The Most Anticipated Movies Of 2024
Musical adaptations, imaginary friends, and facing our fears… we’re talking about the most anticipated movies of 2024. As a new year begins, Pop Culture Planet is sharing recommendations of the movies you need to add to your watch list.
A Quiet Place: Day One
John Kraskinski directed, co-wrote, and starred opposite his wife Emily Blunt in A Quiet Place, which followed a family trying to survive a world that required them to be completely silent to avoid killer, but sound sensitive, aliens.
This year brings us A Quiet Place: Day One, a prequel that will introduce us to the origins of this post-apocalyptic world. Led by Lupita Nyongo’o, Joseph Quinn, and Alex Wolff, this new spin-off is set in the same world but follows a new cast of characters.
A Quiet Place: Day One will debut June 28, 2024 in theaters.
- Kristen Maldonado
Argylle
Argylle is one of the few 2024 new releases that we’ve already gotten the trailer for — and it has us excited! The film follows shy author Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) who wrote a series of best-selling espionage novels. Her recluse tendencies of homebody nights with her computer and cat take a turn when the plot of her fictional books begin to mirror the real events of a spy organization. The real life secret agent Argylle (Sam Rockwell) is on a mission to unravel a global spy syndicate, so he takes Elly and Alfie under his wing to race across the world and try to stay one step ahead of the killers as Elly’s fictional world and her real one begin to mix.
Alongside Howard and Rockwell, the star-studded Argylle cast includes Henry Cavill, John Cena, Dua Lipa, Bryan Cranston, Sofia Boutella, Ariana DeBose, Catherine O’Hara, and Samuel L. Jackson. The film is directed and produced by Matthew Vaughn, best known for his work on Tetris, Rocketman, Kingsman, and X-Men: First Class.
Argylle hits theaters on February 2, 2024.
- Jordan Bohan
Beetlejuice 2
What did we all do to get this lucky? Tim Burton is gifting us with a sequel to his cult classic film Beetlejuice. The original 1998 film has become renowned as one of the most cherished and enduring comedy films that holds a special place in households everywhere, especially during the Halloween season. The first film concluded with the ghostly Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis) peacefully coinciding with the living Lydia (Winona Ryder) and her family, while Beetlejuice himself (Michael Keaton) awaits his destiny in the afterlife waiting room. It’s an upbeat ending, but fans are ecstatic to have a continuation of this eclectic groups escapades.
I myself am a fan of the movie and, since the announcement of the second movie, I’ve felt like Beetlejuice patiently sitting in the waiting room — for 30 years! But, the waiting time won’t be much longer as the second installment is set to release on September 6, 2024. In the meantime, I’ll still be meekly awaiting for Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, and this generations scream queen Jenna Ortega who will play Lydia’s daughter to grace our screens.
- Danielle Forte
Challengers
Zendaya is arguably the world’s most in demand actor, with her astounding performance as Rue, the tortured soul who took audiences through the euphoric highs and lows of a recovering teenage drug addict on the hit Max show Euphoria.
Well, you know what they say, may the New Year bring new beginnings, and Zendaya took that to heart, with the anticipated release of her new film Challengers. It’s a role and character we haven’t seen Zendaya take on yet. Zendaya plays Tashi, a tennis player turned coach, who has transformed her husband (Mike Faist) from a mediocre player into a world-famous grand slam champion. To jolt him out of his recent losing streak, she makes him play a challenger event, which is close to the lowest level of tournament on the pro tour. Tensions soon run high when her husband finds himself standing across the net from the once-promising, now burnt-out Patrick (Josh O’Connor), his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend. The trailer itself is jam-packed with tense moments, all with romance and tennis — sign me up!
Challengers premieres April 26, 2024.
- Danielle Forte
Civil War
In the apocalyptic film Civil War, the U.S. government faces off against the Western Forces, an army made up of Texas and California. Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Nick Offerman, and Cailee Spaeny star.
Civil War debuts April 26, 2024.
- Kristen Maldonado
Damsel
Netflix's favorite actress Millie Bobby Brown stars in Damsel, a story about a young woman who agrees to marry a handsome prince (Nick Robinson) — only to discover it was all a trap. She is thrown into a cave with a fire-breathing dragon and must rely solely on her wits and will to survive.
The action adventure film is set to release on March 8, 2024 and will be exclusively streaming on Netflix.
- Danielle Forte
Deadpool 3
Ah, Deadpool, the witty, ever-quipped, unlikely superhero that we all know and love. Deadpool has consistently gone against the grain in terms of superhero movies as he frequently breaks the fourth wall with humorous and sarcastic remarks. Given its explicit nature in a world of very mild, PG superhero movies, Deadpool is very popular — and with Ryan Reynolds playing the protagonist there was no chance the films would not not be a huge success.
