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After an uncertain few years for film releases, can we finally expect some normalcy for 2022? With huge titles such as Avatar 2 set to be released exclusively in theatres, it sounds like hope could be on the horizon.
Either way, streamers have hosted the pandemics biggest releases and things are looking to continue this way, with Apple TV set to release Martin Scorceses 2022 release starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.
The list of directors with films set to hit our screens (big or small) this year is incredibly exciting, from Wes Anderson to Jordan Peele to Ari Aster, who has created his third feature whilst Hereditary and Midsommar are still being hailed for revolutionising modern horror.
Here’s our list of some of the most exciting films set to be released over the next 12 months. Don’t blame us for the lack of female directors on this list, we wish there were more but Hollywood continues to make that difficult for us.
February
Jackass Forever
When? Feb 4
Who’s in it? The Jackass family, minus Bam Margera (Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Wee Man, Preston Lacy, Dave England, Chris Pontius, and Ehren McGhehey) with appearances from Eric Andre, Tony Hawk, Shaquille O’Neal, Machine Gun Kelly, Tyler the Creator and more.
Who directed it? Jeff Tremaine
What’s it all about? Twenty years after their first show aired, the gang are back for what promises to be a grand finale to the Jackass odyssey, with famous faces and stomach churning stunts to boot. But with the generation of teenagers who first idolised this group of pranksters now being in their 30s and 40s, has it all gotten a bit tiresome? We’re intrigued to find out.
Death on the Nile
When? Feb 11
Who directed it? Kenneth Branagh
Who’s in it? Kenneth Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot, alongside Gal Gadot, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Letitia Wright, Emma Mackey and (gulp) Armie Hammer.
What’s it all about? Hercule Poirot’s holiday on the Nile is interrupted when a young heiress is murdered, forcing him to cross examine the many glamorous suspects. This film’s release has been pushed back plenty thanks to the pandemic, but will it make the big bucks at the box office its distribution team were hoping for in the wake of the controversies surrounding some of the members of the cast?
Uncharted
When? Feb 18
Who’s in it? Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas.
Who directed it? Ruben Fleischer
What’s it all about? Uncharted is an adaptation of Naughty Dog’s video game series of the same name, with the much adored Tom Holland playing the protagonist, Nathan Drake. In this action-adventure treasure hunt, Drake finds himself in some near-death situations alongside his right-hand man, Victor (Mark Wahlberg).
March
The Batman
When? March 4
Who’s in it? Robert Pattinson makes his superhero debut as Batman, alongside Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Wright and Andy Serkis.
Who directed it? Matt Reeves
What’s it all about? Fans aren’t sure what to expect of this new generation of Batman films with Robert Pattinson at the wheel, especially since controversial new images of the Riddler (Paul Dano)’s costume have been released. The film will follow Batman during his second year of fighting crime, during which he discovers his own family’s connection to the corruption in Gotham City.
Downton Abbey: A New Era
When? March 18th
Who’s in it? Though little has been revealed, the top billed cast of the 2019 film are expected to return, including Hugh Dancy, Nathalie Baye, Dominic West and Laura Haddock.
Who directed it? Simon Curtis
What’s it all about? The plot is very much under wraps, but based on the official photos, it looks as though the Crawley family are headed to the South of France for the second film set in the Downton Abbey universe. Bonnes vacances!
The Lost City
When? March 25
Who’s in it? Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, Daniel Radcliffe, Channing Tatum, Patti Harrison and Oscar Nunez
Who directed it? Adam and Aaron Nee
What’s it all about? The Nee Brothers are a directing duo known for their crime comedy films The Last Romantic (2006) and Band of Robbers (2015). Their newest film follows a reclusive romance novelist (Bullock), who is kidnapped during her book tour and forced to take part in an unexpected jungle adventure in the hopes that she’ll help an eccentric billionaire (Radcliffe) find the famous “lost city”.
April
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
When? April 15
Who’s in it? Jude Law, Mads Mikkelsen, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller and Callum Turner
Who directed it? David Yates
What’s it all about? With a cast list that could set fans of willowy, handsome men ablaze, the newest installment of the Fantastic Beasts series is sure to make a killing at the box office. Warner Brothers continues to multiply the world of Harry Potter, reaching into the past and shining its light on Dumbledoor and his life before Hogwarts.
The Northman
When? April 22
Who’s in it? Alexander Skarsgård, Ethan Hawke, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Willem Defoe, Björk
Who directed it? Robert Eggers
What’s it all about? Egger’s previous film was the psychological black and white corker, The Lighthouse, starring Robert Pattinson and Willem Defoe, which was met with huge critical acclaim. He journeys to the 10th Century and over to Iceland for The Northman, a Viking tale starring Skarsgård, who sets out to avenge his father and save his mother from evil forces. Is it cold in here all of sudden?
