TOP 10: Anticipated Fall 2024 Films
BY Kevin Dillon
It is wild that we are 3/4 of the way through 2024. There is so much on the horizon for films, but let’s do a quick “State of the Union.”
The film industry feels like it’s having an awkward teen year: lots of ups and downs, and it feels there’s an identity crisis happening. Pundits were playing the role of Chicken Little when The Fall Guy failed back in May, but having watched it on Peacock this weekend, I can understand why people avoided that film: It sucked. That said, there have been some cool blockbusters in 2024, like the new Planet of the Apes and Twisters, which took established IP and made some interesting swings. While neither is perfect, they were still both either fun or interesting.
I personally think the mid-budget successes are where Hollywood needs to focus. Civil War and Challengers both did pretty good business. I thought Challengers was a much better film, but both of these films were at least interesting.
But overall, this year in film has felt like it was lacking, and I thinking coming off the off high of “Barbenheimer” has been hard. 2023 truly had a lot of excitement, and that excitement this year has fallen flat.
With all of that bleak stuff out of the way, let’s get into what feels exciting for the rest of the year, because there are a ton of titles that have so much potential to really make this an exciting year in film. Here are the 10 movies I am looking forward to for the remainder of 2024.
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1. Anora (Directed by Sean Baker, October 18)
Sean Baker has made some exceptional films; they always delve into such interesting subjects. I love the way he gives you a slice of life while cutting through the issues of so many aspects that films often rarely touch, from Tangerine to Red Rocket. This film will won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and was the first American film since Tree of Life to accomplish this. I am so excited to see this.
2. Babygirl (Directed by Halina Reijn, December 25)
Nothing says Christmas Day like a horny erotic film with Nicole Kidman! The Christmas Day releases are truly wild this year. After the reviews from Venice, this film moved incredibly high up on my list. Nicole Kidman is the best working actress in my book; she has ascended to this throne by working to champion and to work with more women in the directors chair, and tackling so many different types of roles. This film puts her on a sexy journey with Harris Dickinson. ‘Nuff said. This is a must see!
3. Nickel Boys (Directed by RaMell Ross, October 25)
RaMell Ross is making his feature debut after crafting one of the best documentaries of the last 25 years, Hale County This Morning, This Evening. This film is also based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book of the same name and tackles the subject's perspective from a first-person standpoint. The story tackles the journey of two young African-American men in reform school in Florida. Ross is such a visionary, and I can’t wait to see how he brings this fantastic book and story to life on film.
4. The Wild Robot (Directed by Chris Sanders, September 27)
I think this looks adorable. Beautiful animation, and based on the trailer it highlights many of the unique materials that existed with Disney/Pixar films back in the day. This looks to be something quite special from Dreamworks Animation. Based on early buzz, watch out for this to make major waves and be incredibly popular.
5. Emilia Perez (Directed by Jacques Audiard, limited November 1; Netflix November 13)
I love a unique musical — well, except for Annette (sorry folks, not for me). I am so intrigued by this film. Jacques Audiard is one of the most interesting filmmakers around, his films present so many different and interesting worlds, from A Prophet to The Sisters Brothers. Audiard is working with Karla Sofia Gascon, Zoe Saldana, and Selena Gomez on this musical film about a Mexican drug cartel. Based on the early word, I am so intrigued, and can’t wait to see it. This film will eventually be on Netflix, but if you have access to see it in a theater, I would say take it!
6. The Room Next Door (Directed by Pedro Almodovar, December 20)
Pedro Almodovar is absolutely one of my favorite filmmakers working today; he is probably in my Top 5. I have loved to see his career eras, from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown to Parallel Mothers, and even his short films. This is Almodovar’s first English-language film, and it stars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton in a film adapted from a book about loss. Based on the production stills and early word from festivals, this will be another exciting entry in his filmography. Let’s go Pedro!
7. Wicked (Directed by John M. Chu, November 22)
“Look at her, she’s wicked — get her!” My mind was singing so many of the songs as I went to type this. I have been excited for this one since the first images and clips started to make their way to various websites. I will say that I have very medium opinions on this live musical, but I thought John Chu did a good job with In the Heights. I love this cast, and I am ready for a fun time at the theater with this one. I can’t wait to hear Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande belt!
8. Queer (Directed by Luca Guadagnino, release date TBA)
Luca Guadagnino is back again this year, after a hugely successful run with Challengers. This film is based on the novel by William S Burroughs and stars Daniel Craig, Lesley Manville, and Drew Starkey. Based on the responses from the Venice Film Festival, and the new images and clips available, sign me up for what I expect to be a much wilder engagement with Luca, who really goes for it with his films.
Queer was recently acquired by A24 just before the Venice Film Festival, and i could not find an official release date
9. Nosferatu (Directed by Robert Eggers, December 25)
Nothing says Christmas Day like the dark remake of a classic vampire film. My mileage varies on Robert Eggers — I love The Witch, but with every subsequent film I have personally thought there may have been a bit more style over substance (although I did think The Lighthouse was solid). No matter what you think of the Eggers, he is great at building mood, and this trailer looks fantastic. The cast is also sensational with Emma Corrin, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgaard, and Willem Dafoe -- I will be seated!
10. Nightbitch (Directed by Marielle Heller, release date December 6)
This film and how they would tackle the book were somewhat shrouded in mystery. When the trailer was released in early September, it set the internet on fire with hot takes, memes, and some questions. Amy Adams has had a very rough few years, but I can’t deny that I am intrigued by this film, especially since it was directed by Marielle Helle who did A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Can You Ever Forgive Me? I hope I go to a screening and there are people in pup masks. That would delight me.
*Please note release dates may be subject to your area, some of these films may open in limited to start and expand to more cities later in their runs.
What films are you looking forward to for the rest of 2024? Leave a comment below!
