Happy 2026! Some Movies To Watch Out For

Posted on January 1, 2026 at 6:01 am

Happy New Year! Lots of great films are coming our way, sequels, superheroes, video games, favorite books (two from Colleen Hoover!), big-budget blockbusters, micro-budget Indies, two new Pixar films, and MIND-BLOWING MUSIC. As always, what I most look forward to are the surprises, the films and performers we don’t know yet but will become indispensable by the end of the year. (And as always, we know more about what is coming in the next few months than the end of the year and release dates may change.)

JANUARY

People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry’s best-seller about a will-they/won’t they couple comes to the screen with Emily Baderand Tom Blyth, co-starring Jameela Jamil, Alan Ruck, and Molly Shannon.

Mercy What if we had AI judges who give people accused of crimes just 90 minutes to prove their innocence? Chris Pratt plays the man accused of murdering his wife and Rebecca Ferguson plays the AI.

Send Help Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien play a pair of co-workers who do not get along well but have to find a way to get along when they are stranded on a desert island.

The Moment Charli XCX stars in a not-documentary about a touring pop star named Charli XCX. The cast includes Rosanna Arquette, Kate Berlant, and Alexander Skarsgård.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die A time-bending sci-fi action story with Chris Pratt, Haley Lu Richardson, Juno Temple, Zazie Beetz, and Michael Peña fighting against the most popular villain of the moment, a rogue AI.

The Internship A top-level trained assassin wants to dismantle the system that trained her. Sounds a bit like “Ballerina,” doesn’t it?

Night Patrol An LAPD policeman has to team up with street gangs to fight a common enemy — crooked cops.

Untitled Home Invasion Romance Jason Biggs directs and stars in the story of a couple trying to repair their relationship with a trip away from home, until a dead body makes things get complicated.

Killer Whale The title says it all — two young woman on a trip to a private lagoon are hunted by an escaped orca out for revenge.

FEBRUARY

Elvis Presley in Concert Director Baz Luhrman discovered legendary missing footage of Elvis when he was working on the film starring Austin Butler. He’s now assembled never-before-seen footage into a concert film.

How to Make a Killing The classic British comedy “Kind Hearts and Coronets,” about a man who kills off every relative standing between him and an inheritance, is relocated and updated with Glen Powell as the would-be heir, co-starring with Margaret Qualley, Ed Harris, Topher Grace, and Bill Camp.

Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte’s gothic classic gets another reboot, this time, directed by a woman, Emerald Fennell, known for a provocative, strongly feminist viewpoint. Margot Robbie stars as Cathy, with Jacob Elordi as the brooding Heathcliff.

MARCH

The Magic Faraway Tree Enid Blyton’s classic children’s book gets a sumptuous treatment and a starry cast in this story of a tree that is a portal to magic lands. Stars include Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Rebecca Ferguson, Nonso Anozie, Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Gunning, and Jennifer Saunders.

The Breadwinner Is beloved comedian Nate Bargatze an actor? Or a screenwriter? We’ll find out in this story of a stay at home dad, starring along with Mandy Moore, fellow comedian Kumail Nanjiani, and SNL’s Will Forte and Colin Jost.

Masters of the Universe He-Man and Skeletor make it to the big screen in a live-action epic starring Nicholas Galitzine (He-Man/Prince Adam) with Jared Leto as his nemesis Skeletor. The cast also features Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Idris Elba, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Sasheer Zamata, James Purefoy, Charlotte Riley, Kristen Wiig and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson.

Reminders of Him Another bittersweet romantic story of love and grief from Colleen Hoover book brought to the screen, starring Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, Lauren Graham, Bradley Whitford, and singer Lainey Wilson.

Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft – The Tour (Live in 3D) Billie Eilish singing. James Cameron directing. 3D. Enough said.

Poetic License Maude Apatow, who has shown her acting talent in “One of Them Days” and “Euphoria,” makes her directing debut with a screenplay she co-wrote. She also stars along with her mother, Leslie Mann, Andrew Barth Feldman, Method Man, and Cooper Hoffman.

Storm Rider: Legend of Hammerhead Three centuries after the Great Flood, the world has fractured into scattered islands, forever threatened by a colossal, unending Storm. The Islanders’ only hope for safety lies in the fortified city-state of Argos – a sanctuary reachable only through perilous trials known as Storm Riding. Yet, among them, a defiant faction believes true salvation lies not within Argos, but beyond the Storm itself, so they undertake the journey through the Storm.

The Bride Maggie Gyllenhaal is the writer/director of this Frankenstein story, with the setting changed to 1930s Chicago. Jessie Buckley is the title character, re-animated to give some company to the first monster, played by Christian Bale.

Hoppers A new animated story from Pixar is about a scientific experiment that has a teenager inhabiting the body of a robotic beaver. The cast includes Meryl Streep, John Hamm, and “SNL” alums Bobby Moynihan, Ego Nwodim, Melissa Villaseñor, and Vanessa Bayer.