Deadpool 3 is set to release in theaters on July 26, 2024. I’m not alone when I say this film has been highly anticipated, especially with the franchise dropping hints of the plot, *wink, wink, Deadpool’s frenemy, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Reynolds has been tantalizing us with Wolverine jokes since 2016 and we have been ready to see these two have it out on the big screen!
- Danielle Forte
Dune: Part Two
After the box office success of Dune in 2021, fans have been anxiously awaiting part two of the screen adaptation of author Frank Herbert's books. In Dune: Part Two, Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he must prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet will reprise their roles as Chani and Paul Atreides, while this new part promises to introduce five new characters from the novels, including Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen played by Austin Butler and Princess Irulan, portrayed by the queen herself Florence Pugh. The star studded cast and visuals are enough to get me in a seat with a bucket of popcorn on March 1, 2024!
- Danielle Forte
Horrorscope
If you’re in your zodiac era, this upcoming horror film is going to terrify you. Led by Jacob Batalon, Avantika, and Humberly González, Horrorscope finds a group of college friends begin dying in ways connected to their fortunes after getting their horoscopes read. It’s based on the novel from 1990s by Nicholas Adams.
Horrorscope is set to hit theaters on May 10, 2024.
- Kristen Maldonado
IF
John Kraskinski returns with another film that he writes, directs, and stars in with IF. In the live-action meets animation fantasy comedy, Bea gains the ability to see other people’s imaginary friends or IFs. When she discovers The Man Upstairs has the same ability, they work to help IFs that have been abandoned by kids before they’re forgotten forever.
The star-studded ensemble includes Ryan Reynolds, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Maya Rudolph, Jon Stewart, Bobby Moynihan, Sam Rockwell, Sebastian Maniscalco, Christopher Meloni, Richard Jenkins, Awkwafina, and Steve Carell.
IF is set for release on May 17, 2024.
- Kristen Maldonado
Imaginary
From the masterminds behind Five Nights at Freddy’s and M3GAN comes Blumhouse’s new film Imaginary — that’s right another film about imaginary friends... When Jessica (DeWanda Wise) and her family move back into her childhood home, her youngest step daughter Alice (Pyper Braun) develops an uncomfortable attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey that she finds in the basement. In the trailer, we see Alice start playing games with Chauncey that begin playful only to turn sinister. As Alice’s behavior becomes erratic and concerning, Jessica intervenes only to learn that Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy she believed him to be.
This stuffed bear is a fresh take on the typical evil force hiding behind dolls, houses, and even a possessed hand. The footage is also eerily (and very fittingly!) soundtracked by The Temptations’ “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me).” Blumhouse continues to raise the bar when it comes to the horror genre and Imaginary looks to be no different.
Catch Imaginary in theaters on March 8, 2024.
- Jordan Bohan
It Ends With Us
Based on the best-selling TikTok phenomenon It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, this film has already gained plenty of buzz. The BookTok fan-favorite was all the rage for romance readers and is now getting turned into a feature film.
The movie stars Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Brandon Sklenar with set photos making front page news earlier this year. Production was put on hold due to the strikes, but fans rest assured that the movie will still be coming out in 2024.
- Jordan Bohan
Inside Out 2
As you grow up, new emotions come into play. A sequel to 2015’s Inside Out, the film continues to follow Riley as she grows up — and that means introducing more new emotions. Like… Anxiety!
Inside Out 2 hits theaters on June 14, 2024.
- Kristen Maldonado
Joker: Folie a Deux
When I say I’m excited for this movie, that is an understatement. Joker: Folie a Deux is a sequel to the 2019 film Joker — and it has a twist. It’s a musical starring none other than the brilliantly talent Lady Gaga. She absolutely smashed her breakout acting role as struggling artist Ally in A Star is Born, proving she’s quite literally perfect and not bad at anything. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as the DC Comics character the Joker while Lady Gaga plays Harley Quinn. Zazie Beetz also reprises her role from the first film.
All fans are anxiously awaiting this film’s premiere. I’m not alone in saying that Gaga and Phoenix are absolute powerhouses in the industry and I cannot wait to see their chemistry unfold on screen. Prior to the set October release for this anticipated film, Lady Gaga and Phoenix have been seen filming in New York City on the infamous stairs that were featured in the first film — I feel like they’re teasing us at this point! Joker: Folie a Deux will be in theaters on October 8, 2024.
- Danielle Forte
Kung Fu Panda 4
Eight years after Kung Fu Panda 3, Jack Black returns as Dragon Warrior Po for a brand new adventure. He looks for his new successor while taking on the role of the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. All while battling a new foe called The Chameleon. Viola Davis, Awkwafina, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, and Ian McShane star.
Kung Fu Panda 4 premieres in theaters on March 8, 2024.
- Kristen Maldonado
Lisa Frankenstein
Starring Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse, Lisa Frankenstein follows an angsty teen in a colorful 70s world as she accidentally brings a corpse to life... who turns out to be the man of her dreams. This film has already garnered a lot of attention for being Zelda Williams, daughter of Robin Williams, directorial debut and the return of screenwriter Diablo Cody, known for classics such as Jennifer’s Body.
