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Every Live-Action Disney Remake, Ranked

(L to R) Afia (voiced Anika Noni Rose), Young Mufasa (voiced by Braelyn Rankins) and Masego (voiced by Keith David) in Disney’s ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights

Walt Disney Pictures began adapting their classic animated movies into live-action films in the mid-90s to varied results.

For every box office hit like ‘Beauty and the Beast‘, ‘Aladdin‘, and ‘The Lion King‘, there have been box office failures like ‘Pinocchio‘, ‘Dumbo‘, or ‘Lady and the Tramp‘.

Opening in theaters on December 20th is the new live-action prequel to 2019’s ‘The Lion King’, entitled ‘Mufasa: The Lion King‘. In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down every live -action Disney remake of an animated film ever made.

Let’s begin!

23. ‘Pinocchio‘ (2022)

(L-R): Pinocchio (voiced by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth), Tom Hanks as Geppetto, and Figaro in Disney’s live-action ‘Pinocchio,’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Academy Award® winner Robert Zemeckis directs this live action retelling of the beloved tale of a wooden puppet who embarks on a thrilling adventure to become a real boy. Tom Hanks stars as Geppetto, the wood carver who builds and treats Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as if he were his own son. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide as well as his “conscience”; Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy; Keegan-Michael Key is “Honest” John; Academy Award® nominee Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the Seagull, a new character, and Luke Evans is The Coachman. Also in the cast are Kyanne Lamaya as Fabiana (and her marionette Sabina), Giuseppe Battiston as Señor Stromboli and Lewin Lloyd as Lampwick.
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22. ‘The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story‘ (1998)

Told from Mowgli’s point of view, it’s the story of how a boy became a mancub and a mancub became a man.
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21. ‘The Jungle Book‘ (1994)

Raised by wild animals since childhood, Mowgli (Jason Scott Lee) is drawn away from the jungle by the beautiful Kitty. But Mowgli must eventually face corrupt Capt. Boone, who wants both Kitty’s hand and the treasures of Monkey City – a place only Mowgli can find.
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20. ‘Dumbo‘ (2019)

2019’s ‘Dumbo’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.
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19. ‘102 Dalmatians‘ (2000)

Get ready for a howling good time as an all new assortment of irresistible animal heroes are unleashed in this great family tail! In an unlikely alliance, the outrageous Waddlesworth – a parrot who thinks he’s a Rottweiler – teams up with Oddball – an un-marked Dalmatian puppy eager to earn her spots! Together they embark on a laugh-packed quest to outwit the ever-scheming Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close).
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18. ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice‘ (2010)

Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can’t do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness.
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17. ‘The Jungle Book‘ (2016)

A man-cub named Mowgli (Neel Sethi) fostered by wolves. After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba), Mowgli is forced to flee the jungle, by which he embarks on a journey of self discovery with the help of the panther, Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) and the free-spirited bear, Baloo (Bill Murray).
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16. ‘Christopher Robin‘ (2018)

Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor), the boy who had countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood, has grown up and lost his way. Now it’s up to his spirited and loveable stuffed animals, Winnie The Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and the rest of the gang, to rekindle their friendship and remind him of endless days of childlike wonder and make-believe, when doing nothing was the very best something.
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15. ‘Lady and the Tramp‘ (2019)

2019’s ‘Lady and the Tramp’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

The love story between a pampered Cocker Spaniel named Lady (Tessa Thompson) and a streetwise mongrel named Tramp (Justin Theroux). Lady finds herself out on the street after her owners have a baby and is saved from a pack by Tramp, who tries to show her to live her life footloose and collar-free.
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14. ‘Peter Pan & Wendy‘ (2023)

Wendy Darling (Ever Anderson), a young girl afraid to leave her childhood home behind, meets Peter Pan (Alexander Molony), a boy who refuses to grow up. Alongside her brothers and a tiny fairy, Tinker Bell (Yara Shahidi), she travels with Peter to the magical world of Neverland. There, she encounters an evil pirate captain, Captain Hook (Jude Law), and embarks on a thrilling adventure that will change her life forever.
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13. ‘101 Dalmatians‘ (1996)

An evil, high-fashion designer (Glenn Close) plots to steal Dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat, but instead creates an extravagant mess.
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12. ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass‘ (2016)

Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) returns to Underland and faces a new adventure in saving the Mad Hatter.
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11. ‘Mulan‘ (2020)

