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!
Lionsgate and Blumhouse join forces in ‘Imaginary,’ spearheading our compilation of the most eagerly awaited horror films of 2024.
Though Halloween may still be a distant specter on the calendar, the spine-tingling allure of horror knows no season. Reflecting on 2023, it was undeniably a year of resurgence for the genre on the silver screen, solidifying its status as Hollywood’s dependable cash cow, particularly in the wake of underperforming superhero flicks.
Regionally (especially in the UAE & KSA), horror reigned supreme, with blockbusters such as Evil Dead Rise ($3.94M), Nun II ($2.43M – UAE only), Insidious: The Red Door ($1.47M – UAE only), Romancham (Malayalam) ($1.48M – UAE), Five Nights at Freddy’s ($5.86M), and M3gan ($2.17M) dominating the 2023 box office charts.
But as we peer into the murky depths of 2024, a fresh wave of terror awaits, promising both new nightmares and the resurrection of beloved franchises. The new roster includes work from acclaimed filmmakers such as M. Night Shyamalan, Robert Eggers, Tim Burton and Jordan Peele etc.
So, sharpen your claws, brace yourself for the darkness, and prepare to unleash your most blood-curdling screams (or retreat beneath the safety of your covers) as these spine-tingling spectacles beckon you to the edge of your theater seat. After all, there’s nothing quite like experiencing the chilling terror of these films in the immersive atmosphere of the cinema.
Imaginary – 7 March 2024
Imaginary unfolds through the eyes of a woman who returns to her childhood home, to discover that the imaginary friend that she left behind has a life of its own and is unhappy that she abandoned him. Are you ready to have the memory of your favorite childhood toy ruined forever?
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – 21 March 2024
Who you gonna call? The Ghostbusters are back, baby! This time, they’re facing off against ‘The Death Chill,’ a frosty threat that’s giving New York City a serious case of the shivers. With the OG team and some fresh faces, get ready for a ghostly adventure that’ll send chills down your spine!
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 – 21 March 2024
Hold onto your honey pots, folks! The unexpected smash hit ‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey’ is back with a vengeance in its sequel. This time, everyone’s favorite bear is taking the slash-and-dice route, promising even more brutality and weirdness. Who’s gonna make it out alive this time? Your guess is as good as ours!
The First Omen – 04 April 2024
Holy hell! ‘The First Omen’ is here to give you nightmares. Set before the events of the classic horror flick ‘The Omen,’ this prequel follows Margaret, played by Nell Tiger Free (yep, the Baratheon girl from Game of Thrones), as she discovers that not everything behind the church gates is as holy as it seems.
The Watchers – 6 June 2024
Get ready to be on the edge of your seat with ‘The Watchers.’ Inspired by A.M Shine’s gripping novel, this film takes you on a chilling ride through the eerie landscapes of the Western Irish Countryside. With Ishana Night Shyamalan at the helm and a stellar cast, get ready for fear and suspense like never before!
A Quiet Place: Day One – 27 June 2024
Curious how it all began? ‘A Quiet Place – Day One’ takes you back to ground zero, showing the day those deadly death angels first descended upon Earth. Led by the phenomenal Lupita Nyong’o, this installment promises chaos, terror, and some Stranger Things alum thrown in for good measure!
Longlegs – 11 July 2024
FBI Agent Lee Harker is on the case in ‘The Unseen.’ Dive into an unsolved serial killer mystery filled with unexpected twists and occult elements. As Harker races against time, the stakes—and the body count—keep getting higher!
Alien: Romulus – 15 August 2024
Buckle up for an otherworldly adventure! ‘Alien: Romulus’ introduces us to a fresh batch of characters facing off against the universe’s most terrifying beings – Xenomorphs. The seventh installment in the legendary franchise takes us on a whole new journey, stepping away from the prequels and into uncharted territory.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – 5 September 2024
Tim Burton is back to haunt your dreams with ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.’ Join a grown-up Lydia Deetz as she returns to her once quaint, now ominously transformed home with her own family. But when chaos ensues, is it time to summon that mischievous poltergeist again? You might want to say his name—twice!
Terrifier 3 – 24 October 2024
Director Damien Leone is set to redefine horror with ‘Terrifier 3,’ pledging elevated levels of violence and gore. The film aims to explore the origins of the menacing antagonist, Art the Clown, and reintroduce pivotal characters like Sienna Shaw. Leone’s vision for the franchise ensures a chilling and gripping cinematic journey.
Smile 2 – 18 October 2024
Remember that unsettling smile that crawled out of your nightmares in 2022? Get ready for another round of psychological horror and spine-tingling scares as the origins of the entity are explored even further. New characters will be drawn into the nightmarish cycle, each facing their own inner demons alongside those terrifying smiles.
