15. Deadpool 3
Release date: July 26, 2024
Phase 5 of the MCU will see Hugh Jackman reprising his role as Wolverine for the first time sinceLogan, which is widely considered the character’s best movie of all time.
LoganandDeadpoolare the only Marvel films to earn an R-rating, so it makes sense they should team up together. Plus, Deadpool made his debut in the Wolverine trilogy with Ryan Reynolds playing the sarcastic swordsman inX-Men Origins: Wolverinein 2009.
Deadpool has since been rebooted and modified into his own, fourth-wall-breaking, foul-mouthed spin-off films, who continues to stand out in an ever-dulling superhero genre.
I can’t wait for him and Wolverine to reunite as two of the most memorable anti-heroes in the MCU!
Related:The Best Cinematic Universes
14. Challengers
Release date: April 26, 2024
Although we all know it was mostly staged, Tom Holland didn’t look too happy watching Zendaya kiss two guys within five seconds in the trailer forChallengers.
As for me? I’m more than happy to watch Zendaya strut, flirt, and bat her way through Luca Guadagnino’s latest movie, who proved himself with the likes ofCall Me By Your Name.
If anyone’s going to Grand Slam her way to success, it’s Zendaya, who stars as the tennis superstar Tashi Duncan. Except, it’s not her playing. Years after their first three-way hookup, Tashi signs her husband up to play against his ex-bestie and her ex-boyfriend. Good luck…
13. Love Lies Bleeding
Release date: March 8, 2024
Here we have A24, Rose Glass, and Kristen Stewart. Who wouldn’t be excited by this combo? With a debut as strong asSaint Maud, Rose Glassis bound to earn more award nominations withLove Lies Bleeding.
In this one, Kristen Stewart plays a loner gym manager who falls in love with a female bodybuilder who’s streamlining her way through Las Vegas in pursuit of her dreams.
Katy O’Brian took her real-life strength training up another notch for her role as Jackie, who, despite her muscles and target practice, isn’t quite ready to have criminal in-laws.
Love Lies Bleedinglooks to be original and captivating, drenched in the same kind of neon glow of other low-lit, high-drama indie gems.
12. Beetlejuice 2
Release date: September 6, 2024
It feels likeBeetlejuice 2has been in the works for ages, and although it’s risky to tamper with such a cult classic, the fact Tim Burton has coupled up with the original cast members gives me hope.
Namely, it’s Michael Keaton as the crude chatterbox demon Betelgeuse, alongside OGs Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara. Plus, new recruits Willem Dafoe and Jenna Ortega have track records that perfectly fit the bill, from Dafoe’sThe Lighthouseto Ortega’sWednesday.
InBeetlejuice 2, Tim Burton will take us away from haunted suburban houses to a Hawaiian resort, purely because he thought the juxtaposition would be funny for this horror-comedy follow-up.
11. Road House
Release date: March 21, 2024
The 1980s saw a boom in several different film genres, including science fiction (Blade Runner,The Terminator), teen dramas (The Breakfast Club,Stand By Me), and action (Top Gun,Die Hard).
Nestled into that latter category we also gotRoad Housewith Patrick Swayze.Road Housewas a highlight not because it was good but because it was so bad that it turned it into a cult favorite.
In Doug Liman’s 2024 remake, Jake Gyllenhaal is probably planning to make it an actually “good” film as he takes Patrick Swayze’s place as the hot-headed, ex-UFC champion bouncer Dalton.
Doug Liman’s filmography shows evidence of both good (Swingers) and bad (Jumper) Hollywood movies, so I’m intrigued as to how theRoad Housereboot will turn out. From the clip of Gyllenhaal fighting in front of a live fan audience in Vegas, it looks to be a good one!
10. Civil War
Release date: April 26, 2024
Director ofEx Machina,Annihilation,Menand writer ofThe Beach,28 Days Later,Sunshine,Never Let Me Go, the renowned Alex Garland is a visionary for all things sci-fi and apocalyptic.
As such, A24 rightly has the utmost trust in him to direct the dystopian action filmCivil War. There might not be any zombies or weird rainbow shimmers in this one, but itdoesinvolve a dystopian war ravaging the US (presumably like an American Civil War Part Two).
Kirsten Dunst leads a team of journalists reporting on the extremist political upheaval, with Wagner Moura, Jesse Plemons, and Nick Offerman also appearing. If it’s A24, I’m already seated!
Related:The Best Dystopian Movies
9. Gladiator 2
Release date: November 22, 2024
I’ve already mentioned some risky Hollywood endeavors above withBeetlejuice 2andRoad House, but there’s more! Like the upcoming attempt to turn the iconic historical epicGladiatorinto a series.
But with a cast like Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, and Pedro Pascal under Ridley Scott’s direction, there’s a high chance of success here. Especially if Barry Keoghan might be in the mix, too!
Paul Mescal is replacing Russell Crowe as the protagonist, this time as the nephew of Commodus (who was the villain ofGladiator, played by Joaquin Phoenix).
Filming has only just wrapped up as of this writing, so there’s a while yet until it’s released. But when it is, theaters are sure to be packed!
Related:The Best Gladiator Movies
8. Alto Knights
Release date: November 15, 2024
Not a whole lot is known aboutAlto Knightsjust yet other than the cast, the crew, and a vague plotline.
What we do know is that Robert De Niro is going to play an Italian-American mob boss. In fact,Alto Knightsis going to be an extra treat for fans of De Niro and gangster films because he’s starring astwomob bosses: Vito Genovese and Frank Costello.