The title of the film has its own quirks blending in the hyper colorful world of Lisa Frank and gore of Frankenstein. When I first saw the trailer, I couldn’t keep quiet about it because it looks like it has all the elements to be a quirky horror comedy with the creative team and outstanding cast behind it.
- Paola Cardenas
Madame Web
In Madame Web, Dakota Johnson stars Cassandra Webb, a New York City paramedic who begins to show signs of being clairvoyant. When she is forced to confront her past, it leads to her protecting three young women with powerful futures from a mysterious villain who wants them dead. Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O’Connor, Emma Roberts, and Adam Scott also star.
Her web connects them all when Madame Web hits on February 14, 2024.
- Kristen Maldonado
Mean Girls
From the mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic. That’s right, we're getting a movie adaptation of the Broadway musical Mean Girls based on the hit 2004 film!
New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the popular clique “The Plastics,” ruled by queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp, reprising her role from the Broadway show) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). But she makes the big mistake of falling for Regina’s ex Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney). With the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), can Cady stay true to herself while navigating the cutthroat world of high school? On Wednesdays we wear pink, but on January 12 we hit the theater to see Mean Girls.
- Kristen Maldonado
Mickey 17
Robert Pattinson stars as Mickey Barnes, a disposable employee on an expedition to colonize the ice world of Niflheim. But when one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. Based on the science fiction novel by Edward Ashton, Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackle, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo round out the cast.
Following the success of his Oscar winning film Parasite Bong Joon-ho returns to direct Mickey 17, debuting March 29, 2024.
- Kristen Maldonado
Mufasa: The Lion King
In a prequel to the 2019 live-action The Lion King comes Mufasa: The Lion King. Rafiki narrates the story of the rise of one of the greatest kinds of the Pride Lands to Simba and Nala’s daughter. Timon and Pumbaa add commentary to the story of her grandgather. Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani reprise their roles from the remake and are joined by Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harris Jr who voice young versions of Mufasa and Scar.
Mufasa: The Lion King will hit theaters in time for the holidays on December 20, 2024.
- Kristen Maldonado
Night Swim
Move over Jaws, Universal Pictures is starting off the New Year with a horror film bound to make you scared of another body of water!
Night Swim, set for theatrical release on January 5, is about former baseball player Ray Waller (Wyatt Russell), who is forced into early retirement by a degenerative illness. He moves into a new home with his family, hoping the backyard swimming pool will be fun for the kids as well as provide physical therapy for himself. However, a dark secret from the home's past soon unleashes a malevolent force that drags the family into the depths of inescapable terror.
- Danielle Forte
Orion and the Dark
Jacob Tremblay and Paul Walter Hauser star in Orion and the Dark. Orion is afraid of everything, but the thing he fears most is the dark. When his worst fear pays him a visit, Dark whisks Orion away on a roller coaster of an adventure to prove there’s nothing to be afraid of.
Orion and the Dark debuts on Netflix on February 2, 2024.
- Kristen Maldonado
Smile 2
Smile wasn’t just an amazing horror movie. It was innovative and gave a new meaning to what horror is. I remember leaving the theater truly petrified — and it wasn’t because of what was directly on screen. It was what the movie meant as a whole. Smile was a metaphor for how we individually respond and react to trauma. The smile in the literal sense represented the societal pressure people feel to constantly shield their struggles from everyone and fake happiness. And now, it’s been confirmed that we get another story set in this world — I don’t know whether to be happy or terrified!
Smile 2 has been confirmed by Paramount and will be led by Naomi Scott. It’s set to release on October 18, 2024.
- Danielle Forte
The Fall Guy
Based on the 1980s TV show, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt star in The Fall Guy. Gosling finds himself as stuntman Colt who volunteers to investigate the disappearance of the missing star of his ex-girlfriend’s new film so the production won’t get shut down.
Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, and Stephanie Hsu also star, while Lee Majors, who starred in the original show, makes an appearance.
The Fall Guy hits theaters March 1, 2024.
- Kristen Maldonado
The Karate Kid
Legends Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan are uniting for a new Karate Kid movie set to release December of 2024. While not much is known yet, they are seeking a young actor to star in the film… and it coud be you!
- Kristen Maldonado
Wicked: Part One
You know I love a musical, so Mean Girls and Wicked are easily most anticipated films of 2024! A global phenomenon on the Broadway stage, this Wizard of Oz-inspired adaptation tells the story of how a green-skinned woman named Elphaba was framed by the Wizard of Oz and became the Wicked Witch of the West.
With the star-studded cast of Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, and Bowen Yang, this film is just the first of a two part saga that will expand the universe of Wicked based on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. There will even be new songs! Wicked: Part One will hit theaters on November 27, 2024, while Wicked: Part Two will be released on November 26, 2025.
- Kristen Maldonado
