Lady Gaga joins the cast of Joker: Folie à Deux, a sequel that could be one of the years most noteworthy hits
List compiled by Eddie on 08/01/2024
Unfortunately for all it does appear as though the 2023 Hollywood strike that went on far longer than anyone had hoped it would is going to impact the 2024 slate of releases in a big way with a number of previously announced fair moving from an initial release window during this year way into 2025.
After a mostly strong year for film in 2023 that still saw a battle at the overall box office post Covid-19 shutdowns and impacts, 2024 may be more light on for big-scale releases than one might have hoped for but it’s not to say that the year looks bereft of products to be very excited about.
From at this current time secretive products through to noteworthy prequels, sequels and remakes, 2024 has a little for everyone and with directors such as George Miller, Denis Villeneuve, Bong Joon Ho and Guy Ritchie on board to unleash new features into the public realm there is enough to suggest that we could be in for some great big screen spectacles in the coming months.
Here’s hoping we all find something to get excited about with the below list of films sure to provide everyone with at least something to mark down in their viewing schedules in the days to come.
Happy reading. See you at the movies!
Disclaimer – plot summaries from www.imdb.com
10. Horizon: An American Saga
Kevin Costner knows his way around a western, giving hope Horizon is a cinematic spectacle for us viewers.
Director: Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves) Cast: Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller
Chronicles a multi-faceted, 15-year span of pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west.
Things may not have been going to well for Kevin Costner over recent times with personal troubles leading to his unceremonious exit from hit TV show Yellowstone but there’s hope that his long-planned two part western epic Horizon will be a return to form with the well-liked filmmaker/actor. It’s been some time since we’ve been gifted a truly epic cinematic western, fingers crossed Horizon is the double bill we have been waiting for.
9. Civil War
Director: Alex Garland (Ex Machina) Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny
Plot under wraps.
As a long-term Alex Garland fan, it’s safe to say it doesn’t take too much to get me excited when I hear his name attached to a project and the writer/directors secretive project with A24 suggests something extremely special is on the horizon. A trailer released late in 2023 gifts us an insight in to what should be another unique and contemplative experience from one of the most original filmmakers working today.
8. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Anya Taylor-Joy enters the wild world of George Miller’s Mad Max as the new films titular star
Director: George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road) Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth
The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before she teamed up with Mad Max in ‘Fury Road’
A recently released trailer for Furiosa does spark some concern that director George Miller and his team have had to rely far more than ever before on CGI to bring the Australian visionary latest Mad Max adventure to the big screen but at the same Miller’s past successes in the Mad Max universe make it very hard to bet against him. If Furiosa can bring even a small part of the imagination and energy that existed in Fury Road, there’s no reason to doubt that Furiosa could be one of the cinematic events of 2024.
7. Havoc
Tom Hardy on set of Havoc, a long delayed Netflix movie that hopefully arrives in 2024
Director: Gareth Evans (The Raid) Cast: Tom Hardy, Timothy Olyphant
After a drug deal gone wrong, a bruised detective must fight his way through the criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son, unraveling a deep web of corruption and conspiracy that ensnares his entire city.
Each year goes by and Havoc keeps making its way onto these lists with this long delayed and hopefully “real” Netflix exclusive finally going to see the light of day in 2024. With The Raid director Gareth Evans teaming up with Tom Hardy for an action/thriller extravaganza there’s reason enough to get excited about a film that could become a modern day genre classic if the stars align.
6. The Iron Claw
A true story at its core and a group of talented performers should ensure The Iron Claw is a knockout
Director: Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene) Cast: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson
The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.
Releasing in most territories towards the later part of 2023, Australian fans have to wait a little longer to catch wrestling drama The Iron Claw but I am fairly positive that the wait will be worth it. Featuring a cast of some of the most talented and up and coming stars of Hollywood, the story of the Von Erich family should make for emotionally charged and powerful viewing.
