Upcoming Movies: 2024's Most Anticipated Films With Billion-Dollar Blockbuster Potential (2024)

When we consider 2024's upcoming movies, it's hard to forget that amid hard times in the not too distant past, cinemas were effectively ghost towns.

Although theaters re-opened in July 2020 (with pandemic-related SOPs), movies like Bad Boy For Life (which had a huge fan base), Christopher Nolan's Tenet, and the Harley Quinn-centric Birds Of Prey (delightfully led by Margot Robbie), managed to gather a scant $426.5 million, $365.3 million, and $205.3 million respectively at the box office.

Those figures might look huge, but in Hollywood terms, they're not. Particularly in contrast with 2019, when nine movies reached the billion-dollar mark.

In all, 2019's billion-dollar films were: Avengers: Endgame, The Lion King, Frozen II, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Captain Marvel, Joker, Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, Toy Story 4, and Aladdin.

These figures demonstrate that before the pandemic, Hollywood and the cinema were in full swing, and then-upcoming movies were expected to achieve similar numbers the following year.

But in 2020, at the peak of the pandemic, the highest-grossing movie was The Eight Hundred, which earned a middling $461 million at the box office.

By the time late 2021 rolled around, the cinemas' situation began to improve, but at a glacial pace — just one movie, Spider-Man: No Way Home, hauled in a massive $1.9 billion, and the movie was released in the very twilight of 2021 (on December 17th, to be exact).

As it stands today, 2022 is considered the year during which the film industry began making real gains after a rough couple of years — moviegoers the world over genuinely missed the cinema, and they began to flock to the big screen to bring about the resurrection of "going to the movies."

In 2022 alone, there were three movies that reached the billion-dollar mark: Avatar: The Way Of Water, Top Gun: Maverick, and Jurassic World Dominion.

Then, in 2023, film fans eagerly embraced the cultural phenomenon known as "Barbenheimer" — and both movies, Barbie and Oppenheimer, collectively grossed more than $2 billion. (Barbie grossed $1.44 billion, and Oppenheimer grossed $957.5 million.)

The Super Mario Bros movie, also on the billion-dollar list, earned $1.36 billion — but at the same time, 2023 carried with it a new set of challenges, when much of the industry went on a lengthy strike.

2024 could be the year that finally returns a real downpour of money for producers, and it perhaps will finally and fully rejuvenate Hollywood and the movie industry.

There are many gems among 2024's upcoming movies, and to say that fans are excited about these films may be an understatement.

Some of these films are attached to franchises which have been cult classics for decades, and producers decided to extend the story of these beloved movies.

Dune 2 was one of the most anticipated movies of 2024, released recently, and steadily on track to earn a massive fortune, much like Barbie and Oppenheimer.

Let's get into the most anticipated upcoming movies of 2024, and see which films have the potential to earn a billion (or more) at the box office.

Upcoming Movie: The Fall Guy

Likelihood That The Fall Guy Hits A Billion: 50 Percent

Can Ryan Gosling, among the most handsome and most in-demand actors, do it again? Can he deliver back-to-back billion-dollar movies after Barbie?

There is currently a debate among film fans; some are cheering for The Fall Guy to shatter the billion-dollar barrier at the box office.

Most are skeptical about the film's billion-dollar potential — conceding that the movie is likely be a hit, but further speculating that, like Oppenheimer before it, The Fall Guy may ultimately find the billion-dollar mark elusive.

Nevertheless, the movie has all boxes checked for massive success. The director of the movie is the former actor and stuntperson David Leitch, who directed outstanding action movies like John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and Bullet Train.

Oppenheimer star Emily Blunt, and Barbie's celebrated Ken, Ryan Gosling, are The Fall Guy's lead actors, along with the extremely talented Hannah Waddingham and Aaron Taylor Johnson.

The Fall Guy, which is set to hit theaters on May 3rd, is one of several upcoming movies with a heavy nostalgia factor, because it is a reboot of the beloved 1980s series The Fall Guy — which originally starred the legendary Lee Majors, who will also feature in the upcoming big screen adaptation.

This project has everything going for it: a successful director, a superstar cast, a nostalgic shine, and a huge estimated budget of $125 million.

There is a fair chance that The Fall Guy will earn a billion dollars at the box office.

