The Most Anticipated Sequels, Prequels, and Spin-Offs
Explore our list of the most anticipated sequels, prequels, and spin-offs coming to theaters and streaming.
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- DirectorFede AlvarezStarsCailee SpaenyDavid JonssonArchie RenauxWhile scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.What would you do if you were handed the Alien franchise pretty much carte blanche? What a coup for horror hero Fede Alvarez, who decided to set an interquel story between the first two movies. Ripley is in cryosleep on her way back to Earth in the Narcissus as Cailee Spaeny heads up a group of colonizers who are scavenging a derelict space station. Big yes to practical effects, less cerebral storytelling, easter eggs aplenty, and casting David Jonsson in his first big role after Rye Lane.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsJoseph QuinnDenzel WashingtonPedro PascalAfter his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people.No, Russell Crowe will not appear in Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’ sequel (remember, Maximus died). The consolation prize is a cast that includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Paul Mescal in the lead role of Lucius (nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus from the original). Expect more dazzling fight sequences, including a fight between Mescal and a pack of baboons!
- DirectorTodd PhillipsStarsJoaquin PhoenixZazie BeetzLady GagaArthur Fleck is institutionalized at Arkham, awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that's always been inside him.Three things you need to know about Todd Phillips’ sequel to Joker: 1) The film is a musical. 2) Lady Gaga has been cast to play Harley Quinn. 3) "Folie à Deux" is defined by the NIH as "an identical or similar mental disorder affecting two or more individuals."
- DirectorJ.C. ChandorStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonRussell CroweChristopher AbbottKraven 's complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff, starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared.Sony further expands their Spider-Man universe with Aaron Taylor-Johnson starring as Kraven, the big-game hunter and frequent foe of everyone's favorite webslinger. Kraven teases started back in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 when Sam Raimi wanted the entire Sinister Six to make an appearance in the massive Spidey sequel. As you'd expect, everyone involved in the origin story dances around the question of whether Spider-Man will make an appearance in the movie, but Sony has to sense they have an opportunity to generate more enthusiasm for their Marvel movies during the MCU's rebuilding phase.
In theaters Dec. 13, 2024 - CreatorLauren LeFrancStarsColin FarrellCristin MiliotiRhenzy FelizFollowing the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, a.k.a. the Penguin, makes a play to seize the reins of the crime world in Gotham.Picking up right after The Batman, where The Riddler nearly made Gotham the new Atlantis, we'll see how Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, looks to take advantage of the chaos and establish himself as the city's new boss. Colin Farrell returns to the role with his layers of make-up and prosthetics, and he'll be challenged by Sofia Falcone, the daughter of Cobblepot's deceased former boss, Carmine Falcone. Cristin Milioti, someone we'd watch every day in anything, plays Falcone in the next chapter of the DC Elseworlds universe, the franchise that lives independently from the universe James Gunn is building.
Series premieres Thursday, Sept. 19, 2023 on Max - DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonWinona RyderCatherine O'HaraAfter a 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 teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife.It’s been 35 years since Tim Burton introduced us to the mischievous trickster known as Beetlejuice, and after several stalled attempts, the director is conjuring a sequel. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara reprise their roles, and Jenna Ortega joins the cast as the daughter of Lydia Deetz.
- DirectorDavid G. Derrick Jr.Jason HandDana Ledoux MillerStarsDwayne JohnsonAlan TudykAuli'i CravalhoAfter receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana journeys to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she has ever faced.Moana is back for another adventure, reuniting with Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to embark on a high seas adventure after a mysterious call from her ancestors sets her off on a new mission. The sequel was inevitable, especially considering Moana was the most streamed movie of 2023. Not bad for a movie that was released in 2016. Auli’i Cravalho heads up the returning voice cast, including Temuera Morrison as Chief Tui, Rachel House as Gramma Tala, and Alan Tudyk as Heihei the rooster.
- DirectorBarry JenkinsStarsAaron PierreKelvin Harrison Jr.Seth RogenSimba, having become king of the Pride Lands, is determined for his cub to follow in his paw prints while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored.
- DirectorDanny BoyleStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonJodie ComerCillian MurphyPlot under wraps. The third film in the "28 Days Later" franchise.
- StarsYûya UchidaHiro ShimonoShizuka Ishigami2022: A future war has raged for decades between the few human survivors and an endless army of machines. 1997: The AI known as Skynet gained self-awareness and began its war against humanity.In a year of anticipated sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, [q]Terminator Zero[/q] should not be overlooked. The anime series produced by Production I.G. ("Kaiju No. 8," "Haikyu!") is expanding the Terminator universe with a story that’s both original and canon to the film franchise. Spanning two timelines in 2022 and 1997, the eight-episode season follows a soldier sent back in time to protect the scientist designing an AI system smart enough to compete with the dreaded Skynet. With scripts from showrunner Mattson Tomlin (the upcoming The Batman Part II), direction from Masahi Kudô ("Tower of God," "Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War"), and an all-star voice cast including Sonoya Mizuno, Andre Holland, Rosario Dawson, Ann Dowd, and Timothy Olyphant, we have our calendars marked for this release. Oh, and the premiere date? August 29th, the same day Skynet became self-aware and rebelled 27 years ago.
