As Subjectify looks forward to a new year of entertainment coverage, we’re collating a list of all our top personal picks when it comes to 2022’s most anticipated movies.
As release dates draw closer, we’re getting excited to watch and prepare coverage for many of the following movies that we can’t wait to watch, whether it’s at the cinema or at home. Here’s a glimpse at what 2022’s most anticipated movies looks like for our Subjectify team – and more importantly, why we’re so keen for them. We’ll update this with more films and more specific release dates as more information becomes available.
‘Scream’
Released January 14, 2022: Scream, not to be confused with Scream (1996), serves as yet another “reboot” of the series. I’m not jaded, but I am confused. After a so-so three season television run on MTV, Scream creators must have realized the series does a lot better in short, sexy, biting films. If this fifth entry in the Scream movie series matches the talent and twists of Scream 4 (2011), I will be optimistic about what this latest reboot means for the future of Ghostface’s massacres.
The first three films’ finales have the killers relate their motives to the murder of Sidney Prescot’s (Neve Campell) mother. 4’s reboot revealed Sid’s cousin Jill (Emma Roberts) as the mastermind behind those slayings, citing how she wanted to become the latest and internet famous “final girl” in yet another Woodboro bloodbath. It’s possible the new Scream finds its killer’s motives in Jill’s actions. My bets are on Kirby (Hayden Panettiere) feeling a little slice and dicey, as we didn’t see her character die on-screen, and she was a horror movie superfan. Whoever the new Ghostface turns out to be, I know I’ll be on the edge of my seat, sleuthing my way through the lies and locations of every single suspect. – Mitch Clow
‘Jackass Forever’
Released February 4, 2022: Even the majority of my closest friends don’t know this about me, but I genuinely love the Jackass franchise. I’ve seen all of the movies so far and quite a lot of the TV show. (The only things of theirs I can’t do are the cringe comedy stuff like Bad Grandpa. You can miss me with that. It’s not for me.) I cried when I heard the news of Ryan Dunn’s death, and my heart swells every time I see a sober Steve-O pop up on my timeline looking happy and healthy. Yes, they’re the ultimate boys club and yes, I’d have thought I’d have hated them from the start. I can’t stand bros or the “boys will be boys” mindset.
But there’s just something about the Jackass crew that endears them to me. Maybe it’s their friendship that shines through every stupid stunt or prank. Maybe it’s the creativity with which they approach everything they do. Maybe it’s just the sound of their stupid laughter whenever someone gets hit or things go off the rail.
I don’t know what it is, but I need more of it. Especially after surviving the last… let’s say five years.
And so, I can’t wait to (dear god HOPEFULLY) sit my ass in a comfy theater seat come February and laugh for 90ish minutes straight while these aging guys give us all one last hurrah with Jackass Forever. ☠️ – Danielle Zimmerman
‘Death on the Nile’
Released February 11, 2022: I had no prior knowledge of the story in Murder on the Orient Express when I first sat down to watch it. Mostly it was the cast that got me interested in the movie, but the film itself kept me rooted to the spot, with Kenneth Branagh doing the absolute most to hold my attention. I love the way Hercule Poirot doesn’t rush to conclusions, playing his theories close to the vest, until the final reveal at the end.
Despite the fact that I’ve only read a single Agatha Christie novel in my entire life, I find adaptations of her stories to be particularly interesting. Her books have surely stood the tests of time, both in terms of the actual novels and the public interest in seeing them adapted for the screen. Whether you’re looking for an intimate mini series about death and betrayal, or a full-blown blockbuster with half of Hollywood attached to star, you won’t be disappointed.
On its surface, Death on the Nile takes a similar premise as its predecessor: A group of people are traveling from point A to point B, and a murder occurs. Poirot is there to investigate, and he will find his man—or his woman. Despite a similar set up, the beats of the story will undoubtedly be different, as will the final reveal of the murderer and their motivations. The cast is just as flashy as last time, but it’s Branagh who keeps me coming back for more. – Karen Rought
‘The Batman’
Released March 4, 2022: I know two things: I don’t really have any idea who I’d rank as the “best” Batman to ever grace the small or silver screen, but I do know — even without seeing a single moment of the movie — that Robert Pattinson in the upcoming Matt Reeves film The Batman is sure to be a legitimately strong contender.
While I’m a proud Batfleck stan and mourn the apparent death of the DCEU, I’m still forever a fan of the heroes of the DC Universe. So even if Warner Bros. seems to be taking a rather dartboard (that is, throw a dart and see what sticks) approach to its comic book superhero properties, I’m excited to see my childhood favorites on the big screen in whatever iteration they come in.
