The 30 Most Anticipated Films of 2024

Consequence Staff

January 9, 2024 at 12:00 PM·16 min read

Oops!
Something went wrong.
Please try again later.
Oops!
Something went wrong.
Please try again later.
Oops!
Something went wrong.
Please try again later.

The post The 30 Most Anticipated Films of 2024 appeared first on Consequence.

The film industry, it seems, just can’t catch a break — first the obstacles presented by the pandemic, then last year’s unfortunately necessary double strike. While there is the potential for another strike in 2024, this feels like a good time to cross our fingers for a relative return to normalcy, and look forward to the most anticipated movies 2024 has to offer.

This includes the usual assortment of prequels, franchise installments, and superheroes — though maybe a few fewer of the latter than usual. The real superheroes may instead be directors like Alex Garland, Rose Glass, Bong Joon-ho, Denis Villeneuve, Luca Guadagnino, George Miller, Jordan Peele, and M. Night Shyamalan; we may not know much about some of these projects, but their involvement alone is enough to get us excited about this year in cinema.

— Liz Shannon Miller
Senior Entertainment Editor

Mean Girls (January 12th, 2024)

Directed by: Samantha Jayne, Arturo Perez Jr.
Cast: Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Auliʻi Cravalho, Christopher Briney, Jaquel Spivey, Bebe Wood, Avantika, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, Jenna Fischer, Busy Philipps, Jon Hamm, Ashley Park, Mahi Alam, Connor Ratliff
Studio: Paramount

Despite the deeply odd marketing decision to confuse anyone who didn’t realize that this isn’t a remake of the beloved comedy but, rather, a film adaptation of the Broadway musical, anticipation seems to slowly be building for Mean Girls. Renee Rapp has some serious star power — and yes, the studio could’ve easily had a hit on their hands had the trailer just been her singing “World Burn,” but that’s a conversation for another day. — Mary Siroky

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (Madame Web, February 14th; Kraven the Hunter, August 30th; Venom 3, November 8th)

Studio: Sony

The SSU has always been a joke, and with the MCU’s current state, 2024 could be make-or-break for the Spider-Man-adjacent franchise. Perhaps Madame Web can revitalize things (a nonsense first trailer doesn’t offer much hope), or maybe the R-rated Kraven the Hunter can pump in fresh blood (does more violence = better?). Meanwhile, the strikes delayed Venom 3, so we’ll see if that even arrives this year. — Ben Kaye

Drive-Away Dolls (February 23rd, 2024)

Directed by: Ethan Coen
Cast: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Bill Camp, Matt Damon
Studio: Focus Features

Helmed by Ethan Coen (yes, that Ethan Coen) and co-written by his wife Tricia Cooke, Drive-Away Dolls follows two women (Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan) who embark on a road trip and, of course, find themselves crossing paths with a host of clueless criminals. Also featuring the likes of Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, Beanie Feldstein, and more, the film looks to be another absurd, Coen-esque affair. — Jonah Krueger

Dune: Part Two (March 1st, 2024)

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Tim Blake Nelson, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Léa Seydoux, Souheila Yacoub, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem
Studio: Warner Bros.

The Hollywood strikes couldn’t stop the spice from flowing forever, so we’re finally headed back to Arrakis for Dune: Part Two. The sequel to the Oscar-winning first entry was scheduled to arrive back in November, but with the star-studded cast unavailable for promotion, the studio shifted it back a few months. Fans can finally exhale through their filt-plugs when the film arrives in March. — Abby Jones

Love Lies Bleeding (March 8th, 2024)

Directed by: Rose Glass
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Dave Franco, Ed Harris
Studio: A24

Directed by Rose Glass, A24’s Love Lies Bleeding stars Kristen Stewart as a reclusive gym manager who comes from a family of criminals in a rural Nevada town. And she’s looking ripped — as is her co-star Katy O’Brian. The sapphic crime thriller set in the 1980s comes crashing into theaters on March 8th. — A. Jones

Road House (March 21st, 2024)

most anticipated movies 2024 road house amazon prime

Road House (Prime Video)

Directed by: Doug Liman
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior, Billy Magnussen, Jessica Williams, Darren Barnet, Arturo Castro, J.D. Pardo, Conor McGregor
Studio: Prime Video

