Indian cinema in the first half of 2024 presented a diverse array of stories and genres, albeit with varied reception. From notable Bollywood releases such as Fighter and Shaitaan to regional blockbusters such as Hanu-Man (Telugu), Manjummal Boys (Malayalam), and The Goat Life (Malayalam), the industry showcased a range of narratives that resonated with audiences across different regions.
As we move into the second half of the year, anticipation builds for upcoming releases that promise to elevate the cinematic experience. Whether you’re drawn to blockbuster spectacles, poignant dramas, or lively musicals, there’s a rich tapestry of films set to grace the screens.
Here’s a look at some of the most eagerly awaited releases that will light up the screens in the coming months.
Superstar Rajinikanth leads an all-star cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, and Rana Daggubati.
The Story of unbreakable bonds starring Alia Bhatt and Directed by the visionary Vasan Bala.
Directed by Amal Neerad the malayalam action thriller stars Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Sharafudheen and Jyothirmayi.
Ajay Devgn is back with his iconic role as the fearless Inspector Bajirao Singham. Get ready for a thrilling encounter between good and evil, all delivered with the larger-than-life style that has made Singham a pop culture phenomenon.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 returns with Kartik Aaryan taking on the mantle and Tripti Dimri joining the fun.
A 400-year-old spirit, Barroz, assigned to guard D’Gama’s treasure is waiting to hand it over only to a true descendant of D’Gama.
Superstar Suriya takes center stage in Kanguva, leading an electrifying ensemble that includes the powerhouse talents of Disha Patani, Bobby Deol, and Yogi Babu.
The movie starring Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar is a prequel to Mufti that explores more about Bhairathi Ranagal.
Follows stories of bittersweet relationships in a contemporary setting, exploring various aspects, hues, and moods of love.
Allu Arjun returns as the audacious smuggler Pushpa Raj, locked in an epic clash with the ruthless cop Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, played by Fahadh Faasil
This action thriller, starring Mammootty and Gautham Vasudev Menon, is Directed by Deeno Dennis.
Leveraging the buzz around these highly anticipated Indian blockbusters provides an excellent opportunity for brands to connect with and engage the Asian audience. Contact us today to discover how the power of the big screen can help you achieve your brand objectives.
*Movie release dates are subject to change
Source: IMDb, Google, BookMyShow
May 2024’s blockbuster season kicks off with a star-studded action-comedy featuring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt
As summer draws near, it signals the start of the blockbuster season for movie enthusiasts. Already, the season is heating up with major hits such as Dune: Part Two ($667.5M), Kung Fu Panda 4 ($419.5M), and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire ($367.5M), all making substantial gains at the box office. With these successes paving the way, the stage is set for the arrival of the year’s most anticipated releases.
Starting in May, the summer lineup promises an exciting cinematic journey with a diverse range of films to suit various preferences. From adrenaline-pumping action flicks and heartwarming family stories to spine-chilling thrillers, here’s a look at some of the upcoming blockbusters in May:
The Fall Guy – 02 May 2024
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama
Cast: Emily Blunt, Ryan Gosling, Aaron – Taylor Johnson
The Fall Guy follows Colt Seavers, an out-of-work stuntman, who is asked by his ex-girlfriend(movie director) to help with stunts for a troublesome action star. When the actor disappears, Colt sets out to rescue him, facing the darker side of Hollywood. Along the way, he hopes to win back his ex, rescue the film, and prove himself as the best stuntman.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – 02 May 2024
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Cast: Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, Annie Potts
The new rendition of the beloved horror fantasy franchise, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire introduces a new villain and the Ghostbusters, old and new, as they unite to save the world from an ancient evil threatening a second ice age.
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 – 02 May 2024
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Cast: Scott Chambers, Craig David Dowsett, Chris Cordell, Nikolai Leo
The sequel to the horror parody of A.A. Milne’s children’s story, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, picks up shortly after the first film’s events. The new movie will continue the murderous rampage of the residents of the Hundred-Acre Wood.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – 09 May 2024
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Cast: Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, William H. Macy
Decades after Caesar’s sacrifice, a new ape society grapples with a power struggle. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” rewrites the future in an epic clash for dominance. Will peace prevail, or will humanity rise again?
IF – 16 May 2024
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming
A young girl sees the forgotten imaginary friends of grown-ups! With Ryan Reynolds as her guide, she embarks on a heartwarming adventure to reunite lost friends and reignite the magic of childhood.
