While there may still be two months left in 2023 and we shouldn’t look past upcoming releases like The Killer, Anatomy of a Fall, and Napoleon, it is always fun to look at what’s on the horizon for 2024. Next year, we’re projected to get films from Bong Joon-ho, Denis Villeneuve, Luca Guadagnino, and many other talented directors. This list serves as pure speculation as the SAG-AFTRA strike holds a lot of weight, but here are the most anticipated films of 2024.
Dune: Part Two (Denis Villeneuve)
Originally set to come out this year, Dune: Part Two will be the headlining film of 2024 the same way Oppenheimer and Barbie have been for 2023. The packed cast of Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, and Josh Brolin is enough to make you excited. But then factoring in that it’s the sequel to the 2021 Dune and I’m all in. That film, also from Villeneuve, was packed with great action and a gripping narrative. I expect nothing less from Dune: Part Two.
Mickey 17 (Bong Joon-ho)
I wrote about Mickey 17 a few months back in a blog about Robert Pattinson, and as we inch closer, I get more excited. The upcoming science fiction thriller stars Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, and Naomi Ackie and is directed by Best Picture winning director Bong Joon-ho. This is actually his first film since Parasite in 2019. The plot for Mickey 17 is still a bit unclear, but the Letterboxd description states “Mickey 17 is an “expendable”, a disposable employee, on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of its memories intact.” I’m a huge fan of Joon-ho and when you couple him with Pattinson, you’re cooking with fire.
Challengers (Luca Guadagnino)
Much like Dune: Part Two, we were supposed to get Challengers this year, but the SAG-AFTRA strike led to it being pushed. It’s disappointing, but just adds to the great lineup of films for 2024. When it comes to directing unique love stories, Luca Guadagnino is king. From Bones and All to Call Me By Your Name, he doesn’t miss. When I saw the trailer for this dramatic love triangle centered around the world of professional tennis, I became invested. The stakes feel high and the tension looks palpable. Challengers is towards the top of my list of films for 2024.
Joker: Folie à Deux (Todd Phillips)
I want to preface this by saying I absolutely HATED the 2019 Joker film so I’m not exactly thrilled there will be a sequel. With that being said, there is a lot of anticipation with this film. It’s been rumored to be a musical or have musical elements — that can make this film extremely unique or will drive the audience away and adulterate the original Joker that many people love. Joaquin Phoenix will reprise his Best Actor winning role alongside Lady Gaga and Brendan Gleeson. Adding those two to the cast does make me kind of excited for this. I’ll definitely be seated opening night, but I’m not going into this with high expectations.
Furiosa (George Miller)
I don’t want to rehash this argument, but Mad Max: Fury Road was robbed of Best Picture. It’s the definition of highway robbery. But director George Miller didn’t let that keep him down. He’s returning to the Mad Max franchise in 2024 with Furiosa. The Letterboxd synopsis of Furiosa is “As the world falls, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers into the hands of a great biker horde led by the warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the wasteland, they encounter the citadel presided over by Immortan Joe. The two tyrants wage war for dominance, and Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.” Playing the role of Furiosa is one of my favorite actresses, Anya Taylor-Joy. If you’re not excited about Furiosa, then you probably don’t have a pulse.
Drive-Away Dolls (Ethan Coen)
With No Hard Feelings, Bottoms, and Lousy Carter coming out this year, it feels like comedies are back. Drive-Away Dolls appears to be a film that could continue the comedic momentum into 2024. Starring Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Beanie Feldstein with supporting performances from Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Bill Camp, and Miley Cyrus, Drive-Away Dolls looks to be a hilarious take on a heist style film. I originally thought it was strange that Ethan Coen, the guy who directed No Country for Old Men and Inside Llewyn Davis was weird, but then I remembered he’s directed films with great humor like Burn After Reading and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. I’m excited for this.
Paddington in Peru (Dougal Wilson)
Everyone’s favorite lovable bear is back, and this time he’s in South America. Ben Whishaw is back as Paddington, but where I’m a little nervous is that Paul King isn’t directing. King did help to write Paddington in Peru, but Dougal Wilson was tasked with directing the third installment of the PCU (Paddington Cinematic Universe). I’m pumped that we’re getting a new Paddington film, but am nervous that Kings not at the helm of it. Nevertheless, I’ll probably love it and it’ll just give me the nostalgic feel I derive from the prior Paddington movies.
Argylle (Matthew Vaughn)
I have mixed emotions about Argylle. On one hand, this looks like a half-baked action film that’s trying too hard to be quirky. On the other hand, having a cast that consists of Sam Rockwell, Bryce Dallas Howard, Henry Cavill, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, Dua Lipa, and Samuel L. Jackson can’t be that bad. The initial trailer leaves you wanting more in a disappointed way, but that could be the soft sell from Matthew Vaughn, a director that I like very much seeing that he directed Kingsman: Secret Service and Kick-Ass.
Gladiator II (Ridley Scott)
There’s a lot of films I look at and think that we need a sequel to them. A few examples would be The Nice Guys or Dredd. But not Best Picture winning Gladiator. However, that won’t curb any intrigue I have towards Gladiator II. I’m obviously amped that Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn will be sharing the big screen. I guess my excitement meter will go up or down based on how entertaining Napoleon is. If it’s a giant piece of garbage with unnecessary filler and over the top action sequences then I’ll be out on Gladiator II. If it’s the other way around and the sweeping battle scenes work, then Ridley Scott has someone who will be seeing Gladiator II on opening night.
The Fall Guy (David Leitch)
The plot for The Fall Guy kind of feels like Once Upon A Time In Hollywood if DiCaprio went missing and was a full on action flick. So maybe it’s not like Once Upon A Time In Hollywood at all. Well, never mind that rambling. David Leitch, who directed a cult favorite in 2022 with Bullet Train, returns with another action film that has an equally star-studded cast as Bullet Train. Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Stephanie Hsu are set to star in this adventure thriller that we don’t know much a lot about yet. But that’s kind of glorious.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (Wes Ball)
Concerned isn’t the word I’d use for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. I’d say I’m cautious. I think that the recent Planet of the Apes trilogy is the best trilogy of the 2010s decade and was an innovative take on a dead franchise. I don’t want Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes to bastardize that. We won’t get any returning cast members or Matt Reeves directing. That’s probably where concern creeps into my mind. It’s cool we’re getting another Planet of the Apes film, but it’ll really suck if this flops.
Untitled Jordan Peele Project (Jordan Peele)
As of right now, I know nothing about this film. Critics know nothing about it. I’m sure 99.9% of Hollywood knows nothing. Actually, I’m convinced the only person who knows something about it is Jordan Peele. He’s a modern day horror genius who has taken the genre by storm with his creative twists to retread topics making you feel like you’re seeing a groundbreaking film every time he releases a movie. With a predicted release on Christmas next year, I might have to leave family dinner early to see this.
Memoir of a Snail (Adam Elliot)
Adam Elliot hasn’t directed a feature film since 2009 when he rolled out his heartfelt animated flick, Mary and Max. I truly adore that film, so seeing Elliot preparing for another feature makes me happy. He’s great at tackling issues of mental health and loneliness through homely, animated figures. His unique approach to those topics is refreshing on top of being pertinent. You better believe I’ll be seated for Memoir of a Snail.