Will Hollywood be able to continue its winning streak in 2024?

Experts predicted it, viewers anticipated it, and cinema owners expected it; with the release of Inside Out 2, Twisters, and Deadpool & Wolverine, Hollywood seems to have found its lost glory at the box office.

A few years back, this revival seemed like a dream, considering COVID-19 was responsible for the temporary closure of cinemas across the globe. However, from this post-COVID position, Hollywood can either go forward or backward. Let’s take a look at some of the upcoming releases which are eagerly awaited because of their stellar cast, interesting plotline, or favorable history (in case of sequels only!). Whether they would help in making 2024 a memorable year remains to be seen.

Four sequels and a reboot!

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

It may have taken director Tim Burton more than 35 years to return to the Beetlejuice universe, but it seems the wait was worth its while. With the original film's cast Michael Keaton, Catherine O'Hara, and Winona Ryder returning to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, alongside Jenny Ortega, the sequel releasing this Friday looks nothing short of perfect.

Why? Because Michael Keaton has a habit of returning to his old characters with the same charm and magic he had when he played the role for the first time.

Transformers One

Before they were enemies, Optimus Prime and Megatron were best friends, and Transformers One will explore how the two brothers-in-arms became archnemesis. Featuring Chris Hemsworth as the voice of Optimus Prime and Brian Tyree Henry as the voice of Megatron, this animated film is all set to bring forward the origin story of the Transformers race, like never before.

Joker: Folie à Deux

Five years back, Joaquin Phoenix made his entry as the Joker in cinemas worldwide and went on to win an Oscar for his gritty performance. On October 4, he will make a return to a screen near you with Lady Gaga as Harleen 'Lee' Quinzel aka Harley Quinn who forms a deadly romantic relationship with him.

Directed once again by Todd Phillips, the film is expected to include more than a dozen musical numbers - mostly covers of existing songs - but with a hint of Lady Gaga. Enjoy!

Venom: The Last Dance

Who doesn't like Tom Hardy's Venom? Hardy has appeared in two films and managed to strike fear in the hearts of those who believed they were above the law. Three years after coming face to face with his nemesis Carnage, Eddie Brock and Venom will be back on October 25. However, this time, they are hunted instead of being the hunters and are on the run from both of their worlds. Interesting, isn't it?

Gladiator II

Director Ridley Scott is considered one of the best storytellers in Hollywood but he hasn't delivered a blockbuster for a long time. Aside from The Martian in 2015, most of his films have failed at the box office. But now we can look forward to the sequel to one of his finest works - Gladiator.

The sequel features Paul Mescal as Lucius, who resolves to fight as a gladiator for his reasons. To find out those reasons, and meet Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington, do visit a cinema near you on November 22.

Red One

Saving Santa was never this fun! Santa Claus spreads happiness which makes him the ideal target for those who don’t exactly wish for world peace. That’s why when he does get kidnapped in Red One, Captain America and Black Adam are sent to rescue him. Well, Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock are.

The film’s superpower will be both The Rock and Evans’ chemistry which so far seems to be on point. Given that Chris Evans was in perfect ‘flame-on’ mode in Deadpool & Wolverine, it would be interesting to see how he performs in front of a co-star who thrives in action films.

With J K Simmons playing Santa Claus and Lucy Liu appearing in an important role, the film is all set to release on November 15 and if all goes well, it might give the box office the jump it needs ahead of the holiday season.

Kraven the Hunter

Will Kraven take forward or damage Marvel’s legacy? The release of Kraven the Hunter on December 13 could be a double-edged sword for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film might either fall in Venom’s club if it succeeds or end up like Morbius or Madame Web, which are remembered for being forgettable.

It might feature Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the main lead and Russell Crowe as Kraven’s father, but Marvel’s fate remains in the hands of Kraven the Hunter. If it fails, it will damage the good work done by Deadpool & Wolverine, but if it succeeds, it might revive the MCU which needs to change its luck before it’s too late.

Clash of the Titans!

It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that for cinegoers, December 20 will be the best day of the year since two potential blockbusters will make it to cinemas around the world.

While Mufasa: The Lion King will show the audience the backstory of Simba’s father, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will see the unlikely union of Sonic and Eggman as the two join hands to tackle the all-powerful Shadow.

Some critics are apprehensive regarding the release of both films on the same day, commenting that had the two films released separately, each would have done well. Being released together will result in reduced screens as well as lower profits.