Scream

Summary: After a ten-year-long hiatus, Ghostface makes a terrifying comeback in this “requel” (a movie that functions somewhere between a remake, reboot, and a sequel). The Scream franchise has always been openly meta and self-aware of the slasher sub-genre it operates under. However, this 2022 film ups the ante through the introduction of a new set of rules that the masked killer(s) abides by. Moreover, this fifth installment of Scream introduces a new generation of scream queens, such as Jenna Ortega and Jasmin Savoy Brown, while still staying true to the series’ authentic roots with the return of the original Woodsboro survivors.

Premieres: January 14

The Worst Person in the World

*I feel like I’m a spectator in my own life.*

Summary: The coming-of-age genre usually feels as if it is primarily reserved for teenagers transitioning from middle school to high school, or high school into adulthood. It’s not often that a coming-of-age film will capture the lives of late twenty-somethings still having trouble figuring things out but The Worst Person in the World does just that. We follow Julie as she grows and stumbles over the span of four years, balancing the likes of a turbulent love life and unknown career path. The beauty of the film and its characters is that they are by no means good or perfect people. They do not have their lives all laid out and are on their own individual quests to search for deeper meaning and purpose.

Premieres: February 4

The Batman

Summary: The Batman makes a grim and gritty return to Gotham City on a mission to capture the sadistic serial killer, the Riddler, who has been on a murder spree of the city’s most elite members. However, his investigation to serve justice to this metropolis creates an unpredictable torment of his own as he begins to uncover a trail of corruption possibly leading back to his immediate familial line. Forging new relationships with allies who share a similar drive for sweet vengeance, this brooding billionaire vigilante swoops back into this reboot with an insatiable craving to put his enemy behind bars and confront his own dark instincts within.

Premieres: March 4

The Northman

*I will save you, father. I will save you, mother. I will kill you, Fjölnir.*

Summary: Following the critical acclaim of his previous two films, The Lighthouse (2019) and The Witch (2015), Robert Eggers certainly does not settle down with the upcoming release of his latest action-filled epic, The Northman. The film has an undeniably star-studded cast with the likes of actors and actresses including Anya Taylor Joy, Willem Defoe, Alexander Skarsgård, and even the multi-hyphenate Björk. Taken place in tenth-century Iceland, a Nordic prince is on a blood-thirsty quest for revenge upon the murder of the king — his father. No matter the time or cost, Amleth will stop at nothing to seek justice and reclaim his birthright to the throne.

Premieres: April 22

Elvis

Summary: The King of Rock n’ Roll is brought back to the stage in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic film about one of the most significant cultural icons of the twentieth century — that is, Elvis Presley. From a dirt-poor nobody to global superstar phenomenon, this story recounts this legend’s rapid, yet turbulent rise while also exploring the detrimental political and cultural turmoil of America at the time. The film is set to star Austin Butler as the titular role as well as Tom Hanks, who plays the singer’s controversial manager Colonel Tom Parks, documenting the complex relationship they had over the course of Elvis’s everlasting career.

Premieres: June 24

Nope

Summary: Jordan Peele has everyone’s heads turning in his latest horror film, Nope, featuring the beloved Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun, as well as Get Out’s very own Daniel Kaluuya. All seems to be going well as two caretakers successfully run a Black-owned horse farm that trains horses for Hollywood productions. That is, until what appears to be a UFO mysteriously lands before them. In an unexpected turn of events, an even greater ominous threat flashes across the sky, suddenly affecting the behavior of both humans and animals, abducting them and everything that stands in their path. The question that Peele has everyone asking is, what does it all mean?

Premieres: July 22

Don’t Worry Darling

Summary: Set in the 1950s, Harry Styles and Florence Pugh glamorously grace the screen as husband and wife in this upcoming psychological thriller. Upon settling down in a new utopian experimental community, this housewife begins to sense that this idyllic suburbia may not be as picture-perfect as it makes itself out to be, with her husband’s company at the top of her suspicions. Though an official trailer has not been released, Olivia Wilde offers eager fans a glimpse into this twisted, steamy flick in a teaser clip that was released across the director’s social media a year before the intended official release.

Premieres: September 23

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)

Summary: Swinging into a theater near you is Miles Morales, back with familiar friends as well as a brand new team of Spider-People who come together across the Multiverse to face a villain much more powerful than they could have ever expected. Though Sony and Marvel have yet to reveal much information about this upcoming animated superhero film, you can be sure to expect a continuation of groundbreaking art techniques and styles, stellar soundtrack choices, and even a certain promise for a third installment in the Spider-Verse film franchise. For now, putting Post Malone and Swae Lee’s “Sunflower” on loop should keep you in the Spider-Man spirit while we wait for Part One and Two to release.

Premieres: October 7

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Summary: Marvel has announced that The Black Panther saga will continue in its sequel Wakanda Forever following the passing of the great Chadwick Boseman. However, rather than having a new actor fill the role of King T’Challa, the new movie will primarily focus on other characters important to the world of Wakanda, such as Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and his sister Shuri (Letitia Wright).” There has been much speculation focused on who would now don the suit, with Shuri being the likeliest candidate. Though our questions may not yet be answered, Wakanda Forever will surely be a memorable tribute in honor of the legendary Boseman whose role as the Black Panther has served as an important pop culture icon within the Black community.

Premieres: November 11

Avatar 2

Summary: James Cameron’s long-awaited sequel to his groundbreaking animated/live-action film Avatar is nearly here after over a decade in the making. The director has alluded that the upcoming film will focus on Jake Sully and Neytiri’s family after they have adopted a human son, Spider. However, their peaceful family life is compromised when they are forced to leave their home and venture into the regions of Pandora upon the resurfacing of an ancient threat — the sea-faring Metkayina clan. Avatar 2 will continue to explore the depths of the extrasolar moon, Pandora, introducing us to completely new environments, cultures, and life forms we have never seen before.

Premieres: December 22

Honorable Mentions:

Kimi — February 10

X — March 18

Everything Everywhere All At Once — March 25

Legally Blonde 3 — May 20

Where the Crawdads Sing — June 24

Thor: Love and Thunder — July 8

Knives Out 2 — Autumn 2022

Halloween Ends — October 14

“Untitled Mario Movie” — December 21

Babylon — December 25

2022 Watchlist: Most Anticipated Films Releasing This Year