The most highly anticipated films of 2024
Fans received a first look at the upcoming film in 2022 followed by a first trailer in November 2023.
Disney Confirms Its 8 Biggest Movies Releasing In 2024
Disney recently updated its 2024 theatrical slate, revealing eight of its biggest blockbusters audiences should expect in the coming year.
While neither The Marvels or Wish have yet to make their 2023 debuts, Disney’s 2024 movies are already making headlines but not for reasons the company would like.
As a result of the industry strikes, Disney revisited its packed slate for the coming year; and while there are still questions about potential delays, there’s also anticipation for its 2024 blockbuster films.
Disney’s 8 Biggest 2024 Movies
On October 27, Disney released its updated 2024 release schedule, including the eight biggest Disney movies expected to debut in the new year amidst the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
Deadpool 3 – May 3, 2024
While the franchise’s MCU debut has yet to receive its official title, fans already know that Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool is returning alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine for a Multiversal adventure featuring a lengthy list of confirmed cameos and a few rumored possibilities, ranging from Loki‘s Mobius to Taylor Swift.
As the film was “halfway through filming” before the SAG-AFTRA strike halted production, it’s unlikely that Deadpool 3 will keep its May release.
However, as new reports claim Disney hopes to resume production in January 2024 (strikes permitting), a 2024 release is still a possibility.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – May 24, 2024
The first Planet of the Apes film following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes starring Owen Teague is an intended sequel to 2017’s War for the Planet of the Apes.
This next Apes movie is “set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows.”
Fans received a first look at the upcoming film in 2022 followed by a first trailer in November 2023.
Inside Out 2 – June 14, 2024
Set to release nine years after the original 2015 film, Inside Out 2 will reunite much of Inside Out‘s original cast of emotions, along with a range of new emotions as a result of Riley’s teenage years.
Whether Inside Out 2 will be affected by the strikes is unknown, particularly since Pixar’s Elio, which was originally set to release on March 1, 2024, was recently delayed to June 13, 2025.
Mufasa: The Lion King – July 5, 2024
The prequel to the 2019 box office smash, Mufasa: The Lion King intends to do what its live-action (is it, though?) precedessor did not, which is to tell a new story about Mufasa’s path to becoming king and his relationship with his brother, Scar.
Apart from Barry Jenkins helming the sequel and potential plans for a Lion King Cinematic Universe, fans know little about the film’s progress or the likelihood of it sticking to its current release date.
Captain America: Brave New World – July 26, 2024
In addition to serving as Sam Wilson’s first big screen entry as Captain America, Brave New World also stars Harrison Ford as Thunderbolt Ross and is expected to set up Thunderbolts.
Despite Disney listing the film with a July release, there’s speculation that Captain America 4 could release sooner, taking Deadpool 3‘s May 3 slot due to already having completed principal photography.
Untitled Alien Event Movie – August 16, 2024
The latest addition to the long-running Alien franchise, the untitled film from 20th Century Studios is expected to follow “a group of young people on a distant world, who find themselves in a confrontation with the most terrifying life form in the universe.”
Directed by Fede Alvarez, the ninth Alien film was reported to start production on March 9 in Budapest.
The Amateur – November 8, 2024
Another 20th Century Studios film, The Amateur starring Rami Malek and Rachel Brosnahan follows a CIA cryptographer who loses his wife in a terrorist attack. He then blackmails the agency to train him in order to take down his wife’s killers himself.
Thunderbolts – December 20, 2024
Marvel Studios’ final film of 2024, Thunderbolts is the long-awaited team-up of past MCU antiheroes and villains, including Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell’s U.S. Agent, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, and more.
The most highly anticipated films of 2024
As the end of the year fast approaches, moviegoers are looking to 2024 to see what big movies will make their splash in theaters.
Next year already has a wide variety of highly anticipated films starring a number of A-listers, including Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds, Michael Keaton, Zendaya, Lady Gaga and Tom Cruise, among many others.
From action, animated and rom-coms, to live-action re-imaginings and thrillers, 2024 will have a movie for everyone.
While some are months away, there have been sneak peeks of some of the can’t-miss movies, including “Wicked Part 1,” “Joker: Folie a Deux” and “Dune: Part Two.” Then there are films like “Beetlejuice 2” and “Deadpool 3” that have fans of the franchises excited to see their favorite character reprising their iconic roles.