Honestly, if any other actor was headlining this direct-to-Prime Video remake, it’d probably be a pass. But Jake Gyllenhaal’s more deranged choices are always worth checking out, and the film is also directed by Doug Liman, whose action bonafides include The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow. Fingers crossed the film can at least live up to the late night action cheese joy of the original, even if lines like “I used to fuck guys like you in prison” maybe don’t hold up as well in 2024. — L.S. Miller

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (March 22nd, 2024)

Directed by: Gil Kenan
Cast: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Celeste O’Connor, Logan Kim, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts
Studio: Sony

After Ghostbusters: Afterlife revitalized the beloved franchise, the door opened for Frozen Empire to take a completely fresh approach, with writer/director Gil Kenan taking inspiration from The Real Ghostbusters cartoon to create a unique antagonist and plot. As the first bustin’ project since original director Ivan Reitman’s passing, it’s time to see if this new generation can shoulder the proton packs on their own. — B. Kaye

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (March 29th, 2024)

Directed by: Adam Wingard
Cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, Fala Chen
Studio: Warner Bros.

Godzilla vs. Kong pitted the two kaiju against each other in spectacular fashion, and now the former foes must join forces to face an even bigger threat to both Hollow Earth and the surface above. Proving they mean business, Godzilla has gone supernova with atomic pink fire breath and Kong has acquired a bionic arm. The New Empire has all the makings of another thrilling MonsterVerse romp. — Eddie Fu

Civil War (April 26th, 2024)

Directed by: Alex Garland
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Cailee Spaeny, Jesse Plemons, Nick Offerman, Karl Glusman, Sonoya Mizuno, Jonica T. Gibbs
Studio: A24

Distributed by A24, Alex Garland (Ex-Machina, Annihilation) takes on the story of a divided America… imagine that. With a heavy-hitting cast including Kirsten Dunst, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jesse Plemons, Nick Offerman, and more, the film is sure to inspire plenty of discourse once it drops, regardless of its ultimate quality. Maybe it’s best to stay off of Twitter after catching this one. — J. Krueger

Challengers (April 26th, 2024)

Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Cast: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist
Studio: United Artists

Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming tennis drama Challengers looks tense, to say the least. The story follows a tennis champion, his wife, and his coach as he faces an ex-lover in a “Challengers” tournament. The film stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor, and with a score from previous Guadagnino collaborators Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, that’s a collection of talent that already feels like a win. — Paolo Ragusa

The Fall Guy (May 3rd, 2024)

Directed by: David Leitch
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Stephanie Hsu
Studio: Universal

After his career-redefining performance in Barbie, Ryan Gosling gets a nice juicy lead role in this adaptation of the classic 1980s action show; he’s also, following his standout work in 2011’s Drive, playing another stunt guy. This stunt guy, though, is out to solve a mystery that threatens to shut down the movie being directed by his ex-girlfriend (Emily Blunt). With John Wick co-director David Leitch involved, the action is sure to be epic. — L.S. Miller

Back to Black (May 10th, 2024)

Back to Black (Focus Features)

Directed by: Sam Taylor-Johnson
Cast: Marisa Abela, Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan, Juliet Cowan, Lesley Manville
Studio: Focus Features

Amy Winehouse’s life story is the subject of Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s upcoming biopic, with Marisa Abela portraying the late singer during her early years of stardom. Winehouse’s estate is known to be adamant about accurately representing the UK singer’s life, so the fact that the project has been approved to feature her music feels promising. – Sun Noor

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 24th, 2024)

Directed by: George Miller
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke
Studio: Warner Bros.

Nearly a decade after Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller is finally returning to the Mad Max universe to focus on a wasteland survivor. While famously played by Charlize Theron in Fury Road, Anya Taylor-Joy will instead take up the mantle for the tale of Furiosa’s origins. Expect ludicrously pimped-out rides, very specific fashion choices, and lots of sand. — J. Krueger

Ballerina (June 7th, 2024)

John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate)

Directed by: Len Wiseman
Cast: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves
Studio: Lionsgate

Spinning off from John Wick’s origin story as a member of a Ruska Roma crime syndicate, Ballerina centers around Ana de Armas as a female assassin taking revenge on those who killed her family. With returning appearances from Anjelica Huston, Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, and the late Lance Reddick, the stars are aligned for the film to be a welcome addition to the franchise’s rich mythology. — E. Fu

