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Hello, everyone! The year of 2023 is quickly winding down as we all are getting ready to celebrate and ring in the new year. For those keeping track, 2023 was a slightly better year than 2022, but it wasn’t exactly the “best year” of what it used to be for everyone, including the movie industry with several big and small releases being shuffled and / or delayed. Yet, those changes are becoming fewer and fewer, with a somewhat sense of “normalcy” returning to the moviegoing world. In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting my personal top ten “Best” and “Worst” lists of 2023 movies. Be sure to check them out!
Moving on, the start of 2024 is about to begin, and this year looks to be a very promising for movies, ranging from several different categories and genres. Now, on the twilight eve of 2023, here’s a look at my top fifteen most anticipated movies of 2024. So, while there are plenty of movies that I am looking forward in 2024, not all of them are going to fit into this 15-selection list. Thus, without further ado….
#15 – Alien: Romulus
Release Date: August 16th, 2024
Trailer: N/A
There is no doubt that the Alien franchise has become a staple of sci-fi films, mixing science fiction action and horror together as the series explores the variety of encounters that humans have with the Xenomorphs in their various forms. Some entries have been better than others, but all still showcase thee creepiness and horrifying ramifications of coming into contacts with these alien beings. Set between the events of Alien and Aliens, this latest entry looks to bring back the series back its sci-fi horror roots, which is most apparent from horror movie director Fede Alvarez at the helm. The movie’s plot, synopsis, and the project itself is still veiled in secrecy, but it will be interesting to see what Alvarez does with this movie and how it will fit into the grand scheme of things within this long-running franchise.
#14 – Civil War
Release Date: April 26th, 2024
Trailer: Civil War Official Trailer
Director Alex Garland has indeed become quite the “visionary” filmmaker, carving out a niche area for him within his thought-provoking sci-fi features such Ex Machina and Annihilation. 2024 will see a new release from Garland, but something quite and could possibly be the most “talk about” films for the upcoming year with the movie Civil War, which will explore a near-distant future where America is wat with itself. The eerie trailer showcases a dark future for the United States, which is a bleak reflection of the divisions (society, class, politics, racism, etc.) that the nation faces in modern times. It’s still underdetermined if the movie will be good or not, but, whatever the case may be, Civil War will definitely leave an impact on many viewers, debating the film’s presentation of a dark future for the US that may hit close (and sooner) than one might realize.
#13 – Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Release Date: April 24th, 2024
Trailer: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Official Trailer
2023 celebrated the big famous giant kaiju on many levels, with Godzilla Minus One, Toho’s first Godzilla film since 2016’s Shin Godzilla, become a big hit in both Japan and overseas, and the well-received Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, showcasing more of Legendary’s MonsterVerse take on the “big lizard” and the other titans that stomp around in their monster filled cinematic universe. Now, Legendary will showcase a new movie within the MonsterVerse with 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the follow-up sequel to 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, which sees the return of director Adam Wingard to helm this project and take the franchise in a new direction that includes a greater emphasis of the monsters. Whether or not that this movie will be good or not is still left unclear, but I am looking forward to seeing these two titans (Godzilla and Kong) pair up together again and explore new adventure for what Legendary has to offer within their kaiju MonsterVerse.
#12 – Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Release Date: March 29th, 2024
Trailer: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Official Teaser Trailer
It came as a surprise celebration for 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the fourth film in the franchise as well as thee direct sequel to 1984’s Ghostbusters and 1989’s Ghostbusters II respectfully, bring forth a sense of charming nostalgia for the series as well as catering to a new generation who are looking for paranormal activities’ cinematics out there. The combined efforts on those two aspects fueled the likeability towards Afterlife, which showcased that there is still life to be had in the beloved franchise. Such is the case with Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the direct follow-up sequel to Afterlife coming in 2024. Little is still known about the movie, but what’s been showing in the film’s teaser…. Frozen Empire looks to be promising, especially with the movie been featured more closer to home (NYC) to the original Ghostbusters films, utilizing some of the original cast and continuing with the newer ones. There’s definitely potential there and I’m looking forward to see where Frozen Empire takes the franchise to.
#11 – Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Release Date: May 24th, 2024
Trailer: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Official Teaser Trailer
There is no denying that Mad Max: Fury Road was an adrenaline action and visually fueled film of 2015, which took the Mad Max franchise to new cinematic heights. While Fury Road showcased another madcap adventure for the character of Max Rockantansky, new character Furiosa, a female general / action badass warrior, made her mark on the film, with actress Charlize Theron playing the part fantastically and delivering a role that was profoundly unique for this dystopian franchise. The appearance of Furiosa also prompted a spin-off project, which would explore more of the character’s backstory, with 2024 seeing that endeavor come to light with Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga as actress Anya Taylor Joy stepping in the role to play the younger version of the character. It will be interesting to see what Taylor-Joy brings to the character as well as what actor Chris Hemsworth brings to the feature as the villain Dementus. Whatever the case, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has plenty to get excited about and aims to match the same sense of high-octane action and visual stunts that Fury Road was able to achieve….and that’s a good thing!
#10 – A Quiet Place: Day One
Release Date: June 28th, 2024
Trailer: N/A
The fictional cinematic world of A Quiet Place does indeed have a fascinating one, presenting a dystopian / apocalyptic world where humanity is surviving against aliens that hunt by sound. There is only been two movies, but this duology (so far) of the Abbot family’s journey has become quite the cinematic experience to follow. In 2024, the world of A Quiet Place returns, but this time without the central focus of the Abbot family clan. The film’s titled A Quiet Place: Day One is set to be the series’ first prequel movie and explore the events of the first day that the alien came to Earth (something that was briefly shown at in the opening of A Quiet Place 2. With a new director (Pig’s director Michael Sarnoski replacing John Krasinski) at the helm, a new cast the features Lupita Nyong’o, Alex Wolff, and Joseph Quinn, and a new story to explore, A Quiet Place: Day One is definitely one to get excited about.
#9 – Argylle
Release Date: February 2nd, 2024
Trailer: N/A
Forgot to post the film’s movie trailer on my blog, but (yes) there is a trailer for this movie. Anyways, director Matthew Vaughan has carved out an interesting franchise with the Kingsman series, a different take of the action genre that mixes James Bond influences and styles with intense action sequences that shares similarities from both Kick Ass and John Wick. While a new Kingsman movie isn’t coming out in 2024, the new year will showcase a similar style feature with the release of Argylle. Featuring a sprawling cast, including Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, John Cena, Lua Lipa, Bryan Cranston, Sofia Boutella, Ariana DeBose, and Samuel L. Jackson and with Vaughan at the helm (mixing his styles of action, comedy and storytelling), Argylle is shaping up to be a promising action film that has quite the cinematic potential.
#8 – Kung Fu Panda 4
Release Date: March 9th, 2024
Trailer: Kung Fu Panda Official Trailer
DreamWorks Animation Studios has had several animated franchises, but the Kung Fu Panda one is one of the most lucrative and probably the most expanded upon, showcasing the adventures of Po, the overly excited / overweigh panda that becomes the legendary Dragon Warrior, throughout a series of adventures and self-discoveries. 2024 will see the return of Po with the release of Kung Fu Panda 4 as the Dragon Warrior must face a new challenge of becoming a spiritual leader as well as facing off against a new foe…. the chameleon. As a big fan of the Kung Fu Panda movies (and several spin-offs), I am curious to see where this latest film will take the character of Po and how it will hold up against its animated motion picture predecessors. Whatever the case…. I am excited to see Po and the rest of colorful characters back on the big screen once again.
#7 – Wicked
Release Date: November 27th, 2024
Trailer: N/A
Hollywood is no stranger to adapting a Broadway musical to the silver screen, with recent big hits such as 2021’s In the Heights, 2021’s West Side Story, and 2022’s Cyrano, showcasing that current moviegoers are still “hungry” for such endeavors. In 2024, Warner Bros. is set to debut a film adaptation of Wicked, the first part of an adaptation of the popular Broadway musical of the same name. The movie boasts plenty of acting talent, including has singer / actress Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp (the Wicked Witch of the West) and singer Ariana Grande as Galinda Upland, (Glinda the Good), which makes for such a high profile talent attached to this project, while other stars like Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum also play a factor in the movie’s cast. How will this movie be handled (and received) as a two-part film adaptation remains to be seeing, but the chance for many to finally see Wicked as a theatrical motion picture is reason enough to get excited about.
#6 – Ballerina
Release Date: June 7th, 2024
Trailer: N/A
It’s no surprise that the John Wick franchise has become a viable box office series of late, with the so-far fourth chapter entries showcasing plenty of action thrills, well-staged choreographed stunts, visually beautiful cinematics, and unearthing the lore and mythos of the world of assassins. In 2024, the John Wick universe continues to further explore such avenues and mythmaking with its first feature film spin-off movie titled Ballerina. Starring actress Ana de Armas, the film will build upon what was tease from John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum that female assassins are trained as Russian Ballerinas. Armas’s Character (Rooney) will see her seek revenge on the people responsible for killing her family. Given the fact that Ana de Armas’s small (yet memorable) action role in 2021’s No Time to Die, seeing her play a part in the next John Wick installment should be quite exciting.
#5 – Deadpool 3
Release Date: July 26th, 2024
Trailer: N/A
Given the writers / actors strikes that occurred in 2023, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will see only one movie coming out in 2024, yet it will be one that many will love to see, with the release of Deadpool 3, the long-awaited follow-up to 2018’s Deadpool 2, sustaining moviegoers with what they want to see…another madcap adventure from the “merc with a mouth”. With Ryan Reynolds spearheading the project (and returning to play the titular character), the film will finally get to see the return of actor Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine sharing the screen with Deadpool as well as various cameo-like appearances from across the multiverse dealings, which will bring back several old familiars of the 20th Century Fox films (Garner’s Elektra, Keen’s X-23, and other X-Men characters) as well as possible returns of MCU characters. Plus, the movie has been promised to be R-rated, the first in the MCU catalogue. Superhero antics, cameo appearances, and Reynold’s character poking fun at them all, Deadpool 3 will most likely be the superhero film of the year.