Both were real-life crime lords during the Prohibition era. You’d be forgiven for expecting Martin Scorsese to be the director here, but plot twist: it’s Barry Levinson. No one’s mad about that, though, following his success withDiner,Rain Man, andGood Morning, Vietnam.
Related:The Best Gangster Movies
7. MaXXXine
Release date: To Be Announced 2024
Finally, it’s the third installment of Ti West’sXTrilogy!Xis one of those rare franchises that feels like it was supposed to be a trilogy, rather than sequels being tacked on in the wake of box office figures.
The films would be nothing without Mia Goth, the focal point of all three. She plays both the wannabe actresses Maxine Minx and Pearl in different decades, andMaXXXineis set to take place after the events ofX.
Beyond just being great indie horrors, the trilogy is also an ode to the slasher subgenre and an inspection of cinema’s history, influences, and byproducts. Plus, it’s a gorgeous (if bloody) period piece, this time transporting us to 1980s Los Angeles.
6. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
Release date: To Be Announced 2024
Some comic book characters have gotten raw deals in modern cinema, including Superman, Aquaman, and Green Lantern. Others got everything they deserve, such as Batman and Spider-Man.
If you’d said five years ago that Spider-Man’s animation would live up to—or even surpass—the live-action films, no one would’ve believed you.
But in 2018, directors Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichetti, and Rodney Rothman caught everyone off-guard with a decade-defining superhero animation inSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Now, the third movie is coming up with the same incredible, dynamic visuals and characters who feel ironically more three-dimensional than most superheroes. Little is known of the multiverse narrative, but Shameik Moore will be returning as Mike Morales.
Related:The Best Multiverse Movies
5. Joker: Folie à Deux
Release date: October 4, 2024
To be fair, I definitely thinkJokershould’ve been left alone as a standalone movie. But I also trust that Joaquin Phoenix has good taste and only chooses to star in projects he deems worthy. Plus, I can’t help but be curious about Lady Gaga’s depiction of Harley Quinn.
Sure, Margot Robbie’s version inBirds of PreyandThe Suicide Squadseems impenetrable, but given Lady Gaga’s eccentric trademark style—I could picture Harley Quinn in a meat-suit—and amazing performance inA Star Is Born, she’ll likely do well here.
Todd Phillips is directing the sequel, hopefully to imbue it with the same grimy qualities ofTaxi Driver,Fight Club, andDog Day Afternoonthat we saw in the firstJoker.
Related:The Best Origin Story Movies
4. Mickey 17
Release date: March 29, 2024
Bong Joon-ho really put the “teaser” in teaser trailer when he released the first preview ofMickey 17. The preview was basically Robert Pattinson lying in a cryogenic chamber.
There’s not a lot to go on to predict whatMickey 17will be like, but I know it’s going to be great because Bong Joon-ho is directing. Plus, it’s going to star the likes of Steven Yeun, Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.
But what’s it about? Well, there’s a hazy logline filled with big words like “iteration” and “the ice world Niflheim,” but really all we know is that it’s a cool-looking sci-fi written by Charles Yu. There’s also suggestion that Pattinson’s character will be similar to Sam Rockwell’s inMoon.
3. Nosferatu
Release date: December 25, 2024
If Willem Dafoe matches the zany goth vibes ofBeetlejuice 2, he certainly matches the creepy German Expressionism ofNosferatu.
Few film movements have been as cinematically influential as German Expressionism, andNosferatuis a hallmark of the early 20th century style (alongsideThe Cabinet of Dr. CaligariandMetropolis).
Scholars have even cited the originalNosferatuas the main template for horror films, with its iconic vampire character who’s still scarier-looking than most high-tech SFX can produce today.
After his defining role inIt, Bill Skarsgård will star here as the Dracula-esque Count Orlok (first played by Max Schreck in 1922) with Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Willem Dafoe as his co-stars.
Recreating such an important movie is no easy task, but if anyone can capture the horrifying essence of the original, it’s Robert Eggers.
Related:The Best Vampire Movies
2. Back to Black
Release date: April 12, 2024
Amy Winehouse was bound to have a biopic made about her at some point, given that her life was filled with so much talent, awe, tragedy, and chaos. It’s perfect for cinema, but also easy to capitalize on.
While director Asif Kapadia did justice to the modern soul and jazz singer in his powerful documentaryAmy, the trailer for Sam Taylor-Johnson’sBack to Blacklooks like it will do the same.
Marisa Abela will take on the immeasurable task of bringing such a big, complex personality like Amy Winehouse to life, and her small filmography suggests she was cast for talent than recognition.
Jack O’Connell looks the part to play Blake Fielder-Civil, Winehouse’s ex-husband who admitted to getting her hooked on heroin, which catalyzed the songwriter’s downward spiral into the 27 Club.
Related:What Is the 27 Club? Explained
1. Dune: Part Two
Release date: March 1, 2024
Much likeThe Lord of the Rings,Dunewas the kind of novel that no one thought could be made into a movie. (Especially after David Lynch’s disastrous attempt in 1984… and he’s a fantastic director!)
However, now that film and technology have evolved into what can only be described as magic, Denis Villeneuve was able to successfully translate Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novel to the big screen in 2021.
But the thickness and complexity of the 1965 book meantDunehad to be split into two parts—and the time has come for the grand finale!
Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, and Stellan Skarsgård (among many others) will reprise their roles in the feudal interstellar universe, with new exciting additions like Austin Butler and Florence Pugh. I can’t wait!
Related:The Best Denis Villeneuve Movies
