Movies That Will Blow Everyone Away In 2024

Hollywood is always working years in advance. This isn't just limited to epic series like "Lord of the Rings" that require extensive post-production phases. Some films, like Richard Linklater's "Boyhood," take over a decade to come to fruition. The universal truth that major motion pictures take so long to complete means that there are already tons of movies scheduled for the far-off era of 2024. What may still sound like the backdrop for a high-concept sci-fi movie will soon be just the reality we all live and breathe in, and Hollywood is preparing to deliver a deluge of productions that year.

The films currently slated to release in 2024 are largely big-budget blockbuster sequels that will continue beloved stories people have been enamored with for quite a while. However, there are also a handful of original features set for release that will hail from some of the most iconic filmmakers in history. All of these projects inhabit a variety of genres, including family films, action titles, and horror features, and they all have unique qualities that make them the likeliest must-sees of 2024. 

Updated on November 30, 2023: From scary stories and superhero movies to animated adventures and long-anticipated musicals, 2024 is full of awesome offerings. We update this list regularly, so check back often to see what exciting movies the year has to offer.

First announced at Cannes in 2022, "The Beekeeper" unites director David Ayer with action superstar Jason Statham. It began rolling before cameras in September of that year from a script by Kurt Wimmer. The cast is rounded out by Minnie Driver, Jeremy Irons, Josh Hutcherson, and Phylicia Rashad. Statham stars as Mr. Clay, a retired soldier who has settled into a quiet life in the countryside. But when the only person he cares about kills herself after losing all her money to scammers, he goes on a blood-soaked mission of revenge.

What his enemies don't realize, however, is that Mr. Clay is no ordinary soldier; he's actually a member of a clandestine paramilitary organization known as the Beekeepers, which unites the most dangerous operatives in the world. It's a role Statham was born to play — a gruffy, steely-eyed, elite killer out to strike back against those who've wronged him and his loved ones. In the process, he'll go up against any number of dangerous enemies and take on global corruption that goes to the highest levels.

Irons plays the leader of the villainous group while Hutcherson stars as his top lieutenant. The first trailer, released in October, shows neither Ayer nor Statham have lost a step doing what they're best known for: over-the-top action, nail-biting thrills, gut-bursting fist fights, guns-blazing shoot-outs, and high-flying stunts.  "The Beekeeper" will set a high bar for action movies for 2024 when it hits theaters on January 12.

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Originally scheduled for a 2023 premiere, the action comedy "Lift" has recently been pushed back to a January 2024 release on Netflix. Helmed by "Straight Outta Compton" director F. Gary Gray, it's a heist film starring a bevy of big names, led by Kevin Hart. Supporting him is Vincent D'Onofrio (Netflix's "Daredevil"), Gugu Mbatha-Raw ("Loki"), Jean Reno ("Leon: The Professional"), Jacob Batalon ("Spider-Man: No Way Home"), Sam Worthington ("Avatar"), Billy Magnussen ("Game Night"), and Spanish actress Ursula Corbero ("Snake Eyes"). Viveik Kalra, Yun Jee Kim, Burn Gorman, and Paul Anderson round out the rest of the cast.

In the upcoming movie, Hart plays a skilled thief who's dragged into a new job by the FBI. Alongside his ex-girlfriend (Mbatha-Raw) and a team recruited from around the world, he must carry out a daring heist of $100 million in gold while aboard a passenger jet on route to Switzerland. The film is written by Daniel Kunka, the man behind the 2009 John Cena action thriller "12 Rounds," and is produced by "The Batman" director Matt Reeves and Simon Kinberg ("The Martian"). 

After a string of high-profile action hit movies like "Extraction 2" and "Luther: The Fallen Sun" in 2023, Netflix seems to be on a roll in the genre. They'll be looking to keep elevating their success with "Lift," which will arrive on the service on January 12. 

If you're looking for a sleeper pick that might fly under the radar in 2024 but could raise eyebrows as a surprise winner, don't miss "Role Play" from French director Thomas Vincent and writer Seth Owen. The film is led by the unlikely couple of "Big Bang Theory" star Kaley Cuoco and two-time Emmy nominee David Oyelowo, who starred in the Taylor Sheridan series "Lawmen: Bass Reeves." An action-comedy thriller about a couple looking to spice up their mundane marriage, its impressive cast also includes notable names Bill Nighy (the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies) and Connie Nielsen ("Gladiator").

Quirky, sassy Cuoco stars as Emma, a wife and mother living with her family in the suburban hellscape of New Jersey. Her husband David (Oyelowo) thinks they need to shake things up in the bedroom and suggests a little harmless role-playing on their anniversary, and they both pretend to not know each other in an attempt to get frisky. But when their plans go awry, David inadvertently uncovers the dark truth about his wife: She's no ordinary wife and mother — she's actually an elite assassin who's dropped bodies all over the world. Now, ordinary husband David enters the high-stakes world of contract killing when her enemies catch up to her.

A reverse "True Lies," there looks to be more drama and thrills than comedy if we're to judge the upcoming action movie by its initial trailer. You can catch up with it on Amazon Prime on January 12, 2024.

