July 4, 2024
WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW
Welp, we’ve made it. Another six months of reviews, Top 5s, and feature articles from your favourite movie and television website is in the books.
If you recall, back in January, we shared a list of movies we were most looking forward to over the first half of 2024 (refresh your memory HERE). For the most part, all our choices turned out to be at least watchable, if not an instant classic. In fact, Argylle probably was the only total stinker of the lot. We also had one choice, the John Wick-spinoff Ballerina, pushed to 2025, which, as we explained at the time, is exactly why we’ve decided to do these lists every six months. We want to avoid listing movies that end up delayed for months or even years, and the further out you are from a release date, the harder it is to know just how “confirmed” that release date actually is.
So, given that, we’re running it back and only focusing on our most anticipated films for the second half of 2024. To be eligible, the movie must have a confirmed release date between July 1st and December 31st. This makes for more accurate selections while also avoiding repetitive lists in the future. So… no need to belabor the point any further. By now, you should understand what we’re doing here.
Are any of these on your list? What are you most excited about? Let us know on X (formerly known as Twitter) HERE.
MAXXXINE (July 5th)
I'm a huge fan of director Ti West's earlier movies in this series (Pearl and X), so words cannot describe how thrilled I am to see his latest film, MaXXXine. It is hands down my most anticipated movie of the year. With its 1980s Hollywood slasher vibes, I knew once I saw the first trailer that this would be right up my alley, especially if the rumors are true that it’s the horror equivalent of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Everyone knows how I feel about QT! I cannot fully express how eager I am to watch Mia Goth, one of our modern-day scream queens, kill it once more. - Paige
LONGLEGS (July 12th)
Yeah, yeah — another day, another Nic Cage recommendation from good ol’ Q. Here’s the thing, though… Cage does something in Longlegs that he has never done: go full horror villain as a serial killer. Aren’t you at least a little curious, if not downright excited, to see what Cage might do with a character in line with The Silence of the Lambs’ Buffalo Bill? While I admit the following could be my downfall by setting unreasonably high expectations, early reactions have been tremendous, calling it “one of the best films of the year, hands down,” “the most terrifying horror movie of 2024,” “the scariest film of the decade,” and, quite simply, “a masterpiece.” Even putting the Cage of it all aside, this is definitely a movie I need to see. - Quentin
SING SING (July 12th)
I’ve been hearing about this wonderful Colman Domingo film for damn near a year now, and I cannot wait to finally see it (I may cry if my local theater isn’t showing it opening weekend). After his Oscar-nominated role in Rustin, word is that Sing Sing should give Domingo another nomination (and possible win). However, unlike last year’s general consensus that he outshined a fairly run-of-the-mill film, this one supposedly lives up to, and maybe even surpasses, his performance. Add in some possible Best Supporting Actor buzz for Clarence Maclin, and Sing Sing could take a swing at my favorite movie of the year - Amarú
TWISTERS (July 19th)
I’ve seen 1996's Twister a lot. Not because I think it’s a masterpiece, or even because I love the film, but because it re-ran on TBS constantly when I was growing up. It’s good, but I never wanted or needed a sequel. Almost 30 years later, enter Glen Powell. His name changes everything as he has quickly shot up the ranks of Hollywood star power, making this sequel much more interesting. Plus, he’s joined by other up-and-comers Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos. Beyond the cast, with the advancement in technology since the previous film, the special effects have the potential to be absolutely bonkers. Much like how dinosaurs are mainly exclusive to the Jurassic Park franchise, tornados are a seldom utilized film device that hasn’t been overdone in mainstream movies (Sharknado does not count), so there's a big opportunity for innovation here. Add in the perfect summertime release date, and this should be one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. - Nick
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (July 26th)
There was no way that this movie wasn’t going to be on this list. The entirety of the MCU fandom has been waiting for this film ever since Endgame’s final credits rolled and since Disney acquired the film rights to the X-Men, hoping to get answers to many of the questions Phases Four and Five have left us wondering. When will Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) arrive in the universe? Who will he bring with him? Will Hugh Jackman ever see the screen with Reynolds? Can this pair “save” the Multiverse Saga? All of those questions can and may be answered with this film, but all I’m looking for is a good-ass time. With Reynolds, Jackman, and director Shawn Levy at the helm, I have no doubts that they will deliver on it all. - Amarú
CUCKOO (August 9th)
Continuing a stacked summer of horror, Cuckoo is a horror-thriller, written and directed by Tilman Singer, that I am very much looking forward to. The film stars Hunter Schafer, who was one of the best parts of Euphoria, so I’m very excited to see her first lead role in a feature film. On top of that, there is Dan Stevens, who has never failed to impress me in any role I’ve seen him in, not to mention Gemma Chan and Jessica Henwick. The trailer looks bonkers, promising fast-paced, high-tension, bloody entertainment, with an intriguing and unnerving concept that I can't wait to delve into. - Katie
