Worst2First: My Most Anticipated Films of Fall 2024

Worst2First: 
My Most Anticipated Films of Fall 2024

The months of September, October and November are filled with films that run the gambit: there's Oscar-bait films, horror (since Halloween is soon approaching), as well as sequels and continuations of long-running franchises, and 2024 doesn't appear to be any different.  Here are the ten films I'm most excited to see in the fall months of 2024…

#10

Speak No Evil

September 13

What better time to release a horror movie than on Friday the 13th? "Speak No Evil" is the American remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name, and centers on a couple who meets another couple at their isolated resort villa. Things aren't quite as they seem as the hosts become eccentric and acting weirdly, leading to moments of true terror. James McAvoy has proven himself more than capable of playing a cold, terrifying villain (or villains, if you've seen "Split"), and this looks like a role he was made for. The only concern I have is the fact that the Danish film is very bleak and dark, and as it's been with many American-made remakes (such as "Martyrs" and "Inside"), they tend to make things into a more happy ending. Hopefully they're able to stick the landing as in the original here.

#9

Saturday Night

October 11

"Saturday Night Live" has been a staple of the NBC Network since 1975, and it seems impossible to think that the show not only almost didn't air, but the higher ups actually wanted it to fail. The concept of a bunch of no-name comedians putting together a show that doesn't have a linear narrative and filmed live was a huge gamble that's obviously paid off. This tells the story of how it all came to be, and it's got some huge shoes to fill. Honoring the tradition of the show hiring then-no name actors, the film itself includes a bunch of newer actors who haven't really made a huge name for themselves yet (along with legends like Willem Dafoe, J.K. Simmons and Matthew Rhys.

#8

Wicked

November 22

I'm a sucker for musicals, and "Wicked" has been a Broadway mainstay for the last twenty years, and now it's getting the theatrical release it deserves - actually, it's getting two, as the movie is split into two films to be released one year apart. This imagining of the L. Frank Baum classic centers on the unlikely friendship of green-skinned Elphaba and popular pretty girl Galinda and how their lives change after meeting the fanciful Wizard of Oz. Cynthia Erivo tackles the complicated Elphaba (who we all know becomes the Wicked Witch of the West) as she learns to control her powers and is the misunderstood villain of the movie. Ariana Grande plays Galinda, who at first is a prissy and stuck-up snob but discovers the power of friendship that'll lead her to become Glinda the Good. Both women have powerhouse vocals so it'll be spellbinding to see this musical brought to the big screen (not to mention goddess Michelle Yeoh and god Jeff Goldblum in supporting roles as well).

#7

Heretic

November 15

A24...Horror...Hugh Grant...count me in! "Heretic" is a film about two Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher of "Yellowjackets" and Chloe East) who visit Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant) to share their faith, and it turns out it'll be their faith that will be tested, as Mr. Reed has a labyrinthal maze they must traverse to make it out alive. This looks to be intense, with great performances and a unique set design that'll prove it's A24 mantle.

#6

Venom: The Last Dance

October 25

The Sony-adjacent Spider-Man Villain Universe has been a disaster in pretty much every sense of the word ("Morbius" or "Madame Web" anyone?), with their only lukewarm success coming in the form of Tom Hardy's "Venom" movies (and even those have been a mixed bag, especially the lackluster sequel). Rounding out this trilogy is "Venom: The Last Dance," which finds our lovable Eddie Brock and even more lovable head-eater Venom on the run from Venom-like symbiotes as well as a shady government organization bent on using the symbiote for their own militaristic purposes. This will be the last of the "Venom" films, and time will tell if they'll have a heroic send-off or leave it open for "Venom" adjacent films to hopefully salvage the dying Spider-Man Villain Universe.

#5

Moana 2

November 27

"Moana" was a huge success for Disney, and it was only a matter of time before a sequel was made. Surprisingly, it comes only a year before a live-action remake of the original set for release in 2025, so this will be the year of Moana. Returning to their vocal roles, Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson pick up where they left off as Moana goes on a search for a mysterious island to break a curse that'll unite the people all across the ocean. She brings along her demigod friend Maui along with her pet pig and chicken to embark on the perilous journey. The film is beautifully animated, and will undoubtedly include some memorable songs (much like "How Far I'll Go"), along with important messages about life, family, and honoring the past - along with some great humor.

#4

Gladiator II

November 22

Almost since "Gladiator" dominated the big screen (as well as dominating that year's Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Actor and three others, word about a sequel has been tossed around in smaller cinematic circles. It seems impossible to make a sequel - especially how the original ended - but Ridley Scott never gave up on that hope, and now, twenty-four years later, we're getting "Gladiator II." Oscar nominee Paul Mescal stars as a now-grown up Lucius Verus, the grandson of emperor Marcus Aurelius, who is forced into slavery by Roman general Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal). Inspired by Maximus, he goes on to become a gladiator himself under the tutledge of power broker and former slave Macrinus (Denzel Washington) to gain his revenge. Everything is a toss-up on this so far, but I'm cautiously optimistic that it'll work out, as it looks to be as grand and sweeping as Scott's original, with top-notch actors and intense action sequences.

#3

Terrifier 3

October 11

Christmas terror comes early this year, as the highly anticipated third film in the "Terrifier" franchise finally hits theaters. David Howard Thornton (whom I had the honor of meeting) returns as Art the Clown, this generation's Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees as the unstoppable seemingly-eternal killer clown who never speaks. Taking place five years after the last film, survivor Sienna Shaw and her brother think the horrors of Art is over, but as the holidays start they learn that Art is back, proving no holiday is safe from his carnage. Director Damien Leone believes strongly in the use of practical effects which made the first two films so iconic, and it looks like the tradition will continue with this third outing, as promises of blood, gore, and violence abound with the sadistically delicious Art bringing the Yuletide fears.

#2

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

September 6

Making a sequel 36 years after the original? The original itself being an iconic classic that's withstood the long test of time? The odds seem stacked against "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" right off the bat, but it's got a lot going well for it. First is the director. Tim Burton returns to direct the sequel, which means he has something he feels is worthy of directing, as he holds the original close to his heart. If it was a different director, the film would've been a dud. So too if it had different actors, but not only do Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara return to reprise their roles, but so too does Michael Keaton, donning the makeup once again to play everyone's lovable Ghost with the Most. Again, if anything about the film wasn't to their liking, it's doubtful they'd return to play roles that have become so memorable (especially Keaton, who proves that he can return to long-gone characters with colorful aplomb, a'la "The Flash," with him being the only saving grace in that film). Add modern-day Scream Queen Jenna Ortega as Lydia Deetz's daughter (not to mention Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux and Monica Bellucci) and you've got something worthy of its successor.

#1

Joker: Folie a Deux

October 4

Not gonna lie, this one has me the most apprehensive yet the most intrigued. The original "Joker" was released in 2019 and garnered numerous Oscar nominations, with a well-deserved win for Joaquin Phoenix, making Joker the only character that won two Oscars from two different actors (Phoenix, and the legendary Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight"). It seemed that the story was over, but Todd Phillips, Joaquin Phoenix and company saw more story to be told. Personally, I feel that it was fine where it ended, which is why I'm apprehensive for "Folie a Deux," not to mention that it's going to be a musical. To that end, Lady Gaga enters the franchise as Harley Quinn (although apparently she's going by "Lee" in this film), and centers on hers and Arthur Fleck's budding deadly relationship. Again, I'm apprehensive, but also intrigued because the first film was magical and maniacal in equal measure, and I'm really dying to see how they'll manage to maintain that sense of strength.