Thanks to a cadre of blue chip films that have been pushed into 2024 release dates due tostrikes by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, next year is shaping up to be a murderer’s row of big-budget bonanzas. Along with the expected superhero sequels and franchise reboots in the form ofThe Karate KidandBeetlejuice 2, we’ll see some big name theater productions and video game IP crossing over to the silver screen. Although Hollywood appears to be evolving further into franchise expansion, we’re also slated to see biopics, new Marvel movies, and even a sports drama.
While most of these films have been issued release dates, many are subject to change, as the SAG-AFTRA strike continues to stymie shooting schedules.Beetlejuice 2, to point, was only one day of shooting away from completion beforetheir production got shut down. Still, many of these films are on schedule and promising to make audiences ring up a big-grossing year in streaming and have people trickling back from their couches into movie theaters. Between animated films, a continued move towards high action, and some clever reconstituting of beloved franchises — 2024 could set records for buttered popcorn consumption.
The following are the 20 most anticipated films of 2024.
20Kraven the Hunter — August 02, 2025
Kraven the Hunter
Kraven the Hunter is the fourth movie in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, set in the same Marvel continuity as Tom Hardy’s Venom and Jared Leto’s Morbius. Played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the titular Kraven goes on a solo adventure as an anti-hero, this time independent of his comic book counterpart’s crusade to hunt down Peter Parker.
Marvel’sKraven the Hunterhas long been rumored to jump into the Sony Spider-Man Universe, now doing so with its own film. Early snaps have star Aaron Taylor-Johnson looking enormous and donning some Conan-like garb, and he may finally shoot to stardom afterBullet TrainandWinter Soldierheralded his potential.
Why Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the Perfect Fit for Kraven
Taylor-Johnson has steadily grown into leading man status within the MCU, after acting in supporting roles inCaptain America: The Winter SoldierandAvengers: Age of Ultron. The 33-year-old actor looks set to take the mantle from Chris Hemsworth as the MCU’s newÜbermensch, as Hemsworth intends to leave hisThorrole before audiences tire of it further.
19Challengers — July 21, 2025
Challengershas already gotten plenty of buzz thanks to early press releases that have included some steamy photos of Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, enjoying themselves — to put it delicately. If Zendaya’s work onEuphoriais any indicator, this film could mimic the anticipation felt forFifty Shades of Greyleading up to its Spring premier.
Why We’re Pumped to See Challengers
DirectorLuca Guadagninomade a huge splash at Cannes in 2017 with the premier ofCall Me By Your Name, which would go on to win Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars.Challengerswill be penned by a different screenwriter, playwright and novelist Justin Kuritzkes, and promises to be something akin toMatch PointmeetsY tu mamá también.
18Wicked Part 1— July 29, 2025
Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway musicalWickedhas finally found a home on-screen asWicked: Part 1— and with Ariana Grande in the starring role, we’re expecting buzz akin to this year’sBarbiebuild-up. The early images are proving that the film version will be every bit the large-scale production that helped the 2003 musical to become Broadway’s fourth-longest running show, surpassingCatsand earning over a billion dollars.
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Why Wicked Will Be a Box Office Smash
Besides the insatiable hunger for Halloween-related films and their marketability in Hollywood,Wickedhas a built-in audience thanks to one of the most successful Broadway runs ever. Add to that the star-power and vocal chops of Arianna Grande, and this may be 2024’s highest-grossing film if one of Broadway’s highest-earning properties translates to streaming in the way thatWednesdaydid.
17Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse – Unconfirmed Release Date
Officially the second part of the sequel,Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versewill be expected to tie up the cliffhanger left for Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and his crew in the previous film. Most of the voice cast from the franchise’s second installment will be appearing again, including Oscar Isaac and Hailee Steinfeld.
Can Beyond the Spider-Verse Compete With a Large Field of Animated Films?
IfAcross the Spider-Versewas any indication, this film could set box office records this year. It earned upwards of $690 million, thanks to its enormous target audience and a brilliant re-imagining of the original film. With Lord and Miller still at the helm of the writer’s room, we doubtBeyond the Spider-Versewill waver.
