Questions for the movies in 2024

What does a new year have in store at the theater?

As I wrote last year, I’m not the biggest fan of doing “most anticipated” lists at the start of the year. There is so much that is unknown about the year ahead, particularly this year, when release schedules and productions are in flux due to last year’s strikes. And, as I’ve said before, most-anticipated lists are really just marketing; we can only react to what we know is coming out, and it’s really only the films that studios have money to throw at advertising that are on our radar. Last year, only two films from my most-anticipated list (Oppenheimer and Killers of the Flower Moon) made my top 10 list. The movies that topped my eventual list, Anatomy of a Fall and Past Lives, were unheard of by me in January 2023. 

But I do have questions about movies in 2024, things I can’t wait to find out when we finally see the films for ourselves. What’s the truth behind the marketing? Who will surprise us? What should I be excited about? And so, as we start this new movie year, here are some questions I hope to have answered. 

What does a year without superhero dominance look like? 

Last year, the superhero stranglehold on Hollywood loosened. It started out like any other recent year, with Marvel and DC superheroes poised to take the box office captive. And…that did not happen. The DCEU had a yearlong death rattle, with Shazam 2, The Flash and Blue Beetle failing to capture audiences; Aquaman 2 fared slightly better, but still failed to reach the heights of its predecessor. The Mighty Marvel Machine also began spitting gears, as the studio’s Disney+ shows were met with a shrug, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was an ugly mess, and The Marvels saw the lowest grosses ever for the MCU. On top of it all, the actor who the MCU had centered its next major phase around, Jonathan Majors, was dropped as the villainous Kang when he was convicted of assault. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse were the only comic book high points for the year. 

DC is going dark until 2025 while James Gunn prepares his new take on Superman. The Spider-Verse trilogy-capper likely won’t release until some time in 2025. Marvel’s only movie is Deadpool 3 – which, as it brings back Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, will likely be a good-sized hit. The only other superhero films are Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web, two films from the studio that brought us the Venom movies and (checks notes) Morbius. We’re also getting a sequel to Todd Phillips’ Joker. Interestingly, the Deadpool, Joker and Kraven movies are all rated R, making Madame Web the only mainstream superhero movie of the year to be accessible to a teenage audience. Will the break allow other movies room to breathe? Will it give DC and Marvel time to clean up their messes? And will audiences care when they return? 

What does an Ethan Coen movie look like? 

It’s been five years since Joel and Ethan Coen have co-directed a movie, the Netflix anthology The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. In the meantime, the only release from either of the brothers was Joel’s 2021 adaptation of Macbeth, an austere and blisteringly performed masterpiece. And while I highly enjoyed that film – and even put it on my top ten list for the year – I have to admit that I miss the quirky crime stories the brothers regularly put out. 

We’ll see if Ethan Coen delivers that with his solo directorial effort, Drive Away Dolls (Feb. 23). A road trip comedy about two women who get mixed up with some criminals, the early trailers looked like this might capture the energy and strangeness of the brothers’ Raising Arizona days. I’m hopeful; but I also would love to see the two reteam again. 

Can Dune II spice up the box office? 

In 2021, Dennis Villeneuve’s Dune was one of the rare early pandemic theatrical hits. A sprawling and labyrinthine adaptation of the beloved books, its epic scope and breathtaking visuals made it one of the first movies since COVID’s appearance that audiences turned out to watch on the big screen (despite also being available on what was then HBO Max). It brought in $400 million, more than $100 million of which was made in the U.S. – not great blockbuster numbers, but solid for a film released as COVID was still at full force and vaccines were nascent. 

All eyes are on Villeneuve for Dune: Part 2. Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya and Rebecca Ferguson are all returning to wrap up the story begun in the first one – and potentially set the stage for more Dune adaptations. This was originally slated to come out last Christmas until it was delayed due to the strikes. Now, it will release March 1, and it’s the only major release for grownups for several weeks. And in a post-pandemic world, it’s going to need to earn a lot more than $100 million to be considered a success. Villeneuve is probably up there with Nolan as our best big-scale sci-fi director, and I’m curious whether this will be as critically successful and assured as the first film.  

Will Bong Joon Ho make another sci-fi masterpiece – and will we see it? 

I don’t know much about the new science fiction film from Bong Joon Ho. I know it’s about cloning. I know it’s called Mickey 17. I know it stars Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo and Steven Yeun. I know it was supposed to come out in March and just recently was delayed indefinitely because of (say it with me now) strike-related issues. Other than that, I really don’t know what to expect. 

