This fall brings some big movies, including “Frozen II,” “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” and the second chapter of “IT,” as well as Oscar hopefuls “Joker,” “Ad Astra,” “Harriet,” and “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” to name a few.
Here’s 33 movies you’re going to want to see in theaters. (Check back later for our Winter/Holiday preview closer to December. )
“IT Chapter Two” (September 6)
The members of the Losers Club are all grown-up, but no less haunted by the evil Pennywise in “Chapter Two.” We can’t wait for the conclusion to this horror epic, whose stellar cast is led by Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, and, of course, Bill Skarsgard as the child-eating clown they can’t seem to escape.
“Hustlers” (September 13)
A group of strippers — Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Lili Reinhart, and Keke Palmer — team up to turn the tables on their rich Wall Street clients. It’s a true story that was first told in this 2015 New York Magazine article.
“The Goldfinch“ (September 13)
Ansel Elgort stars as Theo in this mystery based on the best-selling book by Donna Tartt. Theo was just 13 when his mother was killed in a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The search for the truth about that day — and the missing painting of a goldfinch — unravels in surprising ways.
“Downton Abbey” (September 20)
The TV series comes to the big screen as the Crawleys and their staff prepare for a royal visit from the King and Queen of England. Naturally, there will be scandal, romance and intrigue. Written by series creator Julian Fellowes and starring the original cast — at least those who were still standing at the series’ end.
“Ad Astra“ (September 20)
Brad Pitt is an astronaut trying to unravel the mystery of his father’s doomed mission 30 years ago in James Gray‘s “paranoid space thriller.” Between the (mostly) rave reviews this is getting and Pitt’s acclaimed turn in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” could he be a double Oscar nominee this year?
“Rambo: Last Blood” (September 20)
Sylvester Stallone returns as John Rambo for the fifth — and supposedly final — film in the franchise, this time facing off against a ruthless Mexican cartel. As he says in the trailer (set to “Old Town Road,”) he’s ready for a bloody showdown: “I want revenge. I want them to know that death is coming. And there’s nothing they can do to stop it.”
“Judy” (September 27)
Renée Zellweger plays iconic singer/actress Judy Garland as she arrives in London for a series of sold-out concerts in 1968. (As Garland fans know, the singer passed away the next year at age 47.) Zellweger, who is doing her own singing, will release her first ever solo album of Judy Garland covers in conjunction with the film.
“Abominable” (September 27)
Teenager Yi (Chloe Bennet) helps a young Yeti named Everest reunite with his family — and protect him from a wealthy collector (Eddie Izzard) and an obsessed zoologist (Sarah Paulson) in this family film.
“Joker” (October 4)
A decade after Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his brilliant Joker in “The Dark Knight,” Joaquin Phoenix takes another potentially awards-worthy run at the legendary character in a film that shows how an ordinary man became a supervillain.
“Lucy in the Sky” (October 4)
Natalie Portman plays an astronaut who begins to unravel after she returns to Earth. It’s from Noah Hawley, the creator of mind-bending FX series “Legion,” and is loosely based on the real story of an astronaut who broke very bad.
“Parasite” (October 11)
“The Addams Family” (October 11)
Oscar Isaac is Gomez Addams and Charlize Theron is Morticia in this animated version of our favorite ooky, gooky family. Now we just want a live-action version since Isaac is such perfect casting as Gomez. Hollywood, make it happen.
“Gemini Man” (October 11)
Will Smith is an assassin who faces off with a younger version of himself (also Smith, who’s been digitally de-aged.) Ang Lee directs this sci-fi thriller.
“The Lighthouse” (October 18)
Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe play 19th century lighthouse keepers trying to keep from going insane in the second film from Robert Eggers, director of the indie horror movie “The Witch.” Based on the trailer, we’re guessing sanity does not prevail.
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” (October 18)
Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) flies into a rage with the announcement of Aurora (Elle Fanning)’s engagement to Prince Phillip (Harris Dickinson, who replaces Brenton Thwaites in the role). The sequel adds Michelle Pfeiffer as cross-bow-wielding Queen Ingrith, whose possessiveness of Aurora sets up an epic battle.
“Zombieland 2: Double Tap” (October 18)
10 years after the first film, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and occasionally each other.
“Jojo Rabbit” (October 18)
We’re very curious about this “anti-hate satire” from Taika Waititi, who wrote, directed and stars as a child’s imaginary friend … who happens to be Adolf Hitler. Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, and Thomasin McKenzie of “Leave No Trace” costar. Even if the film itself doesn’t work, we loved the genius update on the “Downfall” movie meme.
