Top 10 Most Anticipated Musical Movies of 2022
#10: “Sesame Street” Release Date: January 14, 2022
If you grew up on the Street, you’ll be thrilled to learn that this long-awaited movie finally has a release date. When our Muppet pals find themselves unexpectedly kicked out of their home, they team up with TV host, Sally Hawthorne to answer the age-old question. Anne Hathaway takes on the role of the struggling TV presenter. She’ll be joined by Bo Burnham and apparently Chance the Rapper has been in talks as well. First announced in 2012, this movie has had so many setbacks that even The Count would struggle to, well, keep count. Luckily, we don’t have to wait too much longer.
#9: “Sneakerella” Release Date: February 18, 2022
Just when you thought that they’d exhausted the Cinderella story, Disney + said hold my glass slippers while we exchange them for sneakers instead. In a modern twist, we’re introduced to El, a talented sneaker designer from Queens. He works in his late mom’s shoe shop all while keeping his artistic skills secret from his step-family. But when he meets Kira King, daughter to basketball legend and sneaker entrepreneur, Darius King, it seems like his dreams might just come true. The movie promises to be filled with exciting music and breathtaking choreography. We can’t wait to discover if this Cinderella reimagining is a perfect fit.
#8: “Under the Boardwalk” Release Date: July 22, 2022
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In fair Jersey Shore where we lay our scene. Yep, you heard us correctly. This animated musical is essentially Romeo and Juliet if the Montagues and Capulets were crabs and lived under the Jersey Shore Boardwalk. It centers on Armen, a local land crab, and Ramona, a sea crab tourist, who fall in love despite their conflicting backgrounds. When a storm separates them from their families, they embark on an exciting adventure that will bring everyone together. There’s currently a limited amount of information available about this movie but we’re certainly intrigued to learn more. We have to admit that it sounds kinda clawsome.
#7: “Spellbound” Release Date: November 11, 2022
Bringing some magic to your 2022, “Spellbound” centers around the teenaged Elian who must use her powers to reunite her divided kingdom. The movie, which will be released on Apple TV+ boasts an extraordinary cast that includes, Sydney Park, Tom Holland, Maya Rudolph, Josh Gad, and Jason Sudeikis. Behind the scenes, we’ve got Pixar giant John Lasseter and legend of Disney and Broadway Alan Menken. It’s directed by Vicky Jenson, who won the first-ever “Best Animated Feature” Academy Award for “Shrek” back in 2002. With a winning cast and creative team, we’re sure that we’ll be left “Spellbound” by this film next fall.
#6: “Matilda the Musical” Release Date: December 2nd, 2022
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Based on the beloved Roald Dahl classic, “Matilda the Musical” has been winning audiences over since 2010. Now, book writer Dennis Kelly, comedic songwriter Tim Minchin, and director Matthew Warchus have reunited to bring our favorite telekinetic bookworm back to the silver screen. Alisha Weir stars in the title role joined by Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull and Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey. Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough play the Wormwoods and comedian Sindhu Vee plays Mrs. Phelps the librarian. The movie will be released both theatrically and on Netflix. Whether or not you’ve already seen this multi-award-winning show, you’re in for a treat.
#5: “Disenchanted” Release Date: Late 2022
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Fifteen years ago Giselle and her friends enchanted us with this hilarious send-up of Disney’s princess genre. But she’s since learned that “happily ever after” isn’t all it’s made out to be. With a spell gone awry, Giselle has until the stroke of midnight to save her family and Andalasia. Maya Rudolph joins the cast as the villain and “Hairspray’s” Adam Shankman is on board as director. Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz are back with a new original score too. They previously earned three “Best Original Song” Oscar nominations for the 2007 flick. With plenty more music, we’ll even get to hear Patrick Dempsey and Idina Menzel sing.
#4: “Hocus Pocus 2” Release Date: Late 2022
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It might not have been an instant hit but “Hocus Pocus” put a spell on audiences, becoming a cult classic. About 29 years later…Well, tell us, Winnie: “Now the witch is back and there’s hell to pay”. This time they’re summoned by three high-schoolers who must fight to stop the child-hungry witches from unleashing chaos on modern-day Salem. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are back as is Doug Jones who played Billy Butcherson. We’re yet to find out if any other OG cast members will be making an appearance too. There’s no official date yet but we imagine that it will drop on Disney+ in time for Halloween.
#3: “Pinocchio” Release Date: Late 2022
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Back in 2015, Disney first announced that “Pinocchio” will become a real boy with a live-action remake. He’ll be played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who’s joined by an A-list cast. This includes Tom Hanks as Geppetto, Cynthia Erivo as the Blue Fairy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket, Keegan-Michael Key as Honest John, and Luke Evans as The Coachman. If that isn’t enough, there’s also Guillermo del Toro’s stop-animation version to look forward to as well. Apparently, this one will be more faithful to Carlo Collodi’s original story. Given del Toro’s track record with films like “Pan’s Labyrinth” and the Oscar-winning “The Shape of Water,” we can’t wait.
#2: “13: The Musical” Release Date: TBD
Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2022
Netflix is really going all out with its movie musical adaptations. Joining its ranks is Jason Robert Brown’s “13.” Robert Horn who co-wrote the stage show has adapted it for the screen. It’s about soon-to-be Bar-Mitzvah boy, Evan Goldman who grapples with popularity after his parents separate suddenly and he moves to a new town. It was the only Broadway show to feature an all-teenage cast when it opened in 2008. You might even recognize some of its original cast members. But back to the film, the young cast is supported by Debra Messing, Rhea Perlman, Josh Peck, and Peter Hermann. Sounds like a party to us!
#1: “ZOMBIES 3” Release Date: TBD
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The great news is that there’s a new “Zombies” movie on its way. The bad news is that it’s likely to be the final one. In a world where zombies, cheerleaders, and werewolves coexist, Zed and Addison, played by Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly find love. In this third installment, the introduction of alien tweens seems set to upset the status quo. It’s up to the others to join forces and save the day. There have been some murmurs about a big alien twist. Perhaps Addison will finally find where she belongs? We guess that we’ll have to wait until it’s released to find out.
