As of October 2024, several exciting and trending movies have had people get excited about it. These movies include a mix of; thrilling sequels, nostalgic films from years ago going back to the 2000, and new movies catching the attention of anyone and everyone of all ages. But what Rosemary and Aylun want to figure out is what do students from the iSchool think about the trending movies from each month up until October? Will the student’s opinions be controversial or agreeable? In this article, we’re uncovering the unexpected but interesting views that are all about these must-see movies.

January: Mean Girls 2

Starting strong in January, a sequel to “Mean Girls” came out bringing back the dramatic teen drama from the 2000s and introducing “Mean Girls” 2. This movie is about a new girl named Katie who’s moving into a new school. She met these three girls who have always been known as mean girls and she “became friends with them.” At first, Katie didn’t want to be friends with these girls. She thought that they were snobby, stuck up, and just annoying. But as she started hanging out with them more often, she was jealous and wanted to be just like them but even better.

Maesie Strauss, a freshman at the iSchool told me a lot about the movie as well. Maesie said, “Like in all honesty, I found the second one to be a lot more trendy and the first one is very like 2000 which I like and I like the cast a lot more in the yeah I like the cast also in the first one more that was more interesting like. I also love old movies and like the whole vibe of the 2000s more.”

This movie seems like a good one and it seems like something that a lot of people would enjoy watching. Maesie and I both agree that we would recommend this movie to families, friends, and just to teenagers in general. By teenagers, we mean around 12-13-year-old girls would find this more interesting. As Maesie said, “This movie is more of a girly movie since females can relate to the movie more than boys but boys can watch it as well.”

February: Madame Web

Moving into mid-February, an American superhero movie, “Madame Web”, was released. This movie is what the younger audience is used to. It’s all about superheroes, villains, and people who try, and succeed, in saving the world. The main idea of this movie is about the main character, Cassie who’s trying to change her past while also trying to save three girls named; Julia, Mattie, and Anya who are doomed to have a terrible death by the main antagonist, Ezekiel Sims who came from a famous comic book as well.

Athena Phoenix, a freshman at the iSchool told me all about this movie, what she thought about it, and who her favorite character was. Athen had said that the movie was boring at first, but then it started to get interesting. A summary of it is that it was about this woman, Cassie, and she’s a paramedic who could see the future and always tried to save people from their deaths. One day, she saves the future of the three girls mentioned before; Julia, Mattie, and Anya. Cassie did everything in her power to save them from their excruciating death.

Athena also mentioned to me that, “This movie is all about heroes and villains. It’s an action movie so if you don’t like things such as loud and dramatic fighting scenes, then I wouldn’t recommend this movie to you.”

I agree with her opinion since I’ve seen this movie as well and it takes some time for it to get interesting but once you get the concept of the movie and really see what’s going on, the movie gets entertaining. As for who we’d recommend it to, we would recommend it to teenagers and people who pay attention to movies.

March: Kung Fu Panda 4

“Kung Fu Panda 4” continues the adventures of Po, the lovely panda. This time he starts on a quest to find a successor and faces new villains that challenge his skills and leadership. 

Angele Bentini, a sophomore student at iSchool, shared his excitement about the film, saying, “I feel like it’s a pretty fun movie, especially if you just want to watch something kid-friendly and entertaining.”The story picks up with Poe trying to pass his knowledge to the next generation while dealing with the challenges of being a mentor. “ He becomes a big shot kung fu master called Dragon Warrior,” Angel says. “ This time, he has to find someone to carry on his legacy.”

The humor and touching moments that fans love from previous films return in this part. “It’s just really easy to watch, and you don’t have to think too much about it,” Angel added. This makes it perfect for family movie nights, where everyone can enjoy the action and laugh together. 

According to a review in Variety Kung Fu Panda “captures the whimsical spirit” of its predecessors while introducing fresh storylines that “resonate with both children and adults.” Critics have graded the film’s balance of action and emotion highly, noting its universal appeal and Po’s Growth as a character. 

April: Abigail

Going into mid-April, everyone is talking about the new movie that came out. “Abigail”, is the newest thriller movie for April. This movie isn’t just all about horror–it’s a movie that has a major plot twist that will leave people shocked.

The main character, Abigail, is a “normal” ballerina who becomes the target of a group of people who are known as kidnappers. The kidnappers were told that Abigail was the daughter of a wealthy man who would pay millions to get his daughter back. What they didn’t know was that Abigail wasn’t the ordinary girl that they thought she was. She left the kidnappers surprised when she showed her true self and how she wasn’t just a regular girl.