And…I don’t care. The director’s Parasite, the best picture winner for 2020, is one of the greatest films of the last 20 years. Bong Joon Ho understands how to make high-concept work for audiences in a way that’s challenging and thrilling. And his previous sci-fi efforts – The Host, Snowpiercer and Okja – are all fantastic, thoughtful and original films. And that’s a hell of a cast for him to be working with. Let’s hope this one gets here sooner rather than later. 

Will we actually get a good Ghostbusters sequel? 

A new Ghostbusters movie is like a football in the hands of Lucy van Pelt, and I’m Charlie Brown. I’ve said several times that the original – which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, if you want to feel old – is one of my all-time favorite movies. But man, it’s hard to make the magic work again. Ghostbusters II is a messy retread, and while I like a lot about the 2016 remake (including the fact that liking it seems to piss off angry dudebros), it’s hobbled by its connections and constant references to the original. But 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife is the one that really got my ire up. While there’s promise in the idea of rebooting the franchise for a younger audience, the decision to just remake Ghostbusters in its back half – and the ghoulish resurrection of Harold Ramis in the finale – really ruined any joy I had in the franchise. 

And yet, I find myself curious…even hopeful…about Gil Kenan’s sequel, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Yes, even with that awful title. I liked the cast of that last movie, and this one seems to be content to double down on the humor, bringing back Paul Rudd and also folding in Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt. I like the idea of centering the movie on a new threat – I was really worried we’d see Viggo coming back. And while I’m a little hesitant to see them trot out Ray, Winston and Venkman as senior citizens, I have four decades of love built up for these characters. I might end up screaming “Auggh” and landing flat on my back, but I’ll give this one a try when it releases March 22. 

Could this May deliver new goods? 

May is traditionally superhero and giant franchise time, with that first weekend of the month reserved for a Marvel movie for at least the last decade. And while this May does have a few franchise entries, there’s no Fast and the Furious, no superhero antics, no movie that makes me want to roll my eyes and say “this again?” Even the familiar items make me curious for new takes on old IP. 

The month kicks off with The Fall Guy, an adaptation of an old TV show, but one that most people are likely unfamiliar with. Now, I’ll admit that I’m not a David Leitch fan. Despite helming the first John Wick, most of his movies leave me pretty cold, and both Hobbs and Shaw and Bullet Train are movies I actively dislike. And yet, The Nice Guys and Barbie have me sold on the comedic potential of Ryan Gosling, and I’ll always show up to watch Emily Blunt in action. 

But that’s not all. Later that month, John Krasinski moves on from The Quiet Place movies and directs the family adventure If, with a cast that includes Ryan Renolds, Vince Vaughn, Blunt, Awkwafina and Steve Carrell. That same day, we not only get a reboot of The Strangers – one of the most under loved horror films of the past few decades – but the start of a new trilogy helmed by Renny Harlin. But we’re not done. Memorial weekend, we’ll see George Miller return to the Wastelands for Furiousa, a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road – one of the greatest action movies of all time. That same weekend, we’ll also return to one of the great recent franchises with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. That weekend also brings us a new Garfield movie starring Chris Pratt, because they can’t all be winners. I’m hopeful about this slate, and May is a highly anticipated movie month for me.  

Will Pixar kick us in the feels again? 

Is Inside Out the last truly great Pixar film? While I have a lot of affection for Coco, Soul and Turning Red, it’s been a long time since the studio has truly dazzled me and made me weep. Inside Out is top-tier Pixar, an imaginative, playful and deeply felt movie about…well, feeling deeply. 

I’m of two minds about a sequel to Inside Out, which will hit theaters in June. The Toy Story movies notwithstanding (and Toy Story 4 was pressing its luck), the studio’s track record with sequels is sketchy. And Inside Out is such a delicate balance of creativity, humor and emotion that it feels foolish to try to replicate it. Also, big shame on Disney for not shelling out the money to bring back Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader. But if any Pixar movie was ripe for a sequel, it might be Inside Out, as adolescence seems to be an ideal topic for a movie about emotions in turmoil….although, didn’t Turning Red already do that? I’m ready for Pixar to break my heart again, but I’d like it to be the good kind of heartbreak. 

Will Twisters enter the suck zone? 

Many of these questions are sequel-centric, and I guess that’s to be expected. At the beginning of the year, many of our questions are about things we already have some general knowledge of. 

I’m honestly surprised there was never a sequel to 1996’s Twister, which wasn’t so much a movie as it was a two-hour demo for your TV and sound systems in the late 90s and early aughts. But Jan de Bont’s adventure was a box office hit – it even spawned a theme park attraction – and even if I don’t think it’s particularly good now, I do know that 16-year-old me thought it was one of the most visceral experiences he’s ever had. And yet, no one decided to do the obvious thing and have the crew chase even more tornadoes. 

