Worst2First: My Most Anticipated Films of Spring 2024

Worst2First:
My Most Anticipated Films of Spring 2024

Leading up to what cinemas consider summer (which runs from May to August as opposed to June to August), theaters are going to be popping during the two spring months of March and April! From epic action sequels to long-beloved franchise returns to original dramatic content, horror icons and everything in between, there's something for everyone to see on the big screen in March and April.

So here are the ten films I'm most excited to see in March and April of 2024...

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**
**DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE**

#10

Kung Fu Panda 4

March 8

I've been to the theater numerous times in the last year (and, being honest, the last several...I might have an addiction) and I still haven't actually seen the "Kung Fu Panda 4" trailer on the big screen. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but the fact that it's going to be released in early March and knowing almost little to nothing about it seems disconcerting. It's been since 2016 that we've seen Jack Black's beloved Dragon Warrior Panda Po on the big screen, and the trailer honestly feels rather lackluster. While searching for his successor he comes across a new villain called the Chameleon that can absorb the abilities of others, especially his previous enemies. Awkwafina is already over saturated but that's not stopping her from joining the franchise alongside the great Viola Davis and Ke Huy Quan joining Black, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston and Ian McShane. I see this being a big hit for children, but a downgrade from his other outings for adults.

#9

Abigail

April 19

Vampire movies are a dime a dozen, and only a few of them have stood the test of time. Will "Abigail?" Honestly probably not, but it still looks like a fun, exciting, scary thrill ride. When a group of kidnappers capture the daughter of a wealthy underworld figure, they think it'll be an easy night before they get paid millions in ransom money. Unbeknownst to them, young Abigail is more than just a ballerina - she's a vampire ballerina. Now with no means of escape, the kidnappers become the kidnapped as Abigail unleashes a blood-soaked rampage. Irish singer Alisha Weir plays the titular Abigail, and with a strong cast including Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, Dan Stevens, Kevin Durand, the late Angus Cloud, and Giancarlo Esposito and the directing duo behind the likes of "Ready or Not" and "Scream VI", this looks like it'll be a great blend of camp and carnage wrapped in a tiny ballerina bow.

#8

Love Lies Bleeding

March 15

When you get A24, Kristen Stewart, and Rose Glass, you're bound to have something amazing. "Love Lies Bleeding" is a romantic thriller starring Stewart as a gym manager who falls for a bodybuilder who has dark family ties, and is pulled into her world of violence. Kristen Stewart continues to travel farther and farther from her "Twilight" days and the cinematic world is better for it, and with "Saint Maud" director Rose Glass once again behind the camera you're guaranteed a film filled with action, suspense, love, and violence - everything you could wish for.

#7

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

March 22

"Ghostbusters: Afterlife" was a surprise hit for the thought-long-dead franchise after the abysmal one that shall not be named that came out in 2016. By honoring the past (as well as bringing them back for glorified cameos), "Afterlife" brought life back to the franchise, so of course a sequel was immediately in the works. "Frozen Empire" is that sequel, and finds the new Ghostbusters (Finn Wolfhard, McKenna Grace, Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon) joining forces with the OG crew (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts) to save New York City from a supernatural evil that's bent on ushering in a new ice age. This looks like a fun, exciting installment of the franchise and as long as they keep the nostalgia coming I don't see it being a flop.

#6

Monkey Man

April 5

What could be seen as a different type of "John Wick" film, "Monkey Man" comes from the mind of Dev Patel, who co-wrote, directed, and stars in this action adventure. Patel plays Kid, a young man working in an underground fight club who sets out to get revenge against those who killed his mother, and whom take advantage of the poor and powerless people of India. The action looks intense and fast-paced, which is pretty much a necessity now thanks to "John Wick," but the story sets itself apart. Not only is it a classic vengeance story, but will also shed light on the poverty of the Indian people and how the caste system has made it impossible for them to rise out of their poverty.

#5

The First Omen

April 5

"The Omen" is one of horror cinema's most iconic films, and one that's withstood the test of time to be one of the most terrifying, highly cerebral films made. Centering on the birth of the Antichrist, "The Omen" is well-known for its behind-the-scenes drama as well as its stunning visuals, and was met with three sequels and a remake with diminishing returns. Now we're getting a prequel to "The Omen" with "The First Omen," and while the trailer looks interesting enough, one has to wonder why a prequel is needed - after all, we know that the Antichrist will be born in "The Omen" so why is there a need for a prequel story? Still I'm somewhat optimistic due to the trailer itself and I'm a sucker for any horror no matter how bad, I'll at least give it a try.

#4

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

March 29

The MonsterVerse films have been hugely successful, even though it essentially just involves Godzilla and King Kong in different iterations. When these two Kaiju Titans met last time, they were against each other - but now they have to work together to stop a bigger foe, one that even they're scared of. While the trailer itself has some meme-worthy mockery (Kong's Infinity Gauntlet or Godzilla's new alter ego, Barbiezilla), this still looks to be an action packed spectacle with a lot of Titan fights. As long as they focus on that and not the bland human characters, it'll be an exciting time at the movies.

#3

Civil War

April 12

When you bring A24 and Alex Garland together, you're bound to produce something special. Garland is best known for directing and writing "Ex Machina," "Annihilation" and "Men," and he does the same double duty for "Civil War." Here, America is in the midst of a second Civil War between the American government and the Western Forces led by Texas and California, as a group of journalists make their way to Washington, D.C. Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons (her real-life husband), Cailee Spaeny and Stephen McKinley Henderson lead the pack (and featuring Nick Offerman as President) in what'll undoubtedly be an intense action-packed spectacle with strong political undertones. Honestly I'm surprised a second Civil War hasn't happened yet in real life - maybe this film will show why.

#2

Challengers

April 26

Director Luca Guadagnino has a unique way of showcasing romantic films. Be it a young man falling for a grad student over one hot summer in his Oscar-nominated film "Call Me By Your Name" or two young cannibals traversing the country and falling in love in "Bones & All," he has a way to blend the fantastic with the romantic. "Challengers" seems to be no exception, as he's mixing tennis, a turbulent love triangle, and Zendaya square in the center. Zendaya's Tashi is a famed tennis prodigy who draws the attention of friends Patrick and Art, played by Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist respectively. Years pass, Tashi marries one of them, and then she suffers an injury takes her out permanently, Tashi takes on the role of coach for her husband, and his former best friend re-enters the picture. This looks to be a great romantic thriller with three amazing leads told as only Guadagnino can.

#1

Dune: Part Two

March 1

One of the most anticipated films of 2024 comes out in March, four months after its original intended release before the SAG/AFTRA strike grounded production. Denis Villeneuve's visionary wonder earned six Academy Award wins in 2022, and the film was a critical and audience success. Focusing on the second half of author Frank Herbert's iconic novel, "Dune: Part Two" picks up with Paul Atreides as he continues his quest to get revenge on the people who destroyed his family as well as try to prevent a dark future that he predicted. Much like the first, this looks to be a technical wonder with dazzling visuals (popcorn bucket jokes aside), superb performances, and a story as old as time - revenge. Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Dave Bautista return to reprise their roles, and the film also adds the impeccable acting talents of Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, Florence Pugh and Lea Seydoux as well. If this is nothing short of a masterpiece I'll be shocked.