From Broadway spectaculars turned into movie musicals to horror comedy sequels decades in the making, 2024 is shaping up to be quite a year for cinema. Whether you’re into sci-fi sagas, teenage cliques, or twisted tales, we’ve got you covered with the most highly anticipated movies coming to theaters in the new year. 

‘Wicked’ | November 27, 2024

Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, which first opened on the Great White Way over two decades ago, the movie musical follows the enemies-to-besties story between Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of the West) as they navigate Shiz University under the watchful eye of Head Mistress Madame Morrible. 

The upcoming movie stars pop icon Ariana Grande as Glinda (we can’t wait to see her take on the rapid, tongue-twisting “Popular”) and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba (best known for her star-making turns in Genius: Aretha and Harriet). Jonathan Bailey of Bridgerton and Fellow Travelers plays Fiyero, and Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, Now You See Me 2) directs.

‘Beetlejuice 2’ | September 6, 2024

Beetlejuice premiered in theaters back in 1988 with Michael Keaton as the titular “bio-exorcist” known for his comedic vulgarity, eccentricity, supernatural abilities, and off-putting appearance. Now, over 30 years later, we’re getting a sequel, and both Winona Ryder and Keaton are back in action. 

Jenna Ortega of Wednesday will portray Lydia’s (Ryder) daughter and Wilhelm Dafoe is stepping in as a former B-movie actor, who, after dying, became a detective. The plot is being largely kept under wraps, but with Tim Burton back on board, as well as two of its predecessor’s greatest on-screen assets, this film shaping up to be a grand slam. (If only Davis and Baldwin came back.) 

‘Mean Girls’ | January 12, 2024

“On Wednesdays, we wear pink.” The plastics are back in action, but they’re singing the sass this time around. The movie is based on the Broadway musical that followed the film’s success. Renee Rapp of The Sex Lives of College Girls played Regina George in the Broadway show, and she is reprising her role in the film. Angourie Rice (Mare of Easttown, Honor Society) plays Lindsay Lohan’s Cady Heron, Avantika (Spin, Senior Year) portrays Karen Shetty, Bebe Wood (Love, Victor, The Real O’Neals) plays Gretchen Weiners, and Tina Fey and Tim Meadows are both back in school faculty positions. The film also welcomes Busy Philips, Jon Hamm, Jenna Fischer, and Christopher Briney of The Summer I Turned Pretty as Aaron Samuels. Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. codirect. 

‘Dune: Part Two’ | March 1, 2024

Dune, based on the novel of the same name by Frank Herbert, premiered to critical adulation in 2021. The science fiction epic follows a noble family embroiled in a war for control over the galaxy’s most viable asset, while its heir begins experiencing visions of a troubled future. 

Timothée Chalamet,  Josh Brolin, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem are all set to reprise their roles. The film also welcomes newcomers Austin Butler of Elvis, Florence Pugh, and Christopher Walken. Denis Villeneuve returns as director with a screenplay he co-wrote alongside Jon Spaihts and Frank Herbert. 

‘Inside Out 2’ | June 14, 2024

2015’s Inside Out is indisputably one of Pixar’s most triumphant modern films. The movie, which takes viewers into the mind of a pre-adolescent, is relatable and original, personifying each major emotion — anger, disgust, joy sadness — with depth and comedic flair. The film explores psychological concepts in an accessible and entertaining way. The film snagged the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, so it should come as no surprise that audiences are on the edge of their seats anticipating the sequel. 

Inside Out 2 returns viewers to our original protagonist, but now she’s a teenager, and demolition is underway to make room for new (grown-up emotions). Uh oh. The voice cast sees the return of Phyllis Smith, Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, and many more, with Maya Hawke joining the ensemble as anxiety. 

‘Deadpool 3’ | July 26, 2024

Hugh Jackman is reprising his role as X-Men’s Wolverine. Can we buy our tickets now? Deadpool 3 remains a mystery in the plot department, which is expected of Marvel Cinematic Universe films. However, the incorporation of Hugh Jackman may lead to the introduction of other mutants, which we’ve all been waiting for. These two characters will reportedly hate each other in the film, but that’s all we have to go off of at this point. Shawn Levy (Stranger Things, Free Guy, The Adam Project, All the Light We Cannot See, This Is Where I Leave You) directs with a script he co-wrote alongside Jon Spaihts and Frank Herbert. 

‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ | October 4, 2024

With Lady Gaga joining Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker as Harley Quinn in a dark movie musical, this film is bound to be anything but typical. While plot details remain largely under wraps, images alone have led to quite the craze among Gaga’s Little Monsters — not to mention Phoenix’s quite devout following. We’re thinking crime meets romance meets twisted humor meets macabre masochism meets sinister sadism and sneaky stealings. Todd Philipps, who directed the film’s predecessor, returns to direct the sequel from a screenplay by writers Paul Dini, Bill Finger, and Bob Kane. 

Honorable Mentions: 

• • Gladiator 2 | November 22, 2024 | Official Description: Follows Lucius, the son of Maximus’ love Lucilla, after Maximus’ death.
  • Mufasa: The Lion King | December 20, 2024 | Offical Description:  Simba, having become king of the Pride Lands, is determined for his cub to follow in his paw prints while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored.
  • A Quiet Place: Day One | June 28, 2024 | Official Description: Plot under wraps
  • Back to Black | May 10, 2024 | Official Description: A never-before-seen glimpse into Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame and the release of her groundbreaking studio album, Back to Black.
  • IF | May 17, 2024 | Official Description: A young girl who goes through a difficult experience begins to see everyone’s imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up.