Other than watching the movie itself, there is nothing more exciting than anticipating what could be for upcoming releases scattered throughout the year. With an otherwise mediocre January for new releases besides Scream (2022) and virtual Sundance screenings, 2022 won’t be kicking off until Uncharted finally hits cinemas after a handful of delays. Moonfall, Jackass Forever, and Death on the Nile are great appetizers, but from here on out we should be rushing to the theater week in and week out. Which is a refreshing change of pace after nearly two years of delays and thin weekend releases besides an absolutely stacked last quarter of 2021. It looks like we’re returning to some semblance of normalcy with a handful of trailers primed to debut during Super Bowl 56 that have locked in release dates. Barring any curveballs, 2022 should be a stellar year of moviegoing, and my anticipation for some of these films couldn’t be higher.
Honorable Mentions:
Ambulance - Michael Bay
Men - Alex Garland
Across the Spider-verse - Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
Jurassic World: Dominion - Colin Trevorrow
Jurassic Park is a staple of our lives. Spielberg’s scope and skill is virtually unmatched, and the legacy of it is towering. Sure, maybe it’s spawned a couple sequels that don’t quite get it done, but the affinity I have for this franchise is far from being worn out. Fallen Kingdom had a surprising amount of heart in it that reminded me of the original, and the inclusion of German expressionism elevated the material in ways I found rewarding as a lifelong fan. With Colin Trevorrow slated to return to the franchise as the director, some of that excitement has waned considering how frustratingly normal he is in comparison to Spielberg and Bayona. Despite that, Jurassic World: Dominion should be anything but watchable and filled to the brim with silly plot mechanics and a smidge of joy. Bring on more dinosaurs.
The Batman - Matt Reeves
For the last two years I’ve been anything but enthusiastic about another Batman film. Not because I’ve pledged my allegiance to Zack Snyder, but the market is so saturated with Batman, that anything else being made would be a better option. Taking it for what it is, it exists, it’s coming out (finally), The Batman looks like a solid entry in the Hollywood legacy of Batman. Robert Pattinson is a great choice, Matt Reeves seems to have a grasp on what type of story he wants to tell, and Greig Fraser behind the camera seems to be making the most of their 100 million dollar budget. This is the only superhero movie since BVS that looks like it’s making the most out of its money, and when you consider this was a COVID shoot, disaster could strike, but all signs are pointing towards a thrilling three hour epic. I hope it lands.
Killers of the Flower Moon - Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese being attached to anything should immediately pique the interest of moviegoers. With The Irishman and Silence harnessing late stage Scorsese reflecting on a life filled with faith and crime, his attempt at taking on the birth of the FBI through the murders of Osage members in the 1920s seems like a dicey detour. That shouldn’t come with any hesitation because Scorsese is one of the greatest ever, and his talents rarely fail to meet expectations. Teaming up with De Niro, DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons, and Lily Gladstone should peg Killers of the Flower Moon as one of the biggest films to watch around Awards season later this year. Scorsese always makes noise, but will he finally strike gold again?
After Yang - Kogonada
For some of you, this may be the first time you’re hearing of After Yang, for others, the follow up to Kogonada’s Columbus has been a long time coming. His patient and deeply personal take on the infrastructure of the human body and mind was an emotional revelation. It instantly catapulted him to being a director we should keep an eye on moving forward, and After Yang seems to exclaim that he’s more than a one hit wonder. After premiering at the Cannes Film Festival last year, and throughout Sundance just a few short weeks ago, there has been universal acclaim for this film. It stars Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Haley Lu Richardson, and is scheduled for a limited release alongside The Batman. Not bad for a guy who started out as a video essayist who is madly in love with the style and talents of Yasujiro Ozu. Maybe I can be that guy one day too. I can’t wait.
The Northman - Robert Eggers
I don’t believe there is another film releasing this year that I could be more excited for. Following his horror hits in The Lighthouse and The Witch, Eggers is teaming up with Alexander Skarsgard to bring tenth century Iceland to life in an epic revenge tale centered around Viking prince, Amleth. The style, tone, approach, and execution of Eggers gives me a resounding sense of fulfillment each time I’ve finished one of his works. The black and white windows of The Lighthouse are daring compliments to the voids of deep blacks in The Witch, and his ability to pick away at his audience is unnerving. I don’t anticipate The Northman to be a horrifying film, but it should have shades of his signatures, as well as elevating his craft beyond. He’s only two films deep, but with The Northman shaping up to be something exciting, and rumblings of this project essentially funding his passion project with his take on Nosferatu, Robert Eggers is primed to become a staple of moviegoing in the 2020s.