Top 20 Most Anticipated Movies of 2022
#20: “Lightyear”
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Release Date: June 17, 2022 [U.S] To be honest, any Pixar film is grounds for excitement. And though we haven’t seen much of “Lightyear” yet, the premise has us extremely curious. It will focus on Buzz Lightyear, obviously, though it’s the in-universe basis for the astronaut toy we all know and love. Chris Evans will voice the hero and Angus MacLane, who co-directed “Finding Dory” and has been with Pixar since “A Bug’s Life,” is taking the helm. It’s also written by Pete Doctor, who brought us “Up” and “Inside Out.” Needless to say, Buzz is in good hands, and we can’t wait to blast off.
#19: “The 355”
Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2022
Release Date: January 7, 2022 [U.S.] Simon Kinberg has long been attached to Fox’s “X-Men” franchise, having written several entries like “Days of Future Past.” His second directorial effort, “The 355,” is a spy thriller centering around an international group of female agents who team up to track down a top-secret weapon. Jessica Chastain, who is also producing, leads a star-studded cast like Lupita Nyong’o, Penelope Cruz, Diane Kruger, and Sebastian Stan. We love a good spy thriller and we’re looking forward to seeing these ladies kicking all kinds of butt.
#18: “Hocus Pocus 2”
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Release Date: TBA 2022 It’s been nearly 30 years since “Hocus Pocus” became one of our favorite movies to watch every Halloween. So we’re ecstatic to see Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy return as the Sanderson sisters. Not much is known about the plot yet, but it will follow three high schoolers attempting to stop the witches. “The Proposal’s” Anne Fletcher is directing from a script written by Jen D’Angelo, producer of “Young Rock.” No definitive date has been given for when it will release on Disney+, though we can probably guess the time of year.
#17: “Black Adam”
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Release Date: July 29, 2022 [U.S.] This one has been a long time coming. Dwayne Johnson was first cast as Black Adam back in 2014, long before “Shazam!” made it onto the big screen. As the archenemy to the boyish hero in the comics, Black Adam is a definite force to be reckoned with. Johnson is one of the biggest action stars on the planet, so it was only a matter of time before he put on a cape. However, the introduction of the Justice Society of America into the DCEU also has us pretty excited. With Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate and Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, we expect some pretty epic showdowns.
#16: “Morbius”
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Release Date: January 28, 2022 [U.S.] Sony’s “Spider-Man” Universe feels like it’s about to kick into high gear. After the success of both “Venom” movies, “Morbius” looks like it will expand on the world. Jared Leto stars as the titular doctor turned living vampire with Matt Smith, Tyrese Gibson, and Jared Harris playing supporting roles. Although, the cast member that has us most interested in watching is Michael Keaton. He previously played Vulture in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” so his inclusion here has our minds racing with crossover implications. With this year’s “No Way Home” expanding on the multiverse in the MCU, we can’t wait to see how “Morbius” fits in.
#15: “Jurassic World: Dominion”
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Release Date: June 10, 2022 [U.S.] There will never be a time when we aren’t excited to see dinosaurs on the big screen. “Fallen Kingdom” ended on a massive cliffhanger with the dinos being reintroduced to the outside world. We’re interested to see how “Dominion” will address that, particularly fear of the apex predators on a global scale. Also, the original trio of Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, and Laura Dern are returning, joining Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Justice Smith. It’s an absolutely stacked cast. And the film should make for a thrilling conclusion to the trilogy.
#14: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”
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Release Date: December 16, 2022 [U.S.] During Jason Momoa's first outing as Aquaman, we saw impressive action, an expansive underwater world and plenty of explosions. Director James Wan has hinted that these fun elements and more will be present in the next aquatic adventure. While we don’t have many story details, we know great actors like Randall Park and Yahya Abudl-Mateen II will both be reprising their roles. We’re also confident that Jason Mamoa can balance bombastic action scenes with grounded and emotional moments. And with James Wan in the director’s seat, we’ll definitely get excellent cinematography and unique scenes. We’re looking forward to seeing “Aquaman’s” sequel sail to exciting and uncharted waters.
