Hey everybody and welcome back to a brand new preview post, this time for the movies coming out in the Fall/early winter corridor of 2024. Now I actually quite enjoyed a lot of what was released in the Summer of 2024 (or at least the ones I checked out) and looking at what’s coming ahead, I honestly might be even more excited for what the rest of the year has in store. Just taking a glance at the slate, there are a great number of big and small releases that pique my interest and this is what we will be focusing on for this post. We’ll be taking a look at the ones I’m most looking forward to as well as some other big ones that I am curious about after the actual ranking. So without further ado, lets jump right in!
15. Venom: The Last Dance
Release Date: October 25th
I will admit that I was never really a big fan of the first Venom when it came out in October of 2018. I found the origin stuff to be fairly standard and didn’t really care much for many of the characters, but I did find great enjoyment with the Eddie-Venom relationship and when it leaned into the goofiness. I thought the follow up, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, was an improvement as it leaned into what worked about its predecessor and was overall a fun romp with some fun action, solid comedy, and just more interesting character stuff. So now we have what is shaping up to be the potential (?) trilogy capper which follows Eddie and Venom on the run from multiple threats including a team of Symbiote hunting soldiers led by an undisclosed character played by Chiwetel Ejiofor as well as more Symbiotes from Venom’s home planet. Just judging from the trailer, it looks to be the biggest of the three in terms of scale and conflict I am honestly very curious to see where things will go in terms of the story. It could end up potentially overstuffed, but it will certainly be ambitious and I am undoubtedly excited to see how it all plays out. It also just looks to be another fun ride as Tom Hardy looks to be having the time of his life playing Eddie Brock and I am always down to see more of the relationship with the snarky symbiote. So yeah, hopefully this will be a solid swan song to what has been an interesting trilogy to watch unfold (still can’t believe that Sony ACTUALLY pulled off one financially successful Spider-Man adjacent project without Spider-Man). Oh and if I wasn’t already sold… There’s going to be a Venom Horse. Nuff said.
14. We Live in Time
Release Date: October 11th
Or apparently the movie that is known by film twitter by having an image that contains a really funny looking carousel horse at the forefront (for those who don’t know, I’d recommend googling it as it was… quite the publicity getter for this film). All jokes about weird marketing choices (intentional or otherwise) aside this is the latest film from director John Crowley (whose 2015 film, Brooklyn is very well regarded and was nominated for a number of awards) and is being distributed by A24. It stars Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh as a couple who meet up in a chance encounter and have their lives changed. We get to follow the various trials and tribulations of their relationship and how they learn to cherish each moment of their relationship. This just looks to be a really compelling romantic drama with two actors whom I enjoy greatly and who seem to be displaying a solid chemistry with one another just based off of the trailer. I’m also interested in movies about relationships and what it takes to make and maintain them so this looks to be an interesting exploration that also seems to have a lot of laughs and emotion as well.
13. Conclave
Release Date: November 1st
Next we have a new psychological thriller that looks to be positioned as a big awards player this season. Makes sense as the director, Edward Berger, was behind the 2022 version of All Quiet on the Western Front which won numerous Academy Awards. His next feature concerns the death of the Pope and a Cardinal who is tasked with finding a successor. However, he comes to discover that the former Pope had a secret that must be uncovered. The cast consists of such acting heavyweights like Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, and John Lithgow. With performers like that and an intriguing premise, I think this has the potential to be a very engaging thriller with much on its mind. The trailer looked great, teasing all of the intrigue that could go down as well showcasing what look to be some very strong performances from an immensely talented cast. Focus Features is clearly positioning this as their big awards hopeful, so here’s hoping it lives up to expectations.
12. Heretic
Release Date: November 15th
Here we have another A24 release, this time from directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the writers of A Quiet Place. This film concerns two young missionaries who knock on the door of a man named Mr. Reed, an odd but seemingly kind old man, played by none other than Hugh Grant. They soon get more than they bargain for once they get caught up in a deadly cat and mouse game which will make them turn to their faith if they are willing to survive. This just sounds like a great hook for a horror thriller of this nature and the fact that Hugh Grant is playing a diabolical individual has me stoked as I don’t think I’ve ever seen him be in this kind of movie before (plus, it’s just always great to see him in stuff and have fun). It looks very intense with a potentially intriguing plot at its center and I actually kind of enjoyed Beck and Woods’s previous film, 65, more than most. It seems like they have a knack for these kinds of movies and I for one and very curious to see how this one turns out.
11. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Release Date: December 13th
Here’s one that I’m surprised isn’t getting much attention or buzz as it is the kind of thing I’d like to see more franchises try… a big theatrical anime feature. This new story from the world of J.R.R Tolkien is set 183 years before the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and concerns King of Rohan, Helm Hammerhead, and his family fighting off against an army of Dunlendings to protect their kingdom. Brian Cox will be voicing Helm, while Miranda Otto will reprise her role of Eowyn from the original trilogy. Directing is Kenji Kamiyama who has been behind various Ghost in the Shell projects. While I may not be as much of a Die-hard fan of the stories of Middle Earth as many others, I still greatly admire them and find the world to be a truly rich and imaginative one that is ripe for more exploration. So the fact that we are getting an anime project from this universe in theaters, a decade after the Hobbit trilogy concluded is something that was completely unexpected but in my eyes very exciting as this is the kind of big swing I would like to see more studios take with their iconic franchises. I’m a fan of the anime medium myself and getting to see how Middle Earth translates to that style is appealing to me. The story also has potential to be a compelling one and it overall looks like it could be a fun time. Wish more people were talking about it, but we still have a couple months more to go before buzz needs to build up. Who knows? If this is a success maybe we’ll start seeing more franchise expansions like it.
10. Nightbitch
Release Date: December 6th
Here is one of the more odd, yet interesting sounding premises that I’ve seen for any movie this year. Based off of the 2021 novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder, the plot of Nightbitch concerns an artist who takes a break from her career to become a stay at home mom. She does this to start a new part of her life and she gets just that… when her maternal instincts begin to kick in in canine form. Essentially she begins to start acting like a dog. It is definitely not a conventional hook, and yet that is what draws me to it as it sounds so wild that I have to see how this turns out. Adding to the excitement is that Amy Adams (also a plus for any movie) will be the star and that Marielle Heller will be the director. She was behind such acclaimed films like Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and most recently the Mr. Rogers biographical drama, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a film I absolutely loved. So getting to see her again back behind the director’s chair, this time doing what seems to be a horror/comedy has me undoubtedly excited and I’m really curious to see how this one shapes up.
9. Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Release Date: December 20th
If you had told me back in May of 2019 when the first teaser for Sonic the Hedgehog that contained that infamous initial design came out, that not only would that film had been a hit but a spawn an even more successful sequel which would lead to a third installment, I probably would have raised my eyebrow quite a bit. Yet here we are anticipating Sonic the Hedgehog 3 which looks to pay off what had been teased in the post credits scene of the last film: the appearance of Shadow the Hedgehog, who will be voiced by none other than Keanu Reeves. Not only that, but Jim Carrey will be re prising his scene stealing role of Dr. Robotnik, this time teaming up with Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in order to try and take Shadow down. As a Sonic fan, I myself have quite enjoyed the first two Sonic films as they are very fun adventures that do a nice job capturing the spirit of the games while having exciting action, solid comedy, and genuine heart. This new installment looks to continue that while also upping the ante when it comes to the stakes, action and story with a lot of inspiration seeming to be taken from Sonic Adventures 2 (where the story can get very dark…). Seeing Sonic and friends team up with Robotnik has potential and I am of course very stoked to see how Shadow is portrayed. Here’s hoping it is worth the hype and knowing that Jeff Fowler likely has a lot of plans left for the future, this will likely not be the last we see of the blue hedgehog in this current cinematic form.
8. Here
Release Date: November 1st
Robert Zemeckis is one director who will never cease to stop experimenting with the art form of film and its capabilities no matter how divisive the end results end up being sometimes. He’s back at it again, this time reuniting with Forest Gump stars, Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, for an interesting premise shot in a unique manner. Based off of a 2014 graphic novel by Richard McGuire, the main gimmick of this film is that the camera is placed in one spot and we see what occurs in one spot of land over centuries. We seem to be mainly following a couple as they live their lives. There’s just something about this premise and way of presenting it that has me intrigued as it is a very ambitious idea that if pulled off well, could make for something really special. The teaser looks very promising, hitting the feels quite effectively and Hanks and Wright look to be giving it their all. Could this end up being an ambitious but flawed misfire a la other Zemeckis projects in recent years. Perhaps, but I choose to hope that this will be another winner from one of the most legendary filmmakers of all time.