The Strangers: Chapter 1 – 16 May 2024
Genre: Horror
Cast: Madelaine Petsch, Gabriel Basso, Rachel Shenton
Is your home truly safe? “The Strangers: Chapter 1” rips open the idyllic facade of a quiet evening. Prepare for a night of bone-chilling terror as masked intruders turn a dream getaway into a desperate fight for survival.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – 23 May 2024
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Charlee Fraser
War rages across the Wasteland. Before she became the Imperator, Furiosa clawed her way to freedom. Witness her origin story in “Mad Max: Furiosa.” Anya Taylor-Joy ignites the screen in a high-octane prequel filled with sand, fury, and the fight for a future.
The Garfield Movie – 23 May 2024
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham
Garfield is about to go on a wild outdoor adventure. After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – the cat Vic – Garfield and Odie are forced to abandon their pampered life to join Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.
Tarot – 30 May 2024
Genre: Horror
Cast: Avantika, Olwen Fouéré, Jacob Batalon
Don’t peek into your future…it might stare back. “Tarot” unlocks a deck of nightmares. A group of friends dabble in forbidden rituals, unleashing a terrifying entity. Can they escape the chilling fate foretold in the cards?
For brands seeking to engage their target audience in a captivating and immersive setting, the summer season offers an unmatched opportunity to create lasting impressions and foster meaningful connections. Click here to start your cinema advertising journey.
Download our Screentalk Movie Planner to explore all the blockbuster releases coming in Q2 2024!
Motivate Val Morgan, in partnership with VOX Cinemas recently hosted an exclusive private screening of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 at Mall of the Emirates.
The event, attended by over 150 agency and direct clients, offered attendees an immersive cinematic experience in the Dolby Atmos auditorium, and a specially curated ad showcase playlist and preshow.
Avinash Udeshi, COO of Motivate Val Morgan, opened the event with a speech, providing valuable insights into the cinema industry’s resurgence since the pandemic. Ten lucky invitees discovered complimentary luxury movie passes concealed under their seats, while kids in attendance were presented with complimentary movie passes to watch a movie of their preference.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to VOX Cinemas for their invaluable support in organizing and executing this screening of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. We also extend our gratitude to all the guests in attendance for making this event a truly memorable experience.
Stay tuned for future ‘Private Screenings’ in the UAE and in our other markets.
Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities.
Motivate Val Morgan in partnership with VOX Cinemas, hosted a private screening of Thor: Love and Thunder at Mall of the Emirates on Thursday 14th July at – the first screening post COVID-19 and for the year 2022.
With an attendance of over 75 invitees – a mix of agency and direct clients (and their family members), the private screening was a massive success and the first of many more ahead for this year!
We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank VOX Cinemas for helping us organize and execute this screening – making it a memorable one!
Finally, a huge thank you out to our invitees who attended, thus contributing to its immense success.
Stay tuned for more updates on future ‘Private Screenings’ by Motivate Val Morgan.
Setting a pandemic box office record, Black Widow opened with a whopping $218.8 million globally on its first weekend!
Marvel Studios’ latest production, Black Widow, surpassed all predictions for its opening weekend, collecting US$218.8 million globally. Crossing F9’s debut of US$162.4 million across eight overseas markets in its first weekend of release, Black Widow had a theatrical release in 41 international markets along with a simultaneous OTT release.
Here’s a closer look at the movie’s performance at box office:
Although Black Widow is yet to release in China, the biggest Marvel market in the world, it is performing exceptionally at worldwide Box Office, despite having a simultaneous OTT release.
Following a similar pattern of previously released blockbusters within the first half of this year, namely Godzilla vs. Kong, Mortal Kombat, F9 and now Black Widow, upcoming blockbusters are anticipated to follow a similar pattern, garner similar attention from audiences and shine at box office.
Contact us to showcase your brand alongside highly anticipated upcoming blockbusters namely – Suicide Squad (August), Free guy (August), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (September), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (September), Dune (September), No Time to Die (October), Eternals (November), Top Gun: Maverick (December) and Spiderman: No Way Home (December).
Sources: Deadline, Variety and Box Office Mojo
Produced by Maddock Films and Jio Studios, Roohi is Bollywood’s ha-ha horror movie that promises to take the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Set to be Bollywood’s official return to the BIG screen after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown, the trailer of the much-awaited horror-comedy film – Roohi, is finally out!
