Moviefone Editorial

Tag: materialists

  • Best Valentine’s Day Movies of All Time Ranked

    (L to R) Cary Elwes and Robin Wright in 'The Princess Bride'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Cary Elwes and Robin Wright in ‘The Princess Bride’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Happy Valentine’s Day!

    And there is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than sitting down with your sweetheart and watching a romantic movie.

    But with so many choices available, from classics like ‘Pretty Woman‘ and ‘The Notebook,’ to recent films like ‘Materialists‘ and ‘Merv‘, Moviefone is here to help you pick the perfect romantic movie.

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    So, we’re counting down the 30 most romantic movies of all-time to help you decide what to watch on Valentine’s Day!

    Let’s Begin!

    Related Article: 30 New and Classic Movies to Watch on New Year’s Day

    30. ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘ (2002)

    (L to R) John Corbett and Nia Vardalos in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'. Photo: IFC Films.
    (L to R) John Corbett and Nia Vardalos in ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’. Photo: IFC Films.

    A young Greek woman (Nia Vardalos) falls in love with a non-Greek (John Corbett) and struggles to get her family to accept him while she comes to terms with her heritage and cultural identity.

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    29. ‘People We Meet on Vacation‘ (2026)

    Poppy’s (Emily Bader) a free spirit. Alex (Tom Blyth) loves a plan. After years of summer vacations, these polar-opposite pals wonder if they could be a perfect romantic match.

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    28. ‘Always Be My Maybe‘ (2019)

    Reunited after 15 years famous chef Sasha (Ali Wong) and hometown musician Marcus (Randall Park) feel the old sparks of attraction but struggle to adapt to each others worlds.

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    27. ‘Overboard‘ (1987)

    Heiress Joanna Stayton (Goldie Hawn) hires carpenter Dean Proffitt (Kurt Russell) to build a closet on her yacht—and refuses to pay him for the project when it’s done. But after Joanna accidentally falls overboard and loses her memory, Dean sees an opportunity to get even.

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    26. ‘Love, Simon‘ (2018)

    Everyone deserves a great love story, but for 17-year-old Simon Spier (Nick Robinson), it’s a little more complicated. He hasn’t told his family or friends that he’s gay, and he doesn’t know the identity of the anonymous classmate that he’s fallen for online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing.

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    25. ‘Sleepless in Seattle‘ (1993)

    (L to R) Meg Ryan, Ross Malinger and Tom Hanks in 'Sleepless in Seattle'. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
    (L to R) Meg Ryan, Ross Malinger and Tom Hanks in ‘Sleepless in Seattle’. Photo: TriStar Pictures.

    When Sam Baldwins (Tom Hanks) wife dies he is left to bring up his eight-year-old son Jonah (Ross Malinger) alone and decides to move to Seattle to make a new start. On Christmas Eve Jonah rings a radio phone-in with his Christmas wish to find a new wife for his dad. Meanwhile in Baltimore journalist Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), who is having doubts about her own relationship is listening in.

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    24. ‘Dirty Dancing‘ (1987)

    Expecting the usual tedium that accompanies a summer in the Catskills with her family, 17-year-old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman (Jennifer Grey) is surprised to find herself stepping into the shoes of a professional hoofer—and unexpectedly falling in love.

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    23. ‘Notting Hill‘ (1999)

    William Thacker (Hugh Grant) is a London bookstore owner whose humdrum existence is thrown into romantic turmoil when famous American actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) appears in his shop A chance encounter over spilled orange juice leads to a kiss that blossoms into a full-blown affair. As the average bloke and glamorous movie star draw closer and closer together they struggle to reconcile their radically different lifestyles in the name of love.

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    22. ‘Anyone But You‘ (2023)

    In the edgy comedy Anyone But You, Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell) look like the perfect couple, but after an amazing first date something happens that turns their fiery hot attraction ice cold – until they find themselves unexpectedly thrust together at a destination wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.

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    21. ‘Valentine’s Day‘ (2010)

    More than a dozen Angelenos navigate Valentine’s Day from early morning until midnight. Three couples awake together but each relationship will sputter. A grade-school boy wants flowers for his first true love. Two high school seniors plan first-time sex at noon. A TV sports reporter gets the assignment to find romance in LA. A star quarterback contemplates his future. Two strangers meet on a plane. Grandparents together for years face a crisis. And an “I Hate Valentines Day” dinner beckons the lonely and the lied to.

