It’s exactly what it says on the tin, a semi-comprehensive breakdown on some of my most anticipated films scheduled to come out in 2022. There are naturally some missing, such as half a dozen MCU or DCEU films and early buzz Oscar contenders, but these films are the big ones. From up-and-coming auteurs to industry veterans to some good old-fashioned blockbuster popcorn films, 2022 will be as exciting and entertaining as ever.

The Northman | Directed by Robert Eggers | Focus Features | April 22, 2022

Robert Eggers has been one of the most fascinating and intriguing directors of the last decade and The Northman looks to be no exception. An epic revenge thriller starring Alexander Skarsgård and Anya Taylor-Joy, among an ensemble filled with legends like Nicole Kidman and Ethan Hawke, The Northman is without a doubt my most anticipated. A visceral medieval neo-fantasy is exactly the kind of cinema that needs to be promoted, and Eggers has never disappointed.

Killers of the Flower Moon | Directed by Martin Scorsese | Paramount Pictures | 2022 

Martin Scorsese – what else needs to be said? Possibly the greatest filmmaker in the American industry’s history, Scorsese will be debuting his first Western with Killers of the Flower Moon. Jesse Plemons leads the cast, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone rounding out a supporting ensemble. Scorsese, with his classic partners editor Thelma Schoonmaker and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, has been on a roll as he’s entered a more contemplative phase of his career, and I expect Killers of the Flower Moon to be no exception to his late-stage brilliance.

The Batman | Directed by Matt Reeves | Warner Bros. Pictures | March 4, 2022 

Once again, is an explanation needed? Matt Reeves’ take on The Batman has rightly taken a place as the most anticipated film for many moviegoers both critical and casual. Every cast member, from Robert Pattinson donning the cowl to an unrecognizable Colin Farrell, looks promising, while Matt Reeves is working in his wheelhouse. Early images and reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, and Reeves’ proven talent makes the hype unlikely to falter.

Babylon | Directed by Damien Chazelle | Paramount Pictures | December 25, 2022 

Damien Chazelle’s talent as a filmmaker in the industry has been well-received, and his take on Hollywood historical fiction is likely to add to his resume of talent. Babylon, a film about a Mexican immigrant seeking to make it in Hollywood’s Golden Age, is familiar territory for the Oscar-winning filmmaker. Featuring Margot Robbie as Clara Bow, Brad Pitt, Li Jun Li, and Tobey Maguire, Babylon‘s got the cast and crew to look like another hit in the vein of La La Land and Whiplash.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Directed by Jeff Fowler | Paramount Pictures | April 8, 2022 

Not gonna lie, I don’t expect Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to be a masterpiece. However, 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog was a surprisingly fun and enjoyable experience, and the addition of Idris Elba and Colleen O’Shaugnessey to the cast is only upping the ante of quality. One of the rare good video game films, Fowler and company have struck a rare vein in how they bring Sonic to the big screen.

Knives Out 2 | Directed by Rian Johnson | Netflix | 2022 

A rare breakout hit for an original film, Knives Out 2 is the follow-up to 2019’s Knives Out. With a brand new cast outside of Daniel Craig’s eccentric detective Benoit Blanc, Knives Out 2 will see Rian Johnson tackling another fun detective story. While Johnson’s most famous work, The Last Jedi, has been divisive, to put it mildly, Knives Out was a universally acclaimed film and it’s going to be great to watch Johnson and Craig play in this sandbox once again. Dave Bautista and Edward Norton in particular are the ones I’m excited to see, and I can’t wait to see how Johnson deceives audiences once again.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Part I | Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, & Justin K. Thompson | Sony Pictures | October 7, 2022 

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a film that shouldn’t have worked, yet it ended up becoming one of the rare films capable of beating the Disney/Pixar machine while earning a killing on the way. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse looks to go bigger and bolder, introducing more fun Spider-Man variants such as Miguel O’Hara and Jessica Drew, while further experimenting with animation and story scale. Lord and Miller have been on an animated hot streak, and with the explicit confirmation of a sequel to continue, it’ll be fascinating to watch what comes next for Miles, Gwen, and Peter B.

Blonde | Directed by Andrew Dominik | Netflix | 2022

Blonde has been highly anticipated for me ever since it was confirmed to shoot in 2019. Andrew Dominik’s The Assassination of Jesse James and Killing Them Softly are both masterpieces, and his take on celebrity and Americana are fascinating. His return to filmmaking nearly a decade since the latter will continue his eccentric style, and Ana de Armas’ take on Marilyn Monroe is said to be a gripping and horrifically creative interpretation of an inherently strange novel.

Don’t Worry Darling | Directed by Olivia Wilde | Warner Bros. Pictures | September 23, 2022

Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut Booksmart was a revival of the teen comedy and one of the best films of 2019, so Don’t Worry Darling is bound to be an interesting take on psychological thrillers from her. Undeniable superstars Florence Pugh and Harry Styles will lead an ensemble that also includes Chris Pine, Gemma Chan, and Wilde herself. While little is known outside its 1950’s settings and mysterious premise, Don’t Worry Darling is the project I’m anxiously awaiting more information from.

Nope | Directed by Jordan Peele | Universal Pictures | July 22, 2022 

When it comes to cultural zeitgeist and horror twists, nobody does it as of late like Jordan Peele. Absolutely nothing is known about Nope other than its release date and its primary cast, but after the undeniable successes of Get Out and Us, do we need more? Get Out alumni Daniel Kaluuya will be returning, while Steven Yeun and Keke Palmer will undoubtedly be given meaty roles to chew on. Audiences around the filmgoing world will be waiting with baited breath for whatever Peele gives us next.

Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness | Directed by Sam Raimi | Walt Disney Studios | May 6, 2022 

Ending the list with an MCU film seems only fitting, as the filmmaking juggernaut has at least two more films, and who knows what television series coming this year. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is my personal pick for the most exciting. Sam Raimi’s return after almost a decade combined with the more unique aesthetic of Doctor Strange makes for an enticing project. When Marvel goes big, they go big and bold, and this is the biggest, boldest one on the docket for 2022.

Honorable Mentions: 

• The Flash (November 4)
• The Fabelmans (November 23)
• Mission: Impossible 7 (September 30)
• Thor: Love and Thunder (July 8)
• Bullet Train (July 15)
• Elvis (June 24)

Phenixx Gaming is everywhere you are. Follow us on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Also, if you’d like to join the Phenixx Gaming team, check out our recruitment article for details on working with us.

Phenixx Gaming is proud to be a Humble Partner! Purchases made through our affiliate links support our writers and charity!