New and Upcoming Sci-Fi & Fantasy Movies and Series

Lady Jessica indicated "we are not prepared for what is to come," but the sight of Timothée Chalamet riding a sandworm was enough to get us back into the theater to see director Denis Villeneuve's big-screen event in a year that will feel the effects of the 2023 strikes. Survivors of the first movie reassembled to help and hinder Paul Atreides' journey to avenge his father's death and prevent the future only he can see. A totally smooth and menacing Austin Butler leads the cast of newcomers as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the nephew and heir of Stellan Skarsgard's Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (who was played by Sting in the 80s). Anya Taylor-Joy appears in a role that was kept tightly under wraps until the premiere. And we see you, Florence Pugh, playing Princess Irulan. We hope you embrace your Bene Gesserit destiny. After an almost boombastic opening weekend at the worldwide box office, and nearly total positive reviews, it seems Villeneuve is on track to fulfill his destiny as the master of 21st century sci-fi epics.

In theaters

Adam Sandler is back on Netflix this month with a relationship drama set at the edge of the solar system. Based on the novel ‘Spaceman of Bohemia’ by Jaroslav Kalfař, ‘Spaceman’ follows an astronaut named Jakub (Sandler) as his solo research mission evolves into a journey of self discovery when he finds an ancient alien hiding on his ship. Paul Dano lends his voice to Hanus, a spider-like creature who claims he can help save Jakub’s marriage to his estranged wife Lenka (Carey Mulligan). Can two cosmic explorers come to understand the choices they’ve made before it's too late? With direction from Johan Renck ("Chernobyl"), this thoughtful genre mashup is best viewed with a few tissues on hand.

Streaming on Netflix

Once upon a time, fantasy films were filled with pretty young women in peril who waited to be saved and didn’t do much else. Thankfully, we’ve closed the chapter on that lop-sided style of storytelling, and this month Millie Bobby Brown is here to show the world that distressed damsels can take care of themselves. Brown plays Elodie, a princess from an impoverished land whose betrothal to Prince Henry (Nick Robinson) unravels when he sacrifices her to a dragon to repay an ancient debt. Angela Bassett, Robin Wright, and Shohreh Aghdashloo support as stepmother, queen, and dragon, respectively, and we’re excited to see these powerful women standoff in this revenge fairy tale for the 21st century fantasy fan.

Streaming on Netflix

Earth is threatened by an alien race that is eons ahead of us when it comes to tech and weaponry in Netflix's sci-fi series based on the first book in the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy. Five years after "Game of Thrones" took that final season nosedive, showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss look to move beyond that show's notoreity. For what it's worth, all three books in Liu Cixin's series have been written, so the creators aren't again tasked with writing what was essentially (said with empathy) authorized fan fiction. Prepare for overlapping timelines, a massive cast of characters (including Benedict Wong, Eiza González, John Bradley from "GoT", and Rosalind Chao), and some super-complicated physics that should look cool on your screen of choice.

Streaming on Netflix

After 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' proved to be critic-proof and found itself embraced by generations of fans, the sequel makes a savvy move to boost the presence of OG Busters Venkman, Stantz, and Zeddemore in a story that’s firmly set back in Manhattan, where we first met Zuul, Gozer, and Slimer 40 years ago. Getting a promotion from secretary to full-time buster is Annie Potts' character, Melnitz. It's one of the fan-pleasing decisions made by 'Afterlife' writer Gil Kenan, who settles into the director’s chair with a script that was influenced by the beloved series "The Real Ghostbusters." If you follow the box office, 'Afterlife' made less worldwide than the 2016 standalone movie, but it cost about half as much to make, so Sony is banking on a bigger return for 'Frozen Empire,' which we expect has more adventures planned if New York City doesn't freeze over.

In theaters

'Lethal Weapon' is the unlikely inspiration for Adam Wingard’s upcoming film 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.' The director told “Empire” magazine his kaiju main characters are bringing a “buddy cop dysfunctional relationship dynamic” to the screen in this follow-up to 2021’s Godzilla vs. King Kong.' Along for the ride are Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Dan Stevens who play three humans drawn to these massive creatures as the mythic duo face off against a colossal hidden threat.

In theaters

After a solid 5-season run, "Star Trek: Discovery" is coming to a close. The 10-episode season follows Captain Burnam (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the crew of the USS Discovery on one last intergalactic scavenger hunt, this time in search of the "greatest treasure in the known galaxy." Although were sad to see "Discovery" go, the future is bright for Star Trek fans with the return of "Strange New Worlds" in 2025, upcoming new series "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" as well as Paramount's first made-for-streaming movie 'Star Trek: Section 31' starring "Discovery" alum Michele Yeoh.

