2023 was a largely chaotic year for Hollywood, with many larger projects being delayed due to multiple writer and actor strikes. The Barbie-Oppenheimer phenomenon was probably the biggest moment that made cinema feel exciting again, with two vastly different features opening on the same weekend. Though there won’t be any as highly anticipated mega blockbusters on the list for this year, the best movies coming out in 2024 still include a wide range of choices, complete with superheroes, sequels, a few remakes, and even some musical adaptations.
Many of the movies coming out this year were supposed to have been released in 2023, but many were so far delayed they won’t even see a release this year. However, there’s still more than enough to keep movie buffs busy, and we’ve picked out the best flicks, starting with Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated second installment of “Dune.” Here are seven of the best movies coming out in 2024 you won’t want to miss! Our list was compiled based on the movies that were mentioned most among eight film critics. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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The List: Best Movies Coming Out in 2024, Per Critics
1. “Dune: Part Two” (March 1)
Dune is the most recent adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 science fiction novel, with the first installment released in 2021. The story follows the journey of Paul Atreides in a futuristic world where resources are limited, and the balance of power is precarious. Esquire reminds us that we left the last installment when Paul Atreides has just joined the Fremen. Part two continues with his adventures as he continues to seek vengeance for his family.
The Hollywood Reporter notes the film was one of many slated for release in 2023 but got pushed back to 2024 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The movie is produced and distributed by Warner Brothers and Legendary. It was not initially set in stone whether there would be a second movie, as it would largely depend on the performance of the first. The first installment made $435 million on a $165 million budget, making it the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2021.
You can be sure to see your original favorites, Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet, in the second movie. Rolling Stone says there is a slew of both new and familiar actors in the film, including Austin Butler, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux, to name just a few.
2. “Deadpool & Wolverine” (July 26)
If you’re a fan of Marvel’s favorite loudmouth mercenary, you’ll love this crossover with X-Men’s Wolverine. The movie is based on the premise that Deadpool is pulled out his life by the Time Variance Authority and set on a mission alongside Wolverine that changes the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Variety says “Deadpool & Wolverine” is one of the most highly anticipated films of 2024 after Walt Disney Studios acquired 20th Century Fox.
Rotten Tomatoes speculates how an R-rated Marvel will work, as the Marvel universe is typically PG-13. The Deadpool franchise is known for its crass R-rated humor, so it will be interesting to see how Disney executes the movie without losing its authenticity. Ryan Reynolds stars as Deadpool, and Hugh Jackman returns as Wolverine for a hell of a crossover.
The movie is directed by Shawn Levy, who has worked with both of the leading actors before on different films like “The Adam Project” and “Real Steel.” Entertainment Weekly says not a lot is known about the movie’s plot details, except for the fact that Dogpool, an alternate reality version of Deadpool seen in other movies, will be involved.
3. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (Sept. 6)
Almost 40 years after the original movie, director Tim Burton is returning to deliver a sequel to the iconic comedic horror flick released in 1988. Vulture says that the possibility of a Beetlejuice sequel has been talked about for so long by Tim Burton fans that most didn’t believe it was happening, but production wrapped in November of last year.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that Winona Ryder is returning as Lydia Deetz, with popular actress Jenna Ortega starring as her daughter. They are joined by Michael Keaton, Catharine O’Hara, and Willem Dafoe. The script is handled by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the same showrunners behind the script of Netflix’s show about Wednesday Addams.
Actor Michael Keaton has teased that his character will be getting an actual backstory this time around, bringing a refreshing take to the classic. Polygon mentions that the only other sequel Tim Burton has directed is “Batman Returns,” which turned out to be decidedly epic, so one can only hope this movie will be able to follow in its footsteps. Burton is placing an “emphasis on a back-to-basics approach rife with puppetry and in-camera effects” for this movie.