When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Chinese Army to defend the country from Huns, Hua Mulan (Liu Yifei), the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. She is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. Disguised as a man by the name of Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her innermost strength and embrace her true potential.
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10. ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil‘ (2019)

Angelina Jolie in ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and her goddaughter Aurora (Elle Fanning) begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies, and dark new forces at play.
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9. ‘Mufasa: The Lion King‘ (2024)

Rafiki (John Kani) relays the legend of Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) to lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé), with Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion a journey of misfits searching for their destiny and working together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
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8. ‘Aladdin‘ (2019)

A kindhearted street urchin named Aladdin (Mean Massoud) embarks on a magical adventure after finding a lamp that releases a wisecracking genie (Will Smith) while a power-hungry Grand Vizier vies for the same lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.
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7. ‘Maleficent‘ (2014)

A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. She rises to be the land’s fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal – an act that begins to turn her heart into stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading King’s successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora (Elle Fanning). As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom – and to Maleficent’s true happiness as well.
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6. ‘The Lion King‘ (2019)

Simba (Donald Glover) idolizes his father, King Mufasa (James Earl Jones), and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
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5. ‘Cinderella‘ (2015)

(L to R) Lily James and Richard Madden in ‘Cinderella’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella’s fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger (Richard Madden) in the woods.
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4. ‘The Little Mermaid‘ (2023)

The youngest of King Triton’s (Javier Bardem) daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel (Halle Bailey) longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). With mermaids forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
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3. ‘Cruella‘ (2021)

In 1970s London, amidst the punk rock revolution, a young grifter named Estella (Emma Stone), a clever and creative girl, is determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson), a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute. But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.
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2. ‘Alice in Wonderland‘ (2010)

Alice (Mia Wasikowska), now 19 years old, returns to the whimsical world she first entered as a child and embarks on a journey to discover her true destiny.
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1. ‘Beauty and the Beast‘ (2017)

(L to R) Dan Stevens and Emma Watson in ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

A live-action adaptation of Disney’s version of the classic tale of a cursed prince (Dan Stevens) and a beautiful young woman (Emma Watson) who helps him break the spell.
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December 18, 2024
Where To Watch War Thriller ‘Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Covenant’
(L to R) Dar Salim as Ahmed, Jason Wong as Joshua “JJ Jung”, Jake Gyllenhaal as Sgt. John Kinley, Christian Ochoa as Eduardo “Chow Chow” Lopez, and Rhys Yates as Tom “Tom Cat” Hancock in ‘The Covenant,’ directed by Guy Ritchie, a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Credit: Christopher Raphael / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

From ‘Sherlock Holmes’ to ‘Aladdin’ to ‘Wrath of Man’, director Guy Ritchie is no stranger to large-scale productions filled with action. In his latest movie ‘The Covenant’, he delivers a movie that packs a punch in both emotions and action.
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The official synopsis for ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ is below:

“’Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ follows US Army Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Afghan interpreter Ahmed (Dar Salim). After an ambush, Ahmed goes to Herculean lengths to save Kinley’s life. When Kinley learns that Ahmed and his family were not given safe passage to America as promised, he must repay his debt by returning to the war zone to retrieve them before the Taliban hunts them down first.”

‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ opened in theaters on April 21, 2023. The movie received an 83% score from the critics and a 98% score from audiences, making this Ritchie’s highest-ranked movie on the aggregator website.

The cast of ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ includes Academy-Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal (‘Strange World’) as Sergeant John Kinley, Dar Salim (‘A War’) as Afghan interpreter Ahmed, Sean Sagar (‘The Gentleman’) as Charlie “Jizzy” Crow, Jason Wong (‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’) as Joshua “JJ” Jung, Christian Ochoa (‘Vivo’) as Eduardo “Chow Chow” Lopez, and Rhys Yates (‘Followers’) as Tom “Tom Cat” Hancock.

(L to R) Dar Salim as Ahmed and Jake Gyllenhaal as Sgt. John Kinley in The Covenant,’ directed by Guy Ritchie, a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Credit: Christopher Raphael / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures. © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Jake Gyllenhaal And Dar Salim Makes A Dynamic Team

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the best actors of his generation. On top of having experience with war movies, his resume is filled with a wide variety of roles – from crime videographer Louis Bloom (‘Nightcrawler‘) to Mysterio (‘Spider-Man: Far From Home‘), Gyllenhaal is a fantastic choice to play Sergeant John Kinley. Playing opposite Gyllenhaal is Dar Salim, as Afghan interpreter Ahmed. The two characters did not like each other at the beginning but were forced to work together. Through the movie, the bond strengthens as they learn to trust each other.

