2022 has just begun! However, there’s a lot to look forward to–especially in the world of Disney! The company is releasing 30 major films throughout the year through their various outlets, including Disney+, Hulu, and in theaters. Here is a look at the movies to come.
“Sex Appeal” — January 14 on Hulu
When Avery Hansen-White’s (Mika Abdalla) long-distance boyfriend wants to take their relationship to the next level, she enlists her friend, Larson, as a test subject to explore and master her sexuality. Paris Jackson also stars.
“The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild” — January 28 on Disney+
20th Century Fox’s “Ice Age” franchise is living on as a Disney+ original instead of getting a theatrical release, which seems to make sense since the film feels more like a spin-off to the $3.2 billion franchise.
The sixth installment in the saga follows the possum brothers Crash and Eddie who get trapped in a cave filled with dinos. The duo are rescued by a one-eyed weasel named Buck Wild who joins them on a mission to “save the Lost World from dinosaur domination.”
Simon Pegg will reprise the voice of Buck in the animated film.
“Death on the Nile” — February 11
Armie Hammer as Simon Doyle and Gal Gadot as Linnet Ridgeway in “Death on the Nile.” Rob Youngson/20th Century Studios 20th Century Studios’ remake has been delayed since October 2020. The adaptation, directed by Kenneth Branagh, stars Gal Gadot, Letitia Wright, Armie Hammer, Emma Mackey, and Rose Leslie.
The film, based on the 1937 Agatha Christie novel, was quietly pushed back after rape allegations against Hammer in March 2021. The most recent trailer for the film tries to awkwardly keep as much of Hammer out of the film’s promotion as possible.
“Sneakerella” — February 18 on Disney+
Chosen Jacobs and Lexi Underwood star in “Sneakerella.” Roger Erickson/Disney
The gender-flipped twist on “Cinderella” takes place in New York City and follows an aspiring sneaker designer named El who lives with his stepfather and two stepbrothers in Queens.
El meets and hits it off with Kira King, the daughter of a famous basketball star who just happens to also be a sneaker tycoon.
“Turning Red” — March 11
Mei Lee is going through a lot of stressful changes at 13. Turning into a giant red panda is not helping. Pixar Animation
Pixar’s next film revolves around Mei Lee (Rosalie Chiang), a “confident, dorky” 13-year-old who turns into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited. Sandra Oh (“Killing Eve”) voices her slighly overprotective mother, which probably isn’t too helpful when Mei is turning into a giant bear all the time.
The studio’s first all-female led production is directed by Oscar winner Domee Shi (Pixar’s “Bao”) and also stars the voice talents of Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Hyein Park.
Another reason to be excited for this one? Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell teamed up to write songs for a fictional boy band, 4*Town, in the upcoming film, with O’Connell voicing one of the members of the band.
“Cheaper by the Dozen” — March 2022 on Disney+
The comedy remake, produced by Kenya Barris (“Black-ish”), will focus on a blended family of 12 with Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff set to star.
“Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” — spring 2022 on Disney+
The above teaser art for the “Chip ‘n Dale” film was released on November 12, 2021. Disney+
John Mulaney and Andy Samberg star as the rascally chipmunks in the hybrid live-action and CG animated film based on the three-season animated series “Rescue Rangers.”
The film is directed by Akiva Schaffer, who’s a part of the comedy trio The Lonely Island.
“Better Nate Than Ever” — spring 2022 on Disney+
Disney has only released logo art so far for “Better Nate Than Ever.” Disney+
The musical comedy, based on the book of the same name by Tim Federle, follows Nate (Rueby Wood) as he sneaks off to New York City with his best friend (Aria Brooks) to become a Broadway star. Lisa Kudrow also stars.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” — May 6
Sam Raimi, the director of the first “Spider-Man” trilogy, took over directing duties from original director Scott Derrickson on this one. We’re excited to see what he cooks up here. Marvel Studios
Marvel’s next big movie will kick off summer 2022 and it’s bound to be a big one.
Coming six years after the first film, the “Doctor Strange” sequel will reunite Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Wong (Benedict Wong), the new Sorcerer Supreme, with Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) and Baron Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) as they face off against a more evil-looking version of Strange who may threaten to destroy the universe.
Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), who eventually becomes Miss America in the comics, will also join the sequel. We’re expecting some other possible surprises since it looks like they’re breaking the multiverse in this one.
“Bob’s Burgers” — May 27
A movie based on the cartoon has been in the works for years. Fox Creator Loren Bouchard wrote, directed, and produced the musical comedy, which he said will “scratch every itch” fans of the show have had.
“Lightyear” — June 17
The sci-fi animated feature tells the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the fictional toy. Pixar
We’re being spoiled with two Pixar movies in 2022.
“Lightyear” serves as an origin story for “Toy Story’s” Buzz Lightyear toy. There’s just one thing: It doesn’t star Tim Allen as the voice of Lightyear.
Instead of focusing on the toy, “Lightyear” is the story of the “real” human Buzz Lightyear who inspired the fictional toy in the “Toy Story” universe. The human Lightyear is voiced by Chris Evans.
