22 things we can't wait to watch, read or hear in 2022 (from 'The Batman' to 'House of the Dragon')

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And just like that … it’s 2022.

Despite the endless barrage of bad news, the last 12 months still gave us plenty to be grateful for in entertainment: Carrie Bradshaw sashayed back into our lives (sans Samantha Jones) for a wobbly but welcome “Sex and the City” revival. Jonathan Franzen delivered a pious page-turner, Spider-Man saved the COVID-19-stricken box office, and Adele gave us a whole new album of breakup ballads to weep over.

The new year kicked off in earnest with the much-anticipated “Harry Potter” 20th-anniversary special, which reassembled the movies’ cast for a two-hour sitdown in the vein of the recent “Friends” reunion. As we look ahead to 2022, here are some of the other pop-culture highlights (with release dates where available) that need to be on your radar:

Ranked: The 10 best movies of 2021, from 'The Power of the Dog' to Diana drama 'Spencer'

Elton John will try again to say his farewells in 2022.
Elton John will try again to say his farewells in 2022.

Elton John gets back to saying goodbye

The long and winding “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour has encountered numerous zigzags and delays, thanks to the coronavirus. But John, who ambitiously crafted an album of duets, “The Lockdown Sessions,” during the early days of the pandemic, is prepped to return to his swan song outing, which launches Jan. 19 in New Orleans and will snake through the U.S., Europe and New Zealand. Can we please let this man say farewell uninterrupted this time? – Melissa Ruggieri

Adele is heading to Las Vegas for a three-month residency.
Adele is heading to Las Vegas for a three-month residency.

Adele makes herself at home in Las Vegas

Between the breathless hype and the exorbitantly priced tickets on the resale market following an instant sellout (yes, some seats are going for thousands of dollars), one might think the queen herself is heading to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for this Jan. 21-April 16 weekend residency. But it is merely British singing/songwriting royalty, a transformative vocal talent who now has the clout to insist that fans pack their suitcases and come to her. – Ruggieri

Olivia Rodrigo performs "Traitor."
Olivia Rodrigo performs "Traitor."

Olivia Rodrigo hits the road

The breakout performer of 2021, the Disney teen-turned-confessional punk-pop songstress will prove she’s more than a manufactured melody maker with her first world tour (April 2-July 7). It’s shaping up to be a potent year for the 18-year-old behind zingy hits “Good 4 U,” “Déjà vu” and the sweeping “Drivers License”: She’s also nominated for seven Grammy Awards in January. – Ruggieri

Kanye West was his usual enigmatic self at his "Donda" album listening event in Atlanta.
Kanye West was his usual enigmatic self at his "Donda" album listening event in Atlanta.

'jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy'

For more than 20 years, Coodie and Chike, film directors and longtime friends of the mercurial rapper now known as Ye have tracked West’s career, from rapping with Mos Def in 2002 to the death of his beloved mother, Donda (the namesake of his oft-retooled album), in 2007 to his failed 2020 presidential bid. The Netflix film is expected to be released in three parts. – Ruggieri

Not a drill! Missy Elliott may be preparing her first album in 16 years.
Not a drill! Missy Elliott may be preparing her first album in 16 years.

A new Missy Elliott album

So far we only have a tweet, but it’s a noteworthy tweet and a tweet that the eternally “Supa Dupa Fly” maven has endorsed, so we’re going with that. In early December, longtime Elliott collaborator Timbaland sparked a frenzy on social media when he tweeted, “Who ready for that @MissyElliott Timbo album?” Elliott responded with a GIF of herself grooving and emojis of clapping hands and tornadoes – indications that the dynamic duo is indeed fashioning what will be Elliott’s first album since 2005’s “The Cookbook.” – Ruggieri

TV's 'The Lord of the Rings'

Amazon Prime Video’s lavish adaptation (launching Sept. 2) of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel series promises “familiar and new” characters confronting “the re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth.” It’s the most expensive TV show ever made, with a reported first-season budget of $465 million; a second is already planned, along with related content sure to satisfy fans of the books and Peter Jackson’s 2001-2003 movie trilogy. – Gary Levin

'House of the Dragon'

Roughly three years after HBO’s biggest hit, fantasy epic “Game of Thrones,” wrapped its eight-season run, the first of several potential spinoffs finally arrives: “House” focuses on the story of the rise and reign of the Targaryen family as rulers of the mythical Westeros. It’s set 200 years before the original series, so don’t look for any returning cast members, but Matt Smith (“The Crown,” “Doctor Who”) plays Prince Daemon Targaryen. – Levin

Ewan McGregor returns to the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in a new series.
Ewan McGregor returns to the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in a new series.

