A Movie Lover’s Guide To The Top Films To Watch Out For In 2024 And 2025
Oftentimes, there are one or two big movies that dominate a year. Barbie and Oppenheimer were in an incredibly successful symbiotic relationship last year, while Avengers: Endgame and Joker ruled the public's interest in 2019. However, nothing that's come out in 2024 so far has reached similar heights.
While this has inspired some significant handwringing about the death of movie theaters, there's another way to look at it. In practical terms, this suggests that 2024 is still any movie's game, which means the next world-conquering hit could be just around the corner. Unless it comes completely out of nowhere, these upcoming releases are the most likely candidates.
Kneecap - August 2
Described as a "mostly true story," Kneecap follows the tale of Belfast schoolteacher JJ, who forms an unlikely bond with the young, brash, and messy hip-hop act KNEECAP. Although the group is involved in its share of criminal activities, their decision to rap in Irish Gaelic makes them the unexpected face of a civil rights movement dedicated to the preservation of their marginalized language.
Although the movie is funny in many ways, it also makes for a substantive story of defiance, cultural preservation, and respectability politics. It's true that KNEECAP faces legitimate hardships at the hands of police, politicians, and even paramilitary groups, but the messiness of their own behavior means that some of their problems are of their own making.
Harold And The Purple Crayon - August 2
Based on the adorable children's book series about a little boy's power to bring his imagination to life with his magical purple crayon, Harold And The Purple Crayon brings Zachary Levi back to the sense of childlike wonder that made him a star in Shazam!
This time, the movie follows a grown-up Harold as he figures out how to use his trademark purple crayon to draw himself into the real world. Through this feat, not only does Harold learn about the unexpected challenges of the real world the hard way, but accidentally threatens the fabric of its very reality with his fantastical abilities.
Detained - August 2
This psychological thriller stars Abbie Cornish as Rebecca, a woman who wakes up in a police station with no memory of how she got there. Worse yet, she finds herself facing two unfriendly detectives who she learns are trying to charge her with a hit-and-run.
As Rebecca gets into more trouble while in custody, however, it's hard not to notice how dilapidated this police station is. Given how mysterious both her and the officers watching over her are, it's hard for Detained's audience to know who to trust until the twist is finally revealed.
Trap - August 9
The latest release from legendary yet unpredictable filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, Trap features Cooper — a doting dad played by Josh Hartnett —taking his teenage daughter to a hotly anticipated pop concert. However, he soon learns the show is at the epicenter of a mysterious but deeply concerning trap.
Faced with a fleet of armored vehicles surrounding the building and event staff who are evasive to his questions, Cooper must protect himself and his daughter from an unknown threat. Although the quality of Shyamalan's films has varied sharply throughout his career, it's hard not to be intrigued by Trap's premise.
Borderlands - August 9
Although video game adaptations have historically been considered box office poison, the success of more recent properties like the Sonic The Hedgehog movies and the most recent Super Mario Bros. Movie have shown how much times have changed.
Although the Borderlands games take place in a harsh, violent world, their frenetic energy and wacky sense of humor make them an ideal candidate for a major film adaptation like this. Hopefully, everyone behind it will be able to stick the landing on its August 9 release date.
Cuckoo - August 9
Cuckoo stars Euphoria actress Hunter Schafer as Gretchen, a 17-year-old girl who is pressured into leaving the United States to join her father at a seemingly perfect resort in the German Alps. While the resort seems like a paradise at first, Gretchen grows suspicious of Mr. König, her father's boss with a mysterious interest in her mute half-sister.
Although Gretchen is haunted by strange noises and disturbing visions at first, the danger of her situation ramps up quickly, leading both her and audiences on a chaotic journey that doesn't let up the tension and excitement until the very end. It appears that Cuckoo is well named.
Alien: Romulus - August 16
According to Variety, Alien: Romulus is a standalone movie that doesn't require viewings of any of the other installments in the lengthy Alien franchise to be understood. However, fans of the series may be interested to know that it's set between the events of Ridley Scott's Alien and James Cameron's Aliens.