Disappointment Blvd.
When? April 22
Who’s in it? Joaquin Phoenix, Meryl Streep, Parker Posey and Patti LuPone
Who directed it? Ari Aster
What’s it all about? Horror big dog Ari Aster follows Hereditary and Midsommer reunites with cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski for his third project. And with Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix in the cast? This tops the list of must-sees for us, and they haven’t even released any plot details or teasers yet, besides a log-line telling us that it will be, “An intimate, decades-spanning portrait of one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time” - eek!
May
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
When? May 6
Who’s in it? Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez
Who directed it? Sam Raimi
What’s it all about? Cumberbatch dons the red cape once again to repair the damage made to the multiverse by the events of Loki, WandaVision and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Apparently with more horror-like themes than its predecessor, The Multiverse of Madness follows Dr. Strange as he battles with out-of-this-world baddies and an evil version of himself. Sounds like a Monday morning in this office.
Legally Blonde 3
When? May 20
Who’s in it? Reese Witherspoon (obvs), Jennifer Coolidge, Alanna Ubach and Jessica Cauffiel
Who directed it? Jamie Suk
What’s it all about? Other than the fact that we’ll see Elle Woods tackling motherhood, the plot is very much a secret for now. However, we do know Mindy Kaling (of The Mindy Project and The Office) and Dan Goor (writer of Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn 99) are penning the script, which is all the encouragement we need to buy a ticket.
Top Gun: Maverick
When? May 27
Who’s in it? Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller and Anthony Edwards
Who directed it? Joseph Kosinski
What’s it all about? Tom Cruise is back in the cockpit, 35 years after he first landed (get it?) on our screens. Now, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell must face up to his past while training a new squad of graduates. Fans can expect a dangerous mission with an “ultimate sacrifice”.
June
Lightyear
When? June 17
Who’s in it? Chris Evans and Taika Waititi
Who directed it? Angus MacLane
What’s it all about? After four Toy Story films and just as many Oscar wins, the franchise takes a new direction in this Buzz Lightyear-lead spin-off. Interestingly, Tim Allen has been replaced by Captain America’s Chris Evans as the voice of Buzz. Dangerous territory for such a well-loved character, but perhaps the extra ticket sales from Chris Evans fangirls and boys will be worth the risk. We hope so.
Elvis
When? June 24
Who’s in it? Austin Butler, Tom Hanks , Olivia DeJonge, Yola Quartey and Luke Bracey
Who directed it? Baz Lahurmann
What’s it all about? THE Baz Lahurmann (of Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet) tells the story of the King of rock n’ roll in this much-anticipated biopic. The film will focus on Presley’s relationship with his complicated and demanding agent, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks).
July
Thor: Love and Thunder
When? July 8
Who’s in it? Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Taika Waititi, Christian Bale
Who directed it? Taika Waititi
What’s it all about? Thor crosses over with Guardians of the Galaxy in Love and Thunder, which will be the 29th set in the Marvel cinematic universe. Christian Bale joins the cast as Gorr the God Butcher, Thor’s newest evil nemesis. Apparently, fans can expect a more romantic tinge than we’re used to in superhero films.
Bullet Train
When? July 15
Who’s in it? Brad Pitt, Joey King, Andrew Koji, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Zazie Beetz, Logan Lerman, Bad Bunny, Sandra Bullock and Karen Fukuhara
Who directed it? David Leitch
What’s it all about? Five assassins meet on a Japanese Bullet Train (shock) and discover their missions are all connected in this action/thriller. A first-look at some footage screened at CinemaCon back in August, during an opening night presentation from Sony Pictures, and the audience saw a snippet of Brad Pitt as Ladybug, having a brawl with Bad Bunny’s character. Little else is known of the details so far.
Nope
When? July 22
Who’s in it? Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun, alongside Barbie Ferreira, Brandon Perea and Michael Wincott
Who directed it? Jordan Peele
What’s it all about? After the huge success of Get Out and Us, Peele reunites with Daniel Kaluuya for Nope. All we know so far about the story itself is what we can gage from the fairly ambiguous poster, which shows a stormy cloud with a trail of bunting. That, and the fact that we can rely on Peele for a gorgeous mix of chills and thought-provoking social commentary.
Where the Crawdads Sing
When? July 22
Who’s in it? Daisy Edgar-Jones and Harris Dickinson
Who directed it? Olivia Newman
What’s it all about? Normal People’s rising star, Daisy Edgar-Jones, stars in this adaptation of Delia Owens’ 2018 bestseller. The book tells the story of Kya, who’s family abandon her to fend for herself in the marshes of North Carolina at a young age, intertwined with the story of a local football star’s murder. Whether or not this story will translate well to screen, Olivia Newman’s directorial debut is sure to be visually breathtaking. Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and Sony’s 3000 Pictures are producing.