I had a chat with Emma Uolla, a freshman at the iSchool, who told me everything that she thought about this movie. She said, “I really like this movie since I’ve always loved watching horror movies and shows and this movie was more interesting than scary because of the plot twists.”

I was curious so I asked Emma who her favorite character was. And to my surprise, her favorite character was Abigail herself! People might think that Abigail is the villain because of the harm she caused but Emma’s reasoning proves otherwise. Later on in the movie, Abigail starts to show her nice side and shows that she’s just a little girl and does what her dad wants. She doesn’t want to bring harm to innocent people, she just wants to spend quality time with her dad.

Emma and I would both say that Abigail is a must-watch movie. Adults might find this movie to be a bit intense but teenagers would enjoy it.

This is a really good movie and both me and Emma agree that we would recommend this movie to teenagers and not really adults. Adults can watch it since I watched it with my family but, I don’t think that they would want to see a movie about monsters tearing into people’s bodies and stuff.

May: The Garfield movie

April kicked off the movie year with “The Garfield Movie” which was reintroduced to audiences with a lasagna-loving cat. This animated cartoon tells the story of Garfield meeting his father for the first time. The movie explores themes of family and friendship as Garfield and his dad start on a comedic adventure together. 

Fans appreciated the smooth animation and the funny writing, which made the film enjoyable for audiences of all ages. The character’s moves, especially between Garfield and his dad, added depth to the story. Kids laugh at the comedic scenes while adults find nostalgic references that are connected to their childhoods. The Hollywood Reporter in the review noted “The movie successfully combines humor and heart, making it a delightful experience for both kids and long-time fans of Garfield.” Also adding that the film manages to “strike a balance between modern storytelling and classic Garfield charm.”

The freshman student in NYC ISchool Syniah noted “’The Garfield’ is the perfect family movie, ideal for a cozy movie night.”

Garfield’s quirky personality is shown clearly, and his interaction with the other characters, including the always optimistic dog Odie, brings a lot of laughs. The film’s comedic moments make it light to watch, appealing to both new fans and those who grew up watching/reading comics. 

June: Inside Out 2. 

This is the long-awaited sequel to the 2015 movie. While the first movie focused on the emotions of a young girl, Riley, this sequel gives us a deeper look into her teenage years and how her feelings change as she grows up. It explores new emotions that come with being a teenager, like anxiety, ennui, envy, and embarrassment. 

Sajda Mohammed, a ninth grader, says, “I think it’s cool that the movie shows how our feelings change as we get older. It helps us to understand that it’s okay to feel different things.” She also mentioned, “It’s not just about being happy or sad anymore: it’s more complex!”

According to an article in Psychology Today, movies like “Inside Out” play an important role in helping children and teens understand emotions. By showing feelings as characters, these movies give kids “a way to recognize and express complex emotions in a safe and relatable way.”

In this sequel, we get to see how Riley is coping with the challenges of middle school, friendships, and family. All while the emotions in her mind are trying to figure it out too. Sajda said, “It’s relatable because we all deal with these kinds of things, and it might help families understand what we are going through.”

“Inside Out 2” promises to be both fun and meaningful, making it a great movie for teens and their families to enjoy together!

July: Despicable Me 4

“Despicable Me 4” came out in July, bringing back everyone’s favorite villain Gru along with his minions. The film is full of funny moments as Gru faces new challenges and has to deal with new villains.

Alex, a young fan, described the film as “very random but easy to watch. He appreciated how the plot was filled with silly situations that fans loved. “I think my favorite character is Gru because he’s relatable,” Alex said. “He has this awkwardness that makes him funny.

In this installment, Gru and his family go undercover to stop new villains who threaten their world. “It’s a fun idea and there are a lot of laughs,” Alex said. The film also shows the importance of family and friendship, which adds depth to the humor.

One of the things that makes “Despicable Me 4” special is how it combines action and comedy. Alex is highlighted. “They are so silly and always put a smile on my face,” Alex said. Their antics make the film enjoyable for both kids and adults. Alex also noted that the film is great for those looking for something lighthearted. “I think it’s for people who don’t like serious movies and just want to watch something funny,” she shared. “Despicable Me 4” continues the tradition of funny movies, making it perfect for family screenings or hanging out with friends.