Salim talks about the key to playing Ahmed:

“He’s someone that you can relate to. He’s a guy who will do anything to keep his family safe. He just wants to give his children the opportunities that he doesn’t have himself. But even a man like that, when he’s faced with the ultimate choices, it’s a reminder that most of us have good in us and that we will do what’s right in that moment. That’s the mirror of the relationship between those two men. So that was the key to playing Ahmed, I think.”

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal (left) and director Guy Ritchie (right) on the set of ‘The Covenant,’ a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Credit: Christopher Raphael / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures. © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.`

Guy Ritchie Takes A Different Screenplay Process With This Movie

For this movie, director Guy Ritchie had a slightly different approach in the ways of the screenplay. It wasn’t a completely finished script but the director knew what story he wanted to tell and where he was going to go with it. Each morning, he would discuss the scenes with the actors – how to work on them, bouncing ideas off them. From there, the director would write scenes, making necessary edits or changes as they come up.

Jake Gyllenhaal talks more about his experience on-set and the different process:

“Then when we got there, it was a process of, “Okay, come to set. Here’s the scenes today. How do we start working on them? What are your ideas?” Then he would write in the morning. He writes very quickly. He’d write in the morning and write us the scene. He’d either change the scene or edit it, or sometimes write the whole thing out based on his thoughts from the night before or our discussions. Then we’d go out there and we’d play it. The next day we would add on to the board. As the board got bigger, he’d be able to have more to play with and references that we had done. Then we’d start telling the story that once existed as a foundation of a home.”

Jake Gyllenhaal as Sgt. John Kinley in ‘The Covenant,’ directed by Guy Ritchie, a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Credit: Christopher Raphael / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures. © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’

Where Can I Watch Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Covenant’?

The film was released theatrically in the United States on April 21, 2023. While the movie is available to rent on digital, you can still enjoy it in the theater so be sure to check Moviefone‘s listings below for showtimes in your area. ‘The Covenant’ has a total runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes.

Buy Tickets: ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ Movie Showtimes

Watch the official trailers for ‘The Covenant’ below:
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Can’t make it out to the theater? You have the option to rent the movie on VOD. Services such as Amazon Prime Video, Direct TV, Google Play, Vudu, Microsoft, YouTube, AppleTV, and Redbox allow you to rent the movie for $19.99.

Where To Watch: ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ Online

As for as streaming goes, an official date hasn’t been confirmed by MGM, since the film is still in theaters, but you will be able to purchase the movie digitally on June 20. For those looking to purchase a physical copy, DVD and Blu-ray will also be available on June 20.

Buy ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ Movie On Amazon

(L to R) Dar Salim as Ahmed and Jake Gyllenhaal as Sgt. John Kinley in ‘The Covenant,’ directed by Guy Ritchie, a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Credit: Christopher Raphael / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures. © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant:’
- ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels‘ (1999)
- ‘Snatch‘ (2001)
- ‘Black Hawk Down‘ (2002)
- ‘Jarhead‘ (2005)
- ‘RocknRolla‘ (2008)
- ‘Sherlock Holmes‘ (2009)
- ‘Lone Survivor‘ (2014)
- ‘American Sniper‘ (2015)
- ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.‘ (2015)
- ‘War Machine‘ (2017)
- ‘12 Strong‘ (2018)
- ‘The Gentlemen‘ (2020)
- ‘Wrath of Man‘ (2021)
- ‘Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre‘ (2023)
You can watch our interviews with Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim about ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ by clicking on the video player below.
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June 1, 2023
Guy Ritchie Directing Disney’s Live-Action ‘Hercules’

Walt Disney Pictures’ 1997 animated film, ‘Hercules.’

Eyebrows were understandably raised when Disney hired Guy Ritchie to direct its live action take on ‘Aladdin‘. He was, after all, better known for his crime dramas and comedies, and aside from his ‘Sherlock Holmes’ movies, his attempts at bigger franchise films – ‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ and ‘live. – either hadn’t won much praise (Arthur) or stumbled at the box office (U.N.C.L.E.).

Yet the results speak for themselves, and ‘Aladdin’ ended up being Ritchie’s most successful movie at the box office, with more than $1 billion in the bank. Everyone is naturally inclined to show a little more confidence then, upon learning that the director is now on board the studios’ planned new take on ‘Hercules’.

