Last year was cinema at its finest, treating audiences and film critics alike to a spectacular array of blockbuster films and leaving us on the edge of our seats.
Notable releases included Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated Oppenheimer. Celine Song made a striking directorial debut with Past Lives, while the legendary Studio Ghibli delighted viewers with the beautifully animated The Boy and the Heron by Hayao Miyazaki. Yorgos Lanthimos showcased his wild imagination in the intriguing Poor Things, and films like Air starring and directed by Ben Affleck and Killers of the Flower Moon helmed by Martin Scorsese boasted stellar casts that elevated the cinematic experience to new heights.
As we embark on a new cinematic year, the anticipation for new masterpieces is palpable. While another “Barbenheimer” may not be on the horizon, the prospect of fresh narratives, captivating performances, upcoming sequels, and cinematic surprises keeps us eagerly awaiting what will grace the silver screen.
If 2023 was just a warm-up act, then I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store. Grab your popcorn and mark your calendars for these upcoming films you won’t want to miss.
Mickey 17 (Mar. 29)
Mickey 17, the latest creation from acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, serves as his follow-up to his Oscar winning Blockbuster Parasite. The film follows an astronaut, played by Robert Pattinson, who is tasked with colonizing an icy, far-away planet. Following fatal incidents during treacherous missions, Pattinson’s memories remain intact while his character is seamlessly replaced by clones, causing an obvious existential crisis.
If Bong Joon-ho and Robert Pattinson weren’t enough to get you on board, the film features an ensemble cast, including Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette.
Challengers (Apr. 26)
Challengers is an upcoming drama directed by Luca Guadagnino. Yes, the guy who directed Timothee Chalamet’s infamous peach scene in Call Me by Your Name.
The film features Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis star turned coach, embroiled in a complex love triangle with rival champions, played by Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist. The storyline explores the intricacies of their relationships as the characters age, their marriages unfold, and once-promising careers face setbacks due to injuries.
Guadagnino’s sports drama promises to deliver not only a gripping narrative but also intriguing dynamics, adding a unique perspective to the world of tennis drama.
Inside Out 2 (June 14)
Reuniting the beloved animated ensemble, Inside Out 2 takes us back into the imaginative world of Pixar. This sequel continues the journey of Riley, the young girl whose emotions are personified, led by Amy Poehler’s Joy. Now a young woman, Riley is navigating the complexities of adulthood, bringing forth a myriad of new emotions that have taken residence in her mind, including Anxiety voiced by Maya Hawke.
The familiar gang—featuring Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black reprising their roles as Joy, Sadness, and Anger—now finds itself grappling with the arrival of these new roommates in Riley’s head. Joining the ensemble are Hawke, Tony Hale, and Lisa Lapira, breathing life into Anxiety, Fear, and Disgust.
Inside Out 2 promises to be a heartwarming exploration of the ever-evolving landscape of emotions within the human psyche. Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughter, tears, and a few surprise twists.
Joker: Folie à Deux (Oct. 4)
With more musicals on the horizon in 2024, Joker: Folie à Deux is no exception. Director Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix, reprising his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck, will reunite for another round. This time, they’ll be joined by none other than Lady Gaga.
The first instalment of Phillips’ Joker franchise stunned Hollywood by achieving a $1 billion hit, defying expectations with its R-rated content and a modest budget for a comic book film. Now, with the eagerly anticipated sequel, Phillips aims to push the boundaries of the genre even further.
The addition of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn has generated immense excitement among fans, as the versatile artist turned actor is set to bring her unique flair to the dark, enigmatic Gotham. Only time will tell if this sequel surpasses the success of the original, but one thing is for certain—the dynamic blend of Gaga’s artistry and the DC universe promises an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Wicked (Nov. 27)
The wait is finally over. Broadway’s record-breaking musical, Wicked, is coming to the big screen, reimagining characters from The Wizard of Oz.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the adaptation features Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, exploring the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West before Dorothy’s arrival. Additionally, Jeff Goldblum plays the enigmatic man behind the curtain, while Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh, and Jonathan Bailey join the cast on the yellow brick road.
The film is split into two parts with the second instalment slated for release in November 2025—an anticipation-building ploy that will hopefully pay off.
Tags
Disney, Joker, Movies, musicals
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