As 2022 is shaping up to be another year of political polarization and continued pandemic concerns, it will also be the year of some of the most highly anticipated entertainment we’ve seen in a long time. Here’s a list of movies, albums, and TV series to look out for in the coming year.
Movies (in order of release date)
Release Date: February 4
In this sci-fi thriller, a mysterious force knocks the moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it.
Release Date: February 11
A sweet rom-com starring J-Lo and Owen Wilson follows the love story of two strangers who marry each other during a live performance in front of millions of people.
Release Date: March 4
Robert Pattinson will star as Batman in this story of crime and corruption in Gotham City while facing off with the infamous villain known as the Riddler.
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness
Release Date: May 6
This highly anticipated film is the result of years’ worth of MCU shows and movies cultivating into the climax of a much larger story.
Release Date: May 27
After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.
Release Date: June 10
The plot of the newest installment of Jurassic World has been kept under wraps; the cast however, includes franchise staples such as Jeff Goldblum, Chris Pratt, and Daniella Pineda.
Release Date: June 17
Disney Pixar’s dramatic telling of the story of Toy Story character, Buzz Lightyear, who will be voiced by Chris Evans.
Release Date: July 8
The fourth installment in the Thor saga features the return of star Chris Hemsworth, and his adventures with other Marvel star power like Chris Pratt and Natalie Portman.
Release Date: TBD
Members of the Osage tribe in the United States are murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s sparking a major F.B.I. investigation involving J. Edgar Hoover.
Release Date: TBD
This highly anticipated sequel to the 1993 cult classic welcomes back its three main stars: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy.
TV Shows
Much of the highly anticipated shows coming in the new year paint 2022 as a nerd’s paradise. Popular science fiction and fantasy franchises will be getting spinoffs and live-action adaptations.
Lord of the Rings
September, 2022, Amazon Prime
Lord of the Rings, the television series, will take place “thousands of years before the events of the Hobbit and the original trilogy,” or during Middle Earth’s second age. The story follows an ensemble cast of characters as they confront the reemergence of evil to Middle Earth. Production for the show topped $1 billion, making it the most expensive television series ever made.
House of the Dragon
TBD, HBO Max
Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood series, which is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen. House of the Dragon will aim to repeat its predecessor’s legendary cast with another mostly British roster of recognizable names such as, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, and Rhys Ifans.
Avatar: the Last Airbender
August, 2022, Netflix
This live-action adaptation of the incredibly popular animated series aims to right the wrongs of previous live action adaptations which have left fans wondering if the creators had ever seen the source material. Comprised of a mostly Asian cast, Avatar: the Last Airbender will follow the events of the original series, where Aang and his friends try to put a stop to the century-long war that has raged in the absence of the Avatar.
Star Wars: The Acolyte, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Lando and more.
TDB, Disney+
This sci-fi franchise is getting several new series including The Acolyte set 200 years before Episode One: The Phantom Menace. Obi-Wan Kenobi will be getting a similar series starring, of course, Ewan McGregor. In addition, Lando Calrissian will also see a spinoff set to premiere sometime next year. All in all, Disney has announced at least six new series to flesh out the larger franchise.
Albums
Most artists have only released dates for albums dropping from now until March, but here’s what to look out for in the first few months of the year.
RuPaul
Mamaru
January 7
The Lumineers
Brightside
January 14
Band of Horses
Things are Great
January 25
Eddie Vedder
Earthling
February 11
Soft Cell
*Happiness Not Included
February 25
Guns N’ Roses
Hard Skool
February 25
Dolly Parton
Run, Rose, Run,
March 7
Charli XCX
Crash