August: Blink Twice

“Blink Twice.” A movie that was released in late August to bring something into the fall season. This mysterious thriller movie was about a group of women who are going through some financial struggles and working all day and night. These women met this celebrity at an event and they were talking to each other and the man invited them to this private island that he owns. The women thought that they were getting treated by being there but it was the exact opposite and once they got to the island, everything started going downhill.

I got a chance to speak with a senior at the iSchool, Arianna Marracino about this movie and what she thinks about it. She thought that it was a hard watch since it had a lot of sensitive subjects.  Even though it was like this, she said, “ I still thought that it was good because it kind of spreads awareness about sexual assault and issues that women go through.” In line with her thoughts, a review from The New York Times pointed out that Blink Twice “doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, making it a bold yet unsettling reflection on real-world challenges women face.”

Even though I’ve never seen the movie myself, Ariana’s thoughts on it suggest that the movie gives off a good description of the daily struggles that women go through to tell the watchers that these challenges are very real and serious. She also thinks that this movie is meant more for women, particularly women since it focuses on topics that relate to them. In the end, Ariana thinks that this movie isn’t necessarily meant for a younger audience but it’s also an entertaining movie.

September: Beetlejuice

“Beetlejuice 2”  is the fun sequel to the original “Beetlejuice” movie. In this new film, we get to see what happens to the Maitlands after they become ghosts. Adam and Barbara, the ghost couple, are still trying to scare away people from their old house. But things get crazy when their daughter, who is now grown up, accidentally wakes up Beetlejuice!

The story starts with the Maitlands still hanging out as ghosts in the afterlife. They find out that a new family has moved into their house. Their daughter gets mixed up with Beetlejuice, who is a super silly and mischievous ghost. Now, the Maitlands have to figure out how to deal with Beetlejuice and protect their daughter at the same time.

Michael Keaton is back as Beetlejuice, and he’s just as funny as ever! Fans are excited to see him cause all kinds of trouble again. Ezra Cinelli a freshman from NYC iSchool said, “The original actors return as Adam and Barbara, and they bring their funny personalities while trying to handle Beetlejuice and the new family.”

The new family that moves in will have lots of fun moments with Beetlejuice. The movie also talks about family and how the Maitlands want to keep their daughter safe. It shows that family is really important, even when you’re a ghost! There are lots of funny parts mixed with spooky ones, making it fun to watch. Many fans can’t wait for this sequel. The first “Beetlejuice” movie was super funny and weird, and everyone hopes this one will be just as great. People are excited to see the same humor and big adventures.

“Beetlejuice 2” looks like it will be a really fun movie! With the same characters and new funny adventures, it hopes to bring back the vibe of the first film. Fans are eager to see how the Maitlands deal with Beetlejuice and the new family in their haunted house. It’s a movie to watch for both old fans and new audiences.

October: The Menendez Brothers

As we’re going into October, multiple movies and TV shows have already started to come out that are tempting people to rush and not walk to their nearest movie theatres or their home’s TV and go onto their favorite streaming services. One of the most popular movies that have TikTok, YouTubers, etc. making edits and such things out of is the movie and show: “The Menendez Brothers.” The story of these brothers and their family is both a movie and a show and many people from all around the world are going onto Netflix to see what this infamous case is all about.

The main idea of the movie is to give the viewers some backstory on why the Menendez brothers were ever in the papers and sent to jail, to begin with. It all started with the tragic murder of their parents and the police suspected the brothers; Lyle and Erik to be the top 2 suspects.

I got the opportunity to speak with Leo Porter, a freshman at the iSchool, and he shared with me his thoughts on both the movie and the show as well. He stated, “The movie illustrates the story of the Menendez brothers but it’s less entertaining them the show. I also wouldn’t recommend spending too much time trying to watch the movie since the show is where the interesting part of the story is.”

From my perspective, I agree with Leo’s opinions and even though the movie had a lot of information in it that’s helpful to know the backstory about what’s going on, the show was more engaging and still included the backstory as well. In the end, we recommend both the show and the movie but, probably to a more older audience because of the content that is shown in them.

CONCLUSION

In 2024, we’ve seen a bunch of cool movies that everyone is talking about! From the fun drama of  “Mean Girls 2” to the exciting acting in “Madame Web”, there’s something for everyone. 

Students at the NYC iSchool shared their thoughts on these movies. I liked how “Inside Out 2” showed real feelings and how “Despicable Me 4” is just funny. Movies like “Abigail” and “Blink Twice’’ made people think about serious issues, too. 

Overall, this year’s movies were entertaining and easily relatable, making us laugh, cry, and think. We look forward to the new movies to find out what’s next!