Solzy at the Movies presents some of the most anticipated movies that are currently scheduled for release in movie theaters in 2022.
There’s no telling as to if any of these films will hold their scheduled release dates. With the Omicron variant surging, who knows what’s going to happen. It’ll almost certainly have an impact on the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. I’m already hearing some chatter about talent deciding to no longer attend the festival. Could screenings be cancelled? We’ll see what happens. All I know is that if cases continue rising, I will not be getting on the plane in January.
In any event, here are some of the films that I’m looking forward to seeing next year. (Now updated through the end of the year as of January 1, 2022)
Lucy and Desi (Amazon Studios)
Say what you will about Being the Ricardos but this is the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz film I’m looking forward to seeing in 2022. The film is premiering during Sundance in the Premieres section. Plus, you can never go wrong with Amy Poehler. The comedy veteran directs the documentary. Release date pending.
Death on the Nile (20th Century Studios)
Kenneth Branagh returns to direct the sequel to the murder mystery. It remains to be seen how little of you know who will be seen in the sequel. In the meantime, Gal Gadot joins the cast so I’m automatically there for this. Given that Belfast is a major Oscar contender, I’ll be curious to see how the film is pushed since the releases crosses over with awards season. February 11, 2022.
The Batman (Warner Bros. Pictures)
It’s a Batman film. Need I say more? Okay, you have the brilliant Matt Reeves behind the camera. After what he did with the Planet of the Apes reboot, I’m more than curious to see his take on Gotham, which stars Robert Pattinson as the Dark Knight. My plan is to go into this film knowing little as possible. I’ve yet to watch the trailer but this Batman installment features the usual allies, Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis) and Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright), and familiar characters Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin (Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler (Paul Dano). It’s the biggest film following Spider-Man. Reeves pens the screenplay with Peter Craig. Pattinson leads a cast that includes Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Jayme Lawson, with Andy Serkis and Colin Farrell. March 4, 2022.
Turning Red (Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios)
This is Pixar’s newest feature film. It’s directed by Oscar-winning Bao filmmaker Domee Shi. Here’s what we know about the film from Disney: Young actress Rosalie Chiang lends her voice to Mei Lee, a 13-year-old who suddenly “poofs” into a giant red panda when she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS). Sandra Oh voices Mei Lee’s protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, who is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. March 11, 2022.
The Lost City (Paramount Pictures)
An action-adventure romantic comedy directed by Adam and Aaron Nee. The film stars both Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. March 25, 2022.
Thirteen Lives (MGM)
The newest Ron Howard film is a biographical survival drama. It stars Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton. The film is a complementary companion to The Rescue. This certainly guarantees that there are no white nationalists involved. April 15, 2022.
65 (Columbia Pictures)
The newest film from Scott Beck and Bryan Woods is a sci-fi thriller starring Adam Driver, Arianna Greenblatt, and Chloe Coleman. April 25, 2022.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Marvel Studios)
Sam Raimi takes over directing duties from Scott Derrickson. What we know for sure is that it’s a thrilling ride through the multiverse with Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Wong (Benedict Wong), and Wanda Maximoff/Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) There’s certainly a lot of questions following the film’s first trailer. Which Doctor Strange is the enemy? Is it the one from the What If?… universe? We also have to wait a few months to find out! May 6, 2022.
Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount Pictures)
Joseph Kosinski directs Tom Cruise and company in the sequel. We know that Tom Cruise wants to do a global press tour. What we certainly do not know is what the pandemic will be like in May. Will numbers be low enough for Cruise to get a global press tour? It’s also been delayed a few times so who knows what is going to happen here. May 27, 2022.
Jurassic World Dominion (Universal Studios)
Colin Trevorrow returns to the director’s chair for what is certainly my most anticipated movie of 2022. I mean, come on! Have you seen how many times I returned to Isla Nublar during the pandemic? It’s probably more often than most! Trevorrow pens the screenplay with Emily Carmichael. He does in this film what the other two films did not do: unite the casts of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World. Well, except for all those characters who lost their lives to dinosaur attacks. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard star as Owen Grady and Claire Dearing and are joined by Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum, who reprise their roles as Dr. Ellie Sattler, Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ian Malcolm. The film also features BD Wong as Dr. Henry Wu, Mamoudou Athie, Dichen Lachman, and DeWanda Wise. June 10, 2022.
