Sheri’s Spotlight: My Most Anticipated Films of 2022

2021 was a fantastic year for film. Hits like The Power of the Dog, Encanto, West Side Story, Belfast, Spencer, Spider-Man: No Way Home, The French Dispatch, and so many more impressed viewers. 2022 has a lot to live up to. Another year, another arsenal of movies waiting to be released and dazzle audiences everywhere. I’m thrilled for all the possibility and potential that 2022 offers all the film nerds of the world. Here are my 7 most anticipated films of 2022. 

The Worst Person in the World (2021)

This Norwegian feature follows a young woman as she navigates the troubled waters of love and adulthood. Set in contemporary Oslo, this dramedy from director Joachim Trier (Oslo, August 31) promises strong, character driven plots with which anyone who’s struggling with indecisiveness in their 20s can relate. While released internationally in 2021, The Worst Person in the World comes to American theaters on February 4, 2022. 

The Batman (2022) 

The world’s greatest detective returns to the big screen yet again, but this time there’s a fresh face behind the mask. Robert Pattinson (Twilight, Tenet) takes the mantle of the caped crusader in director Matt Reeves’ serious and grounded take on the Dark Knight. Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood, Little Miss Sunshine) plays the demented Riddler who treats our hero to a deadly game of cat and mouse. Releasing nationwide on March 4, 2022, The Batman is sure to be the grimy and gloomy Batman reboot we didn’t know we needed. 

Turning Red (2022) 

Turning Red, the newest feature from Pixar, tells the story of Mei a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl who suddenly turns into a giant red panda. Director Domee Shi makes her feature film debut with this classing coming of age story with a supernatural twist. Turning Red comes to Disney+ on March 11, 2022. 

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

From the directors of the abundantly strange Swiss Army Man (2016), Everything Everywhere All at Once is a science fiction film fueled by A24. The timeless and effortlessly captivating Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) stars as the multiverse hopping Evelyn Wang. This trailer offers mind-bending action and quirky hilarity, all tethered to a heartwarming story about family, regret, and lost potential.  Alongside Yeoh is Stephanie Hsu (Be More Chill, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), a personal favorite actress of mine, who I am very excited to see in larger roles. Chaos is sure to ensue in this trippy feature that’s set to release March 25, 2022. 

Phase 3 of the MCU ended nearly three years ago, thrusting fans- and the franchise- into previously uncharted waters. This year the god of thunder finally returns for the fourth instalment of his solo series. The hilariously brilliant Takia Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) returns to the MCU to once again bring his own special brand of mayhem to Thor’s story. Natalie Portman returns as Jane Foster who is rumored to be coming into her own power in what is sure to be a fun twist of fate. Thor: Love and Thunder releases on July 8, 2022. 

It’s been three years since Us (2019) hit theaters and Jordan Peele is finally returning to the silver screen with yet another horror film. Currently, little is known about the synopsis of Nope, but the Academy Award winning director has yet to let audiences down. Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out), Steven Yeun (Minari, The Walking Dead), and Keke Palmer (Hustlers) will star. Nope is set to release July 22, 2022. 

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) (2022)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) changed the game of what superhero movies could be in terms of blurring the lines between comics and film. Unorthodox animation styles, splashy visuals, relatable characters, and poignant story telling converged in that instant classic. Now, 4 years later, the ensemble of Spider-people audiences have grown to love, reunite in a film that is sure to be stranger, more chaotic, and even more beautiful than the first. I might be a bit biased considering Into the Spider-Verse is one of my all time favorite films– and certainly my favorite animated feature. But I wholeheartedly believe that all the praise it received was more than warranted and well deserved. With every year that passes, animated features continue to push the boundaries of film and redefine who can enjoy them. I’m so excited to see all the new dimensions and universes that will come to life on October 7, 2022 in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One).

What films are you looking forward to see? Happy 2022 and happy viewing!