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    20. ‘Materialists‘ (2025)

    Dakota Johnson in 'Materialists'. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.
    Dakota Johnson in ‘Materialists’. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.

    A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans).

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    19. ‘Eternity‘ (2025)

    In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.

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    18. ‘Call Me by Your Name‘ (2018)

    In 1980s Italy, a relationship begins between seventeen-year-old teenage Elio (Timothee Chalamet) and the older adult man (Armie Hammer) hired as his father’s (Michael Stuhlbarg) research assistant.

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    17. ‘Her‘ (2014)

    In the not so distant future, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely writer, purchases a newly developed operating system designed to meet the user’s every need. To Theodore’s surprise, a romantic relationship develops between him and his operating system (Scarlett Johansson). This unconventional love story blends science fiction and romance in a sweet tale that explores the nature of love and the ways that technology isolates and connects us all.

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    16. ‘Shotgun Wedding‘ (2023)

    In Shotgun Wedding, Darcy (Jennifer Lopez) and Tom (Josh Duhamel) gather their lovable but very opinionated families for the ultimate destination wedding, just as the couple begin to get cold feet. And if that wasn’t enough of a threat to the celebration, suddenly everyone’s lives are in danger when the entire party is taken hostage. “’Til Death Do Us Part” takes on a whole new meaning in this hilarious, adrenaline-fueled adventure as Darcy and Tom must save their loved ones—if they don’t kill each other first.

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    15. ‘Merv‘ (2025)

    (L to R) Zooey Deschanel, Gus and Charlie Cox in 'Merv'. Photo Credit: Dana Hawley/Prime Video. © Amazon Content Services LLC.
    (L to R) Zooey Deschanel, Gus and Charlie Cox in ‘Merv’. Photo Credit: Dana Hawley/Prime Video. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox) are forced into the world’s most awkward co-parenting arrangement. Hoping to shake Merv out of his funk, Russ takes him to Florida for a much-needed getaway-only for Anna to show up unexpectedly. As Merv slowly gets his groove back, turns out fixing their dog’s broken heart may lead to a few sparks of their own.

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    14. ‘Splitsville‘ (2025)

    After Ashley (Adria Arjona) asks for a divorce, good-natured Carey (Kyle Marvin) runs to his friends, Julie (Dakota Johnson) and Paul (Michael Angelo Covino), for support. He’s shocked to discover that the secret to their happiness is an open marriage, that is until Carey crosses the line and throws all of their relationships into chaos.

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    13. ‘Palm Springs‘ (2020)

    When carefree Nyles (Andy Samberg) and reluctant maid of honor Sarah (Cristin Milioti) have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding, things get complicated when they find themselves unable to escape the venue, themselves, or each other.

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    12. ‘Deadpool‘ (2016)

    The origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), who, after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

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    11. About Time (2013)

    The night after another unsatisfactory New Year’s party, Tim’s father (Bill Nighy) tells his son ( Domhnall Gleeson) that the men in his family have always had the ability to travel through time. They can’t change history, but they can change what happens and has happened in their own lives. Thus begins the start of a lesson in learning to appreciate life itself as it is, as it comes, and most importantly, the people living alongside us.

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    10. ‘La La Land‘ (2016)

    (L to R) Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in 'La La Land'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in ‘La La Land’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    Mike (Tatum), an experienced stripper, takes a younger performer called The Kid (Alex Pettyfer) under his wing and schools him in the arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film also stars Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Riley Keough, Olivia Munn, and Matthew McConaughey.

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    9. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

    Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the American dream. He has a good job, a beautiful house, great children and a beautiful wife, named Emily (Julianne Moore). Cal’s seemingly perfect life unravels, however, when he learns that Emily has been unfaithful and wants a divorce. Over 40 and suddenly single, Cal is adrift in the fickle world of dating. Enter, Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), a self-styled player who takes Cal under his wing and teaches him how to be a hit with the ladies.

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    8. Brokeback Mountain (2006)

    Two modern-day cowboys (Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal) meet on a shepherding job in the summer of ’63, the two share a raw and powerful summer together that turns into a lifelong relationship.