Although details are sparse, any hints to the plot that do exist will likely sound familiar to long-time fans. A group of scavengers picks through the remains of a derelict space station only to discover the terrifying presence that had been lurking among its cramped halls all along.
The Crow - August 23
Equal parts beloved for its groundbreaking gothic aesthetic and infamous for Brandon Lee's tragic on-set accident, The Crow has maintained a cult classic status since its 1994 release. And while each of the sequels made through the late '90s and early 2000s failed to impress, enough time has passed to build hope that someone can do the dark original justice.
IT star Bill Skarsgård fills Lee's shoes as Eric, while eclectic pop singer FKA Twigs co-stars as Shelly, Eric's fiance for whom he makes an otherwordly pact to save following their double murder. Charismatic veteran character actor Danny Huston is also a co-star.
Strange Darling - August 23
In the gorgeously lit and stylized thriller Strange Darling, a mysterious woman embarks on a seductive one-night stand. However, she soon learns that her adventures are about to be far more than racy when she discovers she is now involved in a serial killer's rampage.
Information about the movie is a little sparse aside from that, but critics noted that it's best to keep it that way to get the most out of this film. As Michael Nordine wrote for Variety, "Best experienced with as little foreknowledge as possible, Strange Darling demands a bit of patience, but it also rewards it."
Reagan - August 30
In some ways, the Dennis Quaid-helmed film Reagan has the elements of a traditional biopic. Indeed, the movie explores the 40th president's rise to Hollywood and then to increasingly vital political arenas. The movie also emphasizes how much of that journey was made possible thanks to the support of Nancy Reagan.
However, this story isn't told from either of their perspectives. Instead, its narrator is supposed to be ex-KGB agent Viktor Petrovich, who was assigned to monitor Reagan while he was still a Hollywood fixture. Naturally, Soviet interest in the man would only increase as he became a political leader.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice - September 6
Tim Burton has said that the only way he'd make a sequel to Beetlejuice is if Michael Keaton was involved, while Keaton said that such a movie would be the only sequel he'd be interested in doing. Sure enough, the stars seemed to align for both of them because after 36 years, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice is right around the corner.
Since Catherine O'Hara and Winona Ryder were also able to reprise their roles, this movie takes place well after the 1988 original and Lydia Deetz is now a grown woman with a teenage daughter of her own. Her name is Astrid — played by Wednesday star Jenna Ortega — and without meaning to, she's the one who brings the chaotically fun but malevolent Betelgeuse back into the Deetz family's lives.
Speak No Evil - September 13
This dramatic horror film starts off innocently enough with an American family meeting a particularly charming family from the U.K. while they're on vacation. After both parties hit it off, the Americans are delighted to learn that their new friends have an impressive country estate and they're welcome to be the guests of honor.
However, an intimidating turn from co-star James McAvoy reveals that the host family was far more superficially charming than they seemed. Without giving too much more away, Speak No Evil works as both a straightforward thriller and a satire of middle-class sensibilities.
Booger - September 13
After the sudden passing of her best friend and roommate, a New York woman named Anna copes with her grief by obsessing over Booger, the cat they took in together. When Booger runs away, Anna becomes desperate to find it, which would normally lead to a heartfelt journey that sees Anna process her grief.
Although it wouldn't be fair to say that those elements aren't present in Booger, they don't emphasize how starkly compelling the movie is as a comedy and a body-horror experience. That's because when Anna finds Booger and gets bitten, she discovers that this is the catalyst for her own jarring feline-like transformation.
A Different Man - September 20
A Different Man premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January but is now on the cusp of its wider release for those who couldn't attend. It stars Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson — a British actor who lives with a rare condition called neurofibromatosis type I.
Stan plays Edward, an aspiring actor with a similar condition who transforms his face after undergoing experimental surgery. Although the operation is a success, Edward becomes obsessed with his former life after losing a role to another actor who shares his condition.
