The State of 2024’s Blockbuster Release Dates After the Strike
With SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP reaching a tentative deal on Wednesday, Hollywood production is preparing to resume as quickly as humanly possible, with studios in a mad dash to get their tentpoles ready to go. The industry has been preparing for a horse-trading session the last month or so, as studios have tried to figure out how to balance which productions to prioritize with actors’ promotional commitments, all while attempting to rescue the 2024 slate of blockbusters that went unfinished during the strike.
There have been waves of films shifting their release dates due to the strike, with Disney pushing two major Marvel movies out of 2024 entirely and Sony delaying “Venom 3” to November.
So where does the slate stand right now? TheWrap spoke to multiple individuals at the major studios to get an update on which tentpoles they feel will make their release dates, and which ones are in danger of being delayed.
“Madame Web” (Sony)
Release Date: February 14, 2024
Dakota Johnson stars as a clairvoyant mutant opposite Sydney Sweeney, Emma Roberts and Isabela Merced in the “Spider-Man” spin-off film. Despite Sony moving several of their other superhero movies, they haven’t announced the film will shift from its Valentine’s Day release date, a date it received after previously moving from July to October of 2023. The movie finished production in November of 2022, so now that its actors can promote it, this should be the first comic book movie for the studio in 2024.
“The Fall Guy” (Universal)
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Director David Leitch’s action rom-com “The Fall Guy,” starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt is expected to hit its release date on time. Not only did Universal release the film’s trailer recently during the strike, but production was completed in August and the studio is no doubt eager to get its A-list stars out there.
“Dune: Part 2” (Warner Bros.)
Release Date: March 15, 2024
Fans have been waiting to return to Arakis and revisit the saga of House Atreides. They have just a bit longer to wait but, make no mistake, “Dune: Part 2” is coming. The big budget feature was one of the first major tentpoles to shift its release date in the wake of the SAG-AFTRA strike, moving out of a prime November slot, perfect for awards consideration, into the middle of March. There’s no doubt the movie will maintain course. It wrapped up filming in October of 2022 and has been ready to go since October of 2023. It just needs its stars to go out there and hustle for it.
“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (Sony)
Release Date: March 29, 2024
The Ghostbusters are back with a brand new adventure. Director Gil Kenan takes point on this sequel to the 2021 feature “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” All signs point to this being good to go for its March 29 release date, with Sony releasing the first trailer for it on Wednesday. The film reunites Paul Rudd, McKenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard from the first film to defeat an ancient evil that sees Ghostbusters past and present reunite.
“Kung Fu Panda 4” (Universal)
Release Date: March 29, 2024
The fourth installment in the animated “Kung Fu Panda” universe is set to be the second-to-last DreamWorks Animation feature with Chris Meledandri as executive producer. The film had a splashy presence at CinemaCon in April, with star Jack Black describing the plot of the movie: Po is set to become the new spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, but before he can do that, he must find a successor to become the new Dragon Warrior. The movie has just entered post-production and barring any upsets, should be safe to make its late March release date.
“Mickey 17” (Warner Bros.)
Release Date: March 29. 2024
Nothing is known about the plot of Bong Joon Ho’s latest film, “Mickey 17.” It stars Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun and Naomie Ackie and is based on Edward Ashton’s novel. The novel tells the story of a man on an expedition sent to colonize an ice world. After one version dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. A brief teaser dropped in December of 2022 and the film has been in post-production for all of 2023 so all signs point to it being ready to go. The only monkey wrench could be if Warner Bros. wants to distance it from its other futuristic sci-fi film, “Dune: Part 2” which opens two weeks earlier.
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” (Warner Bros.)
Release Date: April 12, 2024
The latest in director Adam Wingard’s monsters universe is, according to an individual with knowledge of release plans, still intending to keep its April release date. The film moved to April 12 in the wake of “Dune: Part 2” vacating its release date, taking the slot originally planned for the animated “Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” which is still set to open on Dec. 13, 2024. “Godzilla” has been in post-production for all of 2023 and should be more than able to finish up for its debut.
“If” (Paramount)
Release Date: May 17, 2024
Director John Krasinski’s latest tells the story of a young girl who can see people’s forgotten imaginary friends, a far cry from his dark work helming the “Quiet Place” series. An individual close to production said the studio anticipated the strike would end before Thanksgiving and isn’t planning to change any release dates moving forward. The film presented its first footage at CinemaCon earlier in the year so it looks like filming is already completed.
“Furiosa” (Warner Bros.)
Release Date: May 24, 2024
George Miller’s Furiosa prequel starring Anya Taylor-Joy is keeping its prime May release date. The film, costarring Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke, already dealt with its fair share of troubles during production, initially being shut down due to the pandemic. Shooting started in June of 2022 and wrapped in October, so Miller has been fine-tuning the film in post-production for the duration of 2023.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (Disney)
Release Date: May 24, 2024
The effects-heavy continuation in the long-running “Planet of the Apes” franchise looks to be good to go for May. Disney CEO Bob Iger hyped the film as a top priority for promotion during the company’s earnings call on Wednesday, championing it as part of a restructuring of the studio’s movies that emphasizes quality, not quantity. The Wes Ball-directed film also debuted its first trailer on Nov. 2, and was not one of the many films Disney shuffled around the release calendar this week. So it’s good to go.