4. “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Oct. 4)
The first Joker movie was released in 2019 to critical acclaim, with director Todd Phillips and lead actor Joaquin Phoenix taking a new approach to telling the story of the famous villain. The movie follows his troubled life and descent into madness that heralds the creation of the Joker. Vulture says that this sequel is supposedly a musical.
IGN notes that the second Joker movie actually wasn’t even supposed to exist, but the first movie brought in over a billion in sales and won a couple of Oscars, so it’s no surprise another movie would be made to capitalize on the mayhem.
According to Polygon, Lady Gaga is this movie’s secret weapon, as the singer/actress will be reprising the role of Harley Quinn a short time after Margot Robbie brought the character to life in several other DC movies. This Joker is based on the DC comics, but takes place in a different universe than the “Birds of Prey” franchise.
5. “Gladiator 2” (Nov. 22)
The original Gladiator movie came out in 2000. A sequel was talked of as soon as 2011, but development halted when Dreamworks sold the rights to Paramount in 2006. 24 years later, Ridley Scott is finally bringing the sequel to life. The Hollywood Reporter says the film will star Paul Mescal playing Lucius, along with Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix, and Denzel Washington.
The movie is set 15 years later after the death of Comodus and General Maximus. Polygon explains that it follows a now adult Lucius, the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin) who Maximus saved, and a slave turned arms dealer. Lucius searches for the truth about his biological father, who might have been Maximus.
Lisa Gerard and Hans Zimmer had originally scored the film, but it was revealed in January of 2024 that Harry Gregson-Williams took over. Esquire notes that “Gladiator 2” will have nothing to do with Nick Cave’s draft script of a Gladiator sequel, which “featured Maximus being sent back to Earth from purgatory as a hitman for the Roman gods, with one target: Jesus H Christ.”
6. “Wicked: Part One” (Nov. 27)
The “Wicked” movie has faced countless rumors and delays, with first talks of Universal developing the movie back in 2012. Vulture explains the development process included multiple director changes and a rigorous casting process, and filming finally began in December 2022 until the actors strike also forced production to halt.
According to IGN, the film is directed by Jon M. Chu stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and pop star Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch. The story is split into two movies, with part one releasing this fall and part two coming in 2025.
Entertainment Weekly explains that Wicked is a prequel to the classic “Wizard of Oz” story that follows the witches of Oz before Dorothy ever made it to their land. The story has been delighting audiences on Broadway in musical format for years, so many can’t wait to see it brought to life on the big screen.
7. “Nosferatu” (Dec. 25)
Horror movie fans should be sure to check out this modern take on the 1922 silent vampire film. According to Entertainment Weekly, the film stars Bill Skarsgård, Lily-Rose Depp, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Willem Dafoe. Shot in Prague last year with a set that was purportedly supposed to have included 2,000 live rats, it is a story of a Transylvanian vampire stalking a haunted young woman in 19th-century Germany.
Polygon notes that the original Nosferatu was really an unauthorized Dracula adaptation. The director is Rober Eggers, the writer and director of the historical horror films “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse.” The film was originally rumored to star Harry Styles, but he had to drop it due to scheduling conflicts. The film, still riddled with a star-studded cast, is set for a Christmas release.
Eggers originally directed a stage production of Nosferatu, according to Rolling Stone, so it makes sense he would want to bring the production to the silver screen. The film reunites Eggers with producer Eleanor Columbus, who also collaborated on both “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse.”
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Sources:
- Esquire
- The Hollywood Reporter
- Rolling Stone
- Variety
- Rotten Tomatoes
- Entertainment Weekly
- Polygon
- IGN
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The only reason people saw the woke propaganda film, Barbie, was because they thought it was a kids movie and they were desperate to have something for the kids. I don’t think many people even watched boring Oppenheimer beyond the first 10 minutes or so. For the several straight year in a row I have not seen a SINGLE Oscar nominated movie. And I won’t be seeing any of the ones above which are almost all sequels, prequels, cannibalizing the original hits and filling them with more woke garbage. When are you folks going to get the message – WE HATE THE WOKE AGENDA, ALL OF IT.