"Kingsman" director Matthew Vaughn returns to the world of high espionage in 2024, but this time, with a twist. "Argylle," ostensibly a starring vehicle for former "Man of Steel" Henry Cavill, centers around a young woman named Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), a renowned author of best-selling spy novels. Cavill — with an awkwardly cartoonish haircut — plays the fictional Agent Argylle in sequences that play out the events of her books. But quiet Conway's life as an acclaimed author is turned upside down when she becomes the target of some very dangerous people, and she finds herself under the protection of a very real super-spy named Aiden (Sam Rockwell). As it turns out, her latest book describes perfectly describes real-world espionage events, and now, the villains want way more than just her autograph.

Dua Lipa and John Cena appear alongside Cavill as part of Conway's fictional cast, while Bryan Cranston plays the movie's big bad and Catherine O'Hara stars as Bryce Dallas Howard's mother. Samuel L. Jackson, Sofia Boutella, Ariana DeBose, and Rob Delaney fill out the roster of stars. Funnily enough, Matthew Vaughn also cast Chip — the real-life pet of his wife Claudia Schiffer — to play Elly's feline companion Alfie. The first trailer for the film gives us a good idea of what to expect from the movie: It's filled with a mix of fast-paced action, explosive stunts, wry humor, and loads of suave charm. This one will hit theaters on February 2, 2024 before eventually heading to Apple TV+.

If you're looking for a throwback movie in 2024 that pays homage to '80s classics, look no further than "Lisa Frankenstein," from first-time feature director Zelda Williams (daughter of Robin) and screenwriter Diablo Cody (who also penned "Juno" and "Jennifer's Body"). An original horror comedy set in the year 1989, the titular Lisa is played by "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" star Kathryn Newton, while Cole Sprouse ("Riverdale"), Liza Soberano ("Alone/Together"), Carla Gugino ("The Fall of the House of Usher"), Joe Chrest ("Stranger Things"), and Henry Eikenberry ("The Crowded Room") also appear. 

In the film, Lisa is a typical morose '80s morose, goth high schooler and social outcast who wants nothing more than to find the perfect boyfriend. The title of "Frankenstein" is earned when she reanimates a good-looking male corpse to meet her needs. Once he's been brought back to the land of the living, though, the flesh-hungry boyfriend (Sprouse) joins Lisa on a killing spree across the town. As their love blossoms, the town is gripped in terror and the body count rises — and a new star-crossed fairy tale is born. It's flashy and bold, and with a story that mixes elements of '80s classics like "Heathers" and "Beetlejuice," it stands to be the perfect homage to the era. 

More than just a black comedy and horror movie, "Lisa Frankenstein" is a dark teen romance for today's twisted times. Rather than land around Halloween, though, it's hoping to capture the lovebirds in the audience when it hits theaters a week before Valentine's Day on February 9, 2024.

When it comes to all-time great directorial duos, few can match the Coen Brothers, who've created classics that include "Fargo," "The Big Lebowski," and "No Country for Old Men." Their last effort was 2018's "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," but while the brothers' next film is nowhere to be seen, Ethan Coen was originally set to return to theaters with a film in 2023, but the SAG-AFTRA strike caused it to be pushed back to 2024. 

Titled "Drive-Away Dolls," it's a road comedy written by Ethan Coen and his wife Tricia Cooke and starring Margaret Qualley ("Once Upon a Time in Hollywood") as Jamie, a lovelorn, laisse-faire woman who's just broken up with her girlfriend. With a heartache that can only be soothed by a cross-country trip, she packs her bags with her straight-laced best friend Marian (played by Geraldine Viswanathan, star of the TBS comedy "Miracle Workers") and gasses up the car for a trip to Florida. During their journey, they encounter some bumbling crooks in classic Coen Brothers fashion, and some madcap hijinks result, largely thanks to the unexpected cargo they're carrying in their car.

Led by a pair of lesser-known names, the supporting cast includes Pedro Pascal and Matt Damon, with Bill Camp ("News of the World"), Beanie Feldstein ("Lady Bird"), and Colman Domingo ("If Beale Street Could Talk"). It has been pushed from its September 2023 release to February 23, 2024.

Another possible Blumhouse classic enters the fray in 2024 in the form of "Imaginary." On the surface, it may seem like just another spooky horror story about a killer doll, but the Jeff Wadlow-directed slasher is a new twist on the idea of a child's imaginary friend and a demonic entity that possesses it. The film stars DeWanda Wise ("She's Gotta Have It") and newcomer Pyper Braun as a mother and daughter, with Tom Payne ("The Walking Dead"), Betty Buckley ("Preacher"), and Veronica Falcon ("Ozark") filling out the cast.

Wise plays Jessica, who moves back into the home she grew up in, with her stepdaughter Alice (Braun) in tow. There, Alice befriends Chauncey, a stuffed bear that Jessica had played with as a child, and he becomes the little girl's new best friend. But as it turns out, Chauncey is no mere stuffed animal and holds a deadly malice towards Jessica for having abandoned him years before. And when it delivers its vengeance, it targets Alice — and soon everyone else in its orbit.

