So far, 2022 has been a year of movie sequels. New additions to popular franchises will premiere this year or have already done so. In addition, some cult classic nostalgic films will get long-awaited second chapters. Some animated children’s films are also getting sequels in 2022, much to the delight of young fans. Most of 2022’s movie sequels are a welcome sight for audiences, who are excited to see their favorite films taken in new directions. After a tumultuous start to this decade, it’s no wonder that moviegoers and streaming service subscribers would gravitate toward tried-and-true stories. After all, there is comfort in the familiar.
10. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Delights Marvel Fans
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness premiered on May 6th and is still going strong at the box office. Directed by Sam Raimi, the film most notably features Benedict Cumberbatch reprising his role as the eponymous doctor. Fans enjoy seeing Cumberbatch back on the big screen, and the film is filled with various memorable moments. Additionally, reviews from film critics are primarily positive thus far. This chapter of the Doctor Strange saga is a welcome addition to the growing list of Marvel films.
9. Top Gun: Maverick Revives An 80s Classic
The original Top Gun was among Tom Cruise’s biggest hits in the 1980s. The film premiered in 1986 and was one of the highest-grossing movies of that year. Top Gun: Maverick brings Tom Cruise and producer Jerry Bruckheimer back together, over three decades later, for the sequel’s 2022 premiere. It hit theaters on May 27th, and fans are already loving this sequel to the 80s classic. The film currently has a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and independent critics are giving it high ratings as well.
8. Jurassic World: Dominion Is The End Of An Era
Jurassic World: Dominion is the final chapter of the Jurassic Park franchise. The film premieres in theaters on June 9th and will reunite most of the cast from the original film. It’s hard to believe that the first Jurassic Park film hit theaters back in 1993, but the franchise has had an excellent run over the years. The film’s trailers have all looked promising, and audiences are excited to see the film series go out with a bang.
7. Young Audiences Look Forward To Seeing Minions: The Rise Of Gru
Minions: The Rise Of Gru is the next installment of the beloved Despicable Me franchise. Fans young and old are eagerly awaiting its release on July 1st. The film is a prequel that explores Gru’s life as a child in the 1970s. But, as it turns out, the Minions have been a part of Gru’s life right from the beginning. The film shows the origins of how Gru and the minions went from being youngsters to supervillains and delivers plenty of laughs along the way.
6. Thor: Love And Thunder Takes The Marvel Story Down A New Path
Chris Hemsworth will reprise his iconic role, Thor, in this new installment of the fan-favorite Marvel series. The film already has viewers talking due to its heavily stacked cast (Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Same Neil…the list goes on) and the promise of a new hammer wielder. The beginning of the film shows Thor searching for tranquility, but what he finds is the polar opposite: a villain hell-bent on slaying all of the gods. The movie’s 2022 premiere will land in theaters nationwide on July 8th.
5. Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Part One
The 2022 premiere of the first installment of Across The Spider-Verse isn’t until October 7th, but fans are already clamoring for more information about the upcoming film. The film is a sequel to Into The Spider-Verse, and many of the voice actors from that film will return for Part One. The cast also features Issa Rae and Oscar Issac. The original film received high marks from internet critics, and viewers anticipate the same level of excellence from this sequel.
4. Halloween Ends Completes A Trilogy
The Hollywood franchise of films has a long history, and this year’s Halloween season will feature the premiere of another installment. The aptly titled Halloween Ends completes the Danny McBride reboot trilogy that includes last year’s Halloween Kills and 2018’s Halloween. The movie sequel premieres in theaters on October 14th and is rumored to include a cameo from the writer himself.
3. Hocus Pocus 2 Revamps A 90s Classic
Hocus Pocus has been a Halloween fan favorite since its release in the early 90s, but Disney+ is bringing fans a long-overdue sequel in 2022. The sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, will air on the popular streaming service on October 31st, just in time to capture viewers who are wondering what to watch for Halloween night. The original Sanderson Sisters are back in action, as well as the actresses who famously portrayed them: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. Long-time fans of the original are curious to see what Disney+ will bring to the beloved story.
2. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Continues A Hit Marvel Series
The original Black Panther was released in 2018, and fans instantly fell in love with the film. The tragic death of its star, Chad Boseman, put the promise of a sequel into question. However, the movie sequel is confirmed for release in November of 2022. Many original cast members are reprising their roles. There are very few details available regarding how the film will address Boseman’s death, but fans suspect that it will include a homage to the late actor.
1. Avatar: The Way Of Water Tells The Sully Family’s Story
The 2022 premiere of this long-awaited sequel to Avatar will hit theaters during the holiday season. Avatar is the highest-grossing movie of all time, and this sequel promises to be equally epic. James Cameron takes audiences ten years forward in time and details the successes and tribulations of the Sully family. Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, and Sam Worthington all lend their voices to some of the film’s compelling characters. It’s hard to say whether this sequel can top the original, but fans look forward to giving it a chance.