Project Hail Mary A book by The Martian author Andy Weir takes us back into space with Ryan Gosling as a schoolteacher who is selected by leading world scientists as the only person who can save the stars.

APRIL

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Following the smash success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” this one has returning voices Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, and Charlie Day, joined by Oscar-winner Brie Larson and Benny Safdie.

Michael The Michael Jackson story, with the King of Pop played by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson (son of Michael’s brother, Jermaine).

Mother Mary Director David Lowrey likes strange, spooky stories. This one stars Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel (“I May Destroy You”), FKA Twigs, Kaia Gerber, and Hunter Schafer in the story of a singer and a designer.

MAY

The Mandalorian and Grogu “Iron Man’s” Jon Favreau directs this “Star Wars” spin-off from he Disney+ series, with Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and “The Bear’s” Jeremy Allen White.

Over Your Dead Body Samara Weaving and Jason Segel play a married couple who go away for what is supposed to be a weekend to reconnect and repair their relationship, but secretly each is planning to murder the other. Yes, it’s a comedy, from Lonely Island director Jorma Taccone.

I Love Boosters Writer/director Boots Riley (“Sorry to Bother You”) is back with another comic fantasy with social commentary, this time about a group of young shoplifters going after a fashion designer. The cast includes Keke Palmer, Demi Moore, Naomi Ackie, Eiza González, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, and “Sorry to Bother You” star LaKeith Stanfield.

The Sheep Detectives A shepherd who loves his flock (Hugh Jackman) is murdered, and the sheep who loved him decide to take what they learned from the mysteries he read to them and find out who did it. The cast playing suspects, law enforcement, and sheep includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Regina Hall, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Patrick Stewart, Nicholas Braun, and Chris O’Dowd.

JUNE

Toy Story 5 This fifth entry in the series that got Pixar started brings another new toy to disrupt Bonnie’s happy group of playthings: a tablet. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack are joined by Anna Faris, Ernie Hudson, Conan O’Brien, and Greta Lee., and Andrew Stanton (“Wall-E” and “Finding Nemo”) directs.

Disclosure Day What if we all found out that aliens were here? Steven Spielberg directs, and he knows how to get us goosebump-y and emotional about aliens. Stars include Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, and Wyatt Russell.

Power Ballad I’m a big fan of John Carney, who gave us “Sing Street” and “Once.” No one is better at characters who love and are transformed by music. This one has Paul Rudd as a wedding singer and Nick Jonas as a pop star. Jack Reynor, who played the brother in “Sing Street,” also stars.

Supergirl We got a glimpse of Milly Alcock as Superman’s messy Krypton cousin last year. Now we get to see her story. Matthias Schoenaerts is a great choice for villain and Krypto is back, so this looks promising.

JULY

Moana The march of the Disney animation-to-live-action continues with Dwayne Johnson repeating his role as Maui.

Cut Off Don’t we love to see spoiled rich kids have to deal with reality? Jonah Hill directs a terrific cast in a story of siblings whose wealthy parents cut off their funds, starring Kristen Wiig, Bette Midler, Nathan Lane, Camila Cabello, Langston, and Chelsea Peretti.

The Odyssey Homer’s classic epic is directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Matt Damon as Odysseys, on his long journey home, Tom Holland as his son, Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as his patient wife Penelope, Zendaya as the goddess Athena, and Charlize Theron as the sorceress Circe.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Tom Holland and Zendaya return for another adventure in the MCU.

AUGUST

The Devil Wears Prada 2 Meryl Streep is back, along with Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, and so are original screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna and costume designer Molly Rogers. Reportedly joining the cast: Lady Gaga, Sydney Sweeney, Rachel Bloom, and Lucy Liu. Expect great performances and wildly original costumes.

Coyote vs. Acme Inspired by a witty 1990 Ian Frazier essay in the New Yorker, this is a hybrid animation/live action film, based on the idea that Looney Tunes’ Wile E. Coyote, after decades of backfiring Road Runner-capturing equipment from Acme, decides to sue them for damages. The animation/live action hybrid includes Will Forte as Wile E.’s lawyer, John Cena representing Acme, and Luis Guzman as the judge.

SEPTEMBER

How to Rob a Bank It’s not just about the money in this one. It’s about revenge on a financial system. Stars include Nicholas Hoult, David Leitch directs “How to Rob a Bank,” an action thriller starring Nicholas Hoult, Pete Davidson, Zoë Kravitz, John C. Reilly, and Christian Slater.

Practical Magic 2 Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock return to update us on the witchy Owens sisters, a sequel to the beloved film. Dianne Weist and Stockard Channing will be back, too.

Sense and Sensibility Another version of the Jane Austen story of two sisters, one who leads with her heart, one who leads with her head. Thee cast includes Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood, Esmé Creed-Miles as her sister Marianne, Caitríona Balfe as their mother, and Frank Dillane as the heartbreaker John Willoughby,

OCTOBER

Remain You might not think of writer/director M. Knight Shyamalan, known for spooky twists, and Nicholas Sparks, known for bittersweet romances, as likely to team up. But that is who is behind this spooky romance, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor.

