15 Anticipated Movies for 2022

After a staggered few years of movie releases due to COVID-19, 2022 promises to be a more consistent year for movies, with many films that were previously delayed due to the pandemic, set to finally open on the big screen. Today I am here to discuss some of these releases, as I break down my top fifteen most anticipated film releases of 2022. Keep in mind this is just my list, I am sure there are plenty of other titles coming out that will most likely make my best of the year list that haven’t made this list, but hey that’s cinema, it’s full of surprises! So, without further ado and in no particular order, here are my top 15 most anticipated releases of 2022.

The Batman - After nearly 5 years away from the big screen, Batman makes his much anticipated cinematic return in the Matt Reeves directed ‘The Batman’ which sees actor Robert Pattison don the cape and cal for the first time in this adaptation set in the 1990s. Paul Dano will be playing the Riddler and Zoe Kravitz is Catwoman in this release. This film has the makings of something special and I’m all for a dark and grittier story, which sees Batman try and solve the mysteries of the Riddler who is terrorising Gotham. The cast also includes Jeffrey Wright as Commisioner Jim Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred and Colin Farrell as the Penguin. The film is set to hit theatres March 2022, look out for this one! 

Scream - After a more than 10-year hiatus from the big screen, everyone’s favourite slasher villain Ghost Face is back with the original cast of Courtney Cox, Neve Campbell and David Arquette all returning to their roles respectively. After the passing of series Director Wes Craven, it was speculated that the franchise would be retired, however up and coming filmmakers Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin who helmed the endlessly entertaining horror-comedy ‘Ready or Not’ (available now on Blu-Ray and DVD) pitched a return to the franchise and studio Paramount Pictures loved it, so here we are in 2022 with a new ‘Scream’ film. I’m very excited for this one, let’s hope it lives up to its impressive marketing campaign. This one arrives in cinemas January 2022. 

Thor: Love & Thunder - The first two Thor films are quite forgettable. Don’t get me wrong, they have their moments, but it wasn’t until Taika Waititi’s ‘Thor: Raganarok’ that the films found their voice, seeing Thor become a household favourite among Marvel fans. Taika returns to direct ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’ which is just awesome. We also will see Natalie Portman return as Jane Foster and acting veteran Christian Bale also joins the cast as the villainous Gorr the God Butcher. This one promises to be outrageous with that trademark sense of humour that Taika is known for. I’m very keen for this one. ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’ will be making its way to cinemas this November. 

The Northman - Writer/Director Robert Eggers just might be my favourite creative voice working in Hollywood today. His previous two films ‘The Witch’ and ‘The Lighthouse’ are nothing short of masterpieces. I adore both films and the promise of the director tackling Norse Mythology is incredibly exciting to me. The first trailer made the film look incredible with an amazing poster to accompany it. The film boasts and impressive cast as well with the likes of: Alexander Skarsgard, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy and Willem Defoe. I cannot wait to see this one. ‘The Northman’ will be hitting cinemas April 2022. 

Jurassic World: Dominion - Arguably one of the biggest franchises over the past decade has been the ‘Jurassic World’ franchise and in 2022 it comes to end with ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’. The film will finally see the return of Sam Neil and Laura Dern with Jeff Golblum also returning for a much larger role that he had in ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ in 2018. Audiences are craving more dinosaur action and now that the prehistoric killing machines have made their way to the mainland, all hell is about to break loose. I cannot wait to see this one on the big screen and I’m hoping for a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ opens June 2022 in cinemas. 

Mission Impssoible 7 - Tom Cruise’s dedication to his stunt work has made the ‘Mission Impossible’ franchise one of the best action franchises of all time. The films have progressively gotten more entertaining, with the sixth instalment ‘Fallout’, being my favourite of the franchise thus far, Cruise and team have filmed the seventh and eighth instalments back-to-back and these will be the final two films in the 20 year old franchise. The first of the final two films, will hit theatres in July of 2022 and it promises huge action set-pieces and a compelling spy story. Exactly what fans of the franchise are after. I cannot wait to see this one on the biggest screen imaginable. 

Nope - Jordan Peele (writer/director of Get Out and Us), has quickly become one of hollywoods most respected creative talents working today. The man continues to impress and in 2022 he will be delivering yet another original film with ‘Nope’. The film promises more culturally relevant, mind-bending thrills from the new master of suspense. The film will re-team Peele with the star of his 2017 Oscar winning film ‘Get Out’ Daniel Kaluuya and will also see Steven Yeun join the cast. ‘Nope’ is set to hit theatres in August of 2022. 