'Obi-Wan Kenobi'

Among several current or planned “Star Wars” spinoffs on Disney+ (“The Mandalorian,” “The Book of Boba Fett”), the reunion of the iconic characters Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) and Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen) seems like a slam-dunk for fans of the franchise. The series, long-delayed for script polishing, is set years before the first “Star Wars” film. – Levin

'Halo'

One of TV’s longest-gestating projects, the series based on the hit Xbox game centers on a 26th-century conflict with an alien force known as The Covenant and stars Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief Petty Officer John-117. “Halo” was first announced in 2013 for Microsoft’s then-planned video platform. Eventually, it moved to Showtime and now aims to be the first hit for streaming service Paramount+. – Levin

Julia Garner plays fraudster socialite Anna Delvey in "Inventing Anna."
Julia Garner plays fraudster socialite Anna Delvey in "Inventing Anna."

'Inventing Anna'

Julia Garner (“Ozark”) plays the Russian scam artist who posed as New York socialite Anna Delvey in this Netflix series adapted by Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy”) from a New York magazine article. “Anna” (streaming Feb. 11) is notable as the first series Rhimes has created and written since ABC’s “Scandal” in 2012, although “Bridgerton,” which she produced, was a breakout hit in 2020.– Levin

Southern-fried gentleman sleuth Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns in two Netflix sequels to Rian Johnson's murder mystery "Knives Out."
Southern-fried gentleman sleuth Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns in two Netflix sequels to Rian Johnson's murder mystery "Knives Out."

The 'Knives Out' sequel

Director Rian Johnson is planning not one but two “Knives Out” sequels for Netflix and the photos that leaked from the international shoot this summer are criminally good. What we know: For the first installment (expected in the summer) Daniel Craig is back as private detective Benoit Blanc, this time solving a fresh mystery involving Dave Bautista, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr. and Kate Hudson. Glam photos leaked from Greece in June, where the seaside production commenced production. “Aaaaaaaand WE’RE OFF!” tweeted Johnson at the time. “Thanks to all the lovely patient people here in Greece for letting us do all this murdering on their peaceful shores.” – Andrea Mandell

'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'

Writer/director Ryan Coogler's “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (Nov. 11), the follow-up to Marvel’s 2018 culture-changing smash hit “Black Panther,” takes on even greater significance following the death of beloved leading man Chadwick Boseman. How the burgeoning franchise will carry on after losing its title character is the movie’s most searingly compelling secret. Marvel has said Boseman’s role won't be recast, and the new film will honor Boseman and the legacy he helped create. “Wakanda Forever” has been hit with production delays, but is still slated for the prime November spot. – Bryan Alexander

'Avatar 2'

James Cameron first revealed the wonders of the mysterious exoplanet Pandora in 2009’s “Avatar.” Close to $3 billion in the box office and more than a decade later, Cameron is finally ready to return viewers to this world and beyond – bringing back former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), who found a home with Na'vi princess Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and her clan at the end of the first movie. It’s not going to be a pleasure trip. “Avatar 2” (Dec. 16), shot in conjunction with “Avatar 3” (Dec. 20, 2024), will also see new perils and the return of past foes such as Col. Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), who died at the end of the first film. Big explanations and wondrous new worlds await. – Alexander

"Top Gun: Maverick" puts Tom Cruise back in the cockpit.
"Top Gun: Maverick" puts Tom Cruise back in the cockpit.

'Top Gun: Maverick'

We’ve had the need for speed, well, it seems like forever now. Tom Cruise’s long-anticipated return to the cockpit has been sitting on the flight deck for two years after production and COVID-19 delays. But Paramount has released intoxicating trailers of director Joseph Kosinski’s sequel (May 27), with Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell now a still-rebellious Top Gun flight instructor. We strongly urge viewers not to sip hot coffee when the jets start screaming across the big screen. “Maverick” will see the return of original frenemy Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer) and bring new faces such as Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of dearly departed RIO Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards). – Alexander

‘The Batman’

Sure, there was a time when even the concept of Robert Pattinson as "The Batman" (March 4) would be something The Joker would throw out at a Warner Bros. pitch meeting. But in director Matt Reeves' hands, Pattinson's vengeful Caped Crusader is darkly effective, pummeling his foes like they they’re critics bringing up "Twilight." The DC film has rightfully turned into a wildly anticipated movie event, as Batman hunts down serial killer The Riddler (played by Paul Dano). We haven't even touched the surface of this craziness. – Alexander

Billy Eichner leads the cast of gay romantic comedy "Bros," which he also co-wrote.
Billy Eichner leads the cast of gay romantic comedy "Bros," which he also co-wrote.

