2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for films; after a rough start to the decade, it seems like filmmakers are finding their footing, and putting out well-made, meaningful and fun stories. As a self-designated film nerd, I’ve decided to assemble a list of the films I’m looking forward to the most this year.
Dune: Part Two is the sequel to the first film (aptly called Dune) from 2021. It continues the story of Paul Atreides as he wages war against House Harkonnen for destroying his family. Dune offers an interesting commentary about the concept of fate and free will; however, even if you’re not deeply engrossed in the story, it stars Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya! Pretty people in space! Hooray!
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the sequel to 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, reuniting old and new generations of Ghostbusters as they fight to save New York City from freezing into an icy wasteland. If nothing else, this (along with the previous Ghostbusters movies) will be a source of nostalgic comfort. It’ll be the film equivalent of drinking hot chocolate while curled up in your childhood blanket.
Abigail is based on a 1936 screenplay about Dracula’s daughter. Directed by the same duo behind 2019’s Ready or Not and the two most recent Scream films, the story follows a group of criminals who kidnap a powerful crime kingpin’s daughter…who just so happens to be a vampire. Sounds like it’ll be a thrilling time, albeit very bloody!
Ballerina takes place in the universe of John Wick, set between the third and fourth films. It follows Rooney, a ballerina/assassin who seeks revenge against the people who murdered her family. I’m a sucker for stories about people getting revenge, and I love the John Wick movies; it’ll be really exciting to see an expansion of the universe that the previous movies have established.
Borderlands is based off of the popular video game series that takes place on the faraway planet Pandora. The movie will follow a group of rag-tag mercenaries (better known in the game as Vault Hunters) as they fight against alien monsters and search for a missing girl who could be the key to holding unlimited power. As someone who’s played through the games, I’m excited to see how director Eli Roth will interpret the universe in a film format.
Beetlejuice 2 has been talked about the first film released in 1988, and now it’s finally here! Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder are reprising their roles as infamously nasty ghost Beetlegeuse and gothic photographer Lydia Deetz, respectively. Not much is publicly known about the plot, but I’m sure it’ll be a fun time regardless!
Nosferatu is directed by Robert Eggers, whose previous work includes movies like The Lighthouse and The Northman. A retelling of the 1922 German expressionist film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, it stars Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok. Gothic horror isn’t a common genre these days, so I’m happy that something as cool as Nosferatu is getting a moment to shine.