The 1997 cartoon version followed the recognizable Greek myth-based narrative of Hercules (Tate Donovan), the son of Zeus and Hera, who is stripped of his immortality as an infant and must become a true hero to reclaim it.

It was, per Disney custom at the time loaded with songs and sidekicks, and there’s every chance that the studio is looking to replicate that, albeit with real people and a hefty effects budget.

This ‘Hercules’ has been in the works for a while, with ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ directors Joe and Anthony Russo producing via their AGBO company. ‘Shang-Chi’ and ‘Expendables’ writer Dave Callaham has worked on a draft of the screenplay, but Disney is in the process of hiring other writers to take a crack, and we’d imagine Ritchie, who has a writing credit on ‘Aladdin’ alongside John August, will have his own input.

Will Smith in Guy Ritchie’s ‘Aladdin.’

Ritchie is a busy man of late. He followed ‘Aladdin’ with the sort of chatty criminal caper that helped launch his career in ‘The Gentlemen’, then pivoted into action thriller territory with ‘Wrath of Man’, starring Jason Statham.

The director stuck with his old pal Statham for upcoming action comedy ‘Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre’ which also stars Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Hugh Grant, and Eddie Marsan in the story of a Hollywood actor recruited to help take down the sale of a deadly weapon. ‘Operation Fortune’ is due in theaters this year.

And he’s followed that with ‘The Interpreter’, in which Jake Gyllenhaal plays Sergeant John Kinley, a soldier in Afghanistan whose life is saved by the local interpreter (Dar Salim’s Ahmed) with whom he’s teamed when a mission becomes violent. After his return to the States, John learns that Ahmed and his family haven’t been granted passage out of Afghanistan, so he heads back to help them escape before local militia fighters can close in.

Finally, there’s the small matter of a sequel to ‘Aladdin’, which Disney has in development, but is likely to be overtaken by any movement on ‘Hercules’, assuming Ritchie is interested in coming back to that world. And any discussion about an ‘Aladdin; follow-up naturally includes the question of whether Will Smith would be asked back to play the genie again.

Next up for the company in terms of movies adapted from its animated output is ‘Pinocchio’, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks, due on Disney+ on September 8th.
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June 17, 2022
First Trailer for George Miller’s ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’

(L to R) Tilda Swinton stars as Alithea Binnie and Idris Elba as The Djinn in director George Miller’s film ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing.’ A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film.Photo credit: Courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Inc. © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

There were some who thought George Miller might be planning to follow the audacious action spectacle of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ with something a little more sedate. And when ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’ was announced to primarily star Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton, some might have pictured a two-hander drama set mostly in one location.

To those people we say, “never underestimate George Miller”. And indeed, from the evidence of its first trailer, ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’ is another crazed, fantastical movie that channels the likes of ‘Aladdin’ for the story of a genie and three wishes.

Miller, though, worked with his daughter, Augusta Gore, to adapt AS Byatt’s short story ‘The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye. ‘Longing’ follows Dr. Alithea Binnie (Swinton) an academic who is content with life (by her own admission, she’s happily alone with no siblings, widowed following the death of her husband) and a creature of reason. While in Istanbul attending a conference, she picks up a mysterious bottle at a marketplace. In the spirit of every story like this, she attempts to clean it, and releases a Djinn (Elba) who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom.

This presents two problems: First, she doubts that he is real and second, because she is a scholar of story and mythology, she knows all the cautionary tales of wishes gone wrong. The Djinn pleads his case by telling her fantastical stories of his past. Eventually she is beguiled and makes a wish that surprises them both…
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And if you still harbored thoughts that this would simply be Elba and Swinton sitting around clad in bathrobes in a hotel room chatting about his history, think again: Miller has conjured up an epic, effects-laden fantasy that spans time and place, recounting the various people that he has dealt with over the years.

It’s all very trippy and magical, and at times looks very intense. All anchored, of course by the experienced likes of Swinton and Elba. The cast for the movie also includes Kaan Guldur, Alyla Browne, Nicolas Mouawad, David Collins, and Angie Tricker.

Miller faced big challenges shooting this one, originally planning to bring to life the story – which journeys between the courts of the Queen of Sheba and the Ottoman rulers, the bedroom of a 19th Century Turkish slave courtesan, and all the way to present-day London – by shooting in various locations around the world. Until, of course, the pandemic put a halt to all that.

“Our intention was to shoot in Europe, London, and Istanbul. We had locations, we had all the government permits and so on,” he tells Deadline. “And then Covid hit. We were literally there in Europe, and we weren’t too far off shooting, but of course, the film was then delayed several months because of Covid, and we eventually had to relocate the whole thing to Australia.”

‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’ will make its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, which is currently going on in France. It’ll appear in theaters on August 31st.

(L to R) Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba with director George Miler on the set of his film ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing.’ A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Photo credit: Elise Lockwood. © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Director George Miler on the set of his film ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing.’ A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Photo credit: Elise Lockwood. © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

(L to R) Tilda Swinton stars as Alithea Binnie in director George Miller’s film ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing.’ A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Photo credit: Courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Inc. © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

A scene from director George Miler’s ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing.’ A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

(L to R) Tilda Swinton stars as Alithea Binnie and Idris Elba as The Djinn in director George Miller’s film ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing.’ A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film.Photo credit: Courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Inc. © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Director George Miler’s ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing.’ A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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May 20, 2022
Best Movies Celebrating Their 30th Anniversary

Francis Ford Coppola‘s Oscar-winning classic ‘The Godfather‘ celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. That made us think, what other films are celebrating anniversaries this year?

In this 4-part series we will take a look at the best movies celebrating their 40th, 30th, 20th, and 10th anniversaries this year.

Now that we’ve gone through the 40th anniversaries, its time to countdown the best movies that were released in 1992 and are celebrating their 30th anniversaries.

Let’s begin!

10. Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992)

Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis) is at it again. But instead of shrinking things, he tries to make a machine that can make things grow. As in the first one, his machine isn’t quite accurate. But when he brings Nick (Robert Oliveri) & his toddler son Adam to see his invention, the machine unexpectedly starts working. And when Adam comes right up to the machine, he gets zapped along with his stuffed bunny.
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9. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

Blonde, bouncy Buffy (Kristy Swanson) is your typical high school cheerleader. But all that changes when a strange man informs her she’s been chosen by fate to kill vampires.
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8. Sneakers (1992)

When shadowy U.S. intelligence agents blackmail a reformed computer hacker (Robert Redford) and his eccentric team of security experts into stealing a code-breaking ‘black box’ from a Soviet-funded genius (Ben Kingsley), they uncover a bigger conspiracy. Now, he and his ‘sneakers’ must save themselves and the world economy by retrieving the box from their blackmailers.
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7. Aladdin (1992)

Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin) grows tired of being forced to remain in the palace, so she sneaks out into the marketplace, in disguise, where she meets street-urchin Aladdin (Scott Weinger). The couple falls in love, although Jasmine may only marry a prince. After being thrown in jail, Aladdin becomes embroiled in a plot to find a mysterious lamp with a secret Genie (Robin Williams), which the evil Jafar (Jonathan Freeman) hopes to use to rule the land.
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6. A League of Their Own (1992)

Directed by Penny Marshall, as America’s stock of athletic young men is depleted during World War II, a professional all-female baseball league springs up in the Midwest, funded by publicity-hungry candy maker Walter Harvey (Garry Marshall). Competitive sisters Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) and Kit Keller (Lori Petty) spar with each other, scout Ernie Capadino (Jon Lovitz) and grumpy has-been coach Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) on their way to fame.
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5. Wayne’s World (1992)

Directed by Penelope Spheeris, the movie follows the adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey). From Wayne’s basement, the pair broadcast a talk-show called “Wayne’s World” on local public access television.

The show comes to the attention of a sleazy network executive (Rob Lowe) who wants to produce a big-budget version of “Wayne’s World”—and he also wants Wayne’s girlfriend, a rock singer named Cassandra (Tia Carrere). Wayne and Garth have to battle the executive not only to save their show, but also Cassandra.
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4. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

A “Muppet” retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine), miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
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3. Batman Returns (1992)

Directed by Tim Burton, while Batman (Michael Keaton) deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin (Danny DeVito), an employee of a corrupt businessman transforms into the Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer).
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2. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino, a botched robbery indicates a police informant, and the pressure mounts in the aftermath at a warehouse. Crime begets violence as the survivors — veteran Mr. White (Harvey Keitel), newcomer Mr. Orange (Tim Roth), psychopathic parolee Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen), bickering weasel Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) and Nice Guy Eddie (Chris Penn ) — unravel.
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1. A Few Good Men (1992)

Directed by Rob Reiner, when cocky military lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) and his co-counsel, Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore), are assigned to a murder case, they uncover a hazing ritual that could implicate high-ranking officials such as shady Col. Nathan Jessep (Jack Nicolson).
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May 1, 2022
Comedian and Actor Gilbert Gottfried Dies aged 67

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried in the 2017 documentary ‘Gilbert.’

