While 2023 wasn’t exactly a banger year for Hollywood, there were still enough offerings to keep movie fans engaged.
Hopefully, 2024 can offer more pictures akin to Oppenheimer and less half-hearted efforts like the abysmal Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Looking at the slate, it appears we’re in for another sequel-heavy slate, with 30+ sequels/remakes on the docket. That’s not to say these can’t be good, but it would be nice to see a few more original films spliced in between the franchises.
That said, there are a few movies to look forward to — read on to see which movies I’m penciling in on my calendar.
Night Swim (Jan. 5)
As a kid, I often floated around my backyard pool with a book. In Summer 1999, I indulged in Stephen King’s The Green Mile, a lengthy novel that took hours to complete—specifically because I’m a pretty slow reader whose mind has a tendency to shut down for long periods. At any rate, I do remember occasionally freaking out while roasting in the Sun and thinking that some creature—like, say, Bruce the Shark—would suddenly emerge from the water’s depths and swallow me whole. It’s the kind of random ridiculous nightmare conjured by our imaginations that’s perfectly ripe for a Hollywood feature. Luckily, the powers behind last year’s breakout hit, M3GAN, decided to tackle this silly subject matter, turning a family’s swimming pool into a monster haven in Night Swim. The trailers look ridiculous, but perhaps director Bryce McGuire can craft a few fun scares to entertain us while we deal with the post-holiday blues.
The Beekeeper (Jan. 12)
Jason Statham teams up with David Ayer for this outlandish action farce about a literal beekeeper who goes on a bloody revenge tour against a group of scammers. There’s nothing particularly remarkable about the trailer. Still, at the very least, this looks like passable entertainment in the vein of Taken.
Mean Girls (Jan. 12)
Like the recent adaptation of The Color Purple, Paramount’s Mean Girls hopes a musical spin will be enough to convince audiences to participate in a remake of a classic film. This isn’t a soulless retelling of the Mark Waters/Tina Fey 2004 comedy that starred youngsters Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Amanda Seyfried (feel old yet?), but rather a big-screen version of the Broadway musical based on that film. So, it’s different… right? The trailers hit all the familiar beats to ensure fans are adequately satisfied. Still, the cultural landscape has changed significantly enough over the last 20 years to warrant an adaptation that tackles issues facing teens today. Here’s to hoping this one lives up to its potential and becomes a surprise hit.
Origin (Jan. 19)
Ava Duvernay’s Origin is an adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste, a 2020 non-fiction book that parallels America’s racial divide to a caste system. It’s a hard-hitting thesis, and Duvernay’s film promises to pull no punches if her past work is anything to go off of. Curiously, the movie casts Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Isabel Wilkerson herself — meaning that Origin may take a Nomadland approach to its material when it comes to blending reality and cinema. At any rate, it promises to be a harrowing watch.
Argylle (Feb. 2)
I can’t wait for Argylle to hit theaters, mostly so I don’t have to watch the trailer anymore. I’ve seen it at least a dozen times at this point—and yes, I’m in, if only because Sam Rockwell as an action hero is likely crazy enough to work. Matthew Vaughn typically doesn’t disappoint, and it’s always fun to see Henry Cavill in anything — wonky haircut notwithstanding.
Lisa Frankenstein (Feb. 9)
In terms of originality, Lisa Frankenstein could deliver precisely what moviegoers seek come Valentine’s Day. A bizarre dark comedy from writer Diablo Cody and director Zelda Williams, this has plenty of potential to become a cult horror classic or a misfire in the vein of Renfield.
Out of Darkness (Feb. 9)
Admittedly, the trailer to Bleecker Street’s Out of Darkness looks rather pedestrian, but reviews for the horror survival pic are through the roof—94% on Rotten Tomatoes from 17 critics. Gorgeous visuals and a compelling hook ensure a ticket purchase from me.
Bob Marley: One Love (Feb. 14)
The latest Hollywood biography looks to shed light on the iconic Bob Marley and the inspiration behind his classic songs. Star Kingsley Ben-Adir looks phenomenal in the role. With King Richard director Reinaldo Marcus Green at the helm, there is potential for another stirring musical drama like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman. Will One Love do enough to distinguish itself in an oversaturated genre?
Madame Web (Feb. 14)
Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney as Spider-Women who team up to battle an evil Spider-Man does, at the very least, sound appealing. Yet this looks like another silly cash grab designed to set up the studio’s long-gestating Sinister Six. I’m not particularly excited about this one, but maybe director SJ Clarkson will surprise us and deliver a superhero epic that reinvigorates our love for the genre.