7. Megalopolis
Release Date: September 27th
Every now and then comes a movie that one hears so much of and how bonkers and messy it is, that one has to let curiosity get the best of them and see it for themselves. It seems the latest from Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, etc.) seems to fit that bill to a tee. This is a long gestating passion project from the man as he has been trying to get off the ground for decades. Thanks to some self funding, he has finally done it and boy does it looks to be something. It concerns the aftermath of the destruction of a metropolis called New Rome and the conflict that arises between an architect with ability to control time named Cesar and the corrupt mayor willing to maintain the status quo, Franklyn Cicero. It stars a stacked cast including the likes of Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Shia LaBeouf, Aubrey Plaza, Nathalie Emmanuel, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, and Dustin Hoffman. All of this alone had me intrigued as I think it sounds like an ambitious premise that’s right up my alley. It was when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival where it got an extremely polarizing reaction with people calling it great and thought provoking to others calling it an absolute mess. If anything that just makes me want to check out the movie even more just to know where I land on it. It reminds me a bit of how Babylon (my favorite movie of 2022) was received and while I don’t know if I’ll feel the same way about this as I did with that one, I know it’ll likely be quite the experience. Putting aside all of the controversy surrounding the second trailer utilizing AI to find critical pans of Coppola’s other movies that were false, or the extremely problematic behavior Coppola has allegedly been displaying on set (things that should not be ignored at all), I still am very curious to see what this one has in store for me.
6. Transformers One
Release Date: September 20th
When it comes to the Transformers franchise I’ve always been decent sized fan of it. I may not love the Michael Bay directed films (although they are fascinating for many reasons), but I loved Bumblebee and really enjoyed last year’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. So cinematically this franchise has been on good footing with me recently and I’ve quite enjoyed other media I’ve seen from them (such as the animated series, Transformers Prime which is quite enjoyable). Now we have this animated prequel set on Cybertron detailing how Orion Pax became Optimus Prime and how his rivalry with his former best friend, D-16 (AKA Megatron), came to fruition. Voice cast includes the likes of Chris Hemsworth as Optimus Prime, Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron, Keegan Michael-Key as Bumblebee, Scarlett Johansson as Elita, Jon Hamm as Sentinel Prime, and Steve Buscemi as Starscream. I’ve always been excited by the prospect of another animated Transformers movie (last one was in 1986 based off of the original cartoon) especially one set on Cybertron focused entirely on the Transformers. I feel like going into the origins of the Optimus Prime and Megatron rivalry has a lot of potential and I am excited to see what Josh Cooley does in his next big movie after Toy Story 4. I think visually it looks absolutely spectacular going for a really cool style that looks breathtaking on a big screen, the voice actors seem to be fitting the roles well, and it looks to be a really fun adventure that also looks to have some darker elements to it. Also if the early reactions are any indication, then this looks to be a real winner that could potentially start a new trilogy if successful.
5. Joker: Folie a Deux
Release Date: October 4th
I’m going to be honest and say that a sequel to Joker in the abstract didn’t really have me all that excited. I like the original quite a bit, but it worked as a stand alone story that I personally felt didn’t really lend itself to any sort of follow up. But then, more details started to become known and I started to change my tune. Todd Phillips returns to direct while Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as the Clown Prince of Crime with Lady Gaga joining the frame as Harley Quinn. The plot concerns how they meet and the various misadventures they go on together. The other big selling point and the one that has me the most intrigued is the aspect of this being a musical of sorts where the characters sing covers of various songs. Out of all of the directions a sequel to Joker could go in, that certainly was not the one I expected and I am very curious to see how it is pulled off. I have also been very impressed by the trailers as they have teased an interesting dynamic between Harley and Joker as well as captivating visuals and what look to be big and splashy musical numbers. I am just immensely fascinated in seeing how this turns out as like Megalopolis it could either be great or a mess. No matter what though it sure to go down as one of the more interesting franchise installments just by what it is attempting to do and I am all for it.