Black Adam
When? July 29
Who’s in it? Dwayne Johnson, Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Aldis Hodge, Quintessa Swindell
Who directed it? Jaume Collet-Serra
What’s it all about? The Rock makes his superhero debut as DC comics’ Black Adam in this dark and violent antihero origin story. For those of you who haven’t heard of him, Black Adam is known as a corrupted, ancient Egyptian predecessor of Captain MarvelI and one of his biggest enemies. It will also introduce the Justice Society and its members, including Doctor Light, Atom Smasher, Hawkman and Cyclone.
September
Don't Worry Darling
When? September 23
Who’s in it? Harry Styles, Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll and Chris Pine
Who directed it? Olivia Wilde
What’s it all about? If you loved Booksmart as much as we did, you’ll be thrilled to know we only have about 8 months left to wait for her second directorial feature, staring Harry Styles (!!!) and Florence Pugh (!!!) as a 1950’s (!!!) couple who become entangled in a dark secret. The psychological thriller is, according to Wilde, going to make audiences “Realise how rarely they see female pleasure”. If you need me I’ll be researching how to time travel eight months into the future.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Part One
When? September 23
Who’s in it? Shameik Moore, Haliee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac, Jake Johnson
Who directed it? Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin Thompson
What’s it all about? As the title suggests, this will be the first instalment of a 2-part story, expanding on the beloved, computer-animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Peter B. Parker, Miles Morales and Gwen Stacey are all set to return, as well as new characters including Spider-Man 2099 and Spider-Woman.
October
Halloween Ends
When? October 14
Who’s in it? Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, Kyle Richards, Nick Castle and James Jude Courtney.
Who directed it? David Gordon Green
What’s it all about? We’re into spooky season now and what better to mark the occasion than the final film in David Gordon Green’s modern Halloween trilogy? Halloween Ends sees Jamie Lee Curtis return as Laurie Strode, this time seeking revenge on the infamous Michael Myers. The film will follow on from the events of Halloween Kills, where Myers’ unforgivable acts have driven Strode to the brink.
November
The Flash
When? November 4
Who’s in it? Ezra Miller, Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton
Who directed it? Andrés Muschietti
What’s it all about? 2022 is going to be a big year for Ezra Miller, who will also star in his first solo Flash movie in which he goes back in time to prevent his mother’s murder. You can expect more multiverse business, multiple versions of Scarlet Speedster and even a crossover with Gotham’s moodiest billionaire, Batman.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
When? November 11
Who’s in it? Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke and newcomers Michaela Coel and Dominique Thorne
Who directed it? Ryan Coogler
What’s it all about? The Black Panther sequel’s release date is set for 2 years after the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman. Production was famously delayed due to Letitia Wright’s on-set collarbone injury. It will be the 30th film set within the Marvel Universe and will see the return of much-loved characters such as Shuri, Nakia, M'Baku, Okoye and Ramonda.
The Fabelmans
When? November 23
Who’s in it? Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen and Paul Dano and Julia Butters
Who directed it? Steven Spielberg
What’s it all about? Spielberg's latest film, West Side Story, won three awards at this year’s Golden Globes, and it’s an impressively speedy turnaround for The Fablemans, his 2022 release. Moving away from musicals, this coming-of-age film is based on Spielberg’s own childhood. We’re excited for Julia Butters, the child breakout star of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, to return to our screens as part of this intriguing cast.
December
Avatar 2
When? December 16
Who’s in it? Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana
Who directed it? James Cameron
What’s it all about? 13-year since our last trip to Pandora, James Cameron brings us part 2 of the Avatar series just in time for Christmas. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana return as Jake Sully and Neytiri, this time having to flee from their home as a greedy, human-lead threat returns. According to Entertainment Weekly, the former human soldier and his Na'vi girlfriend have “Settled down and started a family, and much of the film centres on their preteen offspring”.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
When? December 23
Who’s in it? Naomi Ackie (Houston), Ashton Sanders (Bobby Brown), Stanley Tucci, Nafessa Williams, Clarke Peters and Tamara Tunie
Who directed it? Kasi Lemmons
What’s it all about? This will be the first Whitney Houston biopic authorised by the singer’s estate. Naomi Acki, who has played roles in Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker and The End of the F****ng World plays Whitney, and Ashton Sanders of Moonlight plays her husband, Bobby Brown, with whom she had a famously turbulent relationship.
