Highly-Anticipated Movies in 2022
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Movie

New installments of popular franchises and movie adaptations of comic books are expected to become the answer to revive the industry from a long drought due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

AceShowbiz - Speaking of entertainment, one cannot separate movies from Hollywood. Unfortunately, like many other businesses, the industry was crippled in the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Theaters were shut down, some movies' releases were postponed and some others were released on streaming services.

When the safety protocols were loosened, theaters reopened. But even with vaccines starting to roll out and big movies coming in cinemas, they did little to revive the industry back to where it was before the pandemic. However, nearing the end of the year, the huge success of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" has given a renewed hope that with the right offering and the right timing, moviegoers will be lured back to theaters.

Not holding back again, big studios are going to unspool their best films in 2022. From long-awaited sequels to the beginning of potentially big franchises, they're all ready to spice up the industry once again. As we're ready to usher in the new year, let's check out some of the upcoming highly-anticipated films that movie lovers should not miss.

1. Action/Sci-Fi


Action/Sci-Fi
Lionsgate/Paramount Pictures/WENN/Nigel Cornell

Action and sci-fi movies often rely on great cinematography and "Moonfall" (February 4), from Rolland Emmerich, a notable director in these genres, is expected to combine breathtaking visuals with impressive cast, which includes Oscar winner Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, Michael Pena and Donald Sutherland among others. The story centers on a mission to save Earth from a collision with the moon.

If hardcore actions suit you better, Tom Cruise, an actor known for his action movies, has not just one, but two movies coming in 2022. They are the long-delayed "Top Gun: Maverick" (May 27) and the long-in-the-making "Mission: Impossible VII" (September 30). The "Top Gun" sequel will surely get people nostalgic while enjoying some aerial acrobatics, as the new "M: I" movie will keep the heart pacing with dangerous stunts.

2. Drama/Romance


Drama/Romance
Universal Pictures/Focus Features/MGM

Dramas are often associated with award-worthy heavy movies, but there are some that will bring in the fun this year. "Marry Me" (February 11) starring Jennifer Lopez is just one of them. Starring opposite Owen Wilson, who is best known for his roles in romantic films, the "Hustlers" actress plays a sensational Latin pop star who chooses to marry a stranger after she gets disappointed by her on-stage partner. Complications ensue as what is supposed to be a contractual romance blossoms into a real one.

On the other hand, "Downton Abbey: A New Era" (March 18) is targeted at fans of the original TV show and elder audiences. With Julian Fellowes still shepherding the project, the sequel to the 2019 film also brings together most of its beloved cast, such as Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter and Joanne Froggatt. Meanwhile, "Legally Blonde 3" (May 20) is finally coming to answer fans' request for a continuation of the story of Reese Witherspoon's Elle Woods, an underestimated law student who tries to prove she is more than just looks.

3. Adventure/Fantasy


Adventure/Fantasy
Universal Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures

Adventure and fantasy movies also give no chance for movie lovers to get bored. With "Jurassic World: Dominion" (June 10), viewers will be taken to a fictional version of Earth where prehistoric animals exist in modern world. With Colin Trevorrow, director of the original franchise, at the helm, the third installment in the new trilogy, will likely repeat its old glory with original stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum joining Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and B. D. Wong in the cast.

"Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" (April 15) and "Avatar 2" (December 16) are also going to take fans to magical lands where whimsical things meet a lot of intrigues. In the third "Fantastic Beasts" movie, the fight against Grindelwald gets more intense after the evil wizard has scored some of his best recruits in the previous movie. Meanwhile, the "Avatar" sequel is going to bring the stunning cinematic experience to the next level. With years of hard works and a massive budget, the James Cameron epic sci-fi film is likely not going to disappoint.

4. Horror/Thriller


Horror/Thriller
Paramount Pictures/Sony Pictures

Horror genre is going to look different this year with "Morbius" (January 28) coming in between the lines of supernatural and superhero. Starring Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto as the title character, it is based on Marvel Comics character of the same name who gains vampire-like abilities after trying to cure his rare blood disease with a form of transgenic vampirism. As the central character struggles to fight his thirst for blood, the movie will certainly look darker than previous Marvel films.

If jump scare is more of your thing, then you may not want to miss "Scream" (January 14) and "Halloween Ends" (October 14), which are both continuation of popular slasher film franchises. In the upcoming fifth "Scream" movie, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and Dewey Riley (David Arquette) are forced to confront their terrifying past to save a group of youngsters from a masked killer. Meanwhile, "Halloween Ends" will see Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) once again coming face to face with Michael Myers, a psychotic killer who is obsessed with her.

5. Animated/Comedy


Animated/Comedy
Paramount Pictures/Walt Disney Pictures

Making more films of successful franchises is always no brainer and this results in some promising animated and family-friendly movies like "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" (April 8), "Lightyear" (June 17) and "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)" (October 7). After fixing the design prior to its release, the first "Sonic the Hedgehog" movie managed to win the hearts of viewers and the sequel will once again pit the titular hedgehog against Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), who this time brings Knuckles the Echidna for a double threat.

"Lightyear" is a spin-off of the beloved "Toy Story" movies. Though the title will remind fans of Tim Allen's Buzz, the forthcoming film will present a completely different story as it centers on the fictional astronaut Buzz Lightyear, who inspired the action figure, with Chris Evans voicing the character. Meanwhile, the "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" sequel continues the adventure of Miles Morales across the multiverse with Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman and a new team of Spider-People who must face a powerful villain.

6. Superhero


Superhero
Warner Bros. Pictures/Walt Disney Pictures

Speaking of superhero, this year doesn't lack comic book adaptations, with "The Batman" (March 4), "Black Adam" (July 29) and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (November 11) among the highly-anticipated titles, just to name a few. With Matt Reeves serving behind the lens, the reboot of the Batman film franchise continues to offer a grittier kind of superhero movie. The anticipation is also high to see Robert Pattinson's take on the Caped Crusader. Despite initial objections to his casting, the British actor has managed to convince many that he can perfectly embody Bruce Wayne and his alter ego.

Also kicking off a potential new franchise, "Black Adam" stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as the titular character, who was initially planned to appear as a villain in "Shazam!". With the ambitious actor in the lead role and renowned filmmaker Jaume Collet-Serra as director, fans can expect nothing less than an exquisite work of art. Meanwhile, an offering from MCU which has rarely disappointed, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" will answer fans' curiosity as to how the story continues without its titular character while honoring his legacy following the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman.

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