On a relatively small budget, "Imaginary" should do well while dishing out plenty of fright with a new take on the classic deadly doll story. It was originally scheduled for a February 2 release, but the SAG-AFTRA strikes moved this one back to March 8.

After decades of struggling and an unsuccessful 2016 remake,  "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" brought the series back from the dead in 2021. A huge hit with critics and audiences, the revival recaptured the spirit of the original two films en route to a strong box office run, in spite of its post-COVID release date. It follows a group of youngsters battling ghosts; Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), grandchildren of Egon Spengler, are joined by Podcast (Logan Kim) and their science teacher, Mr. Grooberson (Paul Rudd). Original stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Annie Potts also return to lend a helping hand.

"Afterlife" gets a sequel in 2024, "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire." It was originally slated for a late 2023 release, but was pushed back amid the 2023 Hollywood strikes. When it does arrive, "Frozen Kingdom" will continue the adventures of the new generation of Ghostbusters, while Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Emily Alyn Lind, and British comedian James Acaster have been added to the ensemble. A trailer, released in November 2023, shows a new ghostly threat to New York that turns the Big Apple into an icy wasteland. With the help of the veteran Ghostbusters, the youngsters and Mr. Grooberson must fire up their proton packs and get behind the wheel of the Ecto-1 to save the city. It's currently on tap for a March 29, 2024 theatrical release.

It might be tough to go bigger than the 2021 blockbuster crossover "Godzilla vs. Kong," but the sequel, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," is going to give it a shot in 2024. The previous film faced a mighty challenge, released to theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but it still managed to net an impressive $470 million. With theaters once again a big attraction these days, the sequel stands to fare much better. 

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" will see the return of Rebecca Hall as Dr. Ilene Andrews and Brian Tyree Henry as Bernie Hayes, while "Downton Abbey" star Dan Stevens joins the franchise in the leading role. Fala Chen, Alex Ferns, and Rachel House round out the cast. But while the first film sees the epic meeting between two titanic terrors and their ensuing battle for supremacy, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" will flip the script. Following the introduction of the Hollow Earth and picking up where the last film leaves off with Kong and Godzilla as reluctant allies, the sequel will see the two beasts team up to take on a new menace that has emerged from deep within a hidden realm. Audiences are also promised a greater glimpse into the history of these ancient monsters when the film releases on April 12, 2024.

Led by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Justin Martinez, Chad Villella, and Tyler Gillett, indie studio Radio Silence has turned out some pretty impressive films. This includes "Ready or Not" starring Samara Weaving and Adam Brody, and both "Scream" and "Scream VI." In 2024, they'll return with an as-yet-untitled movie which will reimagine a classic movie monster.

Though little is known about the film, it's notable that it was at one point using the title "Dracula's Daughter," the name of a 1936 classic about the vampire's offspring, Countess Marya Zaleska. If that proves to be the basis for the film, then we can perhaps expect either Kathryn Newton or Melissa Barrera to play the titular daughter, as they've both been attached to the project. The rest of the movie's roster includes Dan Stevens of "The Guest" and "Downton Abbey" fame, alongside Giancarlo Esposito of "Breaking Bad," Kevin Durand of "Lost," Alisha Weir of "Darklands," William Catlett of "Black Lightning," and the late Angus Cloud of "Euphoria."

Written by Guy Busick ("Ready or Not") and Stephen Shields ("Hole in the Ground"), some speculate the film could be a musical, but that's far from certain. Either way, it's scheduled to drop on April 19, 2024.

"The Fall Guy" was originally a TV show that starred Lee Majors and aired on ABC for five seasons in the 1980s, with the plot revolving around an action movie stunt man who spends his spare time working as a bounty hunter. And in 2024, it's getting the feature-length treatment, with a movie adaptation headlined by Ryan Gosling and helmed by "Bullet Train" director David Leitch. Gosling isn't the only recognizable name in this action feature, though, as Emily Blunt ("A Quiet Place"), Stephanie Hsu ("Everything Everywhere All at Once"), Winston Duke ("Black Panther"), Aaron Taylor-Johnson ("Bullet Train"), and Hannah Waddingham ("Ted Lasso") are all set to round out the ensemble cast. You can also expect an appearance from Lee Majors himself.

As for the plot, the movie is ditching the bounty hunter angle. Instead, Gosling will play retired stuntman Colt Seavers, who's called back to show business when his director ex-girlfriend (Blunt) needs him to step in and save her movie after the film's leading man (Taylor-Johnson) disappears. With Leitch's filmography, including titles like "Atomic Blonde" and "Deadpool 2," we can expect propulsive energy, zippy atmosphere and incredible action sequences.

After all, we know the movie will feature a ton of real-deal stunts. Speaking with Collider, producer Kelly McCormick assured moviegoers, "All of [the stunts] will have elements of practical, and a lot of them will be 100% practical. In fact, our visual effects guys are happy and sad that their jobs are really marginalized on this one." McCormick went on to say, "It just feels like we're paying homage to the stunt community and to, really, cinema and those of us who make the movies." Expect to see the practical action go down on May 3, 2024.