The Social Reckoning This sequel to “The Social Network” has screenwriter Aaron Sorkin taking over directing duties as well, with Jeremy Strong taking over the role of Mark Zuckerberg and Oscar-winner Mikey Madison as Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.

Digger Tom Cruise, Roz Ahmed, and John Goodman star in a film from Oscar-winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu about a man responsible for impending catastrophe thinks he’s the only one who can stop it.

Verity Another Colleen Hoover book, this one a thriller about a woman hired to ghostwrite books for a successful author who has been injured. The ghostwriter discovers some disturbing information in the author’s files. The cast includes Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett.

NOVEMBER

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping We hear Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will appear briefly in this prequel that is a sequel to Songbirds and Snakes. It’s got a great cast: Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Ben Wang, Lili Taylor, and Billy Porter.

Jimmy One of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood left the movies when the US entered WWII to become a real-life hero. KJ Apa plays Jimmy Stewart, who specialized in affable guy next door roles on screen but became a decorated B-24 bomber pilot for the U.S. Air Forces, ultimately rising to the rank of Brigadier General.

Madden David O. Russell (“Silver Linings Playbook”) directed and co-wrote the story of football triple legend John Madden, as coach, as TV sportscaster, and as namesake of the $4 billion video game. Nicolas Cage plays Madden, with Christian Bale as Al Davis and John Mulaney as Trip Hawkins.

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol One of my favorite stories is re-imagined with Johnny Depp “Bah, humbug-ing” in the title role and a cast that includes Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman, Rupert Grint, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, and Ian McKellen.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew Greta Gerwig follows “Barbie” with a reboot of the Narnia chronicles, with Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, and Emma Mackey.

DECEMBER

Dune Part III More sandworms ahead!

Jumanj III More video games come to life ahead!

Shrek V More ogres!

Ice Age 6 More ice age creatures!

Avengers: Doomsday EVERYBODY in the MCU is reportedly in what they’re calling the “penultimate chapter.” Even Robert Downey, Jr., as previewed in the post-credits sequence of the last film.

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Movies for the Holidays 2025: Zootopia 2, Eternity, Knives Out 3, Timothee Chalamet, and a Neil Diamond Tribute Duo

Posted on November 24, 2025 at 8:44 am

The holiday season always brings great movies, some destined for Oscar recognition, some for generations to enjoy together, some to make you laugh, and some to make you cry. There are sequels, big-budget extravaganzas, and even a few promising little indies. The ones I am most looking forward to include:

Zootopia 2 (November 26) Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are now partners tracking down a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia. And the sloth is back, too!

Eternity (November 26) If the legendary wit Noel Coward did a remake of Albert Brooks’ after-life fantasy “Defending Your Life,” it might look like this, with Elizabeth Olson as an elderly woman who arrives in heaven to find both of her husbands waiting for her: the one she married when they were young who was killed in the Korean War (Callum Turner), and the man she was later married to for more than 60 years (Miles Teller).

Hamnet (November 26) Jessie Buckley gives one of the most thrilling performances of the year as a woman married to an aspiring playwright named William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal). Based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, which itself was based on the true story of the death of Shakespeare’s young son.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (November 26) The third in the murder mystery series featuring master detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is another all-star treat, this time set in a church in upstate New York, with Josh O’Conner, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, and Thomas Hayden Church.

Merrily We Roll Along (December 5) First it was a legendary flop by powerhouse duo George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. They were known for comedy but they experimented with a serious play told in reverse order, taking a trio of characters from middle age back to their early 20s. Then Stephen Sondheim decided to make it into a musical, where it flopped so badly there is a whole documentary about it, called “The Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened.” Then it was remounted on Broadway with Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, and Krystal Joy Brown, where it finally was a huge hit and won Tonys for the two male actors. This is a film of that play.

Jay Kelly George Clooney stars as the title character, a huge movie star en route to a festival in Italy where he will receive a lifetime achievement award. He is accompanied by his manager (Adam Sandler) and publicist (Laura Dern) and tries to reconcile with his older daughter (Riley Keogh) and connect to his younger daughter (Grace Edwards), who would rather travel with her friends. This film, from writer/director Noah Baumbach, is one of my favorite of the year.

Dust Bunny (December 5) An eight-year-old girl asks her hitman neighbor for help in killing the monster under her bed that she thinks ate her family. Rogerbert.com’s Brian Tellerico calls it “playfully twisted.” Note: it is about a child but it is not for children: Rated R.

Merv Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox play a separated couple who still share love — and custody — of their dog, Merv. When the dog’s vet tells them their pet is depressed because they are not together, they join forces to take him on a vacation.

Ella McCay (December 12) This is one I’m especially looking forward to because it is from James L. Brooks, the writer/director of “Terms of Endearment” and “Broadcast News.” Emma Mackey plays a young politician who unexpectedly becomes governor of New York. the cast includes Albert Brooks, Julie Kavner, Woody Harrelson, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Goodbye, June (December 12) Adult siblings who do not get along gather to be with their dying mother. Kate Winslet directed, based on a screenplay by her son. She also stars along with Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Timothy Spall, Helen Mirren, Stephen Merchant, and “Ted Lasso’s” Jeremy Swift.

Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 19) Writer/director James Cameron gives us another chapter in the saga of Pandora, again starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang, with Oona Chaplin as the new villain.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (December 19) The residents of Bikini Bottom are back, this time with Mark Hamill providing the voice for the Flying Dutchman, who needs the world’s most innocent soul to break his curse. Who could that be?

Anaconda (December 25) Paul Rudd and Jack Black play bros who decide to remake their favorite movie, the cheesy 1997 film Anaconda. When their fake snake fails, of course they decide to get a real one. What could go wrong?

Marty Supreme (December 25) Timothée Chalamet (with a mustache) and Gwyneth Paltrow (as a movie star) appear in a film about a ping pong champion. Viewers at a recent surprise screening loved it. From the AP’s Jack Coyle: “A madcap ode to strivers. A great New York movie.”

Song Sung Blue (December 25) A documentary about a real life Neil Diamond tribute duo inspired this feature film starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.

Fall Movies 2025

Posted on September 1, 2025 at 7:23 am

Back to work, back to school, back to sweaters, raking leaves, Halloween, and Thanksgiving!

And it’s time to go back to one of the best times of the year for movies. Here’s what I’m looking forward to this fall, including two highly anticipated sequels arriving for Thanksgiving. (As usual, release dates may change.)

SEPTEMBER

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (September 12) We met the Crawley family and their servants in 1912. Now it is the 1930s, they are mourning the loss of the Dowager Countess, and, as always, there will be challenges, complications, and romance.

Tin Soldier (September 12) Oscar winners Robert De Niro and Jamie Foxx play a cult leader and the former soldier who challenges him.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (September 12) By now, it may be going to 12. Our favorite mini-Stonehenge metal trio is reuniting, and real-life music superstars are as excited as we are, with on-screen appearances by Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Lars Ulrich, Questlove, and Garth Brooks. And, we hope, a new drummer.

A Big, Beautiful Journey (September 19) Kogonada made a deeply moving film about two people walking around talking about architecture and another deeply moving film about a family in the future whose beloved robot nanny breaks. This is what is certain to be a deeply moving film about strangers played by Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie who go on a fantasy journey together as they visit their pasts.

Him (September 19) Jordan Peele produced this film about a promising high school athlete whose dream comes true when he has a chance to be at a training camp run by his idol. It does not go well.

London Calling (September 19) After fleeing the UK from a job gone wrong, a down on his luck hitman (Josh Duhamel) is forced to train the completely inept son of his crime boss (Rick Hoffman) to kill people.

Eleanor the Great (September 26) Scarlett Johansson’s first project as a director stars June Squibb as the title character who moves to New York City for the first time in her 90s, after the death of her best friend.

One Battle After Another (September 26) Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson is always very private when it comes to telling us what to expect from his upcoming films. So we don’t know much beyond the impressive cast: Leonardo di Caprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Wood Harris, Alana Haim, and Chase Infiniti.

OCTOBER

The Smashing Machine (October 3) Dwayne Johnson plays MMA fighter Mark Kerr, co-starring Emily Blunt.

Tron: Ares (October 10) Jeff Bridges, star of the 1982 original, returns in a new chapter that promises to be set more in the analog world, with a computer program weaponized to interact with reality. The cast includes Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Cameron Monaghan, Evan Peters, Gillian Anderson, Jodie-Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Hasan Minhaj. I saw the new racer and heard the soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails at Comic-Con and both were very cool.

Roofman (October 10) The improbable but true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a former U.S. Army Reserve officer who turned to robbing businesses, particularly McDonald’s restaurants, by drilling through their roofs. After escaping prison, he hid in a Toys “R” Us for six months, living undetected while planning his next moves. Manchester is played by Channing Tatum, co-starring with Kirsten Dunst.

Kiss of the Spider Woman (October 10) Word is that this may be Jennifer Lopez’s Oscar moment. She plays the title character, as remembered by a prisoner, who tells the story of his favorite movie to his cellmate (Diego Luna). “Chicago’s” Bill Condon directs.

After the Hunt (October 10) Julia Roberts plays a professor dealing with conflicting allegations made by the people she is closest to, played by Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri, directed by “Challengers” and “Call Me By Your Name’s” Luca Guadagnino.

Blue Moon (October 17) Lorenz Hart was one of the greatest lyricists of all time and his collaborations with Richard Rodgers, including “My Funny Valentine,” “Mountain Greenery,” and the song that gives this Richard Linklater film its title are a permanent part of the American Songbook. This film takes place as the show Rodgers wrote without him, “Oklahoma,” is opening. Hart was under 5 feet, and there is some movie trickery to make star Ethan Hawke look short and balding.

Stiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost (October 17) I grew up watching “The Ed Sullivan Show” with my family, and my favorite (until the Beatles arrived!) was the comedians. I loved the real-life couple of Stiller and Meara, now better known for their acting work, Jerry Stiller in “Seinfeld” and Anne Meara in movies like “The Daytrippers” and “Awakenings.” This loving documentary is made by their actor/writer/director son Ben Stiller.

Good Fortune (October 17) How has it taken so long for someone to cast Keanu Reeves as an angel come to earth to guide a human? Aniz Ansari wrote and directed a film that is a throwback to mid-century classics like “Here Comes Mr. Jordan” (remade by Warren Beatty as “Heaven Can Wait”) and “A Guy Named Joe” (remade by Steven Spielberg as “Always’). Ansari stars as well, along with Sandra Oh, Seth Rogen, and Keke Palmer.

A House of Dynamite (October 24) Kathryn Bigelow is one of the all-time greats when it comes to action thrillers. This one stars Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson in a tense drama about an attack on the US. The cast also includes Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Moses Ingram, Jonah Hauer-King, Greta Lee, and Jason Clarke, and the screenplay is by NBC news chief Noah Oppenheim.

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (October 24) This musical biopic has “The Bear’s” Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in 1982, making his sixth studio album, Nebraska, “Studio” is not exactly the right term as it was recorded without his band in Springsteen’s own bedroom.

Regretting You (October 24) Based on the best-seller by Colleen Hoover, this is the story of a mother and daughter following the death of the father of the family. Alison Williams, Mckenna Grace, and Dave Franco star.

Nouvelle Vague (October 31) Another Richard Linklater film, and also based on a true story, this is about the filming of a very influential French movie that was a part of the New Wave (translation of Nouvelle Vague), a movement to make films that were more natural, with a gritty documentary feeling. Zoey Deutch plays Jean Seaberg, the American actress who starred in the film as an expat, with Guillaume Marbeck playing 26-year-old director Jean-Luc Goddard.

NOVEMBER

Frankenstein (November, date not set) Yet another re-telling of the story of the doctor who wanted to create life, but this one is a passion project for Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, who has a thing for monsters. Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Charles Dance, Christoph Waltz,.and Oscar Isaac star.

I Wish You All the Best (November 7) A non-binary teen thrown out of the house by their parents moves in with their sister and finds a new world of acceptance and friendship.

Begonia (November 7) Emma Stone and director Yorgos Lanthimos have had a very fruitful artistic partnership, including “The Favourite,” “Poor Things,” and “Kind of Kindness.” In their latest, Stone plays a powerful CEO kidnapped by conspiracy theorists who believe she is an alien.

Peter Hujar’s Day (November 7) Ben Wishaw plays Peter Hujar, a photographer in New York in the 1970s and 80s. His black and white images were original, striking, and influential. He was known for being both brilliant and difficult when he died of AIDS in 1987. In this film, Rebecca Hall plays writer Linda Rosenkrantz, who interviewed Hujar about how he spent his day. Anything writer/director Ira Sachs does will be unexpected and thoughtful.

Train Dreams (November 7) The team behind “Sing Sing,” Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, adapted Denis Johnson’s novella, Train Dreams, the story of Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), a logger and railroad worker who leads a life of unexpected depth and beauty in the rapidly-changing America of the early 20th Century.

Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (November 14) The magicians of the Four Horsemen are back with more tricks up their sleeves. Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco return along with Morgan Freeman, plus some new faces: Dominic Sessa of “The Holdovers” Justice Smith of “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” and Ariana Greenblatt of “Barbie.”

Eternity (November 14) You die, you go to heaven, and you have the chance to live the rest of eternity with the person you married. But what if the first person you married died and has been waiting in heaven for you all this time and the second person you married also thinks he’ll be spending all of eternity with you? Elizabeth Olson, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner star.

Jay Kelly (November 14) You want to make a movie about a huge movie star who is aging and thinking back on whether his life has had meaning. So why not cast a real-life huge movie star? That’s what co-screenwriter of “Barbie” Noah Baumbach has done with George Clooney as an actor named Jay Kelly, with co-stars Adam Sandler and Laura Dern.

Murder at the Embassy (November 14) When a private detective is called to investigate a suspicious murder inside Cairo’s seemingly impenetrable British Embassy, she discovers a second crime has been committed that could ignite a global war. Everyone within the walls of the embassy is a suspect, but the ultimate evil force is lurking right around the corner. Mischa Barton returns as Miranda Green in the follow up to the highly successful film “Invitation to Murder.”

Wicked: For Good (November 26) One of the most highly anticipated films of the year is part 2 of the origin story of the two witches of “The Wizard of Oz.” We’ll learn more about the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Woodman, as well, plus some great songs.

Zootopia 2 (November 26) Everyone’s favorite police bunny is back with her slightly reformed partner in this sequel to the Oscar-winning delight.

Hamnet (November 27) Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, and Jessie Buckley star and Chloe Zhau directs a story imagining William Shakespeare’s wife after the death of her young son, as her husband processes it by writing a play called “Hamlet.” It is based on the acclaimed novel by Maggie O’Farrell.