#13: “Bullet Train”
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Release Date: April 8, 2022 [U.S.] With the likes of “John Wick,” “Atomic Blonde,” and “Deadpool 2,” David Leitch has become one of the biggest action directors around. And his next movie sounds like it could top all of them. Based on the novel by Kōtarō Isaka, “Bullet Train” follows five train-bound assassins who begin to realize their targets are all connected. The incredible cast includes Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, and Zazie Beetz amongst many others. Leitch has a terrific eye for brutal action and the close-quarters setting of a train should lend itself well to that.
#12: “Top Gun: Maverick”
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Release Date: May 27, 2022 [U.S.] Tom Cruise has starred in many classics, though one that has stood the test of time more than most is 1986’s “Top Gun.” The sequel will see him return as pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and promises plenty of complex and thrilling flight sequences as it was filmed in IMAX format. Val Kilmer joins Cruise in reprising his role from the original movie, but there’s also a stacked cast of newcomers we’re excited to see. Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Ed Harris, and Jennifer Connelly are all attached. The film will also see Cruise reunite with Joseph Kosinski, who previously directed him in 2013’s “Oblivion.”
#11: “Knives Out 2”
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Release Date: TBA 2022 Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” was a delightful murder mystery headed by Daniel Craig as the eccentric investigator, Benoit Blanc. Like a series of detective novels, Johnson has two sequels planned, the first of which wrapped filming in September 2021. Netflix purchased the rights to the sequels, which should lead to a wider audience. Craig will return for a new mystery and is joined by an entirely new cast of A-listers. Kathryn Hahn, Ethan Hawke, Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, and Dave Bautista are just some of the enticing names attached. Johnson’s dialogue and direction were superb in the first movie, so we can’t wait to see what he’s cooked up for the sequel.
#10: “Avatar 2”
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Release Date: December 16, 2022 [U.S.] We know a lot of you think that the time for an “Avatar” sequel was ten years ago, and you’re not wrong. Every time we underestimate a long-delayed, multi-million dollar James Cameron picture, though, it winds up breaking box office records left and right. While time will only tell if “Avatar 2” meets such heights, we are expecting big things. Although the original blockbuster admittedly loses some of its splendor on a smaller screen, nobody can deny that “Avatar” was an event. Given the state of theaters, the industry could use a cinematic experience that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible, especially if it introduces some game-changing special effects. In that respect, “Avatar 2” has the potential to be a landmark film.
#9: “Scream”
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Release Date: January 14, 2022 [U.S.] 2022 is certainly starting with a bang. We’ll see the return of one of the most beloved slasher franchises of all time. Although Wes Craven sadly passed away in 2015, we have faith in the creative team behind it. The script comes from James Vanderbilt, who penned 2007’s “Zodiac,” and Guy Busick, a writer of Hulu’s “Castle Rock.” Both also worked on 2019’s enjoyably bloody “Ready or Not,” whose directing duo has taken over for Craven. Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette are all set to reprise their roles alongside newcomers like “13 Reasons Why’s” Dylan Minnette and “The Boys’” Jack Quaid. Who will be behind the Ghostface mask this time?
#8: “Sonic the Hedgehog 2”
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Release Date: April 8, 2022 [U.S.] We were honestly shocked when a live-action “Sonic” movie turned out to actually be pretty good. Ben Schwartz was a wonderful choice for Sonic’s voice and Jim Carrey as the wacky Dr. Robotnik was the funniest he’d been in years. It proved wholeheartedly that video game movies could do well as it was both a ratings and financial hit. The sequel will pick up soon after the end of the first. Sonic will team up with his long-time ally Tails to stop Dr. Robotnik from finding what sounds like a Chaos Emerald. Though Robotnik will have an ally himself; the gruff Knuckles the echidna voiced by Idris Elba.
#7: “Mission: Impossible 7”
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Release Date: September 30, 2022 [U.S.] When the first “Mission: Impossible” movie hit theaters in 1996, we didn’t think Paramount would still be making sequels over twenty years later. At the very least, you’d think that the franchise would’ve gotten rebooted with a new star taking center stage. Like Tom Cruise, however, the “Mission: Impossible” franchise isn’t showing its age in the slightest. From “Ghost Protocol” onward, the stunts have gotten more ambitious, the performances have developed more layers, and the direction has grown more atmospheric with each passing entry. Even tropes we’ve seen a million times before, such as the obligatory mask reveal, continue to find new ways to catch us off guard. After various delays, we’re eager to see how this seventh installment will keep us on our toes.
