Can 2024 best 2023 when it comes to movies? Last year was stuffed with incredible cinema, from Barbie and Oppenheimer to Poor Things and Killers of the Flower Moon. So, what does this year have in store that can possibly compete?
Whether you're looking for heart-wrenching drama inspired by real-life stories, comedies as full of stars as they are of jokes, musicals bursting with attitude, horror movies studded with scares, or action movies that are utterly bonkers, we've got something for you.
Here's Mashable's 2024 movie preview, organized by release date.
January
Society of the Snow
Based on Pablo Vierci's book of the same name, Society of the Snow unfolds the shiver-inducing story of the survival of the passengers of the 1972 Andes flight disaster. Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 was chartered to deliver a men's rugby team to Chile but crashed in the South American mountain range along the way. Stranded in a hostile natural environment that is frigid and sparse on food, this team had to rally to get by however they could. Even if you're familiar with this story, you may want to see this version. Directed by J.A. Bayona (The Impossible, A Monster Calls, The Orphanage), Society of the Snow has not only won praise out of its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, but also secured a spot as Spain's submission for the Academy Award's Best International Feature Film award.
This is your chance to see the movie before the 2024 Oscar nominations come out on Jan. 23.
Starring: Enzo Vogrincic, Agustín Pardella, Tomás Wolf, Matías Recalt, Esteban Bigliardi, Diego Vegezzi, and Esteban Kukuriczka
How to watch: Society of the Snow debuts on Netflix Jan. 4.
Good Grief
Schitt's Creek's Daniel Levy makes his directorial debut with Good Grief, a tearjerker about a widower trying to move on after the death of his husband. On top of helming the film, Levy also wrote it and stars as the bereft man at the movie's center.
After a year of being devastated by the unexpected loss of his larger-than-life husband (Luke Evans), Marc (Levy) sets forth on a trip to Paris with his best friends, Sophie (Ruth Negga) and Thomas (Himesh Patel). The City of Love proves a place of heartbreak, harsh realizations, and maybe healing.
Starring: Daniel Levy, Ruth Negga, Himesh Patel, Celia Imrie, David Bradley, Arnaud Valois, Emma Corrin, Kaitlyn Dever, and Luke Evans
How to watch: Good Grief debuts on Netflix Jan. 5.
Night Swim
Horror movies don't need to wait until spooky season, so dive into director Bryce McGuire's feature adaptation of his celebrated 2014 short film. Night Swim centers on a family hoping for a fresh start in their new home, but there's something strange about the swimming pool. Produced by James Wan, Night Swim promises to bring fresh and splashy scares to 2024.
Starring: Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon, Amélie Hoeferle, Gavin Warren
How to watch: Night Swim opens in theaters Jan. 5.
The Beekeeper
January is the perfect time for utterly bonkers movies, whether they feature the killer-doll delights of M3GAN, the comical literalness of Monster Trucks, or the sweaty eroticism of Serenity. In 2024, our wintry present is The Beekeeper, which stars Jason Statham as the eponymous apiarist. He's created a quiet and lovely life making honey, but once his past as a operative comes back to sting, he goes on a John Wick-like quest for vengeance.
If that's not enough to get you stoked, what if we tell you this action movie is helmed by David Ayer, the director of End of Watch and Suicide Squad? Trust us: Bee there.
Starring: Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver, Phylicia Rashad, and Jeremy Irons
How to watch: The Beekeeper opens in theaters Jan. 12.
The Book of Clarence
Writer/director Jeymes Samuel wowed with his Black Western The Harder They Fall, which not only boasted an all-star cast but also nuggets of real Wild West history in its rollicking tale of action and revenge. Now, he's bringing that energy to the Bible.
Set in Jerusalem, A.D. 33, The Book of Clarence stars LaKeith Stanfield as a man who dreams of being like Jesus — "now." To build a better life for himself and his family, Clarence strives to be a prophet for the divine. But as you can see from the first trailer, this puts him on the wrong side of Pontius Pilate (James McAvoy), who will challenge his power. Blending drama, action, biblical influence, and a bit of comedy, this epic is sure to be unlike any we've seen before.
