Top 10 Most Anticipated Disney Movies of 2022
#10: “Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers” TBA 2022
Top 10 Easter Eggs in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers You Missed
To be honest, when he heard that “Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers” was getting a live-action/CGI film adaptation, we feared that Disney might pull an “Alvin and the Chipmunks.” We started coming around to the idea, though, when the directing gig went to Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island. Having co-directed “Popstar” and produced “Palm Springs,” Schaffer had little trouble tapping Andy Samberg to voice Dale. John Mulaney will lend his voice to Chip, but the cast isn’t straying too far from its Disney Afternoon roots with Corey Burton reprising his role as Zipper. Seth Rogen is also on board to make a cameo. We could definitely see Rogen either voicing Fat Cat or shaving his head to play Professor Norton Nimnul.
#9: “Pinocchio” TBA 2022
Top 10 Differences in Pinocchio 1940 and 2022
We’ve been getting a lot of “Pinocchio” movies lately. Roberto Benigni starred in an adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s classic book for the second time. Guillermo del Toro is co-directing a stop-motion version for Netflix. While we’d be lying if we said that audiences desperately needed yet another “Pinocchio,” Disney’s live-action remake has us intrigued nonetheless. This is largely due to the casting, which includes the great child actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as the wooden puppet turned real boy. Along with Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket and Cynthia Erivo as The Blue Fairy, the film reunites Tom Hanks (who’s playing Geppetto) with director Robert Zemeckis. This pairing has worked magic before, and it wouldn’t be the first time the two brought life to an inanimate object.
#8: “Peter Pan & Wendy” Release Date: TBA 2022
Top 10 Differences Between Peter Pan (1953) & Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)
Given Disney’s recent string of live-action remakes, they were bound to get to “Peter Pan” eventually. Based on the title, this Disney+ exclusive might be just as much about Wendy as it is about Peter. Ever Anderson goes from playing a young Natasha Romanoff to starring as the eldest Darling child. Alexander Molony, meanwhile, makes his live-action film debut as the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up. The casting seems spot-on with Jim Gaffigan as Smee, Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell, and Jude Law as Captain Hook. The real hook, though, is director David Lowery, who previously helmed one of Disney’s most underrated remakes, “Pete’s Dragon.” Known for taking chances on films aimed at kids and adults, Lowery can pull off something truly timeless.
#7: “Lightyear” Release Date: June 17, 2022 [U.S.]
Top 10 Things You Missed in Lightyear
“Toy Story 4” felt like a final goodbye for Woody and Buzz, but that doesn’t mean the franchise is out of batteries. “Lightyear” shifts the focus away from the toy we know and love, exploring the human who inspired him. Being a different Lightyear, the titular character will be voiced by Chris Evans rather than Tim Allen. Director Angus MacLane is no stranger to toys or space, having directed “Toy Story of Terror!” and “BURN-E.” Since the film is set in the “Toy Story” universe, one has to wonder, will “Lightyear” offer a more grounded version of the character or will it be closer to the “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command” series? Also, if Lightyear is an actual person, does that mean Zurg is too?
#6: “Hocus Pocus 2” Release Date: TBA 2022
Hocus Pocus VS. Hocus Pocus 2
Despite becoming a Halloween staple for many, “Hocus Pocus” wasn’t a box office hit upon release. Maybe that’s because Disney released the film during the summer instead of the fall. In any case, the film’s cult following has grown significantly, so much so that a rerelease during the pandemic brought in over $5 million. While there were talks of a remake for a while, it was eventually announced that “Hocus Pocus” would receive a full-fledged sequel for Disney+. Directed by Anne Fletcher of “The Proposal,” the sequel is bringing back Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters. What remains unclear is if the film will be a completely original follow-up or if it’ll draw inspiration from the 2018 sequel novel.
#5: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Release Date: November 11, 2022 [U.S.]
3 Ways Black Panther Will Change The MCU - Spoiler Review!! Mojo @ The Movies
With the multiverse now officially a part of the MCU, we wouldn’t be surprised if actors like Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johanson, or Michael B. Jordan returned down the line. No matter which universe we’re in, though, Chadwick Boseman will always be T’Challa. Thus, Marvel decided not to recast the role following Boseman’s tragic passing. It’s uncertain how “Wakanda Forever” will address his absence, but the filmmakers are determined to produce a sequel that would’ve made Boseman proud. Boseman’s performance and the first “Black Panther” left an impact that can never be erased. So, it’s only fitting that this sequel’s title reflects that endurance. With or without T’Challa on the throne, Wakanda is forever and we know this franchise’s themes will continue to inspire us.
#4: “Thor: Love and Thunder” Release Date: July 8, 2022 [U.S.]
Thor Ragnarok Review! - 5 Reasons It's Not Just Another Superhero Movie
Most MCU movies have a romantic subplot, but “Thor: Love and Thunder” is the first to be described as a romance. Taika Waititi stated that he wanted to tackle the romance genre because he hadn’t really done so in the past. Of course, Waititi also described the film as “so insane,” meaning he won’t stray too far from what he does best. As for the romance, “Love and Thunder” may rekindle old feelings between Thor and Jane Foster, who’ll be more than a supporting player this time around. Then again, it’s also been theorized that the romance could apply to another character, such as Lady Sif or Valkyrie. Where some romance movies can be beyond predictable, this one is already keeping us on our toes.
#3: “Turning Red” Release Date: March 11, 2022 [U.S.]
Top 10 Most Relatable Turning Red Moments
Following “Brave,” “Turning Red” is the second Pixar feature to be directed by a woman. Domee Shi won an Oscar for “Bao,” one of Pixar’s strangest, funniest, and more meaningful shorts. We’re expecting something equally unique with Shi’s feature directorial debut, “Turning Red.” There have been numerous characters from pop culture who transform based on their emotions. The Hulk is one example. Instead of a big green guy, though, 13-year-old Mei transforms into a giant red panda. While the idea at its core sounds familiar, the execution couldn’t look more original. Since “Turning Red” is about growing up in more ways than one, it’s only fitting that the film will play on the big screen rather than go straight to Disney+.
#2: “Disenchanted” Release Date: TBA 2022
Top 10 Disney References & Easter Eggs in Disenchanted
Adam Shankman was originally set to direct “Hocus Pocus 2,” but he stepped down to focus on another long-awaited Disney sequel. Despite being mostly live-action, you can definitely see how “Enchanted” set the stage for animated musicals like “Tangled,” “Frozen,” and “Moana,” all of which were more self-aware than past Disney fantasies. “Disenchanted,” which premieres exclusively on Disney+, once again puts a twist on the fairytale formula as a spell fractures Giselle’s family. Amy Adams naturally returns along with Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, and Idina Menzel. We can expect even more music this time around with Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz taking on songwriting duties again. Hopefully there’s a villain song for Maya Rudolph as Malvina Monroe, whose name alone speaks to her malevolent nature.
#1: “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” Release Date: May 6, 2022 [U.S.]
Top 10 Things You Missed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
In “What If…?,” an alternate version of Doctor Strange brings about the destruction of his universe. One can’t help but wonder if Doctor Strange-Supreme is going to pop up in “The Multiverse of Madness” next. Either way, we can say with certainty that Elizabeth Olsen will play a vital role as Scarlet Witch. In addition to “WandaVision,” the film also ties into Season One of “Loki” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Much like how “Thor: Love and Thunder” is branching out with its romance, director Sam Raimi is taking the MCU into horror territory. Hopefully Strange and Wanda don’t stumble into the zombie universe… what are we saying? That would be awesome! And if there’s a zombie universe, who knows what else awaits.