Below, we’ve rounded up a number of films that are expected to make waves in 2024.
“Bob Marley: One Love”
Release Date: February 14, 2024
Kingsley Ben-Adir stars as reggae legend Bob Marley in this Valentine’s Day-premiering biopic. The film will highlight the life and legacy of the late music icon, seeing his global rise to fame and hardships.
Lashana Lynch plays his wife Rita Marley, with “King Richard” director Reinaldo Marcus Green helming the drama.
The first trailer dropped in July, showing how Marley was beloved by many, but also survived an assassination while singing for peace.
“The Fall Guy”
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt co-star in this action-filled comedy inspired by the hit 1980s TV series. The film follows Gosling as former stuntman Colt Seavers, “a battle-scarred stuntman” who left the industry to focus on his physical and mental health. However, he returns to the business when the star of the big budget movie his ex Jody Moreno (Blunt) is directing goes missing.
Hannah Waddingham, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Stephanie Hsu and Winston Duke co-star.
“The Fall Guy” is directed by David Leitch and written by Drew Pearce.
“Kung Fu Panda 4”
Release Date: March 8, 2024
Jack Black returns as Po, the kung fu-loving panda with an appetite, as he goes on another adventure in ancient China. For the fourth installment in the animated franchise, Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu and Seth Rogen are joining in on the fun.
“Snow White”
Release Date: March 22, 2024
Despite some online backlash about the Latina actor taking on the role, the film is set to add a “modern edge” to the story. While not much is known about the remake, it is set to follow the original 1937 musical “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” In it, the jealous wicked queen orders the murder of her stepdaughter Snow White, who is later rescued by seven dwarfs that live in the woods.
Gal Gadot is set to play the Evil Queen, with Andrew Burnap taking on the role of Jonathan.
“A Quiet Place: Day One”
Release Date: March 8, 2024
The plot of the film is under wraps, but it has been said that the storyline is not a continuation of “A Quiet Place: Part II,” rather a spinoff. “Day One” features Alex Wolff, Denis O’Hare, Lupita Nyong’o, Djimon Hounsou and “Stranger Things” star Joseph Quinn.
The film is directed by Michael Sarnoski and written by John Krasinski, Scott Beck and Jeff Nichols.
“Dune: Part II”
Release Date: March 15, 2024
Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem return for the highly anticipated sequel to the sci-fi hit. After his family was under attack, Paul Atreides (Chalamet) teams up with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen, the native inhabitants of Arrakis, in search of revenge. Fighting against the conspirators, he must decide between following his heart or saving the universe.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Florence Pugh and Austin Butler also co-star.
“Challengers”
Release Date: April 26, 2024
Zendaya is involved in a love triangle in this steamy sports drama.
Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me By Your Name”) directs Zendaya as Tashi, a former tennis prodigy and now coach who is helping her husband Art (Mike Faist) prepare for an upcoming tournament against her ex-boyfriend and his past best friend, Patrick (Josh O’Conner). The tension rises as their previous personal history starts to complicate their relationships.
“Deadpool 3”
Release Date: May 3, 2024
Upon announcing the third film in the franchise, Ryan Reynolds teased High Jackman’s return as Wolverine. Jackman had retired as the X-Men character in 2017’s “Logan,” but couldn’t resist the invite from his pal.
“Deadpool 3,” directed by Shawn Levy, will see Deadpool crossing paths with a recovering Wolverwine before they team up to fight evil together.
“Inside Out 2”
Release Date: June 14, 2024
Nine years after “Inside Out” made people feel all the feels, the sequel is headed to the big screen in 2024. The Pixar movie is set to follow Riley, now in her teenage years, as she encounters new emotions.
Amy Poehler returns to voice Joy, while Phyllis Smith is Sadness and Lewis Black is Anger. Diane Lane also returns as Riley’s mom.
“Bad Boys 4”
Release Date: June 14, 2024
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return as Mike and Marcus, taking on a new set of bad guys. Plot details are unknown at this time, however, you can count on there being a lot of action and laughs.
Joining them on the fourth film in the franchise is Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Rhea Seehorn and Eric Dane.
Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah direct, with Chris Bremner and George Gallo as writers.
“Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 2”
Release Date: June 28, 2024
Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, continues his seemingly impossible missions in the eighth installment of the “Mission Impossible” franchise.