#6: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
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Release Date: November 11, 2022 [U.S.] While Chadwick Boseman appeared in four MCU movies overall, he sadly only got to take center stage once before his unexpected passing in 2020. As such, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” will be different from the other MCU sequels we’ve seen so far. The film’s title can be interpreted in a couple of ways. It speaks to the everlasting impact that Boseman and T’Challa have left on cinema and culture. The title also encompasses the unbreakable spirit of Wakanda, even during its darkest hours. The kingdom may be without its king, but there are still more compelling stories to tell. Whatever the future holds, Wakanda will always be a beacon of inspiration with characters who’ll continue to unite us.
#5: “Thor: Love and Thunder”
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Release Date: July 8, 2022 [U.S.] Here’s another MCU sequel that stands out from others. Where Tony Stark and Steve Rogers got trilogies, Thor is this franchise’s first Avenger to get a fourth solo movie. Since “Ragnarok” was such an improvement over “The Dark World,” Marvel probably figured that Taika Waititi deserved another turn. “Solo” might not be the right word to describe the film either since Natalie Portman’s return as Jane Foster also marks her debut as Mighty Thor. Does that mean Thor and Jane will be a package deal like Ant-Man and the Wasp? Or will “Love and Thunder” be a passing of the torch? Plus, is Thor more of an Avenger or a Guardian of the Galaxy now? All of these questions are precisely why we’re so pumped!
#4: “The Flash”
Top 10 Anticipated Movies of 2022
Release Date: November 4, 2022 [U.S.] “The Flash” has gone through so many delays and creative talents that we’d like to see a documentary about its behind-the-scenes history. Of course, we’d gladly settle for finally getting the actual movie. Based on everything we’ve learned so far, “The Flash” is bound to not only shake up the DCEU, but the entire multiverse. In addition to Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne, Michael Keaton is reprising his role from the Tim Burton era of Batman. Drawing inspiration from the “Flashpoint” storyline, Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen might cross paths with a wide variety of other familiar faces from alternate universes. “The Flash” could also just be the beginning, paving the way for more crossover events fans thought they’d never get to see.
#3: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)”
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Release Date: October 7, 2022 [U.S.] Between the Flash and Doctor Strange, 2022 may go down as the Year of the Multiverse. This trend arguably started with “Into the Spider-Verse,” at least on a big-budget, cinematic scale. The film shattered all expectations, winning an Oscar and rivaling “Spider-Man 2” as the greatest “Spider-Man” movie ever made. It also proved that a superhero film can juggle multiple villains without feeling overstuffed. We’re not sure which villains might pop up in the sequel, but Issa Rae will be fighting alongside Miles and Gwen as Jessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman. Phil Lord has also suggested that Spider-Man from the 1978 Japanese series could appear. That’s just about the most perfect thing we’ve ever heard. Is there a universe where this movie disappoints? We think not.
#2: “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”
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Release Date: May 6, 2022 [U.S.] You think “Spider-Man: No Way Home” looks bonkers? Well, Benedict Cumberbatch says that the next “Doctor Strange” movie is going to be even more ambitious! Granted, Cumberbatch might be a little biased, but “The Multiverse of Madness” could go to places beyond our wildest imaginations. Where “No Way Home” will likely focus on the Spider-Man mythos, the “Doctor Strange” sequel can take any number of directions. We know that Scarlet Witch will play an essential role and Tom Hiddleston will reportedly pop up as Loki. If the film truly embraces its title, however, who knows what strange sights this movie has in store for us? Are we the only ones who want to see the MCU’s Stephen Strange meet Peter Hooten’s version?
#1: “The Batman”
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Release Date: March 4, 2022 [U.S.] We’ve gotten several live-action incarnations of Batman, some good, some bad, and some Synder. For whatever reason, though, not many have delved deep into the detective angle that defined Batman in the comics. Director Matt Reeves has described his version as “almost-noir driven,” drawing inspiration from one of the best “Batman” mysteries ever written, “The Long Halloween.” While “The Batman” might not have as many villains as that classic limited series, we will be getting Paul Dano as Edward Nashton, Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle, and - seriously, that’s Colin Farrell as Penguin? Just give the makeup crew Oscars now! Oh, and to anyone who doubts Robert Pattinson, if you’ve seen “Good Time,” you know why he has the grit to play the Dark Knight.