2023 has been a booming year for the cinema industry. From action blockbuster hits like “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” to subversive comedies like “Barbie” to captivating biopics like “Oppenheimer,” this year has not disappointed general audiences and avid movie-goers. As the year is coming to a close, it is time to look forward to the movie lineup of 2024. Here are a few of the most highly anticipated movies by West Ranch students.
Beware, minor spoilers of these movies’ plots will be discussed!
Deadpool 3
Since his debut film in 2016, Ryan Reynolds’ rambunctious rendition of the rambling red anti-hero Deadpool has wooed audiences and critics alike. However, the “Deadpool” movie franchise has long been disconnected from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)—until now.
Following the heels of “Deadpool 2,” the merc with a mouth will find himself in a time-traveling paradox that will thrust him into the MCU, encountering Marvel characters across the multiverse along the way.
“I think a multiverse story works perfect for Deadpool,” explained sophomore and avid Marvel enthusiast Logan Hindes. “I know the whole multiverse thing has been overdone in the last few years, but I think for a character like Deadpool who breaks the 4th wall often, time-traveling and multiversal events are right up his alley.”
One of the biggest pieces of news attached to the movie’s production is the official confirmation of the return of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. This pleasantly surprised many, as the character was killed off at the end of his solo film, “Logan.”
“I’m super excited to see Hugh Jackman return,” shared Marvel fan Mitchell Merrilees, a freshman at West Ranch. “I feel he was always the perfect Wolverine. I’m glad that Marvel is so persistent in bringing back old actors to reprise their roles.”
Unlike previous movies, Jackman will finally be sporting a comic-accurate costume based on Wolverine’s yellow-and-blue look in the “Astonishing X-Men” comic series.
Merrilees continued, “It’s also super exciting knowing that he will be wearing the same thing as his comics counterpart–that’s really cool. The yellow does seem like it pops a bit making it look like a hazmat suit, but who cares. It’s a comic-accurate Wolverine.”
Although details about the film are limited and no trailer has been released yet, Marvel fans are more than excited to see what shenanigans Deadpool and Wolverine will encounter next. The film is currently slated for release on July 26, 2024.
Inside Out 2
Pixar Animation Studios has long been known for being one of the best animation companies in the film industry, and one of their most well-known movies is “Inside Out.” Released in 2015, “Inside Out” followed a young girl named Riley whose five different emotions try to guide her through the difficulties of life as she tries to adjust when she moves to San Francisco.
Just like the rest of us, Riley is growing up and “Inside Out 2” is about Riley’s journey through puberty as she turns thirteen years old. In the trailer, when her “puberty alarm” goes off, a team of construction cells comes in to tear down the headquarters to make room for new emotions.
West Ranch sophomore Sydney Kim shared her love for Disney and explained, “I am excited because it portrays the next stage of Riley’s life and it introduces the new emotions Riley has during her teenage years. I’m excited to see how the new emotions affect not only Riley but how the new emotions interact with the originals.” “Inside Out 2” introduces four new emotions for Riley to deal with along with the return of the already beloved gang.
On June 14, 2024, viewers will be able to meet the new additions to the emotion gang: Anxiety, Ennui, Embarrassment and Envy.
Joker: Folie à Deux
For many, “Joker,” released in 2019, stands as one of DC’s most avant-garde movie productions yet. The psychological thriller shed a new light on the clown prince of crime portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. Now, in 2024, he’s getting a sequel—and he’s not alone.
“Joker: Folie à Deux”, which translates to “madness for two,” will continue Arthur Fleck’s descent into insanity while introducing his partner-in-crime, Harley Quinn. Not much is known about the plot of the film, but what production has confirmed is that the movie will be a musical, a move that has left DC fans intrigued.
“It’s definitely an interesting choice to follow a musical format,” sophomore Brady Martzke expressed. “I don’t want to pass judgment now, but I just hope they can pull it off in a way that matches the previous movie’s tone.”
