20. “Oh Canada”
Filmmaker Paul Schrader moves off his “God’s Lonely Man” trilogy in order to adapt a Russell Banks novel instead. The film centers on a tormented writer turned filmmaker on the brink of death, a Canadian-American leftist who fled to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War draft. Richard Gere stars as the older version of the man, Jacob Elordi (“Euphoria”) as the younger version), and the film also stars Kristine Froseth, Uma Thurman and Michael Imperioli.
Release Date: TBD, but it received a SAG waiver and shot in September of 2023 so it could be ready by late fall 2024.
19. “Mothers’ Instinct”
Having worked with Anthony Minghella, Tsai Ming-liang, John Hillcoat, and more, Benoît Delhomme is one of the most well-regarded French cinematographers in the world. That reputation really pays off with “Mother’s Instinct,” starring Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway as two 1960s housewives whose close friendship rapidly deteriorates after a tragedy. It’s already deep in the can, so it feels like a big festival bow is next. Cannes?
Released Date: TBD via Neon.
18. “Nightbitch”
Filmmaker Marielle Heller has already received a ton of acclaim for her body of work (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood“), but her next film, “Nightbitch,” about a stay-at-home mom who begins to worry that she may be turning into a dog, sounds wild. Amy Adams stars, and around her are Scoot McNairy, Ella Thomas, and Mary Holland. Searchlight Pictures and Annapurna Pictures produce
Release Date: TBD, via Hulu.
17. “The Way Of The Wind”
Auteur Terrence Malick takes years in the editing room, but maybe his latest— a retelling of several episodes in the life of Christ— will manifest in 2023. Starring Mark Rylance (as Satan apparently), Matthias Schoenaerts (Apostle Peter), Geza Rohrig (“Son of Saul,” as Jesus), Joseph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Tawfeek Barhom, Ori Pfeffer, and more, given Malick’s spiritual tendencies, it’s a bit surprising it has taken this long to tackle this subject matter.
Release Date: TBD, and kind of a toss-up if it does arrive this year, given how long he takes in the editing room.
16. “Wizards”
Aussie filmmaker David Michôd follows up 2019’s ambitious “The King” with something much more low-key and comedic: the tale of two unlucky beach bar operators who find stolen loot that they really should have left alone. Pete Davidson, Sean Harris, Orlando Bloom, Naomi Scott, and Franz Rogowski star.
Release Date TBD.
15. “Mother Mary”
Eclectic filmmaker David Lowrey, director of “The Green Knight” and “A Ghost Story,” but also Disney’s “Peter And Wendy,” returns with “Mother Mary,” another film given a SAG waiver to shoot in 2023. Lowery is nothing if not ambitious, and this one is a melodrama about the relationship between a fictional musician and a famous fashion designer. Anne Hathaway is the pop star, and Michaela Coel plays the designer. “Euphoria” actor Hunter Schafer also stars and the film will feature music from “Taylor Swift” producer Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX.
Release Date: TBD, but if it hits 2024, it’ll be on the late end of things.
14. “We Live In Time”
While he directed before that, British filmmaker John Crowley (“Brooklyn”) arguably really jumpstarted his career with “Boy A,” the indie that also launched the career of Andrew Garfield and led him to his big Hollywood career. Crowley and Garfield reunite for “We Live In Time,” a romantic drama co-starring Florence Pugh. The plot is under wraps, but Crowley, Garfield, and Pugh are more than enough.
Release Date: TBD, but A24 is distributing via Studio Canal, and presumably, this could be a big fall movie.
13. “Love Lies Bleeding”
Obsessed with director Rose Glass’ breakout horror “Saint Maud,” Kristen Stewart reportedly chased down the filmmaker and told her she was game for anything. So, it’s a gay love story set in the competitive world of bodybuilding from A24 starring Stewart, which also includes Jena Malone, Ed Harris, Dave Franco, Katy O’Brian, and Anna Baryshnikov.
Release Date: TBD, but it’s A24, and it smells like a film festival title.
12. “Kind of Kindness”
Could Yorgos Lanthimos follow up 2023’s late-fall “Poor Things” with “Kind Of Kindness” in 2024? That’s the rumor. This one is an anthology film directed and co-written with Efthymis Filippou. Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, and Mamoudou Athie star, and it’s apparently already in the can.
Release Date: Late fall 2024? Via Searchlight Pictures.
11. “Queer”
Look, at the pace he works, yes, we might get two Luca Guadagnino films this year. “Challengers” was ready for release in August of 2023 before it was strike-delayed into 2024. In the interim, Guadagnino’s likely been working on “Queer,” his William S. Burroughs adaptation starring Daniel Craig that wrapped in June before the strikes. Set in 1940s Mexico City, it follows an outcast American expat who becomes infatuated with a younger man. Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman and Henry Zaga co-star.
Release Date: TBD, but Venice seems doable.