Starring: LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, Anna Diop, RJ Cyler, David Oyelowo, Micheal Ward, Alfre Woodard, Teyana Taylor, Caleb McLaughlin, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, James McAvoy, and Benedict Cumberbatch
How to watch: The Book of Clarence opens in theaters Jan. 12.
Mean Girls
Tina Fey's iconic teen comedy is back, and this time it's a musical (though you might not be able to tell from the first trailer). Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., this remake of the 2004 comedy/adaptation of the Broadway musical also centers on new girl Cady (played this time by Angourie Rice), who gets schooled when she meets the Plastics: queen bee Regina George (Sex Lives of College Girls' Reneé Rapp) and her cool cronies Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). Turns out being popular can be a real bitch.
Bring out the burn book, and get ready to sing along.
Starring: Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Auli'i Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey, Bebe Wood, Avantika, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, Jenna Fischer, Jon Hamm, Ashley Park, and Busy Philipps
How to watch: Mean Girls opens in theaters Jan. 12.
Self Reliance
One of the delights out of SXSW 2023 was this wild rom-com, which was written and helmed by — and also stars — Jake Johnson. His feature-length directorial debut casts the New Girl actor as a middle-aged loser who's been dumped by his girlfriend and is living with his mom when he gets an offer he can't refuse.
From our review: "Imagine Andy Samberg rolls up to you in a limo and offers to change your life. Maybe you're in a rut. Maybe you just like limos. 'Who doesn't?!' he'll chirp with that signature goofy grin. Of course, you get in that ride, right? That’s the odd, intriguing inciting incident of Self Reliance. And from its hook, it is outlandish, hilarious, and mind-bending."
Starring: Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Andy Samberg, Christopher Lloyd, and Wayne Brady
How to watch: Self Reliance debuts on Hulu Jan. 12.
Origin
For director Ava DuVernay, inspiration can be found in the true stories of American history that demand to be better understood. Selma took an intimate look at one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s monumental marches, while the documentary 13th illustrated the rampant injustices of the prison industrial complex. The mini-series When They See Us exposed the miscarriage of justice that befell the Central Park Five from a personal angle that tore it away from the splashy headlines. Yet Origin is her most ambitious effort yet.
This film serves as a biopic of sorts for author Isabel Wilkerson, who faced incredible personal losses in the face of pursuing her latest academic obsession, as well as an adaptation of the resulting book by the Pulitzer Prize winner: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. The nonfiction work explores the commonalities of institutionalized prejudice in antebellum America, Nazi Germany, and modern India. Personal, political, and profound, Origin is much more than the story of one woman's pain and epiphanies. It's a plea to open your eyes wide and unblinking.
Starring: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Connie Nielsen, Vera Farmiga, Nick Offerman, Audra McDonald, Niecy Nash-Betts, and Finn Wittrock
How to watch: Origin opens in theaters Jan. 19.
Miller’s Girl
Ever dreamed of watching Wednesday Addams flirt with Bilbo Baggins? Oh. Well, congrats, because Miller's Girl is getting you as close to that dream as you're likely to get, outside of fan fiction.
Written and directed by Jade Halley Bartlett, Miller's Girl stars Jenna Ortega as a young writer who is forming a complicated relationship with her teacher, played by Martin Freeman. With some serious The Crush vibes, this psychological thriller promises to be unsettling, twisted, and maybe even steamy.
Starring: Martin Freeman, Jenna Ortega, Dagmara Domi?czyk, Bashir Salahuddin, and Gideon Adlon
How to watch: Miller's Girl opens in theaters Jan. 26.
February
Argylle
Lots of action comedies are coming in 2024, but this is the only one that promises a cuddly cat buddy. At first glimpse, Argylle might seem like another spin on James Bond, what with all its espionage-centered action centered around the strong-jawed Henry Cavill. As it turns out, this movie's protagonist is Elly Conway, a shy novelist played by Bryce Dallas Howard whose spy stories have become weirdly prescient about recent events. So, naturally she — and her pet cat — are swept away by an unconventional agent (Sam Rockwell), who will presumably depend on her to save the day somehow.
