My Most Anticipated Films for the Remainder of 2024

Since the 96th Academy Awards that took place in March of this year, I have been patiently waiting for new movies to release that would reach the same level of film making that last year’s contestants had. Oppenheimer, Poor Things, The Holdovers, The Zone of Interest, Anatomy of a Fall – the line up of nominated films was one that will go down in history. 

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, my favorite film of 2023, completely swept the Oscars – winning seven out of the thirteen categories it was nominated for. Seeing it in theaters for the first time was an experience I’ll never forget. The closest cinema experience I’ve had to that in 2024, was Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two. It released in theaters on March 15, and grossed over $711 million worldwide, making it the one of the highest-grossing films of 2024, and the highest-grossing film of Villeneuve’s career. It is truly an achievement in modern sci-fi. 

Even though we’re more than halfway through 2024, there’s no shortage of great films that have yet to be released. The rest of this year should be a rewarding season for cinema lovers, and I can’t wait to experience it. Here are some of my most anticipated films for the remainder of 2024:

We Live In Time – Directed by John Crowley; starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. 

Trailer: https://youtu.be/MH02yagHaNw?si=g5m-UUsb1F_7fnSl

Set to release on October 11, We Live In Time is an unconventional love story following Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield). After meeting in a hospital post-car accident, they embark on a journey filled with hardships, romance, and the battle against the passage of time. 

One of the main reasons for my excitement is Florence Pugh. She is an extraordinary actress, who has displayed her talent in a wide array of genres. She made her big break in Midsommar (2019), a horror that explores cultish activities that take place during a Midsummer celebration in Sweden. She knows how to capture an audience. Her performances are always chillingly authentic, pulling you in to experience whatever emotion she is presenting, and I can’t wait to experience it again. 

Anora – Directed by Sean Baker; starring Mikey Madison and Mark Eidelstein.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/wvSwg5gv88w?si=xlDykWmWnCtJL97o

I hadn’t heard anything about Anora until I saw the trailer during one of my trips to Regal over the summer, and let me say I have never added something to my watchlist so quickly. Set to release on October 18, the movie follows sex worker Anora (Mikey Madison), and the riveting story of her marriage with Ivan (Mark Eidelstein), the son of an oligarch. Once his father discovers the news, he leaves Russia and arrives in Brooklyn to get their marriage annulled. 

The trailer is a gripping, and electrifying preview for what is to come. I can already sense that this movie will deeply affect me, probably in more ways than one. I’m eager to witness Mikey Madison’s performance, as this could very well become an Oscar nominated role for her. While her roles in Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood (2019), and Scream (2022), were small, they were also very mighty. She holds an enchanting screen presence that I am thrilled to see put to use in a larger role. 

Gladiator II – Directed by Ridley Scott; starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/Ts0N8swyWFI?si=h_ADDTsPT27GnZfo

Set to release on November 22, Gladiator II follows Lucius, the former heir of the Roman Empire, and his journey becoming a gladiator after his home was invaded by the Roman army. 

I am a huge fan of the original Gladiator. With it being my mom’s favorite movie, I’ve seen it no less than twenty times. Hans Zimmer’s score paired with Russel Crowe’s Oscar winning performance makes it a story like no other. Choosing Paul Mescal for this role is a directorial choice that I whole-heartedly agree with. He has displayed his talent within his roles as Connell in Normal People (2020), and his Oscar nominated role as Calum in Aftersun (2022). 

Having this movie be directed by the original director, Ridley Scott, is also a factor that intrigues me. In my experience, having sequels be directed by someone who had nothing to do with the original film equates in an epic failure. All in all, I am very excited. 

Queer – Directed by Luca Guadagnino; starring Drew Starkey and Daniel Craig.

Released Clip: https://youtu.be/teD48Kt6FMk?si=UuHJawQV75HxtPr-

Queer premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2024, and is set to release in U.S. theaters on November 27. Set in 1940’s Mexico City, we follow Lee (Daniel Craig) and his pursuit of a younger man named Eugene (Drew Starkey), after his discharge from the Navy. 

This film excites me for a few reasons. The main one being the director, Luca Guadagnino. Luca has been my favorite director for a few years now. His most popular releases include Call Me By Your Name, Bones and All, and his most recent film: Challengers. His long quiet shots on the landscape, his use of sound, and his ability to choose brilliant actors – even if they’re slightly unknown, is what really draws me to his films. 

Not only am I excited to be watching this for Luca, but Drew Starkey, who is best known for his role of Rafe in the Netflix series Outer Banks, and Daniel Craig who is best known for his role as James Bond, are some incredible actors who I can’t wait to see in action together. 

A Complete Unknown – Directed by James Mangold; starring Timothée Chalamet and Elle Fanning.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/TcNNteP22gQ?si=gqlo-qiY1pDlbeZ5

My anticipation for the other movies on this list doesn’t compare to my excitement for this one. Set to release on Christmas day, A Complete Unknown follows Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet), and his rise to fame within the music industry. 

When it’s done right, I’m a sucker for a good biopic. And if there’s anyone you want to play you in one? It’s Timothée Chalamet. He has displayed his talent time and time again in films like Call Me By Your Name (2017), Beautiful Boy (2018), Dune: Part One (2021), Wonka (2023), and his most recent performance in Dune: Part Two (2024). 

There’s no question that Chalamet has singing talent. His role as Willy Wonka in the 2023 film Wonka, exhibited his impressive vocals, and honestly, there’s no surprise there… He was once just a theater kid after all. But with Bob Dylan’s unique voice, it put a large question on the project that is: A Complete Unknown, and Chalamet’s ability to rise to the challenge. Once the first trailer was released and I heard his rendition of Dylan’s voice for the first time, I knew that he had and I am eagerly awaiting the release. 

While this list has some of my top picks, it is nowhere close to all of the great films that are set to release throughout the rest of the year. My recommendation:  stay up to date with your local cinemas to see what films they’re showing, and check out the app Letterboxd, where you can rate, log, and review movies. It’s a great place for movie lovers to create profiles showcasing their favorites, follow others to see their reviews, and check out new releases!

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