Sometimes, when Hollywood “isn’t in the mood” for fresh and original movies, they settle for sequels to existing films. Sequels promise to expand the story with new characters, grander adventures, and higher stakes. But let’s not forget, they’re also a cash grab for studios; milking every last penny out of a successful IP.
Generally speaking, movie sequels come in three flavours: the good, the bad, and the meh. A good sequel not only fills the pockets of film executives but also gives fans a fresh movie to bond over. Sometimes, these sequels even surpass their predecessors. Delightful examples of this phenomenon include Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), and Creed III (2023). If you consistently deliver enough amazing sequels, voila! You’ve created a solid franchise with a high likelihood of spinoffs.
On the other hand, bad sequels have the power to turn a beloved original into a train wreck, leaving audiences scratching their heads and wondering, “What went wrong?” Need some examples? Look no further than The Exorcist: Believer (2023), Expend4bles (2023), and The Marvels (2023).
And then there are the meh sequels, or as I like to call them, “the forgettables.” They may not be inherently terrible, but rather unremarkable, average, and unable to capture the same magic, essence, or brilliance that previous movie(s) possessed. Recent examples that come to mind are Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom (2023), Equalizer 3 (2023), and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023).
That said, Hollywood is serving a considerable amount of movie sequels in 2024. We’ve carefully curated a list of these films and arranged them chronologically based on their release dates, starting from the nearest to the farthest. Consider this your ultimate guide to the upcoming Hollywood sequels of 2024. You’re welcome.
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| Some of the most anticipated sequels of 2024 (from L to R): Joker: Folie à Deux, Inside Out 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine |
BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE (JUNE 7)
Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gonna do?
Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the sequel to Bad Boys for Life and is the fourth movie in the Bad Boys franchise. Will Smith reprises his role as Mike Lowrey alongside Martin Lawrence as Marcus Burnett, promising another exhilarating buddy cop escapade brimming with adrenaline-pumping action and uproarious comedy. Anticipation runs high as fans eagerly anticipate not only the duo’s return, but also trademark over-the-top car chases, intense gunfights, and a plethora of explosions as the notorious Miami detectives go rogue to clear their captain’s name.
INSIDE OUT 2 (JUNE 14)
The original Inside Out movie left a lasting impression, and even after almost a decade, many of us fans are still recovering from the heart-wrenching loss of Bing Bong. Now, Inside Out 2 takes us back to Riley’s mind where she (now a teenager) encounters a whole new set of emotions: anxiety, envy, ennui, and embarrassment. Oh, the horror of navigating the mind of a teenage girl!
Perhaps in the future, Pixar will explore additional sequels featuring an adult or elderly Riley. I can’t be the only one who would eagerly watch those as well.
BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F (JULY 3)
After nearly three decades of development hell, the fourth installment of the Beverly Hills Cop film series is finally making its way to Netflix. Eddie Murphy reprises his role as Alex Foley for another crime adventure brimming with adrenaline-pumping action and uproarious comedy. Expect over-the-top car chases, intense gunfights, and a plethora of explosions as the often-times misunderstood cop must team-up with Beverly Hill’s finest to uncover a conspiracy in his city. Deja vu anyone?
DESPICABLE ME 4 (JULY 3)
Who doesn’t love the minions from Despicable Me? Prepare to be delighted as our favourite pint-sized denim henchmen and the anti-villain family make their grand return to the big screen in Despicable Me 4. This time, they find themselves up against a fresh lineup of villains. Notice how the list of villains holding grudges against Gru is quite extensive. But that’s not all. Brace yourselves for more deliberate cuteness overload as Despicable Me 4 also introduces the newest member of the Gru family: the utterly adorable Gru Jr.
MAXXXINE (JULY 4)
Changing gears to a not-family-friendly movie sequel that could best be described as an 80s slasher meets erotica, fans of X and Pearl are well aware of what to expect from Maxxxine, the third and final installment in Ti West’s horror trilogy known as the X series. Mia Goth returns to the role of Maxine Minx, who, having survived the events of the first film, continues to chase her dreams in the adult industry, iykyk. Joining the cast are newcomers Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Lily Collins, Halsey, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon.
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (JULY 26)
It’s official: Deadpool has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Teaming up with Ryan Reynolds for an electrifying and unforgettable bromance in this sequel is none other than Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, donning his first comic-accurate X-Men suit in two decades. With a whirlwind of anticipation and excitement surrounding this sequel, it’s highly likely that Deadpool & Wolverine will dominate as the reigning Hollywood blockbuster of 2024, crossing the billion-dollar mark in box office, a success no other sequel or movie has been able to manage thus far in 2024 (sorry Dune: Part 2). LFG!
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (SEPTEMBER 6)
OG 90s Hollywood goth girl Winona Ryder and Gen Z Hollywood It Girl Jenna Ortega team up in the sequel to the 1988 cult classic Beetlejuice, with Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara reprising their iconic roles. Joining them are a fresh ensemble including Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, and Burn Gorman. With such a star-studded cast and going by the title of the sequel which suggests double the mischief from the first movie, there’s only one thing left to say: shut up and take my money.
JOKER FOLIE A DEUX (OCTOBER 4)
The sequel to the 2019 blockbuster hit Joker brings another beloved comic book couple, the Joker and Harley Quinn, to the big screen. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck/The Joker, joined by Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. Not even a fortune teller could’ve predicted Gaga in Joker: Folie à Deux. It was announced that the sequel will either be a musical or incorporate musical elements, so fans don’t really know what to expect. But judging by the teaser, all we know is that Joker: Folie à Deux is going to be mental.
GLADIATOR II (NOVEMBER 22)
The sequel with the most pressure to live up to the glory of its predecessor is the sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 historical epic, Gladiator II. This highly anticipated sequel features a fresh cast in the lead roles, with many of the original cast members not returning. Paul Mescal stars in the lead role as Lucius Verus, along with Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn. The only returning cast includes Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi. As of now, plot details for the movie have been tightly kept under wraps, and no trailer has been released to the public. However, one thing is certain: come November, moviegoers will be eagerly seated, expecting to be entertained.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 (DECEMBER 20)
Just before Christmas, the third installment of the Sonic movie series, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, dashes ahead of the competition in the race of speedster films. It feels like just a blink ago that we were introduced to the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie, and now we have a trilogy, along with a spinoff series (Knuckles on Paramount+), and there are even plans to further expand the Sonic cinematic universe. While specifics about the new sequel are scarce at the moment, the returning voice cast is confirmed. James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Lee Majdoub, Idris Elba, and Jim Carrey are all set to reprise their beloved roles, with the addition of Keanu Reeves to the ensemble.
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