Tyler Justin Pruyn January 1st, 2022 - 12:00 PM
2021 was a return to form for Hollywood and cinema going everywhere, while that year comes to an end, viewers turn their eyes to the new year: 2022. The third year of the 20’s comes with a lot of hopes for a brighter future. As the new decade starts to find its stride, there a plenty of movies to look forward to.
This list mostly consists of known properties and films that are highly publicized from their inception. The MXDWN Movies team voted on which film from each month they are looking forward to the most. While these are our most anticipated films of the year, every year is filled with new unique films that are unknown until their release. Parasite and The Power of the Dog are two great examples of films that came out of nowhere.
With that being said these are MXDWN Movies most anticipated films coming into 2022.
January – Scream
Directed by Ready or Not duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Scream, the fifth installment of the iconic meta-horror franchise, takes place twenty-five years following the events of the original film. Sydney Prescott returns to Woodsboro, where a new Ghostface is terrorizing the neighborhood once more. Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, and a slew of new victims- cast members join in the fun of the franchise. Will it live up to the original two films in the franchise? Or fall short? Only time will tell. Scream hits theaters on January 14, 2022.
February- Uncharted
After years of delay, change in direction, and production nightmares, the first Uncharted movie, based on the popular game series, is making its way to cinemas everywhere. Tom Holland stars as a younger Nathan Drake, while Mark Walhberg, once cast as Nathan Drake himself, will be playing Drake’s longtime mentor Victor “Sully” Sullivan. Zombieland and Venom helmer Ruben Fleischer is in the director’s seat for this adventure film. This journey is set to hit theaters on February 18,2022.
March- The Batman
The Batman might be the the third reboot of the popular DC comics character, but Matt Reeves’ vision is as unique and clear of a Batman story seemingly ever put to screen. Boasting a cast of Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, Jeffery Wright, and Andy Serkis, the caped crusader is set to return to the cinemas for his first live action solo outing since 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. The Batman hits theaters March 4, 2022.
April- The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage is a meme. Typically his most recent outings have been in less than stellar straight to DVD/streaming releases. However, no matter how many jokes people make, Nicolas Cage is one of the most iconic and greatest actors of all-time. In The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Cage plays himself at one of his lowest points in his career. Strapped for cash, Cage(Nicolas Cage) ends up going to a superfan(Pedro Pascal)’s birthday party, but it takes an unexpected exciting action turn. The film stars Cage, Pascal, and Tiffany Haddish. The film is set for an April 22, 2022 release date.
May- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
After the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Dr. Strange finds himself in multiple universes of madness. Directed by original Spider-Man director Sam Raimi, the sequel to 2016’s Doctor Strange seems to be vital to the future of the MCU, not just in terms of knowledge for the greater Marvel Universe, but also in terms of where the franchise goes post Avengers: Endgame. Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, and Chiwetel Ejiofor return to their respective roles, while there are sure to be many surprise cameos along the way. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits cinemas May 6, 2022.
June- Lightyear
Following the success of the Toy Story franchise, Pixar returns to one of that franchise’s most beloved characters: Buzz Lightyear. Though this Buzz is a little different than the toy everyone is accustomed to. Lightyear follows the origin story of the original Buzz Lightyear, a human astronaut. The film stars Captain America himself Chris Evans in place of longtime Lightyear Tim Allen. Little is known about the project, but with the exciting teaser, it seems like one film to look out for. Audiences can go to infinity and beyond on June 17, 2022.
July- Thor: Love and Thunder
Taika Waititi is back in the director’s chair for the next installment of the Thor franchise. Following the events of Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame, Thor finds himself getting reunited with his ex: Jane Foster. Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Tessa Thompson all return to their roles, and are joined by Academy Award Winner and former Batman, Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher. After successfully restructuring Thor in Ragnarok, Waititi looks to continue his unbelievable film track record. Thor: Love and Thunder releases on July 8, 2022.
August- BROS
While August is light on films, for now, there is an interesting film coming out entitled BROS. Directed by Neighbors director Nicholas Stoller the films stars Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane as two friends or bros that have commitment issues attempting a relationship. The film is co-written by Eichner and Stoller and looks to be a fun rom-com. BROS is set to release on August 12, 2022.
September- Don’t Worry Darling
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After a successful first feature outing with Booksmart, Olivia Wilde is ready to direct her sophomore film. Don’t Worry Darling follows a “1950’s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company may be hiding disturbing secrets,” according to IMDb. The film stars Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Gemma Chan, Nick Kroll, and Olivia Wilde. It is set to release on September 23, 2022.
October- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is now almost four years old, while it is still one of the best Spider-Man films ever to grace cinemas, a sequel to it is on its way in 2022. Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson are set to direct the animated sequel, while Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Dave Callaham are set to pen the script. Returning are Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac, and Jake Johnson. Miles Morales returns in Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse(Part One) on October 7, 2022.
November- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Following the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman during the summer of 2020, director Ryan Coogler is back for the sequel to the blockbuster 2018 film Black Panther. While Boseman will not appear in the film, his presence will be felt in this film as it has been felt in the actual world. Returning are Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Daniel Kaluuya, Martin Freeman, and Angela Bassett with newcomers Tenoch Huerta and Michaela Coel filling out the cast. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters November 11, 2022.
December- Babylon
Academy Award winner Damien Chazelle is back for his next film. Following his 2018 film The First Man, Babylon stars Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Tobey Maguire, and Olivia Wilde. Little is known about the film, but it is rumored to be a period piece during the early days of Hollywood. The film will start its limited run on December 25, 2022.
Those are MXDWN Movies most anticipated movies of 2022. There are plenty other films coming out in 2022 include Mission Impossible 7, Nope, and Till. There are sure to be many surprises as well.