Coming from Kingsman: The Secret Service director Matthew Vaughn, you can expect this movie to be as packed with action and stars as laughs.
Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, John Cena, Dua Lipa, Bryan Cranston, Sofia Boutella, Ariana DeBose, Catherine O’Hara, and Samuel L. Jackson
How to watch: Argylle opens in theaters Feb. 2.
Lisa Frankenstein
Remember when Juno made Diablo Cody the most talked-about screenwriter in Hollywood? Well, Cody's distinctive comedic voice is back with a fresh spin on an old corpse tale.
Directed by music video helmer Zelda Williams in her feature-length debut, Lisa Frankenstein stars Kathryn Newton (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Freaky) as a teen girl whose crush happens to be more than a little cold and stiff. When a twist of fate resurrects him from the dead, the two find love — but there'll also be '80s-flavored horror and laughs. Duh.
Starring: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest, and Carla Gugino
How to watch: Lisa Frankenstein opens in theaters Feb 9.
Bob Marley: One Love
In 2021, director Reinaldo Marcus Green brought the story of tennis coach Richard Williams, father to sports legends Venus and Serena Williams, to the big screen with King Richard. Now, he's back with a biopic about the iconic reggae pioneer Bob Marley.
Kingsley Ben-Adir, who awed critics as Malcolm X in One Night in Miami and then as a chipper Ken in Barbie, stars as the eponymous musician. From the looks of the trailer, Bob Marley: One Love aims to display how in the face of adversity and even assassination attempts, this Jamaican singer sought to bring joy, hope, and inspiration to the public.
Starring: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, James Norton, and Michael Gandolfini
How to watch: Bob Marley: One Love opens in theaters Feb. 14.
Madame Web
The Spider-Man web has brought us some of the best and worst of superhero cinema. Over on the amazing end of things, there's been the MCU-affiliated, Tom Holland-fronted Home trilogy, as well as the groundbreaking animated Spider-Verse offerings. On the wild side, there's been a bonkers pair of Venom movies, and then there's the absolute WTF of Morbius. Well, 2024 is bringing us at least two more, the first of which is Madame Web, which stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic who has clairvoyant powers and an inexplicable connection to three young women under threat from an ominous Spider-Man.
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, and Adam Scott
How to watch: Madame Web opens in theaters Feb. 14.
Drive-Away Dolls
As half of the heralded filmmaking duo known simply as the Coen brothers, Ethan Coen has created such amazing movies as O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Fargo, and The Big Lebowski. But the brothers have been charting their own paths as of late, with Joel delivering the thrilling theatrical The Tragedy of Macbeth in 2021, and Ethan teaming up with film editor and spouse Tricia Cooke on the script for Drive-Away Dolls, a kooky crime caper centered on a pair of road-tripping lesbians.
Odd couple besties Jamie (Margaret Qualley) and Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) are delivering a rundown car to Florida, fleeing from heartbreak and a humdrum routine. Their path runs into wild detours once they discover the hidden cargo in the trunk. Like the best of Coen crime capers, this romp promises to be peppered with irreverent Southern-fried charm, big stars, and twists that are sure to thrill.
Starring: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Bill Camp, and Matt Damon
How to watch: Drive-Away Dolls opens in theaters Feb. 23.
March
The Fall Guy
Turns out, he's not just Ken. Hot off Barbie, Ryan Gosling stars as a stuntman who becomes an unlikely detective when a movie star vanishes. How did he get this job? Well, he's in love with a movie director (Emily Blunt), and when her leading man (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) goes MIA, it's up to this man of action to save the day to get the girl.
Directed by Bullet Train and Atomic Blonde helmer David Leitch, you can bet that The Fall Guy will be packed with wild stunts, fabulous fight scenes, and a thrilling visual style. Plus, lots of stars, romance, jokes and "Jason Bourne shit!" If you loved The Nice Guys, you're gonna wanna see The Fall Guy.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, and Stephanie Hsu
How to watch: The Fall Guy opens in theaters March 1.