And this gritty, young, noir Batman led by Robert Pattinson and featuring Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman is an iteration I’m incredibly hyped to see.
When I first heard that Robert Pattinson had been cast as Batman, I went out and watched five of his (non-Twilight) movies in quick succession. I’m incredibly excited to see Pattinson bring his dark, intense and thoroughly twisted energy to the character and even more excited to see him play off of Zoe Kravitz’s enigmatic, sultry and completely badass Catwoman.
Each trailer brings to light Matt Reeves’ vision of a Batman-as-a-noir-detective film, which is a facet to the character that has long been explored in the comics and in the animated world, but has never quite made the leap to the big screen. Watching Batman not only kick ass, but attempt to solve mysteries in a grimy, dimly lit world is everything I want in a Batman film and I am so incredibly hyped to see it. – Lelanie Seyffer
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’
Released March 25, 2022:I’ve seen exactly one movie in the theater since the pandemic hit, and that movie was The Muppets Christmas Carol (proof of vaccination required) a few days ago, so, like, I’m a little behind on my movie-going. A few movies have tempted me, but I’ve dealt with the pandemic by more or less ignoring every movie that has been released in the last year and a half, refusing to get excited about any movie, so I won’t be disappointed that I can’t see it on the big screen. The first movie trailer that managed to break through this self-imposed stoicism is Everything Everywhere All at Once.
I’ve been a big fan of Michelle Yeoh since seeing Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon in 2000, so that was what made me stop and actually watch the trailer (an activity I honestly mostly avoid these days). I was instantly captivated. On the one hand the trailer has a bit of a sci-fi, horror feel, but on the other hand it is funny and heartwarming. Shockingly, two of the main characters are played by women over 50. It’s such an appealing mix that I felt flooded with endorphins while watching the trailer — I literally sat up straighter to concentrate on it!
With Covid-19 cases back on the rise in my area, I don’t know if I’ll be ready to go back to the theater by March 25, 2022, but if Everything Everywhere All at Once is showing at a theater requiring vaccination, it may be the first non-Muppet movie I’m willing to risk it all for. – Nichole David
‘The Northman’
Released April 22, 2022: “I will avenge you, father. I will save you, mother. I will kill you, Fjölnir.”
Ever since the trailer for Robert Eggers’ new thriller The Northman finally dropped, I’ve found myself already obsessed.
Set in Iceland at the turn of the 10th century, the epic revenge story follows the viking prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) as he sets out on a life-long mission to enact vengeance on his uncle Fjölnir (Claes Bang), who killed his father when Amleth was just a boy.
But as is put to him in the trailer, Amleth must choose between kindness for his kin, or hate for his enemies. The struggle between these two choices is sure to provide the kind of depth that makes a revenge story truly engaging, and I have no doubt that Alexander Skarsgård–of whom I’ve been a fan since his days on True Blood–will have us all utterly transfixed in this role.
With a cast that also includes Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Björk, and all the visually stunning hallmarks I’ve come to expect from a Robert Eggers film, The Northman is already set to be my favorite movie of 2022. Is it April yet? – Cass Cooper
‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’
Released May 20, 2022: This movie has now been pushed back twice (though UK residents will get it on April 29) so the anticipation is truly rising now! As a Downton Abbey superfan, I don’t ask for high class cinema when I show up to watch a TV movie sequel— I don’t expect to get the same artistic nuance that can be doled out in a ten-episode Emmy-award winning season— I just want a two-hour catch up with my favorite 20th century friends. Fortunately, the first Downton Abbey movie knew exactly what its audience was coming for. Hilariously dramatic antics ensued (an assassin tried to kill King George!), and I was so pleasantly surprised to find that each of our favorite characters got their own moment to shine.
To be honest, when it comes to this upcoming sequel, I don’t much care what the plot turns out to be— I’m sure I’ll enjoy whatever Downton Abbey delivers, as long as the characters we’ve grown to love so much continue to stay center stage. As a drama, Downton Abbey has always been about the slow burns we’ve earned through the seasons— the small moments that add up to paint a full picture of a person’s life. Julian Fellowes is a master at making the most of a moment, which is why every one of the dozens of characters we’ve been introduced to feels so fully formed.
For six years, I crowded around Laura Linney, laughing and crying with these characters every Sunday night. As a show, Downton Abbey has already given me so much— every morsel these movies bring us is just gravy. No matter what’s waiting, I’ll still get a thrill when I hear those opening chords of the grand piano chime. – Ariana Quiñónez
Related: Staffer Subjectivities: ‘Plan B,’ ‘CODA’, musicals, Marvel, and more of our best 2021 movie moments
‘The Bob’s Burgers Movie’
Released May 27, 2022: 20th Century Fox Animation has finally reached into the “may never happen” files of my brain and dusted off the release of the Bob’s Burgers Movie.
