The new year is not only a fresh start for resolutions but a clean slate for the cinematic industry. The possibility of success is at an all-time high, with filmmakers bringing in new ideas and creative direction. 

From an “Avatar” sequel to countless superhero films, there’s much to look forward to in 2022.

“Avatar” is one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Raking in just under three billion dollars in the box office. Most Avatar fans have been anticipating a long-awaited sequel. 

“Avatar 2” is set to release in December. This movie has been in production for almost four years, finishing pre-production in 2017. Director James Cameron is extremely devoted to special effects and cinematography. The film features Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington and many more actors from the original cast.

We’ll see the main characters Jake Sully and Ney’tiri form a family as they go through the trials and tribulations of their home, Pandora. Dangers will surface, ultimately leading to war with the humans.

Even though “Avatar” is high-grossing, and certainly well-known, there is one studio that has gained huge traction over the past decade: Marvel. 2022 is going to be a big year for this collection of superhero franchises, with four movies set to release. 

The first is “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” directed by Sam Raimi. It will star Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange and Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch. 

It takes place shortly after Spiderman: No Way Home; A recent addition to phase four of the Marvel films. The plot is still underwraps, but we can expect complicated magical elements that keep the audience thinking.  

Next in line is the sequel to “Black Panther,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”. The screenplay is bittersweet, due to the passing of Chadwick Boseman, who starred as Black Panther in the 2018 film. Besides Boseman, the cast remains the same. They are led by director Ryan Coogler.

The third is ‘Thor: Love and Thunder”; the fourth addition in the Thor franchise. This motion picture will be directed by Taika Watiti; who is known for his ability to create incredible comedies, such as ‘Jojo Rabbit’. 

It will have Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster. As well as a new addition, Christian Bale, starring as Gorr the God Butcher.

There’s not much said on the plot yet, as Marvel tends to lean on the element of surprise prior to the release of films.

Lastly, prepare for a new on-screen appearance. “Morbius” will be released on April 1 this year. Jared Leto is cast as Morbius, whose presence is described as an antihero. He appears sporadically throughout the Doctor Strange comics, so we can expect some kind of involvement with Strange either in this movie or the future.

Classic franchises are always something to look forward to, but what about fresh content? The new rom-com feature film, ‘Marry Me’, is set to release on Feb. 11. The cast is led by “Cars” actor Owen Wilson, and famed singer Jennifer Lopez. 

Lopez, also known as Popstar Kat Valdez, is set to be married in front of millions of fans. Moments before saying vows, she discovers her fiance’s infidelity. She instead marries a stranger in the crowd, Charlie Gilbert, played by Wilson.

This screenplay will surely pull on your heart strings, so bring tissues!

Finally, we all know and love the ‘Toy Story’ franchise. This franchise did come to an end at the release of ‘Toy Story 4’, but Disney doesn’t want to stop the fun they could have with these characters. 

‘Lightyear’ will open on June 17th. The animated film will be focused on the “real” Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Tim Allen, the astronaut from which the toy was inspired. The prequel opens doors to the future for the franchise.