Starring Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao in lead roles and, Varun Sharma in a supporting yet pivotal role, Roohi marks the directorial debut of Hardik Mehta, and is set to release across cinemas in the Middle East on 11 March, 2021. The film depicts the story of two small-town boys – Hitesh and Lakiresh, who meet a girl named Roohi, and the twist in the tale takes place when they realize that Roohi is possed by a ghost. The movie follows a similar format to Stree, the horror-comedy released in 2018 by the same production house – Maddock Films.
The trailer begins and ends with a comic scene, accommodating plenty of jump scares and curiosity inducing moments, making it look promising. Since none of the theatrical releases in Bollywood have so far inspired audiences to return to cinema at large, Roohi could be the first bonafide box-office success since COVID-19 struck.
Bucking the idea of releasing on an OTT platform, Producer Dinesh Vijan said, “The biggest win of this trailer is that everyone, right from the film industry to true blue cinephiles are looking forward to catching Roohi on the big screen.” The trailer successfully crossed over 14 million YouTube views within 24 hours, and its has also received support from numerous movie critics and Bollywood celebrities including Taran Adarsh, Ranveer Singh, Varun Dhawan, Deepika Padukone and Shraddha Kapoor.
#ROOHI TRAILER ARRIVES TODAY… #FirstLook posters of #Roohi… Stars #RajkummarRao, #JanhviKapoor and #VarunSharma… Directed by Hardik Mehta… Produced by Dinesh Vijan and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba… #Jio Studios presentation… 11 March 2021 release. pic.twitter.com/cbBsXNRt0A
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) February 16, 2021
Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities alongside this Bollywood blockbuster.
Sources: Koi Moi, Wikipedia, India Today, Times of India, GQ India and IMDB.
Get ready to experience Wonder! Patty Jenkin’s Wonder Woman 1984 – featuring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal, releases in cinema across the Middle East on 17 December 2020.
Wonder Woman’s battle has got BIGGER and more complicated – facing not one but two new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah!
Will she emerge VICTORIOUS? Witness the outcome, ONLY on the BIG SCREEN in the Middle East!
Advertisers…. here’s a BIG Screen Event not miss out on! Share the screen with WONDER WOMAN …. in the lead up to Christmas!
Here are 3 reasons why you should not miss out on advertising alongside this MEGA Blockbuster:
First Reactions – Critics and Fabs
#WW1984 tells us that our world deserves the kindness and empathy of a superhero like Wonder Woman, and in 2020, that feels like the most radical and necessary message of all.
Wonder Woman is the superhero we need AND the one we deserve. Pass it on.
— Kayti Burt (@kaytiburt) December 5, 2020
Gadot perfectly captures the essence of Wonder Woman once again! @PedroPascal1 and #KristenWiig are brilliantly cast. And yes, #ChrisPine ‘s unusual and inspired return is a huge bonus, both with humor and heart! pic.twitter.com/3ydqIW78No
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) December 5, 2020
I had the chance watch #WonderWoman1984 early!
I loved the first film and I can confidently say the sequel take everything to another level! Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig absolutely kill it as Maxwell Lord and Cheetah.
Let Patty Jenkins take charge of the entire DCEU! pic.twitter.com/UpPbCNOsxH
— Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) December 5, 2020
I’ve seen #WonderWoman1984!@PattyJenks literally made an 80s movie in every way, making it so unique for today. It feels both bigger than the first WW while simultaneously more contained.
Lots of Diana Prince and some epic Wonder Woman moments as @GalGadot literally soars! pic.twitter.com/QluelKwYly
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) December 5, 2020
I’m so happy to report that #WW84 is an absolute blast from start to finish. An exceptional compliment to the first film, it’s stuffed w/ heart, hope, love, action, romance & humor. @PattyJenks, @GalGadot & team delivered one of DC’s best sequels. I was in tears when it ended. pic.twitter.com/ivPkBFmehd
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 5, 2020
Huge news: Wonder Woman 1984 is fantastic! The story is excellent & has a great, timely message; it packs in a ton of surprises; and amazing work is done with both Cheetah & Max Lord (Wiig & Pascal are both stellar). Get hyped, because it’s the real deal. #WonderWoman1984 #WW1984 pic.twitter.com/9UQLyxn3gx
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) December 5, 2020
I got to watch Wonder Woman 1984 yesterday and… honestly it’s just what I needed. What we all need. It’s uplifting, hopeful, and so utterly Wonder Woman. Just a beautiful film with themes that hit you right in the heart. #WW84
— Amy Ratcliffe (@amy_geek) December 5, 2020
Messages from Gal Gadot
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Promo Videos
Go behind the frame of #WW84 with IMAX, and director, Patty Jenkins.