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    7. Love Story (1970)

    Harvard Law student Oliver Barrett IV (Ryan O’Neal) and music student Jennifer Cavilleri (Ali MacGraw) share a chemistry they cannot deny – and a love they cannot ignore. Despite their opposite backgrounds, the young couple put their hearts on the line for each other. When they marry, Oliver’s wealthy father (Ray Milland) threatens to disown him. Jenny tries to reconcile the Barrett men, but to no avail.

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    6. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

    During their travel from Chicago to New York, Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) debate whether or not sex ruins a friendship between a man and a woman. Eleven years later, and they’re still no closer to finding the answer.

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    5. A Star Is Born (2018)

    (L to R) Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in 'A Star Is Born.' Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in ‘A Star Is Born.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

    Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers — and falls in love with — struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer — until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

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    4. The Princess Bride (1987)

    In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) and the dashing Westley (Cary Elwes) must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen (Christopher Guest), murderous princes (Chris Sarandon), Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can’t stop these true lovebirds from triumphing.

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    3. Titanic (1997)

    101-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater (Gloria Stuart) tells the story of her life aboard the Titanic, 84 years later. A young Rose (Kate Winslet) boards the ship with her mother and fiancé. Meanwhile, Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Fabrizio De Rossi (Danny Nucci) win third-class tickets aboard the ship. Rose tells the whole story from Titanic’s departure through to its death—on its first and last voyage—on April 15, 1912.

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    2. Pretty Woman (1990)

    When a millionaire wheeler-dealer (Richard Gere) enters a business contract with a Hollywood hooker Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts), he loses his heart in the bargain.

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    1. The Notebook (2004)

    (L to R) Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in 'The Notebook.' Photo: New Line Cinema.
    (L to R) Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in ‘The Notebook.’ Photo: New Line Cinema.

    An epic love story centered around an older man (James Garner) who reads aloud to a woman with Alzheimer’s (Gena Rowlands). From a faded notebook, the old man’s words bring to life the story about a couple (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths.

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  • ‘Splitsville’ Interview: Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona

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    Opening in limited theaters on August 22nd before expanding wide on September 5th is the new comedy ‘Splitsville‘, which was directed by Michael Angelo Covino (‘The Climb’) and written by Covino and Kyle Marvin (‘80 for Brady’).

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    In addition to Covino and Marvin, the film also stars Dakota Johnson (‘Materialists’), Adria Arjona (‘Hit Man’), Nicholas Braun (‘Succession’), O-T Fagbenie (‘Black Widow’), David Castañeda (‘The Umbrella Academy’), and Charlie Gillespie (‘Julie and the Phantoms’).

    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona star in 'Splitsville'.
    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona star in ‘Splitsville’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in person with Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona to talk about their work on ‘Splitsville’, their first reactions to the screenplay, their characters, and working with actors and filmmakers Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Johnson, Arjona, Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin.

    Related Article: Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans to Star in ‘Materialists’

    Dakota Johnson in 'Splitsville'. Photo: Neon.
    Dakota Johnson in ‘Splitsville’. Photo: Neon.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Dakota, the movie is very funny. Can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay, and did it read funny on the page?

    Dakota Johnson: I mean, yes, especially because I had the tone of in my head because I had seen ‘The Climb’ and I feel like when you know their voices and you know their candor, you implement that into reading the script. So, it’s a very specific tone of comedy, you know.

    MF: Just to follow up, do you think you found a lot of the humor in the movie organically on set?

    DJ: Yeah, there was a lot of improvisation and a lot of moments like that. I feel like the funniest moments in the movie are the devastating ones where it’s like humans not getting it right with each other and feeling so uncomfortable, rather than like a set-up and joke.

    Adria Arjona in 'Splitsville'. Photo: Neon.
    Adria Arjona in ‘Splitsville’. Photo: Neon.

    MF: Adria, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and what were some of the characteristics of Ashley that you were excited to explore on screen?

