Happy Holidays new year from YEM, everyone! We are so excited for 2024 and all the new shows, albums and movies scheduled to come out …
2023 was filled with great music, television shows, books and films, but 2024 has an amazing line up as well. Ranging from albums such as Selena Gomez’s SG3, and films such as Wicked and Mean Girls, we are going to be filled with such great content to watch and listen to for the year. Young Entertainment has put together a list of 20 releases that we are super excited about that we think you will be too. And of course we are thrilled to be able to go into the New Year with each and every one of you!
1. Mean Girls – January 12
Calling all those who have felt personally victimized by Regina George, wear pink on Wednesdays, or have a special connection to October 3rd! Based on the Broadway musical and the hit 2004 comedy film, Mean Girls is returning to the big screen on January 12. From the screenplay by Tina Fey, the film will include songs from the original Broadway show and will be a new interpretation of the original movie. Renee Rapp will reprise her Broadway role as Regina George, Angourie Rice will play Cady Heron, and The Summer I Turned Pretty star Christopher Briney will play Aaron Samuels.
2. Joe Locke in Sweeney Todd – January 31
Attention all Heartstopper fans! Joe Locke, who is known for his role as Charlie Spring, will be joining the Broadway cast of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, starting on January 31. Joe will play the role of Tobias Ragg, a character previously played by Stranger Things’ star Gaten Matarazzo. Many of Joe’s Heartstopper cast members congratulated him after the news broke and YEM cannot wait to see him in a new role.
3. Declan McKenna – What Happened to the Beach? – February 9
What Happened to the Beach? is the upcoming third major studio album from English singer and songwriter Declan McKenna, set to be released on February 9. Declan has teased the new album on his social media pages, having already released three singles –
“Sympathy”, “Nothing Works”, and “Elevator Hum.” Declan said this is his favorite album he has made so far in his career.
4. Madame Web – February 14
In the upcoming superhero film Madame Web, Cassandra Webb is forced to confront her past while trying to survive with three young women with powerful futures who are being hunted by a deadly adversary. Based on the Marvel Comic, Dakota Johnson stars in the title role, alongside Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, and Tahar Rahim. Madame Web will be released in theaters on February 14.
5. Avatar: The Last Airbender – February 22
Based on the live-action adaptation of the animated television series of the same name, Avatar: The Last Airbender will come to Netflix on February 22. In the newest series, set in a war-torn Asian and Indigenous American-inspired world, Aang sets out to master the four classical elements of water, earth, fire, and air along with his friends to save the world by defeating the Fire-Nation. This is one of the most anticipated new Netflix originals based on the legendary Avatar series and we cannot wait to watch.
6. Selena Gomez – SG3 -February
Selena Gomez announced in 2023 that she was hard at work writing new music, and she recently announced to fans that SG3, the tentative title of her new album, to be released in two months, setting up a potential February 2024 release date. Selena’s new full-length album as a solo artist will most likely feature her most recent song “Single Soon”, which came out in August 2023. YEM cannot wait for new music from Selena, coming much sooner than many have predicted.
7. Tyla- TYLA – March 1
Tyla came onto the music scene in 2023 with the release of her hit “Water” and her upcoming studio TYLA will be released on March 1. The South African singer described her new album as “experimental”, combining African pop music with blends of Western pop, hip hop, and R&B. The album will also feature a collaboration with Travis Scott. Tyle will start her debut concert tour in March.
8. Damsel -March 8
Calling all fantasy fans! In the newest fantasy film Damsel, a young woman agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find she is being used as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt. Thrown into a cave with a fire-breathing dragon, she must rely on her wits and will to survive. Millie Bobby Brown plays the title heroine, with Angela Bassett playing her mother in the film. Damsel will be released on Netflix on March 8.
9. Kung Fu Panda 4 – March 8
Kung Fu Panda 4 is coming back to theaters eight years after Kung Fu Panda 3 was released. Po is gearing up to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace and will need to find and train a new Dragon Warrior all while encountering a wicked sorceress who conjures all villains from Po’s past. Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman and more will reprise their roles from the previous films, in addition to Awkwafina, Viola Davis, and Ke Huy Quan joining the cast. The film is set to be released on March 8.
10. Infinity Kings by Adam Silvera – March 12
Adam Silvera is a New York Times bestselling author of books including They Both Die at the End, More Happy Than Not, and History Is All You Left Me. His next book, Infinity Kings, the third and final book in the Infinity Cycle series, is out March 12. In this final showdown, two brothers find themselves in a heartbreaking war against each other. As the Infinity Son and Infinity Reaper go to war, who will be crowned the Infinity King?
11. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – March 29
Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters! In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force and Ghostbusters old and new must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second ice age. As the fifth film in the iconic franchise, it stars Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, and more and will be released in theaters on March 29.
12. IF – May 17
In the upcoming live action fantasy comedy written, directed, and co-produced by John Krasinski, a young girl named Bea gains the ability to see people’s imaginary friends, known as “IFs” for short. These imaginary friends have been abandoned as their real friends have grown up. Kraskinski also stars alongside Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw and more, with the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carrell. IF is the perfect movie to watch with family and will be released by Paramount Pictures on May 17.
13. Another First Chance by Robbie Couch – May 28
Robbie Couch was one of our favorite authors in 2023, having released the bestselling novel If I See You Again Tomorrow. Robbie continues to be one of the best contemporary young adult-fiction writers and his next book, Another First Chance is his newest YA queer romance novel coming out May 28. In the book, 18-year-old River Lang is struggling after the death of his best friend. He is later blackmailed into joining the Affinity Trials, a research study that’s observing teens who are “struggling socially”. There he meets and falls for Nash, who reminds River of his late best friend. During these trials, River will have to decide how far he will go for love. Robbie said out of all the books he has written, Another First Chance challenged him the most creatively.
14. Inside Out 2 – June 14
Inside Out 2 returns as one of the most anticipated sequels of 2024, coming to theaters June 14. Get inside the mind of newly minted teenager Riley as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for… new emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone. Maya Hawke is new to the cast, voicing Anxiety, while Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, and Liza Lapira all reprise their roles of the beloved emotions.
15. Such Charming Liars by Karen McManus – July 4
From the author of the One of Us if Lying series, Karen McManus’s newest book Such Charming Liars is set to be released on July 4. When mother-daughter grifters set out on their final job, the heist gets deadly and dangerously personal. McManus is a master of young adult thrillers and this newest book sounds like it will be no different.
16. Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter – Fall
Lynn Painter has been booked and busy the past few years, writing bestselling romantic comedies for both teens and adults. Her 2023 book Betting on You received great reviews from the New York Times and her army of fans and her next book, Nothing Like the Movies, will be released in the Fall of 2024. As the sequel to Better Than the Movies, this dual POV story of Wes Bennet and Liz Buxbaum is set during college summer break. Sometimes life goes off the rails and is nothing like the movies.
17. BeetleJuice 2 – September 6
From Tim Burton, Beetlejuice 2 is set to be released theatrically on September 6. As a sequel to the 1988 version of Beetlejuice, the story revolves around a ghost who is recruited to help haunt a house. The film stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, and more. The sequel has been in the works for years, with many of the original actors interested in reprising their roles, and it was finally announced by Warner Bros in February 2022.
18. Wicked: Part 1 – November
Elphaba is coming to the big screen. Wicked: Part One, based on one of the most popular Broadway shows of all time, will arrive in theaters in November 2024. This is the first of a two-part feature adaptation of the stage musical which is also based on a novel with characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Set in the Land of Oz, the story revolves around Elphaba, the green-skinned woman, and explores her path toward becoming the Wicked Witch of the West. The film stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, with supporting characters played by Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and more.
19. Mufasa: The Lion King – December 20
In the live-action prequel to the 2019 remake of the legendary Lion King film, Simba, having become king of the Pride Lands, is determined for his cub to follow in his legacy while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored. Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner and John Kani will reprise their roles from the remake, and Mufasa: The Lion King will premier in theaters on December 20.
20. Música -2024
The directorial debut feature from actor/musician Rudy Mancuso is a coming-of-age musical called Música. In the film, a young man has to come to terms with an uncertain future while balancing love, family and Brazilian culture in Newark, New Jersey. Mancuso also stars alongside Camila Mendes, Francesca Reale and J.B. Smoove. While there isn’t a release date for Música, it is produced by Amazon Studios.
Extra credit: THAT SPECIAL by Joe Serafini – January 12
Joe Serafini, most known for his role as Seb Matthew-Smith in the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, is releasing his debut single “THAT SPECIAL”, out January 12. Joe has previously performed in the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and had roles in many theater productions so singing is not new to him. You can see Joe perform his new single on January 21 at Chelsea Table + Stage in New York City.