Transformers One - September 20
Although Michael Bay's run of Transformers movies were undoubtedly popular, many fans of the original cartoon nonetheless felt that the film series stripped away much of its charm. Hopefully, those fans will find what they're looking for in Transformers One.
Not only are the character designs much more faithful to the original toys and animated series but the setting reflects this retro charm. That's because this is an origin story set on Cybertron that chronicles how the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons began in the first place.
Joker: Folie à Deux - October 4
When Joker was released in 2019, it didn't take long for the film to be both an incredible box office sensation and a serious contender for Oscar gold. Naturally, that hype would make it hard to resist producing a sequel, which is precisely what director Todd Phillips announced in 2022.
At the time, both the title and the fact that Lady Gaga would costar as Harley Quinn was known. However, one unexpected element of this movie that would be revealed later is its musical numbers. Apparently, Joker: Folie à Deux is not a "full musical" but its musical elements are essential to the story.
Smile 2 - October 18
Although Smile 2 features the same disturbing gimmick as the psychological and supernatural horror film from 2022, only one character survived to return to the sequel. For that reason, the story takes place from a completely different main character's perspective.
This time, the audience follows a pop star named Skye Riley, who witnesses unexplained phenomena all around her in the lead-up to an incredibly stressful world tour. As fans of the previous movie might expect, these phenomena escalate into sudden fatalities all characterized by an odd smile on the victim's face.
Terrifier 3 - October 25
The Terrifier film series is infamous for the deeply violent and sadistic actions of its signature character, Art The Clown. Even for horror fans, the level of depravity depicted in these movies is so beyond the pale of even slasher flick standards that major movie studios refused to touch it.
That is, until Terrifier 2 attracted enough morbid curiosity to become a surprise hit. Nonetheless, writer/director Damian Leone decided to keep Terrifier 3 independent so that his ultraviolent vision didn't have to be compromised. That means fans of the other films can rest easy in the knowledge that the gore won't be watered down.
Venom: The Last Dance - November 8
After the enthusiastic (if polarizing) reception of Venom and its sequel, Let There Be Carnage, the third part of this strange but fun trilogy finds both Eddie Brock and his symbiote pal on the run. It's not enough to have the human world hunting them, but the dynamic duo have managed to attract the attention of even more of Venom's fellow symbiotes.
Tom Hardy's willingness to give himself over the movie's wild energy was a major selling point of the first installment and he's seeing the trilogy through to its exciting conclusion. Although what will happen remains under wraps, the events of the film will apparently force the bonded pair to make a devastating decision.
Red One - November 15
Right out of the gate, this holiday-themed family-friendly adventure has an eye-catching premise. Santa Claus has been kidnapped, which presents a critical mission for the North Pole's head of security — played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson — to solve the crime and save Christmas.
While CGI-heavy fare like these hulking snowman prove that the agent's quest won't be easy, he has help in the form of an unlikely partnership with the world's most high-profile yet infamous bounty hunter — played by Chris Evans. Their mission spans the globe and is loaded with action.
Moana 2 - November 27
Although Disney has often focused on giving its classic properties live-action remakes in recent years, the company will still take notice when one of its newer properties captures audiences' imaginations. That's why Frozen got a sequel, and it seems to be why Moana is getting one as well.
This time, the brave young adventurer is setting a course for the treacherous seas of Oceania. By her side is a returning Maui, as well as a new cast of adorable shipmates. With any luck, the kids will love this one as much as the 2016 original.
Gladiator 2 - November 22
Considering how the first Gladiator movie ended in 2000, it would be hard for fans not to wonder who could possibly star in the sequel. After all, there weren't many characters left alive by the time the credits rolled.
However, one of them was Lucius Verus II, the nephew of Emperor Commodus. It's unclear how or why he will end up in the gladiatorial arena after he comes of age, but that's simply what fans will have to find out when Gladiator 2 comes out.
Wicked Part I - November 27
After over 20 years of smashing success on Broadway, the revolutionary musical Wicked is finally coming to the big screen. Although Universal Pictures released a Lego trailer for the movie, the final version will nonetheless be live-action and star Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda.
Considering the musical bona-fides both women can boast, audiences certainly won't have to worry about the quality of the singing. They should know, however, that they'll have to wait for the same time next year before part two comes out.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim - December 9
Although The Lord Of The Rings franchise has seen multiple prequels in the form of The Hobbit film series and the Rings Of Power TV show, animated features set in Middle Earth have been few and far between. However, that is the nature of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.
Fans of the Castlevania animated series will notice some similarities in the art style, but the plot takes the audience 183 years before the events of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. It will depict the legendary Rohan King Helm Hammerhand (and namesake of the famous Helm's Deep fortress) as his family defends their land from an army of Dunlendings.
Kraven The Hunter - December 13
Although Kraven The Hunter has been long understood as part of a series of films that expand the stories of some lesser-known members of Spider-Man's classic rogue's gallery, it would be misleading to call this a terribly hyped movie.
After all, Kraven The Hunter is in the unfortunate position of coming just after flops like Morbius and Madame Web. However, it may not be wise to count out the Russian-born ultimate hunter with superpowers yet. Remember, people weren't that enthusiastic about The Guardians Of The Galaxy at first, either.
Mufasa: The Lion King - December 20
Although the 2019 remake of The Lion King was a polarizing experience for audiences, one could hardly expect Disney to ignore the film's $1.6 billion box office returns. As is Hollywood's wont in recent years, that means the classic Lion King story is about to get its own prequel.
As the title suggests, audiences are about to be treated to the untold legend of Mufasa in the same photorealistic style that dazzled viewers before. However, the unique framing device for this story presents it as a tale told by Rafiki to Simba and Nala's daughter, Kiara.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 - December 20
After 2020's Sonic The Hedgehog movie arose from its troubled production as a success, a sequel incorporating the blue blur's longtime friend and rival Knuckles came in 2022. That also turned out to be a solid watch for audiences, so the minds behind it are upping the ante yet again for Sonic The Hedgehog 3.
This time, the filmmakers are taking inspiration from the beloved Sonic Adventure series. That means the popular yet mysterious and morally conflicted character, Shadow The Hedgehog, is now joining the series as well
Nosferatu - December 25
The original version of Nosferatu emerged from the German expressionist scene in 1922 but paved the way for over a century of horror films to come. Now, the classic tale is getting a moody, full-length update that features the macabre talents of Bill Skarsgård.
However, the movie actually stars Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter, a woman whose charms have sadly made her the object of the infamous vampire's grim obsession. Witness the horror as his single-minded pursuit leaves a trail of destruction in his wake.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera - January 10, 2025
2018's Den of Thieves grossed $80 million worldwide, and the heist drama was a hit with audiences, even if critics were unimpressed. In early 2025, it'll get a long-delayed sequel, in which Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson Jr. reprise their roles from the first film.
While it's been seven years since the original, the sequel will pick up immediately where events in the 2018 movie ended. Butler's Sheriff Nick O'Brien will be hot on the tail of Jackson's Donnie Wilson.
Wolf Man - January 17, 2025
Wolf Man harkens all the way back to the 1941 film of the same name. This reboot is directed by Leigh Whannel, best known from the Saw film series.
This film, which stars Ozark's Julia Garner along with Christopher Abbott, promises to be a spooky, supernatural horror romp in which a werewolf emerges during the full moon to terrorize a family. Look for it to hit theaters on January 17th.
In the Grey - January 17, 2025
Director Guy Ritchie is known for his fast-paced, stylistic films, and his next one is set to come out in January. In the Grey stars Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, Eiza González and Rosamund Pike.
We don't know much about the plot just yet, but it'll be yet another Guy Ritchie action-packed adventure, likely with some humor thrown in. Production began in September 2023 in Tenerife, so expect plenty of sun-soaked locales in the finished product.
Back in Action - January 17, 2025
Netflix is at it again with Back in Action, a film that'll be available on the streaming platform on January 17th. It's an action comedy that was co-written by Seth Gordon and Brendan O'Brien, and directed by Gordon.