    Adria Arjona: When I read it was like, “What in the world am I reading?” Especially the opening of this film, it’s probably one of the craziest openings of any movie I’ve ever read. In the first 10 minutes, the movie kind of just slaps you in the face in the best way possible. So, it was funny, and I had also watched ‘The Climb’, so it was one of those things that it was an undeniable, yes for me. Then, you know, Ashley, she just goes through so much in this film. She starts off having everything she ever wanted and taking it for granted in ways and then jumping through hoops to realize that maybe she was wrong or maybe she was right. She dives into the definition of what an open relationship is, and she’s excited about it. She’s a woman in her 30s that’s trying to discover who she is and feels like she’s letting herself go, she doesn’t have this exploration, which is something that I bet a lot of women who get married kind of feel, and then she teaches you this beautiful lesson. So, I was interested in kind of exploring that.

    (L to R) Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, Adria Arjona and Dakota Johnson in 'Splitsville'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, Adria Arjona and Dakota Johnson in ‘Splitsville’. Photo: Neon.

    MF: Finally, Dakota, as a producer and an actor, what was it like working with Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino as both actors and filmmakers on this project?

    DJ: Contentious. I think it’s kind of what I love so much about this movie is the contention that you see between the characters on screen, it also was happening behind the scenes with producers and the filmmakers and the DP. Everyone was heightened creativity, and it just was a very collaborative experience, but fiery. Everyone was quite into their own opinions. I mean, I think we made a good movie, so ultimately in a good way.

    (L to R) Michael Angelo Covino, Simon Webster and Dakota Johnson in 'Splitsville'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Michael Angelo Covino, Simon Webster and Dakota Johnson in ‘Splitsville’. Photo: Neon.

    What is the plot of ‘’Splitsville’?

    When his wife Ashley (Adria Arjona) asks for a divorce, Carey (Kyle Marvin) runs to his friends (Michael Angelo Covino and Dakota Johnson) for support, only to learn that the secret to their happiness is an open marriage; that is, until Carey crosses the line and throws all their relationships into chaos.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Splitsville’?

    • Kyle Marvin as Carey
    • Michael Angelo Covino as Paul
    • Dakota Johnson as Julie
    • Adria Arjona as Ashley
    • Nicholas Braun as Matt the Mentalist
    • David Castañeda as Fede
    • O-T Fagbenle as Brent
    • Charlie Gillespie as Jackson
    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona on the set of 'Splitsville'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona on the set of ‘Splitsville’. Photo: Neon.

    List of Dakota Johnson Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Splitsville’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Dakota Johnson Movies on Amazon

     

  • ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ Sequel in Development

    (L to R) Julia Roberts and Rupert Everett in 'My Best Friend's Wedding'. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
    (L to R) Julia Roberts and Rupert Everett in ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. Photo: TriStar Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Celine Song is writing a ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ sequel.
    • Sony is backing the new movie.
    • There is no word yet if original cast members Julia Roberts or Rupert Everett will return.

    Though the company hasn’t exactly had the best luck dusting off its back catalogue for sequel treatment –– neither ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ nor especially ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ have set the box office aflame or won over legions of new fans –– that, apparently isn’t stopping Sony.

    According to Collider, Celine Song, the acclaimed writer/director behind ‘Past Lives’ (which was nominated for two Oscars) and this year’s ‘Materialists’, has been hired to work on script for a sequel to 1997 romantic comedy ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’.

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    The movie, which starred the likes of Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Cameron Diaz and Rupert Everett, was directed by P.J. Hogan and was a hit for the studio, earning almost $300 million on a $38 million budget.

    It’s also something that, if the starry cast can be tempted back, feels worthy of a follow-up.

    Related Article: ‘Killing Mary Sue’ Actor Dermot Mulroney Talks Monologues and Madness

    What was the story of ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’?

    (L to R) Cameron Diaz, Dermot Mulroney and Julia Roberts in 'My Best Friend's Wedding'. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
    (L to R) Cameron Diaz, Dermot Mulroney and Julia Roberts in ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. Photo: TriStar Pictures.

    The original starred Roberts as food critic Julianne Potter, who discovers that her longtime friend, Michael (Mulroney), is planning to get married to Kimmy Wallace (Diaz). The two, who had a relationship in college, had vowed to get hitched with each other if they each remained unmarried by the ripe old age of 28.

    Realizing she is in love, Jules plans to sabotage the event…

    ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ has been remade several times in other countries, including Mexico and China.

