The CinemaCon 2024, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) in the US, wrapped up successfully after four days brimming with thrilling announcements, captivating presentations, dynamic demonstrations, and insightful discussions. Hosted at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, this event provided an unparalleled platform for industry leaders to convene and delve into the ever-changing landscape of cinema.
Movie enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement over the forthcoming slate of movie announcements from industry giants such as Disney, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Universal & Focus Features, and Paramount, all featuring a surprising array of star power during their presentations.
While some studios chose a more reserved approach, others went all out, unveiling explosive action sequences, beloved characters, and intriguing new projects. Here’s a glimpse at some of the hottest trailers and announcements that have us eagerly anticipating a trip to the cinema:
Walt Disney Studios kicked off their presentation at CinemaCon 2024 with a captivating 13-minute exclusive footage reel from Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, showcasing the film’s expansive and visually stunning world. This was followed by an exciting 9-minute preview of Deadpool & Wolverine and an extended 35-minute sneak peek of Pixar’s highly anticipated Inside Out 2. Attendees were also treated to two exclusive clips from Fede Álvarez’s upcoming film, Alien: Romulus.
In addition to these sneak peeks of previously announced tentpole films, Disney Studios unveiled a lineup of top titles slated for release from late 2024 to early 2025. Among these announcements are Moana 2 set to debut on November 26, 2024, Mufasa: The Lion King premiering on December 19, 2024, and Captain America: Brave New World hitting theaters on February 13, 2025.
Warner Bros. electrified CinemaCon 2024 with an extended sneak peek at Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, setting the stage for an epic cinematic experience. Following this, the panel reached its pinnacle with the debut of the highly anticipated first official trailer for Joker 2: Folie à Deux. As expected, the film promises to delve deep into the toxic yet captivating relationship between Arthur and Harley, interspersed with dreamy dance and song sequences.
The audience was also treated to further revelations, including insights into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, set to premiere on September 5,2024, and The Watchers, directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan and releasing on June 13, 2024. Additionally, attendees were thrilled by the unveiling of the first trailer for Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi adventure Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, slated to hit theaters on January 30, 2025.
Lionsgate made waves at CinemaCon this year with a plethora of exciting announcements. Among them was the confirmation of the sequel Now You See Me 3, featuring the original cast, and a thrilling remake of the horror classic The Blair Witch Project, helmed by Jason Blum. Additionally, they unveiled plans for a live-action adaptation of ‘Naruto’, a film based on the classic board game ‘Monopoly’, and an adaptation of the beloved video game ‘The Sims’.
The presentation also provided a sneak peek into this year’s upcoming blockbusters, including The Crow, Borderlands, The Strangers: Chapter 1, and Never Let Go.
Looking ahead to the first half of the 2025 slate, Lionsgate teased audiences with Guy Ritchie’s next film, In the Grey, slated for release on January 16, 2025. The film stars Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal as two extraction specialists tasked with rescuing a negotiator from a perilous situation. Also on the horizon are John Wick Presents: Ballerina, hitting theaters on June 5, 2025, and the eagerly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic Michael, scheduled for release on April 16, 2025.
Universal made a splash at CinemaCon with several exciting announcements. They revealed that the sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s is set for release in fall 2025, following the mixed yet highly successful reception of the first installment, which grossed nearly 300 million dollars worldwide. This success naturally paves the way for the studio to expand on this franchise.
Furthermore, Universal showcased new projects such as Despicable Me 4, The Wolf Man, the disaster film Twisters, and Wicked, featuring Ariana Grande. The audience was also treated to a glimpse of Robert Egger’s adaptation of Nosferatu, which left a lasting impression with its initial images. Additionally, attendees were captivated by the debut trailer for the remake Speak No Evil, starring James McAvoy.
Paramount Pictures started with a major announcement: a crossover event featuring Transformers meeting G.I. Joe in an upcoming film. Additionally, the audience was treated to the first trailer for Transformers One.
The studio also unveiled plans for two new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 and an R-rated live-action adaptation titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin. A new ‘Star Trek’ film is on the horizon for release next year, and Glen Powell is set to star in Edgar Wright’s remake of ‘The Running Man.’ Additionally, fans can anticipate a new installment in the ‘Scary Movie’ franchise currently in development. A final trailer for IF starring Ryan Reynolds was also showcased.