So yeah, almost 30 years later, we’re getting more Twisters – even if everyone involved is quick to say that this isn’t a sequel and won’t have any of the legacy characters (original star Helen Hunt rarely acts anymore, and both Bill Paxton and Philip Seymour Hoffman have passed away). Glenn Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones star, and we know nothing about the plot except that I’m sure there will be some wind. I would roll my eyes completely, except for the fact that this is being directed by Minari’s Isaac Lee Chung. While I hate to think of such a unique and original voice being relegated to a studio blockbuster, I’m curious whether there’s something here (other than money) that attracted him to the movie. We’ll see if this blows me away in June. 

Can sequels to Beetlejuice, Joker and Gladiator work? 

With Twister, I’m confused as to why a sequel never materialized. Now, we’re looking at three films where I’m curious as to these sequels to movies that I never thought needed follow-ups. 

A sequel to Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice has been rumored for decades (I was quite partial to the idea that it would be called Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian and combine German Expressionism with a beach party film). Burton is returning here, and the film stars It Girl Jenna Ortega, Monica Belluci and Willem Dafoe, alongside returning cast members Winona Ryder, Catherine O’ Hara and, of course, Michael Keaton as the ghost with the most. 

I wish I was as excited about this as everyone else seems to be. Maybe part of it is that I haven’t seen Beetlejuice since I was a kid. Mostly it’s because Burton hasn’t made a good film since 2007’s Sweeney Todd, and his last hot streak was 25 years ago. Beetlejuice was famous for its surreal practical effects and adult-centric humor, two things that I fear will be lost to CGI and an attempt to reach all demographics. Maybe I’m wrong, though. 

I’m also on the record as hating Todd Phillips’ Joker. When it was released in 2019, I called the film “garbage,” and I still think watching it is one of the most unpleasant theatrical experiences I’ve ever had. And a sequel wasn’t really needed…sure, there’s an ongoing story for the Joker, but it didn’t really seem necessary in the context of Phillips’ squalid ripoff of Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. And yet…Joker: Folie a Deux has me intrigued. Bringing in Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn is an interesting move. Even more so are the rumors that this sequel is a musical. I have no clue what’s in store…maybe I’ll hate it as much as I hate its predecessor. But also…maybe they’ve let the inmates run the asylum and it’s great. And as much as I loathe its predecessor, I’m rooting for comic book movies to take big chances. 

As for Gladiator 2…why? Ridley Scott isn’t getting younger, and it seems odd to do a sequel nearly 25 years later to a movie where the main character died. And while Nick Cave wrote what appears to be a bonkers script for a sequel years ago – in which Maximus was reincarnated and became a Christian crusader and, eventually, a CIA director – that’s not what Scott’s working from. It seems like a money grab. But it’s a money grab starring Paul Mescal – so good in 2022’s Aftersun – that also has Denzel Washington, who always can be counted on to be great. Scott is the definition of a hit-and-miss director, but the cast might make me pay attention. 

Will Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu scare the hell out of us? 

On the one hand, this feels perfect. Eggers is remaking one of the most iconic and influential horror movies ever, one that teems with atmosphere and dread. And if there’s anything the director of The Witch, The Lighthouse and The Northman knows, it’s atmosphere and dread. Toss in Bill Skarsgard as Count Orlock and a cast that also includes Eggers favorite Willem Dafoe, Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult, and you have the setup for something terrific. 

But is it too perfect a match? Can Eggers surprise us and wring new terrors from source material that has been around for more than a century – and was also remade quite capably by Werner Herzog a half-century later? Eggers has proven himself too capable at getting under my skin for me to discount him, but I have my concerns. We’ll find out next Christmas. 

An Announcement! 

As we close, I just wanted to do so with an announcement. Longtime readers might remember that when I started this newsletter, I was also writing film reviews for Michigan Sports and Entertainment. I loved writing there, but stepped back during the pandemic because things were just a bit too much. I ended up writing for CinemaNerdz for the last two years, and I’m grateful for the support I was given there from veteran film critic Mike Tyrkus. 

But after a bit of a hiatus, Michigan Sports and Entertainment is back, and they asked if I would be willing to write about film over there. And so, starting this week, I’m writing movie reviews of new releases and covering film news over there. My first review there, of the Jason Statham actioner The Beekeeper, is live. And what a movie to start with. It’s not good, but it’s a crazy enough movie that I can’t say I disliked it. 

My writing there won’t affect this newsletter, which will continue to chug along. But I’m looking forward to writing for that publication and for doing some new things here in the coming year.