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Happy 2025! Here’s What’s Coming to Our Screens This Year

Posted on January 1, 2025 at 2:31 pm

Happy New Year! Here are some of the films I’m looking forward to in 2025. As usual, we’re getting a lot of remakes, reboots, sequels, and superheroes. We have movies coming out about Frankenstein and about the bride of Frankenstein. And as usual, the best part of looking ahead is knowing that this time next year some filmmakers I’ve never heard of who will surprise and delight us. {Release dates and other information may change.)

JANUARY

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (Netflix, Jan. 3) Aardman films are always a delight and the dim, cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his devoted (though sometimes exasperated) Gromit are my favorites. This one features warring robot garden gnomes and the return of Feathers McGraw.

Back in Action (Netflix, January 17) The primary interest in this action comedy is the return of two beloved stars, Jamie Foxx, back after the health crisis he describes in his new comedy special, and Cameron Diaz, back after taking a break to be home with her family.

One of Them Days (Theaters, January 17) A wild action comedy starring Keke Palmer and Sza? About roommates whose friendship is tested on a day where the landlord needs the rent, a job interview has to go perfectly, and everything seems to get in the way? And Issa Rae producing? Can’t wait!

Wish You Were Here (Theatrical, January 17) Julia Stiles makes her directorial debut in a film based on the bestselling novel by Renée Carlino, Wish You Were Here. Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jennifer Grey and Kelsey Grammer star, When the perfect night with a perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning, Charlotte searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything.

Alarum (Theatrical and VOD, January 17) Sylvester Stallone, Scott Eastwood, Willa Fitzgerald, and Mike Colter star in a story about a couple, both spies, who go off the grid but are followed by some very dangerous people who feel strongly about getting a missing hard drive.

You’re Cordially Invited (Amazon, January 30) Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell head warring families who’ve mistakenly double-booked the same wedding venue. Written and directed by Nicholas Stoller (“The Five-Year Engagement), and co-starring two of my favorite up-and-coming comedy all-stars, Geraldine Viswanathan and Meredith Hagner.

Love Me (Theaters, January 31) “A postapocalyptic romance in which a buoy and a satellite meet online and fall in love after the end of human civilization.” They had me at buoy and satellite. The cast includes Kristen Stewart and Stephen Yeun.

FEBRUARY

Love Hurts (Theaters, February 7) Oscar-winners Ke Huy Quan and Ariana Debose team up in an action comedy about an apparently mild-mannered suburban realtor whose past as part of a ruthless crime syndicate. Former football player Marshawn Lynch, who was hilarious in “Bottoms,” co-stars.

Captain America: Brave New World (Theaters February 14) It’s a brave new Cap as Anthony Mackie takes over the role of the guy with the vibranium shield. IMDB lists Harrison Ford as “Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross / Red Hulk,” who is also the US President. Sounds great.

Paddington in Peru (Theaters, February 14) “Paddington 2” is still Rotten Tomatoes’ highest rated film. Will this one, with Paddington finally going to visit Aunt Lucy, do even better?

Cleaner (Theatrical, February 21) Activists take 300 hostages at a corporate gala to make a political point, but one of their group betrays them and plans to kill everyone. It happens that the window clear suspended 50 stories outside the building is ex-military and her younger brother is one of the hostages.

Old Guy (Theatrical and VOD, February 21) Christoph Waltz is the title character, a hitman who is forced to train his young replacement (Cooper Hoffman). When they learn they are being betrayed, the unlikely pair turns into a lethal team – with their double-crossing bosses in their sights. Lucy Liu co-stars in this action comedy from the director of “Con Air.”

The Unbreakable Boy (Theatrical, February 21) Zachary Levi and Meghann Fahy play the parents of a boy with autism and brittle bone disease but an unquenchable spirit.

Uppercut (Theatrical and on demand, February 28) Ving Rhames plays a boxing coach, with Luise Großmann as the woman he trains, who becomes the manager of an up-and-coming fighter (Jordan E. Cooper).

MARCH

The Electric State (Netflix, March 14) “Stranger Things'” and “Enola Holmes” Millie Bobby Brown plays the sister of a missing man who gets help from a robot. The stacked cast includes Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, and Stanley Tucci.

MARCH

Snow White (Theaters, March 21) No one can convince me that Disney needs to make live-action versions of its classic animated films, but “West Side Story’s” Rachel Ziegler and Gal Gadot as the evil step-mother plus, I predict, a less passive heroine, will probably make this worth a look.

Mickey 17 (Theaters, March 17) Robert Pattinson plays an “expendable” who is rebooted every time he is no longer useful, from “Parasite” director Bong Joon Ho.

APRIL

The Accountant 2 (Theaters, April 25) I’m a fan of the 2016 original, with Ben Affleck as an accountant on the autism spectrum who has some very special skills. I’m not sure anyone was waiting for a sequel, but the original writer and director are returning so I’m sure they have something special in mind.

MAY

Thunderbolts (Theatrical, May 2) It’s tempting to call this Temu Avengers or the B-team of second-tier Marvel characters. many we’ve seen as villains, with Florence Pugh is back as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes and David Harbour as Red Guardian. This film adds Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster and Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost.