4. Piece by Piece
Release Date: October 11th
This here is another one of the more interesting features coming out this season as it is a new documentary concerning the life of Pharrell Williams… in Lego form! As a massive Lego fan, anything related to it is going to pique my interest. Not only that but it is directed by Morgan Neville who has been behind recently acclaimed documentaries such as the Mister Rogers doc, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, and the Anthony Bourdain doc, Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain. We are also set to get various appearances from prolific artists such as Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Busta Ryhmes, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, and Daft Punk among others. I am myself enjoy Pharrell Williams’s music, but honestly don’t know a whole lot about his life story. So this looks to be not only a learning experience for me, but also one done in a way that absolutely appeals to me. It is a fun unique way of telling this kind of story in documentary form and is a fun way to utilize the Lego brand. Visually, it looks really awesome and I like how it is leaning into the endless possibilities that can be done with this medium.
3. The Wild Robot
Release Date: September 27th
Dreamworks Animation returns for their second theatrical release after the successful Kung Fu Panda 4, with this adaptation of the book of the same name by Peter Brown. The story follows a robot named Roz who gets shipwrecked on an island and has to adapt to her surrounding, in the process, bonding with the animals residing there. The voice cast includes the likes of Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Catherine O’Hara, Stephanie Hsu, and Mark Hamill. Plus a big selling point for me is that Chris Sanders is behind the director’s chair. This is the man behind films like Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon, and The Croods. He also recently did the 2020 adaptation of The Call of the Wild, which I liked a lot and find incredibly underrated. I tend to gravitate towards his films and how they portray and explore unlikely friendships and this looks to be right up his wheelhouse. I think the trailers have been spectacular showcasing some stunning animation that looks to have a storybook feel to it, a nice sense of scale, and a story that looks to tug on the heartstrings immensely. Buzz has been very strong thus far and I have a very good feeling that this could be the next Dreamworks Animation film to get immense acclaim!
2. Nosferatu (2024)
Release Date: December 25th
Robert Eggers returns with this next film after The Northman which is a remake of the 1922 horror classic, Nosferatu. It is essentially a take on the story of Dracula with it being described as “a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake”. It also includes a stacked cast filled with the likes of Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Willem Dafoe, and Bill Skarsgard as the eponymous Count Orlok. While I haven’t seen all of his filmography, I am a massive fan of The Northman and find him to be such an interesting director in interviews where he discusses the filmmaking process and he seems to have a knack for bringing fascinating ideas and visions to life. This looks no different as the teaser delivered exactly what I hoped for with amazing cinematography, an intriguing story, great performers (am always down to see Williem Dafoe in anything), and an appropriately creepy atmosphere. I also always love a good Vampire story and I am getting serious Bram Stoker’s Dracula vibes from what was being shown (compliment). I am so down for this and cannot wait to see what Eggers has up his sleeve come Christmas day.
And my most anticipated movie of the Fall/Holiday season of 2024 is…
Gladiator II
Release Date: November 22nd
Now I will admit, that a Gladiator sequel in the abstract might seem a bit odd considering how the first film ended and one just wonders what can be done with it. That being said when you have Ridley Scott coming back, a director who has continuously shown to be a master at crafting large scale epics, my confidence starts to go up. Then you have a cast that includes the likes of Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielson, and the legendary Denzel Washington(!) out of all people. Confidence goes up some more. Then you have a plot that concerns Maximus’s nephew, Lucius, and how he also is trained to become a Gladiator with the fall of Rome looking to be the backdrop. Plot with a lot of promise the bestows even more confidence! Then you have a trailer that not only gives me chills, but promises a large scale epic with big battles, impressive production design, interesting ideas, intense looking battles, sharks swimming the Coliseum, men fighting rhinos, and Denzel Washington chewing the scenery like there is no tomorrow. At this point, confidence… okay I think you get the gist of it. Yeah everything about this film just has me so hyped as I just loving seeing big budget epics like this on a big screen. I think the original is fantastic and one of my personal favorites from Scott, so getting to see him play in this sandbox some more is always a plus in my book. So yeah, I am hyped beyond belief for this one and cannot wait to see what Scott is cooking here!
Honorable Mentions:
Now it’s time to discuss some other films that didn’t make the list but that I still have a certain level of interest in:
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice
Release Date: September 6th
Tim Burton returns to the world of his earliest feature with this supernatural follow up that concerns Lydia Deetz having to team up with the notorious title character in order to save her daughter. Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara reprise their roles while Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, and Willem Dafoe join the fun. I am a big fan of the original and find it to be a great supernatural comedy, but I will admit the idea of doing a sequel so many years later isn’t one that excites me too much as I like the first as a one and done. Still I’m definitely open to this being a fun time and visually it does look to capture that charm with Michael Keaton still providing the energy that brought to the character so many years ago.
