Yeah, I know. We are two months into the year already, and I am just now putting out a list of upcoming 2024 movies.
If I had put it out at the end of Dec. 2023, I probably would have had to extend the main list to seven and included Argylle and Ballerina. As it is, the former has already been released, and the latter has been re-scheduled for 2025. On the upside, I do have more up-to-date titles and release dates.
So, in order by release date (subject to change, of course), here are my most anticipated films of the year…
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (Mar. 29, 2024)
There’s just something about giant apes and lizards… Seriously, though, I love these particular kaiju and their Legendary incarnations. It may seem a little hokey, but teaming them up again — this time against more apes and one especially cunning one, apparently — looks from the trailer to be a really good move.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Apr. 19, 2024)
This film, directed by Guy Ritchie, hasn’t been on my radar for long, but I’m all for it. The fact that it’s about a crazy, violent, special strike force — including Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson — pulled together for a special mission during WWII makes it all the more appealing. And it’s based (however loosely) on a real, historical team, too!
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (May 10, 2024)
These apes are smaller than in the film mentioned above, but the characters and story are very interesting for other reasons. I hope this is the beginning of another ‘Planet of the Apes’ trilogy, and that we will eventually see 20th- or 21st-century human astronauts flung into the future to encounter this ape-dominated Earth developing before our eyes.
Deadpool & Wolverine (July 26, 2024)
To be honest, I don’t care for some of Deadpool’s humor (which is typical of Ryan Reynolds), due to its often profane or vulgar nature. That aside, I do find Reynolds to be very creative and clever. The biggest draw for me, however, is the team-up with Wolverine. Gotta problem with that, bub?
Alien: Romulus (Aug. 16, 2024)
This horror/sci-fi film is co-written and directed by Fede Alvarez (Don’t Breathe, The Girl in the Spider’s Web). It sounds like the vibe will be similar to that of the original Alien film, though the endangered humans will be a group of “young people”. What is most encouraging to me is that Ridley Scott saw a rough cut and said, “It’s f*#%ing great!”
Since I can’t seem to limit my lists to the number I decided on, here are four more that I am also quite hopeful about:
The Fall Guy (May 3, 2024)
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 24, 2024)
Twisters (July 19, 2024)
Venom 3 (Nov. 8, 2024)
I notice that most of my choices are parts of franchises. (In the case of Twisters, it being only the second film, I guess this film makes the property a “franchise”. I’m not sure if The Fall Guy film is technically part of a franchise, though I did enjoy the original TV series with Lee Majors.) I guess that’s a good thing, ‘cuz it indicates that I have enjoyed previous films about the same subject, or at least in the same fictional universe.
Excuse me while I go pop some popcorn (extra butter)…
Heroes and Aliens 