Almost every genre of cinema is represented on the annual Black List, a collection of scripts that have won Hollywood acclaim but have yet to be picked up for production. Several past entries have made it from page to page, even to the stage at the Academy Awards—and it’s always fun to watch the contestants and imagine seeing their stories come to life.
Here are the 10 we’d be most excited to see on the 2024 list (via Variety; you can check out the full list here), all from sci-fi, horror, and fantasy.
Bloody Mingo by Jonathan Easley
“Investigating a possible murder case in an Appalachian mountain area, a deputy encounters a strange mountain community who claim to be haunted by an evil witch who lives in the woods.”
The world needs more human horror, and this sounds like a terrifying way to help meet that requirement.
13 o’clock by Anna Klassen
“When a group of teenagers repair an old clock with the mysterious number 13, they are given an extra hour in which their actions have no consequences.”
Something tells us there the will may be the consequences, ultimately, for the children who play—their time management is amazing anyway.
American monsters by Chris Grillot
“A parliamentarian and his estranged son must fight for survival when they are trapped on a hunting farm where the world’s legendary animals are genetically engineered as dangerous game.”
Get Kurt and Wyatt Russell on the phone, fast!
AIDa by Alexis Jacknow
“A new mother finds the perfect babysitter in AI, only to discover that the ‘perfect’ caregiver can be the most dangerous type of all. This psychological thriller explores the differences between human nature and AI nurture and asks the question, can AI replace us as parents?”
We’ve seen AI scare kids before (M3GANsequel coming soon!), but combining the concept and fears of 21st century parenting sounds promising, in a deeply dystopian way.
Rotate by Elyse Hollander
“After beloved movie star Tom Adair is found dead, an outpouring of grief and sympathy quickly elevates his best friend Alec Donavan to stardom. Now Alec must contend with his newfound fame and success—and the fact that he and his agent/girlfriend Karynn Pieper secretly killed Tom and are haunted by his vengeful ghost.”
A murder-mystery ghost comedy set among the Hollywood A-list? We would watch the hell out of that.
Wow by Madison Vanderberg
“All hell breaks loose when a famous—but troubled—actor announces on a talk show that in less than an hour, he’s going to turn into a werewolf… all on live TV.”
When we talk about Hollywood legends, we can think of a lot of actors (top of the list: Nicolas Cage) devouring the scene of a film like this.
Mother’s home by James Morosini
“A young father awakens his frozen 24-year-old mother, creating fear and forbidden discord that plagues his family and threatens his marriage.”
We love any tale that begins with someone coming out of cryogenic sleep—because you just know all kinds of chaos will ensue: Encino Man, Demolition Manany domestic nightmares and “forbidden discord” the young man’s mother up her sleeve…
Mother? by Jack Bloom
“When a deadly virus infects mothers and turns them on their offspring, a father must do whatever it takes to protect his daughter from her mother.”
It’s a big year for naughty moms, apparently!
Camp David by Megan Amram and Joseph Carnegie
“In 1981, a young George W. Bush and his siblings were hunted by a masked assassin while partying at Camp David.”
Yes. This is another review history we need to eat popcorn for. Let’s make it happen, Hollywood!
It’s not you, it’s me by Shane Kennedy and Ant Simpson
“When Nick and Sophie break up just days before his best friend’s lavish wedding to his sister, they vow to keep it a secret until after the wedding. But what should be a simple white lie turns into a nightmare when a mysterious encounter turns them on the one thing they hate most in the world: each other. “
There are a few body-changing legends on this year’s blacklist, but only one offers “Anyone But You with a twist of sorts” vibes.
Looking for more io9 news? Check out when you can expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe in film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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