Land of Bad (Feb. 16)
Every year seems to deliver some sort of gripping military vehicle that I have to see in theaters. Last year was Guy Richie’s terrific The Covenant, and this year offers Land of Bad, starring Liam and Luke Hemsworth and Russell Crowe, which looks like it hits plenty of familiar troupes—a mission gone awry leaves US soldiers stranded in foreign territory, leading one man on a quest to bring them home—but with solid results. Director William Eubank has yet to break out in a big way, but maybe Land of Bad is his golden ticket to the big time.
Drive-Away Dolls (Feb. 23)
Ethan Coen. That’s all you need to know about this crime caper about two women who get caught up in (what else) a money scheme gone awry. The trailer looks fantastic, as does the cast, headlined by Geraldine Viswanathan, Matt Damon, and Pedro Pascal (among others). I saw the first trailer for this months ago and quickly put it on my must-see flicks. You should, too!
Dune: Part Two (March 1)
Finally, after needlessly pushing Denis Villeneuve’s anticipated sequel back four months, we’re finally going to get the further sandy adventures of Paul Atreides. I’ve avoided the trailers—I’m sold, why should I spoil the movie?—but have seen enough to make me think Dune: Part Two could be the movie event of the year. I still think WB made a mistake moving this one from November, where it would have toppled lackluster competition en route to big holiday bucks. Hopefully, the early March date won’t impact its box office because I won’t be the only one clamoring for a Part 3.
Road House (March 21)
Did we need a remake of Road House? Probably not, but come on—Doug Liman and Jake Gyllenhaal tackling one of the best action pics of the 1980s? I’m sold on that pairing alone. Of course, the direct-to-Prime release doesn’t give me much confidence in the film’s overall quality, but no one expects high art from this one. The original Road House is top-notch B-movie material. So long as Liman matches the original’s gritty tone—read: sex, violence, and testosterone-fueled camp—there’s no way to mess this up.
The American Society of Magical Negroes (March 22)
Here’s a film that’s sure to stoke the flames of social politics on both sides of the political spectrum. Justice Smith stars as a young man who discovers the titular American Society of Magical Negroes, whose job is to make the lives of white people easier. The trailer looks more lighthearted than the synopsis suggests, with solid satire and a sweet love story at its center. This could be a good comedy that stirs meaningful discussions if done right. At the very least, the pic from comedian Kobi Libii looks like a unique offering.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (March 29)
Gil Kenan takes the director reigns from Jason Reitman on this followup to the fan-centric Ghostbusters: Afterlife. I’m still not sure we need more Ghostbusters—the original is a got darned masterpiece that stands just fine on its own—but Kenan’s take hews closer to the animated series, which presents some interesting opportunities. Hopefully, we’ll get a story that propels the franchise in exciting directions this time around, one that takes full advantage of its all-star cast and premise.
Kung Fu Panda 4 (March 29)
How good was Puss in Boots: The Last Wish? Good enough to make me interested in another Kung Fu Panda flick. While I enjoyed the previous three films, a fourth one wasn’t on my list of necessary chapters. Yet, the trailer looks fun, and I’m game for anything with Jack Black. Maybe the team behind this sequel found a compelling story worthy of the big-screen treatment … or this might be another hollow attempt to cash in on a once-popular brand.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (April 12)
The trailer to the follow-up to Godzilla v Kong was genuinely terrible—especially after the incredible Godzilla Minus One!—but I’m always up for big-screen Kaiju action. I’m also a fan of director Adam Wingard. So, sure, I’ll give this latest creature feature a chance, if not begrudgingly.
Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (April 19)
Was the first part of Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon series a knockout home run? Not exactly, but that doesn’t make me any less interested to see where he goes in the follow-up. The trailer promises more action and stylized, slow-mo violence, which is what Snyder does best. I’m all for different things and consider myself part of the “Snyder Cult,” so I’m eager to see where his sci-fi drama goes and even more curious about the extended cuts that will be released shortly after that.
Civil War (April 26)
Another film designed to rile up the masses, Alex Garland’s Civil War nonetheless looks like a fascinating cautionary tale. Kirsten Dunst stars in this thriller about, you guessed it, a modern-day civil war in the United States. It doesn’t seem that far-fetched given our political climate. Will this be a balanced view of our clashing political ideologies designed to bring us together, or a divisive film meant to push us further apart? As someone who enjoyed Ex Machina and Annihilation, I can’t wait to see what Garland cooks up.
