20. “Wicked: Part One”
Jon M. Chu has made a career out of musicals (“In The Heights”) and entertaining thrillers (“Now You See Me 2”), and all those strengths should come to bear and coalesce for the upcoming musical fantasy film and adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked,” which in turn is spun-off from “The Wizard Of Oz.” The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, the drama stars Cynthia Erivo in the lead role, Ariana Grande as the second lead, Glinda the Good, and a supporting cast that includes Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Bowen Yang.
Release Date: November 27, 2024, via Universal Pictures.
19. “Night Swim”
An American supernatural horror film written and directed by Bryce McGuire, “Night Swim” is produced by Blumhouse, James Wan, and Jason Blum. The plot centers on a family who moves into a new house and finds an unknown supernatural presence that haunts the backyard swimming pool. Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon, Amélie Hoeferle, and Gavin Warren star.
Release Date: January 5, 2024, by Universal Pictures.
18. “The First Omen”
After dozens of sequels that don’t really go anywhere, every good horror franchise gives a try at an origin story. So, “The First Omen,” directed by Arkasha Stevenson (“Legion” the short “Vessels”), serves as a prequel to “The Omen” (1976). The film follows an American woman sent to work at a church in Rome but uncovers a sinister conspiracy to bring about the birth of an Antichrist. Starring Nell Tiger Free, known for M. Night Shylaman’s “Servant,” the cast also stars Tawfeek Barhom, Sônia Braga, Ralph Ineson, and Bill Nighy.
Release Date: April 5, 2024, via 20th Century Studios.
17. “Beetlejuice 2”
35 years after the fact, filmmaker Tim Burton returns to one of his most iconic movies and characters in Beetlejuice. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara return from the original cast, and newcomers include Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe. And yes, most of it was completed before the strike.
Release Date: September 6, 2024, via Warner Bros.
16. “Smile 2”
Studios do love their breakout low-cost, high-grossing horror movies, and the psychological supernatural horror film “Smile” surely fits that bill. Written and directed once again by Parker Finn, no real details are out, and no cast has been announced, but it will surely resume the story of an ancient entity that feeds off of trauma.
Release Date: October 18, 2024, via Paramount