Dune: Part Two
Denis Villeneuve proved he could do justice to Frank Herbert's Dune back in 2021, so it's no surprise that we're foaming at the mouth for round two (and then promptly recycling that foam back into our stillsuits because we simply cannot waste water). While the first Dune set up the politics of Herbert's expansive sci-fi epic, Dune: Part Two will plunge headfirst into Paul Atreides and the Fremen's battle to free Arrakis from the Harkonnens.
But by no means should you go into Dune: Part Two expecting a straightforward fight between good and evil. As Paul's influence grows, the film promises to interrogate his actions, asking whether he's really the savior the Fremen believe him to be or just another conqueror ready to subjugate them anew. Plus, Dune: Part Two will also delve into some of the weirdest parts of Herbert's novel, delivering more spice, more space politics, and more glorious sandworms. If Villeneuve sticks the landing here, we could be looking at one of the best sci-fi film series ever put on screen. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Stellan Skarsgård, Léa Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Charlotte Rampling, and Stephen McKinley Henderson
How to watch: Dune: Part Two opens in theaters March 1.
Imaginary
Last year Blumhouse gave us M3GAN, the killer toy with diva attitude. This year, the spooky studio is gifting us Chauncey, a creepy teddy bear. At first, he seems the ideal bestie for a little girl who's coping with the move into her mother's childhood home. But her imaginary friend seems to hold a grudge against the child who left him behind. Brace yourself: Playtime gets perturbing in this one.
Starring: DeWanda Wise, Tom Payne, Taegen Burns, and Betty Buckley
How to watch: Imaginary opens in theaters March 8.
Kung Fu Panda 4
Since 2008, Jack Black has been winning big laughs as Po, a panda who loves martial arts and fighting for good just as much as he does his dad's delectable noodles. This action-packed animated franchise has spawned a string of sequels, short films, animated series, a holiday special, and a string of video games. So, what could the fourth film installment do to bring new fun? Adding Academy Award winners Viola Davis and Ke Huy Quan is a good start.
Davis brings her villain bravado from the recent Hunger Games prequel to Kung Fu Panda 4, playing a shapeshifting sorceress chameleon hellbent on conquest. To defeat her, Po will have to team up with a dubious new ally and face the challenge of becoming a spiritual leader.
Starring: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, Ian McShane, and Ke Huy Quan
How to watch: Kung Fu Panda 4 opens in theaters March 8.
The American Society of Magical Negroes
Satire and romantic comedy collide in a surprising way in writer/director Kobi Libii's The American Society of Magical Negroes. If you're unfamiliar with the term, it refers to an archetype in American media wherein a Black character chiefly exists to help out a white protagonist. Here, that concept is called out and complicated when a young Black man named Aren (Justice Smith) is assigned to care for an insecure white man (The Other Two's Drew Tarver), but Aren feels conflicted when the pair both start crushing on the same coworker. Will Aren sacrifice his own shot at happiness to appease white comfort? Audiences will first find out at the film's Sundance premiere in January, ahead of a theatrical release in the spring.
Starring: Justice Smith, David Alan Grier, An-Li Bogan, Drew Tarver, Michaela Watkins, Aisha Hinds, Rupert Friend, and Nicole Byer
How to watch: The American Society of Magical Negroes opens in theaters March 22.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Full disclosure: We weren't fans of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Actually, I called the rebooted sequel — which papers over Ghostbusters 2 and Ghostbusters: Answer the Call — "a ghoulish re-animated corpse, stuffed with half-baked new characters and lazy fan service." But by that logic, this sequel couldn't possibly worse, right?
The grandchildren and daughter of the late Egon Spengler are back, and reuniting with his old crew Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), and Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) for a new adventure. An ancient artifact is unleashing a deadly chill on New York City. Also, Paul Rudd is there.
Starring: McKenna Grace, Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, and Annie Potts
How to watch: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire opens in theaters March 29.
April
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Godzilla vs. Kong director Adam Wingard returns with this sequel, which is sure to rumble the Earth as two of movies' most massive monsters face off. Again. Plot details are currently under wraps, though the teaser suggests some other big beasts may join the fray.
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Dan Stevens, Brian Tyree Henry, Kaylee Hottle, Fala Chen, and Alex Ferns
How to watch: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire opens in theaters and IMAX on April 14.