    Song certainly seems like a solid choice to write this –– she’s proved she can channel romantic longing and adult relationships, and would have a good take on where the characters are now.

    What has the cast said about progress on a sequel?

    (L to R) Dermot Mulroney, Julia Roberts in 'My Best Friend's Wedding'. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
    (L to R) Dermot Mulroney, Julia Roberts in ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. Photo: TriStar Pictures.

    Mulroney, while making the promotional rounds for one of his latest projects, Netflix series ‘The Hunting Wives’ teased what he’s heard in an interview with the New York Post:

    “I know nothing about it. Last I heard, quote, lawyers were talking, unquote.”

    So… yes, hardly the biggest update, but Song’s hiring surely points to the studio looking to propose something.

    When will the ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ sequel be in theaters?

    That’s tough to answer at this point –– with Song only just starting work on a script, no director attached and deals yet to be locked in with cast old or new, a release date is unlikely for now.

    And Sony may also look to see how other legacy sequels such as ‘Practical Magic 2’ perform before truly committing to this one.

    (L to R) Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz in 'My Best Friend's Wedding'. Photo: TriStar Pictures.
    (L to R) Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz in ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. Photo: TriStar Pictures.

     

    List of Movies and TV Shows Featuring Dermot Mulroney:

    Buy Dermot Mulroney Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Soars at the Box Office

    Universal Pictures’ live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon', written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Preview:

    • The new ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is a roaring success so far.
    • Dean DeBlois’ film has earned more than $197 million globally.
    • Disney’s own live-action conversion of ‘Lilo & Stitch’ fell to second place.

    Looks like audiences were very ready to visit the island of Berk again.

    Or perhaps the term should truly be re-visit, since the new ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ a live-action re-imagining of the 2010 animated adventure, is essentially that movie told over again.

    Still, audiences embraced it to the tune of $83 million at the domestic box office.

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    The new movie, written and directed by Dean DeBlois (who co-wrote and directed the animated original before taking on its two follow-ups), has been a big success for DreamWorks and Universal, which dipped a toe (a claw, perhaps?) into the animated-to-live-action conversion following years of Disney doing the same.

    Related Article: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’: An Entertaining Copy of the Original Movie

    How did the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ live-action movie do elsewhere at the box office?

    (from left) Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Astrid (Nico Parker) in Universal Pictures’ live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon', written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (from left) Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Astrid (Nico Parker) in Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ wasn’t just successful here.

    It collected $114 million while landing in 81 overseas markets, ranking as the No. 1 movie at the international box office, and $197.8 million globally. Top territories include Mexico with $14 million, the UK and Ireland with $11.2 million and China with $11.2 million.

    Here’s Universal’s domestic distribution chief Jim Orr on the success of the movie:

    “Our filmmaker Dean DeBlois created an incredible tale with heart, action and emotion. Multiple generations are in love with it. With our audience scores, I can only believe we are going to have a long run throughout the summer.”

    And this was ComScore analyst Paul Dergarabedian on one reason for it:

    “PG has become the goldilocks of ratings, one that indicates a film is appropriate for kids but still has enough edge to appeal to young adults, teens and more mature moviegoers. This is certainly a trend that should carry over to ‘Elio,’ ‘Smurfs’ and ‘The Bad Guys 2,’ which are yet to come on the summer movie slate.”

    It’s a success story, since the movie cost $150 million to make and an additional $100 million to market, but assuming it has legs at the box office, it’ll easily make some profit.

    What else happened at the box office this weekend?

    (L to R) Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Stitch and Sydney Agudong as Nani in Disney’s live-action 'Lilo & Stitch'. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Stitch and Sydney Agudong as Nani in Disney’s live-action ‘Lilo & Stitch’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    This weekend’s new arrival deposed the previous box office champ, Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’, another example of a movie that was re-imagined in live-action from an animated original.

    In a distant second place, the other remake has collected $15.5 million in its fourth weekend of release.

    The company won’t be too worried, though, as the movie is already a blockbuster with $366 million domestically and $858 million globally. It’s on track to be the year’s first billion dollar release.

    The weekend’s other major wide release, A24’s ‘Materialists,’ launched at No. 3 with a promising $12 million from 2,844 venues.

    Though it was met with a mixed audience reception, the film launched above projections that had been sitting around $8 million to $10 million.

    Directed by Celine Song in her follow-up to the Oscar-nominated ‘Past Lives,’ the movie follows a New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) who finds herself in a love triangle with a wealthy suitor (Pedro Pascal) and an imperfect ex (Chris Evans).

    A24 spent $20 million on the film, not including marketing fees.

    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal in 'Materialists'. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.
    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal in ‘Materialists’. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.

    Fourth place went to Paramount’s ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ with $10.3 million in its fourth week of release, declining 31% from the prior weekend.

    The eighth entry in the Tom Cruise-starring action franchise has amassed $166.3 million in North America and $506 million worldwide to date.

    Against its massive $400 million budget (partly the impact of covid and other delays), though, ‘The Final Reckoning’ doesn’t have the strength to climb out of the red in its initial theatrical run.

    The ‘John Wick’ spin-off ‘Ballerina’ rounded out the top five.

    The film earned $9.4 million from 3,409 theaters in its second weekend of release, a 62% decline from its debut. So far, the movie has generated $41.8 million domestically and $91.5 million globally, hardly punching above its weight for the franchise.

    What’s the future for the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ live-action franchise?

    Even before this movie was released, DreamWorks and Universal were clearly enthused, as a sequel has already been ordered, with a date set for June 11th, 2027.

    Given the response to this one, it certainly looks like cinemagoers will be back for it.

    Mason Thames (right) as Hiccup with his Night Fury dragon, Toothless, in Universal Pictures’ live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon', written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Mason Thames (right) as Hiccup with his Night Fury dragon, Toothless, in Universal Pictures’ live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘How to Train Your Dragon:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2025) Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘How to Train your Dragon’ Movies On Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘Materialists’

    Dakota Johnson in 'Materialists'. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.
    Dakota Johnson in ‘Materialists’. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.

    ‘Materialists’ receives 9 out of 10 stars.

    Opening in theaters June 13 is ‘Materialists,’ directed by Celine Song and starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, Chris Evans, Zoë Winters, Marin Ireland, Dasha Nekrasova, Louisa Jacobson, and John Magaro.

    Related Article: Chris Evans in Talks to Return to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

    Initial Thoughts

    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal in 'Materialists'. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.
    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal in ‘Materialists’. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.

    If you’re going into ‘Materialists’ thinking that this will be something of a traditional romantic comedy, think again. While the trailers may sort of sell it that way, ‘Materialists’ is quite different and deeper. Written and directed by Celine Song, whose 2023 debut ‘Past Lives’ was a melancholy exploration of memory and lost love, ‘Materialists’ looks at dating, romance, and love through the lens of a transactional society.

    At its most basic level, ‘Materialists’ has a romantic triangle at its heart. But that three-way relationship is seen as a numbers game, with Song deftly outlining how cold logic and math can lead – if the participants are lucky – to some semblance of happiness, while also opening the door to disaster. The film is also an intimate, detailed character study of the three people at its center, how they perceive themselves, and how they perceive each other. While it wobbles a bit down the stretch, ‘Materialists’ is an emotionally resonant, culturally relevant look at how and why we expose ourselves to love, and the danger of treating people – especially women – as commodities.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Director Celine Song, Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans on the set of 'Materialists'. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.
    (L to R) Director Celine Song, Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans on the set of ‘Materialists’. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.

    Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a professional matchmaker, working with well-off, usually older clients – both male and female – to help them find the perfect person with whom to fall in love. But many of Lucy’s clients have stringent or unrealistic expectations: the women are looking for a six-foot-tall man with a six-figure (at least) income, while the men don’t want anything too “intense or complicated.” As one man says, he doesn’t have much in common with women in their early twenties…so he wants to date women in their late twenties.

    As for Lucy, she’s a self-described “voluntary celibate” who has broken up with her boyfriend John (Chris Evans) after five years. John, an unemployed actor, works as a cater-waiter to make ends meet and shares his crummy Manhattan apartment with two sloppy roommates. Having grown up poor and trying to pursue her own career, Lucy does not wish to live that way: she wants to be comfortable and taken care of, and sees marrying into wealth as the only way to achieve that – or so she thinks.

