The year 2023 was a truly epic one for cinema. From the spectacle that was "Barbenheimer" with the release of Barbie and Oppenheimer. Small-budget, high-quality films like The Holdovers and Godzilla Minus One. To the return of classic franchises like Saw and Indiana Jones. Cinemas also saw the highest box office since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023, with over $9 billion being brought in.
As we enter the new year, 2024 is shaping up to be another top-tier year of films. In addition to the never-ending list of sequels, prequels, and spin-offs we get each year, there are plenty of original and unique stories on the way. We here at MovieWeb want to challenge you to a New Year's resolution of seeing at least one movie per month in the cinema. With a laundry list of films on the way, we've narrowed it down to one must-see film for each month throughout the year. Here's to hoping none of these potentially great films are impacted by the recently solved writers and actors strike.
January - The Book of Clarence
The Book of Clarence
- Release Date
- January 12, 2024
- Director
- Jeymes Samuel
The epic biblical comedy-drama genre is one that is not visited enough. January is set to deliver a new entry into the genre with Jeymes Samuel's The Book of Clarence. The film focuses on a man named Clarence who looks to take advantage of the rise of Jesus Christ by pretending to be a messiah himself in an attempt to start a new life for himself. Featuring a stellar cast that includes LaKeith Stanfield, Benedict Cumberbatch, and James McAvoy, The Book of Clarence is set to kick off the new year as a must-see.
LaKeith Stanfield Is a Budding Star
LaKeith Stanfield is an acting power just waiting to be released on a grand scale. Starring in the hit comedy series Atlanta, Stanfield has had his fair share of movie roles this far in his career, including the indie hit Sorry to Bother You, secondary parts in Get Out and Knives Out, as well as an Academy Award nomination for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah. The actor leads an all-star cast in what appears to be a modern-day, albeit less silly, version of Monty Python's iconic film, The Life of Brian.
February - Argylle
Argylle
- Release Date
- February 2, 2024
Matthew Vaughn returns for the first time in three years with his latest spy thriller, Argylle. Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, John Cena, Bryan Cranston, Dua Lipa, and Catherine O'Hara (quite the cast). The film focuses on spy novelist Elly who becomes involved in a real-life espionage thriller. Vaughn promises a modern-day homage to classic action films like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and even Romancing the Stone. A partnership between Universal Pictures and Apple Original Films will see the film release in theaters on February 2nd, with a streaming release on AppleTV + at a yet-to-be-determined date.
Substance & Style
Argylle is sure to provide the substantive and stylized action that Matthew Vaughn has become synonymous with. Throw in the charm and charisma of Henry Cavill and John Cena, and you have a recipe for the next great action film. The movie is set to open up an entire new spy universe for Vaughn's films that could include a future crossover with his Kingsman franchise.
March - Dune: Part II
Dune: Part Two
- Release Date
- March 1, 2024
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
Director Denis Villeneuve began talks to adapt the classic Frank Herbert novel into a modern-day big-screen adaptation in 2016. Five years and a global pandemic later, and Dune hit theaters in the fall of 2021 to critical acclaim. Praised for its blockbusting epic scope and quality, the film was quickly compared to iconic films by director Christopher Nolan and even Peter Jackson's near-flawless Lord of the Rings trilogy. Villeneuve intentionally made Dune with the idea of a sequel in mind, and immediately following its release, Dune: Part Two was greenlit.
Dune Gets More World Expansion
Dune: Part Two is set to expand the lore and world established in the first film by introducing new characters played by stellar casting additions like Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, and Christopher Walken. Villeneuve has promised that the sequel will differ quite significantly from its predecessor, as the film is set to dive into the latter half of Herbert's epic novel. Similar to all-time great sequels like The Empire Strikes Back, Dune: Part Two is set to take fans to the edge of Arrakis once more.
April - Civil War
Civil War
- Release Date
- April 26, 2024
- Rating
- R
Writer and director Alex Garland is set to shine an unflattering mirror on American society in April 2024 with his latest release, Civil War. A film that focuses on the extreme divisions within the United States that have plunged the country into a new-age Civil War. The A24-produced action film will hit theaters in April and is sure to leave a lasting impact on moviegoers as the United States enters a tumultuous election year.
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
Alex Garland has a writing track record that rivals some of the best in the science fiction film genre. Having written such acclaimed films as 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and Ex Machina, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. The film also reunites actors and real-life couple Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons, who began their relationship playing a married couple in their Emmy-nominated roles on the hit series Fargo. With hype building around the film, April can't come soon enough for this highly anticipated and must-see film.
May - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
- Release Date
- May 24, 2024
It's been nearly a decade since the release of George Miller's epic post-apocalyptic action film, Mad Max: Fury Road. A film that saw Tom Hardy take over the role of "Mad Max" Rockatansky from Mel Gibson and introduced Charlize Theron's Furiosa, a war captain for the vile Immortan Joe. After much anticipation, a prequel is set to hit theaters in May 2024, focusing on a younger Furiosa, this time played by Anya Taylor-Joy.
On the Road Again
Mad Max: Fury Road was met with critical acclaim upon its release for its epic visuals and pedal-to-the-floor story. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga promises to deliver more of the same while expanding on the universe. Chris Hemsworth is set to play the villainous role of Warlord Dementus opposite Taylor-Joy. The actor known primarily for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is sure to make a compelling and interesting antagonist.