Challengers
Tennis, anyone? Zendaya headlines this steamy, sporty drama opposite Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist. And if the trailer is anything to judge from, this one is going to be a white-hot winner. The tantalizing trio plays tennis pros in a love triangle. In their early days, Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) is a star on the rise...until an injury pitches her to the sidelines. Years later, she's married to a champion (Faist) who may be past his prime. Could reigniting the rivalry with his former best friend (O'Connor) — and his wife's ex-lover — be the way to winning? Or to burning all they've built down?
Challengers set the internet aflame when its trailer dropped in the summer of 2023, along with plans for a fall release. Alas, this tempting film got bumped to 2024 as SAG/AFTRA's strike against the AMPTP heated up. With the strike now resolved, we not only get to see what heralded director Luca Guadagnino is serving up after Call Me by Your Name and Bones and All — we also get to see this tempting trifecta hit a press tour that's sure to be exciting.
Starring: Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist
How to watch: Challengers opens in theaters April 26.
Civil War
Alex Garland has been the mind behind such twisted movies as Men, Ex Machina, and Annihilation. Now, he's turned his eye to the future of America with Civil War. And despite beloved character actor Nick Offerman (The Last of Us, Parks and Recreation) playing the president, this future looks grim.
The U.S. is at war with itself in this near-future dystopia. 19 states have seceded, and Texas and California have formed an alliance dubbed the Western Forces. The president has begun bombing civilians, while some have the privilege to sit it all out. Kirsten Dunst and Wagner Moura headline a star-studded cast as a pair of war journalists, harrowed by seeing such carnage on their home turf. Brace yourself for a movie that asks unblinkingly, "What kind of American are you?"
Starring: Nick Offerman, Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Jesse Plemons, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Sonoya Mizuno
How to watch: Civil War opens in theaters April 26.
May
Back to Black
"/>Director Sam Taylor-Johnson reunites with screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh, who penned the script for her John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, for a movie about the one, the only...Amy Winehouse. Industry's Marisa Abela stars as the beehived British icon who rose to fame with jazzy, endlessly catchy songs like "Back to Black," "You Know I'm No Good," and "Rehab," before dying tragically young in 2011.
Back to Black offers a look at the behind-the-scenes drama in Amy's life as she goes from struggling chanteuse to global sensation caught in a tumultuous relationship. This biopic is made with the support of The Amy Winehouse Estate and Sony Music Publishing.
Starring: Marisa Abela, Jack O'Connell, Eddie Marsan, and Lesley Manville
How to watch: Back to Black opens in theaters May 10.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Thanks to the rip-roaring success of 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, breakout badass Furiosa is getting her very own spinoff movie. However, Charlize Theron isn't reprising the role of the dystopian warrior. This prequel is about Furiosa's early life, after she's kidnapped from the Green Place of Many Mothers, and it puts Anya Taylor-Joy behind the grimy wheel. With her comes Chris Hemsworth as the warlord Dementus, bearded and nearly unrecognizable.
Fury Road director George Miller is back in the fray for this one. And from the first teaser, it looks like Furiosa will have action fans feeling very shiny and chrome, indeed.
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Alyla Browne, and Tom Burke
How to watch: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga opens in theaters only nationwide on May 24.
The Garfield Movie
Our favorite feline from the Sunday funnies is returning to the big screen with a new computer-animated adventure from Mark Dindal, of Chicken Little and The Emperor's New Groove acclaim. Chris Pratt makes the leap from The LEGO Movie and The Super Mario. Bros Movie to The Garfield Movie, continuing his tireless campaign at voice-acting domination.
Pratt voices the titular cat as he goes on a wild outdoor adventure with his long-lost dad, Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), a street cat who is even bigger and stripier than our lasagna-loving hero. We also learn about his origin story, which involves a fiasco at an Italian restaurant. Along with riling his owner Jon (Nicholas Hoult) and pestering poor pup Odie (Harvey Guillén), Garfield sets forth on an adventure with Vic that gets him way outside of his comfort zone. We assume hijinks ensue.