Hollywood just can't quit "Planet of the Apes." Following a series of four films and a TV sequel in the '60s and '70s, Tim Burton tried to reboot the franchise in 2001. A modern-day trilogy starring Andy Serkis as revolutionary chimp Caesar landed a decade later, with the third film, "War for the Planet of the Apes," closing out the story with his death. Now, six years later, the franchise returns with another sequel, "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes."

Helmed by Wes Ball and penned by Josh Friedman, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Patrick Aison, the film is set decades, if not centuries, later. Ape society is fully in control, while mankind has been reduced to animal status, and the titular planet appears much like the world visited by Charlton Heston in the original film. Here we meet a young feral human woman named Mae (Freya Allan), who becomes friends with a chimp named Noa (Owen Teague). Together, they set out to stop the tyrannical ape ruler Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), who twists the peaceful teachings of his predecessors and seeks out ancient and deadly human technology to further cement his rule. 

William H. Macy, Dichen Lachman, Eka Darville, and Ras-Samuel Welda'abzgi fill out the rest of the cast. We're sure to go bananas when "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" hits theaters on May 24, 2024.

One of America's most beloved comic strips, "Garfield" has been running since the late 1970s, and the Monday-hating orange tabby may be just as famous on the screen as he is on the page. Adapted into a string of prime-time animated specials that spawned a hit cartoon series in the late 1980s, "Garfield" finally got his own movie in 2004, where he was voiced by Bill Murray. Since then, he's returned in his own CGI-animated series "The Garfield Show," and in 2024, he's coming back to theaters for another shot at the big screen.

A fully CG-animated adventure, "Garfield" gets a superstar voice cast, with the famous feline himself voiced by Chris Pratt, who seems to have found a niche as an animated voice actor after "The Lego Movie" and "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." But Pratt isn't the only big name to join the fun. His fellow MCU star Samuel L. Jackson has come on board to provide the pipes for Garfield's father, Vic. "X-Men: Days of Future Past" actor Nicholas Hoult, "Mission: Impossible" stalwart Ving Rhames, "Saturday Night Live" veterans Bowen Yang and Cecily Strong, and "Ted Lasso" stars Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein are also lending their vocal talents to the film.

Behind the scenes, it'll be DNEG handling the animation, a studio that normally supplies first-rate CGI effects for some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters like "Fast X" and "Jurassic World: Dominion." Disney screenwriter David Reynolds ("Finding Nemo"), meanwhile, is crafting the script, with "Chicken Little" helmer Mark Dindal directing. After securing a February release initially, the film was bumped to May 24, 2024.

"The Watchers" is a supernatural thriller based on the novel by A.M. Shine that's already raising eyebrows, thanks to its director, Ishana Shyamalan. The daughter of director M. Night Shyamalan, Ishana Shyamalan cut her teeth on her father's Apple TV+ series "Servant," serving as a producer while writing and directing a number of episodes herself. "The Watchers" will be her big screen debut when it premieres in 2024.

In the novel, we meet Mina, a woman who becomes lost in an Irish forest. She joins three others who struggle to survive while hiding in a glass bunker and being imprisoned by strange, otherworldly monsters. In the film, actress Dakota Fanning of "The Alienist" will star as Mina, while Georgina Campbell — BAFTA Award winner and star of "Barbarian" — has been cast in a leading role alongside her.

The script was a hot commodity in Hollywood, and the subject of a minor bidding war among rival studios for the right to produce, with New Line Cinema winning the competition. "The Watchers" has a planned release date of June 7, 2024, and it was announced in Variety that due to its independent financial backing, the film had received a waiver to allow it to go before cameras in mid-2023, despite the then-ongoing actors' strike.

Pixar is known for franchises like "Toy Story" and "Cars," and in 2024, they'll add another to its ranks with "Inside Out 2." The first film in the series was released back in 2015, and while the kids who saw it in theaters may have aged out, the sequel stands to bring in a whole new generation.

Written and directed by Pixar veteran Pete Docter, the first "Inside Out" centers around a young girl named Riley, whose emotions manifest as characters inside her head. For "Inside Out 2," much of the cast returns, led by Amy Poehler who is back as Joy. Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling are being replaced by Tony Hale ("Arrested Development") and Liza Lapira ("The Equalizer") as Fear and Disgust. Lewis Black (Anger) and Phyllis Smith (Sadness) are back, however, and a teaser trailer has revealed a new emotion is being added to the mix: Anxiety, everyone's favorite stressor, voiced by Maya Hawke ("Stranger Things"). 

It seems the emotions have their work cut out for them in this installment, which will see Riley embark upon the rocky road of adolescence. Moving into a new house was one thing — this is a completely different kind of journey. Will Joy, Sadness, and the rest of the old crew learn to like Anxiety? What about the other new emotions headed their way? We'll have to wait for June 14, 2024 to see how it all goes down.

