Our Most Anticipated Films For The Rest Of 2024

By now, those who said 2024 would be a weak year for film must feel foolish. Obviously, it’s not as stacked as 2023, but it could be far worse when you factor in how the recent strikes have altered this year’s release calendar. 2024 has already brought us several amazing films, with “Dune: Part Two,” “I Saw The TV Glow,” “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,“ and plenty of others. And the year doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, as we’re amid a stacked summer movie season, followed by a slew of potential awards contenders throughout the fall film festival season. Here are some of the films we are all excited about that have yet to be released.

TWISTERSRelease Date: July 19th
Everyone: The ’90s are officially back! No one asked for a sequel to the hit 1996 film “Twister,” but when you have Lee Issac Chung directing this – fresh off the success of “Minari” – one’s interest grows. Every trailer for “Twisters” makes it look like an absolute blast. It has everything you could ask for: Glen Powell is in a massive pickup truck, looking badass. Check! Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos are playing rival storm chasers. Check! Tornados..that have fire in them? Yes, please. “Twisters” could be one of the biggest hits of the summer.

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINERelease Date: July 26th
Sure, you’re probably wondering why, after constant slander from people about Marvel films, the studio’s only film of 2024 would make this list. Well, believe it or not, there’s a solid chance that this might be the most successful film of the year. What can we say? Seeing Hugh Jackman finally suit up in the blue and yellow and let loose one more time as everyone’s favorite mutant is somewhat delightful. Does it undercut his final appearance in “Logan?” Yeah, it kind of does. Do we also sort of want to see Ryan Reynolds and Jackman cut it up on screen and deliver a bloody fun time? Oh, absolutely. Shawn Levy inspires limited confidence as a director (especially after “Free Guy”). Still, we’re willing to dip our toes into the Marvel pool if Reynolds and crew can tap into the Deadpool magic once again.

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICERelease Date: September 6th
Has Tim Burton’s track record, as of late, been incredibly disappointing? Yes, without a doubt. That being said, after seeing the trailer for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” something feels different about this one. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” might be Burton’s saving grace, as it appears he’s dialing back into that mode of filmmaker that made him and the original film so special. Burton has been incredibly vocal about his commitment to returning to the use of practical effects, which should get people pumped. Seeing the original cast of Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton alongside new additions Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe makes one think we’re in for a potential Burton comeback. With a Venice world premiere recently announced, expectations are higher than ever to see if Burton still has the juice after all.

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUXRelease Date: October 4th
Remember when Todd Phillips directed a “Joker” movie that earned a billion dollars at the box office and double-digit Academy Award nominations? It might feel like a fever dream, but people love the dark prince of crime. Joaquin Phoenix is returning to the role that won him an Oscar, and now he’s paired with the one and only Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. That’s not even the best part. “Joker: Folie à Deux” is a full-blown jukebox musical. Now, do we know if Phillips and co. will be able to pull this off? Maybe. But, from the first trailer, it looks like a massive step up technically, and Gaga seems to have brought the right energy to pull off this transition. “Joker: Folie à Deux” might be the most intriguing film to come out for the rest of the year. They do say that lightning does indeed strike twice.

ANORARelease Date: October 18th
After the raves from Cannes this year, it sounds like, with “Anora,” Sean Baker has made what some have considered his best work yet. Baker’s continued exploration into the world of sex workers leads him to craft a wild Cinderella story of sorts featuring a star-making performance from Mikey Madison. The filmmaker’s grounded indie sensibilities have been appreciated by many, which may be his chance to receive his long-overdue recognition from the Academy.

THE ROOM NEXT DOOR

Release Date: October 18th
After many years, legendary Spanish filmmaker Pablo Almódovar is making his English language feature debut with “The Room Next Door,” anchored by two lead performances from Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. Almódovar has been on a tear with his recent features, “Pain and Glory” and “Parallel Mothers,” so whatever he plans to make next is enough to get us all lined up at the cinema for his next artistic endeavor.

NICKEL BOYS

Release Date: October 25th
Adapted from the Colson Whitehead novel of the same name, “Nickel Boys” might be the heavy-hitting drama critics rally behind this year. Academy Award-nominated filmmaker RaMell Ross’s first narrative feature focuses on two African American boys navigating the horrors of the infamous Dozier School for Boys. If you know anything about the tragic history behind the story itself – which we’re still discovering to this day – it will translate into a gut-wrenching tale informing people of a dark side of American history that, for many, has been swept under the rug. The film stars Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Hamish Linklater, Daveed Diggs, and Fred Hechinger. We’re already preparing for “Nickel Boys” to emotionally devastate us.

