5 Movies, TV Series to Watch In 2022

It’s safe to say we have been blessed with pretty outstanding cinema so far in 2022. And fortunately, we have a powerful lineup that awaits release for the remainder of the year. Whether it’s already been released or still awaits its premiere, they all deserve attention. Here are five TV series and movies to check out before this year ends. 

“Stranger Things” (Netflix) 

Now this series actually premiered on May 27, and the second part on July 1. I was aware of the increasing popularity and seemingly unrivaled attention Season Four of “Stranger Things” received over the summer and yet, I set aside no time to watch it. However when I sat down to start it, I finally understood what all the fuss was about.  

If you’ve seen the series then you know that the series revolves around the town of Hawkins being terrorized by some unseen force. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) has moved away from Hawkins and is facing new challenges that don’t include demogorgons and the Upside Down but instead on how to be a normal girl in high school. Other characters like Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), and a new fan favorite Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) are dealing with their own problems that communicate the stressors of being a high school student.

Hawkins, of course, finds itself in turmoil again after a pretty hideous, scary demon-creature starts killing off depressed kids.

The Netflix series is split into two parts, the first consisting of seven episodes that jump from California, Hawkins, and even Russia. Although there were parts that dragged a bit, it all came full circle in the second part of the series. The second part is nothing short of show-stopping and absolutely epic. Part Two contains only two episodes and is about four hours long. This felt like watching a mini movie because of the production and set design, the stunts, and the effects. 

The buildup to the final standoff, the character arcs, and the score for this series made it impossible to look away. And while these two episodes – especially the finale, all felt overwhelming with the amount of action-thrilling moments, the episode still gave time to honor every character. 

“Game of Thrones: House of The Dragon” (HBO)

The Game of Thrones finale (well, let’s be honest … the last two seasons) was an appalling end to what was mostly an epic series. However, HBO’s new series “House of The Dragon,” based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” and released on August 23, has so far been exciting and promising. 

Set 172 years prior to Daenerys Targaryen, this prequel tells the story of House Targaryen which, of course, has amazing cinematography, more dragons – hence the title, back-stabbings, political discourse, and not so surprising gore and violence. 

Keeping the “Game of Thrones” theme song, “House of The Dragon” is aggressively focused on the Targaryen household and the turbulence that comes along with having power and the fears of succession. Rhaenyra Targaryen, played by Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy, finds herself in a position of power and attempts to push for her succession whilst working against many obstacles. One of them is probably the most compelling character and assumedly the antagonist of the series is Daemon Targaryen. Played by Matt Smith, he steals every scene he’s in and is absolutely electrifying on camera. Given we’re only four episodes in, it’s really hard to tell if he is the villain of this story.  So far the series has succeeded in capturing the essence of jealousy and political discourse in true “Game of Thrones” fashion.

One-hour episodes are released weekly on Sundays at 3 p.m. (HST). The first season is said to have 10 episodes running throughout September and October. 

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, Nov. 11

This Marvel film is set to be one of, if not the most highly anticipated chapter of Phase Four movies within the MCU. But more importantly, it is set to be one of the most emotional. 

“Black Panther,” directed by Ryan Coogler, was an Oscar-winning superhero movie with a predominantly Black cast. No Marvel movie has come close to making the social impact that “Black Panther” has. Because of its success, it was no question that there would be a sequel in the making. 

“Wakanda Forever” follows the death of King T’Challa and the forces that gun for the nation of Wakanda. Being that Chadwick Boseman passed from colon cancer almost two years ago, it left fans wondering who will be the next Black Panther and if there would even be a sequel. 

The biggest question here is how the Black Panther will be passed along and to whom it will be passed. Fans theorize that it will go to Shuri (Letitia Wright), but others feel like it might be given to another. The trailers that have been released so far have done a good job at keeping the answer hidden. The Black Panther’s successor will most likely remain hidden until the actual premiere of the movie. 

“Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power” (Prime Video) 

Dating thousands of years prior to J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterful trilogy, “Lord of the Rings,” Prime Video’s “Rings of Power” was finally released. In the first season alone, according to Forbes, budget estimates anywhere from $750 million and $1 billion. This has been one of the most anticipated series since its initial announcement in 2017. Twenty-five million viewers tuned in to return to Middle Earth, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

Elves, dwarves, orcs, and humans are brought back together in this epic fantasy to create their own story taking place in the Second Age of Middle Earth. Some familiar favorites are set to return such as the elven queen Galadriel and some new figures that are specific to this series. One of the most compelling elements of this fantasy series is the incomparable depth of story-building behind each character and the level of history present within Tolkien’s stories which is truly unmatched. “Rings of Power” has more to do with the build-up of its own story, rather than trying to connect to the stories that have already been told. 

“Rings of Power” premiered its first two episodes on Sept. 1 at 3 p.m. (HST). Hourlong episodes will be released weekly every Thursday with its eighth and final episode to be released Oct. 14. However, this series has five seasons already mapped out. 

“Avatar 2: The Way of Water”, Dec. 16

It’s hard to believe that after many years the sequel has finally come to fruition. Back in 2009 “Avatar” set the box office record as the highest-grossing film of that year. The movie started filming back in 2017, but because of its live-action and motion capture elements and COVID-19, it’s no wonder why it took so long to finally be completed. After 13 years, the world finally gets to see the highly anticipated sequel “Avatar: The Way of Water.” 

“The Way of Water” focuses on the next chapter of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) after Jake decided to permanently transfer into his avatar after Neytyri saves him. The plot will follow the Sully family and the challenges they will face when humans again hint at waging war.