Speak No Evil
Release Date: September 13th
This is an English language remake of a Danish horror film that came out in 2022 about a family going on vacation and residing with another family they meet… and finding out not all is what it seems. From what I’ve heard about that one, it is a very dark and unsettling film. I’m not sure if this one is going to go that far, but it has the potential to be a solid horror film. Mackenzie Davis and James McAvoy being involved is also a plus.
The Killer’s Game
Release Date: September 13th
Dave Bautista leads this action comedy concerning a hitman who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and decides to put a bounty on himself in order to avoid any suffering… only then to discover that there was a mix up and he is actually fine. Too late to stop the bounty he must fight various colorful assassins. This looks like it could be a fun action comedy especially with a cast that also includes Sofia Boutella, Pom Klementieff, Scott Adkins, Terry Crews, and Ben Kingsley.
Wolves
Release Date: September 27th
This action comedy starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney as two fixers assigned to the same job, definitely looks fun and seems like my kind of movie. It’s also nice to see Jon Watts direct a non-Spider-Man movie, something he hasn’t done since Cop Car in 2015. Would have loved to have seen this in a theater like initially planned… but then Apple decided to cancel those plans for a wide release and put it on the service with a limited theatrical release on September 20th. Definitely wasn’t happy to see what could have been a solid performer for the Fall season get taken off the calendar like that, but hey movie still could be good.
White Bird: A Wonder Story
Release Date: October 4th
I say this is coming out this Fall, but for all I know it could just get delayed as Lionsgate has been pushing this movie back for a while (was originally supposed to come out in September of 2022). I’m fairly confident that it will come out on this day as intended though, and as someone who loved Wonder, I am curious as to what this story entails as it is about Julien’s grandmother telling him a story about her time living in Nazi Germany and how a young boy helped her hide. It could be a compelling story and I’ve heard good things about the source material.
Saturday Night
Release Date: October 11th
I may not be an expert on Saturday Night Live, but I am of course aware of its immense impact on television and comedy as a whole. So, I am intrigued by what Jason Reitman has in store here as he takes on the first ever episode and the chaotic 90 minute lead up to it. It stars many talented individuals playing various SNL icons such as Gabriel LaBelle (Lorne Michaels), Rachel Sennott (Rosie Shuster), Cory Michael Smith (Chevy Chase), Dylan O’Brien (Dan Akroyd), Matt Wood (John Belushi), Lamorne Morris (Garret Morris), and so many more. Looks like it could be a fun and interesting story regardless of how accurate it is to what happened in real life.
Terrifier 3
Release Date: October 11th
Haven’t seen these movies yet, but I am aware of the shock value they contain and Art the Clown has become a new horror icon. With a Christmas setting, am curious as to what controversies this one will cause and how much it can expand on the other films in terms of financial success.
Smile 2
Release Date: October 18th
Haven’t seen the original yet, but I do remember all of the clever marketing gimmicks that were employed in order to sell it (having people smile at the cameras at baseball games). I just find it funny how we are getting two concert related horror/thrillers in such close proximity to one another. Looks creepy and I’m always down to see Naomi Scott in stuff.
Flight Risk
Release Date: October 18th
Mark Wahlberg stars in this thriller as a hit-man piloting a plane carrying a witness (played by Topher Grace) he is assigned to take out, while Michelle Dockery is the agent assigned to protect the witness. Mel Gibson also directs in his first effort behind the camera since 2016’s Hacksaw Ridge. Putting aside Gibson’s involvement (I will always admire his work that I love, but there’s just something icky about him still working in Hollywood given… well everything that happened with him) I could see this being a trashy fun thriller.
Anora
Release Date: October 18th
This latest film from Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Red Rocket, etc.) is about a sex worker (Mikey Madison) who meets and marries the son of a Russian Oligarch and the complications that arrive. This won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and is getting immense critical acclaim. Have never seen Baker’s previous films but this looks very good and I am very intrigued based off of the buzz.
