2024 might be almost over, but there are still so many exciting, upcoming movies to look forward to this year and beyond. So far, we've had hits such as Deadpool & Wolverine, Twisters, and Venom 3 (aka Venom: The Last Dance). And now, Paddington 3 has just been released in the UK, marking the start of the November movie rush.
Whatever you're into, there's still something for everyone on our exciting list of movie release dates on the horizon to keep track of. There are sequels like Moana 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and it's nearly time to buy tickets for the long-delayed Kraven the Hunter, starring Aaron Taylor Johnson. Let's not forget Gladiator 2 and Wicked, as well, which are both arriving on the same day!
There's a lot to keep track of, then, but our guide to the most exciting upcoming movies in 2024 organizes them all into one neat place. We also have a list of the best new TV shows, if the small screen is more of your thing. But for now, grab some popcorn and check out the newest movies heading to theaters soon.
Paddington in Peru
Release date: November 8 in the UK, January 17 in the US
Paddington in Peru (commonly known as Paddington 3) will see the marmalade-loving bear and Brown family pack up and head to his home country to pay a visit to Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. There's a problem, though...
Lucy, according to a nun played by Olivia Colman, went on an expedition in the Amazon a while back and never returned. So now it's up to Paddington and Co to venture deep into the jungle, find her, and bring her back safely. Ben Whishaw is back to lend his voice to Paddington, while Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, and Antonio Banderas also star. Emily Mortimer is on board, too, replacing Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Brown.
Gladiator 2
Release date: November 15 in the UK, November 22 in the US
Gladiator 2 is the unexpected follow-up to Ridley Scott's epic Gladiator and is set to pick up 20 years after the original. The first trailer for the film, screened behind closed doors at Cinema Con, sees Paul Mescal's former nobleman, Lucius Versus, forced to become a gladiator. It also showcases Mescal fighting a rhino, man-eating baboons, and Pedro Pascal.
Mescal's Lucius is the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix, who will not be in the sequel). Joseph Quinn, May Calamawy, Derek Jacobi, and Denzel Washington also feature.
Wicked
Release date: November 22
Wicked (also called Wicked – Part 1) is a new fantasy movie that’s adapting the famous Broadway musical of the same name. Starring the likes of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, it will tell the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz, and expose how she really isn’t the villain we all originally thought she was.
We have a soft spot when it comes to watching all the best witch movies from Hollywood, so hopefully, Wicked will join the coven of stellar flicks starring magical women. From trailers, it already seems like the upcoming movie will be a grand affair, and the vocals sound great, too. Honestly, we can’t wait to see it for ourselves this November.
Moana 2
Release date: November 27
One of the best Disney movies ever made is getting a sequel. Moana 2 will see Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui return for a new adventure. Similar to the first animated movie, it’s up to the pair to travel to a hidden island and break a curse. This time Moana’s mission will take her to the distant seas of Oceania, where she’ll meet new communities and face fresh villains. The first Moana was stunning so we have high hopes for this film. Fingers crossed that this sequel blows us away just like Frozen 2 did in 2020.
Kraven the Hunter
Release date: December 13
We were originally supposed to meet Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Sergei Kravinoff in October 2023, but the new Marvel movie is one of several delayed releases. The film follows the anti-hero as he sets out to prove he's the greatest hunter in the world. From what we've seen in the trailer, we're expecting one of the most violent takes in the Sony Marvel universe so far.
The film has been delayed until December. "Kraven moved to Christmas because we're excited about it, and Christmas is the best release period there is - when you get people with time to go back to the movies over and over again," producer Matt Tolmach explained.
Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim
Release date: December 13
With The Rings of Power season 2 released earlier this year, the announcement of a new Lord of the Rings movie, and some new games on their way, 2024 has been the year of Tolkien. And, as an end-of-the-year treat, we now have Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim to look forward to.
This is easily one of the most exciting new anime movies heading our way, as it’ll showcase the ninth king of Rohan Helm Hammerhand. The story revolves around The War of Rohirrim and is set 183 years before Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies. Expect some epic battle scenes with this one, as we watch the legend of Helm Hammerhand be born, long before the stronghold of Helm’s Deep takes place.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Release date: December 20
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is introducing Keanu Reeves as Shadow, with Colleen O'Shaughnessey back as Tails and Idris Elba back as Knuckles. Of course, Ben Schwartz is returning as Sonic, and James Marsden is back as his human bestie.
"It's going to be this giant, fun, incredible movie that obviously takes a lot from Sonic Adventure 2 and some of the games that I know the core Sonic Team grew up loving," producer Toby Ascher previously told GamesRadar+.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Release date: December 20
When it comes to new Disney movies, love them or hate them, live-actions are in the conversation. Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to the 2019 live-action Disney movie. In it, we'll see the rise of Simba's father, Mufasa, from orphan cub to Pride Rock ruler.
Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen will reprise their roles as Timon and Pumbaa, respectively, which is fun. But what's funnier is that the movie has already drawn comparisons to The Godfather Part II. We'll also see (or more accurately, hear) Aaron Pierre, who worked on the Emmy-nominated series The Underground Railroad, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. voice Mufasa and Scar, respectively.
The first trailer for the film is already out if you want to see a first look at the flick for yourself.
Nosferatu
Release date: December 25 in the US, January 3, 2025 in the UK
Written and directed by Robert Eggers, the filmmaker behind The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, Nosferatu is set to offer a brand new take on the 1922 silent film of the same name.
Starring Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Ralph Ineson, Willem Dafoe, and Bill Skarsgård as the eponymous bloodsucker, the upcoming movie is set to explore the complicated obsession between a troubled young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her. With high hopes for this one; in fact, it's one of our most anticipated upcoming horror movies of 2024!
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Release date: December 25 in the UK, January 3, 2025 in the US
Wallace & Gromit is iconic and has already given us some of the best-animated movies ever made. So, of course, we’re excited to see the duo’s second full-length feature film (since The Curse of the Were-Rabbit) hit our screens in a few weeks. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl will see the return of the villain Feathers McGraw, who first appeared in the 1993 short film The Wrong Trousers. The story revolves around Wallace’s latest invention becoming part of McGraw’s new evil scheme. From the trailers that we’ve already seen, the upcoming film looks stunning as well as hilarious. It will be available for UK viewers via the BBC in December and on Netflix for US readers in January shortly after.
Wolf Man
Release date: January 17, 2025
The reboot of the famous 1941 movie The Wolfman (aka one of the best horror movies ever made) is finally heading to the big screen in 2025. Starring Kraven the Hunter star Christopher Abbott as the leading man, the film will follow Blake, who, after being bitten by a werewolf, finds himself trapped in a remote cabin with his family during his first transformation. Universal monsters are iconic, and after the massive success of 2020's The Invisible Man, we have high hopes for this flick. Blumhouse Productions are also involved, and while both Universal and Blumhouse have had hits and flops regarding horror reboots, we're keeping our fingers crossed that the team-up with give us something scarily special to enjoy come January.
For more on what's to come, check out our guide to all the new Marvel movies and shows and all the upcoming superhero movies heading your way soon.
