With 2023 officially over now, that only means one thing: it’s time to get excited for another year of film! While 2024 will see less larger releases due to the effects the strike had on the industry and some films that were originally set for release in 2023 finally hitting the big screen, there are some great films scheduled to be released this year. It’s shaping up to be a great year for horror this year with new films from Robert Eggers, Leigh Whannell, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett; while beloved franchises such as Ghostbusters, Mad Max and Planet of the Apes all have new films releasing. And I’m sure there will be lots more films announced for release during the fall with awards potential and stellar performances that will help make 2024 another impressive year of filmmaking. Plus, there’s just two little films coming out that I’m sure will become instant favourites of many this year: Dune: Part Two and Wicked: Part One.
Honourable Mentions: Challengers, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Mean Girls, Mickey 17, A Quiet Place: Day One, The Wolfman.
10. Nosferatu
Robert Eggers is returning to his horror roots with a remake of one of the most infamous, and unofficial, adaptations of all time of Bram Stoker's Dracula: Nosferatu. Eggers' previous horror films have been unique and deeply unsettling, making him the perfect director to tackle this classic tale. Armed with a cast that includes the likes of Bill Skarsgård, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin, and Aaron-Taylor Johnson, and one scene that features over 2,000 live rats, there is no doubt that horror fans are in for a treat this Christmas as one of cinema’s most iconic vampires makes his return to the big screen.
9. The Fall Guy
If there is a director who knows action, it is David Leitch. His latest film, The Fall Guy, brings the 1980s television series that starred Lee Majors to the big screen, which follows a stunt man rescuing a kidnapped movie star to save his ex-girlfriend’s film and win her back. Expect explosive action, comedy and on screen chemistry from start to finish, and with a cast that includes Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, and Stephanie Hsu, it’s guaranteed to be an exciting trip to the cinema this summer.
8. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
The Caesar Planet of the Apes trilogy which began with Rise of the Planet of the Apes and concluded with War for the Planet of the Apes is a truly great trilogy, and arguably the best fans have seen from the franchise since the original film. It was only a matter of time till it returned to the big screen, even if seven years feels like too short of a break. But after that stunning teaser trailer showcasing a planet ruled by the apes set 2,000 years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes, I’m cautiously optimistic that this will be a worthy addition to the series and a start to a new and exciting chapter in the Planet of the Apes franchise.
7. Joker: Folie à Deux
Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. Musical. Need I say more! While I greatly disliked the first Joker, Lady Gaga bringing her incredible acting talents and unparalleled musical abilities to this film is more than enough to get me incredibly excited for this sequel. While I’m sure it will be incredibly dark and twisted like the original, which was one of the main reasons I didn’t like it, I’m ready for the first comic book musical.
6. Argylle
After appearing for the past two years on my most anticipated releases lists, Argylle is finally hitting the big screen! The all star cast led by Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell teaming up with Matthew Vaughn, the mastermind behind the Kingsman films, was enough to make this a release to be excited for for the past two years, but with only a month till the film is released, we finally have more information about this spy caper. Vaughn describes it as his ode to the 1980s action thriller, and with a plot revolving around an introverted spy novelist becoming the target of a sinister underground syndicate after unwittingly writing novels about them and the infamous secret agent who continues to thwart their plans, it is certain to be a spectacle full of exhilarating action sequences, danger and lots of laughter.
5. Twisters
Very little is known about Twisters, the sequel to the hit 1996 film Twister, but it’s been a while since we’ve had a great disaster film. It is a sequel from original producer Frank Marshall with Steven Spielberg being reported as supportive of the script, though it is unclear at this point whether this is a legacy sequel with no true connection to the original film, or if there could be an appearance from Helen Hunt or a connection to her character from the original. But with Lee Isaac Chung (Minari) helming the film and a terrific cast including Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Maura Tierney, Brandon Perera, Daryl McCormack, David Corenswet, Sasha Lane and Kiernan Shipka, it is bound to take the summer movie season by storm!
4. Deadpool 3
The Merc with the Mouth is finally back on the big screen. Six years since the first sequel, Ryan Reynolds is returning as Wade Wilson aka. Deadpool, for the first time as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While little is known about the film, with Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Garner reprising their roles of Wolverine and Elektra respectively, I think it’s safe to assume we may see Deadpool destroy the Fox Marvel Universe that he was previously part of. It’s bound to be absolutely hilarious and hopefully will fully embrace its R rating, and if Reynold and Jackman’s social media antics towards each other are any indication of the humour we will see between them in Deadpool 3, it’s bound to be an absolute blast.
3. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
George Miller blew audiences’ minds with 2013’s Mad Max: Fury Road, delivering a relentless action film full of practical effects, sensational cinematography, and an unmatched experience in the genre that has since earned the film the honour of being considered as one of the greatest action films of all time. That film introduced audiences to Imperator Furiosa, played by Charlize Theron, and this prequel explores Furiosa’s origins. Once again Miller’s film has an emphasis on practical effects, Tom Holkenborg returns to score the film’s musical score after composing one of the greatest scores for an action film in Mad Max: Fury Road, and with Anya Taylor-Joy as a young Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth as the film’s villain, it looks like it’s going to be another glorious action film and return to the post apocalyptic Wasteland of the Mad Max franchise.
2. Wicked: Part One
“I’m defying gravity and you won’t bring me down!” will be belted out in movie theatres around the world this November when the beloved Broadway musical finally makes its big screen debut. After being in development for over a decade, audiences will return to Oz and discover the true story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good in Wicked: Part One. With Jon M. Chu directing the film, who recently wowed audiences with his adaptation of In The Heights, and an insanely talented lead cast of Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, it’s safe to say that this will be the musical event of the year. And the best part: it’s only Act 1 of the musical, with Act 2 getting its own film that is due out in 2025. So get ready to be dancing through life with what is very likely to become the most magical film of the year.
1. Dune: Part Two
Denis Villeneuve created one of the most incredible cinematic experiences back in 2021 when he adapted the first half of Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel, and for the second year in a row its sequel is topping my most anticipated films of the year list! Picking up right where the first film left off, we will see Paul become one of the Fremen while his struggle against House Harkonnen reaches a breaking point. From the trailers we have seen this year, Villeneuve’s sequel looks every bit as incredible as the first film, and knowing where the novel goes, it’s going to be one exciting ride from start to finish. With the entire cast and creative team of the first film returning for Part Two, adding Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux in key roles, the return to Arrakis later this year is bound to be an epic conclusion to one of the greatest novel adaptations we have ever seen grace the silver screen.
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(Poster/Photo/Video credit:
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada, Universal Pictures Canada, 20th Century Studios Canada)
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