Date not yet confirmed
Knives Out 2
When? Undated
Who’s in it? Daniel Craig, Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Edward Norton, Ethan Hawke, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Janelle Monáe, Jada Pinkett Smith, Madelyn Cline and Jessica Henwick
Who directed it? Rian Johnson
What’s it all about? Daniel Craig returns as Detective Benoit Blanc, starring alongside a string of big names. While they have not yet revealed a release date, Netflix wrapped filming last summer and have confirmed they will be airing the film later this year. It’s also been confirmed that, aside from the return of Craig’s character, the story will be completely separate from the first film, and the two stories will not be connected.
Killers of the Flower Moon
When? Undated
Who’s in it? Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro
Who directed it? Martin Scorsese
What’s it all about? This film (which, let’s be honest, has all the necessary ingredients for an Oscar nomination) will center around a real-life FBI investigation into the murders of the people of the Osage tribe, an indigenous tribe from 1920’s Oklahoma. The film takes its name from the non-fiction book by American Journalist David Grann, Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI which covers the complex story about wealth rights to oil discovered on Osage county land.
White Noise
When? Undated
Who’s in it? Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig
Who directed it? Noah Baumbach
What’s it all about? Another book adaptation, this time of Don DeLillo’s award-winning novel about a professor of Hitler Studies and his family, who find themselves in the wake of a catastrophic train accident that fills their town with toxic waste. We’re not sure when exactly it will be released this year, but it will premiere on Netflix and production began in June 2021, under the working title Wheat Germ (we’re glad they decided to stay true to the novel with that one).
Asteroid City
When? Undated
Who’s in it? Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, Jeff Goldbulm and Matt Dillon.
Who directed it? Wes Anderson
What’s it all about? For his 11th feature film, Wes Anderson has maintained many of his long-standing filmmaking relationships with Hollywood's finest, such as Bill Murray and Adrian Brody, while of course adding some new ones in the mix. Among the very few details we know so far is that it will be set in Spain and that its’ a Romantic Comedy-Drama. Not much to work with, but from what we can see in these images on IMDB, it looks like it’s going to be a period piece… at least some of it might be… maybe.
Pinocchio
When? Undated
Who’s in it? Tom Hanks, Luke Evans, Joseph Gordon Levitt
Who directed it? Guillermo del Toro
What’s it all about? Guillermo del Toro tackles stop-motion animation for the first time for this Italian fairytale about a wooden puppet who wants to desperately become human. Del Toro has said he used the illustrations of Gris Grimly as inspiration, and that it will explore “Heavy themes about humanity”. If Disney’s 1940 adaptation of the film wasn’t scary enough, we have a feeling this one will be even more disturbing if watched by younger viewers mistakenly lured in by its status as a children's story.
Bones & All
When? Undated
Who’s in it? Taylor Russell and Timothee Chalamet play the lead roles, starring alongside Mark Rylance, Michael Stuhlbarg, Andre Holland, Jessica Harper, Chloe Sevigny and David Gordon Green
Who directed it? Luca Guadagnino
What’s it all about? Timothy Chalamet’s monopoly on roles in almost every genre of film continues to expand, as he’s confirmed to play a lead in this horror-tinged story. It’s adapted from Camille DeAngelis’ novel, which tells the story of Sixteen-year-old Maren (Russell), who has an uncontrollable desire to eat anyone who fancies her too much. Abandoned by her mother, Maren goes on the road in search of her father and her future.
The End
When? Undated
Who’s in it? Tilda Swinton, Stephen Graham and George MacKay
Who directed it? Joshua Oppenheimer
What’s it all about? The first musical on our list and from the most unlikely director. Joshua Oppenheimer is best known for his unusual and disturbing documentary The Act of Killing about the people who participated in the Indonesian mass killings of 1965–66. The End will follow the last remaining family on earth, living in a post apocalyptic world.
Three Thousand Years of Longing
When? Undated
Who’s in it? Idris Elba, Tilda Swinton
Who directed it? George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road)
What’s it all about? Elba and Swinton will play an academic and a genie who fall in love in this intriguing film, with an estimated $60M budget. Producer, Doug Mitchell described the sets, which were filmed in Sydney as “some of the most spectacular [he’s] ever seen” and stated that the plot will take us on a journey, as we see a love story unfolding over the course of three thousand years. George Miller is known for directing Mad Max: Fury Road, but has stated that we can expect this to be wildly different.
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What a year we have ahead. Did we miss anything off that you’re excited to see in 2022? With this year's awards season in full swing and its nominees consisting of a bigger mix than ever of theatrical and streamer releases, it’s clear the pandemic has shaken up the industry for good. All we can do now is pray for fewer push back this year and some of these actually being released on time.