Fans of the blue hedgehog were delighted with the unveiling of the first teaser trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 during the event. However, the teaser for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2, featuring Paul Mescal facing off against attacking wildlife like a rhino and vicious baboons, along with Pedro Pascal, was exclusively presented at the colosseum stage in Caesars Palace, according to Variety.
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Kino Check, discussingfilm.com, Variety
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to indulge in activities such as carving pumpkins, decorating the house, buying a spook-tastic costume, applying ghoulish make-up and either heading out trick-or-treating, or enjoying the spooky day with friends and family.
But what does this day hold for those who have outgrown trick-or-treating? A Movie of course!
Nothing compares to watching a scary movie on this spooky day, for an altogether more bizarre indulgence. COVID-19 may have dominated us throughout most of 2020, but old traditions die hard, and there’s no better way than watching a movie to distract your mind from the stresses relating to the pandemic, and transport you to a world where the horrifying stuff isn’t actually real.
We at Motivate Val Morgan have got your spooky movie night covered with a roundup of some ‘all-time favorite’ monstrous, scary, truly freaky and the not so creepy magical kids flicks to get you in the spirit of Halloween this year.
The Witches:
An adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches is dark fantasy comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis, featuring Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer and Stanley Tucci. Set in 1960s Alabama, the film follows an orphaned young boy stumbles across a conference of witches, while staying with his grandmother at a hotel, and gets transformed into a mouse by the Grand High Witch.
The Witches releases in cinemas across the middle East on 29 October 2020.
In addition to The Witches, here are 13 categories of scary movies to watch on-demand, some of which will trigger self-induced nightmares.
1. Monster Movies
One of the oldest forms of horror cinema, monster movies and their dreaded villains come in all shapes. Whether they’re aliens, ghouls or demons, monsters can represent a manifestation of our own fears. Such movies are often portrayed in a way wherein humans interfere with nature, ultimately leading to a monster attack.
A Quite Place
Bird Box
2. Deformed Humans
These are the kind of films where the antagonist is a deformed human, often seen wearing a mask following a horrifying accident.
Nightmare on Elm Street
Friday the 13th
3. Inanimate Objects
This horror category has a long history of haunted/ possessed inanimate objects that inspire guffaws instead of screams. Some of them are the work of a ghost, while some are just plain inexplicable. Yet they all have one thing in common: they’re kind of baffling.
Annabelle
Poltergeist
4. Vampire
Vampires exist in the folklore of almost every society on earth. Therefore, it’s only natural that it’d be a story expressed in nearly every language and thus, films around the world.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Van Helsing
5. Found Footage
These are horror films which capture events on screen and are typically seen through the camera of the characters involved in real-time. Also usually involves an investigation after a video or audio footage that is found to discover instances of what actually happened.
Paranormal Activity
The Cloverfield Paradox
6. Schlock
Widely known as ‘Gore’ or ‘Splatter’ films, these films are light on character and plot and heavy on fake blood and guts. Mostly low on story and high on shock value.
Evil Dead
Saw
7. Supernatural
The widely popular horror category of all times, supernatural occurrences often include ghosts, spirits and demons. Many supernatural horror films have elements of religion relating to themes such as afterlife, the Devil, and demonic possession.
The Conjuring
The Exorcist
8. Curse
Films of this type are often cautionary tales, where a character unleashes a curse unknowingly or by failing to listen to a warning. While non-believers would think these as coincidences or publicity stunts in a movie setup, some of these are just too freaky to ignore.
The Curse
The Grudge
9. Serial Killer
A booming horror category! Serial killer movies are classic horror movies with plenty of incredible, terrifying and mind-boggling murders.
Silence of The Lambs
Malevolence 2
10. Zombie
Who doesn’t enjoy the living dead, the ones that are driven by hunger of human flesh, and are nearly impossible to put down permanently?
World War Z
Train to Busan
11. Comedy
Light hearted films with a mix of elements – they are both funny and scary, catering to a wide audience. No wonder these films have long been one of the most popular genres.
Scary Movie
Shaun of the Dead
12. Apocalypse
End of the world movies combine a rush of adrenaline with dread – for the ones that fancy pulse-quickening suspense.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Legion
13. Animated
Lastly, if you are bored of the same old horror movies making the rounds every Halloween, animated movies offer something different for everyone to look forward to.
SCOOB!
The Addams Family
Team Motivate Val Morgan WITCHES you a SPINE-TINGLING Halloween!
Sources: Collider, Wikipedia, Premium Beat and ScriptFirm
