Preston Barta // Features Editor
Dune: Part 2 (March 1)
Ah, the one that got away from us in 2023. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait an entire year and only a few months. Denis Villeneuve’s Dune sequel continues the journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he sets out on a warpath of revenge against those who’ve destroyed his family while attempting to keep a terrible future from unfolding. Surviving characters and the actors who played them in Part 1 are returning, alongside some new talents (Austin Butler, Christopher Walken and Florence Pugh, to name a few), and it’s sure to be a stunning and cerebral sci-fi epic.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 24)
George Miller’s Mad Max world rolls on with Furiosa. However, it’s not Charlize Theron as the hot rod-driving rebel. It’s a younger take on the character, with Anya Taylor-Joy at the controls alongside an unrecognizable Chris Hemsworth. It appears to be another stripped-down story with a whole mess of thrills and rock ’n’ roll absurdity. Hopefully, it’s just as cool and artfully made as Fury Road.
Ballerina (June 7)
Did you see Ana de Armas kick butt in No Time to Die? She was only in it for maybe five minutes, but she made every moment count, and it’s super exciting that she will be doing more action work in this John Wick spin-off. It looks like Keanu Reeves’ character will be appearing, too, considering this is an in-between chapter (think Black Widow). Chad Stahelski may not be at the helm, but his fingerprints and world-building will undoubtedly be present. Plus, the ballerina section of John Wick: Chapter 3 was too fruitful to leave alone.
Twisters (July 19)
The continuations continue with this sequel to the 1996 hit Twister. Although this is going to be a direct sequel, it’s supposed to be its own thing. Will we see more cows flying or logic-defying waist belts saving the day? Here’s to hoping Minari director Lee Isaac Chung brings an emotional, character-driven touch to match the popcorn moments. Its spectacular cast (including Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones and soon-to-be-Superman David Corenswet) will surely kick up some dust.
Deadpool 3 (July 26)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has served us plenty of kibble lately, and audiences are hungry for something of Spider-Man: No Way Home and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 caliber. Now that X-Men characters can appear in the MCU, we should prepare for Ryan Reynolds’ fourth-wall-breaking character to run his mouth about the lack of quality lately while also poking fun at Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. This could set up a refreshing phase in superhero storytelling. Maximum effort, please!
Beetlejuice 2 (Sept. 6)
One misses the days when Tim Burton used non-CGI sets, models and paintings to create his worlds. We haven’t got a trailer for this yet, as production wrapped not too long ago, but it looks like they built a few things from some set photos. If anything, it will be nice to see Michael Keaton reprise his role as the eccentric trickster alongside Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara and Jenna Ortega. Shake, shake, shake, Señora!
Joker: Folie a Deux (Oct. 4)
Admittedly, Todd Phillips’ 2019 Joker was anything but enjoyable. It’s mesmerizing, yes, but it’s a one-time-only viewing. Lady Gaga playing Harley Quinn in this sequel has me stroking my chin, especially since Phillips likes to tip his hat to classic films. So, shall we anticipate a Sid & Nancy vibe here? Probably. Something haunting and disturbing, for sure.
Gladiator 2 (Nov. 22)
Every few years, Ridley Scott produces a remarkable film worthy of continuous discussion, and this much-anticipated follow-up to his 2000 best-picture-winning Gladiator could be another. Paul Mescal stars as a grown version of Lucius Verus II, the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s character in the first film. Pile on the thrill of casting Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen (returning), and we WILL BE entertained.
Nosferatu (Dec. 25)
Robert Eggers (The Northman, The Lighthouse) is one of the most gifted filmmakers alive. His knowledge of cinema, stretching back to the silent era, is evident in his work, and how he immerses viewers into his twisted tales is like reading classic literature. In Eggers’ revamp of the 1922 Nosferatu, Bill Skarsgård is ditching his Pennywise clown suit to dress as another terrifying monster of the fanged kind. This version also stars Lily Rose-Depp and Willem Dafoe, and that’s just icing on the whole bloody affair.
Hit Man (TBD)
Richard Linklater is an artist who’s not compelled by shiny objects. He’s out for realism and human connection. So, I imagine his version of an assassin story will be less bang-bang and more about the events leading up to the lead salads. Starring Glen Powell and Adria Arjona, Hit Man looks romantic. It’s about a fake hit man who falls for his client. It sounds narratively straightforward, but the feelings and moments will undoubtedly be richly layered.
Mother Mary (TBD)
Little is known about Dallas filmmaker David Lowery’s latest film. The plot is about “a relationship between a fictional musician and a famous fashion designer,” and the film stars Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. Lowery has made magic with A24 in the past (The Green Knight, A Ghost Story), and this very well could be epic pop melodrama for the ages.
The Trashers (TBD)
Another Dallas filmmaker on the rise is Cooper Raiff (Cha Cha Real Smooth). While it’s not 100 percent confirmed that The Trashers is releasing this year, my fingers are crossed that it’s happening. The film will center on Cooper Hoffman’s character A.J., the teenage son of Connecticut trash magnate and Genovese crime family associate Jimmy Galante (David Harbour). In the mid-2000s, Galante bought the city’s minor-league hockey team and assigned A.J. to run it. Expect some beautiful father-son bonding moments while heartbreak occurs due to the father’s criminal activities. It’s going to be good!
Of course, release dates can change, and more unknown films will surface. We’ll work to do movie previews for each season to ensure titles are not slipping between the cracks, but the above 12 are plenty of fun to anticipate.
