2024 is a big year for new movie releases. From sequels to cartoons to biopics, this year is loaded with good cinema. We will give you a short review on our thoughts on these new movies to help you pick and choose what to watch. 

• Bob Marley: One Love (In Theaters Now)

1. 1. 6.5/10 IMDb
   2. 43% Rotten Tomatoes

Wyatt: I want to be excited for this movie but I’m not. I like Bob Marley and all but I’m not sure I care to go see this in theaters. I will probably throw it on at my house though as some background distraction while I do homework. I feel obligated to watch this before spring break as I am going to Jamaica. Will watch.

Isaac: I have already seen this movie, and I loved it. The cinematography and portrayal of his views and efforts towards ending the civil war in Jamaica was truly moving. It was amazing to see the process by which Bob Marley and Wailers produced their inspirational and influential music, and made the reggae found in Jamaica, popular and widely on the global stage of music. Would recommend. 

• Dune: Part Two (In Theaters Now)

1. 1. Dune: Part One (2021)
      1. 8/10 IMDb
      2. 83% Rotten Tomatoes

Wyatt: I was really, really bored by the first movie. It lasted for what seemed like forever with a lot of meaningless scenes. I understand that the first part was essential to set up for this new release but did they really need 2.5 hours to do that. I am hesitant to watch this due to my disappointment in the first part. I know Isaac will love this movie due to his man crush on Timothee Chalamet. Might watch.

Isaac: I adore the first Dune movie and I have high expectations for the sequel. The first movie is available to watch on Hulu, and I would highly recommend it before watching the second film. The talented pairing of Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman and Timothée Chalamet create a great rendition on the novel series written by Frank Herbert. The first Dune release did very well netting over $434.8 million at the box office. Dune: Part Two released on March 1, and has already done 182.5 million at the box office through the first weekend. Will watch. 

• Joker: Folie a Deux (October 4, 2024)

1. 1. Joker (2019)
      1. 8.4/10 IMDb
      2. 69% Rotten Tomatoes

Wyatt: I am interested to see this movie but not excited for it. I honestly think I will hate this movie and regret watching it but I probably will watch it anyways. I have never watched a musical that I have enjoyed and I don’t expect this to be the first one. I don’t even think the 2019 movie needed a sequel or really sets itself up for another one. I am curious as to how this will turn out but doubt I will like it. Will watch (begrudgingly).

Isaac: The Joker (2019) is one of my favorite films ever produced. While Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker was not a carbon copy of the masterpiece created by the late Heath Ledger, it was performed to perfection. This take on Joker’s character was refreshing as the director veered off from the typical portrayal of the tactical mastermind, to a weary old man that is tired of his unjust misfortune, that desires to see anarchy. Will watch. 

• Deadpool 3 (July 26, 2024)

1. 1. Deadpool
      1. 8/10 IMDb
      2. 85% Rotten Tomatoes
   2. Deadpool 2
      1. 7.6/10 IMDb
      2. 84% Rotten Tomatoes

Wyatt: This is one that might get me to the theaters to see. I really enjoyed the first two movies and expect the same from this one. This one also brings in the hero character of Wolverine and I think the dynamic between the two characters will make for a good watch. I am glad they are doing something new with the series and expect a good watch. Will watch.

Isaac: This movie series as a whole has always been one of my favorites due to the comedic nature of Ryan Reynolds. This unserious take on a superhero with Marvel Cinematic Universe provides a refreshing and much needed comic relief. The fact that the first two movies were even able to be rated above 7.5/10 by IMDb tells you all you need to know about these movies, as comedies do not do particularly well among the critics of IMDb. One of the reasons these movies have done so well among the MCU fanbase, and why I particularly enjoy these films, is the uncharacteristic cursing that Deadpool frequently partakes in. I am slightly fearful that a prolonged continuation of this film series will drag out the story and harm the legacy of the first two fantastic movies. Will Watch.

• Despicable Me 4 (July 3, 2024)

1. 1. Despicable Me
      1. 7.6/10 IMDb
      2. 80% Rotten Tomatoes
   2. Despicable Me 2
      1. 7.3/10 IMDb
      2. 75% Rotten Tomatoes
   3. Despicable Me 3
      1. 6.2/10 IMDb
      2. 58% Rotten Tomatoes

Wyatt: I feel as though this series is on a steady decline, despite its really strong start. Gru and the characters are really likable and I loved the first two movies but I don’t see where a new movie can come from. There’s only so many evil plots they can write. I am probably thinking about the movie too much as the target audience is 12 year olds. Might watch.

Isaac: As I have previously touched upon, some film franchises are dragged out far beyond how many movies have been produced, and I feel this way about Despicable Me. However, I am willing to acknowledge that the decline in my perception of the more recent movies may be a result of my increasing age. However, the rating on the movies has shown gradual decline that conjures with personal view on the later movies. Nevertheless, I do respect the third movie for its distinctive plot, as it stands out amongst the earlier films that were produced. Might watch. 

• Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (No release date)

1. 1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
      1. 8.4/10 IMDb
      2. 97% Rotten Tomatoes
   2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
      1. 8.6/10 IMDb
      2. 95% Rotten Tomatoes

Wyatt: Unlike most people, I don’t like this animated series of Spider-Verse movies. I’ll acknowledge their standing as good movies and strong visuals but I just don’t care for them at all. I don’t like the new era and direction Spiderman is going and think they are just doing too much with it. Bring back Tobey Maguire Spiderman. Won’t watch.

Isaac: Writing a preview of this movie brings me some pain as I used to love the animated Spiderman series. I absolutely adored the first movie featuring Miles Morales, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, watching the film seven times over. It was my favorite film until I went into theaters this summer to watch the new movie, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, with my family. I did not particularly enjoy the sequel, as I felt that there was too much going on within the movie and it was not as appealing and memorable as the original film. The epitome of the film’s shortcomings are the Tiktok edits that I have seen, “Nah, Imma do my own thing.” That is simply poor script writing and was a disgrace to the original and perfect Miles Morales film. I will only watch due to my loyalty towards the first movie and the flawless character of Miles. Will Watch (begrudgingly).

• Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (May 10, 2024)

• Planet of the Apes

1. 1. 1. 1. 5.7/10 IMDb
         2. 44% Rotten Tomatoes

• Rise of the Planet of the Apes

1. 1. 1. 1. 7.6/10 IMDb
         2. 82% Rotten Tomatoes

• Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

1. 1. 1. 1. 7.6/10 IMDb
         2. 91% Rotten Tomatoes

• War for the Planet of the Apes

1. 1. 1. 7.4/10 IMDb
      2. 94% Rotten Tomatoes

Wyatt: The last three Planet of the Apes might be my favorite movie trilogy of all time. I think it’s really underrated as a franchise. Give this franchise the respect it deserves. I am curious to see how the plot will work without Caesar who has been the face of the franchise for the previous movies. RIP Caesar, Will watch.

Isaac: I would say that I am rather excited for this new movie being released in approximately 2 months time. I have only watched the first two but the third and fourth movies are definitely on my watch list to complete before the May 10, release date. This unusual take on nonhuman beings taking over the world has amassed a serious fanbase who are all excited for this new release, take Wyatt for example. Will watch. 

• Kung Fu Panda 4 (March 8, 2024)

• Kung Fu Panda 1

1. 1. 1. 1. 7.6/10 IMDb
         2. 87% Rotten Tomatoes

• Kung Fu Panda 2

1. 1. 1. 1. 7.2/10 IMDb
         2. 81% Rotten Tomatoes

• Kung Fu Panda 3

1. 1. 1. 7.1/10 IMDb
      2. 87% Rotten Tomatoes

Wyatt: Kung Fu Panda is my favorite animated series of all time, forget Toy Story, forget Finding Nemo, Kung Fu Panda clears. Po is undeniably a great protagonist and the writers find a way to come up with new and great villains every single time. Will watch.

Isaac: One of my favorite film series as a child, I am anticipating another “banger” from Dreamworks animations. I am curious as to what the plot will intel based on the ending of the last film. I am always entertained by the villains that the writers are able to craft, particularly Tai Lung. Will watch. 

• Bad Boys 4 (June 7, 2024)

• Bad Boys 1

1. 1. 1. 1. 6.8/10 IMDb
         2. 43% Rotten Tomatoes

• Bad Boys 2

1. 1. 1. 1. 6.6/10 IMDb
         2. 23% Rotten Tomatoes

• Bad Boys for Life

1. 1. 1. 6.5/10 IMDb
      2. 76% Rotten Tomatoes

Wyatt: I have not seen any of the prequels and I don’t plan on starting on the series now. Despite Isaac saying I would like them, I’m giving this a Won’t Watch.

Isaac: Movies that I have inherited from my parents, I adore all three of the existing Bad Boys movies, and I highly recommend all readers to invest some time into this film franchise. The comedic pairing of Martin Lawrence and Will Smith, remain strong despite Will Smith’s recent public disgraces. The ratings from the various movie critic outlets do not do any of the movies justice. Will watch. 

• Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate (Streaming Now)

• Megamind

1. 1. 1. 7.3/10 IMDb
      2. 73% Rotten Tomatoes

Wyatt: The first Megamind might be the movie that I have watched the most ever in my lifetime so you can bet I will be watching this. Megamind is one of my favorite movies from my childhood, with Megamind being one of the better cartoon characters of all time. Will watch.

Isaac: It is about  time. I am so glad that Dreamworks is finally producing a sequel to this beloved superhero movie. This evil, but lovable character is a social media sensation as I have seen way too many videos about Megamind on my Tiktok For You page. I believe that this movie opened my eyes to the ability to like villains. This film procured my love for Gargamel (Smurfs, 2011). Will watch.