“Garfield” (Sony)
Release Date: May 24, 2024
Everyone’s favorite orange cat is back, now voiced by Chris Pratt after his success voicing Mario for Universal. The film, directed by Mark Dindal of “Chicken Little” fame, shouldn’t have any trouble keeping its release date. The film’s voice cast, which includes Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong and Samuel L. Jackson, was finalized in August of 2022 and the animation process started in early March of 2023.
“Ballerina” (Lionsgate)
Release Date: June 7, 2024
Lionsgate declined to comment about any updates to their 2024 slate, but things certainly look good. They have their “John Wick” spin-off feature “Ballerina” debuting in a prime summer spot. The film stars Ana de Armas as a young female assassin seeking revenge on the people who murdered her family. The film rounded its cast out around December of 2022 and was in production around that time, wrapping up in early 2023. Considering there’s still seven months until release, the movie should be prepped to go for June.
“Inside Out 2” (Disney)
Release Date: June 14, 2024
The sequel to the 2015 Pixar animated feature was also cited as upcoming by Bob Iger during the recent earnings call and released its first trailer on Nov. 9 introducing a new emotion in heroine Riley’s head, Anxiety, set to be voiced by Maya Hawke. A Disney spokesperson told TheWrap the June release date is sticking.
“Bad Boys 4” (Sony)
Release Date: June 14, 2024
Martin Lawrence and Will Smith are getting together for another installment of their popular “Bad Boys” franchise. The film was shut down during the strike with only a few weeks of filming left to go. Though Sony delayed “Venom 3” to November of 2024, the studio opted not to shift “Bad Boys,” signaling that they believe it’ll hit the June date just fine.
“A Quiet Place: Day One” (Paramount)
Release Date: June 28, 2024
Alongside his other feature, “If,” Krasinski will also have another installment in his “A Quiet Place” franchise debuting (although he’s not directing this one). “A Quiet Place: Day One” follows Lupita Nyong’o, playing a new character, having to navigate a world where monsters attack anything that makes noise. The film also stars Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou and Denis O’Hare. Filming wrapped in April 2023 and Krasinski was able to show a sizzle reel at CinemaCon earlier this year, so this should be more than good to go for late June.
“Horizon: An American Saga” (Warner Bros.)
Release Date: June 28, 2024
Kevin Costner’s American West opus, “Horizon,” should have no trouble sticking to its late June release, for Part One anyway. The film, which Costner is directing, writing and starring in, marks a 15-year journey through the American West pre and post-Civil War. It’s said to be Costner’s dream project, causing a rift between him and “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan as the shooting schedule for “Horizon” conflicted with the popular television drama Costner stars in. Chapter One is done, according to sources with knowledge of the project, though Chapter Two — which already has a release date of August 16th, 2024 — was still filming at the time of shutdown. Either way, Warner Bros. looks to be all in with Costner’s epic Western and we should see, at least the first installment, on time.
“Despicable Me 4” (Universal)
Release Date: July 3, 2024
Steve Carell’s villainous Gru is back for another adventure in “Despicable Me 4.” Nothing is known about the plot and the July 3 release date was set way back in February of 2022. Universal looks to be keeping that with sources saying the film is good to go.
“Twisters” (Universal)
Release Date: July 19, 2024
The sequel to the 1996 Jan de Bont-directed feature about storm chasers hunting down tornadoes is one of the more highly anticipated films of next year. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell play the twister chasers for a new generation opposite Kiernan Shipka and a pre-Superman David Corenswet. An individual with knowledge of the production told TheWrap that “Twisters” is a high priority for the studio and will take a few weeks to get back up and running, but will complete shooting by December to make its release date.
“Deadpool 3” (Disney)
Release Date: July 26, 2024
“Deadpool 3” will certainly be out this summer. The third installment follows the famous “merc with a mouth” played by Ryan Reynolds. But little is known other than he’s set to team up with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. (Oh, and maybe Taylor Swift is in it.) The film is considered Disney’s top priority, which had to shut down production halfway through shooting. The studio confirmed that production will resume before Thanksgiving. But less than a day after the SAG-AFTRA strike was declared over, the studio announced the film would move from May to a late July date.
“Trap” (Warner Bros.)
Release Date: August 2, 2024
“Trap” marks the first M. Night Shyamalan movie included as part of his new multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Absolutely nothing is known about the movie’s plot but this and “The Watchers,” the directorial debut of Shyamalan’s daughter, are both planning to stick to their release date according to individuals with knowledge of the studio’s plans. Shyamalan was working under an interim agreement because he self-finances his films, so the movie saw no delay in production.