Gilbert Gottfried, the comedian who used his trademark shrill and laugh-getting talent to score roles in a variety of movies and TV series, has died. He was 67.

Born in Brooklyn 1955, Gottfried kicked off his career aged 15 performing amateur stand-up comedy in New York, quickly acquiring a reputation as “the comedian’s comedian” for his quick-fire repartee and willingness to push the boundaries.

That got him noticed by ‘Saturday Night Live’, and he joined the cast for Season 6 in 1980. Yet what is usually seen as a major ambition for performers became something of a low point for Gottfried, who was rarely cast in sketches, lasting 12 episodes.

And surprisingly, given that he became famous for his comically screechy voice and squinting faces, Gottfried employed neither on ‘SNL’. Despite his lack of access, he did at least manage to secure one recurring character, that of talk show host Leo Waxman in fake show ‘What’s It All About?’ He also impersonated Roman Polanski and politician David Alan Stockman.

Gottfried’s talent for mimicry saw him become a regular guest on Howard Stern’s radio show, where he would regularly impersonate Andrew “Dice” Clay, Bela Lugosi, and others.
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In movie terms, he enjoyed a successful career both in front of the camera and as a voice artist, making his debut in 1984 with ‘The House of God’. But his best-known roles included ‘Beverly Hills Cop II’, playing accountant Sidney Bernstein, opposite his friend Eddie Murphy, the ‘Problem Child’ movies, which saw him as adoption agent Igor Peabody.

He was an in-demand voice talent, lending his roles to an incredibly eclectic set of TV series including ‘Superboy’, ‘The Ren and Stimpy Show’, ‘Duckman’, ‘Superman: The Animated Series’, ‘Cyberchase’, and ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’. Gottfried was the voice of the Aflac duck in commercials until 2011.

Gilbert Gottfried voicing Iago in 1992’s ‘Aladdin.’ Courtesy of Walt Disney Animation.

His most famous voice role was as Iago the wise-cracking parrot in Disney’s animated ‘Aladdin’ – a character he played through various sequels and TV spin-offs. Asked how he prepared to play the bird, he replied, “I did the whole De Niro thing. I moved to South America! I lived in the trees!”

Never afraid to use vulgarity or mention sensitive topics in his comedy, Gottfried’s jokes did sometimes get him in trouble, including bits about 9/11 and the 2011 earthquake in Japan, the latter of which saw him dismissed from work with Aflac.

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness. In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor,” his family wrote on Twitter.

Between 2014 and his death, Gottfried hosted a podcast, ‘Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast’, which featured interviews with veteran actors, comedians, musicians, and comedy writers and allowed him to display his considerable knowledge of classic movies.
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April 12, 2022
Best Will Smith Movies

Warner Bros. Pictures

Will Smith’s new movie is in theaters on November 19th. The new biopic ‘King Richard,’ which chronicles the life of Richard Williams, father of tennis legends Venus and Serena. Oscar-nominee Will Smith in the title role and follows his character’s journey to make his two youngest daughters the greatest tennis players of all-time. Here is Moviefone’s review of Will Smith’s new movie ‘King Richard’.
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Will Smith’s 10 Best Performances

‘Men in Black‘ (1997)

Columbia Pictures

After a police chase with an otherworldly being, a New York City cop is recruited as an agent in a top-secret organization established to monitor and police alien activity on Earth: the Men in Black. Agent Kay and new recruit Agent Jay find themselves in the middle of a deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies.
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‘Bad Boys for Life‘ (2020)

Columbia Pictures

Marcus and Mike are forced to confront new threats, career changes, and midlife crises as they join the newly created elite team AMMO of the Miami police department to take down the ruthless Armando Armas, the vicious leader of a Miami drug cartel.
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‘The Pursuit of Happyness‘ (2006)

Columbia Pictures

A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he’s poised to begin a life-changing professional career.
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‘Aladdin‘ (2019)

Walt Disney Pictures

A kindhearted street urchin named Aladdin embarks on a magical adventure after finding a lamp that releases a wisecracking genie while a power-hungry Grand Vizier vies for the same lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.
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‘Ali‘ (2001)

Columbia Pictures

In 1964, a brash, new pro boxer, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory, explodes onto the scene: Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African Americans in sport with his proud public self-confidence and his unapologetic belief that he is the greatest boxer of all time. Yet at the top of his game, both Ali’s personal and professional lives face the ultimate test.
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‘Hitch‘ (2005)