Lilo & Stitch (Theatrical, May 23) Another live-action remake from Disney, this time about the impish alien befriended by a spirited Hawaiian girl. The cast includes Billy Magnussen, Zach Galifianakis and Courtney B. Vance.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Theatrical, May 23) We’ve been waiting for this one since 2022 and I’m guessing Tom Cruise is going to deliver the best stunts of the year. “Ted Lasso’s” Hannah Waddington joins returning Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg and Vanessa Kirby.

JUNE

Ballerina (Theatrical, June 6) From the JWCU (John Wick Cinematic Universe) comes Ana de Armas as a ballet dancer turned assassin. I predict some very graceful and deadly pirouettes and tour jetes.

Elio (Theatrical. June 13) Pixar’s latest is about a boy who is mistaken by aliens for Earth’s leader. Voice talent includes Zoe Saldaña, Jameela Jamil, and Brad Garrett.

How to Train Your Dragon (Theatrical, June 13) ANOTHER live-action remake of a beloved animated film, this one from Universal. The writer and co-director of the original, Dean DeBlois is the writer/director and Gerard Butler returns as Stoick.

F1 (Theatrical, June 27) Brad Pitt and “Banshees of Inisherin” star Kerry Condon star in a film about Formula One racing.

JULY

(Theatrical, July 4) We don’t have a title or a teaser trailer, but what we do know is intriguing! Kendrick Lamar is producing and writers/directorsTrey Parker and Matt Stone (“South Park”) say this film is about a young Black man interning as a slave re-enactor at a living history museum who discovers that his white girlfriend’s ancestors once enslaved his ancestors.

Superman (Theatrical, July 11) The man from Krypton is back, this time played by David Corenswet, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, the always-great Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Krypto the super-dog, and, maybe, the Fortress of Solitude. James Gunn writes and directs.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Theatrical, July 25)

I hope they’ve finally given the F4 the movie they deserve. It does have a great cast: Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Ralph Ineson as Galactus and Julia Garner as Silver Surfer.

AUGUST

The Bad Guys 2 (Theatrical, August 1)

Can the bad guys make it as good guys? That becomes especially challenging when they run into the Bad Girls, voiced by Maria Baklava, Natasha Lyonne, and Danielle Brooks.

The Naked Gun (Theatrical, August 1) This reboot of the Leslie Nielsen comedies, from “The Lonely Island’s” Akiva Schaffer, stars Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, and Paul Walter Hauser, with an appearance by Busta Rhymes.

The Battle of Baktan Cross (Theatrical, August 8) The details are kept secret, but we do know this film is coming from P.T. Anderson and stars three Oscar winners; Sean Penn, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Benecio del Toro, along with Teyana Taylor and Regina Hall.

Freakier Friday (Theatrical, August 8) Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are back and swapping bodies again. Mark Harmon and Chad Michael Murray return with newcomers Julia Butters and “The Good Place’s” Manny Jacinto.

SEPTEMBER

Downton Abbey 3 (Theatrical, September 12) Come on, you didn’t think we’d miss the wedding of Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton)!

The Bride (Theatrical, September 26) Maggie Gyllenhaal, who made a spectacular directing debut with “The Lost Daughter,” gives us a Frankenstein story set in 1930s Chicago. Her brother Jake is in the cast along with Christian Bale as the monster and Jessie Buckley as the murdered woman re-animated to be his bride. {No release information yet for the new Frankenstein, starring Oscar Isaac, with Jacob Elordi starring as the Monster, plus Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz and Felix Kammerer]

OCTOBER

Michael (Theatrical, October 3) Michael Jackson is portrayed by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in a film from Antoine Fuqua. Co-stars include Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Miles Teller and Colman Domingo.

Regretting You (Theatrical, October 24) Based on another novel by “It Ends With Us” author Colleen Hoover, this has Allison Williams and McKenna Grace as a mother and daughter with a strained relationship. Dave Franco co-stars in a story of love, loss, secrets, and regret.

NOVEMBER

Begonia (Theatrical, November 7) Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone (“Kinds of Kindness,” “Poor Things”) reunite for a story about the kidnapping of a CEO.

Now You See Me 3 (Theatrical, November 14) Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan are back as the endlessly clever magicians who also pull heists.

Wicked: For Good (Theatrical, November 21) I’m guessing people are already booking tickets for the sequel to one of 2024’s most beloved films. I predict the box office returns will defy gravity.

Zootopia 2 (Theatrical, November 26) The Oscar-winning original was a fresh, funny, and heartwarming surprise, so this one is high on my list. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman are joined by the very busy Ke Huy Quan.

The Running Man (Theatrical, November 27) Did I think we needed a remake of the Arnold Schwarzenegger film about the wrongly accused cop who has to compete in a deadly game? Not really, until I heard who’s involved: Director Edgar Wright and star Glenn Powell.