The star-packed cast includes Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx in leading roles, along with Glenn Close, Kyle Chandler, Andrew Scott and Jamie Demetriou. Jamie Foxx has discussed calling up Diaz to persuade her to star in the movie with him.
Presence - January 17, 2025
Steven Soderbergh is set to bring some psychological horror to the silver screen with Presence, currently set for a January 2025 release and starring Lucy Liu.
The film was written by David Koepp and announced in December 2023. It had a limited release at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The critics who've already seen it have praised it, with Rotten Tomatoes summarizing it as "a slow-burning spectral thriller."
Flight Risk - January 24, 2025
Mark Wahlberg returns to the genre he knows best, the action thriller, in Flight Risk. The movie is directed by Mel Gibson (no stranger to the genre himself) and co-stars Topher Grace and Michelle Dockery.
The plot concerns a U.S. Marshall who's tasked with protecting a witness who was accused of getting involved with a mob boss. Things only get more complicated when it's revealed that the pilot accompanying them is actually a hitman who needs to be subdued.
Valiant One - January 24, 2025
We don't know a whole lot about Valiant One, set for a January 24 theatrical release, just yet. What we do know is that director Steve Barnett is at the helm, and the thriller will star Chase Stokes and Lana Condor.
The movie's plot concerns a U.S. helicopter crashing in North Korea, with the survivors being forced to find their way home safely amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Inheritance - January 24, 2025
Neil Burger, the director who's dabbled in various genres with films like The Illusionist, Limitless, and Divergent, directed Inheritance. The film is set for screening at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and will be released worldwide in early 2025.
The film stars Phoebe Dynevor, Rhys Ifans, and Ciara Baxendale, and weaves a tale of intrigue surrounding a young woman who finds out her father is a former spy.
Screamboat - January 24, 2025
It was bound to happen sooner rather than later: As soon as Disney's Steamboat Willie entered the public domain, we were sure to see a reimagining of the classic.
This comes in the form of 2025's Screamboat, which reimagines Mickey Mouse as a serial killer who preys on people in New York. It's set for a theatrical release in January — and no, Disney has nothing to do with it.
You're Cordially Invited - January 30, 2025
Nicholas Stoller, best known for lighthearted comedies with a slight edge like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Neighbors, directs 2025's You're Cordially Invited, with Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon starring.
The movie is about a bride-to-be, played by Geraldine Viswanathan, and her father (Ferrell) who are forced to scramble after finding that their dream wedding venue has been double-booked. Hilarity is sure to ensue.
Mickey 17 - January 31, 2025
Bong Joon-ho is one of Hollywood's hottest directors these days, and his next project, Mickey 17, is sure to attract attention. The science fiction film stars Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Naomie Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.
Based on the novel Mickey7, Mickey 17 is about an expendable human, played by Pattinson, who's sent to colonize a new ice world. This human continually dies to be replaced by a new clone.
Captain America: Brave New World - February 7, 2025
The newest Captain America film, Captain America: Brave New World, is set for a February 7 theatrical release. It'll be the fourth instalment in the film series, and Anthony Mackie will take on the title role.
The plot picks up immediately after the election of Thunderbolt Ross as U.S. president. These political maneuverings force Sam Wilson/Captain America to shut down an international incident that threatens to disrupt the nation.
The Smurfs Movie - February 14, 2025
After the 2022 announcement that Peyo Company (owners of the Smurfs brand) had partnered with Paramount and Nickelodeon to produce multiple Smurfs movies, it should be no surprise that we're starting to see this collaboration come to fruition.
The simply titled The Smurfs Movie breaks the mold somewhat by being a musical. It's set for a February release and features the voices of Rihanna, Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, Nick Kroll, and more.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy - February 14, 2025
The newest film in the Bridget Jones franchise is set for a Valentine's Day release. In Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Renée Zellweger reprises her role for the fourth Bridget Jones film — the first since Bridget Jones's Baby in 2016.
Not much is known about the plot, but the film brings in Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, and Chiwetel Ejiofor in supporting roles, with Michael Morris directing.