A follow-up to “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” at this time there are no further details on what is expected to be an action-packed feature. However, expect to see Rebecca Ferguson, Hannah Waddingham, Vanessa Kirby, Simon Pegg and Nick Offerman alongside Cruise.
Christopher McQuarrie takes the lead as director with Bruce Geller, Erik Jendresen and Christopher McQuarrie co-writing the script.
“Twisters”
Release Date: July 19, 2024
Twenty-eight years after “Twister” wreaked havoc in movie theaters, a sequel is headed to the big screen.
According to Variety, plot details are scarce and it’s unknown how the first and second film will be related. However, Universal described the sequel as “a new chapter from the 1996 movie.”
IMDB also describes it as centering “on a pair of storm chasers who risk their lives in an attempt to test an experimental weather alert system.”
Kiernan Shipka, Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones are all starring alongside, Maura Tierney, Anthony Ramos and Sasha Lane. It’s unclear if “Twister” star Helen Hunt will make an appearance. Bill Paxton, who played Bill Harding, an ex-storm chaser-turned-TV weatherman, in the film, died Feb. 2017 after complications from heart surgery.
Lee Isaac Chung directs a script by Michael Crichton and Mark L. Smith.
“Despicable Me 4”
Release Date: July 3, 2024
Plot details are unknown but Gru and his minions will undoubtedly have a new villain to take on in the fourth installment of the family-fun franchise. Steve Carell returns as the supervillain with a heart, as does Kristen Wiig as the voice of Lucy, Gru’s wife.
Gru’s adopted daughters, Margo, Edith and Agnes, will most likely also capture audiences’ hearts with their lovable antics.
“Mufasa: The Lion King”
Release Date: July 5, 2024
Barry Jenkins directs the live-action-styled prequel to “The Lion King.” Per IMDB, After Simba becomes king of the Pride Lands, “he is determined for his cub to follow in his paw prints while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored.”
Aaron Pierre voices Mufasa, while Seth Rogen reprises his role as Pumbaa, with Billy Eichner as Timon and John Kani as Rafiki.
“Captain America: Brave New World”
Release Date: July 26, 2024
The fourth movie in the Captain America franchise sees Anthony Mackie as the titular character, also known as Sam Wilson. Taking the lead after Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers retired, the new Captain America will embark on his own heroic, world-saving adventure.
Julius Onah directs a script by Dalan Musson and Malcolm Spellman. Harrison Ford, Liv Tyler, Danny Ramirez co-star, with a rumored Sebastian Stan reprising his role as Bucky Barnes.
“Beetlejuice 2”
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Michael Keaton reprises his role as Beetlejuice in Tim Burton’s sequel. Not much is known about the follow-up to the 1998 film, but Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara are among the actors returning to the Beetlejuice world.
Newcomers include Jenna Ortega as Ryder’s on-screen daughter and Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s wife, as well as Justin Theroux and Willem Dafoe.
“Joker: Folie a Deux”
Release Date: October 4, 2024
After winning the best actor Oscar, Joaquin Phoenix puts his clown makeup back on for the sequel. This time, Lady Gaga joins him as Harley Quinn in a role many are excited to see her take on.
Director Todd Phillips shared the first photo from the “Joker” sequel on Valentine’s Day, showing the two stars interacting as their psychotic characters. Zazie Beetz, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener also co-star in the thriller.
“Wicked”
Release Date: November 27, 2024
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will be making their Emerald City debut as Glinda and Elphaba in the two-part movie adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked.”
Directed by Jon Chu, the story shows how the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch were best friends before they became enemies. The first look at the witches was shared by the leading ladies and Chu in April of this year.
“Gladiator 2”
Release Date: November 22, 2024
Ridley Scott returns to the Roman Empire with a sequel to his 2000 film starring Russell Crowe. Per IMDB, “Gladiator 2” will follow Lucius, the son of Maximus’ love Lucilla, after Maximus’ death.
Paul Mescal will star as Lucius, with Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal also co-starring. Other actors involved in the film include Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, Djimon Hounsou as Juba and Joseph Quinn. It is presumed that Crowe will not be involved in the sequel.
CORRECTION (Oct. 4, 2023, 12:28 p.m.): An earlier version of this article misstated that it was unclear if Bill Paxton would reprise his role in 2024’s “Twister.” Bill Paxton died Feb. 25, 2017 after complications from heart surgery.
Liz Calvario is a Los Angeles-based reporter and editor for TODAY.com who covers entertainment, pop culture and trending news.