Universal Pictures is gearing up for an exciting future after a successful 2023, where it bagged the Best Picture award and ruled the box office. At the CinemaCon event in Las Vegas, the studio unveiled its upcoming releases, including the highly anticipated “Wicked,” “Twisters,” and the newly announced sequel to “Five Nights at Freddy’s.”
Stars like Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Lupita Nyong’o graced the event to build anticipation among theater owners and exhibitors. Grande and Erivo shared their excitement about “Wicked,” while Goldblum expressed his delight in being part of the magical movie.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, “Wicked” features Erivo as Elphaba and Grande as Glinda, with Yeoh playing a pivotal role. The film is set to hit theaters in two parts, with the first installment arriving in November this year.
“Twisters,” a companion to the 1996 blockbuster, promises an immersive and thrilling experience under the direction of Lee Isaac Chung. The film, produced by Frank Marshall and Steven Spielberg, is slated for release in July.
Universal dominated the box office in 2023 with hits like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Oppenheimer.” The studio’s success signals a shift in audience preferences and a demand for fresh content.
Looking ahead, Universal plans to release over 20 films in 2024, spanning various genres and including both original titles and franchises. From animated features like “Despicable Me 4” to horror flicks like “Wolf Man” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” the studio aims to cater to diverse audience tastes.
Focus Features, Universal’s independent arm, also unveiled its exciting lineup, featuring films like Sam Taylor-Johnson’s Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black” and Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu.”
Universal Pictures is poised for continued success, with a strong lineup of films that promise to captivate audiences worldwide.
