New 2024 Movies

This holiday season, in a time of gift giving and thanks, new movies are bursting in the theaters and celebrating much more than just Christmas. Blockbusters and animated adventures such as Red One, Spellbound, Moana 2, and Mufasa: The Lion King are just the surface of what is to come at the end of this year. 

In the new action comedy, Red One, Dwayne Johnson plays the head of the North Pole security and Chris Evans is a bounty hunter. The two join forces to bring back Santa, played by J.K. Simmons, thus saving Christmas. After a mysterious monster only thought up in tales kidnaps Santa Claus, Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson) can think of only one real solution for this rescue: teaming up with Jack O’Malley, a hacker and world renowned bounty hunter. Directed by Jake Kasdan and produced by Dwayne Johnson, Jake Kasdan, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Chris Morgan, and Melvin Mar, Red One is a PG-13 fantasy, comedy, and action adventure. Released in theaters on November 6 internationally and November 15 in the United States having a $250 million budget. Grossing around $150 million so far with 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, and an average of 4 out of 5 people liked this movie. 

In the Netflix streaming animation, Spellbound, out as of November 22, Rachel Zegler who recently played Snow White and Juliet on Broadway and theaters, stars as Princess Ellian. Also featuring Nicole Kidman as Queen Ellesmere, Javier Bardem as King Solon, and Jennifer Lewis as the princess’ royal advisor, Nazara. Spellbound, a PG fantasy musical invites families into the adventure of teenage Princess Ellian when she searches to find a cure for her parents. Mysteriously cursed, Queen Ellsmere and  King Solon turn into playful monsters; Ellian must find the cure on her quest into the wild before it is too late. Spellbound was Directed by Vicky Jenson, and produced by Linda Woolverton, David Ellison, and John Lasseter with a budget of $70 million. Threatened by outside forces, Princess Ellian remains hopeful in her journey reminding kids to never stop loving their parents.

Highly anticipated, after eight years, Walt Disney Animation Studios released the sequel for the sea-loving chief’s daughter, and Disney princess if you will, Moana 2 on November 27. Starring yet again Dwanye Johnson in addition to his new Red One movie as Maui, Auli'i Cravalho as Moana, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Simea Moana’s little sister, Rose Matafeo as Loto an intelligent young women apart of Moana's crew, Hualalai Chung as Moni, a deeply adoring story teller and Maui fan, and finally David Fane as Kele, the old farmer. After receiving a mysterious call from her ancestors, Moana, Maui, and her crew journey further into the seas of Oceania to connect the people, for if not, there could be grave consequences. Moana 2 is also one of the first Disney movies with all female composers: Emily Bear and Abigail Barlow. This PG animated film was directed by Dana Ledoux Miller, Jason Hand, David Derrick Jr. , and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino has since grossed $389 million dollars with a budget of $145-160 million dollars. Its recent release showcases musical fantasia in the midst of the ocean and Polynesian culture. 

As a prequel to the beloved Lion King, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures will also release Mufasa: The Lion King on December 20. The PG live-action movie brings the African plains to life as we can experience the epic tale of how orphaned Mufasa became king of Pride Rock. The film stars Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, young Scar, Donald Glover as Simba, Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros the main antagonist, Thandiwe Newton as Eshe and Lennie James as Obasi being the parents of Taka. As a cub, damaged Mufasa met Taka, the heir to the royal bloodline, more commonly known as Scar. Together, and with a group of misfits, they search for their purpose endangered by opposing forces. Mufasa: The Lion King directed by Berry Jenkins, and produced by Mark Ceryak and Adele Romanski as well as the original score by none other than Hamilton creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. With a budget of $200 million dollars, Mufasa: The Lion King will be “Defying Gravity.”