“The Current War” (October 25)
Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, and Nicholas Hoult star in this drama about the historic battle between inventors Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse over which electrical system — “alternating current” or “direct current” — would become the industry standard.
“Harriet” (November 1)
Tony-winning actress Cynthia Erivo of “Widows” and “Bad Times at the El Royale” stars as legendary ex-slave and abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who helped hundreds of slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Kasi Lemmons (“Eve’s Bayou”) directs.
“Motherless Brooklyn” (November 1)
Edward Norton directs and stars in this mystery about a man with Tourette’s syndrome trying to solve the murder of his detective mentor (Bruce Willis). It’s based on the terrific 1999 novel of the same name by Jonathan Lethem.
“Terminator: Dark Fate” (November 1)
Original “Terminator” star Linda Hamilton is back as Sarah Connor for the first time since “T2” and we are stoked. She’s joined by Mackenzie Davis as a human-cyborg hybrid sent from the future to protect a young woman (Natalia Reyes) who’s targeted for termination. That’s not gonna happen on Sarah’s watch.
“Doctor Sleep” (November 8)
“The Haunting of Hill House” director Mike Flanagan helms this highly anticipated to Stephen King’s “The Shining,” with Ewan McGregor playing a grown-up, deeply troubled Danny Torrance. Need we say more?
“Honey Boy” (November 8)
Shia LaBeouf wrote the screenplay for this semi-autobiographical look at a troubled child star’s life — and plays his own father — in this Sundance favorite. Noah Jupe stars as young actor Otis, with “Manchester by the Sea” star Lucas Hedges playing Otis in his 20s. Alma Har’el (“Bombay Beach”) directs.
“Last Christmas” (November 8)
“Crazy Rich Asians” star Henry Golding romances “Game of Thrones”‘s Emilia Clarke in this romcom set during the holidays. Is there a tragic twist? Twitter seems to think so!
“Midway” (November 8)
The pivotal World War II Battle of Midway is dramatized by “Independence Day” director Roland Emmerich with an all-star cast, including Ed Skrein, Patrick Wilson, Luke Evans, Aaron Eckhart, and … Nick Jonas? Okay. Bring it on.
“Charlie’s Angels” ( November 15)
Kristen Stewart leads a new team of Angels (Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska) in this reboot directed by Elizabeth Banks. Banks also costars as one of three Bosleys, along with Djimon Hounsou and Patrick Stewart.
“Ford v Ferrari” (November 15)
Christian Bale and Matt Damon play, respectively, a fearless race car driver and a race car designer, who are Ford’s best bet to beat racing giant Ferrari in this Oscar-baiting biopic directed by James Mangold.
“The Good Liar” (November 15)
The first team-up of Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Helen Mirren is a definite must-see. McKellen is a con man who finds himself falling for the wealthy woman he’s targeting (Mirren). This thriller reunites McKellen with his “Gods and Monsters” and “Mr. Holmes” director Bill Condon.
“Frozen II” (November 22)
In the sequel to one of Disney’s biggest hits, we get to know more about Anna and Elsa’s mother, Queen Iduna (Evan Rachel Wood) and more about how Elsa gained her powers. Sterling K. Brown plays new character General Mattias, who was a soldier in the Arendelle army.
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (November 22)
America’s most beloved movie star as America’s most beloved children’s TV host: Tom Hanks plays Mr. Rogers in this biopic that’s sure to be a three-hanky pic. The trailer alone had us tearing up.
“21 Bridges” (November 22)
Chadwick Boseman is a disgraced NYPD detective looking for redemption during a citywide manhunt in this crime thriller. Irish director Brian Kirk has helmed some of our favorite shows, including “Luther,” “Game of Thrones” and “Penny Dreadful.”
“Knives Out” (November 27)
An all-star cast, including Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Toni Collette, are suspects in the murder of a wealthy patriarch. It’s up to detective Daniel Craig to solve the crime in this eagerly anticipated mystery from “Looper” and “Brick” director Rian Johnson.
“Queen & Slim” (November 27)
We’re riveted by the explosive trailer for this modern-day Bonnie and Clyde story starring “Get Out”‘s Daniel Kaluuya and newcomer Jodie Turner-Smith. While out on their first date, they get pulled over by a cop. When the traffic stop takes a violent turn, they have to go on the run together. The film is from writer Emmy-winning writer Lena Waithe and director Melina Matsoukas.
