
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson / Russell Crowe / Ariana DeBose / Christopher Abbott / Alessandro Nivola
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Adventure
Release Date: August 30, 2024 (USA)
Originally set within Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man series, Kraven the Hunter finally makes it to the big screen. Directed by J.C. Chandor, Aaron Taylor-Johnson takes on the role.
September
Beetlejuice 2
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Michael Keaton / Winona Ryder / Monica Bellucci / Jenna Elfman / Catherine O’Hara
Genre: Comedy / Horror / Fantasy
Release Date: September 6, 2024 (USA)
Tim Burton and Michael Keaton reunite in the sequel to the 1988 iconic film “Beetlejuice.” Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara reprise their roles as Lydia and Delia, while Jenna Elfman joins the cast as Lydia’s daughter.
Transformers One
Director: Josh Cooley
Starring: Chris Hemsworth / Scarlett Johansson / Brian Tyree Henry / John Hamm / Laurence Fishburne
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Animation / Fantasy / Adventure
Release Date: September 13, 2024 (USA)
The “Transformers” series returns to its roots with an animated prequel exploring the origins of the Cybertronian world and the competition between Optimus Prime and Megatron. Directed by Josh Cooley, Chris Hemsworth voices Optimus Prime, and Brian Tyree Henry plays Megatron.
October
Joker: Folie à Deux
Director: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix / Lady Gaga / Brendan Gleeson / Katherine Keener / Sacheen Bean
Genre: Drama / Action / Thriller / Musical / Crime
Release Date: October 4, 2024 (USA)
Todd Phillips directs the sequel to the highly successful film featuring the iconic Batman villain, for which Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for Best Actor. In “Joker 2,” he will be joined by Lady Gaga, who reportedly plays his lover (complicated). The movie is said to be a musical.
November
Gladiator 2
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Paul Mescal / Pedro Pascal / Denzel Washington / Connie Nielsen / Joseph Quinn
Genre: Drama / Action / Adventure
Release Date: November 22, 2024 (USA)
Ridley Scott returns to direct the sequel to the historical epic “Gladiator.” The story will revolve around the adult Lucius (played by Paul Mescal), who has become an emperor. Connie Nielsen returns as Lucilla.
Wicked
Director: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande / Cynthia Erivo / Yang Ziqiong / Jonathan Bailey / Jeff Goldblum
Genre: Drama / Musical / Fantasy / Adventure
Release Date: November 27, 2024 (USA)
This legendary Broadway musical is getting a two-part film adaptation, telling the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from a different perspective. Director Jon M. Chu takes audiences on a tour of Oz, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande playing Elphaba and Glinda, respectively.
December
Karate Kid
Director: Jonathan Entwistle
Starring: To be announced
Genre: Drama / Action
Release Date: December 13, 2024 (USA)
The popular Netflix series “Cobra Kai” helped keep this iconic ’80s martial arts series alive and relevant in the public consciousness. In 2024, Sony brings back the IP to the big screen with a remake of the original film. Almost no other details have been revealed, although it can be confirmed that this movie is unrelated to the Netflix show.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Director: Kenji Kamiyama
Starring: Brian Cox / Miranda Otto / Luke Pasqualino / Sean Bean / Lorraine Ashbourne
Genre: Drama / Action / Animation / Fantasy / Adventure
Release Date: December 13, 2024 (USA)
Warner Bros.’ latest film in the “Lord of the Rings” universe is this animated prequel, recounting the legendary deeds of the Rohan king Helm Hammerhand, a key figure in the events leading up to “The Two Towers.” Brian Cox voices the central character, who ruled 183 years before the events of “The Two Towers,” and the film’s Miranda Otto will reprise her role as Eowyn, serving as a framing device for the story.
December
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Director: Jeff Fowler
Starring: James Marsden / Ben Schwartz / Jim Carrey
Genre: Comedy / Sci-Fi / Animation
Release Date: December 20, 2024 (USA)
The Sonic the Hedgehog film series is speeding ahead with its third installment, potentially featuring Ben Schwartz as Sonic, Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails, and Idris Elba as Knuckles. Jim Carrey, who played the evil Dr. Robotnik in the first two films, may step down as he has been discussing retirement from the entertainment industry. However, Sonic will still have a new adversary, as Sonic 2 teased a new villainous hedgehog shadow in its post-credits scene.
Thunderbolts
Director: Jack Schreier
Starring: Sebastian Stan / Harrison Ford / Florence Pugh / David Harbour / Steven Yeun
Genre: Drama / Action / Sci-Fi / Crime / Fantasy / Adventure
Release Date: December 20, 2024 (USA)
A Thunderbolts movie is in the works at Marvel, directed by Jack Schreier. This supervillain-led film will include Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Winter Soldier, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Ghost, Taskmaster, Agent USAgent, and Seditious “Thunderbolt” Ross.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos / Kemp Powers / Justin Thompson
Starring: Shameik Moore / Hailee Steinfeld / Oscar Isaac / Jake Johnson / Issa Rae
Genre: Comedy / Action / Sci-Fi / Animation / Fantasy / Adventure
Release Date: Unknown
The sequel to the 2018 film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is split into two parts, with the second part titled “Beyond the Spider-Verse.” The first part, “Across the Spider-Verse,” received widespread acclaim upon its 2023 release. “Beyond the Spider-Verse” aims to conclude the story of Miles Morales and his friends. Originally scheduled for a March 2024 release, it was indefinitely postponed during the industry strike in 2023.
