We look to art—to films and series for some inspiration and motivation, and 2024 does not disappoint
The new year always comes flush with excitement, like the sins from the past year have been washed away and we’re born again. And with that reborn feeling comes hope and a thirst for inspiration and motivation. So we look to art—to films and series to get a jumpstart, and 2024 does not disappoint. If anything, we have a list of just some of what we’re looking forward to seeing on the big and small screens up ahead:
MOVIES
“The Boy and The Heron”
From the beautiful mind of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli comes the award-winning and record-breaking anime film The Boy and The Heron, which has been on our list since we first heard of its critical acclaim last year. The fantastical film follows a boy named Mahito (voiced by Soma Santoki) who enters a magical world with a talking gray heron after finding an abandoned tower in his new town. Yearning for his mother, Mahito ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead where death comes to an end and life finds a new beginning. I say The Boy and The Heron couldn’t have come at a better time.
The semi-autobiographical fantasy about life, death and friendship is out in cinemas January 8.
“Madame Web”
Say what you will about superhero movies, but we’re always rooting for those headlined by women. Dakota Johnson is the titular superhero Madame Web, the first female lead in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. The movie follows the story of paramedic Cassandra Webb who may have clairvoyant abilities and three young women destined for powerful futures.
Madame Web connects them all; witness their past, present and future unfold when the suspense thriller hits theaters this February.
“Dune: Part Two”
Delayed from 2023, Dune: Part Two will adapt the second half of Frank Herbert’s book. It picks up from the loss of House Atreides' forces on Arrakis and the deaths of Duke Leto Atreides, Duncan Idaho and Dr. Kynes. Dune: Part Two sees Paul Atreides and his mother Lady Jessica in league with the Fremen as the former seeks revenge against those who destroyed his family. Ultimately, Paul will have to choose between the love of his life and the fate of the universe in order to save the future.
The long awaited sequel premieres in March 2024.
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”
Who could forget the first screen adaptation of Mad Max: Fury Road with its dusty, dangerous roads and gritty, grease-smeared characters? This year, a roaring follow-up, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, is underway. Furiosa, which serves as a prequel, begins 45 years after the world collapses. It sees loosely organized tribes living in largely barren lands and among them, the Green Place of Many Mothers, where the main character resides. Their peaceful existence is shaken when Furiosa is abducted by the Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. She must then overcome trials amid a brewing conflict among tribes if she wants to make it back home.
Join the chase and catch Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga in cinemas May 2024.
“Beetlejuice 2”
The new generation may or may not know Beetlejuice, but surely they know the name Tim Burton, moreso Jenna Ortega, the Spooky, Not Kooky personification of everyone’s beloved goth girl, Wednesday Addams. It’s been too long since we were first introduced to the ghost with the most on the big screen so consider us blessed when Beetlejuice 2 was announced. Burton returns to direct the sequel, as well as Michael Keaton to reprise his titular role.
The follow-up, at least based on what we’ve seen and read, could be different in theme and tone. Human connection becomes central to the story as opposed to the first installment where it was comically devoid of any emotion.
Say his name three times, Beetlejuice 2, and see him in cinemas September 2024.
“Joker: Folie à Deux”
Following the first Joker, which was All at Once Disturbing, Fascinating and Unsettling, is the second installment, Joker: Folie à Deux. The crime musical puts a focus on Joker’s relationship with Harley Quinn and their delusions, likely expressed in song and dance.
With part one ending with Arthur Fleck’s escape from Arkham Asylum, the follow-up sees him back within the institution's walls. Hopefully, Joker: Folie à Deux will put all our theories to rest.
The buzzed about sequel stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, and shows on October 4, 2024.
“Wicked Part 1”
We love villain origin stories, and one of the most iconic has to be that of the Wicked Witch of the West. Wicked, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, hits the big screen in two parts, and part one happens quarter four this year. A prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the movie takes place long before Dorothy is whisked away into the land of Oz. It details the friendship between the young Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West before they became enemies.
Ariana Grande and Tony-winner Cynthia Erivo play the witches Glinda and Elphaba, respectively. Both installments are expected to chronicle how Elphaba, wrongfully deemed wicked at the start, became the villain we know her to be and explore her relationships with other Oz characters.
Follow the yellow brick road to Wicked Part 1 coming November 2024.
SERIES
“Avatar: The Last Airbender”
The previous live-action adaptations of Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender may not have pleased fans, but maybe Netflix’s serial version will (if anything, the trailer looks promising and they did One Piece right). The original show follows four nations ruled by different elements—air, earth, fire and water—live in peace. But an attack by the Fire Nation threatens war, and all hope rests on Aang, an Avatar who can control all elements.
Will peace be restored and more importantly, will Avatar: The Last Airbender do its source material justice? We wait with bated breath until February 2024.
“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”
The movie that spawned one of the most beautiful onscreen (and off-screen) supercouples is now a series on Amazon Prime. With Donald Glover as John Smith, and as writer and executive producer, we can’t help but set our expectations high. Generally faithful to the original plot or at least the spies-turned-lovers part, Mr. & Mrs. Smith the series will reportedly have a different tone. It will focus on the complexities beneath their cover story and pose a difficult question on what’s riskier: a life of espionage or marriage? To Glover’s point in an interview, “Why do people even get married anymore? Half of it ends in divorce—what's the purpose?”
Let’s hope the series can offer some answers when it comes to Prime this February.
“House of the Dragon: Season 2”
(The series I can’t wait to watch myself but can’t because it’s messy and the characters I like are often destroyed or killed off. But anyway.) The Targaryens and their dragons are back for season two of House of the Dragon. Beloved characters that survived return with unexpected alliances and (even more) tragic betrayals in the name of power.
Bend the knee or take part in the political dance of House of the Dragon: Season 2 mid 2024.
“The Penguin”
Coincidence or not, 2024 seems to be the year of villains and we’re not complaining. The Penguin, with the titular role reprised by Colin Farrell, picks up after the conclusion of The Batman. The plot will chart his rise to power in Gotham’s underworld and how he became Batman’s most feared villains.
The Penguin is an eight-part series and is expected to come out in quarter three.
Which 2024 movies and TV series are you most excited for?
Art Macky Arquilla