    That’s why the matchmaking service she provides breaks love down to “checking boxes” on a list: the candidate’s age, height, salary, job, and even the state of their hair are all factored into the equation without a thought of whether these two strangers can connect in a more intimate, personal way. “Marriage is a business deal,” Lucy tells one of her clients who’s about to take the final step of walking down the aisle. “You can always walk away if the deal is no good.”

    Dakota Johnson in 'Materialists'. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.
    Dakota Johnson in ‘Materialists’. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.

    All of this is transactional for Lucy, so when she meets Harry (Pedro Pascal) at that same wedding, who she describes as a unicorn for seemingly checking off all her boxes effortlessly, she decides to begin dating him after he asks her out – even though she insists he can do better. And even though she and John are no more, he’s still in her life as a friend (who is also clearly pining for her). Lucy begins to wonder just what she does want out of a relationship – as her carefully structured philosophy about dating and romance begins to unravel around her.

    Aside from a third-act plot turn that might have been handled a little more smoothly, ‘Materialists’ is top-notch storytelling about modern relationships and love – and how even those most precious aspects of human life can be somehow stripped down to, as Lucy says, a business deal. It’s only when she gets into a potentially lucrative deal of her own in that sense that she begins to realize what a shallow worldview that is, and how the same approach to her job may end in misery for her clients – and in the case of women, even danger.

    Song’s script cleanly delivers all this through a spare, modest, yet impactful narrative and deftly rendered characterizations, filtered through lovely lensing of the movie’s New York locations by cinematographer Shabier Kirchner. In the end, the movie is a pointed critique of the society we’re living in now: where everyone thinks they’re entitled to everything, and you don’t have to work for it — even love.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans in 'Materialists'. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.
    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans in ‘Materialists’. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.

    Coming off the embarrassment of 2024’s ‘Madame Web,’ Dakota Johnson bounces back nicely here with perhaps the best performance of her career to date. Lucy is a complex, finely-drawn single woman in her mid-30s who has grown up poor and is deeply afraid of falling back into that situation, which has led her to not just view her own romantic life in a clinical way but boil her services as a matchmaker down to cold equations. Johnson does an excellent job of putting up Lucy’s armor, only to gradually show us the pain and doubt beneath.

    The same could be said for Chris Evans – while his choices since exiting the role of Captain America have been hit and miss, ‘Materialists’ also represents his best work since putting down the shield. John is acutely aware of his circumstances, his lack of motivation, and his own deep desire for love and connection, and blames himself for letting Lucy get away. His own pain at seeing her is evident from the start, but he’s also desperate to maintain their connection by being the best friend he can be. This is a sensitive turn from Evans, who can be a come across as all surface with the wrong material, and demonstrates his underrated ability to portray vulnerability.

    Pedro Pascal’s Harry is a bit less layered and defined than either Lucy or John, although he avoids stereotyping by being an incredibly wealthy man who does not see others around him as playthings – even when he reveals something about himself late in the game. Pascal is empathetic and charismatic as always. The other star player of the film is Zoë Winters (‘Succession’) as Lucy’s client Sophie, who delivers a monologue late in the film that is raw and just devastating, a cry of anger and frustration that will resonate with many single women of a certain age. The actor just nails it in a showstopper of a moment.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal in 'Materialists'. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.
    (L to R) Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal in ‘Materialists’. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.

    Don’t get us wrong: ‘Materialists’ is not a somber meditation on late-stage capitalism infecting every aspect of our lives. It’s not somber, anyway. It’s funny, witty, and yes, melancholy, and it also doesn’t shy away from pointedly critiquing how the commodification of the most basic, wonderful, and complex of all human interactions is inherently not a good thing.

    In other words, it’s not “just math,” despite what Lucy says early in the film. And ‘Materialists’ is not just, as we said early on in this review, a standard rom-com or even a typical romantic drama. It’s a movie with something far deeper on its mind, and Celine Song once again explores the intricacies of the human heart with candor and clarity, making this possibly one of the best movies made for adults that you’ll see this year.

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    What is the plot of ‘Materialists’?

    A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Materialists’?

