Black Panther: Wakanda Forever tops Fandango’s most anticipated 2022 movies

Last Updated on December 31, 2021

As 2021 is coming to a close, we now look to the big releases of 2022 that have us excited as moviegoers. It appears that there is going to be a lot to choose from next year but, at least according to Fandango, one film is leading the pack as the most anticipated film of 2022. Fandango polled more than 6,000 ticket-buyers this moved and asked which theatrical blockbusters they’re most excited about in 2022 and the Black Panther sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, topped the list. Another Marvel-related comic book effort, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One), came in second.

Even though it looks like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever could see a release delay due to its production hiatus after Letitia Wright’s on-set injury, production is expected to resume in January with Wright set to return. The film is still expected to make its planned November 11, 2022, release date.

As we have seen from the trying to recover box office of 2021, event movies still bring a big audience, even during the pandemic. Marvel in particular has been strong in 2021 with Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, and the shared with Sony effort, Spider-Man: No Way Home. 2022 has a slew of blockbusters on its slate and I think we will see that these event movies will continue to generate heat at the box office.

Another interesting thing about the survey is that they asked about their recent experiences at movie theaters and their anticipated moviegoing habits in the new year. Here were the results:

–94% want to go to the theater more often in 2022 than they did in 2021
–89% were gratified to see new movie releases on the big screen this year.
–88% are excited by the 2022 line-up of theatrical releases.
–86% picked Action/Adventure as one of their favorite genres.
–80% hope to see five or more movies on the big screen in 2022.
–70% plan to see movies in premium large-screen formats whenever possible.

When speaking on moviegoing in 2022, Fandango managing editor Erik Davis said, “Audiences are looking for unforgettable experiences at the theater and 2022 promises to deliver a bounty of exciting new movies that you must see on the big screen. From some of the biggest returning characters like Spider-Man, Batman, Catwoman and Doctor Strange, to memorable franchises like Black Panther, Top Gun, Mission: Impossible and Jurassic World, the new year is packed with thrills, chills and adventure around every corner.”

What are YOUR thoughts on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever topping Fandango’s most anticipated movies of 2022 list? You can check out their full lists below, including lists separated by genre:

2022’s Most Anticipated Blockbusters

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Nov. 11)
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Oct. 7)
The Batman (March 4)
Thor: Love and Thunder (July 8)
Jurassic World: Dominion (June 10)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness(May 6)
Avatar 2 (Dec. 16)
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (Dec. 16)
Top Gun: Maverick (May 27)
Mission: Impossible 7 (Sept. 30)

2022’s Most Anticipated Action/Adventure Movies (non-superhero)

Jurassic World: Dominion
Avatar 2
Top Gun: Maverick
Mission: impossible 7
Uncharted (Feb. 18)

2022’s Most Anticipated Animated/Family Movies

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Pixar’s Lightyear (June 17)
Minions: The Rise of Gru (July 1)
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (April 15)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (April 8)

2022’s Most Anticipated Horror Movies

Halloween Ends (Oct. 14)
Scream (Jan. 14)
Jordan Peele’s Nope (July 22)
Orphan: First Kill (TBD)
The Black Phone (June 24)

2022’s Most Anticipated Returning Performances

Chris Hemsworth (as Thor), Thor: Love and Thunder
Benedict Cumberbatch (as Dr. Stephen Strange), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Natalie Portman (as Dr. Jane Foster), Thor: Love and Thunder
Zoe Saldana (as Neytiri), Avatar 2
Elizabeth Olsen (as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

2022’s Most Anticipated New Performances

Robert Pattinson (as Bruce Wayne/Batman), The Batman
Dwayne Johnson (as Black Adam), Black Adam
Christian Bale (as Gorr the God Butcher), Thor: Love and Thunder
Issa Rae (as Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Zoe Kravitz (as Selina Kyle/Catwoman), The Batman

How do you feel about the Black Panther sequel topping Fandango’s list?