Red One
Release Date: November 15th
This is one that could seriously go either way. Dwayne Johnson stars as the head of North Pole security and when Santa (J.K. Simmons, his second time playing Old Saint Nick after 2019’s Klaus) gets kidnapped, he must team up with bounty hunter, Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans) in order to save Christmas. Concept wise this could be fun as I like different takes on Holiday icons and director Jake Kasdan did a very good job I feel with the recent Jumanji movies. That being said… boy was that trailer not the best first impression (not to mention allegedly poor test screenings). Still I have morbid curiosity for this one, even if, financially speaking, I feel this is going to be another Argylle (intended for streaming would be franchise starter that releases theatrically and bombs horribly). Especially with a reported $250 million budget! (I know it was originally intended for streaming but come on)
Wicked
Release Date: November 22nd
The iconic Broadway show concerning the Witches of Oz is finally getting the big screen treatment with Ariana Grande playing Galinda and Cynthia Erivo playing Elphaba. Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh also star. I’ve never seen Wicked the stage so I’m actually not too familiar with this story aside from the basics. But, I am of course aware of its impact and am very curious as to how it will turn out. It looks pretty good and I have enjoyed many of Jon M. Chu’s previous works. Am curious of the decision to split it into two parts though and how that’ll be received.
Moana 2
Release Date: November 27th
Coming out 8 years after the original film, this sequel to the 2016 hit Moana follows the titular character on a new journey after receiving a new call from her way finder ancestors. She is joined alongside with Maui and some new sailors in order to stop a new enemies and protect her home. This was actually originally intended to be a TV series made for Disney+ until Bob Iger either decided that the story was worthwhile for the big screen or that he liked money and realized Disney+ wasn’t doing much in that regard. I’m hoping it is a combo of both as I am a big fan of the original and would love for this to be a worthwhile follow up. It looks solid, even if the plot is feeling reminiscent of the original. Still here’s hoping this one has some tricks up its sleeve.
Kraven the Hunter
Release Date: December 13th
Yet another entry in the Spider-Man villain movies that don’t have Spider-Man in them category. This is one that has been pushed back for a while as it was supposed to come out last October (even had a trailer and everything out), but then got pushed back due to the strikes. Now it is weirdly coming out in December because we all associate the Holidays with R-rated gore and mayhem. Jokes aside, I am somewhat intrigued by this one as at the very least it looks more surface level entertaining than either Morbius or Madame Web thanks to the R-rating. I also like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and the supporting cast here (Russell Crowe, Ariana DeBose, Alessandro Nivola, etc.) and the trailers honestly don’t look bad. Whether or not this will be good, who’s to say, but if this works as good old fashioned schlock with a lot of violence, hammy acting, and gore then I’ll be satisfied.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Release Date: December 20th
The 2019 remake of The Lion King was a classic example of a film that made a crap ton of money but is never really talked about that much with most of the conversation going to the 1994 original. With that said, I can understand wanting to capitalize on that success, even if this prequel/sequel (essentially what if The Godfather Part II, but with lions) will likely not come close to what its predecessor made. That being said, while I can’t say I’m that excited about this (not a huge Disney Live action remake/re imagining fan), I do have some cautious optimism. Academy Award winning director, Barry Jenkins behind the camera does instill some hope as does the fact that he does seem to be taking criticisms of the remake in mind by having the animals emote and have actual facial expressions. Plus, if one is going to use this technology for photo realism, at least this is telling a new story with it instead of trying to do a redo of a classic.
A Complete Unknown
Release Date: December 25th
James Mangold returns to the music biopic genre, nearly 20 years after he did the Johnny Cash biopic, Walk the Line. This time he is tackling the story of Bob Dylan who will be played by Timothee Chalamet. Also starring are Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, Dan Fogler, Scott McNairy (who has a big presence this fall/holiday season as he is in this, Speak No Evil, and Nightbitch), and Boyd Holbrook (playing Johnny Cash funnily enough).The film will also be tackling the controversy surrounding the switch to electrically amplified music as utilized by Dylan. The music biopic is the kind of film that is very execution driven for me as they really need to do more than just hit the expected notes in my eyes. That being said I’m a big of Mangold’s and I think Walk the Line is very good, so this definitely has potential to be a solid one. Could also get Chalamet some big awards buzz if everything goes well (even if I think he should get in for Dune: Part Two).
Conclusion:
And that just about wraps up my thoughts on the Fall/Early Winter 2024 slate! I am very excited/curious about a lot of these movies and hopefully they will be worth the wait. With that said, what do you guys think? Which movies are you most excited about and is there anything that your looking forward to that I didn’t mention? So many movies come out every year, that one can lose track of them and I’d love to keep more things on my radar. Anyways feel free to leave your comment down below and as always take care and hope everyone has a nice rest of year in store!
Review Time 