Can you believe we are already halfway through 2024? It feels like the year just began not long ago. As we look ahead on the months to come, one exciting thing to look forward to is the upcoming blockbuster films! Here are 10 upcoming releases that are generating buzz and anticipation as we move into the second half of 2024.
1. Inside Out 2
Starting off strong with Inside out 2! Releasing on June 13, 2024, this family and comedy film is a sequel to the beloved Pixar classic - Inside Out - that received immense praise from every corner of the world. Featuring the introduction of 4 new emotions- anxiety, ennui, embarrassment and envy, Inside out 2 highlights the common emotions of growing up. This film will surely take you on a scroll down memory lane, and will bring back memories of joy, sadness, fear, anger and disgust- the emotions we all know well. As Riley navigates the emotions of adolescence, we are taken on an emotional rollercoaster. Director Kelsey Mann recognized the perfect timing for the sequel’s release- with nearly a decade having passed since the release of Inside Out, audiences who grew up with Riley are now on the cusp of adulthood themselves.
2. Twisters
Next, Twisters! Twisters is a thriller film releasing on July 17, 2024 that serves as a standalone sequel to the 1996 film Twister. In this film, protagonist Kate Carter is a former storm chaser who is haunted by a catastrophic encounter with a tornado during her college years. With unexpected twists and turns, Twisters is an action and thriller film that will keep you on your toes. Not only does this film feature Daisy Edgar Jones of Normal People fame, it also includes other stellar young actors like Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, and Daryl McCormack. Directed by Lee Isaac Cheung, who directed the Oscar-winning Minari, Twisters 2 aims to let you experience the suspense as if you were living in the heart of the storm in downtown Oklahoma, where the film was based and filmed.
3. Deadpool & Wolverine
Despite the fact that Deadpool and Wolverine had a rough start when they first met each other, over time they have developed mutual respect over the course of their shared missions. As the title suggests, in Deadpool & Wolverine, both characters team up to defeat a common enemy. In this film, Ryan Reynolds accurately portrays the witty and immature Deadpool and Hugh Jackman plays the gruff and no-nonsense Wolverine. Directed by Shawn Levy, Deadpool & Wolverine is the third film of the franchise and will undoubtedly capture the humor and energy that past Deadpool films have had. On July 25, 2024, this science-fiction and comedy film will be available in theaters for all to watch!
4. Borderlands
Based on the video game series “Borderlands”, the film Borderlands will be coming to theaters August 9, 2024. The film details an infamous outlaw who upon arrival to her home planet forms an unlikely alliance with a team or heroes. Through battling unusual aliens and menacing bandits, they push through in hopes of locating a missing girl rumored to possess unimaginable psychic abilities and power. The cast includes the young but talented Ariana Greenblatt (plays Tiny Tina), the intelligent and funny Cate Blanchett (plays Lilith), the energetic and bold Gina Gershon (Max Moxxi), the enthusiastic and humorous Kevin Hart (plays Roland), amongst other notable actors. Directed by Eli Roth, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Crombie, Borderlands is an American science fiction action film that has flawless animations and will make the audience feel like they are living in a real-life video game!
5. Joker: Folie à Deux
Fun fact: The term Folie à Deux comes from the 19th century French psychiatrist Charles Laséngue and Jules Falret, also known as Laséngue-Falret syndrome, which depicts two or more people that share the same madness or delirium. Hence, the new Joker film’s title, Folie à Deux is exceptionally fitting as the film depicts two people on a doomed romantic misadventure. Arthur Fleck, known as Joker (played by Joaquin Phoenix) is a failed comedian who is described as a psychopathic, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy and an urge to mass-murder. Somehow, he meets Harley Quinn (played by Lady Gaga) who is a former psychiatrist with wild and unpredictable behavior who later becomes the love of his life. This romantic psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips will make your head spin and your senses reeling. If you are one who loves a good psychological thriller film, you will be pleased to hear that Joker: Folie à Deux will be released on October 3, 2024.
6. Venom: The Last Dance
The third and final installment of the Venom trilogy… Venom: The Last Dance will be the epic crescendo that fans have been craving. Releasing on October 24, 2024, this film will signal the end of the epic adventures of Eddie Brock, a journalist, and Venom, the sentient alien symbiote who survives by bonding with a host. In this film, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and Venom are on the run because they are hunted by their respective worlds. The duo is forced into a pernicious decision that determines the very fate of their partnership and may bring the curtains down. Joining Tom Hardy in this cast are Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Chiwetel Ejiofor and more. Released on October 24, 2024, Venom: The Last Dance is Tom Hardy’s final outing as the legendary anti-hero, and it will be bittersweet to see this cinematic journey come to an end.