Columbia Pictures

Dating coach Alex ‘Hitch’ Hitchens mentors a bumbling client, Albert, who hopes to win the heart of the glamorous Allegra Cole. While Albert makes progress, Hitch faces his own romantic setbacks when proven techniques fail to work on Sara Melas, a tabloid reporter digging for dirt on Allegra Cole’s love life. When Sara discovers Hitch’s connection to Albert – now Allegra’s boyfriend – it threatens to destroy both relationships.
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‘Gemini Man‘ (2019)

Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Henry Brogan is an elite 51-year-old assassin who’s ready to call it quits after completing his 72nd job. His plans get turned upside down when he becomes the target of a mysterious operative who can seemingly predict his every move. To his horror, Brogan soon learns that the man who’s trying to kill him is a younger, faster, cloned version of himself.
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‘Independence Day‘ (1996)

Jerry Bruckheimer Films

On July 2, a giant alien mothership enters orbit around Earth and deploys several dozen saucer-shaped ‘destroyer’ spacecraft that quickly lay waste to major cities around the planet. On July 3, the United States conducts a coordinated counterattack that fails. On July 4, a plan is devised to gain access to the interior of the alien mothership in space, in order to plant a nuclear missile.
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‘Seven Pounds‘ (2008)

Columbia Pictures

On July 2, a giant alien mothership enters orbit around Earth and deploys several dozen saucer-shaped ‘destroyer’ spacecraft that quickly lay waste to major cities around the planet. On July 3, the United States conducts a coordinated counterattack that fails. On July 4, a plan is devised to gain access to the interior of the alien mothership in space, in order to plant a nuclear missile.
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‘I, Robot‘ (2004)

20th Century Fox

In 2035, where robots are commonplace and abide by the three laws of robotics, a technophobic cop investigates an apparent suicide. Suspecting that a robot may be responsible for the death, his investigation leads him to believe that humanity may be in danger.
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November 22, 2021
Every Disney Live Action Remake, Ranked

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August 28, 2019
‘Aladdin’ Deleted Song ‘Desert Moon’ Proves Love Is Not Dead

Disney

Love is in the air under the “Desert Moon.”

Disney dropped a deleted song from the live-action remake of “Aladdin,” an aching and beautiful duet between Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott) and Aladdin (Mena Massoud).

The billion dollar hit only featured one new song, “Speechless,” performed by Scott. But it seems this deleted number was planned, yet somehow didn’t make the theatrical cut.

The scene starts with Jasmine in her room, singing as she gazes at the moon in the night sky. Then, Aladdin joins in, singing while looking at the same moon from the desert.

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“Desert moon light the way, till the dark turns to day / Like a lamp in the lonely night, bright and blue,” they sing together.

Composer Alan Menken told People, “So many of my lost gems find their way back into the spotlight; songs like ‘Human Again’ from ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Proud of Your Boy’ from ‘Aladdin, ‘‘If I Never Knew You’ from ‘Pocahontas’ and ‘Shooting Star’ from ‘Hercules.’”

He continued, “Now a lost treasure from the ‘Aladdin’ live-action movie, ‘Desert Moon’ has its moment. I’m so thrilled to be able to share this magical song with the world.”

The “Desert Moon” deleted scene is available on the “Aladdin” Digital HD release today and on Blu-ray September 10.

August 27, 2019
What’s New on Digital, DVD/Blu-ray, TV, & Netflix This Week: August 26-September 1

Disney

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what’s streaming on Netflix and on good old fashioned television, we’ve got you covered.

NEW VIDEO ON DIGITAL, DEMAND, AND STREAMING

‘Aladdin’ (August 27)

Disney’s live-action remake of the 1992 animated classic proved to be a winner, riding its magic carpet ride to $1 billion and beyond at the box office. Guy Ritchie’s version starred Mena Massoud as the titular thief-with-a-heart-of-gold and Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine. Will Smith took on the iconic role of the Genie, made famous by Robin Williams in the original. Available on Digital HD August 27.

‘Carnival Row’ (August 30)

Amazon’s Victorian fantasy drama series stars Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne, who live in a world filled with mythological immigrant creatures. Feared by humans, they are forbidden to live, love, or fly with freedom. But even in darkness, hope lives, as a human detective and a faerie rekindle a dangerous affair. The city’s uneasy peace collapses when a string of murders reveals a monster no one could imagine.

