By Quintin E.
2023 brought us some memorable and forgettable movies! We, for one, were delighted to gaze upon some long-awaited titles that had been postponed due to the human malware we had going around a while back (cough-cough COVID!). 2024 has just started, and we have a brilliant forecast ahead. Here are 10 of the movies we are looking forward to!
1. Joker: Folie à Deux
If you are like us, you probably mentally pronounced that title wrong a handful of times. Putting the exotic name aside, this much-awaited and surprising sequel to the twisted tale of Joker is no doubt pushing the envelope when it comes to mixing genres. This musical is set to be released on October 4, with Lady Gaga gracing our screens in the role of Harley Quinn. We can’t wait to see how this turns out!
2. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Anya Taylor-Joy has got her work cut out for her. Following in the success of Charlize Theron will be no easy feat, but the glimpses we’ve gotten so far seem more than promising, to say the least. Chris Hemsworth also joins the cast to hopefully deliver a thunderous (pun intended) performance as we explore Furiosa’s origin story. This movie will explode onto theater screens on May 24.
3. Deadpool 3
We are howling with excitement for this one! Yes, yes, Ryan Renolds is back, wohoo, in this R-rated MCU movie, but WOLVERINE!!! Yes, Hugh Jackman is back as Wolverine. Judging from some pics circulating on the interwebs, he is ripped and ready for action. Do we need to say more? Jennifer Garner rounds out the cast of the title that is no doubt going to be a crowd-pleaser. It will be released in theaters on July 26.
4. Inside Out 2
Ah. The pleasure of watching our favorite characters grow up has got me feeling all…anxious. Get ready to turn your emotions inside out when the sequel to Inside Out finally arrives on June 14. The brilliant and beloved cast from the first movie will be returning with a few more emotions in the form of Anxiety accompanied by a bit of emotional baggage, and we mean that very literally. We, for one, are excited to see how this film unpacks the complex emotions of growing up in easily relatable terms for the young and the not-so-young.
5. Gladiator 2
After killing it with the first Gladiator film, Ridley Scott is back in the director’s seat 24 years later, and we will get to see Denzel Washington join this epic historical piece. What can we expect? Well, we aren’t entertained by the idea of waiting for the release on November 22. But what we do look forward to is following the story of Lucius, nephew of the nefarious Commodus. While we don’t know for sure what will develop in the arena, we can be pretty sure Lucius won’t be stepping up to be Caesar. What is sure, though, is that our 24-year wait will be well worth it and that this epic will surely get a thumbs-up from me.
6. Elio
Now we come to Elio, the only film on this list that isn’t a sequel or prequel. With Pixar’s recent movies being more misses than hits, I am so hyped to see what this original story will deliver. The conceptual design, creativity, and visuals so far seem beyond stunning. We got a good feeling about this! Most of the movie seems to follow Elio around in space as he tries to avoid having Earth vaporized and somehow get back to his mom! Hold onto your seats when it is released on June 13.
7. Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Oh, what a tease the sneak peek is. What is Project Shadow? Who is the ultimate life form? The teaser is giving us little to go on, but you can bet your last dime. We are having Christmas early on December 20 when this hits theaters. Most of the cast we met in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is returning. The cast includes Idris Elba hits hard as Knuckles, Jim Moustache Carrey, Ben Sonic Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaunhnessey as Tails, and James Marseden. This is the third installment of Sonic the Hedgehog, and hopefully, it will enjoy the same success as the previous two parts.
8. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Alternative human history narratives should really be taught in school. Here, we find Planet Earth, about 300 years after the end of the last Planet of The Apes movie. On May 24, we will get to contemplate this alternative reality where apes rule, and humans lurk in their shadows. With a crazy ape leader looking to build an empire, there will no doubt be plenty of action to go around. Will there be any parallels to our current reality?
9. Beetlejuice 2
You can’t beat the classic undead-cop-who-was-a-B-movie-star-when-he-was-alive story. In this follow-up to the 1988 spooky comedy, Tim Burton brings his A-game together with William Dafoe, who is undoubtedly bringing his A-game. Joining the ghostly ensemble is Jenna Ortega from Wednesday, alongside original cast members Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Michael Keaton. Get ready for a spooky September 6 release in theaters.
10. Dune: Part 2
Last but certainly not least is the eagerly awaited release of part 2 of Dune. The action is turned up to 11 in this epic cinematic experience. The previous cast is joined by Florence Pugh and Christopher Walken. We will be awed as we witness Paul Atreides fight for his planet, uniting with the Fremen and Chani. Plagued by visions of a seemingly inevitable disastrous future, he faces an impossible choice involving love, war, and the fate of the universe. Not long now, my friends. Shai-Hulud (Sand Worm) will rise again on March 1!