After a five-season run on the smash hit neo-Western "Yellowstone," Kevin Costner is returning to the big screen in 2024 with "Horizon: An American Saga." An ambitious story that will be told across four separate films, "Horizon" will also see Costner return to the director's chair, where he won an Oscar in 1991 for "Dances With Wolves." He's also co-written the script, which will bring him back to his favorite genre: the Western.

A sprawling, epic tale, "Horizon: An American Saga" will feature a broad ensemble cast that includes Costner himself, Sienna Miller ("American Sniper"), Jamie Campbell Bower ("Stranger Things"), Isabelle Fuhrman ("Orphan"), Michael Rooker ("Guardians of the Galaxy"), Sam Worthington ("Avatar"), Jeff Fahey ("Lost"), Danny Huston ("Yellowstone"), Luke Wilson ("Stargirl"), Thomas Haden Church ("Spider-Man: No Way Home"), Kathleen Quinlan ("Apollo 13"), and Giovanni Ribisi ("Friends"), Tatanka Means ("Reservation Dogs"), and Jena Malone (the "Hunger Games" series), among others. They will play a wide range of characters including pioneering settlers and Native Americans, in a story that chronicles, according to its official synopsis, "the lure of the Old West and how it was won — and lost — through the blood, sweat and tears of many." 

Set between 1861 and 1865, the first two films in the saga get to the heart of the emotional and personal drama of the American Civil War, as families and friends are torn apart. The first film is slated to be released on June 28, 2024, while the second is currently scheduled for just two months later on August 16, 2024.

Following in the footsteps of "Jurassic World" and "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" comes the follow-up nobody saw coming, to be released on July 19, 2024. Yep, we're talking about "Twisters," the sequel to the classic 1996 disaster thriller "Twister," which stars Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton as a pair of storm chasers who've invented a new way to collect data on tornadoes.

"Twisters," which isn't expected to see any of the original cast return, will star some pretty promising up-and-coming names. We've got Daisy Edgar-Jones of "Normal People," Glen Powell of "Top Gun: Maverick," Brandon Perea of "Nope," Anthony Ramos of "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts," Kiernan Shipka of "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," and Maura Tierney of "ER." They'll be joined by a talented roster that includes Sasha Lane of "American Honey," Nik Dodani of "Atypical," David Corenswet of "Superman: Legacy," Tunde Adebimpe of "The Idol," Katy O'Brian of "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," and Harry Hadden-Paton of "The Crown." "Top Gun: Maverick" director Joseph Kosinski was initially sought to direct, back when the film was first getting off the ground in 2020, but when a deal couldn't be worked out, Oscar-nominated director Lee Isaac Chung ("Minari") signed on to sit behind the camera.

The script will be handled by "The Revenant" co-writer Mark L. Smith, who takes over for Michael Crichton of "Jurassic Park" fame, the original creator. It's easy to forget, but that original was a major '90s blockbuster, totaling almost half a billion at the box office and boasting some stunning special effects. Can the sequel follow suit? We'll possibly find out on July 19, 2024, which is the film's scheduled release date. Despite the recently concluded actors' strike, The Hollywood Reporter has said there should be enough time for "Twisters" to wrap everything up and release on time. 

M. Night Shyamalan films are definitely divisive, but the director's willingness to take big swings on unique projects always make his movies must-watch experiences. That's especially true now that he's focused himself on making smaller, stranger titles, a la "The Visit," "Split," and "Old." Whether you loved these movies or hated them, they got people talking, and you definitely haven't forgotten about them. That's what makes Shyamalan special — he's always bringing something fresh to a cinematic landscape dominated by familiar brand names.

And now, we're excited to see what Shyamalan has in store next. In 2023, he faced the apocalypse with "Knock at the Cabin," and in 2024, he'll be leading us straight into a trap. Well, that's the name of the movie anyway. "Trap" is set for release on August 2, 2024, and while we don't know much about the plot, Deadline reports that it's a "psychological thriller set at a concert." But will it be an original Shyamalan script? Will it be adapted from a previous work, like what he did with "Knock" and "Old?" Will it feature any big names he's worked with before? We're not sure. The only other bit of info we know at the moment is that "Trap" will be the first film as part of a multi-year first-look deal Shyamalan signed with Warner Bros., meaning the director is leaving his long-time studio of Universal behind.

If you're looking for a studio with a consistent track record of first-rate horror movies and thrillers, look no further than Blumhouse. Since 2010, they've made some of the most popular and critically acclaimed films around. They've also served as a showcase for up-and-coming directors' visions, including James Wan's "Insidious," Jordan Peele's "Get Out," and Leigh Whannell's "The Invisible Man." Should you need a safe bet on a nail-biting suspense story in 2024, don't miss Blumhouse's "Speak No Evil."

A remake of a Danish film, "Speak No Evil" is helmed by James Watkins (director of "The Woman in Black"), and will star James McAvoy, whose performance in Blumhouse's "Split" and "Glass" earned him favorable reviews. The original Danish version, released in 2022, follows couple Bjorn and Louise, who are invited — along with their young daughter — to spend a holiday with Patrick, Karin, and their son Abel after they meet on vacation in Tuscany. Planned as a pleasant weekend in a remote village in the Netherlands, Bjorn and Louise's getaway spirals out of control when their hosts begin exhibiting disturbing behavior.

