The beginning of 2024 already gave audiences multiple highly anticipated movies such as Dune 2, Challengers and Civil War. These films grossed highly at the box office and were received well. Although the year is nearly halfway over, countless movies are still set to release throughout the rest of 2024, including several sought-after sequels years in the making. Here are 10 of the most highly anticipated films by fans set to release in the rest of 2024. 

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Directed by: Wes Ball

Starring: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Peter Macon, Eka Darville, and Kevin Durand

Rating: PG-13

Premiering on: May 10

Kingdom of the Plant of the Apes is the sequel to the 2017 film, War for the Planet of the Apes. Set many years after its predecessor, the film follows the new ape societies that have formed after the extinction of humans. Starring voice actors Owen Teague and Kevin Durand, the movie has been highly anticipated as it has been seven years since the previous film’s release. The film premieres May 10 only in theatres. 

Back to Black

Directed by: Sam Taylor-Johnson

Starring: Marisa Abela, Jack O’Connell

Rating: R

Premiering on: May 17

Sam Taylor-Johnson’s Back to Black, a biographical film about the life of Australian singer, Amy Winehouse releases in mid-May. Played by Marisa Abela, the movie follows her life from childhood to adulthood as she puts herself into the world as a singer, performer, and artist. Despite passing away in 2011, Winehouse’s legacy lives on, and her music remains just as popular as in her prime. The film releases on May 17 only in theatres. 

Hit Man

Directed by: Richard Linklater

Starring: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta

Rating: R

Premiering on: June 7

With the growing success of actor Glen Powell, nearly all his recent movies have been huge hits at the box office. However, Hit Man is set to release straight to Netflix in June 2024. The film follows an undercover cop who acts as a hitman but falls in love with a woman (Adria Arjona) who wishes to enlist his services. The action-packed film also features themes of romance and identity. It will be released on June 7 only on Netflix. 

Inside Out 2

Directed by: Kelsey Mann

Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Ayo Edibiri, Maya Hawke, Tony Hale

Rating: PG

Opening on: June 14

Fans of Walt Disney’s original Inside Out film have long anticipated its sequel, Inside Out 2. Nearly nine years later, the film is finally scheduled for release and the trailer alone reached 157 million views in the first 24 hours of release, more than any Disney animated film trailer. The sequel adds new emotions to the mix and fans have been anxious for its release. The film premieres on June 14 in theatres only.

Despicable Me 4

Directed by: Chris Renaud, Patrick Delage

Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan, Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, Joey King, Pierre Coffin

Rating: PG

Opening on: July 3

Despicable Me 4 comes seven years after Despicable Me 3 and fans obviously anticipated another sequel enough to warrant the production of a fourth film. The film follows Gru (Steve Carrell) and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) as they have a child of their own named Gru Jr. along with their three children (Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Madison Sky Polan), and of course, the minions. The film will be released on July 3 only in theatres. 

Deadpool and Wolverine

Directed by: Shawn Levy

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and Leslie Uggams

Rating: R

Opening on: July 26

Deadpool and Wolverine is the third installment of the Deadpool franchise. This sequel features Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) as they unexpectedly cross paths and team up to defeat a common enemy. The film will feature Wolverine for the first time in his traditional yellow and blue spandex suit, as seen in the original Wolverine Marvel Comics. The movie will premiere on July 26 only in theatres. 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Directed by: Tim Burton

Starring: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Belluci, Willem Dafoe

Rating: PG-13

Opening on: September 6

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to Beetlejuice also directed by Tim Burton in 1988. The sequel will feature a new cast, along with familiar faces like Winona Ryder as Lydia and Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice. The film follows the Deetz family as they return to their family home, still haunted by Beetlejuice. Fans of the film have anticipated the return of the franchise for over 35 years and can see the sequel in theatres on Sept. 6. 

Joker: Folie à Deux

Directed by: Todd Phillips

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Rating: R

Opening on: October 4

Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to the 2019 film, Joker. In French, it means “madness of two.” Based on DC Comics, the film mixes romance with a psychological thriller. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as the Joker with Lady Gaga playing his love interest, Harley Quinn. Although director Todd Phillips created Joker to be a standalone film, it earned $1.09 billion on a $55 million budget and left fans wanting more, thus creating a large fanbase for a sequel. The film premieres Oct. 4 only in theatres. 

Moana 2

Directed by: Dave Derrick Jr.

Starring: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Tudyk

Rating: PG

Opening on: November 27

With the large success of the first film, Moana, Moana 2 transformed from an original 2020 television series into a theatrical sequel. The film will reprise the roles of Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) but there are no official casting lists yet from Disney Studios. Disney has yet to release an official plot statement either, however, the film will premiere in theatres on Nov. 27. 

Wicked

Directed by: Jon M. Chu

Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Bronwyn James, Bowen Yang

Opening on: November 27

Wicked started as a musical in 2003 under the same name, starring Kristen Chenworth as Glenda and Idina Menzel as Elphaba. It only gained in popularity since then and the demand for a film adaptation remained high. Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glenda and the film will closely follow the musical with a few changes to better fit movie production. The film is titled Wicked: Part One and is set to be a two-part production, with the second part releasing December 2025. The film premieres the same day as Moana 2, Nov. 27.