16IF — June 17, 2025
IFrecently had its release date moved a week earlier, so as not to compete with Paramount’sSpongeBob Squarepantssequel. Such is the state of theatrical releases these days — as production companies move to squeeze every dollar out of dual releases. With a split live-action/computer-animated approach that features Ryan Reynolds in the flesh and a star-studded voice cast, the film could be formidable.
Why IF Could Be Great
John Krasinski has gradually expanded from acting to working as a producer (Manchester By the Sea) and directing the highly-successfulA Quiet Placefranchise. Now he’s moving into lighter fare withIF, with a script about a young girl who can see people’s discarded imaginary friends. With an A-List voice ensemble including Matt Damon, Steve Carell, and Emily Blunt, the film figures to give 2024’s deep field of animated content a run for its money.
15Fall Guy — August 06, 2025
Fall Guyis a re-fashioning of an ’80s TV series of the same name, with scribeDrew Pearce(Rogue Nation,Iron Man 3) promising an engaging story. Ryan Gosling will play Colt Seavers, a battered and bruised stunt coordinator who finds himself investigating a star’s disappearance.
Why Fall Guy Has Exactly the Right Director
Director David Leitch has some serious set-piece prowess, evident in his earlier action filmsJohn WickandDeadpool 2, but brings unique perspective to this stuntman story — having been one himself earlier in his career. The concept has been bounced around for over a decade, and the success of another stuntperson slice-of-life,Once Upon a Time in Hollywoodpossibly acceleratingFall Guyinto a green light.
14Thunderbolts — July 29, 2025
Thunderbolts*
Thunderboltshas quickly become the most-anticipated of Marvel’s properties expanding in 2024 thanks to casting that includesStranger Thingsfavorite David Harbour andPam and Tommy’s Sebastian Stan as they’ve ascended to A-List status thanks to Pandemic Era primes. The Marvel movie got a recent press release and trailer in October, that appeared dead set on distinguishing this franchise fromThe Avengers.
WhyThunderboltsWill Measure Up at the Gate
Year after year, the economic viability of Marvel has proven to assuage doubts about the expansion into the lesser-known of the Studio’s properties.Thunderboltsis banking on the appeal of approaching a Marvel movie from the perspective of the supervillains. Add to that the presence of director Darren Aronofsky and color us excited.
13Borderlands — August 16, 2025
Borderlandsis slated to be 2024’s biggest transfer of a gaming property to film, as the source material will provide for a zany space epic with a comedic cast to match. Director Eli Roth, who has the horror filmThanksgivingpremiering this month, will no doubt provide the film with a dark sheen, as the humor and horror have never interfered with one another in his movies.
Why Borderlands Could Elevate Eli Roth to a New Level
While Eli Roth did make a big-budget fantasy withThe House With a Clock in Its Walls, he has yet to fully cross over from the mid-budget horror that’s made his name famous to, say, the superhero realm as a director. WhileThanksgivingis right in his wheelhouse,Borderlandscould be a riskier proposition if it doesn’t compete as expected at the gate.
12Furiosa — June 03, 2025
Director George Miller had already begunFuriosa, in earnest, in October 2020 — wrapping production the following year — afterMad Max: Fury Roadhad made the property into a juggernaut. Still, pending reshoots and the strike, its May release could get pushed if the film’s actors are unable to do the usual spate of junkets and promotions after the holidays.
What’s So Promising About Furiosa?
Anya Taylor-Joywill play a younger Furiosa in the prequel, stretching her range even further, as she’s already tackled roles in everything from stylized thrillers to period dramas. Now she’s attempting to become a full-fledged action star, as well — and if Charlize Theron’s earlier performance inFury Roadis any indicator, we’ll find out the origins of Furiosa’s amputated arm and bad attitude.
11Captain America: Brave New World – June 18, 2025
Anthony Mackie is set to reprise his role as Sam Wilson from the Disney+ seriesThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Now Mackie will fill big boots inCaptain America: Brave New World, with Harrison Ford replacing the dearly departed William Hurt in the role of Thaddeus Ross.
Why We Are Super Pumped to See Harrison Ford in Captain America: Brave New World
As Thaddeus Ross, Harrison Ford is set to have a big character arc befitting of his franchise-making career. Marvel hasteased some early photosshowing Ford as the Red Hulk, and it looks like Indiana Jones himself donned the motion-capture suit — judging by his striking facial features coming through in the Red Hulk stills.
