After years of pandemic-induced slowdowns and studio labor strikes, Hollywood is finally back in business. The box office is on the rise, and 2024 promises to be a blockbuster year. Classic franchises are on center stage, but some ambitious new ones are set to shake things up. From highly anticipated sequels to auteur-driven dramas, this year’s slate is a blend of comfort food and cinematic ambition. Here are the 10 movies we’re most looking forward to seeing—rated from “very excited” to “take my money now.”
10. The Brutalist
Adrien Brody leads this engrossing period drama as a Holocaust survivor who tries to rebuild his life—and his life’s work as an architect—in America after World War II. Brady Corbet directs this award-generating film, which picked up buzz at the Venice Film Festival and is already making waves in awards-season chatter. Alongside Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce in supporting roles, look for a profoundly human story dressed in sophisticated style.
9. Queer
Luca Guadagnino brings his lush, atmospheric sensibility to a reworking of William S. Burroughs’ novel. Set in 1940s Mexico City, this is the tale of a troubled expat (played by Daniel Craig), who becomes obsessed with an American sailor boy (Drew Starkey). Critics in Venice gave good notices to Craig’s performance and the smoky, dreamlike look of the film.
8. Here
What if a film concentrated on one place, over centuries? That’s the idea behind Here, director Robert Zemeckis’s new ambitious film starring Robin Wright and Tom Hanks. Across prehistoric times and visions of the future, the film follows lives lived on a piece of land. With cutting-edge CGI and heartfelt storytelling, it will be a sweeping exploration of time, memory, and transformation.
7. Nosferatu
Horror master Robert Eggers revisits the iconic vampire legend in a dark, visually stunning reinterpretation of the 1922 silent film. Bill Skarsgård stars as the surreal Count, with Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Willem Dafoe in support. Eerie mood and slow-burning horror from The Lighthouse and The Witch director are on the cards.
6. Wicked (Part One)
The iconic musical is at last brought to the big screen, divided into two parts for maximum spectacle. Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, the misjudged Wicked Witch, and Ariana Grande is Glinda. Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu helms this, supported by a galaxy-sized cast that includes Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum. This will be a technicolor fantasy with a heart.
5. Gladiator II
More than 20 years after Gladiator redefined the modern epic, Ridley Scott returns to ancient Rome. Paul Mescal plays the now-grown Lucius, with Denzel Washington joining the blood-soaked arena. Can it live up to the legacy of its Oscar-winning predecessor? Fans are eager to see if lightning can strike again.
4. Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Everybody’s beloved fast blue hedgehog is returning for round three. Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey return to the fold, with the possible return of Jim Carrey remaining uncertain. The addition of Shadow the Hedgehog has fans abuzz—and keeps this franchise running full speed ahead.
3. Mufasa: The Lion King
Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) helms this origin tale of Simba’s father. This photorealistic prequel plunges us further into the history of the Pride Lands. Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. play young Mufasa and Scar (or Taka), respectively. With Jenkins at the wheel, expect drama depth in addition to stunning visuals.
2. Moana 2
Surprise! Disney is taking Moana and Maui back to the big screen. Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprise their roles in this ocean-bound sequel directed by Dave Derrick Jr. With new music and more heartwarming adventure, Moana 2 is set to ride the wave of the original’s massive success.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Tolkien enthusiasts, rejoice—Middle-earth is back, this time animated. Nearly 200 years before The Two Towers, this prequel delves into the legend of Helm Hammerhand, King of Rohan. Brian Cox provides the voice of the warrior king, and Miranda Otto reprises Éowyn as narrator. With glorious animation and sweeping storytelling, it’s quite possibly the most anticipated fantasy release of the year.
Sequels and spin-offs might be filling 2024’s calendar, but it’s not by accident—studios are doubling down on what people already enjoy. As Deseret News noticed, all the highest-grossing movies thus far this year have been sequels. Nonetheless, with the combination of nostalgia, originality, and top-notch performances, there’s something for all people at the cinema this year. The question is: where to begin?