DECEMBER

Avatar: Fire and Ash (Theatrical, December 19) We don’t know much about it, but we know it will look beautiful and sell a lot of tickets.

The Spongebob Movie: Search for SquarePants (Theatrical, December 19) More from the denizens of Bikini Bottom.

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Trailers, Previews, and Clips

Fall Movies Are Coming! Beetlejuice 2, Transformers, Clooney and Pitt, Wild (Animated) Robot, and Much More

Posted on September 1, 2024 at 10:00 am

Happy fall! Some of what we’re looking forward to in September, October, and November, with sequels, a prequel, some based on books, some on true stories, and some are the prestige productions we will be seeing at the Oscars. The teams from two beloved classics are reuniting. In 1988, Tim Burton gave us “Beetlejuice,” and now Michael Keaton, Wynona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara join him for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” with Jenna Ortega playing the daughter of Ryder’s character, Lydia. And Robin Wright and Tom Hanks, who starred in Robert Zemeckis’ Oscar-winning “Forrest Gump,” co-star again in a different story with Zemeckis directing. The trailer gives us a glimpse of some of the movie magic we’ll be seeing in a multi-generational family story called “Home,” showing their characters in their 20s.

We’re also getting a sequel to the DC Comics story of the Joker, played by Joaquin Phoenix, and a prequel with the origin story of the Transformers, and a look at a different kind of origin story, the very first episode of “Saturday Night Live” in 1975.

Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel about an abusive reform school, Nickel Boys, comes to the screen with Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jimmie Fails from “The Last Black Man in San Francisco.” And two family action comedies for Christmas!

Plus two of the most anticipated films of the year, releasing for Thanksgiving — part one of “Wicked” and “Gladiator 2.” Here’s a glimpse at what’s ahead.

September

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Michael Keaton, Wynona Ryder, and Tim Burton are back in another story of the ghost with the most. “Wednesday’s” Jenna Ortega joins the cast as the daughter of Ryder’s character.

His Three Daughters Elizabeth Olson, Natasha Lyonne, and Carrie Coon are three sisters who are very different but have to find a way to work together to care for their dying father.

I’ll Be Right There Wanda (Edie Falco) takes care of everyone. Who takes care of her?

My Old Ass Would your young self want to meet your older self? Would she listen? What would your older self want to tell your younger self? Aubrey Plaza gets a chance to find out when her younger self conjures her up.

Wolfs In “Pulp Fiction” there is a character called Wolfe, played by Harvey Keitel, who gets called in to fix dire and messy situations that seem un-fixable. In “Wolfs,” “Oceans 11” stars George Clooney and Brad Pitt play rival versions of that character who are forced to work together.

The 4:30 Movie Kevin Smith’s semi-autobiographical story is a nostalgic comedy about a group of teenagers in the 1980s.

Subservience An android housekeeper/nanny develops some dangerous ideas.

Omni Loop Mary Louise Parker and Ayo Edebiri star in a time loop story.

Also of note in September: The Neo-noir “Killer Heat,” the origin story/prequel “Transformers One,” an acerbic Ian McKellen as “The Critic,” “Continue” with writer-director-star Nadine Crocker based on her own life and mental health challenges, “Hounds of War” stars Frank Grillo in the story of mercenaries on a suicide mission, and festival favorite “A Different Man” with Sebastian Stan as a man with a disfiguring disease who has an operation to become handsome

October

Joker: Folie à Deux Lady Gaga joins Joaquin Phoenix in this sequel to the latest version of Batman’s most famous villain.

Saturday Night We’ve been staying up late to watch “Saturday Night Live” for half a century now, and characters, catch phrases, and stars from the show, still produced by Lorne Michaels and still live, are enmeshed in our culture. Jason Reitman wrote and produced the story of the very first episode.

We Live in Time Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield star in a romance from A24 that seems to have a mystical element.

Goodrich Michael Keaton plays the title character, who has to ask his estranged adult daughter (Mila Kunis) to help him take care of the children he had with his second wife.

Piece by Piece Music polymath Pharrell Williams tells his story — with LEGOs.

Also of note in October: “House of Spoils” a spooky story about a chef, “Nickel Boys” based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Tom Hardy returns in “Venom: The Last Dance,” “Brothers,” with Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage as twins on the run, “Things Will Be Different, a sci-fi thriller, and Saoirse Ronin in “The Outrun,” based on Amy Liptrot’s bestselling memoir

November

Conclave A powerhouse cast brings us inside one of the most secret places on earth — the selection of a new pope.

Here Robert Zemeckis reunites with his “Forrest Gump” stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in this multi-generational family saga.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever A remake of the beloved film based on the book about a riotous production features Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, and Lauren Graham.

Red One Santa is missing! And there’s only one person who can rescue him, Dwayne Johnson, of course, with some help from Chris Evans.

Spellbound A princess has to save the day when her parents are enchanted.

Wicked What were Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West like as teenagers? Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo play the young witches in a movie based on the beloved Broadway musical, inspired by The Wizard of Oz. (Part 1 of 2)

Gladiator II Back to the arena! This time with Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington.