Upcoming movies: The most exciting new films coming in 2024

Upcoming movies: Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus pushing through a crowd in Gladiator 2.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

2024 might be almost over, but there are still so many exciting, upcoming movies to look forward to. The year so far has included the likes of Deadpool & Wolverine, Twisters, and Inside Out 2 – and Joker: Folie à Deux and Hellboy: The Crooked Man are finally both out now. 

Whatever you're into, there's something for everyone on our exciting list of movie release dates. There are sequels like Venom 3 (aka Venom: The Last Dance), and Paddington 3, and it's nearly time to buy tickets for the long-delayed Kraven the Hunter, starring Aaron Taylor Johnson. Let's not forget Gladiator 2 and Wicked, as well, which are both arriving on the same day.

There's a lot to keep track of, then, 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 theaters soon. 

Terrifier 3 

Art the Clown in the Terrifier 3 trailer.

(Image credit: Cineverse / Bloody Disgusting)

Release date: October 11, 2024 

Art the Clown is coming back, and personally, we can’t wait to see him return in all his gruesome slasher glory. Written and directed by Damien Leone, Terrifier 3 is heading our way just before Halloween. However, ironically, the upcoming horror isn’t set during the spooky season but instead will follow Terrifier 2 survivor Sienna Shaw during Christmas time. As you can probably guess, Art hasn’t given up on his murderous rampage and will be hunting Sienna down once again. Expect body horror, graphic carnage, and some creative kills here.   

Smile 2  

Naomi Scott as Skye Riley in the upcoming movie, Smile 2.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

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

Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock looking out a window in Venom 3.

(Image credit: Sony/Marvel)

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!

Heretic  

Hugh Grant as Mr Reed in the upcoming movie Heretic.

(Image credit: A24)

Release date: November 1 in the UK, November 8 in the USA  

Hugh Grant may be known as the guy who stars in romantic movies, but this November, he will be turning heads as he takes on the upcoming horror movie Heretic. When two Mormon missionaries come knocking on the seemingly harmless Mr. Reed’s (Grant) door, they get unexpectedly trapped in a hellish maze of a house where their faith is put to the ultimate test. From the trailers that we’ve seen so far, the production value and action in Heretic look top-tier, and we may just have a new horror classic on our hands!

Paddington in Peru

Paddington Bear in the upcoming movie, Paddington in Peru.

(Image credit: Studiocanal)

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

Russell Crowe in Gladiator screaming and holding a sword.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

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

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in the upcoming movie, Wicked.

(Image credit: Universal)

Release date: November 22

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. 

Moana 2  

Moana holding a paddle during the upcoming movie, Moana 2.

(Image credit: Disney)

Release date: November 27

One of the best Disney movies ever made is getting a sequel. Moana 2 will see Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui return for a new adventure. Similar to the first animated movie, it’s up to the pair to travel to a hidden island and break a curse. This time Moana’s mission will take her to the distant seas of Oceania, where she’ll meet new communities and face fresh villains. The first Moana was stunning so we have high hopes for this film. Fingers crossed that this sequel blows us away just like Frozen 2 did in 2020.  

Kraven the Hunter

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff in the upcoming movie, Kraven the Hunter.

(Image credit: Sony)

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 

Helm Hammerhand and his family in the throne room during the upcoming movie, Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim.

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Release date: December 13

With The Rings of Power season 2 released earlier this year, 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

Sonic on an aeroplane during the hit family movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

(Image credit: Paramount)

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

Simba and Scar during the live-action Disney movie, The Lion King.

(Image credit: Disney)

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

Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter in the upcoming movie, Nosferatu.

(Image credit: Focus Features)

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.

Jack Shepherd
Freelance Journalist

Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.

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