Well, we made it to 2024, and barring any unforeseen strikes or other halts to the movie-making industry, things are back on track movie-wise. 2024 might prove to be even more stuffed with delightful diversity of stories on the silver screen and while the year is just kicking off, there is a lot between January and March this year for all cinephiles to put on their lists.

Here is just a sampling of upcoming movies to watch out for in the coming months.

All release dates are subject to change and may not be when a film releases in theaters in Central Oregon.

January joints

Jan. 5, “Good Grief,” Netflix — Dan Levy makes his feature directorial debut with a story about a man (Levy) working through the loss of his partner (Luke Evans) with a little help from his friends (Ruth Negga and Himesh Patel). Levy’s work on his hit show “Schitt’s Creek” proved his talent, and while the subject matter is more dramatic, his special ability to find the levity even in darkness could deliver a very heartfelt film to the streamer.

Jan. 12, “Mean Girls,” in theaters — The Broadway musical adaptation (yes, it’s a musical, don’t let the promos fool you) of the hit film gets the big-screen treatment. The plot remains the same, but with a few updates to keep things fresh … or maybe fetch in this case.

Jan. 12, “The Book of Clarence,” in theaters — Lakeith Stanfield is not the Messiah … but he’s trying to be. As Clarence, Stanfield plays a regular Jerusalem man who tries to capitalize on the whole “messiah” thing but ends up learning a lot about faith instead. The film was meant to be released in October of last year, which typically spells trouble, as January has been the dumping ground for duds, but I’ll hold out hope given the film’s lead.

Jan. 12, “Self Reliance,” Hulu — Jake Johnson stars, writes and directs (his feature debut with the latter) this action-comedy, which is part “Heart of Darkness,” part “Squid Game,” with Johnson’s signature laughs. Produced by the Lonely Island boys and co-starring Anna Kendrick for a dash of romance thrown into the high-stakes game at its heart.

Jan 19, “The Kitchen,” Netflix — Co-written and co-directed by Oscar-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya (along with Joe Murtagh and Kibwe Tavares respectively), the dystopian drama imagines a London where social housing is eliminated and two men (Kane “Kano” Robinson and Rasaq Kukoyi) have to navigate this new world whole helping the residents who have been displaced because of the new policies.

February flicks

Feb. 2, “Argylle,” in theaters — While this one may suffer from beginning their advertising blitz too early with one trailer barraging moviegoers for months, Matthew Vaughn has given us all a mystery, reminding us even in the trailer not to spoil the ending. With a whiff of “Romancing the Stone” and every spy movie ever, one can hope Vaughn pulls off the same magic he found with “The Kingsman.”

Feb. 2, “The Promised Land/Bastarden,” in select theaters — In this book-based film, a poor soldier settles on a barren patch of land and attempts to cultivate it, following the King’s call in a kind of Manifest Destiny of Denmark. But there are a lot more political and royal entanglements awaiting. It’s basically a Danish western starring Mads Mikkelsen as the soldier in question. I’m all in.

Feb. 2, “Orion and the Dark,” Netflix — Charlie Kaufman (yes, that Charlie Kaufman) penned this animated DreamWorks film following Orion (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), a kid who is afraid of the dark. But when Dark (voiced by Paul Walter Hauser) decides he’s going to help him overcome his fear, they go on a whole adventure about taking on what makes them afraid. It honestly looks too good to just be on Netflix.

Feb. 14, “Madame Web,” in theaters — The latest in Sony’s “spider-verse” focuses on the Spiderman world and characters. This time we have Cassandra Webb (Dakota Johnson), a clairvoyant who has to protect three young women from the baddie who wants them dead.

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Feb. 14, “Bob Marley: One Love,” in theaters — The Marley family itself produced this film, which marks the first time the life of icon Bob Marley has been brought to the screen. Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch as Bob and Rita Marley, the film follows the musician’s message of love and unity amid great strife.

March radness

March 1, “Dune: Part Two,” in theaters — Denis Villeneuve’s long-awaited sequel to the Frank Herbert adaptation finally hits screens after being postponed due to the strikes. Picking up where the first left off we find Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) unites the Fremen while continuing his quest for revenge against those behind the murder of his father and overthrow of his house.

March 1, “Spaceman,” Netflix — An orphan raised in the Czech countryside by his grandparents overcomes the odds to become the country’s first cosmonaut and heads to Venus. Adam Sandler stars as the man headed to space alongside Carey Mulligan, Paul Dano, Isabella Rossellini and Kunal Nayyar.

March 8, “Love Lies Bleeding,” in select theaters — Coming from A24 and “Saint Maud” writer/director Rose Glass, this ‘80s-set crime thriller brings a bodybuilder and a gym manager (Katy M. O’Brian and Kristen Stewart) who in the midst of their budding romance get entangled with the FBI and the latter’s criminal father (Ed Harris).

March 29, “Mickey 17,” in select theaters — Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho adapts Edward Ashton’s sci-fi novel “Mickey7.” While the plot of the film is still unknown, the novel follows a disposable employee on an expedition to colonize an ice world. Once one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. So similar to Doctor Who but much more nefarious. Starring Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeoun, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo and Naomi Ackie.

March 29, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” in theaters — The 2021 requel of the ‘80s classic gets its own sequel. This time, they’re back in New York, and the old busting gang is joining the Spangler kids (and Paul Rudd) as they take on a Geist that wants to freeze the planet in an ice age.