Thread: An Insidious Tale – TBA
The next installment of the Insidious saga unfolds with Thread: An Insidious Tale, slated for 2024. This spinoff, starring Kumail Nanjiani and Mandy Moore, delves into the perilous repercussions when a couple tamper with time to avert tragedy. Penned and directed by Jeremy Slater, anticipate a riveting journey into the abyss of fear and desperation.
But hold up, because there’s more! Here are some more that might sneak up and become the sleeper hits we all love and eagerly anticipate sequels for, just like ‘Talk to Me,’ ‘Smile,’ or ‘Barbarian’:
Source: IMDb, SCREENRANT
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The horror genre staged a triumphant comeback following the pandemic, led by the 2021 release of A Quiet Place: Part II, which garnered a staggering US$297.4M worldwide (with over US$2.5M from UAE alone). Beyond renewing confidence in the cinematic medium, this extraordinary achievement prompted film studios to reevaluate their horror movie release strategies.
This momentum carried into 2022, as notable titles like Scream V, Smile, and Nope achieved remarkable success, captivating audiences on both the global and regional box office fronts.
2023, marked by the successful release of a series of horror films such as M3gan, Evil Dead Rise, and The Boogeyman. Alongside these, new releases such as Insidious: The Red Door, Cobweb, and Talk to Me are delighting in prosperous theatrical runs in.
However, the tale doesn’t conclude here! The horror landscape of 2023 is by no means finished, as the most exciting moments are still ahead, especially with Halloween looming on the horizon. From the highly awaited reboot of the classic psychological horror masterpiece, The Exorcist: Believer, to the spine-chilling tenth installment of the renowned SAW franchise, here’s a look at the horror movies set to grace the remainder of 2023:
The Nun 2 – 07 September 2023
A Haunting In Venice – 14 September 2023
SAW X – 05 October 2023
The Exorcist: Believer – 13 October 2023
Five Nights at Freddy’s – 26 October 2023
Thanksgiving – Expected 17 November 2023
The movie follows a serial killer in Massachusetts who attempts to make a carving board out of unsuspecting victims. The film continues the Grindhouse universe, and just like Machete and Hobo with a Shotgun, it is based on one of the fake trailers in the Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino collaboration from 2007.
Salem’s Lot—TBA 2023
Based on Stephen King’s novel, the movie follows a writer who goes to a small town, only to find out that it’s being overrun by vampires. The movie stars Pilou Asbæk in the role of Richard Straker, Lewis Pullman as Ben Mears, Spencer Treat Clark as Mike Ryerson, and Nicholas Crovetti as Danny Glick.
Dark Harvest—TBA 2023
Based on Norman Partridge’s eponymous novel, Dark Harvest concerns a specter named Sawtooth Jack who goes up against violent gangs of boys hoping to take down the supernatural creature once and for all. The horror movie boasts a stellar cast, with the likes of Elizabeth Reaser, Jeremy Davies, Luke Kirby, and Ezra Buzzington.
With these exceptional upcoming titles, audiences can look forward to more thrilling and chilling experiences as the genre continues to evolve and captivate viewers worldwide.
Source: Screen Rant, Collider, VOX Cinemas
Scary movie junkies, rejoice! The year ahead is packed with fright fests that will have you peeking over your shoulder and checking to make sure all the doors are locked — as all good horror movies should.
From modern adaptations of literary classics – Hansel and Gretel and The Turn of the Screw, to new installments in fan-favorite franchises – The Grudge and The Conjuring, and intriguing original tales, the slate of upcoming horror movies offers something for fear seekers from all walks of life.
Here’s a list of the most anticipated upcoming horror movies with release dates set over the course of next year:
The Grudge (January 02, 2020)
Andrea Riseborough will star in this reboot of The Grudge franchise, releasing early next year as a detective investigating the case of a young mother who murdered her entire family.
She later discovers that the mother was influenced by an angry ghost seeking revenge, as is the M.O. of the franchise. Nicolas Pesce, who recently made his directorial debut with the black-and-white horror film The Eyes of My Mother (2016) has been hired to direct the movie as well as rework a draft of the script that the studio has been working from.
Underwater (January 09, 2020)
Underwater hasn’t had the easiest road to theaters. Shot back in the spring of 2017, it’ll be almost three years later when the Kristen Stewart-fronted horror film makes its way into theaters on January 9th, 2020.
The movie follows a crew of underwater researchers who must scramble to safety after an earthquake devastates their subterranean laboratory. Trapped and running out of oxygen, they have to navigate through two miles in the dangerous depths of the ocean floor to make it to safety. Think of it as Armageddon (1998) meets The Abyss (1989).