Inside Out 2 (June 14th, 2024)

Directed by: Kelsey Mann
Cast: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, Maya Hawke
Studio: Disney

The sequel to Pixar’s 2015 hit is set to arrive on June 14th, transporting us back into the mind of a now-teenaged Riley. Amy Poehler will return as Joy, with Maya Hawke joining the feelings crew as new addition, Anxiety. (Been there.) The teaser hinted at more emotions joining the mental party, as well. — A. Jones

Twisters (July 19th, 2024)

Twister (Universal)

Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung
Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, Sasha Lane, Kiernan Shipka, David Corenswet
Studio: Universal

Did the world really need a sequel to 1996’s Twister? Not necessarily. Yet there’s at least one reason to be excited for Twisters (plural): the fact Lee Isaac Chung, the director behind 2020’s extraordinary Minari, chose to make it his follow-up project. Chung’s enlisted a damn exciting ensemble, including future Superman David Corenswet, as his storm-chasers. Plus, one can only hope we got cows! — L.S. Miller

Deadpool 3 (July 26th, 2024)

Deadpool 3 (Disney)

Directed by: Shawn Levy
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand, Jennifer Garner
Studio: Disney

As the only movie coming from the floundering Marvel Cinematic Universe this year, there’s a lot riding on Deadpool 3. Bridging the mutant gap between Fox’s Marvel movies and the MCU proper while also furthering (and hopefully clarifying) the Multiverse Saga brings high stakes to the threequel. More importantly, the return of numerous pre-MCU stars (including Hugh Jackman’s fully costumed Wolverine) has nerdom on high alert. — B. Kaye

Trap (August 2nd, 2024)

Oppenheimer (Universal)

Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Hayley Mills
Studio: Universal

The summer of 2023 found us all re-appreciating the many qualities Josh Hartnett brings to the screen, thanks to Black Mirror Season 6 and Oppenheimer. Now, with a lead role in the new M. Night Shyamalan thriller (always a marquee event, because if nothing else the director is never boring), he may cement his return to star status. Like most Shyamalan movies, plot details are scarce beyond it being a psychological thriller set at a concert — so you know Consequence will be paying attention. — L.S. Miller

Borderlands (August 9th, 2024)

most anticipated movies 2024 borderlands teaser image

Borderlands (Lionsgate)

Directed by: Eli Roth
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Bobby Lee, Édgar Ramírez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, Jamie Lee Curtis
Studio: Lionsgate

Hopping on the long train of adaptations of beloved video games, Borderlands will get the feature film treatment this August. Horror aficionado Eli Roth will be directing the adaptation, and the cast is already looking terrific — Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black are all slated to appear. — P. Ragusa

Alien: Romulus (August 16th, 2024)

Alien (20th Century Fox)

Directed by: Fede Álvarez
Cast: Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Spike Fearn, Aileen Wu
Studio: 20th Century Studios

Let’s say this movie falls into the category of “cautious optimism,” as Don’t Breathe director Fede Alvarez seems likely to return the world of Alien to its gritty horror roots, with a young cast that includes Isabela Merced and Priscilla breakout Cailee Spaeny. It might not be a stone-cold classic on the level of Ridley Scott or James Cameron’s entries, but Romulus should at least be good for a few big scares. — L.S. Miller

Beetlejuice 2 (September 6th, 2024)

Beetlejuice (Warner Bros.) and Jenna Ortega (Netflix)

Directed by: Tim Burton
Cast: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe
Studio: Warner Bros.

Believe it or not, Beetlejuice 2 is happening. Tim Burton and Michael Keaton are back, as are Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, to tell the next chapter in the story of everyone’s favorite striped-suit-wearing ghost with the most. This time joined by Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe, the plot of the sequel remains a mystery, but color us cautiously optimistic. — J. Krueger

Wolfs (September 20th, 2024)

Ocean’s Eleven (Warner Bros.)

Directed by: Jon Watts
Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Poorna Jagannathan
Studio: Sony Picutures/Apple TV+

George Clooney. Brad Pitt. Two good enough reasons to get excited for this movie. And then there’s the premise, in which two professional fixers find themselves in direct competition — like if Harvey Keitel’s character from Pulp Fiction had to contend with… himself. Written and directed by Spider-Man: Homecoming director Jon Watts (another reason to get excited!), Wolfs has a lot of promise. — L.S. Miller

Joker: Folie a Deux (October 4th, 2024)

Directed by: Todd Phillips
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Zazie Beetz
Studio: Warner Bros.