Upcoming Movie: Inside Out 2

Likelihood That Inside Out 2 Hits A Billion: 70 Percent

Animated films typically have a high potential to become billion-dollar movies.

Nine years after the massive success of Inside Out, its studio (Pixar) decided to make a sequel. Inside Out is a movie every child should watch.

It couples important lessons with entertainment, and every animated movie could learn from Inside Out — on how to depict emotional themes, and on how to guide the younger generations, as animated movies are most popular among kids.

After its tremendous showing in 2015, Inside Out was widely deemed one of the best-animated movies of all time.

The sequel to Inside Out is set to premiere on June 14th, and has an advantage with respect to a potential billion-dollar gross, as Inside Out fans are eagerly awaiting this sequel ... and its fan base is huge.

Plus, Pixar, the studio behind Inside Out 2, is a veritable hit factory, and they know how to make movies which draw the audience to visit theaters in droves.

Pixar has an array of awesome projects to their credit, such as The Incredibles, the Toy Story series, and Finding Nemo.

Upcoming Movie: Deadpool & Wolverine

Likelihood That Deadpool & Wolverine Hits A Billion: 85 Percent

Arguably the most hotly-anticipated upcoming movie of 2024, Deadpool & Wolverine is set to hit theaters on July 26th, and fans of Deadpool and Wolverine are counting the days until its release.

One reason for their impatience is that the beloved Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), who died in 2017's Logan, appears to have rejoined the living.

In fiction, there is no certainty; even the dead can come back.

Updated, April 2024: A few developments regarding Deadpool & Wolverine occurred in late April, namely the release of a brand-new trailer for the hugely hyped and eagerly awaited film.

On April 23rd, Yahoo! Entertainment published a piece speculating that Loki might feature in Deadpool & Wolverine (something widely speculated upon due to the involvement of the Loki series' TVA), citing possible clues in the second trailer beyond the TVA itself.

On April 25th, MovieWeb also reported on a "mind-blowing" post-credits scene teased by Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld:

"Deadpool & Wolverine is still three months away, but one internet piece of speculation has actually been confirmed by someone who should be in the know; Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld.

"The rumor in question centers on the post-credits scene of the upcoming movie, which industry insider MyTimeToShineHello on X/Twitter noted was going to be 'mind-blowing.'

"Of course, this is not exactly a spoiler in itself and is a vague enough statement to also be said by many others. However, it gained a little more weight when Liefeld chimed in with his confirmation that she 'ain’t lying to you!'"

As for the latest trailer, it introduced a bit more of the film — and racked up over ten million views in a few days:

Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is an edgily cool, lewd superhero, while Wolverine is a super agitated and angry character.

As such, their imminent match-up will be worth a trip to the theater.

By himself, Deadpool did well in both of his solo films, earning more than $750 million — but this time, Deadpool is powered by Wolverine.

This marks the first time Casanova, one of the most powerful villains of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), will appear in a film.

Many superheroes and mutants – like Pyro, Xavier Charles, Elektra, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and Yukio – are teaming up, adding to the upcoming movie's allure.

Deadpool 3 is quite likely to earn a billion dollars at the box office.

Upcoming Movie: Despicable Me 4

Likelihood That Despicable Me 4 Hits A Billion: 90 Percent

All eyes are on Despicable Me 4, as it could seize the title of the first animated movie franchise to make a whopping $5 billion profit at the box office.

The Despicable Me franchise has raked in $4.64 billion at the box office to date, and it is still the number one animated movie franchise in terms of earnings.

However, it needs to rake in at least $360 million to join the $5 billion franchise club.

With the exception of the first Despicable Me movie, all movies in the Despicable Me franchise have roughly earned or exceeded the significant billion-dollar mark at the box office.

According to historical data and based on its fan base, it is highly likely Despicable Me 4 will be a billion-dollar movie, and if not, it will bag at least $900 million or more.

Upcoming Movie: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Likelihood That Beetlejuice 2 Hits A Billion: 60 Percent

One more 1980s masterpiece, this long-awaited sequel will also entice the audience with powerful nostalgia.

Beetlejuice is a cult classic "fantasy horror" movie released in 1988, which surprised studios, and earned a massive $74.7 million against a budget of just $15 million.

Now an indisputable masterpiece, the original Beetlejuice was a unique comedy, starring legendary actors Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, and Geena Davis.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a follow-up to this legendary humorous horror hit, bolstered by cinematic advancements achieved in the 35 years between the two releases.