McAvoy will co-star in the film with Scoot McNairy, star of "Argo" and "Narcos: Mexico," and Mackenzie Davis of "Terminator: Dark Fate." Alix West Lefler ("Riverdale") has also been added to the cast. The film is currently scheduled for August 9, 2024, though that might shift, due to the recently concluded SAG-AFTRA strike.

For more than a decade, Sony Pictures has dreamed of building their own cinematic universe around Spider-Man. To this point, they've only managed to get two other characters to the screen, Tom Hardy's Venom and Jared Leto's Morbius, while other films in development like "El Muerte" and even "Aunt May" have languished. Well, another member of Spidey's rogues gallery is finally getting his own movie. "Kraven the Hunter" will be hitting theaters in 2024 hot on the heels of "Madame Web."

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who had his breakout role in the 2010 superhero comedy "Kick-Ass," returns to the genre to play the antihero Sergei Kravinoff. Traditionally, Kravinoff is depicted as a big game hunter, but here, the so-called Kraven does his best to defeat poachers with extraordinary animalistic abilities he got after a deadly encounter with a lion. In addition to Taylor-Johnson, Russell Crowe stars as Kravinoff's father, Nikolai, and Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose ("West Side Story") plays Calypso while Fred Hechinger ("The White Lotus") and Alessandro Nivola ("The Art of Self-Defense") portray Spider-Man villains the Chameleon and the Rhino, respectively. J.C. Chandor of "Triple Frontier" and "All Is Lost" directs.

Long in development, "Kraven the Hunter" finally went before cameras in 2022, with a planned release date of January 13, 2023, before being bumped to October 6. However not long after the first trailer was released in June, the actors' strike forced another lengthy postponement, and it is currently scheduled to drop on August 30, 2024.

"Transformers" is returning to its cartoon roots with "Transformers One." A fully animated feature film — the first for the franchise since "Transformers: The Movie" in 1986 — this new adventure will be a prequel that explores the origins of the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron long before the events of the 2007 blockbuster series starter directed by Michael Bay.

Revolving around the surprising friendship between Optimus Prime and Megatron, this movie will chronicle their journey to becoming bitter rivals and deadly enemies. The voice cast is impressive, with a group of A-list superstars lending their talents to the cartoon prequel. Chris Hemsworth will voice the young Optimus Prime, while Brian Tyree Henry is the new Megatron. "Black Widow" star Scarlett Johansson will voice Elita, Keegan-Michael Key will become Bumblebee, Jon Hamm will play Sentinel Prime, and Laurence Fishburne will portray Alpha Trion.

Directing the movie is "Toy Story 4" filmmaker Josh Cooley, while Steven Spielberg once again serves as producer. "Transformers" fans can expect to see the movie roll out in cinemas on September 13, 2024.

One of the biggest surprises of 2022 was Parker Finn's "Smile," a psychological horror movie that manages to make a pleasant grin into a terrifying ordeal. Adapted from Finn's 2020 short film "Laura Hasn't Slept," the film was initially going to be a direct-to-steaming original amid the pandemic before it pivoted to a theatrical release in the fall. There, it shocked the world and became a surprising box office smash at a time when movies were struggling in theaters, amassing more than $200 million on a minuscule budget. It was also met with rave reviews from both critics and audiences who praised its fresh take on the genre.

Given its success both critically and commercially, it should come as no surprise that a sequel was quickly greenlit and will arrive in 2024. Finn is back to direct and will likely be penning the script once more, though very little is known about the follow-up as of press time. No cast has been announced, and no story revealed, so we don't yet know if it will follow any of the same characters or simply tell another tale in the same universe. But considering the overwhelmingly positive response to the first film, there's very little doubt that the "Smile" sequel will deliver more bone-rattling chills and have audiences bailing for the blankets. It's readying for an appropriate Halloween release, dropping in cinemas on October 18, 2024.

Following his success on the Apple TV+ original series "Slow Horses" starring Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas, director James Hawes was snatched up by 20th Century Studios to helm "The Amateur," a feature-length spy thriller and remake of a 1981 movie of the same name. This new version will star the Oscar-winning Rami Malek, whose run on the cyber-thriller "Mr. Robot" was parlayed into big screen success with "Bohemian Rhapsody," "No Time to Die," and Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer." 

Like the original, which starred John Savage, Christopher Plummer, and Marthe Keller, this remake tells the story of CIA cryptographer Charles Heller (Malek) whose wife is killed in a terrorist attack. While his superiors don't seem particularly interested in tracking down the killer, Heller blackmails them into giving him a crash course in field duty so he can take on the mission himself. After Malek joined the project, it added a bevy of big names including Emmy-winner Rachel Brosnahan and the legendary Laurence Fishburne, though there's no word yet on their roles in the film. Heller's closest confidante is played by Adrian Martinez, while Holt McCallany is reported to be playing CIA Deputy Director Moore. Deadline also revealed that Julianne Nicholson and Caitriona Balfe have also joined the ensemble cast.