5. Gladiator 2
One of the hottest new stars of Hollywood, Oscar nominee Paul Mescal joins forces with Ridley Scott for the next chapter of the Gladiator story Scott started with Russell Crowe
Director: Ridley Scott (Gladiator) Cast: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal
Follows Lucius, the son of Maximus’ love Lucilla, after Maximus’ death.
Perhaps overly ambitious to think we will get Ridley Scott’s epic follow-up to one of his most beloved hits, with Gladiator 2 very much a victim of the 2023 actors strike, there’s hope this no doubt visceral sequel hits our screens this years and honours the legacy of what came before. With a star-studded cast and an epic budget to boot, here’s hoping the continuation of the world of Maximus is one worth the long wait.
4. Nosferatu
The first officially released image from the Nosferatu remake suggests we are in for a moody horror experience come Xmas time
Director: Robert Eggers (The Witch) Cast: Emma Corrin, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicholas Hoult
A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
A visionary director who has so far delivered on each of his three previous feature projects, Robert Eggers new take on the classic Nosferatu tale should be one of the years most original and stunning big screen events, releasing at an end of year time slot that suggests the studio behind the product is extremely confident on what it can achieve.
3. Mickey 17
Continuing on his tradition of working with some of the industry’s best directors, star Robert Pattinson plays a major part in Micky 17
Director: Bong Joon Ho (Parasite) Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette
Plot unknown
His first film since the Oscar and box office conquering Parasite, Korean director Bong Joon Ho’s mysterious sci-fi project that supposedly deals with clones and other futuristic possibilities should be if nothing else one of the years most original feature film experiences. Teaming up with Hollywood heavyweights such as Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo, Mickey 17 should be must-see viewing for anyone that likes their cinema seeped in originality and intrigue.
2. Joker: Folie à Deux
Lady Gaga should make for a great new addition to the Joker universe as the beloved Harley Quinn
Director: Todd Phillips (The Hangover) Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Zazie Beetz
“Plot unknown. Sequel to the 2019 film ‘Joker”
While it has its detractors (commonplace for anything that becomes as popular as it did), Todd Phillips 2019 Joker was a stunning new take on the well-worn DC character and there’s little reason to suggest this long-anticipated follow-up would be any less entertaining and unpredictable as the first venture. This time teaming up with Lady Gaga who is bringing Harley Quinn to the big screen in a whole new way, this musical infused exercise should give Phillips and it’s main star Joaquin Phoenix another chance to conquer the box office and audience adoration.
1. Dune: Part Two
Dune: Part 2 promises to be an epic and action packed new addition to the Dune series
Director: Denis Villeneuve (Arrival) Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh
Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.
Despite it being a fairly decent cinematic hit during the heat of Covid-19 pandemonium, it felt as though many slept on Dune: Part One until much later on when a larger group realised just what a special sci-fi film director Denis Villeneuve created. Likely to be one of 2024’s biggest box office behemoths (demanding to be seen on IMAX if possible) Dune: Part 2 has sadly faced a few delays in coming to our screens but in March this year we are likely to be treated to another special offering from one of the true masters of the cinematic medium.
The Best of the Rest –
There’s reason to expect that Guy Ritchie’s and Henry Cavill’s latest collaboration is one of the years most entertaining spectacles
11. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Director: Guy Ritchie (The Gentleman) Cast: Henry Cavill, Eiza González
The British military recruits a small group of highly-skilled soldiers to strike against Nazi forces behind enemy lines during World War II.
12. Untitled Formula One Racing Movie
Director: Joeseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris
Follows a Formula One driver who comes out of retirement to mentor and team with a younger driver.
13. The Electric State
Directors: Anthony Russo & Joe Russo (Avengers: Endgame) Cast: Chris Pratt, Millie Bobby Brown
An orphaned teenager traverses the American West with a sweet but mysterious robot and an eccentric drifter in search of her younger brother.
14. Spaceman
Director: Johan Renck (Downloading Nancy) Cast: Adam Sandler, Carey Mulligan
Jakub Procházka, orphaned as a boy and raised in the Czech countryside by his grandparents, overcomes his odds to become the country’s first astronaut.