The film is written and directed by William Eubank who also directed The Signal (2014). It stars Kristen Stewart as Norah Price, Jessica Henwick as Emily, T.J. Miller as Paul, Vincent Cassel as the Captain, and John Gallagher Jr.
The Turning (January 23, 2020)
Henry James’ novella The Turn of the Screw is one of the most popular and influential ghost stories ever written, and it’s been adapted for the screen numerous times. In 2020, the classic tale will get a new, modern take from the director of The Runaways (2010) – Floria Sigismondi with The Turning.
This version of the story will be set in modern Maine, but will still tell the story of a governess (Mackenzie Davis) tasked with caring for two young children (Finn Wolfhard and Brooklynn Prince) after the deaths of their parents. As she settles in for the job, she begins to suspect the mysterious estate where the family is living may be harboring a number of dark secrets, and may in fact be haunted.
Gretel & Hansel (January 30, 2020)
Starring IT franchise alum Sophia Lillis as Gretel and Silent Hill‘s Alice Krige as the child-eating witch, this twisted retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm story is rife with established horror talent. Journey into the dark wood alongside director Osgood Perkins – I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016) for a flipped take on the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale in which Gretel takes the lead and there’s isn’t a gingerbread house in sight.
Fantasy Island (February 13, 2020)
Based on the classic 1970s TV series, Fantasy Island will rely on the same basic premise as the show: People from all over the world travel to a mysterious island where guests can live out their wildest fantasies — for a price. Except this time, there will also be a killer on the loose. Michael Peña will star as the island’s enigmatic host Mr. Roarke, a role originated by Ricardo Montalban.
The Invisible Man (February 27, 2020)
This new take on H.G. Wells’ classic novel will take a curious approach to the source material, which follows Elisabeth Moss as a woman who rebuilds her life after her invisible ex-boyfriend commits suicide, before discovering that her partner might not be dead. It’s a fresh take on the popular story, and one that hopefully provides an interesting spin on the familiar story. It’s also benefitted by being Leigh Whannell’s follow-up to his exceptional sophomore feature, last year’s Upgrade.
A Quiet Place: Part II (March 19, 2020)
After the first film exceeded expectations at the box office, A Quiet Place (2018) screenwriters and director John Krasinski decided to return to the silent but deadly world.
Krasinski is back to direct and Emily Blunt is also returning to reprise her role as Evelyn Abbott, a mother trying to protect her family in a world overrun by large creatures with hypersensitive hearing.
Others reportedly joining the cast include Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou.
The New Mutants (March 19, 2020)
This long-delayed, horror-centric X-Men spin-off has undergone extensive reshoots — reportedly to at least somewhat better integrate it into the Marvel Cinematic Universe — since Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in March 2019. But its underlying storyline has seemingly stayed the same. The film, starring Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy and Antonio Banderas, centers on a group of young mutants who are being held against their will inside a secret facility that’s running horrific tests on them.
Candyman (June 11, 2020)
Jordan Peele, the mastermind behind Get Out (2017) and Us (2019) continues his foray into the world of horror with a “spiritual sequel” to Bernard Rose’s 1992 cult classic Candyman, which explores issues of race and class in America. The original movie stars Tony Todd as the titular hook-handed bogeyman, who, according to urban legend, is the undead son of a slave who has haunted Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing project since being lynched for having a love affair with a white woman in the late 1800s.
This time around, Todd will return alongside Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who, despite reports to the contrary, director Nia DaCosta – Little Woods (2018) says isn’t taking over Todd’s original role.
The reboot was co-written by Peele and Win Rosenfeld, whose joint production company, Monkeypaw Productions, is producing alongside MGM Pictures.
The Purge (July 09, 2020)
Prepare yourself for yet another government-sanctioned night of lawless violence in The Purge 5, the fifth installment in the horror franchise set in a near-future United States where any and all crime is legal for one 12-hour period per year.
It’s still unclear whether the Everado Gout-directed Purge 5 will be another prequel like 2018’s The First Purge, or explore the fallout from the election in 2016’s The Purge: Election Year.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (September 10, 2020)
The third official installment of The Conjuring series and the eighth movie in the Conjuring universe won’t have series architect James Wan in the director’s chair. Those duties are being handled by Michael Chaves, the director of The Curse of La Llorona (2019).
The movie stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are reprising their roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The plot centers around the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who stabbed his landlord to death in the middle of a drunken struggle and claimed in court that he was possessed by a demon.
*Please Note – Movies release dates are subject to change
Which horror movies are you most looking forward to watch in the coming year?
Sources: Looper and Screenrant
