- Post
- Culture
With long awaited sequels, auteur passion projects and big-name blockbusters on the horizon, these are the films to watch in 2024.
By Cayle Reid
Published: Jan 18, 2024
2023 WAS A huge year for movies. Early in the year, audiences were treated to what has come to be regarded as one of the best animated films of all time with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Then the Barbenheimer phenomenon dominated the zeitgeist for what felt like forever, in one of the biggest box office coups in recent memory. The latter half of 2023 saw celebrated directors Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Wes Anderson and Ridley Scott throw their hats into the Oscars ring with Killers of the Flower Moon, The Killer, Asteroid City, and Napoleon.
Yes, 2023 was a big comeback for Hollywood. After years of stagnation amidst the COVID pandemic, movie-goers returned to cinemas in waves. So how can 2024 outperform its precursor? Well, like a younger sibling cast perpetually in the shadow of their more successful and wizened family members, it probably won’t. But with a number of high-profile projects soon to be bearing fruit and a selection of indie films just waiting to enter the mainstream, 2024 will hardly leave anyone disappointed.
Here, we’ve rounded up all the most anticipated movies of 2024, so you don’t have to do the work yourself. Check out all of these films and you can keep your film buff status.
What are the best movies coming out in 2024?
Dune: Part Two
Australian Release Date: March 14
Dune superfans have had to wait a little longer for the follow up to Denis Villeneuve’s take on the iconic series. Originally slated to hit theatres in October of 2023, Dune: Part Two was delayed until March of 2024. Some things are worth waiting for, however. As Paul Atreides unites with the Fremen, he must stand against the Empire that dismantled his family. Florence Pugh and an unmistakeably bald Austin Butler are also joining the cast, what more could you ask for?
Mickey 17
Australian Release Date: March 28
Bong Joon-Ho realigned the Western world’s cinematic attention towards Asiatic films when his directorial prowess guided Parasite to a best picture win at the 2020 Oscars. Now, he’s tapped the talent of Robert Pattinson for his latest project: Mickey 17. Based on Edward Ashton’s sci-fi novel of almost the same name—with the novel titled Mickey7—Mickey 17 follows an explorer on a perilous mission deep in space. The catch? Every time Mickey dies, he’s reborn as a clone, with his memories intact—hence the 17.
Challengers
Australian Release Date: April 24
Remember when Challengers released its spicy first trailer midway through 2023, set the internet alight, and then dipped? We do. A scandalous, Zendaya-centred love triangle is the focus of this provocative sports drama from director Luca Guadagnino. Zendaya plays a tennis prodigy-turned-coach, who attempts to get her former grand-slam champion husband out of a rut by entering him in a challenger event. There, he’ll take on his ex-best friend, and his wife’s ex-boyfriend.
Nosferatu
Australian Release Date: TBD
Director Robert Eggers just keeps getting better. Eggers followed up his highly touted debut The Witch with The Lighthouse and The Northman, and now he’s returning to the black and white medium with his first feature film that doesn’t begin with the word ‘the’: Nosferatu. Eggers’ latest effort is a remake of a 1922 vampirical classic and features a star-studded cast which includes, Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe and 2,000 live rats. No, we’re not kidding.
Spaceman
Australian Release Date: March 1
Adam Sandler’s stock has been rising since he started making serious movies, and Spacemen represents his latest attempt to break out of the comedian mould. Sandler stars as Jakub Procházka, who was abandoned as a child and raised by his grandparents in the Czech countryside. In adulthood, Jakub plies his trade as a scientist and dreams of becoming the Czech Republic’s first astronaut.
Drive-Away Dolls
Australian Release Date: February 22
Prepare for a genre crossing experience before seeing Drive-Away Dolls. Ethan Coen’s new project has been described as a sapphic romance/comedy/thriller/road-trip film, and it promises to hit all those marks. Starring Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan, Drive-Away Dolls is Coen’s first film since parting creative ways with his brother Joel.
The Fall Guy
Australian Release Date: May 2
Ryan Gosling will be staying firmly in the spotlight in 2024, with upcoming film The Fall Guy elevating his already stratospheric stardom even higher. Directed by David Leitch (the man behind Bullet Train), The Fall Guy pits Ryan Gosling as a stunt man. When a film star goes missing, Gosling’s character takes it upon himself to come to the rescue, no matter what peril awaits. Jaw-dropping stunts are a certainty, including a sequence that was filmed on Sydney’s harbour bridge.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Australian Release Date: May 23
The Mad Max universe is making yet another comeback. This time, in the franchise’s fifth instalment, we’ll see the origin story of Furiosa. Anya-Taylor Joy players the titular character in this prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, but don’t expect a happy ending. Furiosa must fight for her life after being kidnapped by a biker horde headed by none other than Chris Hemsworth.
Joker: Folie à Deux
Australian Release Date: October 4
Joaquin Phoenix was praised for his nuanced, calculating and maniacal take on the Joker when he first took on the role in 2019. Finally, a sequel is on the way, but it could look quite different than its predecessor. With Lady Gaga joining the crew as Harley Quinn, Joker: Folie à Deux is being billed as… a musical? Yes, you read that correctly. If nothing else, the film is sure to defy expectations.
Gladiator 2
Australian Release Date: TBD
The long-awaited sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 gladiatorial epic starring Australia’s very own Russell Crowe, Gladiator 2 picks up where its forerunner left off. Starring Paul Mescal as Lucius, the grown-up son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla and Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus, further plot details are few and far between at the moment, but we do know that Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Barry Keoghan will be getting in on the action. And a star-studded cast like that is a recipe for success.
Related:
Short on time? These are the 16 best Netflix films under 90 minutes
25 First Nations TV shows and films you really need to see