"The Amateur" is scheduled to hit theaters on November 8, 2024, but we'll see if that actually pans out. In July 2023, filming shut was down due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, which could impact the movie's release date.

If you're looking to make a top-notch gangster movie about a notorious real-life mobster, then you better cast Robert De Niro, a legend who's appeared in classics like "Goodfellas," "The Godfather Part II" and "The Untouchables," among so many others. But one way to top casting De Niro in a biopic of a famous figure in criminal history is to cast him twice, and that's exactly what director Barry Levinson has done for his 2024 film "Alto Knights" (previously known as "Wise Guys"). The director — who worked with De Niro in 1997's "Wag the Dog" and 2008's "What Just Happened" — has placed the Academy Award winner into dual roles for the upcoming film, which chronicles the rivalry of two real-life mafiosos.

In the film, De Niro will play both Vito Genovese, leader of the Genovese crime family, and his nemesis Frank Costello, head of the Luciano family and target of a failed assassination attempt. It's an unusual move for De Niro, as most movies that feature actors in more than one role typically have their star playing related characters. We're talking siblings, parents, or other family members, and often, it's done in comedies like "Austin Powers" or "The Nutty Professor." Can Levinson pull off having such a well-known and recognizable actor playing the two biggest characters in a dramatic true-crime biopic? Only time will tell, but the film is being penned by "Goodfellas" and "Casino" scribe Nicholas Pileggi, and it will have a supporting cast that includes Debra Messing ("Will & Grace"), Kathrine Narducci ("The Irishman"), and Cosmo Jarvis ("Lady Macbeth"). The film is due for release on November 15, 2024.

After years of stops, starts, and missed release dates, a feature film adaptation of "Wicked" is finally on the way. This vision of L. Frank Baum's Oz reimagines Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, as a sympathetic protagonist. Such a story is told through vibrant musical numbers like "Popular" and "Defying Gravity," which have become enormously popular with theater kids and the general public alike. Given that ubiquity — not to mention the popularity of Oz as a fictional realm — it's no surprise that a movie version of "Wicked" is highly anticipated by the general public. 

This adaptation is being directed by Jon M. Chu, who proved his musical chops while helming the "In the Heights" movie, while Cynthia Erivo of "Harriet" and pop star Ariana Grande headline a star-studded ensemble cast as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. They'll be joined here by the Oscar-winning Michelle Yeoh ("Everything Everywhere All at Once") as Madame Morrible and Jeff Goldblum ("Jurassic Park") as the Wizard of Oz. You can also expect to see the likes of Jonathan Bailey ("Bridgerton"), Bowen Yang ("Saturday Night Live"), Bronwyn James ("Harlots"), Keala Settle ("The Greatest Showman"), Ethan Slater of Broadway fame, and newcomer Marissa Bode, among others.

With actors like this around, there's no question that the beloved musical numbers in "Wicked" will be delivered with plenty of gusto and energy. The potential for memorable imagery in Chu's vibrant visual sensibilities being applied to the land of Oz is also incredibly exciting. It's taken countless years of anticipation, but the first installment in a two-part "Wicked" movie adaptation is scheduled to defy gravity on November 27, 2024. However, we're not sure if it'll actually take flight then, as filming shut down in July 2023 due to the actors' strike.

An absolute icon of the 1980s, "The Karate Kid" stars Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita as teenager Daniel LaRusso and his martial arts mentor Mr. Miyagi, respectively. After a pair of direct sequels, a remake arrived in 2010 starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan as Dre Parker and his mentor Mr. Han. Though it wasn't a big hit, it did keep the franchise alive, and in 2016, said franchise returned to Macchio's films for a streaming series sequel, "Cobra Kai." This led many to believe that we'd seen the last of Parker and Han. But a new "Karate Kid" feature film in 2024 stands to change that.

Hot off six seasons of "Cobra Kai," Macchio will return for a big-screen revival of "The Karate Kid" as Daniel LaRusso. But the real surprise here is that Jackie Chan will reprise his role as Mr. Han, uniting the two versions of the franchise into one cinematic universe. The film will center around a new student from China who discovers purpose and inner strength through martial arts, and it will be directed by Jonathan Entwistle. While we don't know who might fill out the cast, we wouldn't be surprised if characters from "Cobra Kai" make an appearance. The new "Karate Kid" is currently on tap for a December 13, 2024 release.

Disney's live-action remake of "The Lion King" proved divisive among fans and critics, with many feeling it was a wholly unnecessary endeavor. But the box office doesn't lie: "The Lion King" made over $1 billion dollars in theaters, which makes it clear there's a huge appetite for it. Thus, in 2024, it will see a prequel in "Mufasa: The Lion King." Replacing Jon Favreau behind the camera is Barry Jenkins, director of "If Beale Street Could Talk" and the TV miniseries "The Underground Railroad." The latter production stars Aaron Pierre, who will step in as the voice of a younger Mufasa.