Now, personally, I can’t think of anything funnier than the fact that the Joker sequel seems to be doing a major pivot away from what some people loved about the dark, dismal Oscar-winning first installment starring Joaquin Phoenix. They’ve added Lady Gaga and they’ve made it a musical — consider me absolutely seated. — M. Siroky

Gladiator 2 (November 22nd, 2024)

Gladiator (DreamWorks)

Directed by: Ridley Scott
Cast: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, May Calamawy, Derek Jacobi, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Pedro Pascal
Studio: Paramount

Nearly 25 years after the success of the original, Ridley Scott is returning for a sequel to Gladiator. It’s an all-star affair: Paul Mescal, beloved for his work in more artsy, indie projects, will be making the leap to leading man status as the grown Lucius Verus. Drop in Denzel Washington and expectations are high. — M. Siroky

Wicked: Part One (November 27th, 2024)

Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum
Studio: Universal

A two-part Wicked adaptation is making its way from Broadway to the silver screen. Part One will track Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as she begins her journey to becoming the Wicked Witch of the West, power ballads and all. Also set to appear are Ariana Grande as Glinda, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz, and Michelle Yeoh as Madam Morrible.– P. Ragusa

Untitled Karate Kid Movie (December 13th, 2024)

jackie chan ralph maccio new karate kid movie 2024

Jackie Chan in The Karate Kid (Sony Pictures) and Ralph Macchio in Cobra Kai (Netflix)

Directed by: Jonathan Entwistle
Cast: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio
Studio: Sony

Back in November, it was reported that Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio were set to reprise their respective roles as Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso in the upcoming Karate Kid movie, bringing together multiple generations of the franchise. How the new film will incorporate the long-running spinoff Cobra Kai is the biggest question mark at this time, as the show’s creators say they’re not involved. — S. Noor

Mufasa: The Lion King (December 20th, 2024)

The Lion King (Disney)

Directed by: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani
Studio: Disney

Prequels are an increasingly exhausting trend across both film and television (there are at least two on this list, maybe three if you count Wicked) but it’s hard not to be intrigued by what Oscar-winning writer/director Barry Jenkins might bring to this photo-realistic addition to the lore of The Lion King. Also, in a funny twist, actors Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. will be voicing the characters of Mufasa and Scar (respectively) — after playing Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. (respectively) in NatGeo’s Genius. — L.S. Miller

Untitled Jordan Peele Film (December 25th, 2024)

Jordan Peele on the set of Nope, courtesy of Universal

Directed by: Jordan Peele
Cast: TBA
Studio: Universal

Jordan Peele’s follow-up to 2022’s Nope is currently slated for release on Christmas Day 2024. Much like Peele’s past films, details are being kept under wraps for now — and frankly, even when we do get casting news or trailer, we’re still likely to be left in the dark. But Peele’s earned our trust three times over by now, so it’s sure to be a gift. — A. Jones

Nosferatu (December 25th, 2024)

Nosferatu (Focus Features)

Directed by: Robert Eggers
Cast: Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Willem Dafoe
Studio: Focus Features

Robert Eggers has recruited an all-star cast to take on a reimagining of the classic story of Nosferatu: Horror staple Bill Skarsgard will be playing the titular vampire, while Lily-Rose Depp is set to star as the woman who can’t evade his advances. Details are still slim, but we can expect the movie to begin haunting theaters in December. — M. Siroky

Mickey 17 (TBD 2024)

Directed by: Bong Joon-ho
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo
Studio: Warner Bros.

Following the historic success of his Oscar-winning 2019 film Parasite and 11 years after the acclaimed Snowpiercer, Bong Joon-Ho is set to return to the world of (potentially dystopian) sci-fi with his upcoming feature. Starring Robert Pattinson, Mickey 17 is still relatively shrouded in mystery, but in Bong we most certainly trust. Warner Bros. moved this film off its originally announced release date on January 9th, but we’ll hold out hope on it coming out this year. — M. Siroky

The 30 Most Anticipated Films of 2024
Consequence Staff

New on Yahoo