Another shocking revelation from the movie’s production is that Harley Quinn will be played on the big screen by none other than world-renowned singer and actress Lady Gaga, which took many by surprise.
Freshman Mitchell Merrilees shared his opinion on the casting: “I feel the casting of Gaga was done just for views and mainly because she’s famous. It’s a very bold move, but as long as she does a good job, I’ll be happy.”
Although no official trailer has been released yet, “Joker: Folie à Deux” is set to take over the big screen on Oct. 4, 2024.
Kingdom of the Planets of the Apes
The “Planet of the Apes” trilogy set a new standard for both book-to-movie adaptations and the sci-fi genre at the same time. The bone-chilling modern rendition of the iconic book series tackled complex themes of human intelligence and toying with the natural world while telling an engaging tale of hyper-intelligent apes fighting for their place in the human world. Although many thought the trilogy ended with “War for the Planet of the Apes” in which ape protagonist Caesar dies fighting for a home for his fellow apes, the series is now getting a fourth movie in 2024.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” takes place several generations after Caesar’s death, in which ape clans have taken over the world, and humans have been reduced to a primitive state, hiding in the shadows. When the despotic leader of a powerful ape empire seeks to enslave other ape clans and find remnants of human technology, a young chimpanzee and human must embark on a journey to determine the fate of their planet.
Ms. O’Dwyer, an English teacher at West Ranch, shared her concerns regarding the movie: “I’m on the fence with this one. I feel like they used the storyline so much already with the first three that I’m wondering what they can do to draw me in.”
Many others share the same feeling that making another film will be too contrived, but others are more than excited for a new era for the apes.
“I think it’s going to be really cool seeing a proper ape kingdom,” shared sophomore Brady Martzke. “The previous movies have been leading up to this, and now they’re actually going through with it.” The next saga for the ape kingdom will come to theaters on May 24, 2024.
Mean Girls
From the famous Burn Book to Regina George herself, “Mean Girls” is considered one of the most iconic movies to come out during the 2000s. After 20 years, the movie is making a comeback on Jan. 12, 2024. The original movie was released in 2004 and the sequel-remake will include a whole new main cast but with a few familiar faces from the original such as Tina Fey playing Ms. Norbury and Tim Meadows playing Principal Duvall.
The 2024 story follows Cady Heron, the new girl, who is welcomed into the elite clique of popular girls called “The Plastics.” The group is led by Regina George and her minions, Gretchen Wieners and Karen Smith. When Cady makes the mistake of falling for the leader’s ex-boyfriend she finds herself in Regina’s crosshairs. This leads Cady to decide to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her friends, Janice and Damian.
“I’m wondering if the same kind of chemistry will be there with the character because some of them might be replaced, but I am excited to see what happens,” explained Ms. O’Dwyer. “I hope that it has a positive theme at the end like before so I’m wondering what it’ll be this time and have any of the characters changed.”
Wicked Part 1
Based on the novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” and stage musical “Wicked,” “Wicked Part 1” is a highly anticipated movie recreation of a story that is already loved by many. The new interpretation that is being released on Nov. 27, 2024, shows the other side of another widely known tale.
After seeing “Wicked” on Broadway, Ms. O’Dwyer expressed her curiosity about the movie. “It was so much fun and I’m wondering, with the music, what kind of songs they will have because I really felt the songs were very catchy when I saw [the musical].”
Starring Cynthia Erivo as the Wicked Witch of the West and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch, “Wicked Part 1” is the first of a two-part film based on the reimagining of L. Frank’s highly beloved 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. With the same characters, this story puts a twist on the novel by switching the sides of good and evil, taking on the side of the witch that was falsely labeled as “wicked.”
The movie is set in the land of Oz and follows the life of Elphaba, where we can see the events that eventually named her the Wicked Witch of the West. Throughout the movie, Elphaba struggles with trust, friendship and love while trying to undo past mistakes and fight injustice.
These are just some of the incredible films coming to theaters in 2024 that fit audiences of all types. Cats, be sure to mark your calendars and check out these movies when they hit your local theaters next year!