Lightyear (Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios)
Chris Evans and Taika Waititi lend their voices to Pixar’s Buzz Lightyear origin story. June 17, 2022
Elvis (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Baz Luhrmann directs the film, which stars Austin Butler as the King and Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker. June 24, 2022
Minions: The Rise of Gru (Illumination)
The sequel to Minions and the overall fifth installment of the Despicable Me franchise. July 1, 2022
Thor: Love and Thunder (Marvel Studios)
Thor is back and this time, he’s teaming up with the Guardians of the Galaxy in one of the most anticipated movies of 2022! Taika Waititi stays the course and directs the fourth film in the franchise. I know very little about the film and outside of whenever they release the first trailer, I intend to keep it this way. Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Christian Bale, Chris Pratt, Jaimie Alexander, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Sean Gunn, Vin Diesel, and Jeff Goldblum star in the film. July 8, 2022.
Black Adam (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Jungle Cruise filmmaker Jaume Collet-Serra reteams with Dwayne Johnson in the newest DC film. July 28, 2022.
White Bird: A Wonder Story (Lionsgate)
The film is a companion piece to Wonder. September 16, 2022.
Don’t Worry Darling (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Olivia Wilde is back with another film and reteams with Booksmart co-writer Katie Silberman. September 23, 2022.
Mission: Impossible 7 (Paramount Pictures)
Christopher McQuarrie is back in the director’s chair for his third go-around. If all goes well, we’ll be getting two major blockbusters starring Tom Cruise. It’s just a question of what happens with the pandemic. Like I said above, Cruise wants to do a global press tour, not a Zoom press tour. September 30, 2022.
Spider-Man: Across the Universe (Part One) (Sony)
Following the success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, a sequel was inevitable. With the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, there’s nothing you can’t do with this universe! I’ll be curious to see if any MCU stars make a cameo appearance or have a major role. If you don’t mind, I’ll be staying away from any press on the film until after I watch the movie. With the release coming days before my birthday, this could be my official birthday film! October 7, 2022.
The Flash (Warner Bros. Pictures)
This one took a while to get off the ground so we’ll see what happens. November 4, 2022.
Untitled David O’Russell Film (20th Century Studios)
There’s a star-studded cast on hand. November 4, 2022.
Untitled Bee Gees Biopic (Paramount Pictures)
After last year’s documentary, Kenneth Branagh is directing a biopic. November 4, 2022.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)
I don’t know if the film makes the release date due to the extended production shutdown because of Letitia Wright’s injury. But if not, I’ll be curious to see how things play out following Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing in 2020. November 11, 2022.
She Said (Universal Pictures)
It’s probably too soon for this one. November 18, 2022.
The Fabelmans (Universal Pictures)
Steven Spielberg turns to his childhood to bring us his newest film: a semi-biographical coming-of-age drama. Spielberg co-wrote the film with Tony Kushner. Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen and Paul Dano are among the cast. This is an automatic Oscar contender so I’ll be curious to see if Spielberg goes the festival route or if it’s launched with a late November premiere. November 23, 2022.
Creed III (MGM/Warner Bros. Pictures)
Michael B. Jordan directs the next installment of the Creed franchise. November 23, 2022.
Strange World (Walt Disney Pictures/Walt Disney Animation Studios)
The newest animated film from Disney. November 23, 2022.
Avatar 2 (20th Century Studios)
James Cameron has been talking about Avatar 2 for so many years that I’ll believe it’s coming out when I’m actually sitting down during the press screening. December 16, 2022.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros. Pictures)
The last and final film from DC films in 2022. Jason Momoa returns to play the superhero of the sea. Aquaman and Avatar 2 will be fighting for the same audience so this could be interesting. December 16, 2022.
Babylon (Paramount Pictures)
Damien Chazelle teams up with an all-star cast–starring Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie–to bring us a period film set during the Classic Hollywood era. J.K. Simmons is not an announced cast member but much like Jason Reitman, look for Chazelle to find a way to include him. After Jeff Garlin’s departure from The Goldbergs, I’ll be curious to see if Chazelle does reshoots with someone else in the role. December 25, 2022.
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