June - A Quiet Place: Day One
The John Krasinski-directed horror film A Quiet Place took audiences by storm in the spring of 2018. Audiences and critics alike praised the creativity of the storytelling and the performances delivered by the movie's cast. The success of the film led to a COVID-delayed sequel in 2021, which enjoyed similar success. 2024 is set to take audiences back into the Quiet Place world in the form of a prequel,A Quiet Place: Day One.
Expaning the Lore of A Quiet Place
With Djimon Hounsou as the only cast member set to reprise a role from the previous film, he will be joined by Lupita Nyong'o and Stranger Things season four standout, Joseph Quinn. The stellar cast and the expansion of the universe, along with its monsters' lore, have fans highly anticipating the prequel, which hits theaters in June.
July - Deadpool 3
Deadpool 3
- Release Date
- July 26, 2024
Ryan Reynolds completely changed the game with the 2016 release of Deadpool. The meta-centric merc with a mouth brought intense violence, comedy, and fourth-wall-breaking to the often repetitive superhero genre. A follow-up film featuring comic book fan favorite Cable expanded the world of Deadpool, and, following that, the franchise seemed to be in limbo as 20th Century Fox looked for a buyer. Along came Disney, owner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and all of a sudden, Deadpool found his way into the guiding hands of Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige.
Deadpool Meets the MCU
There are several reasons why Deadpool 3 is a must-see film in 2024. Not only is Deadpool set to enter the MCU and become the first R-rated project in the universe, but the movie is also set to bring back Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman. The film promises to be a wild ride through the multiverse and fuse together the Fox X-Men film universe with the established MCU. Oh yeah, and after 24 years, fans are finally going to get Wolverine in the iconic yellow and blue suit.
August - Borderlands
In 2020, director Eli Roth signed on to direct the film adaptation of the uber-popular video game Borderlands. The science fiction action comedy has long been awaited by fans of the game, and Eli Roth is hoping to break the long trend of subpar video game film adaptations.
Hope Rests on a Stellar Cast
One thing Borderlands has going for it is the ensemble cast of A-list actors and comedians, including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The spectacle of a space western on the big screen is certainly an appealing one for all moviegoers, not just fans of the franchise. Borderlands lands in theaters in early August, rounding out the summer blockbuster season.
September - Wolfs
Wolfs is an action thriller by director Jon Watts and his first directorial outing since his Spider-Man MCU trilogy. While specifics surrounding the plot are currently sparse, we do know that the basis of the story sees two "fixers" played by George Clooney and Brad Pitt who find themselves hired for the same job.
Reunited, and it Feels so Good
Wolfs is set to reunite George Clooney and Brad Pitt for the first time since Burn After Reading. The duo is most known for their teaming up in the trio of Oceans films from the early 2000s, and they have proven their chemistry together is some of the best in Hollywood. September can't come soon, as Wolfs is set to release this Fall.
October - Joker: Folie à Deux
Joker: Folie a Deux
- Release Date
- October 4, 2024
Director Todd Phillips' 2019 interpretation of the iconic Batman villain, Joker, took audiences on a mentally taxing thrill ride into the mind of Arthur Fleck and the circumstances that led to him wearing the clown makeup and terrorizing Gotham City. The extremely dark and gritty take on the character would earn actor Joaquin Phoenix his first Academy Award for best actor. As impressive a film as Joker was, it is not necessarily one we expected to see a sequel to, as is the case with most comic-book-adapted films. Flash forward to the summer of 2022, and a sequel was announced by Phillips to be in the works, with Lady Gaga joining the follow-up as Harley Quinn, the psychotic love interest to Phoenix's Joker. Joker: Folie à Deux is due to hit theaters in October.
Part Deux
The addition of Gaga as Harley Quinn is an interesting direction to take the sequel, and from the stills released for the film have looked exceptional. Throw in the fact that the sequel will be half thriller, and half musical, and we could be seeing a modern-day crime classic being released right before our eyes.
November - Wicked: Part One
Wicked is a long-running musical stage production based on several written works spawning from L. Frank Baum's iconic story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. First opening on Broadway in 2003, the production would feature actors Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in the leading roles. The musical is one of the longest-running and most popular productions of the past two decades. A film adaptation of the musical has been discussed as far back as 2004 and has gone through a laundry list of writers and possible directors. It was not until 2021 that director John Chu signed on to make the film, with musicians/actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo taking over the iconic roles made famous by Chenoweth and Menzel in part one of a two-part film.
From Stage to Screen
Stage musicals have a successful track record of being developed into films. Whether that be 1986's Little Shop of Horrors, 2012's Les Misérables, or 2021's In the Heights, another John Chu-directed film. Including the star power of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, while retaining the original writers from the musical, Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz. Wicked: Part One is sure to delight and dazzle audiences when it hits theaters during Thanksgiving 2024.
December - Nosferatu
Nosferatu (2024)
- Release Date
- December 25, 2023
What better way to celebrate the holiday season and cap off an incredible year of cinema than the highly anticipated remake of the classic and influential vampire tale of all time, Nosferatu?Directed by modern-day horror master Robert Eggers, the film stars Bill Skarsgård as the iconic vampire Count Orlok and also features an ensemble cast of heavy hitters like Willem Dafoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, and Nicholas Hoult.
An Atmospheric Holiday
One aspect of filmmaking that director Robert Eggers excels at is in the atompshere he creates in his films. Films like The Witch and The Lighthouse are perfectly executed exercises in atmospheric and claustrophobic horror. A period piece such as Nosferatu will greatly benefit from a director who can plunge audiences into a mindset of uneasiness. Along with the inclusion of some of the best actors working in Hollywood today, Nosferatu is set up for a bloody good Christmas release.
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