2024 at the movies: All the big films hitting cinemas

Mark your calendars and grab the popcorn, 2024 is bursting with cinematic gold. Beloved legacies return with epic sequels, as well as many new blockbusters bursting onto the movie scene.

Read on (or watch above) to see some top picks of the films to watch in 2024.

The first film off the ranks stars the king of action, Jason Statham, in high-octane movie The Beekeeper.

Statham plays a retired beekeeper but when his friend and neighbour falls victim to a phishing scam his peaceful life is shattered, taking a brutal path of vengeance. It seems beekeeping isn't just about minding a hive, it's also code for a shadowy organisation that Statham's character was a former operative of. Watch out for this action-packed thriller with gunfights, explosions and high-stakes espionage.

Release date: January 11

Can you believe it's been 20 years since the first Mean Girls came out?

Tina Fey is back to star and write a new twist on this classic. And yes, the rules remain the same — Wednesday's are for wearing pink.

But in this post-TikTok era, it weaves in music inspired by the Broadway spinoff and is sprinkled with some new laughs. Let's see if they can out "plastic" the original mean girls.

Release date: January 18

If you're a fan of the Kingsman franchise you'll be excited to jump into Matthew Vaughn's new film Argylle. It centres around a reclusive, cat-loving author of bestselling espionage novels who begins to see the lines blur between her life and her novels. The plots of her books seem to come alive, so who can she trust?

Release date: February 1

The next film to hit cinemas from Sony's Marvel Universe is Madame Web. Dakota Johnson crawls into her new role as Cassandra Webb, going from paramedic to clairvoyant.

Cassandra's fate intertwines with three young women in a web that connects them all. Let's see what mystical web is woven in this new origin story.

Release date: February 14

Get together to feel alright with the vibrant biopic Bob Marley: One Love.

From humble beginnings in Jamaica to his rise to reggae icon, "sometimes the messenger has to become the message."

If you're a fan of Bob Marley or interested in learning more about the man behind the music, then this film is for you.

Release date: February 14

Ethan Coen steps into his first solo movie gig since Hail Ceasar in 2016.

Packed with top-tier talent including Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal and Miley Cyrus, among others, it's flavoured with the Coen brothers' signature quirkiness aesthetic.

This road-tripping crime-comedy takes two women, Jamie and Marian, on a wild journey as they stumble into a bunch of incompetent criminals.

Release date: February 22

Finally, after a two-year wait, Dune: Part Two hits cinemas at the end of February. Starting where part 1 left off in 2021, it dives deeper into the complexities of the planet Arrakis. It also covers the second half of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel.

Starring Timothée Chalamet as Paul and Zendaya as Chani, plus lots of mega worms!

Release date: February 29

The new Ghostbusters film is set to send a chill down your spine. The Spengler family return to where it all started, the iconic New York City firehouse. They team up with some of the original cast, including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, to jump into action and save the world from a second ice age.

Release date: March 28

Panda Pals unite!

Po, otherwise known as Jack Black, is preparing to be the Spiritual leader when he is threatened by a powerful shape-shifting sorceress who sets her eyes on his staff of wisdom.

Release date: April 4

Calling all Godzilla fans, the 38th film in the mega series has arrived.

From Earth's fiery heart, a colossal terror awakens.

Ancient rivals Godzilla and Kong must team up once again to save humanity from oblivion.

Release date: April 11

Zendaya stars in this high-stake, romantic, tennis thriller.

She plays a retired tennis champion turned coach whose husband and ex-fling reconnect as rivals on and off the tennis court.

Release date: April 24

Ryan Gosling stars in this action comedy alongside Emily Blunt that gives us an insight into the realities of being a stuntman.

Gosling's character gets the call-up when a Hollywood hot-shot star disappears, getting himself caught up in something much more dangerous than any stunt.

Release date: May 2

A young ape defies tyranny, setting off on a journey that will lead her to question everything she's been taught.

This film is sure to include epic battles for ape supremacy in this gripping odyssey.

Release date: May 23

A prequel to the Mad Max films, Furiosa tells the origin story of the fierce warrior before she met Max.

Torn from her peaceful life by a ruthless biker horde, young Furiosa must navigate the treacherous wasteland, battling for survival as she goes on a crusade to forge her destiny.

Starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, this film promises excitement and adventure.

Release date: May 28

Did you think we only have five emotions? Think again, Inside Out has some new feelings here to stay.

The five emotions operation is under threat as they have to navigate the new state of teenage Riley's mind as she begins to experience emotions like anxiety.

Release date: June 13

That's the first half of the year at the cinemas.

Here are some movies to come later in the year — keep an eye out for their trailers.