Starring: Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey Guillén, Brett Goldstein, and Bowen Yang
How to watch: The Garfield Movie opens May 24.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
This fourth installment of the rebooted Planet of the Apes franchise is set generations after 2017's War for the Planet of the Apes. Under the shadow of Caesar's reign, apes rose in power and humans have fallen into feral decline. But the age of Caesar has passed, and a young chimpanzee named Noa (Owen Teague) calls into question the ways of this planet. With a human sidekick known as Mae (Freya Allan), this brave hero will go on a journey that changes the future of ape and mankind forever. The Maze Runner Trilogy director Wes Ball takes the helm, promising rousing action and serious drama.
Starring: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy
How to watch: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes opens May 24.
June
Inside Out 2
Joy, Sadness, Anger, and the rest of the gang are back with this surprising sequel to Pixar's 2015 hit, Inside Out. Where the first film saw the emotional crew helping young Riley cope with a move to a new town, Inside Out 2 has her hitting puberty. And that means new emotions, like Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke (Stranger Things).
From the teaser, it seems other new feelings will join this wacky workplace. We can't wait to see what they are and who will give them voices. And good luck, Riley. As Turning Red showed with its Red Panda plotline, growing up can be a wild ride.
Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, and Maya Hawke
How to watch: Inside Out 2 opens in theater June 14.
The Bikeriders
Jeff Nichols has built his reputation as an acclaimed indie filmmaker with films deeply rooted in character and drama, like Take Shelter, Mud, and Midnight Special. His latest drew inspiration from the Danny Lyon photo book of the same name, which captured portraits of a 1960s Chicago-based motorcycle gang. Bringing this hard-riding crew to life are three actors known for diving deep into their roles. And as you can see from the trailer, they're making a meal of the accents alone.
Starring: Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Norman Reedus, and Tom Hardy
How to watch: The Bikeriders opens in theaters June 21.
A Quiet Place: Day One
After the success of A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II, the frightening franchise is expanding with this prequel. While director/star of the first two John Krasinski has a "story by" writing credit, Day One centers around new characters and has a new writer/director with Michael Sarnoski, who brought us the tense and unique culinary thriller Pig in 2021.
While the plotline for Day One is under wraps, a peek at the cast suggests it'll give us the backstory to Djimon Hounsou's character from Part II. Plus, this electrifying ensemble boasts stars from Stranger Things, Hereditary, True Blood, and Us.
Starring: Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, Denis O'Hare, and Lupita Nyong'o
How to watch: A Quiet Place: Day One opens in theaters June 28.
July
Despicable Me 4
You can't stop the Minions or their extended family. Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage have been part of this franchise in one way or another since the beginning, and now they're co-directors on this fourth installment. Plot details are currently unknown, but Gru and his crew appear poised to return for new misadventures in espionage and parenting.
Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan
How to watch: Despicable Me 4 opens in theaters July 3.
Deadpool 3
Ryan Reynolds has found rousing success as the R-rated Marvel antihero behind Deadpool and its sequel. For his third outing, he's reteaming with Shawn Levy, who's directed him in moves like the sci-fi adventure The Adam Project and the video game-inspired comedy Free Guy. Also reuniting with the Merc with a Mouth is Hugh Jackman, who notoriously crossed paths with Reynolds's prior version of the character in the detested X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
We don't know the plot of this threequel at this time, but Reynolds has been having a blast online sharing cheeky "leaked" photos from set. Sure, they're fake, but it suggests the irreverent fun of previous Deadpool movies is going strong in this one too.
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand, Karan Soni, Emma Corrin, and Jennifer Garner
How to watch: Deadpool 3 opens in theaters July 26.
August
Borderlands
Since debuting in 2009, this action role-playing video game has gained fans for its addictive looter and shooter missions. Now, Eli Roth, the twisted mind behind such gory horror as Cabin Fever and Hostel, is at the helm of its movie adaptation. Here's the plotline from the film's official site:
Lilith (Cate Blanchett), an infamous outlaw with a mysterious past, reluctantly returns to her home planet of Pandora to find the missing daughter of the universe's most powerful S.O.B., Atlas (Edgar Ramirez). Lilith forms an alliance with an unexpected team — Roland (Kevin Hart), a former elite mercenary, now desperate for redemption; Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), a feral pre-teen demolitionist; Krieg, Tina's musclebound, rhetorically challenged protector; Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), the scientist with a tenuous grip on sanity; and Claptrap (Jack Black), a persistently wiseass robot. These unlikely heroes must battle alien monsters and dangerous bandits to find and protect the missing girl, who may hold the key to unimaginable power. The fate of the universe could be in their hands but they'll be fighting for something more: each other
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Olivier Richters, Jack Black, Jamie Lee Curtis, Gina Gershon, Ariana Greenblatt, Edgar Ramirez, Bobby Lee, and Cheyenne Jackson
How to watch: Borderlands opens in theaters Aug. 9.
Kraven the Hunter
When the trailer for this Spider-Man spinoff hit in the summer, we were quick to rejoice. Forget the MCU's groaning grief phase. Forget the DCEU's oh-so-serious dramas. Sony was chasing the weird spirit behind the Venom movies with this story about an animalistic super-anti-hero with daddy issues who oozes sex appeal and rips off his foe's noses without blinking an eye.
Look, we can't guarantee Kraven the Hunter will be any good. But director J.C. Chandor's ballsy approach promises to relieve our superhero fatigue.
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Russell Crowe, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, and Christopher Abbott
How to watch: Kraven the Hunter opens in theaters Aug. 30.
September
Beetlejuice 2
35 years after Beetlejuice first introduced us to the ghost with the most, Tim Burton has reunited some of the original cast for a sequel. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara return as Beetlejuice, Lydia, and Delia Deetz. Plus, Wednesday star Jenna Ortega joins the family as Lydia's daughter Astrid Deetz. While plot deetz-tails are elusive, this ensemble alone is enough to have us hopeful.
For more, check Tim Burton's Instagram, where he shared the first image from the set.
Starring: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux
How to watch: Beetlejuice 2 opens in theaters Sept. 6.
October
Joker: Folie à Deux
Todd Phillips's Joker was polarizing, to say the least. But between winning the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival and dancing its way to becoming the sixth-highest grossing movie of 2019, it was almost guaranteed a sequel. And even the movie's haters had to do a double take when Lady Gaga signed on to play Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix's titular villain.
While the plotline is under wraps, some set images have made their way online to set our imaginations running wild.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga
How to watch: Joker: Folie à Deux is expected to hit theaters Oct. 4.
November
Gladiator 2
For Thanksgiving in 2023, Ridley Scott presented movie theaters with the historical epic Napoleon. Next Thanksgiving, he's bringing his long-awaited sequel to the five-time Oscar-winning drama Gladiator.
Set after the death of Russell Crowe's Maximus, Gladiator 2 will follow Lucius, who was just a boy when he was rescued by the hero of the first film. Now a grown man played by Paul Mescal, he has a quest of his own to fulfill. What that is, we don't yet know — but look at this cast!
Starring: Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, and Paul Mescal
How to watch: Gladiator 2 is expected to hit theaters Nov. 22.
Wicked: Part 1
For 20 years, Wicked has lit up Broadway with its magic and song. Now, the musical — based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, which turned the tables on the tale of the Wicked Witch — is getting its long-awaited movie adaptation. Finally, green-skinned Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and her bubbly bestie Galinda (Ariana Grande) will defy gravity on the big screen!
Stephen Schwartz, the stage show's lyricist, and playwright Winnie Holzman collaborated on the screenplay. Jon M. Chu, who directed Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights, and several Step Up sequels, is helming. With beloved song numbers, a star-stacked cast, and the promise of getting into some of the storylines the stage show cut, this movie had to become a two-parter. And we suspect the first half will prove popular.
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Bowen Yang
How to watch: Wicked: Part 1 will open in theaters Nov. 27.
December
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world of Hobbits, dwarves, elves, and orcs is returning to cinemas this year! This film will be an animated prequel, predating The Two Towers by about 200 years.
According to Yahoo Finance, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim will unfurl the life of Helm Hammerhand, as well as the untold story of Helm's Deep. Succession's Brian Cox will lend his voice to the royal character, while Miranda Otto will narrate as Éowyn, her character from the original trilogy. Plus, a cavalcade of new cast members will join the fun.