“Thor: Love and Thunder” — July 8
“Thor: Love and Thunder” will feature the return of Chris Hemsworth as the God of Thunder and Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie (who’s also the new king of Asgard).
The big surprise is that Natalie Portman will be back playing a female Thor straight out of the comics. Portman appeared on stage at SDCC 2019 wielding the hammer when the movie’s title was announced.
“Thor: Ragnarok” director Taika Waititi is returning to direct. At Disney’s 2020 investor day, Marvel president Kevin Feige confirmed that Christian Bale will play the film’s villain, Gorr the God Butcher.
“Prey” — summer 2022 on Hulu / Star+ (where available)
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (“10 Cloverfield Lane”), the film takes place in the “Predator” universe. (Disney has the rights to “Alien” and “Predator” via its Fox acquisition.)
The thriller goes back in time, set in the world of the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, and follows Naru, a skilled warrior who protects her tribe against a highly evolved alien predator.
“The Princess” — summer 2022 on Hulu / Star+ (where available)
Directed by Le-Van Kiet, Joey King stars as a young royal who’d rather wield a sword than wear a tiara and faces off against mercenaries to protect her kingdom.
“No Exit” — 2022 on Hulu / Star+ (where available)
Havana Rose Liu plays Darby in “No Exit.” The 20th Century Studios horror thriller will head straight to Hulu in the US. Kirsty Griffin/20th Century Studios. The thriller follows a college student (Havana Rose Liu) stranded in a blizzard who is forced to take shelter at a rest stop with a group of strangers. Things take a turn when the group discovers a kidnapped child.
“Rosaline” — summer 2022 on Hulu / Star+ (where available)
Kaitlyn Dever stars in “Rosaline.” Moris Puccio/20th Century Studios The twist on “Romeo & Juliet” tells the classic story from the perspective of Juliet’s cousin, Rosaline, who is Romeo’s ex-girlfriend. The film stars Kaitlyn Dever (“Booksmart”).
“Hocus Pocus 2” — fall 2022 on Disney+
Disney+ Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy return as The Sanderson Sisters in a sequel to Disney’s 1993 Halloween classic.
An untitled David O’Russell movie — November 4
Margot Robbie, John David Washington, and Christian Bale will star in O. Russell’s next film. Getty/Valerie Macon
David O. Russell’s (“Silver Linings Playbook”) next film will feature John David Washington, Margot Robbie, and Christian Bale.
“Pinocchio” — fall 2022 on Disney+
Disney Tom Hanks will star as Geppetto in the remake of Disney’s 1940 classic which will combine live action and visual effects. Directed by Robert Zemeckis (“Back to the Future”), Cynthia Erivo and Luke Evans also star along with the voice talents of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Keegan-Michael Key, and Lorraine Bracco.
“Disenchanted” — fall 2022 on Disney+
Walt Disney Pictures Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey reprise their roles as Giselle and Robert in the sequel to the 2007 hit. The film picks up 15 years later, with Giselle and Robert’s family moving to the suburbs where she’ll face off against a new adversary, Malvina (Maya Rudolph). Yvette Nicole Brown also stars.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”: November 11
Writer and director Ryan Coogler confirmed the “Black Panther” sequel at D23 in 2019 alongside Marvel Studios’ president Kevin Feige. Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney Feige confirmed at 2019’s San Diego Comic-Con that “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is underway. Out of respect for Chadwick Boseman, Marvel won’t recast the role of T’Challa.
“To honor the legacy that Chad helped us build through his portrayal of the King of Wakanda, we will continue to explore the world of Wakanda and all of the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film,” Feige said.
Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, and Martin Freeman are set to reprise their roles.
“Strange World” — November 23
The first official artwork released for “Strange World.” Walt Disney Animation
Previously titled “Searcher Clade,” Disney released a short synopsis for the film, which will journey “deep into an uncharted and treacherous land where fantastical creatures await.”
“Strange World,” directed by Don Hall and co-directed and written by Qui Nguyen, will be Disney Animation’s 61st movie.
“Rise” — 2022 on Disney+
Brothers Uche and Ral Agada play Gannis and Thanasis while Jaden Osimuwa plays Kostas. Patrick Redmond/20th Century Studios The biopic follows the real-life journey of three brothers — Giannis, Thanasis, and Kostas Antetokounmpo — who became NBA stars. The film stars Dayo Okeniyi and Yetide Badaki.
“Avatar 2” — December 16
Zoe Saldana is back in the sequel to “Avatar.” 20th Century Fox The long-awaited sequel to the highest-grossing movie of all time will finally be released next year.
In September 2020, director James Cameron said filming on the sequel to the 2009 original was complete. “Avatar 2,” originally scheduled for a 2014 release, is just one of at least four sequels planned for the “Avatar” franchise.
Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington will reprise their roles in the sequel. Sigourney Weaver will be back in a new role. Kate Winslet, who starred in Cameron’s “Titanic,” will also join the franchise. In 2014, Cameron described the sequels to Empire Magazine as “bitchin’.”
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” — 2022 on Disney+
Disney+ On Disney+ Day 2021, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” author Jeff Kinney announced an animated sequel to the 2021 film will launch on Disney+ at some point in 2022.
Which of these films are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!
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