7. Gladiator 2
Gladiator 2 is an upcoming epic historical drama film that serves as a sequel to Gladiator that was released in 2000. Nearly 24 years since the release of the original, Gladiator 2 is the return that audiences have been waiting over two decades for. In the original film, Lucius was the young son of Lucilla, who was the sister of the tyrannical Roman Emperor Commodus. In the sequel, which takes place years after the first film ended, Lucius is all grown up and ready to begin his own journey as an adult in Ancient Rome. Composed of Paul Mescal (plays Lucius), Connie Nielsen (plays Lucila), Joseph Quinn (plays Empereur Geta) and and outstanding actors Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, the cast of Gladiator 2 is diverse and skilled. On November 22, 2024, Gladiator 2 will be released and available to watch in theaters, offering fans the long-awaited continuation of this cinematic saga over 20 years in the making!
8. Kraven the Hunter
Have you ever wondered how one of Marvel’s most iconic villains came to be? Kraven the Hunter is the tale of how Russian immigrant Sergei Kravinoff (portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) embarked on a mission to prove himself as the greatest hunter in the world. Originally created by comic book legends Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Kraven the Hunter is one who is fearless and driven, and vows to take down Spider-Man. As a film based on Marvel Comics, you will likely feel the magic and spectacle that have become interchangeable with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Academy award-nominated filmmaker J.C. Chandor, the film transports the audience to the towering skyscrapers of New York City where Kraven pursues his targets through the concrete jungle. If you are a fan of the acclaimed Marvel Universe, you don’t have to be reminded to mark your calendar on December 13, 2024, when Kraven the Hunter is set to hit the silver screen!
9. Despicable Me 4
Who among us hasn’t fallen head over heels for Gru’s army of humorous, banana-loving minions? From the moment the first Despicable Me film hit the screen back in 2010, we knew we were in for something truly special. Whether it’s the balance between making the audience laugh one moment and tug at their heartstrings the next, it is undeniable that Despicable Me has become a staple in the lives of children and adults alike. In Despicable Me 4, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) welcomes a new member to the family, Gru Junior, while criminal mastermind Maxime Le Mal (voiced by Will Ferrell) escapes from prison and seeks revenge against Gru. Directed by Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage, with signature animations from Illumination, there is no doubt that you will love this film. So, let us raise a glass (or perhaps a banana) to the enduring legacy of Despicable Me, as we eagerly await the release of Despicable Me 4 on July 3, 2024!
10. Moana 2
The waves of excitement are crashing over audiences as they look forward to Moana 2- the last film on our list of 10 blockbuster films to watch in 2024. Moana 2 is the sequel to the Disney animation hit- Moana- that was released in 2016. Now, Moana is a more mature wayfinder who is summoned by her ancestors to explore the far seas of Oceania. Returning to their iconic roles, Dwayne Johnson will lend his thunderous voice to the demigod Maui, who joins Moana (voiced by the talented Auli’i Cravlho) on her adventures at sea. Not to mention, fan-favorite characters from the original film like HeiHei the chicken (voiced by Alan Tudyk) and Pua the pig will be joining the crew! Moana 2 will also introduce new characters like Moana’s new sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), Loto (Rose Matafeo) and Kele (David Fane). These new members of the crew will enrich Moana’s odyssey and make the storyline all the more humorous and spirited. The stunning vistas of the South pacific and the original music by Mark Mancina, Opetaia Foa’i, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear further enhance this sequel. There is no doubt that theaters will be filled to the brim on November 27, 2024 when Moana 2 is released!
These 10 selected films are some of the most anticipated films for the second half of 2024. From the emotional Inside out 2 to the R-rated Venom: The Last Dance, there’s a diverse range of genres, themes and details presented in each of these highly coveted releases. Across the board, these films showcase an extensive level of creativity, attention to detail and the ability to captivate audiences through innovative storytelling and production. As we roll into the second half of 2024, it is a comfort and a thrill to know that we can dash to the movie theaters and have a temporary escape from reality, as we are submerged into the beautiful world of cinema.
