Last year I went on record with what films I was most looking forward to seeing this year. It turned out to be a very popular article and I did quite well at predicting my preferences in my end of year lists. You can see quite how well on New Year’s Eve when I post my film review of the year.

So lets get excited about what is on its way in 2024. Here is a top 10 and some worthy mentions…

1. The Fall Guy

This looks so much fun and features two of my biggest acting crushes; Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. It is also from David Leitch who is the director of John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2 and Bullet Train. And just for good measure features Aaron Taylor-Johnson who is no slouch in an action film.

The plot involves Gosling’s stuntman being called in to save a big budget blockbuster when its star (Taylor-Johnson) goes missing. Complicated further by the fact that the film is directed by his ex (Blunt). Expect a big action comedy blockbuster with two of the most attractive stars in the industry.

Due May 3rd.

2. Furiosa

2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road was an absolutely spectacular action movie that I rated as my 5th favourite film of that year. So it comes as no surprise that George Miller returning for another film in his Mad Max saga would be high on my list of exciting films.

Furiosa tells the origin story of Charlize Theron’s Furiosa with Anya Taylor-Joy taking on the role for this prequel. Whilst Chris Hemsworth takes on the other lead role and looks positively crazy from the first trailer that dropped this month.

Due May 24th.

3. Dune Part II

The only returning film from last year’s list. This was scheduled for November but thanks to an actors’ strike preventing stars from hitting the campaign trail it was pushed back to March. Director Denis Villeneuve will return for part 2 of this epic featuring Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and many more.

Dune was my fifth favourite film of 2021 and I am looking forward to its conclusion.

Due March 15th.

4. Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes

This film makes it into this list purely on my feelings towards the Rise/Dawn/War trilogy that arrived on screens in 2011, 2014 and 2017 respectively from directors Rupert Wyatt (Rise) and Matt Reeves (Dawn & War). They featured towering motion capture performances from Andy Serkis, whom Reeves would go on to cast as his Alfred in The Batman.

The reality is though that I probably should temper my excitement as it features an entirely new cast and crew and is set quite some time after those films. A rousing trailer and some startling images have made it look like one to watch though.

My review of War for the Planet of the Apes is the only one of the films on my site. So perhaps I might try and find the time for a rewatch and ranking around when this next instalment is released.

Due May 24th.

5. Nosferatu (2024)

1922’s Nosferatu directed by F.W. Murnau is a timeless classic.

2000’s Shadow of the Vampire starring Willem Dafoe meanwhile was a fantastic homage which reimagined its lead star was particularly brilliant at portraying a vampire because he may have been one.

Next year we can watch the remake of Nosferatu which will be written and directed by one of the great new film making talents around; Robert Eggers. Eggers has three films under his belt. The Witch, The Lighthouse and The Northman. All of which have been particularly brilliant and challenging in their own way and the latter two also featured Willem Dafoe who will also feature here.

The cast is also incredibly interesting with Bill Skarsgard, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp also featuring.

Due December 25th/26th.

6. Alien: Romulus

2024 will see two new entries into the Alien franchise.

If I am honest it will be the TV Series written and directed by Noah Hawley that I am most eagerly anticipating as Hawley is the creative genius behind the astoundingly brilliant Fargo TV series. But as this is a most anticipated film list I am also going to suggest the new film in the franchise will also be something worth keeping our minds open for.

At the moment little is known. It being co-written and directed by Fede Alvarez suggests it may be leaning considerably into its horror roots. Whilst star Cailee Spaeny has suggested that it will be set somewhere between the 1st and 2nd film in terms of timeline. Other than that it is a mystery. And perhaps we should leave it that way and hope for something truly epic.

Due August 16th.

7. Gladiator 2

86 year old Ridley Scott does not seem to know how to slow down. After completing Napoleon he very swiftly moved onto the sequel to 2000’s Gladiator with a script from David Scarpa who wrote Napoleon.

Paul Mescal will star as Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe’s Maximus. And the cast will be filled out with big names such as Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen.

Personally I can not see that title staying as is and I would not be surprised if Crowe makes a cameo as a dead father speaking to his son. But otherwise we know that Ridley Scott can do historical epics on an epic scale. All we need to follow is a great story.

