Here’s a quick guide to the seven most-anticipated movies hitting the big screen, from animations to horror delights.
1. ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ (April 1)
Gamers, this one’s for you! Mario is back, and he’s taking his adventures into space.
The animated sequel to 2023’s “The Super Mario Bros Movie”, produced by Illumination and Nintendo, sees Princess Peach’s birthday celebration interrupted by a cosmic threat.
Mario, Luigi, and newcomer Yoshi must stop Bowser Jr’s plan to free his father and rescue Princess Rosalina, the guardian of the galaxy.
Chris Pratt returns as Mario and Anya Taylor-Joy reprises Princess Peach, while Brie Larson debuts as Rosalina and Donald Glover voices Yoshi.
2. ‘Mikael: Pemburu Dua Alam’ (April 2)
When local crime-fighting hero Mikael (Remy Ishak) meets the supernatural, things get intense. This Malaysian action-horror follows the top cop as he confronts the King of the Jinn, whose arrival threatens humanity.
Directed by Zahir Omar, the film kicks off with a gruesome mass murder at a wedding in a small town, setting the stage for this thrilling hunt!
3. ‘The Drama’ (April 3)
Weddings can be complicated enough, but secrets make them even messier. “The Drama” is a black comedy and romantic thriller from production house A24.
Set in Louisiana, Zendaya plays Emma, a bookstore clerk engaged to Charlie (Robert Pattinson), a British museum director.
While they initially appear to be the perfect couple, revelations surface days before the wedding that challenge their understanding of each other.
With so much speculation around Zendaya’s own wedding, this film feels perfectly on brand.
4. ‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ (April 16)
Director Lee Cronin, the man behind the gorefest “Evil Dead Rise”, reimagines the classic Mummy story with a darker edge.
When a journalist’s daughter reappears suddenly after vanishing in the desert eight years ago, it quickly becomes clear she is not the same.
The family soon discovers the girl had been sealed inside an ancient sarcophagus and now carries a malevolent presence that puts her family in grave (heh!) danger.
Unlike previous action-adventure iterations (we love you, Brendan Fraser), Cronin’s version promises to lean heavily into the horror.
5. ‘Michael’ (April 23)
The King of Pop isn’t coming back, but his story is. Antoine Fuqua’s biographical musical drama chronicles Michael Jackson’s journey from his early days in Indiana with the Jackson 5 to his rise as a global icon.
Possibly the most anticipated movie of the month, “Michael” made waves last year when the teaser trailer became the most-viewed musical biopic trailer in 24 hours.
Adding to the excitement? Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew, makes his feature film debut in the title role.
With over 30 hits – including “Thriller”, “Billie Jean”, and “Beat It” – the film may feel like a concert experience. The producers have also promised to avoid glossing over controversies, offering a true insight into the man behind the music.
6. ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ (April 30)
Nearly 20 years later, the original cast and creative team are reunited: Meryl Streep returns as Miranda Priestly, joined by Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, in a sequel that proves how fashion can be fierce!
As Miranda navigates the decline of traditional print media in a digital age, she must seek funding from her former assistant Emily (Blunt), who has risen to become a powerful executive at a luxury fashion conglomerate, to save Runway magazine.
Andy Sachs (Hathaway), now a successful editor, is drawn back into Miranda’s orbit, reigniting old tensions while navigating a fast-changing media landscape. Let the fur fly!
7. ‘Kara’ (April 30)
Dhanush is back in action as Karasaami, or Kara, a cotton farmer, is drawn back into a dangerous life he cannot escape.
This Tamil action-thriller, directed by Vignesh Raja (“Por Thozhil”), blends suspense and emotion as Kara battles powerful enemies and confronts his own past.
Mamitha Baiju plays his leading lady, with a veteran ensemble including Jayaram, K S Ravikumar, Karunas, and M S Bhaskar.
Even the tagline sets the tone: “Sometimes, staying dangerous is the only way to survive.”