It’s been almost two months since the SAG-AFTRA Strike finally ended, although it seems longer than that, due to me (and possibly others) almost completely forgetting that that ever existed. And of course, with that being said, a pipeline of more potentially awesome movies will make their way into theaters this calendar year.
Here in this entry, I will give you all 25 movies that I’m most anticipating to see in 2024, starting at number 25 with “Lisa Frankenstein”, a movie that was the last one to make this cut, due to it conjuring up reminders of a favorite Tim Burton movie of mine in “Edward Scisscorhands”.
Checking in at number 24 of 2024 is “Deadpool 3”, a movie that is a reminder of me seeing Wolverine vs. Deadpool via FOX Saturday morning cartoons during my childhood. However, where this movie could fit in the timeline of the Hugh Jackman era X-Men/Wolverine/Logan movies does have me skeptical heading into it.
Coming in at number 23 is a movie that I saw the trailer for in 2023, which is the long-awaited Bob Marley biopic, entitled “Bob Marley: One Love”. For those of you who don’t already know, Bob Marley is my all-time favorite reggae singer, so I’m stoked heading into this one. However, my only concern is the possibility of it disappointing me just like the Jimi Hendrix biopic “Jimi: All Is By My Side” did.
Catching 22 is “Night Swim”, the next Blumhouse release. The aforementioned Blumhouse knocked it out of the park theatrically for me the last two times, with “M3GAN” almost a year ago and “Five Nights At Freddy’s” a little over two months ago. I was back and forth about this movie, thinking that it would let me down like “Ma” did last year, although I saw that movie via Apple rentals. Furthermore, this movie could be a sleeper hit for me this year like both “Violent Night” and “The Blackening” were for me last year, despite the fact that neither of those two movies are Blumhouse movies.
Playing the game of 21 is “Joker: Folie a Deux”, the sequel to the 2019 movie that got Joaquin Phoenix the Academy Award for Best Actor. Phoenix reprises his role in this movie and is joined by Lady Gaga, as she will portray Harley Quinn. The first “Joker” movie showed glimpses of it getting a sequel, which has since been confirmed. And given those glimpses, I’m exciting to see which avenue that it goes under the leadership of director Todd Phillips.
Coming in at an even number 20 is “Beetlejuice 2”, a sequel that I didn’t see coming. But I’m a fan of the 1988 movie, so no complaints here. Director Tim Burton returns at the helm, with stars Michael Keaton reprising his role as the titular character and Winona Ryder reprising her role as Lydia Deetz. And not only does that movie mark the return of that familiar trio because in addition, we find out that the aforementioned Lydia has a daughter, who will be played by rising star Jenna Ortega of “Wednesday” fame. Ortega’s success as Wednesday Addams makes her the perfect addition to this sequel.
On the scene at 19 is “Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes”, the fourth installment of the Planet Of The Apes franchise that launched during the 2010s. I’m a fan of all the installments that came out during that decade, and I’ll be curious to see how this movie will do seven years after “War For The Planet Of The Apes” came out.
We’re sticking with the theme of apes at 18 via “Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire”, which follows the events of 2021’s “Godzilla Vs. Kong”. Just like the 2010s “Planet Of The Apes” franchise, I like this franchise as well, with “Kong: Skull Island” being enshrined into The Flickuum page rankings and the aforementioned “Godzilla Vs. Kong” unofficially being my favorite of the franchise thus far. The possibility of a letdown after the 2021 movie looms, but that’s a small possibility because I expect big things out of this movie come April.
We’re pulling away from apes at 17, as the delayed “Drive-Away Dolls” gets its theatrical release in late-February of this year. This movie gives off “Baby Driver” vibes and I’m a fan of that movie. Yes, this movie is much shorter runtime-wise than that movie, but potentially bonkers entertainment supersedes runtime any day of the week. Plus, this is the Margaret Qualley movie that I’m most excited to see.
It’s “Sword-16” at number 16, in the form of “Gladiator 2”. Set after the events of the movie that got Russell Crowe the Academy Award for Best Actor, Irish actor Paul Mescal plays the adult version of Lucius, nephew of the late Commodus. This is another sequel that I wasn’t expecting, but I’m interested to see which avenue that it will take since Lucius is the main character. Oh yes, and I can’t forget that this movie will also have cast mates of The Equalizer 2 in both Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, the former of whom reunites with director Ridley Scott 17 years after the release of “American Gangster”.
One of Paul Mescal’s “Carmen” cast mates in Melissa Barrera is here at number 15 via her appearance in the upcoming movie “Your Monster”. Barrera has a radiant presence about herself because in addition to her shining in the aforementioned “Carmen”, her role as Vanessa via “In The Heights” is what kicked that movie into high-gear for me, along with the fact that both “Scream ’22” and “Scream VI” don’t make The Flickuum Project without her. Barrera can be counted on to put forth a good movie, so big things are expected here.
