After a couple of years of relatively few genre offerings, 2022 looks like it will reverse that trend with plentry of film releases and television shows airing or streaming. These are the most anticipated films and TV shows of 2022 but note their releases are not certain and will change as we just saw with Morbius, which was delayed from January 28 to April 1. Also some of the films and TV shows listed may turn out to be inferior dreck while other unlisted films and TV shows may wind up surprising everyone and become the newest classics. Without further delay here are the top ten most anticapated films and TV shows of 2022, plus some notable mentions.

Films

10. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

The first Sonic the Hedgehog was a real surprise and proved an entertaining and solid live-action film based on a video game franchise was possible. The sequel will more closely follow the Sonic videos and include more characters from the games, such as Quills and Tails.

9. The Flash

The DC Extended Unverse (DCEU) faces a reboot that replaces Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill as Batman and Superman in this live-action solo film for the Flash. This film which is loosely based on the comic book mini-series Flashpoint is bound to be controversial with many DCEU fans

8. Everything Everywhere All At Once

Michelle Yeoh stars in this trippy looking film about an ordinary woman recruited to stop an multiversal evil by channeling the skills and memories of alternate versions of herself from different realities. If anything, it should be an acting tour de force for Yeoh.

7. Lightyear

Everyone’s attention was captured the moment it was announced that this Pixar film about Buzz Lightyear would not be based on the Toy Story character but a pulp sci-fi adventure that the toy was based on. An additional bonus is that the title hero is voiced by everyone’s favorite hero, Chris Evans.

6 Thor: Love and Thunder

Director Taiki Waititi reinvigorated the Thor films with his Thor: Ragnarok. That film was so successful and beloved that Marvel Studios greenlit a fourth Thor film helmed by Waititi. This cosmic-based entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) once again stars Chris Hemsworth in his legendary role as Thor and features the Jane Foster Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy.

5. Jurassic World: Dominion

The conclusion of the Jurassic World trilogy finally unleashes the dinosaurs into our modern world with disastrous results! The concept is a throwback to those old dinosaur films with the prehistoric animals running amok in our streets; plus Jurassic World: Dominion is bringing back our favorite characters from the original Jursassic Park.

4. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Part One

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse took everyone by surprise over its innovative animation and fantastic storytelling about growing up, legacies and all the wild variations of Spider-Man. It was little wonder it won the Oscar for Best Animated Film. The trailer for the sequel promises more of the same as Miles Morales meets a future version of Spider-Man and more.

3. Avatar 2

The first Avatar is usually looked down upon but it is actually a great sci-fi film by James Cameron. The master director always gave us entertaining and exciting epics and this follow up to Avatar will most likely be as thrilling and present cutting-edge special effects. Just wait until the first trailer drops. By then, the excitement and anticipation for Avatar 2 will be explosive.

2. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Our first glimpse of the sequel to Doctor Strange wowed audiences after the end credits of Spider-Man: No Way Home. The teaser featured the wild visuals and appearances by many characters to whet our appetites, including the Scarlet Witch, fresh from WandaVision. Even more enticing was the teaser’s final stinger that revealed an alternate, darker version of the Sorcerer Supreme, which possibly ties to the What If…? animated show. Then there are the rumors that the film will introduce non-MCU characters like the Fox X-Men and the Fantastic Four. let’s hope those rumors pan out.

1. The Batman

Director Matt Reeves takes his turn with DC’s most popular superhero and the trailers have blown us away which promise an emphasis on a gritty and mature version of the Caped Crusader that seems more like a crime thriller comic book brought to life that evoke the gritty, early Golden Age Batman from the comics books. The moody and dark trailers focused on a raged-fueled Batman and an actual mystery from a fiendish villain have stoked our cravings for the newest live-action Batman. Thankfully we only have to wait a few more weeks to see The Batman.

Other Noteworthy Films:

65; Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom; Black Adam; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; Distant; Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore; Moonfall; Morbius; Nope; Secret Headquarters; Samaritan; Super Mario Brothers; Turning Red

Television Shows

10. DMZ

This HBO adaptation of the Vertigo comic book stars Rosario Dawson as a journalist trapped in New York as the city becomes the hotly contested front line in a new civil war in the United States. Given current events this show should resonated with viewers.

9. Halo

So far, the visuals looked promising in the trailer for the live-action version of the very popular video game franchise about a future war in space. Fingers crossed this series will defy the odds and actually be good.

8. House of the Dragon

Even though many were disappointed by the final episodes of Game of Thrones, there is a lot of interest in this prequel series of the George R.R. Martin fantasy epic. Featuring Doctor Who’s Matt Smith, House of the Dragon will focus on the Targaryen royal family at the height of their power.

7. Andor

Diego Luna reprises his role of the morally ambiguous Rebel agent Cassian Andor in this Star Wars TV series that takes place before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and will provide more insight into Andor’s life before the pivotal events of the film.

6. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

This special is anyone interested in the upcoming third Guardians of the Galaxy film because not only is it directed by James Gunn and stars the original actors from the films, but it is connected to the third film itself. Expect heartwarming zaniness in this possible holiday classic.

5. She-Hulk

Don’t make her angry. You wouldn’t like her if she’s angry! Emmy-winner Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) stars as Bruce Banner’s cousin who also transforms into a giant, powerful behemoth called the She-Hulk. Unlike her cousin, the She-Hulk has a sunnier disposition which helps her in her dayjob as a lawyer in this superhero legal comedy.

4. Moon Knight

Who needs Batman when you have Moon Knight? The long-awaited MCU debut of the vigilante with mulitple personality disorder stars Oscar Isaac in the title role. Moon Knight will also launch the second year slate of Disney + MCU TV shows this year and the brief glimpse we have had of the tortured hero promises a darker and edgier MCU TV show.

3. The Lord of the Rings

Amazon Prime Video’s biggest and most expensive television series will finally debut this fall. Based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, the show takes place during the Second Age of Middle-earth, centuries before the events of The Lord of the Rings books and films and features an ensemble group of characters. Fans of the Peter jackson films will be pleased that the TV show will keep the same look as the films but will it be the next Game of Thrones?

2. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Looking back at the second season of Star Trek: Discovery it is now obvious that the best aspects of that season were the appearances of OG Star Trek characters like Captain Pike and Mr. Spock. Now these characters are being spun off into their own show which explores the early voyages of the starship Enterprise. What is more exciting, ist that unlike current Star Trek shows, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will be a throwback to older Trek shows by being episodic instead of arc-based.

1. Obi-Wan Kenobi

Ewan MacGregor returns to the role that he completely owned in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Hands down, he was the best thing about those films and we’ve all been impatiently waiting for MacGregor to reprise his definitive version of the noble Jedi Knight. As expected and hoped for, this mini-series will chronicle Kenobi’s time in self-exile on the planet Tatooine as he distantly guards the one child who will finally bring balance to the Force.

Other Noteworthy TV Shows:

Archive 81; Calls; Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai; Guillermon Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities; I Am Groot; Interview With the Vampire; The Last of Us; Ms. Marvel; Naomi; Peacemaker; Prey; The Sandman; Secret Invasion; The Spiderwick Chronicles; Willow

Returning Favorites:

The Boys; For All Mankind; The Handmaid’s Tale; Harley Quinn; Loki; Love, Death & Robots; The Mandalorian; The Orville; Raised By Wolves; Snowpiercer; Star Trek: Picard; Star Wars: The Bad Batch; Stranger Things; Superman & Lois; The Umbrella Academy; The Walking Dead; Westworld; What If…?