Let’s share in the Wonder … this December.
It’s not too late to share the screen with WONDER WOMAN and be seen by her large fan base …. in the lead up to Christmas!
Contact a member of our sales team for more information on advertising alongside this MEGA Blockbuster.
Sources: Instagram, Twitter and YouTube
Laxmii – the first big-budget Bollywood Blockbuster to release post COVID-19 lockdown!
The Akshay Kumar starring film that everyone has been waiting for – Laxmii, will finally hit cinemas in the UAE on Monday, 9th November 2020. The film – a remake of Tamil blockbuster Muni 2: Kanchana, is directed by Raghava Lawrence and will also feature stars such as Kiara Advani, Tusshar Kapoor, Sharad Kelkar and Ashwini Kalsekar.
The Horror comedy film revolves around Akshay Kumar who plays a dual role: Asif – a man who doesn’t believe in ghosts, and Laxmii – a powerful and radiant transgender ghost seeking revenge.
Fox Star Studios, the leading production house confirmed that the movie will simultaneously have a theatrical release in Australia, New Zealand and UAE, and will release on their OTT platform – Disney+ Hotstar for audiences in India.
Here’s everything we know about Laxmii prior to its release:
Director:
Raghava Lawrence – mainly known for Telugu and Tamil movies, originally embarked on the idea to direct Muni 2: Kanchana when a trust run by him was approached by a group of transgenders. Upon hearing their story, he decided to take the social message to a much wider audience by portraying it on the big screen, and based on its success, moved on to remake the film with title name Laxmii, extending it to Hindi audiences.
Movie Title Change:
The film was originally titled Laxmmi Bomb up until 29th October 2020, but changed to Laxmii with a view to respect religious sentiments of a group of protestors in India. This is not the first-time intolerance in India has won though, for back in 2018, the epic period drama film Padmavati was changed to Padmaavat.
Trailer Success:
When the trailer dropped on 9th October 2020, it became the most viewed movie trailer in India in just 24 hours with 70 million views (YouTube + other social media platforms).
Song Feature on the Burj Khalifa:
UAE has always been a popular destination with directors and producers of both Hollywood and Bollywood. From natural and man-made landscapes; which are vast and varied, flame hued deserts, to futuristic skylines and iconic landmarks, UAE has been featured as the backdrop in numerous films that released in 2020 and from back in the past.
Popular films featuring UAE include Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Fast & Furious 7 (2015) and most recently Jackie Chan’s action movie Vanguard (2020) and Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi/adventure Dune (set to release in 2021).
Certain scenes of Laxmii too were filmed in the emirate of Dubai, which include the desert and Dubai Marina. The film also dedicates a song to the iconic Burj Khalifa – a trendy single that has grabbed eyeballs across the internet and is expected to be one of the biggest Bollywood party anthems of the year.
Advertisers…. here’s an opportunity to target Asian audiences in the lead up to Diwali. We’ve also recently launched a ‘Special Offer’ for advertising alongside this movie. Contract a member of our sales team for more information on the Laxmii ‘Special Offer’.
Sources: IndiaTV News, Times of India, Condé Nast Traveller, The Hindu, The National and Gulf News
Shot with IMAX Cameras, Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated sci-fi thriller, from Warner Bros., Tenet will release in cinemas across the UAE, KSA and Lebanon on Thursday 27th August (Wednesday 26th August in Egypt).
Towards the end of July, Warner Bros. confirmed that Tenet would release in cinema, towards the end of August, in 70 overseas territories including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United Kingdom.
The studio is still waiting for the go-ahead to debut Tenet in China – the world’s second-largest movie market. When theatres in the country first started to reopen, there were concerns that Tenet wouldn’t be able to screen there as exhibitors were not able to play movies that exceeded two hours in length — and Tenet clocks in at just over 2 hours and 30 minutes. But cinema owners have recently booked Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Inception and other old titles with lengthy runtimes, suggesting that China has eased up or doesn’t plan to enforce the restriction.