Rising up to number 14 is “The Fall Guy”, the true definition of a popcorn flick. And that’s saying something, because I don’t usually get popcorn at the movies. This movie is like “The A-Team”, from the standpoint of it being a film adaption of a 1980s TV series, but this one could outrank the 2010 Liam Neeson-led movie.
13 is lucky here via the third entry into the Sonic The Hedgehog franchise. I’m a fan of the first two installments and I fully expect this movie to build off that momentum. Plus, Idris Elba returns as Knuckles.
Roaring at number 12 is another unexpected entry into a franchise via “Mufasa: The Lion King”. Disney has been out of control with sequels, prequels and/or remakes, but an origin story of an iconic Disney character (Mufasa) is just too powerful to pass up.
Buzzing in at number 11 is “The Beekeeper”, where Jason Statham goes John Wick on cyber criminals. Thanks to “Death Race”, I’ll see pretty much any Statham movie. And although nothing will top the aforementioned “Death Race” when it comes to his movies, I expect this movie to be far better than “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre”.
Now we’re in the Top 10, where Matthew Vaughn departs from the R-Rated style of spy movies, in favor of the PG-13 rating via the upcoming movie “Argylle”. But the departure from R to PG-13 doesn’t make this movie less entertaining. In fact, regardless of MPAA rating, this movie could be his best one yet.
It’s time single-digit time, as checking in at number 9 is “IF”, a movie that’s a mash-up of “The Sixth Sense”, “Coraline”, “Where The Wild Things Are”, “Little Monsters”, both “Dr. Dolittle” movies that star Eddie Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.’s “Dolittle” movie. All of those movies are either enshrined Flickuum movies or will be enshrined Flickuum movies. So, given the lofty mash-up comparisons and star-studded cast, this movie passing its assessment could be a reality.
It’s crazy at number 8, as Chris Pratt lends his voice to “The Garfield Movie”, a movie that could very well erase the disappointing memories of both Bill Murray “Garfield” movies. Last year, Pratt helped erase the memories of the 1993 disaster, known as “Super Mario Bros.” via lending his voice to the Illumination released “Super Mario Bros. Movie”. So, given the need for a good Garfield movie, Pratt will deliver again in 2024.
Lucky at number 7 is “Kung Fu Panda 4”, which is yet another sequel that I wasn’t expecting. But given the recent expansion to 2,300 Project movies, the more the merrier, especially since I’m a fan of the other three installments. And while it seems that Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu and David Cross won’t be coming back for this one, we will get the ultra-entertaining Awkwafina, who has appeared in six movies that I’ve seen theatrically since 2019.
Checking in at number 6 is Pixar’s 28th movie in 29 years, in the form of “Inside Out 2”. Up to this point, I have everything except “Elemental” via hard copy, as I’m a Pixar nerd. The nerdiness includes the first “Inside Out” movie, so I’m expecting the sequel to be the 28th Pixar movie to make the cut.
Number 5 features a fourth installment, as Martin Lawrence and the ever-controversial Will Smith reunite for “Bad Boys 4”. Say what you will about Smith, but I’m a fan of this franchise through-and-through, so I won’t let whatever has plagued him for the past almost two years deter me from seeing a good old-fashioned action movie.
Number 4 features a fifth installment…sort of, as the John Wick universe gets a spin-off film, entitled “Ballerina”. It’s a movie that is set between the events of the third and fourth installments of the franchise, and stars Ana de Armas, a dynamic actress that has been wasted in a lot of subpar movies. However, that won’t be the case for her via this movie, as it will ride the momentum wave of Keanu Reeves’ heavy lifting into The Flickuum Project.
Melissa Barrera appears in this Top 25 list a second time, as checking in at number 3 is a still untitled Universal Pictures monster thriller. And although the name has yet to be determined, there is an April 19, 2024 theatrical release date for it, so you best believe that I’ll be making the trek to go see it.
Mark Wahlberg checks in at number two, as the “2 Guns” actor will appear in a movie that could supersede that one, in the form of “Arthur The King”. And it could supersede that movie because it’s a courageous movie that’s about him and a dog. And given how I much that I love dogs, this movie is a 100% yes.
Well everyone, we’re at my most anticipated movie of 2024 and it’s the 15th movie that will be released by Illumination. That’s right, I’m talking about Despicable Me 4. The franchise, which includes two prequels, has always been one of my absolute favorites, especially since doing painted rocks of Minions helped me during a grieving process in 2016. So now anytime that I hear about Illumination releasing something, a smile comes on my smile, no matter my mood. And it’s all thanks to those gibberish-speaking yellow goofballs.
It’s accurate to assume that I’ve hit the movie theaters with a vengeance since COVID-sequestering ended, and I look to continue that at least 25 times in 2024, starting with Night Swim.
Tune in towards the end of the year to find out if these 25 movies were seen by me theatrically or not.