As the curtain lifts on 2024, the world prepares for a year of artistic brilliance, with anticipated movies, theatre productions, and visual art exhibitions set to capture global attention. From the silver screen to the stage, and into the heart of art galleries, a vibrant tapestry of creativity awaits.

2024: A Cinematic Odyssey

Our journey begins in Hollywood, where Alex Garland’s new action movie, ‘Civil War’, starring Kirsten Dunst, paints a vision of a divided United States. The film’s release, amidst a politically charged atmosphere, promises to stir conversations. On a similar note, sequels are making a significant splash this year, with Joaquin Phoenix resuming his haunting portrayal in ‘Joker: Folie Deux’ and Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ offering another voyage into the extraordinary. Biopics are also set to shine, with Terrence Malick’s ‘The Way of the Wind’, a portrayal of Jesus, and the highly anticipated ‘Back to Black’, a heartfelt tribute to Amy Winehouse, starring Marisa Abela.

Theatre: A Stage for Stars

Theatre lovers have much to look forward to this year, with a constellation of stars gracing the stage. Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma will bring Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ to life, while Keeley Hawes will star in Lucy Kirkwood’s new drama, ‘The Human Body’. The West End will be treated to performances by Brian Cox in ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’, Sarah Snook in a one-woman show of ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, and Sarah Jessica Parker in Neil Simon’s comedy ‘Plaza Suite’. Furthermore, Jez Butterworth’s ‘The Hills of California’, directed by Sam Mendes, and a stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s ‘Spirited Away’, promise to be theatrical highlights of 2024.

Visual Arts: A Palette of Exhibitions

The visual arts scene shows no signs of slowing down, with major exhibitions making waves. ‘Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment’ and a retrospective for Yoko Ono at Tate Modern are set to be crowd-pullers, while the National Gallery in London celebrates the 200th anniversary of acquiring Van Gogh’s Sunflowers with a special exhibition. Meanwhile, the Dia Art Foundation will mark its 50th year, with a rich display of contemporary art. These events are a testament to the undying enthusiasm and investment in the arts, indicating that the predictions of the end of blockbuster exhibitions post-Covid were indeed premature.