The cinema is the ultimate way to experience a movie, but with the convenience and sheer volume of content available on streaming services, it’s easy to see why some have frequented the theatres less in recent times. There is an argument to be made for studios reserving what they believe to be their best and most prestigious works for the cinema versus a streaming service’s need to just keep rolling out content, but some releases seemed far better suited as near-freebies on streaming services.
You could look to the decline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe epitomized by The Marvels only getting $200 million worldwide (on a $275 million budget), whatever was meant to be happening in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and especially Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Still, there were plenty of gems in Godzilla Minus One, Oppenheimer, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and The Boy and the Heron, and it’s movies like those that should give hope that even more great flicks are on the way in 2024.
These are the films given a 2024 release date that should, if all goes as expected, offer the best cinematic experience this year.
Dune: Part II (March 1)
Frank Herbert’s Dune novels are among the most influential science-fiction stories ever penned. You can see their influences everywhere, but most distinctly in the original Star Wars trilogy. Still, among cinephiles, it’s unfortunately long been known for the David Lynch adaptation. The 1984 movie was, perhaps, shackled by the age that it was made – even though sci-fi greats were being made at the time – but it didn’t manage to land well with mainstream audiences or in retrospect.
In 2021, Denis Villeneuve brought Dune back to the big screen with a hefty budget of $165 million and his distinct eye for creating something that’s visually epic while interweaving it with strong character work – as he did with Blade Runner 2049. Dune: Part II will complete the story written by Herbert and its padding the already mighty cast with even more stars. Known for her exceptional performances, Florence Pugh will be in the sequel, as will the ever-stellar Léa Seydoux, Austin Butler, and the legendary Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 23)
Created by George Miller and often crafted on an incredibly low budget but with real settings and stunts, Mad Max movies have inspired whole stacks of media and world-class entertainment creatives. James Wan, James Cameron, Bethesda creatives, Hideo Kojima, Guillermo del Toro, David Twohy, Philip Reeve, and even 2Pac have cited Mad Max movies as being among their influences and favorite flicks. While it was a critical success, Mad Max: Fury Road reportedly didn’t do too well financially, perhaps incurring a $20 million loss, but it’s picked up steam since.
Jumping back in time from the story of the high-octane Mad Max: Fury Road to tell the story of one of its most endearing characters, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga should get off to a hotter start than the last outing thanks to the praise and goodwill it has earned since. Those who like the remote areas of the Australian Outback to relax may not see it as so peaceful after this all-out action flick takes to the screen! Anya Taylor-Joy takes the lead as Furiosa, and Chris Hemsworth has praised the filming as the best experience of his career.
Nosferatu (December 25)
Vampires have taken many forms across entertainment in recent years. There was the romantic and sexy vampire fad of the late 00s and early 10s, courtesy of True Blood and the Twilight series, but then the classic bloodsucking villains came back. Most recently, Vampire Riches Doublemax and Vampire Desire broke out as hit slots on the betting site. Both lean into the more commonplace depiction of vampires often shown through Dracula. This is seen as the most popular and recognizable form, which is why slot developers utilize the imagery.
Even so, the depiction of the vampire in Nosferatu from 1922 continues to endear and endure. Here, the titular character is a grotesque, creepy being. Most recently, Bad Bunny went all-in on the makeup to play Nosferatu in his music video, Baticano. The German Expressionist film boasts a tremendous legacy and remains a great influence on cinema, and this Christmas – for whatever reason – Robert Eggers will bring his remake of the classic to the big screen. It’ll star Bill Skarsgård, who has a grand record as an on-screen creep, alongside Willem Dafoe and Emma Corrin.
Enjoy at least three epic cinema experiences in 2024 by getting Dune: Part II, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, and Nosferatu on your calendar!