Warner Bros. also confirmed that the studio plans to move away from traditional global day-and-date release — a surprising break from tradition since North America is the world’s biggest film market and remains pivotal for major movies to turn a profit. Instead of a global day-and-date release, the studio hopes to innovate and recalibrate given the fact that foreign markets are already starting to reopen safely and is in desperate need for new Hollywood movies to entice audiences.
AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron praised Warner Bros. for sticking to its promise of a theatrical release for Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, saying the studio is “doing something heroic.”
Watch the trailer for Tenet below:
Advertisers… here’s your chance to return to the BIG screen in a BIG way, alongside the first summer blockbuster release of 2020. Check out our Tenet offers below:
Hurry! This is an opportunity not to miss out on.
Contact a member of our sales team for more information on cinema advertising opportunities alongside this MEGA Blockbuster!
Source: Variety
Sooryavanshi – Bollywood’s upcoming super cop action saga, is one of the foremost anticipated movies of the year, and is set to release on across cinemas in the Middle East on 26th March 2020.
Directed by Rohit Shetty and written by Sajid-Farhad, Sooryavanshi will be the fourth installment of Shetty’s ‘cop series’ – Singham (2011), Singham Returns (2014) and Simmba (2018).
The story revolves round DCP Veer Sooryavanshi – chief of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad, and his team who join forces with Inspector Sangram Bhalerao and DCP Bajirao Singham to stop a terrorist batch planning to attack Mumbai.
The film features Akshay Kumar in the lead role (DCP Veer Sooryavanshi) opposite Katrina Kaif (Aditi Sooryavanshi), and also stars Gulshan Grover, Abhimanyu Singh, Niharica Raizada, Jackie Shroff, Sikandar Kher, Nikitin Dheer and Vivan Bhatena. The film will also feature Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh who reprise their roles of Inspector Bajirao M. Singham and Sangram ‘Simmba’ Bhalerao from the franchise’s previous films.
The four-minute long trailer – which released at 12:52 PM on 2nd March 2020, created history as the most viewed Indian trailer on YouTube. It crossed 30M views within 10 hours, 40M views within 21 hours, and at 12:52 PM on 3rd March (24 hours), it had gained 42.74M views. Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero (2018) movie trailer now sits at second position with 41M views in 24 hours.
Sporting ‘Aa Rahi Hai Police’ tees, Rohit Shetty and his ‘cop universe’ made quite a splash at the trailer launch of Sooryavanshi in Mumbai, India.
Image Credit: AFP
Image Credit: AFP
The trailer also sparked a flood of memes on social media right after its release. Tweeps took a dig at hilarious and catchy dialogues from the trailer and curated memes and jokes out of it. Some even went to the extent of calling it ‘India’s Avengers franchise’.
Out of the fourteen films by Rohit Shetty, eleven of them have been blockbusters. Three of his film are also listed in India’s Top 25 Highest-Grossing Films – Chennai Express (2013), Simmba (2018) and Dilwale (2015) which rank at 18th, 20th and 23rd spot respectively.
Below are UAE admission figures for Bollywood movies that released in 2019:
War – Screened for 6 weeks | Over 275K admissions
Bharat – Screened for 4 weeks | Over 183K admissions
Gully Boy – Screened for 7 weeks | Over 169K admissions
Saaho (Hindi Version) – Screened for 2 weeks | Over 164K admissions
Dabangg 3 – Screened for 3 weeks | Over 153K admissions
Uri: The Surgical Strike – Screened for 11 weeks | Over 125K admissions
Badla – Screened for 7 weeks | Over 124K admissions
Super 30 – Screened for 5 weeks | Over 122K admissions
Kabir Singh – Screened for 8 weeks | Over 121K admissions
Housefull 4 – Screened for 4 weeks | Over 121K admissions
Total Dhamaal – Screened for 6 weeks | Over 120 K admissions
Based on the hype garnered by the movie and popularity of movies starring Akshay Kumar in the Middle East, Sooryavanshi is guaranteed to usher in large Asian and Indian language movie fans from across the region.
Don’t miss out on moving your brand closer to its target audience. Contact us for more information on following this Mega Blockbuster.
Sources: Business Insider, Clout News, Gulf News, India Today and Wikipedia
