(L to R) Ice Cube and Kevin Hart in ‘Ride Along’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Preview:
A third ‘Ride Along’ movie is in development.
Ice Cube, Kevin Hart and director Will Packer may all return.
Writer Daniel Gold has come up with a new script.
It has been 10 years since ‘Ride Along 2’ hit screens, so naturally Universal has been trying to get another one into development.
Per Deadline, the studio has a new script in the works with writer Daniel Gold (‘Workin’ Moms’), and if it all lines up, the lead duo of Ice Cube and Kevin Hart are likely to return.
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In addition to the actors, director Tim Story may also come back for the putative third outing.
(L to R) Kevin Hart and Ice Cube in ‘Ride Along 2’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
In ‘Ride Along’, security guard Ben Barber (Hart) must prove himself to his girlfriend’s brother, top police officer James Payton (Cube). In doing so, Ben rides along with James on a 24-hour patrol of Atlanta.
In part two, the duo head to Miami to take down a drug dealer who is supplying drugs to Atlanta.
There are no details yet on the story for the new movie, but Gold’s concept has reportedly got the main players excited to return after years of rejected ideas.
When will ‘Ride Along 3’ be on screens?
Universal has yet to confirm the new movie is in development (it made no mention of it at the studio’s recent CinemaCon presentation), but if the script is as good as hoped, expect this one to be fast tracked.
(L to R) Ice Cube and Kevin Hart in ‘Ride Along 2’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
(L to R) Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro) in ‘Focker In-Law’, written and directed by John Hamburg. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Preview:
Universal made its big presentation to the 2026 CinemaCon crowd.
Among the movies promoted were ‘Disclosure Day’ and ‘The Odyssey’.
There was also a look at ‘Minions & Monsters’ and ‘Other Mommy’.
Universal had a more muted and mixed 2025 than some other studios –– the latest ‘Jurassic World’ outing was a hit, but other titles, including thriller sequel ‘M3GAN 2.0’ stumbled.
Matt Damon is Odysseus in ‘The Odyssey’, written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Christopher Nolan’s epic, based on Homer’s story, was somewhat naturally the first big movie featured. Starring half of Hollywood, it promises to be massive in scale and ambitious in scope.
The filmmaker himself took the stage to talk up his latest, joking that he’s glad he doesn’t have to follow Steven Spielberg. ‘The Odyssey’ is not, he says a story. It’s THE story, one he knew he had to shoot entirely in IMAX.
He praised his ensemble, especially Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland, who he called the heart of the film. Oh, and it was a “nightmare to make in the best way possible,” but he’s nearly finished.
More than five minutes of new footage from the movie was shown, including a shipwrecked Odysseus (Damon) washing up on a shore, where he’s greeted by the goddess Calypso, played by Charlize Theron, asking her about his past life which he cannot remember, and a battle from the Trojan war and the iconic Trojan Horse.
Illumination has been a consistent performer for Universal, its animated output boosting studio coffers. So of course the team were present to pimp the next ‘Minions’ movie featuring the little yellow troublemakers.
It’s set in the 1920s and features the Minions trying to find a new master to serve. Pierre Coffin, who co-writes, directs and voices the creatures, told the crowd that he put everything into the new one, before introducing some fresh footage.
The next film to get a brief spotlight was romantic comedy drama ‘One Night Only’, which stars Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro as two New Yorkers searching for love on the one night of the year when sex is legal.
The initial teaser for the horror movie, starring Jessica Chastain, was shown. It features Bela (Arabella Olivia Clark), an 8-year-old girl living in a home with marital problems, confronts a sinister entity that comes out of her closet. The presence, whom she calls “Other Mommy,” becomes increasingly threatening to her and her family.
Next up was a quick look at ‘Violent Night 2’, the sequel to the 2022 action comedy with David Harbour as a grumpy Santa who takes down armed thieves. The 2026 follow-up adds Kristen Bell as Mrs. Claus in a story where Santa somehow ends up on the Naughty List.
(L to R) Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro) and Olivia Jones (Ariana Grande) in ‘Focker In-Law’, written and directed by John Hamburg. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Getting more of a spotlight was the new ‘Meet the Parents’ outing, which sees Ariana Grande as a young woman looking to marry into Ben Stiller‘s family (and Stiller’s Greg Focker is suspicious of her).
Stiller and Robert De Niro took the stage to introduce a first look, with De Niro commenting that Grande is the funniest scene partner he’s ever had. Ouch!
Also featured? A look at ‘Nosferatu’ director Robert Eggers‘ next chiller, ‘Werwulf’, which follows a gothic world where townsfolk are investigating a brutal werewolf terrifying their town.
Emily Blunt in ‘Disclosure Day’, directed by Steven Spielberg. Photo: Universal Pictures.
‘Disclosure Day’s Colman Domingo arrived on stage to introduce his director, Steven Spielberg, who is getting a special award from CinemaCon (along with a sizzle reel of past work and a standing ovation from the audience).
The iconic filmmaker took the chance to argue for longer release windows, which naturally plays well with this crowd.
He also sat down with Domingo to discuss his own movie-watching history, his father’s belief in life beyond our world, his own thoughts on aliens and his time making this latest effort.
New footage was shown (though Spielberg said he was keeping every frame of the third act withheld until the movie itself is released), with plenty of tense action.
“It is an experience, this movie,” Spielberg promised. “All you need to get from the beginning to the end is a seat belt.”
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And with that, it’s a wrap on Universal!
‘Focker In-Law’ opens in theaters on November 25th.
