2024 is almost over, but we still have plenty of upcoming movies to look forward to. So far, we've seen tons of smash hits this year, with the likes of Deadpool & Wolverine and the whirling good time that was Twisters. And luckily, the last few months of 2024 will make sure we end things with a bang.
There's superhero movies, family fun flicks, and amazing horrors still on their way. In fact, whatever you're into, there's something for everyone on our exciting list of movie release dates. We're personally excited about all the upcoming sequels like Joker: Folie à Deux, Venom 3, and Paddington 3. Then there's also Francis Ford Coppola's long-awaited Megalopolis, and it's nearly time to buy tickets for the long-delayed Kraven the Hunter, starring Aaron Taylor Johnson.
There's a lot to keep track of, but our guide to the most exciting upcoming movies in 2024 organizes them all into one neat place. We also have a list of the best new TV shows too, if the small screen is more of your thing. But for now, grab some popcorn and check out the newest movies heading to your local theater (and IMAX)!
Megalopolis
Release date: September 27
Sci-fi epic Megalopolis centers on a young woman torn between her father, an old-fashioned mayor, and her forward-thinking architect lover, as they clash on how best to rebuild New York after a devastating disaster. Giancarlo Esposito, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Dustin Hoffman, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Adam Driver star.
Booed at Cannes Film Festival 2024, it reportedly cost around $120 million to make, was largely bankrolled by writer-director Francis Ford Coppola himself.
Joker: Folie à Deux
Release date: October 4
Joaquin Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck in Joker 2, officially titled Joker: Folie à Deux. This is a French term that translates to "shared madness" and is also used to refer to shared delusional disorder, a psychiatric syndrome in which symptoms of a delusional belief, and sometimes hallucinations, are transferred from one person to another.
The title makes more sense when you factor in the addition of Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga. Zazie Beetz will reprise her role from the first movie, while Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener have joined the cast of the upcoming DC movie in undisclosed roles. A trailer for the film has been released, which shows a glimpse at Joker and Harley's crime spree.
Smile 2
Release date: October 18
What better way to celebrate the spooky season than with a sequel to one of the best horror movies of 2022? Smile 2 is an upcoming supernatural horror written and directed by Parker Finn. It will see the same smiling stalker monster from the first film, this time latching onto a famous pop star played by Naomi Scott.
As the singer goes on tour, she’ll have to deal with disturbing sights, psychological mind games, and the threat of her looming death hanging over her head every time she takes the spotlight. It sounds like a terrible experience for the main character, but a great scary movie for all of us.
Venom: The Last Dance
Release date: October 25
Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock and his symbiote bestie seem to be working like a well-oiled machine to defeat baddies. Well, almost...
When it comes to their unlikely double act, problems arise in Venom 3 when it turns out there's a major threat incoming from outer space. It looks like the biggest danger Eddie and the symbiote have ever had to face, and, by the looks of things, they might not make it out alive. That might be why it's called The Last Dance. The good news is that fans can have a sneak peek at the upcoming film thanks to the Venom 3 trailer that was released in early June!
Paddington in Peru
Release date: November 8 in the UK, January 17 in the US
Paddington in Peru (commonly known as Paddington 3) will see the marmalade-loving bear and Brown family pack up and head to his home country to pay a visit to Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. There's a problem, though...
Lucy, according to a nun played by Olivia Colman, went on an expedition in the Amazon a while back and never returned. So now it's up to Paddington and Co to venture deep into the jungle, find her, and bring her back safely. Ben Whishaw is back to lend his voice to Paddington, while Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, and Antonio Banderas also star. Emily Mortimer is on board, too, replacing Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Brown.
Gladiator 2
Release date: November 15 in the UK, November 22 in the US
Gladiator 2 is the unexpected follow-up to Ridley Scott's epic Gladiator and is set to pick up 20 years after the original. The first trailer for the film, screened behind closed doors at Cinema Con, sees Paul Mescal's former nobleman, Lucius Versus, forced to become a gladiator. It also showcases Mescal fighting a rhino, man-eating baboons, and Pedro Pascal.
Mescal's Lucius is the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix, who will not be in the sequel). Joseph Quinn, May Calamawy, Derek Jacobi, and Denzel Washington also feature.
Wicked
Release date: November 29
Wicked (also called Wicked – Part 1) is a new fantasy movie that’s adapting the famous Broadway musical of the same name. Starring the likes of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, it will tell the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz, and expose how she really isn’t the villain we all originally thought she was.
We have a soft spot when it comes to watching all the best witch movies from Hollywood, so hopefully, Wicked will join the coven of stellar flicks starring magical women. From trailers, it already seems like the upcoming movie will be a grand affair, and the vocals sound great, too. Honestly, we can’t wait to see it for ourselves this November.
Kraven the Hunter
Release date: December 13
We were originally supposed to meet Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Sergei Kravinoff in October 2023, but the new Marvel movie is one of several delayed releases. The film follows the anti-hero as he sets out to prove he's the greatest hunter in the world. From what we've seen in the trailer, we're expecting one of the most violent takes in the Sony Marvel universe so far.
The film has been delayed until December. "Kraven moved to Christmas because we're excited about it, and Christmas is the best release period there is - when you get people with time to go back to the movies over and over again," producer Matt Tolmach explained.
Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim
Release date: December 13
With The Rings of Power season 2, the announcement of a new Lord of the Rings movie, and some new games on their way, 2024 has been the year of Tolkien. And, as an end-of-the-year treat, we now have Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim to look forward to.
This is easily one of the most exciting new anime movies heading our way, as it’ll showcase the ninth king of Rohan Helm Hammerhand. The story revolves around The War of Rohirrim and is set 183 years before Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies. Expect some epic battle scenes with this one, as we watch the legend of Helm Hammerhand be born, long before the stronghold of Helm’s Deep takes place.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Release date: December 20
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is introducing Keanu Reeves as Shadow, with Colleen O'Shaughnessey back as Tails and Idris Elba back as Knuckles. Of course, Ben Schwartz is returning as Sonic and James Marsden is back as his human bestie.
"It's going to be this giant, fun, incredible movie that obviously takes a lot from Sonic Adventure 2 and some of the games that I know the core Sonic Team grew up loving," producer Toby Ascher previously told GamesRadar+.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Release date: December 20
When it comes to new Disney movies, love them or hate them, live-actions are in the conversation. Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to the 2019 live-action Disney movie. In it, we'll see the rise of Simba's father, Mufasa, from orphan cub to Pride Rock ruler.
Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen will reprise their roles as Timon and Pumbaa, respectively, which is fun. But what's funnier is that the movie has already drawn comparisons to The Godfather Part II. We'll also see (or more accurately, hear) Aaron Pierre, who worked on the Emmy-nominated series The Underground Railroad, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. voice Mufasa and Scar, respectively.
The first trailer for the film is already out if you want to see a first look at the flick for yourself.
Nosferatu
Release date: December 25
Written and directed by Robert Eggers, the filmmaker behind The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, Nosferatu is set to offer a brand new take on the 1922 silent film of the same name.
Starring Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Ralph Ineson, Willem Dafoe, and Bill Skarsgård as the eponymous bloodsucker, the upcoming movie is set to explore the complicated obsession between a troubled young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her. With high hopes for this one; in fact, it's one of our most anticipated upcoming horror movies of 2024!
For more on what's to come, check out our guide to all the new Marvel movies and shows and all the upcoming superhero movies heading your way soon.
