2022 Big Movie Preview
Horror Highlights
We are in the midst of a horror renaissance likened to that of the boom period of the genre from the 1970s, and in true renaissance fashion the coming year has a number of should-be superb releases from some of the most interesting and unique filmmakers on the planet. Whether it’s a rebooted franchise, a trilogy-ending film or an entirely original project from a modern auteur, horror cinema has it all in 2022.
Scream (rel. 14 January 2022) – For the first time since the death of its creator and director Wes Craven, the Scream franchise steps out from the dark, Ready or Not directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett reuniting cast regulars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette at the head of a new generation of victims for Ghostface to pick off one by one.
The Northman (rel. 22 April 2022) – The VVitch and The Lighthouse director Robert Eggers returns with another folk-horror film, this time chronicling how far a Viking prince will go to avenge his father. Reuniting the director with Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson and Willem Dafoe, and adding well-respected actors Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke and Alexander Skarsgård, this spring release may not be the awards contender The Lighthouse was but it should be another intriguing endeavour from one of horror cinema’s best filmmakers.
Nope (rel. 22 July 2022) – Being brought to the big screen by new Master of Suspense Jordan Peele (Us), Nope reunites the screenwriter-director with Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya. While details on the project are being kept top secret, the summer release date indicates faith from the film’s studio that it will hit audiences in such a way that they’ll visit in large numbers.
Some more to add to your watchlists (use Letterboxd, we do: /thefilmagazine):
+ Orphan: First Kill (rel. 28 January 2022) – A prequel 13 years in the making, Orphan: First Kill will be directed by Stay Alive director William Brent Bell and chronicle the titular orphan’s road to depravity.
+ Texas Chainsaw Massacre (rel. 18 February 2022) – A new Texas Chainsaw franchise entry from writer Fede Alvarez (director of Don’t Breathe) and director David Blue Garcia (Tejano) starring Elsie Fisher of Eighth Grade fame.
+ 65 (rel. 29 April 2022) – Adam Driver stars as an astronaut who lands on a distant planet only to discover he is not alone. A Quiet Place writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods direct.
+ Halloween Ends (rel. 14 October 2022) – The conclusion of David Gordon Green’s modern Halloween trilogy will see the saga between Michael Myers and Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) finally come to an end.
+ Jeepers Creepers Reborn (rel. 2022) – While the release of this film remains shrouded in uncertainty, the fourth instalment of the Jeepers Creepers series looks set to satisfy those eager to experience more of this intriguing horror villain.
Animation
The juggernauts of animation seemed to barely break a sweat during the quieter than usual box office months of the pandemic era, and yet 2022 remains chock full of potentially magnificent entries from some of the world’s most respected studios. Dreamworks, Pixar, Blue Sky, Sony Pictures Animation, Illumination and Walt Disney Animation are all set to release big budget animated fare in 2022, and these are the films you can look forward to.
The Bob’s Burgers Movie (rel. 27 May 2022) – It’s ‘Bob’s Burgers’, only on the big screen and… a musical! The cast and crew of the TV show return for their long-delayed feature movie, which should certainly be something to remember.
Lightyear (rel. 17 June 2022) – Have you ever wondered who inspired the Buzz Lightyear action figure Andy owns in Toy Story? Well, this origin story from Pixar Animation will explain, with Captain America himself, Chris Evans, set to voice the character in a film directed by Finding Dory co-director Angus MacLane.
Super Mario Bros (rel. 23 December 2022) – This Christmas period release from Illumination Entertainment will be the first Nintendo video game adaptation seen in cinemas for close to thirty years, and will feature an all-star cast led by Chris Pratt as Mario and Charlie Day as Luigi, with Anya-Taylor Joy, Jack Black and Seth Rogen each lending their own expertise to long-familiar characters.
Some more to add to your watchlists (use Letterboxd, we do: /thefilmagazine):
+ The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (rel. 28 January 2022) – One of the best characters from the Ice Age sequels released by Blue Sky Studios will have his own spin-off on Disney Plus in 2022, and Simon Pegg will return to voice him.
+ Turning Red (rel. 11 March 2022) – Pixar have the honour of being Disney’s first animated theatrical release of the year, and will tell of a 13-year-old girl who turns into a giant red panda whenever she gets excited or emotional.
+ The Bad Guys (rel. 22 April 2022) – Dreamworks return to the big screen with this tale of stereotypical bad guys (a wolf, a tarantula, a shark, a piranha and a snake) trading their bad guy ways for a more honest life.
+ DC League of Super-Pets (rel. 20 May 2022) – Dwayne Johnson stars as the voice of Krypto, Superman’s dog, who must team with other super-powered pets to save the world in this upcoming Warner Animation Group 3D animated film.
+ Minions: The Rise of Gru (rel. 1 July 2022) – Finally arriving to screens some two whole years after it was originally intended to, the sequel to the mind-blowing billion dollar movie Minions and prequel to the Despicable Me franchise will tell of 12-year-old Gru’s plans to be a supervillain.
+ Spellbound (rel. 11 November 2022) – This Apple TV+ original animated musical follows Elian who must unite the opposing forces of light and dark within her kingdom.
+ Strange World (rel. 23 November 2022) – Walt Disney Animation’s original action-adventure movie takes inspiration from Pulp magazines and mid-20th century science fiction films.
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