NEW ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’ (August 27)

The sequel to the 2016 hit animated film finds Max the Jack Russell terrier coping with a major life change when his owner gets married, has a baby, and moves to the countryside. Max encounters unfriendly cows, fearsome foxes, and a terrifying turkey. But he also makes a friend out of Rooster, a gruff farm dog who wants to help Max get over his neuroses.

The movie arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on August 27 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus content includes deleted scenes and making-of featurettes. Watch an exclusive bonus featurette featuring Kevin Hart below:

‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ (August 27)

The sheer destructive power of the humongous Kaiju is on fully display as their return threatens the world. Seventeen monsters — including Mothra, Rodan, and the three-headed King Ghidorah — cause untold chaos when they rise again to vie for supremacy. Millie Bobby Brown, Vera Farmiga, Ken Watanabe, Kyle Chandler, and their fellow humans fight for survival, but they need some help — from one of those monsters … Godzilla.

The movie arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on August 27 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus content includes deleted scenes and making-of featurettes.

‘Rocketman’ (August 27)

The music biopic chronicles the life of Reginald Dwight, who would change his name to become the iconic singer Elton John (as portrayed by Taron Egerton). It follows his early days as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his musical partnership with singer-songwriter Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell) to his breakthrough in the 1970s and rise to become a music legend.

The movie arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on August 27 (and is already available on Digital HD). Bonus content includes deleted scenes and extended scenes, making-of featurettes, and a lyric companion.

‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco’ (August 27)

The Sundance darling is based on the life of Jimmie Fails, who stars as a version of himself. Jimmie is obsessed with the Victorian-style house his grandfather (Danny Glover) built in the heart of San Francisco in 1946. Now owned by gentrifiers, Jimmie and friend Montgomery (Jonathan) sneak in to care for the building when the owners aren’t there and imagine what life would be like if the neighborhood hadn’t changed.

The movie arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on August 27 (and is already available on Digital HD).

‘The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice’ (August 27): Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu’s meditative 1951 domestic drama gets a new 4K restoration from Criterion. Secrets and deceptions strain the already tenuous relationship of a childless, middle-aged couple, as the wife’s city-bred sophistication bumps up against the husband’s small-town simplicity. A generational sea change—in the form of their headstrong, modern niece—sweeps over their household.

The Koker Trilogy (August 27): Also from Criterion comes a 2K restoration of the trio of films from Persian director Abbas Kiarostami: “Where Is the Friend’s Home?” (1987), “And Life Goes On” (1992) and “Through the Olive Trees” (1994). The lyrical fables play with the line between fiction and documentary, comedy and tragedy.

NEW ON NETFLIX

‘Dave Chappelle’s Sticks & Stones’ (August 26)

Dave Chappelle returns to stand-up comedy with a brand-new special. “Sticks & Stones” will showcase Chappelle’s provocative perspective on the tidal wave of celebrity scandals, the opioid crisis, and more.

‘Dreamworks Trolls: The Beat Goes On’ Season 7 (August 27)

As Queen Poppy celebrates a time of peace in Troll Village with parties, competitions and special occasions, Branch tries to be more fun-loving.

‘Falling Inn Love’ (August 29)

After losing her job and boyfriend, city girl Gabriela (Christina
Milian) randomly wins a rustic New Zealand inn. The Bellbird Valley Farm boasts a crumbling facade, a goat for a housemate, and a meddling neighbor who covets the space. Eager to renovate and sell the property fast, she partners with Jake Taylor (Adam Demos), the Kiwi contractor who’s amused by her city-girl culture shock. Now she has to make a decision to continue the life that she is building, or return to the life that she’s left behind.

‘The A-List’ (August 30)

The British teen drama takes place at an idyllic summer camp. Mia arrives expecting to be Queen Bee, but the “holiday of a lifetime” turns into a twisted nightmare with the arrival of the mysterious Amber.

‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ (August 30)

The animated prequel series to Jim Henson and Frank Oz’s beloved 1982 film is set many years before the events of the movie. It tells an epic new story using classic puppetry with cutting-edge visual effects. The star-studded voice cast includes Mark Hamill, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Sigourney Weaver.

For more, see what else is new on Netflix in August 2019.

TV WORTH WATCHING

‘2019 MTV Video Music Awards,’ MTV (August 26, 8 p.m.)

The VMAs return to hand out Moon Man trophies to the biggest names in music. The show will feature performances by Taylor Swift, Lizzo, and the Jonas Brothers.

August 26, 2019