Season 5 premieres on Paramount+ April 4, 2024

The mega-popular "Fallout" video game franchise makes the jump to live action on Prime Video this April. Ella Purnell ("Yellowjackets") stars as an underground vault dweller who ventures out into the retro-futuristic world of post-nuclear war Los Angeles. "Fallout" was developed by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan, the creative heads behind “Westworld,” whose task is making sure the rich lore of the "Fallout" universe is translated in such a way as to capture the attention of gamers and casuals, much like "The Last of Us" did in 2023.

Premieres on Prime Video April 12, 2024

It’s hard to frown upon the ambition and enthusiasm Zack Snyder brings to his work, but despite Part One’s massive popularity (the movie was streamed 24 million times in its first three days), it didn’t hit the mark with many critics and fans. One complaint was the fact that it was mostly setup for the second film, ‘Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver.’ This April, that setup will conclude and you can finally find out what happens after the cliffhanger at the end of Part One. If you’re really a glutton for sci-fi epics, Snyder has teased an extended six-hour version of the entire Rebel Moon story, possibly dropping in summer.

Premieres on Netflix April 19, 2024

The beloved fantasy series about an ancient family estate and its connection to the fairy world is getting the TV treatment this spring on the Roku Channel. Fans of the whimsical, gothic Spiderwick world should be in safe hands with series creator Aron Eli Coleite, who is best known for his writing and producing credits on similarly winsome shows like "Locke & Key" and "Daybreak." We’re excited to see Christian Slater step into the role of the ruthlessly cruel Mulgarath, a giant ogre hellbent on chewing up the whole human race.

Premieres on the Roku Channel April 19, 2024

Apple TV+ continues its investment in high concept sci-fi series with the upcoming adaptation of the massively popular novel by Blake Crouch. And prepare for the treat this is Joel Edergton playing two versions of the same character: a physicist who meets an alternate version of himself who has already meddled in his life. Fans of Crouch have been kvelling ever since he was announced as the showrunner/lead writer for the series, and the first look at the black cube that allows travel between worlds ratcheted up anticipation for the May debut. These are the same people who will tell you exactly how and why the adaptation of his “Wayward Pines” was a disappointment, so trust us: their excitement is palpable.

Premieres on Apple TV+ May 8, 2024

'Maze Runner' director Wes Ball returns to the 'Planet of the Apes' franchise, with a story set 300 years after the events of 'War for the Planet of the Apes.' Pitched by Ball as 'Apocalypto' but with apes and focusing more on action and adventure, the story follows a new protagonist Noa (Owen Teague) as he tries to steer the apes away from the totalitarian future they are headed towards. Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Dichen Lachman, and William H. Macy star.

In theaters May 10, 2024

John Krasinski handed off the 'Quiet Place' prequel and dreamt up a new world, one way less scary than Death Angels forcing you to spend all of your time silent and beyond terrified. The inspiration for 'IF' (short for "imaginary friend) is enough to make you start crying on demand: Krasinski wrote the movie for his children as he saw them struggling to figure out life during the pandemic, and the main IF is based on one of the kids' real-life imaginary friend. We feel like the story might bring up emotions similar to what we experience when watching 'Inside Out' and 'Toy Story 4' – pulling those feelings into a real-world family dynamic. People are excited for “The Office” reunion between Krasinski and Steve Carell, who will voice Blue, the larger-than-real-life IF who is actually purple. We are too, though we also can’t help but notice how much Krasinski and co-star Ryan Reynolds are twinning these days.

In theaters May 17, 2024

Oh, what a day! What a lovely day it was when the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga trailer dropped at CCXP last year. Fans were instantly drawn back into the manic, mechanic high-contrast dystopia created by writer-director George Miller more than 30 years ago. This 5th installment in the Mad Max franchise follows renegade warrior Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) from her kidnapping from the Green Place of Many Mothers to the Wasteland and finally to the Citadel, home of the despotic Immortan Joe. We’re excited to see Chris Hemsworth put down Mjolnir and step into the villainous role of Demetus, and we can’t wait until they reveal the actor behind Immortan Joe’s mask.

In theaters May 24, 2024

Time needed to be spent setting the table in the first season of "House of the Dragon" to introduce us to the Targaryen ancestors, and to help us understand all of those Velaryon and Hightower family dynamics, too. Oh, and the Triarchy and their agent of chaos, the Crabfeeder. The second season promises a "very bloody feast to come" according to showrunner Ryan Condal, as the civil war between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother Aegon II takes center stage. An uptick in action and an abundance of dragons should help to boost the show's popularity after a successful maiden launch, as we await the fates of the multiple "Game of Thrones" spin-offs in development at HBO. And here's one for the "GoT" faithful: Behind the scenes, Alan Taylor, who directed a handful of the flagship show's pivotal episodes, joins the crew as director and exec producer.

