(Updated 08/28/2024)
Movie sequels are baked so deeply into filmmaking history that you cannot separate the idea of movies from the concept of sequels. While we didn't start seeing movies with a numeral designating sequel status until the '50s or '60s, the first movie sequel dates back to the early days of the silent film era.
After THE GODFATHER PART II won Best Picture, and the Star Wars movie series became the new paradigm for Hollywood, sequels became more popular than ever.
But you're not here for history! You want to know what movie sequels are coming out in 2024, and what sequels are on the calendar even further out than that. Here you go: These are the sequels coming to movie theaters in 2024.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman return to play their most famous characters in a story that will likely begin to rewrite the MCU. The movie takes place before LOGAN, which was set in 2029. Trailers reveal the fact that the Time Variance Authority plays a role in the story as Deadpool is sent to deal with an alternate Wolverine who isn't doing so well. Expect pure chaos to ensue. Shawn Levy (FREE GUY) is directing. [Now Playing]
Alien: Romulus
The sci-fi/horror-thriller takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. The film stars Cailee Spaeny (“Priscilla”), David Jonsson (“Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (“Aftersun”), Aileen Wu. [Now Playing]
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 
Beetlejuice is back! Oscar-nominated, singular creative visionary Tim Burton and Oscar nominee and star Michael Keaton reunite for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Burton’s award-winning Beetlejuice. After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it's only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice's name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem. [September 6]
Transformers One
An origin story set on Cybertron, the original home of the Autobots and Decepticons. The film is said to focus on the relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron, and its transformation from friendship to hatred. [September 20]
Joker: Folie à Deux
Writer/director Todd Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix reunite for a second JOKER movie. Lada Gaga plays Harley Quinn, likely with a few character tweaks that fit this particular vision of the Joker. And the production will be a musical of some kind, which sounds wild at first — until you realize that it might be the perfect way to visualize the next stage of Arthur Fleck's life. Read more about JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX here. [October 4]
White Bird
Julian has struggled to belong ever since he was expelled from his former school for his treatment of Auggie Pullman. To transform his life, Julian's grandmother finally reveals her own story of courage. During her youth in Nazi-occupied France, a boy shelters her from mortal danger. Together, they find first love in a stunning, magical world of their own creation, while the boy's mother risks everything to keep her safe. [October 4]
Smile 2
SMILE writer/director Parker Finn follows up his horror hit. We don't know much about SMILE 2 at this point, but Kyle Gallner, Naomi Scott, Lukas Gage and Rosemarie DeWitt are all in the cast. [October 18]
Terrifier 3
Things are just coming together for the sequel to the surprise horror hit fall 2022. TERRIFIER 3 will pit franchise villain Art The Clown (David Howard Thornton) against returning heroine Sienna (Lauren LaVera) in a rematch that somehow moves forward from the bizarre ending of TERRIFIER 2. Director Damien Leone returns with a much larger budget — oh, and this one is set at Christmas. [October 25]
Venom: The Last Dance
Tom Hardy is back for a third turn as human Eddie Brock and his slimy alien symbiote, Venom. We don't know too much about the story in this threequel, but chances are good that we'll learn more soon. [October 25]
Gladiator II
Director Ridley Scott is making GLADIATOR 2 at last. The project went into development more than 20 years ago but working out the story took a long time! Paul Mescal (AFTERSUN) looks set to star as Lucius, seen as a boy in the original movie, who now investigates his true parentage as he strives for power. [November 22]
Moana 2
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. [November 27]
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
More than two hundred years before the events of THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, the King of Rohan, Helm Hammerhand, must defend his lands from vicious attacks by men called the Dunlendings. This anime explores an unseen chapter in Middle-Earth's history, and features the voices of Brian Cox and Miranda Otto. [December 13]
Mufasa: The Lion King
This prequel to the CG-animated LION KING remake explores Mufasa's history. [December 20]
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
The third SONIC movie comes from the returning creative team of director Jeff Fowler and writers Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington. The main cast also returns, with James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Lee Majdoub, and Idris Elba all reprising their roles from the previous two movies. Look for Shadow the Hedgehog, whose voice actor has not yet been announced, to appear, too. Read more about SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 here. [December 20]
See what's in theaters now!
All images courtesy of Universal Pictures.