#4 – Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Release Date: May 24th, 2024
Trailer: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Official Teaser Trailer
The rebooted Planet of the Apes film franchise has indeed been one of great interests since it began back in 2011 with Rise of the Planet of the Apes and continued further with 2014’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and concluded in 2017 with War for the Planet of the Apes. Or so we all thought. Now, after years of rumors and speculation, the fourth installment in the “reboot” series is coming out, with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes hailing the start of a new trilogy set three hundred years after the events of 2017 film. Details are still vague beyond a snippet synopsis of the film’s plot, but given what was shown off in the film’s teaser trailer and what has been promised…. this first entry in a new trilogy within this reboot universe has definitely got me very curious to see what will happen in the latest chapter in the slowly dwindling of the human race and the rise of the ape kind.
#3 – Inside Out 2
Release Date: June 14th, 2024
Trailer: Inside Out 2 Official Teaser Trailer
In 2015, Pixar’s Inside Out sold the crown (and our hearts) for one of the best animated films of the year, a cartoon motion picture that showcased the life of young girl (Riley) and the several little emotions (joy, sadness, disgust, fear, and anger) that help trigger personality. It was a heartwarming story that displayed some of the finest elements that the studio was known for, triggering all kinds of emotions and feelings with moviegoers around the world. Now, nine years later, Inside Out 2, its follow-up sequel, is set to come out in 2024 and looks to be another emotional rollercoaster of ride, especially when Riley growing up into her teenage years and experience new emotions, which includes the sudden arrival of the anxiety emotion to Riley’s existing emotions group. What will happen in this movie is still remains to be seeing, but, given how the first film played out, Inside Out 2 looks to be a promising sequel from Pixar Animation Studios….and I can’t wait to see it!
#2 – Joker: Folie à Deux
Release Date: October 4th, 2024
Trailer: N/A
2019’s Joker showcased a different side to the portrayal of DC’s iconic “clowned prince of crime” villain, presenting an origin tale of the madness that follows Arthur Fleck goes through to become the infamous Batman figure. More of a psychological thriller than a superhero film, the movie was praised for its character study understand of man’s madness that was created by society’s failings as well as incredible / memorable performance from Joaquin Phoenix. Now, the long-awaited follow-up sequel film will debut in 2024 with the release of Joker: Folie à Deux. Phoenix is set to return to play the Joker once again, but another reason for the anticipation behind this “Joker 2” film is having singer / actress Lady Gaga playing a very different portray of character Harley Quinn from what’s been previously done. No preview as yet being released, but the film looks quite promising that will explore the Joker and Harley’s relationship, which will be quite exciting. And, much like MCU’s Deadpool 3, this movie will be DC’s lone 2024 movie standout, which might be a good thing.
#1 – Dune Part Two
Release Date: March 1st, 2024
Trailer: Dune: Part Two Official Trailer 3
In 2024…. Destiny arrives!
It is no surprise that the 2021’s Dune, a film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novel, was a grand and commercial success. Detailing the first half of novel, the movie was visual fantastic, with director Denis Villeneuve’s vision for Herbert’s science fiction world upon the planet Arrakis, the newly stewardship of the Atreides family, and both foreseen and unforeseen machinations at work that pulls the young Paul Atreides towards a destiny that he can’t escape. Gorgeously shot, beautifully scored, incredibly detailed in the world building, and terrifically acted, 2019’s Dune was an epic vision of grandeur and boldly dramatic for an incredible movie experience. And….several days after it’s theatrical release….Warner Bros (along with Villeneuve) announced that Dune: Part Two was greenlit and set to arrive in late 2023.
Those who’ve read Herbert’s novel will know of what to expect in this second half of Herbert’s first novel, but for those who don’t know……Warner Bros. Pictures have released this summary……
“This follow-up film will explore the continuing journey of Paul Atreides, united with Chani and the Fremen, as he seeks revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”
Dune: Part Two was originally going to be released in November 2023, but, due to the writers / actors strike being held, WB decided to move the upcoming film to a later date, landing on March 1st, 2024. With director Denis Villeneuve returning to the director’s chair for this ambitious vision, most of the film’s “behind the scenes” key players returning to their posts, many of the returning “dream team” cast coming back to reprise their character roles, new cast members joining the movie (i.e. Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, and Christopher Walken), Dune: Part Two looks to be another ambitious and epic sci-fi endeavor, one that hopes bring a proper continuation of what began in 2021 as well as honoring the endearing legacy of Frank Herbert’s timeless tale of power and control.
I cannot wait to see what lies in store for Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, which is why this movie is my most anticipated film of 2024.
Yes, I know that were some other 2024 movie releases that I didn’t mention on this (i.e., Nosferatu, Gladiator 2, Mickey 17, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrm, The Fall Guy, etc.), but then this list would be way too long. So, what do you guys think? What are some of the movies that you are personally looking forward to seeing in 2024? Let me know….
