As new movies begin to drop in 2025, it’s time to look back at some of the most talked about and entertaining movies of 2024.
“It was so interesting to see such a variety of movies being released from musicals to action packed, which made it that much more anticipating to see what was going come out next,” said junior Bailey Roberts.
Twisters, starring Daisy Edgar Jones, Glen Powel and Anthony Ramos quickly became the movie of the summer. It follows former storm chaser Kate Carter who teams up with superstar Tyler Owens to face multiple storms in the fight of their lives. The incredible visual and audible effects allowed for movies watchers to truly feel like they were fighting off a tornado in Oklahoma.
In the summer of 2024, Disney released Inside Out 2 almost ten years after releasing the first one. The sequel added a new and funny look as Riley battles her freshman year of high school. There was also the introduction of two new characters, Ennui and Envy, who added a deep dive into what it feels like to be a teenager.
Another long-awaited sequel to the original was Dune: Part Two starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Austin Butler. The storyline takes place following the first movie with Paul Atreides joining up with the Arrakis natives after his father was murdered. They are in a battle to protect their home from outsiders and enemies. Critics agreed that the plotting and cinematography were undeniably better in the second film compared to the first.
One of the most talked about movies this far was Wicked, the movie adaptation of the cherished Broadway musical. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as Elphaba and Glinda, following in the daunting footsteps of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. The movie follows the two characters’ growing friendship that begins at Shiz University as roommates. It was announced that this movie was only part one and the second one will be released in November of 2025.
“Ariana and Cynthia both really embodied the characters, while still creating an entertaining watch,” said junior Emilia Defonte.
Another sequel that fans were excited to watch was Gladiator 2, which came into the theaters in the fall. It opened 20 years after the original with things drastically different from when Marcus Aureclius ruled. Currently twins, Caracalla and Geta are head of the empire with no one daring to speak against them in fear. However, Macrinus, played by Denzel Washington, was able to gain the trust of the twins and use the reckless character of both to turn them against each other. Caracalla eventually kills Geta, and following that, Macrinus was killed by Lucius. After, Lucius addressed the Roman army stating that he wanted to bring back the values that Marcus Aureclius believed in.
Whether students at Eagle High want to sing along to their favorite Broadway musical or watch Roman Gladiators fight to the death, 2024 had cinema piece for every person.