Starring: Brian Cox, Miranda Otto, Gaia Wise, Luke Pasqualino, Laurence Ubong Williams, and Shaun Dooley
How to watch: The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is expected to hit theaters Dec. 13.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Intended as a prequel to 2019's photorealistic remake of The Lion King, Mufasa is the story of what went down between its titular pride leader and his snarly brother Scar — before that cliff came between them. Before you lament something like, "No one asked for an origin story of Mufasa," hold your tongue. First off, this film is being helmed by heralded director Barry Jenkins of Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk, and The Underground Railroad acclaim. Second, people snarked about Willy Wonka getting an origin story, but Wonka is delightful! So, have a little faith in a filmmaker of substance.
Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani
How to watch: Mufasa: The Lion King opens in theaters Dec. 20.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
This video game-spawned franchise is running strong, not only with a third entry in its film series but also with a spinoff mini-series called Knuckles promised for Paramount in 2024. While no plot details have been released yet, we do know that Ben Schwartz is back as the eponymous hedgehog, while James Marsden returns as human bestie Tom Wachowski. And thanks to a teaser image dropped on X (formerly Twitter), it's clear that Shadow — Sonic's sometimes ally, sometimes rival — will be playing a role too! Game on!
Starring: Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Idris Elba, and Colleen O'Shaughnessey
How to watch: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opens in theaters Dec. 20.
Nosferatu
"/>Filmmaker Robert Eggers has created such gnarly films as period-set horror movie The Witch, the surreal thriller The Lighthouse, and Viking epic The Northman. Now he's turned his lens to vampires. This first look harkens back to F.W. Murnau's 1922 Nosferatu, an iconic example of German expressionism as well as an unforgettably creepy creature design. Though Eggers is credited as this Nosferatu's sole screenwriter, it seems his latest pulls powerfully from this inspiration point beyond its love for evocative shadows.
You see, as an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Murnau's movie boasted characters like Count Orlok and Ellen Hutter. And the image above shows Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter, described in Focus Features' promotional materials as a "haunted young woman" who has caught the eye of a blood-sucking creature of the night. What fresh blood (and thrills) will Eggers mine from this horror landmark? We can't wait to find out.
Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, and Willem Dafoe
How to watch: Nosferatu opens in theaters Dec. 25.
TBD
IF
Ready for mayhem? Paramount is promoting the latest from former Office guy John Krasinski like this: "Get ready for a heart-warming, all-family film from the director of A Quiet Place, the star of Deadpool, and the studio that brought you Annihilation."
While the premise of this one sounds like horror (see: Imaginary above), IF is actually a comedy, centering on a little girl who can see everyone's abandoned imaginary friends. Ryan Reynolds plays the IFs' (imaginary friends) ally, while Steve Carell voices a big purple monster. Beyond that, the cast list is bonkers.
Starring: John Krasinski, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Steve Carell, Fiona Shaw, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Maya Rudolph, Vince Vaughn, Sam Rockwell, Sebastian Maniscalco, Christopher Meloni, Awkwafina, Jon Stewart, and Richard Jenkins
How to watch: IF will open in theaters in 2024.
Problemista
This knockout from SXSW got bumped from the summer of 2023 during the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes. But we can't wait for audiences to finally see A24's Problemista, which comes from Los Espookys co-creator Julio Torres, who makes his directorial debut here while co-starring opposite the one and only Tilda Swinton.
As I wrote in our SXSW round-up, "Set in a magical yet grungy New York City, Problemista follows a Salvadoran immigrant and aspiring toymaker (Torres) whose desperate need for a green card sponsor leads him to aid an eccentric art critic (Swinton) on a confounding quest. Amid overpriced salads and outrageous outbursts (often about FileMaker Pro), a chaotic but charming friendship blossoms, leading to a climax that is trippy and terrific."
Trust us, you'll want to mark your calendar for this one as soon as its release date is announced.
Starring: Julio Torres, Tilda Swinton, RZA, Isabella Rossellini, Larry Owens, Catalina Saavedra, and Greta Lee
How to watch: Problemista will open in theaters in 2024.