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore -  After a rocky start to the franchise, it looks like the ‘Harry Potter’ prequel series ‘Fantastic Beasts’ might have found its calling. The series is focussing on the trouble relationship of Dumbledore and Grindlewald, the ex-lovers who have turned out to be mortal enemies. Taking this approach opens the magical world up to all kinds of possibilities including references to the beloved book and film series. The film will see the return of Eddie Remayne’s eccentric Newt Scamander and Jude Law as Dumbledore. The next chapter in the magical world is set to open in cinemas in April of 2022. 

Halloween Ends - One of, if not the most iconic horror villains of all time, Michael Myers, is set to wrap up his latest trilogy with ‘Halloween Ends’. The final instalment in the new trilogy promises to finally show the showdown between Jamie Lee-Curtis’s Laurie Strode and the shape himself, Michael Myers. With a more realistic approach thus far to the material, the final chapter is set to wrap up the story, over 40 years in the making. Halloween: Kills in 2021, left audiences on a cliffhanger, so I can imagine this one doing fantastic business at the box office. ‘Halloween Ends’ is set to open in cinemas just in time for Halloween 2022. 

Doctor Strange: In The Multiverse of Madness - Doctor Strange moving forward in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) may just be the most important character. His abilities are unmatched and his storyline looks to encounter the darkness of the Multiverse explored in Loki and Spider-Man: No Way Home. The film sees the characters from the first film return, as Strange battles a distorted reality. No longer equipped with the Time Stone, the sorcerer supreme must do battle with only his strength and his wit to save him. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness is also helmed by Spider-Man trilogy director Sam Raimi, who knows his way around some trippy and inventive visuals. The film hits theatres in May 2022. 

Top Gun: Maverick - After multiple delays due to the pandemic, Top Gun: Maverick will finally hit theatres in 2022. The film sees the return of Tom Cruise’s Maverick after 36 years. With Cruise starring again, audiences can expect high-octane action and thrilling stunts, and with director Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy and Oblivion) audiences also know they will get an amazing looking film as well. The film will also star Miles Teller as Rooster, Mavericks son. Audiences can expect to see Top Gun: Maverick on the big screen in May 2022. 

Black Panther: Wakander Forever - After the tragic passing of Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman in 2020, Marvel has made the decision to retire Boseman’s version of the character from the MCU. With that said, the franchise is still moving forward, promising to focus on Letitia Wright’s character Shurri, sister of Boseman’s T’Challa. With the success of the first film, it’s safe to say that this film promises to be big and with hefty themes and strong political messaging, you can almost guarantee this one is going to be a smash hit. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits cinemas late 2022.

The Flash - After a trouble start to the DC cinematic universe, Warner Bros. are moving full steam ahead with new films in the franchise. Flash will see the return of Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen, as the film promises to reset the timeline with appearances from Michael Keaton’s Batman and Ben Affleck’s Batman expected. This time travel spectacle is set to hit cinemas in late 2022 

Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse Part 1 - After the massif success of ‘Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse’ in 2018, it was only a matter of time until we got a sequel and in 2022, we are getting just that! The film will see the return of Miles Morales as he teams up with the Spider-Man from the future played by Oscar Isaac. This will be part 1 of a two part film. The first look at the film promises amazing animation once again and the signature humour which made the first film and instant classic. ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse Part 1’ is set to hit theatres late in 2022. 

Aquaman 2 - James Wan’s insane entry in the DC Cinematic Universe in 2018 with ‘Aquaman’ was so insane it worked. The film was bonkers but also incredibly entertaining. In 2022 we will finally be getting the follow up to this story with Jason Mamoa returning as the titular hero on the big screen. We are promised there will be epic battle sequences, stunning visual effects and even more bonkers storytelling in this sequel, which is exactly what I want to see. Aquaman 2 will hit theatres in December 2022.

With so many new films expected to hit theatres in 2022, it can be hard to know what is coming out and when. I hope this list gives you a rough idea of what 2022 has installed for us. Like I said, there are so many releases so I’m sure there are some that have been omitted like Disney/Pixar’s ‘Lighyear’ or the romantic comedy ‘Lost City’ starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, but these are the films that I think you should be marking in your calendars this year.

Christopher Pattison wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here