The sci-fi genre has had some wonderful additions in the past few years, and the genre continues to pull massive amounts of viewers. This is a double-edged sword for fans of science fiction. On one hand, it brings much more money into the genre; this means bigger budgets, higher production value, A-list actors, and reputable directors and creative teams. On the other hand, this influx of money can bring a sort of over saturation, a race toward churning out the next big moneymaker, and the misuse of beloved IP by those who do not fully appreciate its origins.

Hopefully though, recent successes in films like Dune and Everything Everywhere All at Once, are proving to studios that creative and well-produced content is worthwhile, as it both makes money and pleases fans. There is more to a film than its name, and viewers enjoy films with quality directors, writers, and on-screen talent. 2022 is a big year for sci-fi; the following are this year's most anticipated films of the incredibly cherished genre.

Jurassic World: Dominion

jurassic-world-dominion-1200-1 (1)
Universal Pictures 

Jurassic World: Domination will be the third installment in the Jurassic World series, which premiered in 2015. Now, seven years later, the newest film will continue with familiar faces such as Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Jeff Goldblum. After the destruction of the island on which the dinosaurs were isolated, the film takes place in a world in which prehistoric creatures live alongside humans. Their shared cohabitation does not ensure peace, and the presence of dinosaurs threatens the safety of every person with whom they come in contact. The film is directed by Colin Trevorrow, who was at the helm of the first film, and is set to release on June 10th, 2022.

Related: Jurassic World: Dominion Dino Tracker Interactive Website Launches

Avatar The Way of Water

Avatar Way of Water 2022
20th Century Studios

From the legendary director James Cameron, Avatar: The Way of Water continues the story of Jake Sully as he and his fellow Na’vi must protect their planet and home from invaders from another world. The sequel is set to hit theaters on December 16th, 13 years after the original film awed its viewers with groundbreaking visual effects and computer-generated landscapes. The newest film boasts improved technological capture with additional digital puppets and face capture devices, improved in-camera light rendering, and will be the first to use motion-tracking technology underwater.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Martin Freeman crosses his arms in Black Panther
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

A sequel to the very successful original, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will continue to explore the world of Wakanda within the MCU. Like the original, the film will be directed by Ryan Coogler, who in addition to Black Panther, directed Creed and Judas and the Black Messiah. The film will feature performances by Martin Freeman, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, and Daniel Kaluuya. The film is set to premiere on November 11th, 2022.

Lightyear

Buzz Lightyear flexes in the Lightyear movie
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Lightyear is the newest addition to the Toy Story franchise, and is the origin story of the much-adored character Buzz Lightyear. The film features a brand-new set of voice actors including Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, Peter Sohn, and Taika Waititi. Directed by Angus MacLane, the film is set to release on June 17th, 2022.

Borderlands

Borderlands
2K Games & Telltale Games

Based on the popular video game, Borderlands is directed by Eli Roth and stars Cate Blanchett, Janina Gavankar, and Haley Bennett. Supporting roles include performances from Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The film tells the story of a group on an abandoned planet who are searching for a mysterious relic. Fans of the video game and the sci-fi genres are in anticipation of this film, but the exact release date is unknown. The movie is currently set for a 2022 release.

Hellraiser

Doug-Bradley-as-Pinhead-in-Hellraiser
Entertainment Film Distributors

Hellraiser is a recreation of the classic 1987 horror film. The film's aesthetic is dark and creepy in nature, but shares a lot of elements with the sci-fi genre. It tells the tale of an evil creature who is summoned from another dimension and proceeds to wreak havoc on all who encounter it. The film is directed by David Bruckner and stars Jamie Clayton and Goran Visnjic. The reboot is set to be released exclusively on Hulu at some point in 2022.

Nope

nope-2022_1200x630
Universal Pictures

Following Get Out and Us, this will be the third film that Jordan Peele has directed. Following the success of the first two films, this movie gravitates closer to the science fiction genre with the inclusion of extraterrestrial elements, but will capture the horrifyingly scary atmosphere that Peele very effectively creates. Peele has been incredibly successful with the creation of novel and unique horror stories, and this film will be no different. Nope stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun. It has a release date of July 22nd, 2022.

Related:

Jordan Peele Explains Meaning Behind Nope Movie Title

Crimes of the Future

Ear person with ears sewed on in Crimes of the Future
Vertigo Films

The newest film by David Cronenberg shows how humans adapt to synthetic structures, showcasing the effects through avant-garde performance art. The sure-to-be creepy film stars Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, and Kristen Stewart. The tenured director is known for The Fly, Dead Ringers, Videodrome, and The Dead Zone, and will unveil Crimes of the Future at the Cannes film festival this May.