BLITZRelease Date: November 1st
It has been six years since Steve McQueen’s last narrative feature, “Widows.” And, after his underrated heist-drama came out to what felt like a more muted response, this year, we are finally being graced with a new narrative film from the Academy-Award-winning filmmaker. McQueen’s historical drama “Blitz” delves into inter-family drama and is set in London during the backdrop of World War II. Aside from an amazing cast including Saoirse Ronan, Harris Dickinson, and Stephen Graham, not much is known about the project. After his 2023 documentary “Occupied City,” it’s apparent that McQueen is fascinated by telling stories of Europe from a time when they were at the hands of one of the greatest evils to face the world. There’s still a lot under wraps about this film, but McQueen’s name alone certifies a degree of quality we’ve come to expect from his work.

CONCLAVE

Release Date: November 1st
It’s easy to say Edward Berger’s “All Quiet on the Western Front“ adaptation was a massive success. After that film earned multiple Academy Awards, including Best International Feature, Berger has now swapped the front lines of World War I for the bureaucratic intrigue and deception of the catholic church. “Conclave,“ adapted from the novel of the same name, has a slew of heavyweight performers, such as Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. The thriller-esque nature of the story finds a Cardinal finding a new successor for the Pope after learning about a major secret of the former Pope himself that must be uncovered. It’s an interesting departure for Berger, but “Conclave“sounds like a prestige drama that could turn heads this award season.

GLADIATOR IIRelease Date: November 22nd
You’re delusional if you thought that “Gladiator II” wouldn’t be on this list. At 86 years old, Ridley Scott has the gall to return to the world of his beloved Best Picture-winning film and create what the President of International Distribution at Paramount has said to contain “one of the biggest action sequences ever.” Scott is a filmmaker who has delivered plenty of misses, but when he hits, he knocks it out of the park. This time, Academy Award nominee and indie heartthrob Paul Mescal picks up the sword and shield in the titular role. Then, you throw in Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielsen, and Djimon Hounsou. We’re incredibly overdue for a certified Scott heater, and something about this one just feels special.

WICKEDRelease Date: November 22nd
If you know what “Wicked” is – literally, everyone does – then you know why this film adaptation is a big deal. The long-awaited transition from the Broadway stage to your local movie theater is now over, as “Wicked” aims to be a massive endeavor by filmmaker Jon M. Chu. This first part of a two-part telling features some heavy-hitting vocal power, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Jeff Goldblum, and Peter Dinklage round out the packed cast. With “In The Heights,” Chu showed his visual prowess in crafting an excellent musical adaption, so there should be no reason to be skeptical about his take on this iconic musical. People will not be ready for Erivo’s performance of “Defying Gravity.”

NOSFERATURelease Date: December 25th
After “The Northman” resulted in a disappointing theatrical audience turnout, it seemed that filmmaker Robert Eggers would never get the chance to bring us his spin on the classic vampire “Nosferatu.” Fortunately for all of us, Focus Features doubled down on his talent and is letting Egger let loose in what looks to be a sumptuous horror film that appears masterfully crafted in almost every aspect. The film stars Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Willem Dafoe, and Bill Skarsgård as the titular vampire himself. By the way, the fact that Eggers is refusing to show the design for his iteration of Nosferatu is genius marketing. Hopefully, it stays that way until the film’s release. Eggers has stressed how important it was to him and the crew to do justice to the original classic and the work of Brahm Stoker. In Eggers, we trust.

MARIARelease Date: TBD
On paper, Angelina Jolie and Pablo Larraín feel like a perfect pairing. Larraín’s new film “Maria” chronicles the life of acclaimed opera singer Maria Callas. The film feels like what could be the closing chapter in an unofficial trilogy from Lorraín, following “Jackie” and “Spencer.” Larraín’s ability to shed the norms of traditional biopics and focus on the internal struggle of these iconic women throughout history has led to such thoughtful cinema. Also, it has been quite a while since we’ve seen Jolie give a powerhouse performance, and this might be the opportunity for her to remind everyone the star that she is.

QUEER

Release Date: TBD
If 2024 couldn’t get any better for Luca Guadagnino after the massive critical success of his recent film “Challengers,” then get ready, because he still has another film in the pipeline coming out later this year. Guadagnino’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs’s “Queer” has been something he’s said to have been wanting to tackle for quite a while. Here, Gudadgnino re-teams with “Challengers” screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes and composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for what could be his most personal work since “Call Me By Your Name.” Ultimately, “Queer” is a period piece following a man fleeing from his troubles in Mexico during the 1940’s while slowly being enveloped by a discharged Navy serviceman. “Queer” also gives an actor of Daniel Craig’s caliber to possibly deliver some of his best work yet, alongside Drew Starkey. Guadagnino has emphasized that his take on “Queer” is heavily influenced by the work of Powell and Pressberger. And, yes, the sex scenes will be “numerous and scandalous.” “Queer” is sure to pop up around throughout the festival season throughout the fall.

What do you think of our list? Which films are you most excited to see throughout the rest of the year? Please let us know in the comments section below or on Next Best Picture’s Twitter account and check out our latest Oscar predictions here.