The film industry, it seems, just can’t catch a break — first the obstacles presented by the pandemic, then last year’s unfortunately necessary double strike. While there is the potential for another strike in 2024, this feels like a good time to cross our fingers for a relative return to normalcy, and look forward to the most anticipated movies 2024 has to offer.
This includes the usual assortment of prequels, franchise installments, and superheroes — though maybe a few fewer of the latter than usual. The real superheroes may instead be directors like Alex Garland, Rose Glass, Bong Joon-ho, Denis Villeneuve, Luca Guadagnino, George Miller, Jordan Peele, and M. Night Shyamalan; we may not know much about some of these projects, but their involvement alone is enough to get us excited about this year in cinema.
— Liz Shannon Miller
Senior Entertainment Editor
Mean Girls (January 12th, 2024)
Directed by: Samantha Jayne, Arturo Perez Jr.
Cast: Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Auliʻi Cravalho, Christopher Briney, Jaquel Spivey, Bebe Wood, Avantika, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, Jenna Fischer, Busy Philipps, Jon Hamm, Ashley Park, Mahi Alam, Connor Ratliff
Studio: Paramount
Despite the deeply odd marketing decision to confuse anyone who didn’t realize that this isn’t a remake of the beloved comedy but, rather, a film adaptation of the Broadway musical, anticipation seems to slowly be building for Mean Girls. Renee Rapp has some serious star power — and yes, the studio could’ve easily had a hit on their hands had the trailer just been her singing “World Burn,” but that’s a conversation for another day. — Mary Siroky
Our Coverage:
• Mean Girls Review: Get In, Loser, We’re Going Singing
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (Madame Web, February 14th; Kraven the Hunter, August 30th; Venom 3, November 8th)
Studio: Sony
The SSU has always been a joke, and with the MCU’s current state, 2024 could be make-or-break for the Spider-Man-adjacent franchise. Perhaps Madame Web can revitalize things (a nonsense first trailer doesn’t offer much hope), or maybe the R-rated Kraven the Hunter can pump in fresh blood (does more violence = better?). Meanwhile, the strikes delayed Venom 3, so we’ll see if that even arrives this year. — Ben Kaye
Drive-Away Dolls (February 23rd, 2024)
Directed by: Ethan Coen
Cast: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Bill Camp, Matt Damon
Studio: Focus Features
Helmed by Ethan Coen (yes, that Ethan Coen) and co-written by his wife Tricia Cooke, Drive-Away Dolls follows two women (Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan) who embark on a road trip and, of course, find themselves crossing paths with a host of clueless criminals. Also featuring the likes of Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, Beanie Feldstein, and more, the film looks to be another absurd, Coen-esque affair. — Jonah Krueger