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (September 6th)
Sometimes you are going about your day, running errands maybe, and a passerby might say something like, “Hey, I love your shirt” or “Your beard makes me wish I was a Viking.” You didn’t think you needed it, but you are renewed with a sudden surge of energy. That’s how a second Beetlejuice feels! No matter the historical terror of sequel sadness, I am still extremely optimistic as Tim Burton takes the reins once again and stylizes the new film in the same way as its excellent predecessor. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara reclaim their previous roles alongside the appropriately cast Jenna Ortega and a slew of other stars that should carry the torch along quite nicely. - Preston
WOLFS (September 20th)
There are few actors I consider bonafide “movie stars,” by which I mean more than just celebrated thespians or front-page celebrities. I mean no-shit, Old Hollywood-style, glitz-and-glamor-having, capital-M, capital-S “Movie Stars.” Near the top of that short list are George Clooney and Brad Pitt. So, when you throw the real-life best buds into a movie together, especially considering that they haven't been working all that often recently (since 2015, Clooney and Pitt have only given us five lead performances each, though Pitt also has had a few supporting roles), I’m going to take notice. Their natural chemistry and star-power alone is worth the price of admission, but with underrated director Jon Watts at the helm, this black action-comedy about rival, “lone wolf” mob fixers forced to work together is sure to be a blast. - Quentin
JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX (October 4th)
Contrary to my previous pick’s predecessor, I did love 2019’s Joker. I think it was yet another chance for Joaquin Phoenix — one of the greatest actors of our time — to flex his skills, and I’m thoroughly looking forward to Arthur Fleck’s (Phoenix) continued descent into madness. As for my anticipation for the rest of the film, that's due to the unknown. The idea of a pseudo-musical has the potential to be very interesting, but also may not work at all. Sure, Lady Gaga was very good in A Star is Born, but she hasn’t impressed me in anything else. Unlike Twisters, I don’t think this one is a slam dunk, but I know I’ll be seated in the theatre as soon as I’m able, watching it all unfold. - Nick
ANORA (October 18th)
Regardless of what little I knew about Sean Baker's upcoming film Anora, I was already looking forward to it because I find him to be such a fascinating and intriguing filmmaker. Hot off its Palme d'Or win at the Cannes Film Festival, I am now more excited than ever. This screwball dramedy is said to be his best-looking movie to date, which is saying a lot considering how beautifully shot his previous films are. I can’t wait to be re-captivated by Baker's specialty of delicately telling stories about sex workers, especially since its lead actress, Mikey Madison, is being deemed a "star in the making." - Paige
SMILE 2 (October 18th)
After the surprising box office success of his feature debut Smile (which was originally slated for a streaming-only release), director Parker Finn returns for its follow-up, Smile 2. Smile was one of my favourite films of 2022, with its simple, effective, and deeply creepy concept, not to mention the fantastic performances that drive it, so I cannot wait to see what can be done with a bigger budget and a new cast. I’m especially interested to see Naomi Scott’s pop star character and the tour setting that was revealed in the trailer, and how the character’s fame will be used both as part of the story and in conjunction with the smiley scares. - Katie
GLADIATOR II (November 22nd)
Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Djimon Hounsou, and Barry Keoghan. Even if you are like me and have a hard time putting names to faces, I can assure you that cast list…*in my best Valley Girl accent*…is, like, really good. Ridley Scott, one of my top 10 best directors of all-time, revisits the gladiator pit once more to give us what is sure to be another classic. With the original being one of those films that I watch over and over when the Netflix scroll gets to be too much, it’s a no-brainer that I’m stoked for a sequel. - Preston
NIGHTBITCH (December 6th)
It's been a second since we've seen Marielle Heller's direction grace the screen, having last been blessed with 2019's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. So, suffice it to say, I'll be there day one for Nightbitch, a horror-comedy starring Amy Adams as a mother whose life takes a turn in the most bizarre way as she suspects she's slowly morphing into a dog. Anyone who knows me knows I like a movie that takes swings, and I'm truly excited to see what Heller does with this source material. But I'm also really excited to see what Amy Adams does with this role that has already won her a TIFF Tribute Award. I cannot wait to check this one out at the festival this year. - Adriano
NOSFERATU (December 25th)
Where are all my Eggers freaks at? After The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, Robert Eggers is without a doubt my favourite new-age filmmaker. His bold commitment to mythology, uncomfortable terror, and attention to detail is truly unmatched, and based on the magnificent first trailer for Nosferatu, it looks like that remains unchanged. A project Eggers has wanted to make since 2015, I cannot begin to imagine what terrifying imagery and production values he has in store for us this time around. Tackling the great vampire Count Orlok (played by Bill Skarsgård) with such a stacked cast, I'm more than ready to never sleep again. - Adriano