Due November 22nd.

8. The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim

So this one is a huge leap of faith from me that this will be great just because it is an animated Lord of the Rings adaptation. Brian Cox and Miranda Otto are signed on as voice stars, with Otto having previously appeared as Eowyn in the original trilogy and possibly reprising that role here.

Otherwise I know nothing else and am just crossing my fingers. I am also not expecting a theatrical release but who knows.

Due December 13th.

9. Megalopolis

Everything about this film seems crazy.

Francis Ford Coppola, the director of some of the greatest films ever made, including; The Godfather Trilogy, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now was unable to get financing for his latest opus. The result is him sinking $120 million of his own money to make his epic about two men vying for their vision of what New York should be and how humanity should approach how society lives within it. Or at least I think so based on the various clippings I have read.

Coppola has got a cast together including; Oscar Isaac, James Caan, Zendaya, Cate Blanchett, Michelle Pfeiffer, Forest Whitaker, Jon Voight and Jessica Lange.

Honestly I am expecting this one to be a gigantic mess with Coppola’s last film of any note being 1992’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula. But this is such a gigantic swing from the once great director you can only hope it becomes something special.

Due at some point in 2024!

10. Mickey 17

Another film where the plot is virtually unknown. But the book synopsis suggests it is about a space traveller who can be cloned and replaced each time he dies.

Written and directed by Bong Joon Ho who has given us the wonderful Okja, Parasite and Snowpiercer this is based on a book by Edward Ashton and will star Robert Pattinson (who always picks intriguing films), Mark Ruffalo, Steven Yeun and Toni Collette.

Due March 29th.

As ten films could never be enough and as I think numbers 6-10 on this list are far from safe bets here are some more I have my eye on…

• Argylle – A Matthew Vaughn film (Kick-Ass, Kingsman) starring Henry Cavill, Sofia Boutella, Bryce Dallas Howard, Samuel L. Jackson, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston and many more. This appears to be a typical Vaughn film with lots of laughs and a comic action type storyline. Due February 2nd.
• Ballerina – A John Wick spin off starring Ana De Armas, Keanu Reeves, Lance Reddick and Ian McShane. Directed by Len Wiseman. Due June 7th.
• Beetlejuice 2 – 1988’s Beetlejuice is a classic. So hopefully returning director Tim Burton can conjure up some more magic with Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder returning and Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci and Willem Dafoe joining the cast. Due September 6th.
• Borderlands – Based on a pretty fantastic videogame this one is directed by Eli Roth and stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Arianna Greenblatt, Jack Black and Cate Blanchett. I really hope this captures the irreverent fun of the game and features lots of shooting. Due August 9th.
• Civil War – Writer/Director Alex Garland looks set to bring us an intriguing proposition of a US divided starring Kirsten Dunst, Nick Offerman, Jesse Plemons and Cailee Spaeny.
• Deadpool 3 – Deadpool joins the MCU and is bringing along Wolverine for good measure! And right now the MCU could probably do with the craziness of Deadpool and the cult appeal of Wolverine. Shawn Levy will direct Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Due July 26th.
• Joker 2 – Or possibly Joker: Folie a Deux depending on what name they go for. Todd Phillips returns to direct Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker again, this time adding Harley Quinn played by Lady Gaga. Due October 4th.
• Paddington In Peru – With the first two films already being considered National Treasures there must be high hopes for this third entry starring Olivia Colman and Ben Whishaw. Due November 8th.
• Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse – I am sticking my neck out here because I do not believe this is going to land in 2024. If I did, I think it might be my number 1 film on this list. The first two films are spectacular! Due at some point in 2024.
• Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver – This is where I give away the fact I have written this article before 22nd December when Part One – A Child Of Fire is due for release. I hope Zack Snyder’s double bill is more Man of Steel/Watchmen and less Sucker Punch/Batman v Superman. One thing for sure is that his hordes of fans will be in heaven. Due April 19th. So umm here is my review of Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child Of Fire so I crossed this out!

So there you have it. 19 films I am looking forward to… what should have made number 20?