‘Bros’

Next year looks sensational for queer moviegoers, from Joel Kim Booster’s “Pride and Prejudice”-inspired “Fire Island” to the feature directorial debuts of Billy Porter (“What If?”) and Tig Notaro (“Am I OK?”). One of the most high-profile projects is rom-com “Bros” (Aug. 12), co-written by and starring “Billy on the Street” funnyman Billy Eichner, in what is being touted as the first major studio film with an all-LGBTQ principal cast. Hollywood, get ready for Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live”) and Symone (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”). – Patrick Ryan

‘Don’t Worry Darling’

First-time director Olivia Wilde made one of the most magnificent comedies in years with 2019’s “Booksmart.” Now, she’s back behind the camera and doing a total 180 with an erotic thriller (Sept. 23) about a 1950s housewife (Florence Pugh) in a utopian community whose life begins to unravel. Pugh knows a thing or two about psychological horror from her staggering performance in “Midsommar,” and here, she’s matched up with singer-turned-actor Harry Styles, whose rumored romance with Wilde behind the scenes only stokes curiosity around this movie. – Ryan

How much will Prince Harry hold back about royal life in his memoir?
How much will Prince Harry hold back about royal life in his memoir?

Prince Harry's memoir

If a mere Oprah Winfrey interview set the internet (and the royal family’s hair) on fire, what’s an entire book going to do? "Prince Harry will share, for the very first time, the definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him," publisher Random House announced earlier this year. Details on the Duke of Sussex’s memoir are slim – there’s no title or release date yet – but he’s not been shy about critiquing the royal family and its treatment of his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, since the two gave up royal duties and moved to the U.S. – Barbara VanDenburgh

Bob Odenkirk's memoir “Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama” arrives after his recovery from a heart attack.
Bob Odenkirk's memoir “Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama” arrives after his recovery from a heart attack.

'Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama' by Bob Odenkirk

The beloved star of “Better Call Saul” and “Mr. Show” opens up in this memoir about his journey from cult comedy writer to dramatic actor and action film star, revisiting the highs and lows of show business. This book (out March 1) would have been welcome news no matter what, but it’s especially sweet following Odenkirk’s recovery from a scary July heart attack that saw the star collapse on the set. We’ll take all the Odenkirk we can get. – VanDenburgh

'Booth' by Karen Joy Fowler

Some books hit so hard, the emotional bruise they leave stays tender for years. Such is the case with Fowler’s 2013 marvel “We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves,” winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for fiction. “Booth” (March 8), her first novel since, is about the family behind one of American history’s most notorious figures: John Wilkes Booth. This snapshot of a troubled family in a country in its own throes of change promises difficult insights into our current moment. – VanDenburgh

Jennifer Egan's newest novel is "The Candy House."
Jennifer Egan's newest novel is "The Candy House."

'The Candy House' by Jennifer Egan

By the time this comes out, it will have been nearly 12 years since Egan’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “A Visit from the Goon Squad” was hailed as a postmodern masterpiece. Egan’s forthcoming “The Candy House” (April 5) is a sibling novel to “Goon Squad,” in which tech guru Bix Bouton creates “Own Your Unconscious,” a technology that allows users to access and share every memory they’ve ever had. It’s a concept so killer, it’s hard to believe such technology doesn’t already exist. – VanDenburgh

Viola Davis' memoir "Finding Me" is a personal story of overcoming poverty and dysfunction.
Viola Davis' memoir "Finding Me" is a personal story of overcoming poverty and dysfunction.

'Finding Me' by Viola Davis

Any debate about our greatest living actress that doesn’t include Davis isn’t to be taken seriously. The Oscar-, Emmy- and Tony-winning thespian (“Fences,” “The Help,” “How to Get Away With Murder”) is a creative powerhouse, but just as impressive is her personal story (April 26) of overcoming childhood poverty and dysfunction to become one of the most celebrated artists of her generation. “I believe that our stories, and the courage to share them, is the most powerful empathetic tool we have,” Davis said in a statement shared with The Associated Press. – VanDenburgh

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Top Gun 2,' 'House of the Dragon,' 'Avatar' are can't miss in 2022