The Most Highly-Anticipated Productions That Will be Released in the Near Future

Motion pictures and television series have been in a difficult position since July 14th, the day when the SAG-AFTRA strike began. The primary causes for the strike are the lack of agreement between the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the AMPTP, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. There’s also disagreement regarding streaming residuals and better regulation of self-tape auditions. Many actors and writers say they have been paid very little by streaming services, even when the series or film was a huge success.

The strike coincided with the Writers Guild of America strike that commenced on May 2nd. The strike action also has poor compensation from streaming as a primary reason, as well as a disagreement with the AMPTP. The writers demand better job security, larger writers’ rooms and areas, as well as the payment of living wages. The increased use of artificial intelligence has also been a critical reason for the strikes from both sides. As of September 20th, both strikes are still ongoing.

The events are the most notable of their kind since the 1980 actors strike and the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike. The events have led to the postponement of many productions, as creative workers have joined forces and showed solidarity with the strikes. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t many notable titles that won’t come up in the near future, which you should go and see yourself to send the message that the labour of all those who create the productions is essential.

Killers of the Flower Moon

This epic Western crime drama will be released on October 20th and features Lily Gladstone, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro as the main characters. The film is based on the nonfiction 2017 book “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” which discusses the murder of the Osage Native Americans during the 1920s and 30s in Osage County, Oklahoma. At the time, extensive oil deposits had been discovered beneath their land. The exact number of victims remains unknown to this day, but some estimates say that there were hundreds of victims.

The film offers a sobering evaluation of America’s relationship with indigenous peoples and is set to be highly successful and draw in a large crowd.

Stranger Things

The popular science fiction horror has been highly praised and loved by many people worldwide due to its likeable characters, good writing, intricate plots and, of course, the nostalgia it brings for the 1980s. Devoted fans have also looked for Stranger Things at Funko to get a figurine of their favourite character. Eddie was one of the most popular characters in season four, and the Funko featuring him holding his infamous guitar has been quickly grabbed by fans.

Other Stranger Things-related merchandise includes backpacks, crossbody bags, keychains, wallets, apparel, and more. Replicas of the outfits worn by the characters in the show are also highly coveted among those who want to recreate the look. However, the release date of the series’ final season is still debated, and nothing official has been confirmed yet, with estimates now placing it sometime in 2025. While that can seem like a long time to wait, it’s nothing for the fans who are willing to be patient if it means that the final result is spectacular.

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

Speaking of superfans, there are few fandoms as dedicated as the swifties. On March 17th, Taylor Swift embarked on her sixth concert tour, set to end on November 23rd, 2024. Supporting acts include Paramore, Girl in Red, Haim, Sabrina Carpenter, Gayle, Beabadoobee and Gracie Abrams. However, it’s more than just a series of concerts, but rather a full-blown extravaganza that takes fans through all the album eras Taylor had throughout her career.

Critics have lauded the concept, and Swift received praise for her vocals and versatility, the aesthetics, production and ambiance, as well as the sheer stamina it takes to hold so many shows. However, the tour has also been marred by controversy, as many fans could not buy tickets as they had hoped due to blunders in online systems. However, those who didn’t have a chance to see their favourite artist in person at a concert now have a second chance to do so by watching the concert movie set to release on October 13th. Some sources claim the film has already amassed $65 million in presales.

Godzilla Minus One

The Godzilla franchise has had countless iterations of the famous kaiju since its debut back in 1954. Now, fans can see Godzilla Minus One, which will get to the big screens on December 1st. The action takes place in postwar Japan, with the country’s economy in shambles after the conflict and now having to face the threat of the mighty Godzilla on top of it all. The main characters are portrayed by Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe, who try to escape the destruction Godzilla brings into the land.

The Boy and the Heron

Few animators can say they’ve received universal acclaim from fans and critics, but Hayao Miyazaki is arguably the most well-known among them. On December 8th, The Boy and The Heron, Miyazaki’s latest film, will get a North American release, with a special preview on November 22nd. The film is inspired by the 1937 novel “How Do You Live?” by Genzaburo Yoshino. The plot follows the life and experiences of a fifteen-year-old boy nicknamed Koperu as he deals with complex issues such as humanity, spiritual growth and social realities.

The Color Purple

The coming-of-age musical will be released on December 20th and is based on the 1982 novel by American author Alice Walker. The 2023 film follows in the footsteps of the much-acclaimed 1985 film, with Whoopi Goldberg in the leading role. Celie Harris-Johnson will be played by Fantasia Barrino in the new rendition, with Taraji P. Henson set to star as Shug Avery. Other cast members include Corey Hawkins, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Halle Berry, John Batiste and Ciara.

The original stage musical got a Tony Award during its revival in 2016, so expectations are high. However, given the highly talented, star-studded cast and the complexity of the source material, there’s no doubt that the production will be successful.

If you love movies, there are still many to see this year, so be on the lookout for the upcoming releases.