Season 2 premieres on Max June 2024

So what’s the big deal about "The Acolyte"? For casual fans, it’s simply a new Jedi adventure. But for Star Wars buffs this Disney+ series will be the first live action depiction of the High Republic. Set 100 years before the Skywalker saga began, it follows a young Jedi and her master as they uncover sinister forces brewing during a period of peace in the galaxy. There’s speculation that the series baddie will be Darth Plagueis, who EVERYONE knows was Emperor Palatine’s master. Amandla Stenberg ('Bodies Bodies Bodies,' 'The Hate U Give') stars alongside Lee Jung-jae ("Squid Game"), and showrunner Leslye Headland has said she developed the project specifically for Stenberg. Honestly, we’re most excited to see if Headland is able to infuse the Star Wars universe with some of the edginess she brought to “Russian Doll.”

Series premieres on Disney+ June 5, 2024

The 'Borderlands' video game is finally getting its big screen adaptation after nearly 10 years in the making. Set in a cyberpunk-adjacent reality where low lifes with high tech take on dangerous missions for corporate cash, the film brings together the franchise’s most beloved characters to loot and shoot their way into our hearts. Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Ariana Greenblatt, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Black, and Florian Munteanu make up the ensemble cast of chaos, and we’re interested to see what director Eli Roth brings to his second action film in a career defined by blood and guts.

In theaters August 9, 2024

With a new trilogy in the works and a proposed G.I. Joe crossover movie somewhere out there on a whiteboard, the Transformers franchise is working overtime to attract new fans and lure back those who began to tap out right around the 'Age of Extinction.' In case it isn't clear yet, this is not a live action movie starring a pair of former Avengers, and here's hoping Oscar-winning Pixar vet Josh Cooley is planning some boundary-pushing animation to meet the standard set by the Spider-Verse. If you have someone in your life who asks you: "Who is Michael Bay?" Perhaps then you can introduce them to the original movies after seeing this origin story set on Cybertron.

In theaters September 13, 2024

Jon M. Chu is the right person to usher this production on to the big screen, despite it being a bold bet in the current climate, where audiences seem allergic to musicals, to split this well-known tale into two movies, set for release a full year apart from each another. But, remember, this stage production is beloved worldwide, especially by young people, and from Chu’s visual sensibilities to the casting, everything is correctly in place for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to get into the details of the superdramatic relationship between Elphaba and Glinda the Good. This could be the movie families flock to over the holidays for the better part of a month until ‘Musafa: The Lion King’ is released, but we’re also in a time when even ‘The Little Mermaid’ didn’t turn a profit at the box office. Tinkering continues on Part Two, currently set for theatrical release November 2025.

In theaters November 27, 2024

A footnote of a story told in J. R. R. Tolkein's novel gets forged into an animated movie from anime god Kenji Kamiyama, employing a visual style that will pay tribute to Peter Jackson's depiction of Middle-earth. The story will reveal the history of the kingdom of Rohan and its then-king, Helm Hammerhand, in his war with the Dunlendings, the wild men living on the fringes of the kingdom. If you're only a bit familiar with the lore, yes, Helm Hammerhand has a lot to do with Helm's Deep. And he was seen in statue form in 'The Two Towers.' Since we're living in Tolkein Time, Gandalf, Galadriel, and others are alive, but they are not involved in this particular tale. However, we felt actual-real emotions learning that Miranda Otto's Eowyn will narrate the story.

In theaters December 13, 2024

Netflix subscribers are in for a treat when this adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel hits the platform later this year. The film, a dystopian road movie set in an alternate version of 1997, follows Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), a teen searching for her family among the silent wreckage of a post-war southwest. Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, and Patti Harrison round out the all-star cast as fellow survivors Brown will encounter along the way. Helmed by Anthony and Joe Russo, we’re excited to see how the directing duo and their cinematographer Stephen F. Window ('The Gray Man,' 'Star Trek Beyond') tackle Stålenhag’s vision of a world filled with massive robots rotting along familiar California highways.

Expected on Netflix in 2024

"Star Trek: Discovery" kicked off with a bang thanks in no small part to a grounded, charismatic performance from Michelle Yeoh as Captain Philippa Georgiou. Now, Yeoh will return to the franchise in a standalone film that explores the secret Starfleet division Section 31, which protects the Federation through shadowy missions very few even know exist.

Expected in 2025

Apple TV+ continues to expand its impressive slate of epic sci-fi with an 10-episode adaptation of William Gibson's debut novel (40 years ago!) and cyberpunk classic, "Neuromancer." As it's early days yet, not much is known about the series other than it's being headed up by showrunner Graham Roland (who created the brilliant crime-drama "Dark Winds") and director J.D. Dillard whose earlier work includes "The Outsider," "Utopia", and WWII drama 'Devotion.' But until we know more we'll be spending our time speculating just who will be bringing life to our antiheroes, "console-cowboy" Case and "razorgirl" Molly Millions.

Expected on Apple TV+ in 2025