Hollywood saw a wave of sequels making their way to theaters, with many of them receiving a strong response from audiences. Several films set new box-office records, while others faced criticism. Here’s a breakdown of some major sequels released this year, along with their release dates, earnings, and costs:
Deadpool 3
The third installment of the popular Marvel Comics character Deadpool, titled Deadpool 3, was released in May 2024. The film features Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. The movie not only performed well at the box office but also garnered praise from both critics and audiences.
Joker: Folie à Deux
The sequel to Joker, Joker: Folie à Deux, starring Joaquin Phoenix, was released on October 4, 2024. This musical drama also stars Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. However, the film did not meet audience expectations and failed to perform well at the box office, with critics offering mixed reviews.
Kung Fu Panda 4
The fourth entry in the Kung Fu Panda series, Kung Fu Panda 4, was released in March 2024. In this adventure, Po Ping embarks on a new journey to battle the villain ‘The Chameleon.’ The movie performed well at the box office, receiving positive audience feedback.
Venom: The Last Dance
Venom: The Last Dance, the latest addition to the Venom franchise, hit theaters on October 25, 2024. Tom Hardy returned as Venom, with the film showcasing Venom’s death, leading many to believe that the character might not return. Despite this, the film saw strong earnings at the box office and received praise for its story and execution.
Transformers One
Transformers One, an animated science fiction action film based on the Transformers toy line, was released on September 20, 2024. It grossed nearly $130 million at the box office, marking another successful addition to the Transformers franchise.
Alien: Romulus
The sequel to the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, was released on October 18, 2024. This sci-fi horror film did well at the box office, helping to erase the disappointment of Alien: Covenant from earlier years. Romulus introduced the next generation to the eerie world of the Alien universe.
Smile 2
A sequel to the 2022 psychological horror film Smile, Smile 2 was released internationally on October 16, 2024. The film has already received global praise and has been performing well at the box office, even competing with Venom 3 in terms of earnings.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
The fourth film in the Planet of the Apes franchise, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, was released on May 24, 2024. The film tells the story of a young ape embarking on a daring journey to determine the fate of both humans and apes. It has performed well at the box office.
Gladiator 2
Perhaps the most talked-about movie of the year, Gladiator 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 classic Gladiator. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film stars Paul Mescal in the lead role. Released on November 22, 2024, Gladiator 2 has earned $462 million globally, with additional earnings of over $100 million across various platforms.
Moana 2
The sequel to Disney’s beloved animated film Moana, titled Moana 2, was released on November 27, 2024. In just 19 days, the film earned $700 million, setting a new box-office record.
Mufasa: The Lion King
While not a sequel, Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to the 1994 classic The Lion King. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the film, released on December 20, 2024, explores Mufasa’s childhood and his journey to becoming the king of Pride Rock. It has been performing well at the box office.
Sonic 3
The third film in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, Sonic 3, was released on December 20, 2024. The movie, which features Sonic’s new adventures and battles with new foes, marks the return of Jim Carrey. The film is on track to become one of the highest-grossing films of the year, surpassing expectations in terms of both earnings and audience reception.