In the upcoming Beetlejuice 2, Michael Keaton will again portray the iconic role of Beetlejuice — and it's hard to imagine the project would have seen the light of day with anyone else playing the part.

Other noticeable acting greats in the movie are newcomer Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Winona Ryder.

A star-studded cast, iconic familiar characters, the return of director Tim Burton (whose goal is to stay true to the original), advanced horror effects, and a solid script are all strong signals indicating Beetlejuice 2 will scare up a billion dollars in cinemas later this year.

Upcoming Movie: Joker: Folie à Deux

Likelihood That Joker 2 Hits A Billion: 90 Percent

The Joker's character is pure dark magic.

Heath Ledger, who played the Joker in The Dark Knight, is still considered one of the best villainous characters in movie history, and he swept all the awards shows for his portrayal.

Ledger won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a Saturn Award, a BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, and many more for his turn as the Joker.

Unfortunately, Ledger was not on the stage to receive those awards personally, and won them posthumously.

Heath Ledger died six months before The Dark Knight's release due to a prescription drug overdose; he was just 28 years old.

But his stunning cinematic legacy will live on forever.

A decade later, Joaquin Phoenix stepped into the role of the Joker, and like Heath Ledger, Phoenix swept all major awards ceremonies, for "Best Actor."

He bagged an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award, and nearly every other major award in the world.

Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, and Zazie Beetz's Joker not only conquered the awards circuit, but also the box office, hitting the billion-dollar benchmark.

Now Phoenix will again emerge on the big screen as the Joker in Joker: Folie à Deux, slated for release on October 4th.

"Folie à Deux" is a term utilized in psychiatric medicine, describing situations where two or more people share the same psychological disorder — typically in the form of delusions.

In Joker 2, it looks as if there are two affected characters: the Joker, and his infamous girlfriend Harley Quinn, who is as lethal as he is.

This time around, Harley Quinn will be played by the multi-talented singer and actress Lady Gaga, and fans are eager to see their dark and devious relationship on the big screen.

Joker did it five years ago, and there is no reason Joker 2 is any less likely to earn a billion at the box office.

Upcoming Movie: Gladiator 2

Likelihood That Gladiator 2 Hits A Billion: 75 Percent

When it comes to fans of film and the best modern historical epic, there is a massive chance people will point to Gladiator more than any other movie in the genre.

Gladiator is one of the greatest historical epics of all time — a five-time Oscar winner, including for "Best Picture" and "Best Actor," two of the vaunted "Big Five."

Gladiator will always be remembered as a top historical movie, and it earned its place among the classics of Hollywood's Golden Age.

After 24 years, news of a sequel to Gladiator delighted movie fans. The movie is set 15 years after the events of the first Gladiator, in Ancient Rome.

Film buffs are eagerly waiting for this movie to arrive in theaters, particularly now that everyone knows everyone else is constantly thinking about the Roman Empire.

Gladiator was released early in the industry's post-billion dollar era, when only one movie, Titanic, had achieved a billion-dollar gross at the box office.

In the modern day, a question remains: will Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 make the same impact with a new but star-studded cast?

This time around, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nelson, Pedro Pascal, and Barry Keoghan are all attached to the project.

To predict a movie's financial prospects is not an easy task, and sometimes the box office behaves in an unexpected way — as it did spectacularly in the case of Madame Web:

However, Gladiator has a gargantuan cult following, and Ridley Scott, the director of the original Gladiator, is returning and directing the second installment.

We are inclined to say that since he did it in the past, he can do it again. The cast of Gladiator 2 is superb; the only question is with respect to the story.

Will the audience embrace the plot of Gladiator 2, which will be thoroughly compared to the first Gladiator?

Let's be optimistic about it.

Apart from these awesome upcoming movies, some highly anticipated films in 2024 are unlikely to earn a billion dollars ... but they remain among the most awaited flicks, and are likely to win the praise of audiences at the very least.

They include Damsel, Civil War, Road House, Challengers, Borderlands, Kingdom Of The Planet Of Apes, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, and A Quiet Place: Day One.

2024 is doubtlessly an exciting year in terms of the quality of upcoming movies, and a chance remains that at least one movie can surprise critics and audiences alike, and hit the billion-dollar mark unexpectedly.