Returning cast members for the prequel include Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa, as well as John Kani as Rafiki. Voicing the younger version of Scar — known as Taka in his early days — is "The Trial of the Chicago 7" star Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Once again, Disney will use life-like CGI animation to recreate the stunning photorealistic world of "The Lion King," this time for a story that explores Mufasa's youth. Previews for the film have revealed that a devastating flood leaves him orphaned, to be adopted by another pride. Battling against the odds, this ordinary outsider will rise up to take his place as the king of the jungle on December 20, 2024.

The tale of Count Dracula might be the most retold story on the silver screen. One of the first was an unofficial adaptation: 1922's "Nosferatu." This version introduces Count Orlok, a vampire living in Transylvania who is visited by a real estate agent named Thomas Hutter. It has only been remade once, in 1979, by director Werner Herzog.

In 2024, auteur writer-director Robert Eggers will try his hand at a second remake of the 1922 classic. "It" star Bill Skarsgard will play Count Orlok and Nicholas Hoult (who ironically played the title role in 2023's "Dracula"-inspired "Renfield") will play Thomas Hutter. Lily-Rose Depp joins the film as Ellen, Thomas' wife and the woman Nosferatu becomes obsessed with, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson will reportedly play ship owner Friedrich Harding. Willem Dafoe has also joined the film in the role of Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz.

Stuck in development hell since 2015, Eggers' "Nosferatu" is a passion project for the director that he's refused to let go of. He'll finally see it come to fruition when it lands in theaters on December 25, 2024, making it the perfect Christmas treat for horror fans. 

Another movie delayed thanks to the lengthy Hollywood strikes, "The Bikeriders" made its debut at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, but it won't enjoy a theatrical release until an unspecified date in 2024. When it does arrive, though, it stands to be a major movie for Universal and a possible awards contender. 

"The Bikeriders" is written and directed by Jeff Nichols, who helmed the Golden Globe-nominated "Loving" in 2016. The film's cast is what will get audience attention, though; its ensemble is headlined by Tom Hardy and includes Jodie Comer, Michael Shannon, Austin Butler, Norman Reedus, and Boyd Holbrook. The film focuses on a fictional biker gang called the Vandals in the 1960s American midwest. Kathy (Comer) and her boyfriend Benny (Butler) become enmeshed with leader Johnny (Hardy) as the group of counter-culture rebels grows into a more dangerous gang of criminal miscreants over the course of a decade.

Thanks to its festival debut, "The Bikeriders" has already received strong reviews from the pros. Critics are praising the film for its gritty portrayal of biker culture in the early days of the movement, which fought the establishment but often crossed the line into violence. The film's cast has been getting the lion's share of the credit, with some calling it a game-changer for leading lady Comer.

Netflix has had a lot of success producing their own movies, with hits in just about every genre. They've had sci-fi smashes like "Upgrade," action favorites like "Extraction," and plenty of anime too. Their track record in the realm of pure fantasy is somewhat sparse, and traditional sword-and-sorcery stories are few. That will change with the release of "Damsel," which will star Netflix favorite Millie Bobbie Brown of "Stranger Things" and "Enola Holmes" fame as a young woman who must face a dragon.

The film is being directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, who helmed "28 Weeks Later" in 2007. It tells the story of a young, handsome prince (Nick Robinson) who takes the hand of the beautiful Elodie (Brown). But soon, Elodie realizes that her role as princess is a lie. In truth, she's been chosen to become a human sacrifice to a man-eating dragon in order to save the kingdom. Trapped with a fire-breathing monster, Elodie must find a way to defeat the beast herself — because if she can't, she'll become its next meal.

Alongside Brown, "Damsel" boasts an impressive cast that also includes Robin Wright, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Angela Bassett, and Ray Winstone. The film was initially scheduled to drop on Netflix on October 13, 2023, but has since been moved to an unknown date in 2024. While no reason was given, the fact that its delay came in the middle of a pair of Hollywood strikes probably isn't a coincidence.

Over the last few years, audiences have been treated to a bevy of legacy sequels. Many of them are reprises of '80s classics like "Top Gun," "Blade Runner," and the "Rocky" films. In 2024, fans will get another in the form of a fourth "Beverly Hills Cop" film. Few thought this sequel would ever happen, largely thanks to star Eddie Murphy only reluctantly agreeing to do the third in 1994. This time, though, the actor seems more than happy to be back in action.

The film will be helmed by Mark Molloy, who will be making his feature-length directorial debut. In addition to Murphy, who returns to the role of free-wheeling west coast cop Axel Foley, Judge Reinhold will be back as his partner Billy Rosewood, while Paul Reiser, John Ashton, and Bronson Pinchot reprise their roles from the previous films. A pair of superstar additions to the franchise join the fun with Kevin Bacon and Joseph Gordon-Levitt slated to play a pair of fellow cops.

Though plot details have yet to be revealed, expect the film to be set some 30 years after "Beverly Hills Cop III." A first look at the film has already revealed Foley sporting a Detroit Lions jacket while being confronted by uniformed officers on the street as bystanders gawk. If you want to find out what it's about, you'll have to tune in to Netflix, though no release date has been announced.