With Hollywood still reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and recent strikes, 2024 doesn’t appear to offer up a selection of blockbuster movies that industry insiders had hoped for. Many of the films that were originally scheduled for release next year, such as Tom Cruise’s next Mission: Impossible and Disney’s live action Snow White, have been postponed until 2025. However, there are still some highly anticipated films set to hit the big screen in 2024.
From early Oscar hopefuls to crowd-pleasing favourites, the year promises to deliver an eclectic mix of movies. Here are 10 of the most anticipated films in chronological order according to release date:
1. One Life: This movie tells the story of Nicholas Winton’s heroic efforts to save hundreds of Jewish children during World War Two. Johnny Flynn and Sir Anthony Hopkins star as the younger and older versions of Winton, respectively. The film offers a glimpse into Winton’s extraordinary work during the late 1930s and reflections on his untold story, first revealed in 1988 on the BBC One show “That’s Life.”
2. Poor Things: Emma Stone stars in Yorgos Lanthimos’s adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s novel as a woman on a journey of emotional and sexual development. Poor Things won the top honour at the Venice Film Festival and is expected to be a strong contender for Best Picture at the Oscars, with Stone a favourite for the Best Actress award.
3. Mean Girls: Tina Fey returns 20 years later to write and star in this film based on her original hit comedy, which followed the trials and tribulations of high school cliques. The musical version enjoyed success on Broadway, and this new film adds a fresh twist to the beloved story.
4. The Holdovers: The film reunites Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti, almost 20 years after Sideways. The story centres around a teacher at an elite boys’ school who reluctantly takes charge of a group of students who can’t go home for the holidays. The Holdovers is set to be a probable Best Picture nominee, with Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the running for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.
5. All of Us Strangers: Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal lead this tale of love and loss, as two people living in an almost empty apartment block enter into a relationship. Scott’s character, Adam, grapples with the unexpected loss of his parents, and his journey through grief touches all who see the film.
6. The Color Purple: A big screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, The Color Purple tells the story of a young African-American woman raised in rural Georgia in the 1900s. The legendary Fantasia Barrino plays the central character Celie, alongside Taraji P Henson and Danielle Brooks. Steven Spielberg, who directed the first film adaptation, returns as a producer, along with Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey.
7. The Zone of Interest: Director Jonathan Glazer’s interpretation of Martin Amis’ novel looks at the Holocaust through the lens of the commandant’s family life at the Auschwitz concentration camp. The Zone of Interest offers a glimpse into the banality of evil and how ordinary people can commit terrible acts. The film garnered momentum after its premiere at Cannes and is expected to receive accolades at the Baftas and Oscars.
8. American Fiction: Jeffrey Wright stars in this movie as a writer struggling to gain interest in his books about Greek history. He tries to shame publishers by writing a book full of black stereotypes but is horrified when it trumps out to be a massive success. This debut film by writer-director Cord Jefferson won the Toronto International Film Festival’s top award, leading many to believe it will receive a Best Picture nomination.
9. Bob Marley: One Love: This biopic follows Bob Marley’s rise to fame in the 1960s and his life through to his death in the early 1980s. Kingsley Ben-Adir plays Marley, while Lashana Lynch portrays his wife Rita. The film’s producers include Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella, son Ziggy, and wife Rita.
10. Dune: Part Two: The highly-anticipated second installment of the Dune series follows the original’s success, with Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya returning to star. The sci-fi movie continues the story of Paul Atreides and the planet Arrakis and promises to be as epic as its predecessor.
While 2024 may not offer the same slate of high-profile blockbusters as some industry insiders had hoped, the year still has several highly anticipated films that movie lovers won’t want to miss
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