15. Blitz
Director: Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave) Cast: Harris Dickinson, Saoirse Ronan
Follow the stories of a group of Londoners during the events of the British capital bombing in World War II.
With a star-studded cast and little explored subject matter, The Bikeriders should be a critical and audience favourite
16. The Bikeriders
Director: Jeff Nichols (Mud) Cast: Tom Hardy, Austin Butler, Jodie Comer
It follows the rise of a Midwestern motorcycle club through the lives of its members.
17. A Quiet Place: Day One
Director: Michael Sarnoski (Pig) Cast: Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou, Lupita Nyong’o
Plot unknown.
18. Speak No Evil
Director: James Watkins (Eden Lake) Cast: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis
Remake of Speak No Evil (2022). A family invited to spend a weekend in an idyllic country house, go from a dream vacation to a psychological nightmare.
19. The Fall Guy
Director: David Leitch (Bullet Train) Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt
Colt Seavers is a stuntman who left the business a year earlier to focus on both his physical and mental health. He’s drafted back into service when the star of a mega-budget studio movie, which is being directed by his ex, goes missing.
20. Twisters
Director: Lee Isaac Chung (Minari) Cast: Glen Powell, David Corenswet, Daisy Edgar-Jones
An update to the 1996 film ‘Twister’, which centered on a pair of storm chasers who risk their lives in an attempt to test an experimental weather alert system.
The Fall Guy should provide audiences with one of the years most enjoyable cinematic rides
What films in 2024 are you most looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below!
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
More than anything, I’m curious as to what Megalopolis will be. Civil War and Mickey 17 also sound intriguing.
I do fear for Megalopolis but I hope it somehow pays off would be great for everyone if it hits. If anything its made for a great trial against adversity story.
E
I think Civil War might disturb America, but I’m hear to see what they think – but also love not knowing too much!
Weirdly, I kept thinking Joker 2 wasn’t a real thing, I should probably revisit the first one, but you know, it obviously (and that’s fine) wasn’t exactly one you always want to go back to. That being said, intrigued by what comes next.
Definitely some big hitters coming up!
I think you’re right about Civil War! Joker 2 could be one of the most gonzo Hollywood films in sometime I really hope it works.
I was a huge fan of the first film despite all the naysayers.
E
Definitely eager to revisit, Joaquin is superb.
Dune 2, Horizon and Furiosa are on top of my list.
Horizon has the potential to be a huge hit or flop, hope it’s the former.
Furiosa’s trailer made me a little worried but you cant bet against Miller after Fury Road.
E
I have faith in Costner and Miller, veterans of their respective genres. 🤓
Dune: Part Two easily tops my list, nothing else comes close. I’m always curious about what Alex Garland, Bong Joon Ho and Robert Eggers do next. The Joker sequel sounds so frankly bizarre it could actually be great. I know and care nothing about the world of wrestling, but The Iron Claw looks like it could be a very compelling family drama.
I’m keeping fingers crossed for Furiosa, but so far I thought that the trailer looked underwhelming and though I love her I don’t know if Anya Taylor-Joy is cut out to be an action star.
I feel the same about Furiosa. Here’s hoping it hits.
But Dune 2 is the real MVP this year so glad it’s out so soon.
E
Nice list, some new-to-me picks rather than the same old I’m seeing everywhere else. I misread Micky 17 as Micky 7, which is a sci-fi novel I bought recently and assumed it was an adaptation – perhaps not, then. But, sirs: no Deadpool? 😉
I must admit that the Reynolds schtick has worn pretty thin on me making the prospect of more of his antics a little tiresome.
It has the potential to be a lot of fun though so I am sure I will check it out, could be the years biggest box office hit.
E
It’s always fun to go back and look at these types of lists. I didn’t see all of the 20 films mentioned, but “Iron Claw” might have been the one I was most curious about going in. “Ungentlemanly Warfare,” “Bikeriders” and “Quiet Place” ended up being the ones from that group I enjoyed the most.
I was let down a little by Warfare and Quiet Place, I thought Bikeriders was a little underrated. Actually really liked Tom Hardy’s performance in that one.
E