Last year was an incredible time to go to the movies, with so many films across genres releasing only in theaters. From Barbie to Past Lives to American Fiction to Killers of the Flower Moon, it was thrilling to walk up to an actual movie theater, order some popcorn, and watch a new movie without looking at my phone or having the distraction of being at home. While it might be easy to speculate that this year’s movies could never compete, this spring’s line-up might have something to say about that. If you’re a sci-fi fan, one of the biggest releases of the year is happening right now, as Dune: Part Two hits theaters. If you love Taylor Jenkins Reid, get ready because a movie she wrote is on its way. And for animation fans, the latest Pixar movie is sure to make you feel all the emotions all at once. Post-apocalyptic thrillers, biopics, prequels, and a tennis movie starring Zendaya are also coming out this spring. Read on for all the details of the movies everyone’s going to be talking about:
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1. Dune: Part Two
The first part of this epic story came out in 2021 and was released on both Max and in theaters. The second chapter will only be released in theaters, and it’s one you’re going to want to watch on the big screen. The story follows Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, as he seeks revenge for the destruction of his powerful family. Zendaya plays Chani, a warrior and member of the Fremen people who live in the desert. Part Two also brings in new and familiar talent, including Austin Butler and Florence Pugh. If you love sci-fi with a little bit of romance and a lot of thrills, this movie is for you.
2. Love Lies Bleeding
Love Lies Bleeding stars Kristen Stewart, who has taken on incredible roles since her Twilight days, as Lou and Katy O’Brian, who you might have caught in The Mandalorian, as Jackie. The story was written by Rose Glass and Weronika Tofilska and directed by Glass. When Lou, a gym manager, falls for Jackie, a bodybuilder passing through town, things get complicated and dangerous with Lou’s criminal family. Part thriller and part mystery, the movie is full of action and romance and is sure to keep us guessing until the end.
3. Riddle of Fire
The trailer for Riddle of Fire intrigued me because it’s giving Stranger Things (without the sci-fi) meets Now and Then vibes, if there can be such a thing. It follows the story of three kids who embark on a quest to bake a blueberry pie for their ailing mother. When they attempt to track down all the ingredients, they encounter challenges along the way. Making its way through the film festival circuit, this film has the potential to capture hearts and make us laugh as we relive our own childhood adventures.
4. Mickey 17
While the teaser trailer doesn’t give much away, what we do know is that Mickey 17 is the next film by director and writer Bong Joon Ho, who brought us the multiple Academy Award-winning movie Parasite from 2020. His new movie is a sci-fi space drama that deals with cryogenic freezing and stars Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Steve Yuen, and Naomi Ackie. If it’s anything like Bong Joon Ho’s previous movies, it will keep us on the edge of our seats and remain mysterious until release day.
5. Wicked Little Letters
This strange period-piece meets comedic romp stars Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman. Directed by Thea Sharrock, the British film has mystery detective and absurdist comedy vibes and follows the story of the 1920s seaside town of Littlehampton, where residents suddenly receive a batch of letters containing preposterous profanities. When people complain, one resident gets blamed and investigated. My hunch is that anyone who liked The Favourite will like this movie.
6. Monkey Man
This action-packed thriller was written and directed by Dev Patel, who first entered the spotlight starring in the acclaimed movie Slumdog Millionaire in 2008. Monkey Man will be Patel’s directorial debut and is produced by Jordan Peele, who brought us Get Out and Nope. The story follows a man (played by Patel) who works in an underground fight club and eventually discovers a way to seek revenge on the people who took everything from him. This movie is for anyone who gets a thrill out of huge stunts, chase scenes, and high stakes.
7. Civil War
Civil War was written and directed by Alex Garland, who also wrote 28 Days Later and Ex Machina. The story takes place at the height of a modern American civil war, where a group of journalists embark on a dangerous trip across the country. The actors involved include Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, and Stephen McKinley Henderson. The movie will premiere at the South by Southwest Festival in mid-March before releasing to the public in April and has already been predicted to pack a haunting and powerful experience for audiences.
8. Challengers
Zendaya will star in not one but two films this spring, including her performance in Challengers. The movie also stars Josh O’Connor (who pops up in many British dramas and romances, including The Crown) and Mike Faist (who played Riff in the most recent West Side Story.) The plot follows Zendaya’s character Tashi, a rising tennis star who gets injured and becomes a coach. I love a tennis redemption film, and this one promises to deliver, with the addition of a seriously tangled love triangle.
9. The Fall Guy
At first glance, this movie seems like a story about a stuntman and a director who had a fling and now have to work together on a film, but it actually has a surprising twist. The movie stars Ryan Gosling as the stuntman and Emily Blunt as the director and reminds me a little bit of The Lost City when Gosling’s character is tasked with finding the star of the movie they’re working on before the film is ruined. Both characters end up going on an epic adventure to stay alive, finish the movie, and maybe even fall in love. It’s comedic and fun and is definitely a movie that Ken of Barbie would be excited to star in.
10. Back to Black
This is a musician biopic that tells the story of the rise of iconic British singer Amy Winehouse, who tragically died in 2011. Marisa Abela stars as Winehouse and portrays the character from adolescence to adulthood, including the period in which she created her best-selling album, Back to Black. The movie is sure to give audiences a look into Winehouse’s story, her creative process, and what inspired her famous songs.
11. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
If you saw Mad Max: Fury Road back in 2015, you’ll likely remember Charlize Theron’s character Furiosa. This new movie focuses on Furiosa’s backstory and is a prequel to the previous film. The movie stars Anya Taylor-Joy, of The Queen’s Gambit and Dune: Part Two, who plays the title character, and Chris Hemsworth of Thor fame. The storyline will follow Furiosa as she is taken from her family and works to get back home, surviving the wild post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max.
12. The Watchers
This movie is exciting because it’s written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter, Ishana Shyamalan. The story is based on the book by A.M. Shine and takes on the thriller, mystery, and horror genres, much like M. Night Shyamalan, who is producing the movie and became famous for movies like The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. Dakota Fanning stars in the movie as Mina, who gets trapped in a room in a woodland area with three strangers as they’re watched by mysterious creatures outside. My prediction: The ending will have a huge twist.
13. Inside Out 2
Seeing as how the opening music in the trailer already has me in tears, I can tell this is going to be yet another heartfelt, funny, and pivotal Pixar film. The original Inside Out told the story of the personified emotions inside the head of young Riley: anger, disgust, fear, joy, and sadness, as Riley moved to a new town and started to grow up. Inside Out 2 will dive into Riley’s mind as a new emotion is introduced: anxiety. If it’s anything like the first movie, I will be sobbing and laugh-crying through the whole thing.
14. The Bikeriders
Since his breakout role in Elvis, Austin Butler seems to be everywhere, and this film is no exception. The movie also stars Jodie Comer of Killing Eve and Tom Hardy. It tells the story of a Chicago motorcycle club across a decade as their way of life changes due to an outside threat. Set in the 1960s, the feeling of the movie reminds me of The Outsiders, a film from the early 1980s that put a packed cast of stars like Tom Cruise and Patrick Swayze on the map.
15. A Quiet Place: Day One
If you’re a fan of the first two A Quiet Place movies, created by John Krasinski and starring Krasinski and Emily Blunt, then this prequel is something you’ll want to see. The story will take place beginning on day one of when the world went quiet, explaining the origin of the disaster. Starring Lupita N’yango, Djimon Hounsou, and Joseph Quinn, the movie is sure to provide the scares and thrills that these stories have become known for.
