Sequels are a massive part of Hollywood’s output every year, and 2024 is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet with some exciting follow-ups scheduled for release. Marvel Studios usually churns out a number of sequels each year, but their slate is looking thin in 2024.Deadpool 3is Marvel’s only scheduled cinematic release, as they’ve chosen to focus on expanding their television projects instead.
Marvel’s quietness in 2024 doesn’t mean fans will be without superheroes, withDC set to fill the void with a number of projects lined up. There are also some exciting sequels to long-running titles set to land next year that will get fans lining up to get their tickets. The standard of sequels in recent years has been very good. Despite criticism from certain sections of the movie-going community, sequels consistently do well at the box office and keep the majority of legacy fans satisfied.
Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
Chris Bremner and George Gallo
Cast
Bad Boys For Lifesuccessfully revived the long-running action comedy franchise after a 17-year hiatus. It was always the plan to return with two sequels, though many people weren’t convinced the third movie would do well enough to warrant another entry. But it was the surprise hit of 2020, and the next sequel went into production.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw production delayed several times, but 2024 will finally see the release ofBad Boys 4, with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence returning for another action-packed sequel. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are back at the helm, but details of the plot are being kept under wraps leading up to its release in June. The box office success could be down to whether fans have forgivenWill Smith for his infamous Chris Rock slap at the Oscars last year.
Todd Phillips and Scott Silver
Jokerwas one of the best movies of 2019, and it saw Joaquin Pheonix put a different spin on Batman’s iconic arch nemesis. It grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office and became the first R-rated film to do this, so a sequel was inevitable.
Not content with doing a rehash of the first movie, Todd Phillips sequel will be a musical, which could either be fantastic or the worst idea ever. Lady Gaga joins the cast, so expect a few musical numbers from her. Joaquin Pheonix is also no stranger to belting out a tune or two, having played Johnny Cash in the biopic,Walk the Line.
Ryan Reynolds was born to play Deadpool. The first two movieswere a resounding success, leading Marvel Studios to recruit his character into the MCU universe to give it a much-needed boost after recent disappointments. It will be interesting to see how they integrate this largely comedic character into the MCU. Let’s hope Deadpool is allowed to continue breaking the fourth wall, despite being very much a part of the wider narrative moving forward.
To add to the excitement of the upcoming sequel, Hugh Jackman will be reprising his role of Wolverine, which could result in the best superhero team to grace cinema screens in years. Technically, these two characters have appeared together before in the critically pannedX-Men: Originsway back in 2009. Reynolds played a different iteration of Wade Wilson in that film, whom he has publicly disowned in recent years.
Miles Millar and Alfred Gough
There has been talk of a sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 classicBeetlejuicefor years, but nothing had ever materialized until now.Filming has finally wrapped on the sequel, and it is due for release sometime in 2024. Michael Keaton is back as the titular character, with Winona Ryder also returning as Lydia Deetz.
Jenna Ortega has joined the cast as Lydia’s daughter, which should help introduce a new generation to the franchise, with her star continuing to rise heading into 2024. There are no details on what the story will entail, but it will be a treat to see Michael Keaton back playing his most iconic character after all these years.
Gil Kenan and Jason Reitman
Ghostbusters: Afterlifewas a massive success when it released in 2021. The film was a direct sequel toGhostbusters 2, while also giving the franchise the ‘Requel’ treatment, and introducing a new crop of characters to fight against the supernatural forces at play.Ghostbusters: Frozen Empireis the next installment in the franchise, and will arrive in cinemas in early 2024.
The upcoming sequel will return to the familiar setting of New York. Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard and McKenna Grace will return alongside legacy Ghostbusters, Dan Ackroyd, Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson in what looks like an epic team up of old and new generations. Expect the new sequel to pay tribute toGhostbusters 1and2director, Ivan Reitman, who sadly died last year. His son, Jason Reitman, directedGhostbusters: Afterlifeand has produced and co-written the upcoming sequel. Reitman’s previous movie led abeautiful tribute to Harold Ramis, who had sadly passed away in 2014.