Nearly five years have passed since the announcement of the movie with Comic Cons, virtual Fox events, and several panels with the creators and cast skimming over a theatrical release confirmation. With no plot to speak of, there are a few guarantees including no shortage of original songs from Gene, Linda, and others.
The Belchers are perhaps the best representation of a working class family on contemporary television. They are wholesome in a way that the Rose’s become in Schitt’s Creek and have a familial bond that makes my heart grow a size with each episode. I have no expectations for the storyline, but my only wish list item for the Bob’s Burgers movie is that Teddy has a large role.
One of the more exciting features of the film is that it is hand drawn, an art form that has been tossed to the wayside in favor of digital animation. This is a fact that I will harp on for everyone who shows even the slightest interest in the movie. – Brittany Lovely
‘Jurassic World: Dominion’
Released June 10, 2022:S o, when it comes to big releases, there is no franchise I adore more than the Jurassic Park universe. From the original trilogy (which, I will admit, has its weak spots) to the new one, I truly do love it all. And I am so excited to see what the new trilogy’s original creative voice has to say in the final chapter. Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World reinvigorated my love for the dino series, and while the second chapter, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom was in fine hands with J.A. Bayona, I am eager to see things return to Trevorrow’s vision.
And, more importantly, I can’t wait to see what this trilogy’s end could mean for the franchise going forward. Will this be the last movie in the Jurassic universe? Is this just the end of this chapter of the franchise, and a whole new cast of characters will take on the mantle for a third trilogy in a few years? Only time and Jurassic World: Dominion can tell. And I cannot wait for June to bring me another chance to see everyone’s favorite T-Rex on the prowl, only this time on the mainland. – Kristen Kranz
‘Lightyear’
Released June 17, 2022: I absolutely did not think that I needed an origin story for a fictional children’s toy, but when I saw the trailer for Lightyear, I realized just how wrong I was. The Toy Story movies have always been excellent, but this trailer had such an epic feel to it that made me excited about this movie in a completely different way. And then I cried about Toy Story 3 all over again.
The animation for Lightyear looks incredible, even by Pixar standards, the voice of Chris Evans fits the space hero perfectly, and the use of David Bowie’s “Starman” in the trailer elevated the whole thing to infinity, and beyond. This movie kind of looks like Toy Story meets Star Wars, which is not something I thought I would be excited about before, but as I said before, I was so very wrong. – Kendra Cleary
‘Teen Wolf’
TBA, 2022: When the Teen Wolf movie was announced, I knew it wouldn’t matter who was in it or what it was about because I was going to see it, regardless. It’s been four years since the series ended, and I’ve searched—in vain—for a show that made me feel the way Teen Wolf did. My greatest fandom experiences have revolved around this show, and I’m more than ready to jump back into it.
As much as I wish we could bring Teen Wolf back or watch a brand new spinoff series, adding a movie to the mix is a great way to bring everyone together again. We know Scott will be back, and while the rest of the cast hasn’t been confirmed, we can expect many of our favorite characters to make an appearance. Plus, who knows who (or what!) else will be introduced, growing the Teen Wolf universe even more. And maybe this will hold us over until the next time we get to check in on all our favorite Beacon Hills heroes. – Karen Rought
‘Knives Out 2’
TBA, 2022: While we don’t have a precise release date for this one yet, Netflix is finicky about its release dates, I could not be more excited to revisit Benoit Blanc and see what mystery he must solve this time. Not to mention I am beyond excited to see the new, absolutely killer cast in this one. Jessica Henwick, Kathryn Hahn, Ed Norton, Kate Hudson, and Leslie Odom Jr. are just the tip of the iceberg regarding the talent on board for this whodunnit.
And while I would have loved for this to be a tentpole summer blockbuster on the big screen, I find I’m also okay with Netflix taking this one on. If given the chance, I will absolutely go see this on the big screen (if COVID allows), but getting to watch it on my own screen with my own popcorn is a fine second choice.
Original film ideas have been hard to come by the last decade or so. With so many reboots, reimaginings, ongoing franchises, adaptations and the like, it’s so refreshing to see a completely original franchise be born from a filmmaker’s mind. Rian Johnson has proven to be a unique and skilled filmmaker, and I don’t doubt that Knives Out 2 will be further proof to that score. – Kristen Kranz