Alien invasions. Artificial intelligence that surpasses human competence. Space travel. Talking apes. Futuristic, post-apocalpytic sagas. Whatever your preferred brand of science fiction is, there are a handful of highly-anticipated sci-fi flicks coming out this year.
‘Dune: Part Two’ | March 1, 2024
Dune: Part Two, the second installment in Director Denis Villeneuve’s take on Frank Herbert’s epic saga, follows Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) as he unites with Chani and the Fremen (a sub-culture of humans descended from the Zensunni Wanderers) to seek revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. The film sees the return of Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya and welcomes a-listers Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, and Christopher Walken.
‘Spaceman’ | March 1, 2024
Based on the novel Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař, the upcoming galactic film stars Adam Sandler in an unorthodox space (pun intended) for the comedic actor. The narrative chronicles an astronaut who is sent on a mission to the edge of the solar system where he meets a talking arachnid-like creature who helps him solve his earthly dilemmas. The film also stars Paul Dano, Carey Mulligan, Kunal Nayyar, and Isabella Rossellini.
‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ | March 22, 2024
The discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force that threatens to catalyze a second ice age in this sequel starring new and original Ghostbusters alike. The film sees the return of Paul Rudd, Bill Murray, Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, Dan Aykroyd, Finn Wolfhard, and Ernie Hudson with Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt set to join the ensemble. Gil Kenan (Monster House, City of Ember, A Boy Called Christmas) directs.
‘Mickey17’ | March 29, 2024
Mickey17, based on the novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, is a high-concept sci-fi thriller in which an “expendable” employee on a suicide mission refuses to let his clone take his place. When one Mickey dies, a new body is regenerated with most of the previous Mickey’s memories intact. Yet, what will happen when a Mickey is wrongfully presumed dead and his clone enters the world, leaving two Mickeys existing simultaneously in a society where duplicates are universally loathed? The upcoming film stars Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, and Steven Yeun with Bong Joon Ho of Parasite and Snowpiercer fame directing.
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ | May 10, 2024
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes kicks off many years after the reign of Cesar and follows a young ape on a journey that will lead him to question all he has been taught about the dynamic between humans and apes. His decisions could change the future of their relationship forever. The film stars Freya Allen, William H. Macy, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and Owen Teague. Wes Ball (The Maze Runner, Ruin, A Work in Progress) directs.
‘The Electric State’ | 2024
The Electric State from Avengers: Endgame directorial duo Joe and Anthony Russo stars Millie Bobby Brown in a sci-fi film based on the book by Simon Stålenhag. Brown plays a teenage girl who embarks on a cross-country journey in search of her younger brother with her small, yellow robot. The duo comes up against gigantic battle drones and remnants of high-tech devices in a society addicted to a virtual reality system. The film also stars Chris Pratt, Devyn Dalton, Stanley Tucci, and Gabrielle Maiden.
‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ | June 28, 2024
Specific plot details for the upcoming prequel to John Krasinki’s creepy, alien-occupied society are being largely kept under wraps. However, the horror, sci-fi drama will presumably follow the early days — before people knew how to deceive and outsmart the auditorily sensitive creatures. Lupita Nyong’O, Alex Wolff, Denis O’Hare, Joseph Quinn, and Djimon Hounsou star in a film by director Michael Sarnoski.
