As summer comes to an end and fall comes around the corner, 2024 has many films coming between September to December with amazing potential whether it’s an original film or an anticipated sequel. Here are the 10 films to look out for the remainder of 2024.
“Speak No Evil”
A remake of the 2022 Danish film, an American family goes on vacation with a British family only to discover that something is very wrong with them. “Speak No Evil” is directed by James Watkins (“The Woman in Black”) and will be released in theaters on Sept. 13
While I haven’t seen the original, this looks like an intense and unsettling ride (in a good way), especially with James McAvoy who has proven to be one of the most underrated actors out there.
“Megalopolis”
An architect (Adam Driver) sets out to rebuild New York City following a disaster, but his goal is opposed by a ruthless mayor (Giancarlo Esposito). “Megalopolis” is directed by Francis Ford Coppola (“The Godfather Trilogy,” “Apocalypse Now”) and will be released in theaters on Sept. 27.
Coppola is one of the most legendary filmmakers of all time and this has been a lifelong dream for him. He started developing this film over four decades ago. After delays and revivals, it didn’t go anywhere. Coppola revived the project in 2019 and drew $120 million of his own money to finance the film. I am excited because not only is this Coppola’s first film since 2011’s “Twixt” but the reactions have been all over the place, with some comparing it to “Babylon” because of how insane and epic it is in proportion with its stellar ensemble cast including Driver, Esposito and many others.
“Joker: Folie à Deux”
While awaiting trial for his crimes Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga) and the two embark on a deadly adventure. “Joker: Folie à Deux” is directed by Todd Phillips (“Joker,” “The Hangover Trilogy”) and will be released on Oct. 4, exactly five years after its predecessor.
The first installment in this series, “Joker,” is one of my favorite DC Comics films with Phoenix giving the performance of his career and rightfully earning his first Oscar. What really caught my interest was that it had a $200 million budget, which is significantly larger than the first. The fact that this movie will be a musical also piqued my interest.
“Piece by Piece”
The life story of music icon Pharrell Williams told through Lego animation. “Piece by Piece” is directed by Morgan Neville (“20 Feet from Stardom”) and will be released on Oct. 11.
I don’t usually include documentaries on these types of lists but I wanted to make an exception because the way it’s being told is truly unique and unlike anything I have seen done before. Had it been a standard documentary on Williams I would’ve maybe seen it, but the documentary being made with Lego instantly caught my attention.
“Anora”
A hooker (Mikey Madison) meets and marries the son of an oligarch (Mark Eydelshtyen) but her marriage is threatened when the parents set out to get the marriage annulled. “Anora” is directed by Sean Baker (“The Florida Project,” “Red Rocket”) and will be released on Oct. 18.
“Anora” won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the festival’s top prize, back in May, becoming the fifth NEON film in a row and the first American film since “The Tree of Life” to do so. I’m interested not only because I haven’t seen any of the director’s films but because it’s premiering at the New York Film Festival which I will be attending. I’m hoping I get to see this one at the festival.
“Venom: The Last Dance”
Eddie Brock and Venom (Tom Hardy) are hunted by both of their worlds. “Venom: The Last Dance” is directed by Kelly Marcel in her directorial debut and will be released on Oct. 25.
While the first two “Venom” films got mixed reviews, I enjoyed them with Tom Hardy giving a charismatic performance in both films. Since this is reportedly the last one, I’m really hoping this gets an R rating instead of a PG-13 because many rated R superhero films have been very successful critically and financially. Hardy mentioned the film could get an R-rating in an interview with Forbes when he said, “By the third one, we’ve been given so much creative support to do – to push it. It’s a much wider piece and there’s much more love – not that there was not love in the last ones. We’ve been allowed to put more of our ideas into it and I’m really excited to see how they land.”
“Gladiator II”
Over two decades after the first “Gladiator,” Lucius (Paul Mescal) ranks his way to the top as a gladiator under the rule of Macrinus (Denzel Washington). “Gladiator II” is directed by Ridley Scott (“Alien,” “Gladiator,” “Napoleon”) and will be released on Nov. 22.
The first “Gladiator” is full of awesome performances, visuals, cinematography and action, and while I didn’t think a sequel was completely necessary since it ended on a great note, I’m excited because of the talent in front and behind the camera especially Paul Mescal who is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors after his tremendous performance in “Aftersun”. This is also the first sequel made by Scott where he directed the previous installment.
“Wicked”
Based on the widely beloved musical of the same name, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) develops an unlikely friendship with Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande), but their friendship takes a turn that neither expects. “Wicked” is directed by Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “In the Heights”) and will be released on Nov. 22.
I’ve actually never seen the musical which is quite shocking but I’m excited because all the trailers were really good as well as having a great cast and director. Erivo and Grande are both major fans of the musical which is awesome when actors are fans of the source material and want to give it justice instead of an actor who isn’t familiar with the source material.
“Mufasa: The Lion King”
A sequel and prequel to 2019’s “The Lion King,” Rafiki tells the story of Mufasa, who was originally an orphan who meets and befriends Taka, also known as Scar. “Mufasa: The Lion King” is directed by Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight” “If Beale Street Could Talk”) and will be released on Dec. 20.
I was surprised to learn that “Mufasa” was going to be both a sequel and a prequel, which fueled my curiosity, as this is similar to “The Godfather: Part II” where it presents two parallel storylines. I’m also excited because Jenkins made the fantastic film “Moonlight,” so I’m hopeful this will be good, especially because this can be a really interesting take on Mufasa’s backstory
“Nosferatu”
A remake of the 1922 film of the same name, this gothic film is about a vampire infatuated with a young woman causing unspeakable consequences for everyone. “Nosferatu” is directed by Robert Eggers (“The VVitch,” “The Lighthouse,” “The Northman”) and will be released on Christmas Day.
Eggers’ “The Lighthouse” is my favorite horror film of all time (and one of my favorites in general), and while I didn’t love “The Northman” it was a beautifully made film full of stunning visuals. The trailer barely shows the main villain Count Orlok, played by Bill Skarsgard known for Pennywise in “It Chapter 1 and 2” and I really like it when films limit the presence of the villain in previews such as The Riddler in “The Batman” or the titular character in “Longlegs” because it makes those villains more terrifying to watch. Hopefully “Nosferatu” will be on the same level as “The Lighthouse.”
Commentary writer Linden Lansberry can be reached at [email protected].
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