As the Summer comes to a close, our team is looking ahead to the rest of the films coming in 2022. Here, we discuss our top five choices!
It’s September, and that means the start of the Fall Movie Season (even as we’re still waiting on Summer heat to give us a break). From blockbusters, family films, to Oscar contenders, the last few months of the year are almost always packed with movies for everyone to enjoy.
As we’ve done in years past, we’ve tasked some of our staff with narrowing down the films they’re most excited to see for the remainder of the year:
Jordan
Avatar: The Way of Water – I, unabashedly, love James Cameron’s Avatar. It’s a film on a (semi) regular viewing rotation for me. I know it’s not for everyone, and as the years have gone on, it’s become somewhat popular to hate…But folks, a movie doesn’t become the highest grossing film of all time, while setting the record for fastest movie to a $1 billion without a lot of people enjoying it. Regardless, I’m eager to finally return to Pandora and see if Cameron can recapture that magic.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – I was already looking forward to seeing the Black Panther sequel, not only because it’s a Marvel film, but I’m genuinely curious to see how they move forward. Based on that ridiculously impressive first trailer, my hype has jumped to dangerous levels. The way they’re handling the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman feels reverent and I’m already dreading the amount of tissues I’m going to need to make it through.
Halloween Ends – The Halloween reboot films have been pretty damn great. The first one in 2018 is almost a blueprint on how horror reboots should be handled. While not everyone was as thrilled with Halloween Kills, I enjoyed it for the gnarly kills and expansion on the overall story. I’m eager to see if these filmmakers can stick the landing with this trilogy. The trailer was pretty damn great, so let’s keep those fingers crossed!
The Woman King – I know the wait for this one isn’t much longer now, but The Woman King absolutely deserves a spot on this list. From the first images, this movie has caught my attention, and the trailer continues to impress. I’ve seen it several times, but just recently caught it in theaters on the big screen and had chills the entire time.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio – I’ll be the first to tell people, I’m not necessarily a big fan of the Pinocchio story. I’ve seen all kinds of takes on it, but none of them really work for me. That said, I LOVE Guillermo del Toro and LOVE stop-motion animation. Combining the two together, bringing a unique style/flair, has me on board to give this version of the story a watch.
Garrett
The Banshees of Inisherin – The last time director Martin McDonough got together with Colin Ferrell and Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges), it was spectacular. Since then, the director known for making charming dark comedies went outside of his comfort zone (Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri), and THAT film was great too. I’m very excited to see what he does next. This one feels more like a return to his roots, but certainly will incorporate everything he has added to his craft since then. Add the rising star of Barry Keoghan into the mix and you have all the ingredients for an entertaining, impactful, and unique film.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Everyone is interested to see how Ryan Coogler, the director of one of the most heralded Marvel movies to date, moves on without Chadwick Boseman for the sequel. I’m intrigued to see how not only he builds upon what he has accomplished so far, but if the film exceeds its predecessor. They could have easily said they weren’t going to make another, but they did. It’s a very tall task, but Coogler is an incredible talent and I can’t wait to see what he and his cast/crew can do.
Avatar: The Way of the Water – Ah yes, the sequel we’ve been waiting 10 years for, but nobody really seems that excited for it. I, for one, am intrigued. Maybe not excited, but interested enough. First, I am a huge fan of James Cameron, and will pay to see whatever he deems worthy to attach his name to. But second, and most importantly, Cameron has been in this position before. In fact, all of his films felt like they had some sort of general suspicion levied against them before they came out, only to become huge, massive successes. I want to see how he tops himself yet again.
Babylon – Speaking of directors whose films have been nothing but fantastic, Damien Chazelle has a new film coming out starring Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt. But more than just a stellar cast and director, the premise of this film is what REALLY has me excited. This will be a period drama set in Hollywood as the film industry is dealing with the transition away from silent films, something I have always been fascinated in. With so many films obsessed with the Golden era of Hollywood or the 60’s/70’s, I can’t wait to see this time period shown on the big screen.
Amsterdam – David O. Russel’s star has lost some of its luster over the years, but I have still been interested in his work. I am a big fan of historical dramas and mysteries, and this film seems to be both. I also love classic noir, and the 30’s setting of this film places it smack in the middle of that period and I want to see how the film incorporates those elements. Add in an incredible cast (as usual for Russel’s films) and you have something that feels intriguing on multiple levels.