    • Dakota Johnson as Lucy
    • Chris Evans as John
    • Pedro Pascal as Harry Castillo
    • Zoë Winters as Sophie
    • Marin Ireland as Violet
    • Dasha Nekrasova as Daisy
    • Louisa Jacobson as Charlotte
    • Sawyer Spielberg as Mason
    • Eddie Cahill as Robert
    • Joseph Lee as Trevor
    • John Magaro as Mark P.
    Dakota Johnson in 'Materialists'. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.
    Dakota Johnson in ‘Materialists’. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima.

    List of Movies Starring Dakota Johnson:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Materialists’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Dakota Johnson Movies on Amazon

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  • Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal to Lead ‘Materialists’

    (Left) Dakota Johnson from Columbia Pictures’ 'Madame Web' at the Baile da Vogue, Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Photo: Leca Novo. (Center) Pedro Pascal at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Photo: Francis Specker/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (Right) Chris Evans as Brenner in 'Pain Hustlers.' Cr. Brian Douglas/Netflix © 2023.
    (Left) Dakota Johnson from Columbia Pictures’ ‘Madame Web’ at the Baile da Vogue, Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Photo: Leca Novo. (Center) Pedro Pascal at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Photo: Francis Specker/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (Right) Chris Evans as Brenner in ‘Pain Hustlers.’ Cr. Brian Douglas/Netflix © 2023.

    Preview:

    • Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans are starring in ‘Materialists’.
    • This is the new movie from ‘Past Lives’ director Celine Song.
    • It’ll be a New York-set rom-com.

    It’s fair to say that with ‘Past Lives’, Korean writer/director Celine Song has announced herself as a new cinematic voice.

    Her romantic drama feature debut, which stars Greta Lee, Teo Woo and John Magaro, first garnered attention at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, where its quietly powerful story of old friends and potential lovers reconnecting hit a chord.

    It has since gone on to win numerous awards and dominate critics’ Best Of lists for the year and is in the running for two Oscars –– Original Screenplay and Best Picture.

    You can imagine, then, that big-name talent would be beating down the down to work with her, and for the director’s next film, ‘Materialists’, she’s scored quite the potential cast in Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, who are all in talks to star.

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    What’s the story of ‘Materialists’?

    Here’s the official synopsis for the new movie:

    “Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, a city that never sleeps and is known for its diverse and dynamic relationships, ‘Materialists’ provides a unique glimpse into the lives of the city’s elite. Lucy’s expertise in matchmaking is highly sought after by those willing to pay a premium for her services. However, with a broke actor-waiter in her romantic past and a new attachment to a wealthy man, all signs point to a toxic love triangle that threatens to unravel the lives of all involved.”

    According to the director, the new movie is inspired by the sort of spiky romantic comedies such as ‘Broadcast News’ that James L. Brooks specializes in, which makes us even more eager to see what Song could do with a film like this.

    Who is backing Song’s new movie?

    Greta Lee and Teo Yoo in 'Past Lives.'
    (L to R) Greta Lee and Teo Yoo in ‘Past Lives.’ Photo: A24.

    The new movie reteams the director with distributors A24 and with producers Killer Films, both of which shepherded ‘Past Lives’ to screens.

    Here’s what producer Christine Vachon had to say about Song:

    “It feels like she makes a different movie every time, that she’s going to be the kind of a filmmaker who doesn’t make the same movie twice.”

    The plan is to start shooting the new movie in May, which makes us think Song is looking to have it ready for the 2025 edition of Sundance.

    What’s next for the cast?

    Cassandra Webb (Dakota Johnson) in Columbia Pictures’ 'Madame Web.'
    Cassandra Webb (Dakota Johnson) in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Madame Web.’

    Johnson has ‘Madame Web’ set to open in theaters next week, while Pascal has several films including ‘Drive-Away Dolls’, ‘The Uninvited’ and ‘Freaky Tales’ due this year alongside Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’ sequel. He’s also back at work shooting Season 2 of hit HBO series ‘The Last of Us’.

    As for Evans, he’ll next be seen opposite Dwayne Johnson in holiday adventure movie ‘Red One’ due to be released on November 15th.

    Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans in Prime Video's 'Red One.'
    (L to R) Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans in Prime Video’s ‘Red One.’

    Other Dakota Johnson Movies:

    Buy Dakota Johnson Movies on Amazon

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