2022 promises to be a fantastic year for cinema. There's a massive slate of titles waiting to be unleashed onto fans. There are tons of films to look forward to, from the superhero genre to horror, from comedy to sci-fi, the list is long. We've picked our most-anticipated Hollywood releases of 2022.
Morbius | Release date: January 28, 2022
Sony’s latest entry in its “Spider-Verse” franchise of connected films is the origin story of a scientist who inadvertently turns himself into a vampire in his efforts to cure himself of a rare blood disease. Michael Keaton — who appeared in the 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' as Spider-Man villain 'Vulture' — is set to make an appearance in the film, which has all kinds of crossover implications.
Death on the Nile | Release date: February 11, 2022
Kenneth Branagh will return as detective Hercule Poirot following the surprise success of 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express, which Branagh also directed. So far, big names like Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Annette Bening, Letitia Wright, and Rose Leslie have joined the whodunnit.
The Batman | Release date: March 4, 2022
The Caped Crusader is back and he looks gritty. Director Matt Reeves tackles what looks to be an even darker take on Batman than we’ve ever seen before, with an impressive cast that boasts of Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne, Colin Farrell as the Penguin, Paul Dano as the Riddler, and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon. We are curious to find out where this three-decades old franchise can go next.
John Wick Chapter 4 | Release date: May 27, 2022
John Wick Chapter 4 is reportedly being shot back-to-back with Chapter 5, so while we don’t quite know where the story is going to go in this next instalment, we can be sure it won’t be the end of the saga. Keanu Reeves is set to return as the puppy-loving assassin extraordinaire, and we expect the action set pieces will be top notch, as usual.
Top Gun Maverick | Release date: May 27, 2022
We’re getting a Top Gun sequel after more than 30 years and we're not complaining! Not a whole lot is known about the movie, except that Val Kilmer is officially back as Iceman. And as the trailer promises, it will again feature Tom Cruise riding motorcycles, playing volleyball, and flying jets like a pro.
Legally Blonde 3 | Release date: May 2022
The buzz surrounding Legally Blonde 3 has been building since the film was announced in 2018. 'Legally Blonde 3' will delve into what Reese Witherspoon's character Elle Woods would be like at age 40. The character will be a mother with a 'thriving career.' Producers say that the script is likely to be ready in the first quarter, release timeline is being kept under wraps.
Jurassic World: Dominion | Release date: June 10, 2022
Dinosaurs are stomping back into movie theatres coming year with "Jurassic World: Dominion," which will follow up on the events of "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" and take place in a world where dinosaurs now roam free in America. Exact plot details are being kept under lock and key, but the big news here is that original stars Laura Dern and Sam Neill are both returning alongside Jeff Goldblum, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Chris Pratt.
Thor: Love & Thunder | Release date: July 8, 2022
Marvel’s second film of 2022 is the highly anticipated follow-up to Taika Waititi’s 'Thor: Ragnarok', which reinvented the character to the delight of critics and audiences alike. Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster will return to the franchise, and it’s been teased that she will wield Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, at some point. We also know that Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie will be back, and Thor will meet up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to face Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore | Release date: July 15, 2022
Eddie Redmayne returns as inquisitive wizard Newt Scamander in the third chapter of this magical spin-off/prequel series that takes place decades before Harry Potter enrolled at Hogwarts. The story picks up after the events of The Crimes of Grindelwald, as Newt and his compatriots continue to pursue the evil wizard, now played by Mads Mikkelsen, leading up to World War II.
Black Adam | Release date: July 29, 2022
Dwayne Johnson has been attached to star in Black Adam since at least as early as 2014, but in 2022 he’ll finally hit the big screen and officially join the DC universe as the all-powerful antihero. As the nemesis to Shazam, there's another onscreen crossover to look forward to in the future as well. It’s high time Dwayne Johnson got to play the superhero we all know him to be!
The Flash | Release date: November 4, 2022
In case you hadn’t heard, multi-verses are going to be all the rage in 2022, and this movie is looking to be DC’s contribution to the trend. Like a lot of the films on this list, we don’t yet know anything about the story, but the casting of Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne is either a super meta stunt or a big hint as to what we’ll see. There are rumors that the plot will follow the storyline from the comics, in which case, expect some crossover craziness.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | Release date: November 11, 2022
Marvel has a ton of releases lined up in 2022, but fans are watching this one closely. The tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman has added a new layer of uncertainty to 'Wakanda Forever'. What will a "Black Panther" movie without Boseman look like? What story does "Wakanda Forever" explore? How will established characters like Nakia and M'Baku react to the sudden absence of T'Challa? The story is likely to now shift focus to King T’Challa’s spunky sister Shuri, played by Letitia Wright.
She Said | Release date: November 18, 2022
Maria Schrader's film 'She Said' explores a pair of real-life journalists as they investigate the sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein. This is a story that shook up both Hollywood and people at large. The film shines a light on the women responsible for this brilliant piece of reporting. There's an impressive array of actors, including Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan who play the two New York Times journalists.
Avatar 2 | Release date: December 16, 2022
It’s taken almost a decade and a half, but we’re finally getting the long-ago-promised follow-up to James Cameron’s once-highest-grossing film of all time, 'Avatar'. Sam Worthington’s Jake Sully and Zoe Saldana’s Neytiri now have a family on Pandora, but when old enemies return, they’re forced to evacuate and find a new home. Kate Winslet, Michelle Yeoh, and Edie Falco are among the new additions to the cast.