- DirectorLen WisemanStarsAna de ArmasKeanu ReevesCatalina Sandino MorenoA young female assassin seeks revenge against the people who killed her family.The ever-expanding John Wick saga is getting its first film spin-off in 2024 with ‘Ballerina.’ Starring Ana de Armas, with support from franchise star Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane, the movie follows an assassin on a classic Wick-style revenge mission. The script from Shay Hatten (‘John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum’) is under wraps, but cast members like de Armas and Reeves have dropped a few breadcrumbs for us to follow. The actress confirmed she and the action icon have a “very difficult stunt scene together,” while Reeves has hinted that the Ballerina’s quest is wrapped up in the mysterious death of her father.
- DirectorJulius OnahStarsHarrison FordLiv TylerRosa SalazarSam Wilson, who's officially taken up the mantle of Captain America, finds himself in the middle of an international incident.After taking on the mantle of Captain America in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," Anthony Mackie returns to take center stage. Harrison Ford takes over for the late William Hurt as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, who gets to assume his comic book alter ego, Red Hulk. Also joining the cast are Shira Haas, Tim Blake Nelson, and Carl Lumbly.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsVanessa KirbyJoseph QuinnPedro PascalPlot under wraps.The biggest news out of San Diego Comic-Con was easily Marvel’s shocking reveal that Robert Downey Jr. will return to the MCU, this time as the legendary villain Doctor Doom. If you're scratching your head wondering how the deceased Iron Man actor can play a different character, watch our theories here. Doomsday replaces the previously planned Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, but will still serve as a the lead-in film to the final film in Phase Six of the MCU, Avengers: Secret Wars.
Expected in theaters in 2026 - DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsJanet McTeerTom CruiseHannah WaddinghamThe 8th entry in the long running Mission Impossible franchise.Last summer’s 'Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One' (say that five times fast) wasn’t the box office smash that Paramount was hoping it would be, despite favorable reviews by both fans and critics. The eighth franchise installment (now scheduled for a 2025 release) was originally planned as a send-off for Ethan Hunt, but Tom Cruise has expressed interest in continuing to leap from high places as the superspy.
- DirectorFrancis LawrenceStarsKeanu ReevesPeter StormareReeves will reprise his role as supernatural exorcist and demonologist John Constantine. Who, in the original is dying, but sticks around to save his soul by keeping demons in hell from breaching earth.Things have been quiet around 'Constantine 2' recently, but that doesn’t mean enthusiasm for the movie has died down. Director Francis Lawrence and writer Akiva Goldsman are back to work on the script, now that the Hollywood labor disputes are resolved, and meeting with star Keanu Reeves to work out the trajectory of the long-awaited sequel.
- DirectorScott DerricksonStarsEthan HawkeMason ThamesJeremy DaviesIf you're familiar with the events of the first movie, you, like the rest of us, might be wondering how Ethan Hawke will return as the serial killer The Grabber, or how the Shaw family will factor into the story, since that tormented clan is back as well. Fingers crossed for a proper sequel instead of going the prequel route.
- DirectorKelly MarcelStarsJuno TempleTom HardyAlanna UbachEddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie's last dance.Now that Madame Web is in the rear view mirror and Kraven the Hunter is prepped for a December release, it’s time for us to set our sights on the next film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Tom Hardy returns as Eddie Brock/Venom to close out the trilogy with a story he devised alongside writer Kelly Marcel, who will make her directorial debut with the film. Internet sleuths seem to believe the movie will take place after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which could mean the multiverse is at play. We’re not sure who Juno Temple, Chiwetel Ejifor, and Clark Backo are scheduled to play, but we do know the “Ted Lasso” star considered filming “a wild, wonderful ride.” We don’t know about you, but our spidey senses are tingling.
- DirectorJoaquim Dos SantosKemp PowersJustin K. ThompsonStarsShameik MooreHailee SteinfeldBrian Tyree HenryAfter leaving off from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the story continues.
- DirectorEmma TammiStarsElizabeth LailMatthew LillardJosh HutchersonAfter an unstable life, Jeremy Fitzgerald takes a night guard job at the new Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, unaware of the horrors that await him within the establishment.
- DirectorJeff FowlerStarsBen SchwartzColleen O'ShaughnesseyIdris ElbaSonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance.
- DirectorKenji KamiyamaStarsBrian CoxMiranda OttoLorraine AshbourneA sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan, and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg.
- DirectorGerard JohnstoneStarsBrian Jordan AlvarezJemaine ClementAllison WilliamsPlot under wrap.
- StarsSydney ChandlerAlex LawtherTimothy OlyphantA prequel series set three decades before the events of the 1979 film.Did you know this series is from "Fargo" and "Legion" creator Noah Hawley, and he doesn't have much use for the whole Engineers storyline revealed in the two most recent 'Alien' sequels? Picture how those talks with Ridley Scott went. While it's uncertain if the franchise can be stabilized in terms of fan satisfaction, we won't count out Hawley for being able to explore origins of the Xenomorph species.
- CreatorAaron KorshStarsStephen AmellBryan GreenbergJosh McDermittFollows a new group led by Ted Black, a former New York prosecutor who built an L.A. law firm that specializes in criminal and entertainment law.