Becky
Don’t Worry Darling – Of all the movies coming out this fall, Don’t Worry Darling is one of the films that intrigues me the most. I’ve been a big fan of Florence Pugh since I saw her in Midsommar and I’m eager to see what she brings to the table with this story. Every time I see the trailers for this movie, it feels like there’s some big secret hiding in plain sight and I’m curious to see what that secret is.
Halloween Ends – After the bombshell that was dropped at the end of Halloween Kills, I’ve been itching to see how the story that began in 2018 concludes with Halloween Ends. While I still feel the original film is the best, I love how the story of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode has been rebooted and reworked. I’m also very interested in seeing this film because I’m not entirely convinced the story is going to have a “happy” ending, this is the world of Halloween after all.
The Menu – I first saw the trailer for The Menu a few months ago and I’ve been intrigued by the film ever since. It follows a young couple who travel to a remote location to dine at an obscenely exclusive restaurant where it’s made very clear that there’s something not quite right with the chef or the cuisine. Even though I’m pretty sure I know what the twist is, the story looks intriguing enough that I want to check it out anyway.
Black Adam – I admit, I’m a sucker for just about any movie that has Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in it. I don’t know much of anything about the character Black Adam, but the trailers have looked really cool and it may just be enough to get me to give the DCEU another look.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish – Puss in Boots is one of my favorite characters from the Shrek sequels, so naturally I’m very interested in seeing Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which sees the swashbuckling cat in quite the predicament as he’s down to the last of his nine lives. Puss ends up going on one last adventure when he finds himself pursued by Goldilocks and the Three Bears crime family (yes, really). This looks like a really fun movie and I’m excited to see it.
Justin (Casual Cinecast)
Clerks III – Kevin Smith’s movie aren’t perfect. But what’s clear to me, as someone who has been rewatching the View Askew-niverse movies in the build up to Clerks III, is that he loves his characters and can generally write a movie of people standing around talking that is entertaining and never boring. His love for Dante and Randall (the leads in the Clerks franchise) is pretty contagious and I’m pumped to pull out my “I’m not even supposed to be here today” counter and see where they go next!
Triangle of Sadness – I don’t know a ton about this movie as I refuse to watch the trailer so that everything is a surprise. What I do know is that it’s a dark comedy satire of the upper class that is unsettling, disturbing and possibly difficult to watch at points and won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2022. Sign. Me. Up.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – I’ve loved Weird Al for as long as I can remember. I finally got to see him live for the first time this year and it was fantastic. I usually don’t go for biopics but this one seems to be, in true Weird Al fashion, a parody of the biopic and will have a ton of fun with the format. Also, these days Daniel Radcliffe barely signs on for anything that isn’t truly taking some big chances and swinging for the fences.
Women Talking – Sarah Polley directs this film that might just be the complete opposite of another film on my list, Clerks III. Although I could be just taking the title way too literally. This has an incredible cast list including Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley and more and looks to be about a group of women in a religious colony discussing what to do when given the choice between forgiving men who have raped them or being excommunicated and, therefore, losing out on heaven. This promises to be poignant and emotional.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery – More Benoit Blanc. That is all.
Jess
Blonde – I am not sure if the September drop date for this Netflix debut has changed, but I am very interested to see this film adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ fictional novel, Blonde, loosely based on Marilyn Monroe. I have almost finished reading the novel and it is bleedingly raw and poetic. It is no biopic but a work of art in its own right. I think Marilyn would be just as intrigued as we are.
Don’t Worry Darling – While it is a pet peeve of mine how everyone seems to worship Harry Styles (I know, it’s silly of me), I love Florence Pugh and think everything she touches pays off. She seems like such a dedicated, talented, hard worker; I really admire her. Plus, on a more superficial level, I love the vintage setting and costumes teamed with thriller themes for this film. Fun and spooky. I hope it doesn’t disappoint.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – However I feel about Harry Styles, know that I feel the opposite about Daniel Radcliffe. I love Dan Radcliffe’s pursuits. He throws caution to the wind, dances to the beat of his own drum and takes some wild and wonderful chances. I shall wave the Dan flag high and look forward to seeing this.
Hocus Pocus 2: Hocus Pocus is obviously on the Halloween watch-list every year, and I expect Hocus Pocus 2 will soon join it. While I don’t think the sequel will really hold a candle to the first film, how could one not possibly be excited to see three of our favorite witches reunited all these years later?!
The Menu: Because Anya Taylor-Joy. My eyes have been glued to her ever since The Queen’s Gambit. Ralph Fiennes is also a bonus.
There’s no shortage of great looking movies to watch in these last few months (both on the big screen and at home). Which films are you looking forward to seeing the most?
