THE NOTE’S MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES OF 2024

Film lovers get hyped as The Note takes a gander at the most anticipated movies of 2024.

Words by Tobias Handke

Image by Warner Bros. Pictures

2024 is shaping up as the year of the sequel. Not only are we getting follow-ups to Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic Dune and the Joaquin Phoenix starring Joker, but there’s a host of threequels, prequels and franchise movies set to lure audiences back to the cinema. But don’t worry, Hollywood hasn’t run out of ideas just yet, with flicks such as the action romp Argylle and romantic thriller Love Lies Bleeding leading the charge for originality.

ARGYLLE - FEBRUARY 2

Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) is an introverted spy novelist drawn into the real world of espionage when her books start coming true. Directed by Matthew Vaughn with an A-list cast made up of Henry Cavill, Catherine O’Hara, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Dua Lipa, John Cena, Sofia Boutella, Rob Delany and Samuel L. Jackson, Argylle is set to be another Vaughn action thriller with plenty of laughs. 

DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS - FEBRUARY 22

After the Cohen brothers parted ways, Joel was the first to dip his toes back into the cinematic water with the dramatic black and white The Tragedy of Macbeth. Now it’s Ethan’s turn, with Drive-Away Dolls a comedy road trip movie more in line with the brother’s earlier work. 

Jamie and Marian decide to move to Tallahassee to kick-start their lives but get caught up in a criminal conspiracy when they come into possession of a mysterious briefcase. This looks like Fargo meets Thelma and Louise with a dynamic cast that includes Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal and Matt Damon. 

DUNE: PART TWO - MARCH 1

The continuation of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the Dune novel features Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) joining forces with Chani (Zayenda) and the Freeman as he seeks vengeance for the death of his father. If you’ve seen the first film you know what to expect, and if you haven’t, then stop reading this and go do so right now. The already stacked cast that includes Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson and Josh Brolin has grown to incorporate Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux and Christopher Walken. Our pick as an early contender for film of the year. 

LOVE LIES BLEEDING - MARCH 14

Kirsten Stewart’s reclusive gym manager falls for Katy O’Brian’s wannabe bodybuilder in this romantic crime thriller from award-winning British director Rose Glass. The trailer is set to Bronski Beat’s classic LGBTQ hit ‘Smalltown Boy’ and features shootouts, murder, lesbian sex and Ed Harris sporting one of the weirdest wigs in movie history. Looks like another gem from A24.  

CHALLENGERS - APRIL 24

Zendaya has a couple of big movies out this year, with Challengers showing another side to the talented actress. She plays Tashi Duncan, the wife and coach of struggling Grand Slam tennis star Patrick. She decides to enrol him in the Challenger tour where he comes up against her former lover. Hijinks are sure to ensue as the three become entangled in a sporting ménage à trios soundtracked by the duo of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

CIVIL WAR - APRIL 26

First off, this film has nothing to do with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s a more frightening and life-like depiction of civil war breaking out in a future America and follows a group of journalists travelling across the country reporting on events. Coming from the mind of Alex Garland (28 Days Later, Ex Machina, Men), Civil War will no doubt be full of big ideas and themes that hit a little too close for some. Nick Offerman also plays the President, which is worth the price of admission alone. 

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA - MAY 23

A spin-off and a prequel to George Miller’s critically acclaimed Mad Max: Fury Road, this latest instalment in the franchise focuses on a young Imperator Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy). Kidnapped by biker Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), Furiosa plots her escape as she attempts to find her way home. If it’s anything like the last Mad Max movie, you can look forward to epic car chases, plenty of violence and some wonderful cinematography thanks to Kiwi Simon Duggan.

BALLERINA - JUNE 7

The success of John Wick has led to three sequels, a three-episode TV series and now a spin-off focusing on Ana de Armas’ ballerina assassin Rooney. Action director Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard) is behind the camera as de Armas hunts down those who murdered her family. It’s basically the female version of John Wick and finds Keanu Reeves, Anjelica Huston, and Ian McShane reprising their roles. Big things expected. 

ALIEN: ROMULUS - AUG 17

Do we need a new Alien film? Not really but considering this is a fresh take on the franchise without Ridley Scott’s involvement (he’s just producing), there’s a chance this could invigorate the series. This is another movie where little is known about the plot, besides the movie being set between the events of Alien and Aliens. Alien: Romulus will also feature a young cast headlined by Cailee Spaeny and Isabela Merced, with direction from Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead, Don’t Breathe).

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX - OCT 4

Joker is a near-perfect film with a satisfying conclusion. So, when it was announced director Todd Phillips was looking at making a sequel, nobody was quite sure how to react. Then when Lady Gaga was cast as Harley Quinn and it was revealed the movie would feature musical numbers, the comic book geeks lost their minds.

As fans of the first flick, we reserve judgment here at The Note and are eagerly awaiting what Phillips, Phoenix and Gaga can cook up. 

TERRIFIER 3 - OCT 24

Ever since word of Terrifier 3 was announced last year, horror fanatics have been salivating at the thought of what sickening modes of death Art the Clown will inflict on his victims. Proving independent horror is viable (the film made $15.7 million from a budget of $250,000) and that people love gore, the Terrifier franchise is one of the most successful horror series in recent years. The only details known about the film are that it’s set at Christmas and will reintroduce the disfigured Victoria Heyes, who survived the carnage of the first film. Not one for the squeamish. 

NOSFERATU - DEC 25

Robert Eggers is carving out quite the career. Following the success of his directorial debut The Witch, he’s wowed audiences with the psychological horror The Lighthouse and historical action flick The Northman. This year he returns with Nosferatu, his take on the famous 1922 German Expressionist film of the same name. 

Expect a weird and wonderful remake featuring Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok, Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter, Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding. 

BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F - TBA

The band is back together for the long-awaited fourth instalment in The Beverly Hills Cop franchise. Eddie Murphy reprises his role as Detroit police lieutenant Axel Foley who once again finds himself in Hollywood embroiled in another mystery. Rosewood, Taggart and even Serge return, while Taylor Paige, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Kevin Bacon are the series newcomers. As long as this is better than Beverly Hills Cop 3, we reckon this will be good fun.