“Alien: Romulus” (Disney)
Release Date: August 16, 2024
“Don’t Breathe” director Fede Alvarez is the next to enter the world of the “Alien” franchise, originally started by Ridley Scott in 1979. Little is known about this new adventure, short of a group of young people go out into space and no doubt meet the alien of the title. “Priscilla” star Cailee Spaeny is spearheading this installment alongside Isabela Merced. Though Disney announced several release date changes on Thursday, this was not included on the list. Filming wrapped in July.
“Kraven the Hunter” (Sony)
Release Date: August 30, 2024
This is all but assured to hit its release date. “Kraven the Hunter,” the “Spider-Man” spinoff focused on the titular big-game hunter, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, was one of the first films to push its release date out of 2023 when the strike started to linger on into the fall. The film is finished but needed its leading man to promote it, alongside co-stars Russell Crowe and Ariana DeBose, so it was shuttled out of its Oct. 6 release to a prime Labor Day weekend spot.
“Beetlejuice 2” (Warner Bros.)
Release Date: September 6, 2024
The long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 feature film is hotly anticipated in spite of us knowing nothing about the plot short of it reuniting the original’s “strange and unusual” Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) with the “ghost with the most” Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton). “Wednesday” star Jenna Ortega will play Lydia’s daughter. The film’s cinematographer told TheWrap back in August that the film was a story about family, and director Tim Burton had previously said there was only a little bit left to shoot before production shut down. An individual close to production told TheWrap there were exactly two days left to shoot and that filming will start up as soon as Burton and the cast can get back on-set. There shouldn’t be any problem making it to September.
“Joker: Folie a Deux” (Warner Bros.)
Release Date: October 4, 2024
Todd Phillips’ “Joker” sequel has been long in the making but fans are eager to see the return of Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck, aka the Joker. This go-round he’s joined by his best girl in crime, Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga. The movie wrapped in April of 2023, with Phillips posting a photo on Instagram to mark the occasion. It will have no trouble hitting its premiere date.
“Smile 2” (Paramount)
Release Date: October 18, 2024
Little is known about Parker Finn’s follow-up to his successful horror debut, “Smile.” The original followed a psychiatrist who witnesses a horrific incident and then is followed an entity that manifests through people smiling. The original film amassed $200 million at the box office and propelled Finn into becoming a new voice in horror. Individuals close to production told TheWrap that the studio isn’t planning to change any of its release dates, and it doesn’t appear that the film ever started filming. Considering the first movie completed production in a little over a month, this should be able to ramp up quickly for its spooky season premiere.
“Gladiator 2” (Paramount)
Release Date: November 22, 2024
Ridley Scott’s sequel to his 2000 Oscar-winning film could be the awards contender of 2024 once it finishes shooting. The film, starring Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal was halfway through production in Malta when it shut down. Since then, much like “Deadpool 3,” the sets have been protected and it’s planned to immediately resume production once Scott is finished promoting his latest film, “Napoleon.” But keep in mind that Scott famously reshot multiple scenes featuring Kevin Spacey with replacement Christopher Plummer for “All the Money in the World” mere weeks before it released. The man works quickly.
“Wicked: Part One“ (Universal)
Release Date: November 27, 2024
The long-gestating adaptation of the successful Broadway musical about the Wicked Witch of the West only had two weeks left to shoot on both Part One and Part Two. Director Jon M. Chu posted to Instagram back in July that, “we will finish properly strong when the time is right.” It’s unknown when production will resume but individuals close to production have told TheWrap that because both movies were filming simultaneously, each only needs a few more pieces to film before completion. Part One should more than make its release date while Part Two won’t even arrive till Nov. 26, 2025.
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” (Paramount)
Release Date: December 20, 2024
There’s absolutely nothing known about the next installment in the “Sonic the Hedgehog” series, short of it bringing back Ben Schwartz as the voice of the titular hedgehog, as well as Idris Elba as Knuckles and James Marsden as Tom. The film was said to be before cameras starting at the end of August without actors, but it’s not currently known how far into production and animation it’s gotten. Individuals close to production told TheWrap that Paramount planned for the strike to resolve before Thanksgiving and isn’t altering course on anything, so it’s possible animation work has been happening while waiting for actors to get to set.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” (Disney)
Release Date: December 20, 2024
Disney’s CGI sequel to “The Lion King” has been shrouded in mystery, short of the fact that it’s being directed by Barry Jenkins and follows a now King Simba as he teaches his own son about the Pride Lands while simultaneously exploring the origins of Simba’s father, Mufasa. It’s unclear how far into production the feature had gotten or if the voice cast, led by Aaron Pierre as Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison, Jr. as Taka, recorded their lines. Disney declined to comment on their 2024 slate but did push the film to a late December release.
“Untitled Jordan Peele Movie” (Universal)
Release Date: December 25, 2024
No surprise that Jordan Peele’s fourth directorial outing is deeply under wraps and if his previous films are anything to go off of we probably won’t know anything until it debuts on a big screen. Individuals with knowledge told TheWrap the impact of the strike on Peele’s film is unknown, but Universal is keeping the release date.
Umberto Gonzalez, Jeremy Fuster, Drew Taylor and Scott Mendelson contributed to this article.
The post The State of 2024’s Blockbuster Release Dates After the Strike appeared first on TheWrap.
