2023 was an incredible year for movies, and 2024 looks to follow in its footsteps, with numerous blockbusters, comedies, and long-awaited franchise films just on the horizon. Having just completed my top 10 of last year, let’s look ahead and preview my 10 highest anticipated movie releases of 2024.

Drive Away Dolls – February 23

The premise of a lesbian crime caper comedy basically speaks for itself— if that interests you, it’ll likely be for you, and if it doesn’t, perhaps its cast of stars including Margaret Qualley, Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, and Beanie Feldstein might. Additionally, Drive Away Dolls is directed by Ethan Coen, one half of the Coen brothers’ director duo of No Country For Old Men, True Grit, and Burn After Reading, so you can be sure the film is in experienced hands.

Dune: Part 2 – March 1

After 3 years of waiting, the second half of this sci-fi epic is finally arriving. Adapting the second half of the book of the same name, Dune’s second part boasts a star-studded cast of Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Josh Brolin, and is sure to be just as much of a visual feast as the first, if its multiple trailers are anything to go by.

Mickey 17 – March 29

Starring Robert Pattinson in his first major film role since his debut as Batman in 2022, a non-IP science fiction film with a reasonably high budget, directed by Bong Joon-Ho in his first film since he broke barriers and records at the 2020 Academy Awards for his film Parasite; Mickey 17 is loaded with reasons to watch. No trailer has been released yet, but based on its Spring 2024 release date, be sure to expect one soon. 

Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire – April 12

Whereas the Toho-produced Godzilla Minus One just recently provided us with a serious, life-affirming perspective on the classic Godzilla story, the American Godzilla is back to provide us with what is essentially a wacky Rock-Em-Sock-Em robots cartoon with giant Kaiju— and that’s okay! The first Godzilla Vs. Kong proved that these movies can simply be goofy, colorful action movies and still be fulfilling, and judging by the trailer for Godzilla X Kong, where a new, bigger, adversarial Kong is introduced, it seems like the new one will follow in those footsteps.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – May 24

This 8 years awaited prequel to Mad Max Fury Road stars Anya Taylor Joy as Furiosa, chronicling her life growing up in the rancid post-apocalypse of the Mad Max world up until she becomes the character played by Charlize Theron in Fury Road. George Miller, the shepherd of the Mad Max franchise and Happy Feet director returns to the director’s chair for the prequel, which means you should expect eye-popping visuals, manic pacing, and lots of gonzo (practically executed!) car chases.

Deadpool 3 – July 26

With the rest of Marvel’s 2024 slate being delayed to 2025 for “quality control” reasons, Deadpool 3 is the only 2024 Marvel theatrical release remaining, for better or for worse. Ryan Reynolds returns, joined now by Hugh Jackman returning as Wolverine, with Free Guy director Shawn Levy at the helm. If you’re a fan of the Deadpool films or just Ryan Reynolds’ shtick, this is definitely a release to look forward to.

Alien: Romulus – August 16

Despite being one of the longest-standing horror franchises in history, the Alien franchise hasn’t seen an entry in over 6 years now due to lackluster reception to 2017’s Alien Covenant. Now, it seems like that break is finally over, with Alien: Romulus, a new installment set in between Alien and Aliens, announced for a Summer 2024 release date. Little is known about the plot of the new franchise installment, though the Evil Dead remake and Don’t Breathe auteur Fede Alvarez is set to direct while Priscilla star Cailee Spaeny is set to star. 

Gladiator 2 – November 22

Just 3 months after Alien director Ridley Scott’s other long-awaited franchise sequel releases, the second installment of his other major hit Gladiator hits theaters, with Scott once again at the helm. The historical epic sequel boasts Paul Mescal in the lead, with Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Barry Keoghan rounding out the supporting cast, though original Gladiator star Russel Crowe is not set to return (which is expected for anyone who’s seen the first film).

Untitled Jordan Peele Project – December 25

From the creator of Get Out, Us, Nope, and the Key and Peele sketch show. Little is known about the mysterious fourth project besides the fact that it’s a horror comedy written and directed by Peele, but his involvement is more than enough to get me excited about it.

Nosferatu – December 25

A remake of the horror classic adaptation of Dracula, Nosferatu is the latest from director Robert Eggers of The Lighthouse, The Northman, and The Witch fame. Eggers excels at this sort of gothic classical period horror and joined by a game cast of horror alums including Bill Skarsgaard, Lily Rose-Depp, and Nicholas Hoult, Nosferatu is definitely one to look out for.