We can hardly believe that we're a few months into 2022 already. While we've been busy keeping up with all of the incredible shows that are on TV and streaming right now, such as Euphoria, Ozark, and Inventing Anna, Hollywood has slowly begun releasing some new movies, most notably Scream, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Death on the Nile. But there's still so much more to come, and we cannot wait!
Though we're sure there will be some emotional dramas, indie films, and of course horror movies coming out at some point this year, right now it appears that 2022 is going to be dominated by superhero movies, long-awaited sequels, and lots of kid-friendly flicks — some of which have been hotly anticipated for some time. It's actually wild how long we've been waiting for some of these films (lockdown production delays can take a big share of the blame)!
Here, we're going to mostly focus on movies that will be released in theaters (although there's at least one new Netflix original film on the list). Some of the others may release simultaneously in theaters and on streaming platforms, as has been the trend of late. Keep scrolling for our guide to the most-anticipated new movies that are coming out in 2022, complete with release dates (when available).
'The Batman'
Diverging opinions aside, at this point, we're all curious to see what Robert Pattinson brings to the iconic Batman character, and Zoë Kravitz is just a dream, so we can't wait to see her as Catwoman. This one is reportedly quite dark and not for the kids, though, so definitely keep that in mind. It comes out on March 4.
'The Adam Project'
A Netflix original movie starring Ryan Reynolds, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Garner, and Mark Ruffalo, The Adam Project is about a time-traveling fighter pilot who goes back in time to join his younger self and his father on a future-saving mission. It sounds like an interesting premise but honestly, we just can't wait to see Jennifer and Mark on-screen together again. See it on Netflix beginning March 11.
'Turning Red'
Originally scheduled for a theater release, the new Pixar animated film Turning Red will now be available exclusively on Disney+ on March 11. It's a coming-of-age story of a young girl entering adolescence who suddenly — and very awkwardly — begins transforming into a giant red panda every time she gets excited.
'The Lost City'
We cannot wait to see Sandra Bullock in a comedy again. She's a great actress in just about anything, but we miss her comedy! In The Lost City, which also stars Channing Tatum, Sandra plays a romance novelist who finds herself in the middle of a kidnapping attempt while she's on tour promoting her latest book. See it in theaters on March 25.
'Morbius'
This Marvel movie has been pushed back so many times that we've lost count, but we still can't wait to see Jared Leto in Morbius. It's about a sick scientist who tries to cure himself, but ends up mistakenly infecting himself with something that turns him into a vampire. Set to release on April 1, it's definitely going to be dark and a bit scary.
'Sonic the Hedgehog 2'
Sonic the Hedgehog, a live-action adaptation of the popular video game starring Jim Carrey, came out early in 2020 and ended with a major cliffhanger that made it very clear that there would be a sequel — and then we heard absolutely nothing for more than a year. Finally, in late 2021, it was announced that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be released on April 8.
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
The third film in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, will premiere on April 15, and while Johnny Depp will not be reprising his role, Jude Law, Eddie Redmayne, and Katherine Waterston will be back. The film will cover the events that lead up to Dumbledore's duel with Grindelwald in the books by J.K. Rowling.
'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'
Doctor Strange is one of our very favorite Marvel movies, and being that it's been nearly six years since it came out, we're particularly looking forward to the sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Set to debut on May 6, it picks up the story where Marvel left off in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
'Top Gun: Maverick'
The release of Top Gun: Maverick has been delayed nearly two years at this point, so fans of the original 1986 film will definitely be excited to see it when it finally releases on May 27, just ahead of Memorial Day weekend. It's a true sequel that picks up the action 30 years after the first movie.
'Jurassic World Dominion'
Believed to be the final film in the blockbuster dinosaur franchise, Jurassic World Dominion is slated to come out on June 10. We know that Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, among others, will reprise their roles, but beyond that, all other details are still being kept under wraps by the film studio.
'Lightyear'
Starring Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, and Taika Waititi, Lightyear is a prequel to the beloved Toy Story movies that's of course all about the character Buzz Lightyear. It tells Buzz's origin story, giving fans insight into his life as an astronaut. Look for it in theaters beginning June 17.
'Minions 2: The Rise of Gru'
The long-awaited sequel to Minions, Minions 2: The Rise of Gru, is set to come out on July 1, and it, too, is an origin story that takes place when Gru is just 12 years old. Steve Carell — who voiced young Gru in the original film — will reprise his role, and Taraji P. Henson has joined the cast.
'Thor: Love and Thunder'
Thor: Love and Thunder is a sequel to Thor: Ragnarok, which came out in 2017. It's the fourth movie in Thor's storyline and will once again star Chris Hemsworth as the title character. Christian Bale will play the movie's villain, and Taika Waititi, Matt Damon, and Natalie Portman will also make appearances.
'Nope'
Jordan Peele's upcoming release Nope is the filmmaker's first foray into the sci-fi genre, though it is still very much a horror movie like his previous hits Get Out and Us. The film, which stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Barbie Ferreira, is about a group of people working at a ranch in California who find themselves caught up in some mysterious events.
'Black Adam'
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been working on the DC Comics film Black Adam for some time, and it's finally set to premiere on July 29. It's about an antihero, created by Egyptian gods, who is freed from his tomb thousands of years later. It's one of several DC releases coming in 2022.
'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse'
Fans are thrilled that they'll get to see Miles Morales in theaters again. Sony is set to release Spider-man: Across the Spider-verse on October 7. The animated superhero movie will see Miles travel across the Marvel multiverse, where he'll join other spider-people in the fight against a dangerous villain.
'Halloween Ends'
Will Michael Myers really die? Fans of the Halloween franchise will find out on October 14, when what is said to be the final film in the franchise, Halloween Ends, comes out. While few plot details have been released yet, this movie will pick up where 2021's Halloween Kills left off.
'The Flash'
We're finally getting a movie version of The Flash, and while we kind of wish the TV series star, Grant Gustin, was going to be in it, this big-screen adaptation — premiering on November 4 — definitely doesn't have a shortage of high-profile stars. Ben Affleck, Michael Shannon, and Michael Keaton are part of the cast, and title character Barry Allen will be played by Fantastic Beasts star Ezra Miller.
'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'
It will certainly be a bittersweet experience to see the late Chadwick Boseman in this Black Panther sequel (filmed before his August 2020 death). He'll be joined by most of the original cast, which is great news for fans of the franchise. The movie premieres on November 11, ahead of the holiday season.
'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom'
Jason Momoa is returning to the big screen as DC Comics superhero Aquaman on December 16. The only details that have been released so far are that many of the actors from the first movie — including Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, and Nicole Kidman — are returning and that Aquaman will need to forge an unexpected alliance to save the planet.
'Avatar 2'
Things are still being kept very, very quiet on the Avatar 2 front, but as of now, the movie is scheduled to come out on December 16. An official title hasn't even been released yet, but we do know that Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver will reprise their roles, and that Kate Winslet has joined the cast.
'Hocus Pocus 2'
The long-awaited Hocus Pocus 2 will be released exclusively on Disney+ some time in the fall of 2022 (an official release date has not yet been announced). Original stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy are all returning, and this time around, three teen girls are the ones to awaken the Sanderson sisters.