(L to R) Luigi (Charlie Day) and Mario (Chris Pratt) in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
Preview:
‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ has secured the biggest box office launch for the year to date.
It’s a sequel to 2023’s ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’.
‘Project Hail Mary’ was pushed to second, but is still performing well.
Easter Weekend feels like the appropriate date for the return of a character. In this case, it’s Mario (voiced in animated form by Chris Pratt), back in ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.’
The sequel to 2023 hit ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ has been scoring plenty of points at the box office –– as it was predicted to –– earning $130 million domestically and $182.4 million internationally across its five-day extended release period for a global total of $372.5 million so far.
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While the new movie didn’t quite hit the highs of the original, it certainly came close, and Universal will certainly be happy with its performance, which once again happened despite some caustic reviews.
Amazon MGM’s sci-fi outing ‘Project Hail Mary’, which enjoyed a brief run as the biggest 2026 box office launch to date, continues to do well, dropping just 43% in its third weekend. It has now earned $217 million domestically and more than $400 million internationally, and despite losing some premium format screens to ‘Mario’, is still drawing crowds.
Third place was the week’s other main new entry, A24 drama ‘The Drama’. Starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, the controversial movie took in $13.6 million domestically.
In fourth place, Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ earned $5.8 million, pushing its own total to more than $332 million worldwide.
‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ looks to have little major competition coming up in the family field, and next week brings rom-com ‘You, Me & Tuscany’ and thriller remake ‘Faces of Death’.
(L to R) Anna (Halle Bailey) and Michael (Regé-Jean Page) in ‘You, Me & Tuscany’, directed by Kat Coiro. Photo: Giulia Parmigiani/Universal Pictures.
List of Movies Similar to ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie:’
Ryan Gosling will star for directing team Daniels’ latest.
The untitled sci-fi comedy will follow their Oscar-winning ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.
Universal is backing the film.
UPDATE! Not so fast, we’re afraid. Variety reports that while Gosling was certainly in the midst of deal talks for the movie, that old problem of scheduling issues has reared its head, and he’s no longer involved. Boo!
Gosling will lead the ensemble cast for the mysterious new movie from the unique directors and producer Jonathan Wang, with Universal locking the filmmakers into a deal even before ‘Everything Everywhere’ secured its awards glory.
(L to R) Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert on the set of A24’s ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of A24.
As with their previous film, Kwan and Scheinert are keeping their cards close to their chest. But the former did tell Collider that it’ll be: “fun sci-fi, action comedy with a big heart. Very existential. All those things that you would hope that one of our movies would be. One of the reasons why it’s taking so long is because what we’re feeling and what we’re hearing from the world is very complex and really nuanced, and there’s so much paradox. To kind of reconcile all those things and put them into one movie, it takes time.”
So… yes… We’ll have to wait and see what their inventive brains have spawned this time.
When will the Daniels’ new movie be in theaters?
Fortunately, we won’t have to wait forever: Universal has scheduled the movie for release on November 19, 2027.
‘Project Hail Mary’ is a big hit at the box office already.
Ryan Gosling stars in the movie.
Elsewhere, Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ stayed strong but ‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’ only found modest results.
‘Project Hail Mary’ chronicles a man in spaceship on a mission to save humanity from a star-snacking organism. And the movie itself, which stars Ryan Gosling, has just saved Amazon MGM’s box office hopes.
The new film, adapted from the novel by ‘The Martian’s Andy Weir by writer Drew Goddard and directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, enjoyed a massive domestic opening of $80.5 million, the biggest by far for the studio.
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Even with a hefty $200 million budget to make up (not including a big ad campaign), the movie’s worldwide start of 140.9 million –– the biggest in Amazon MGM’s history and the strongest launch for a movie so far this year –– will go some way to helping that.
Pixar’s ‘Hoppers,’ which has proved to be a welcome success for the animation company, slid to second place after a couple of weeks. It added $18 million for $120.4 million domestically.
Third place went to the Indian action epic ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge,’ which earned $9.5 million from just 987 locations.
Searchlight’s ‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’ had to make do with $9 million domestically and $11.9 million globally, but has a relatively smaller budget of around $20 million.
Finally, in fifth place we find romantic drama ‘Reminders of Him’, which made $8 million.
What’s on the horizon?
(L to R) Luigi, Yoshi, Mario and Toad in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
‘Project Hail Mary’ should have a clear run to keep earning next week, though Universal’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ is looming, and if it follows the pattern of the original, will likely launch in first place when it arrives on April 1.
Maika Monroe as Kenna Rowan in ‘Reminders of Him,’ directed by Vanessa Caswill. Photo: Universal Studios.
Move over Nicholas Sparks; Colleen Hoover is the romance novelist of choice at the moment for movies –– two of her tomes, ‘It Ends with Us’ and ‘Regretting You’ have already been brought to screens, and following this latest one, ‘Verity’ will be headed our way later in the year.
‘Reminders of Him’ doesn’t have the fireworks or (yet, at least) the behind-the-scenes legal drama of ‘It Ends with Us’, but what it does offer is a straightforward, emotional story of grief, regret and reconciliation that never quite comes alive the way it might.
Script and Direction
Director Vanessa Caswill on the set of Reminders of Him.’ Photo: Universal Studios.
Hoover here co-writes an adaptation of one of her books for the first time, working alongside fellow producer Lauren Levine, and readers of the source material can expect a largely faithful adaptation, albeit with some hefty chunks taken out of Kenna’s (Monroe) prison time and changes to the accident that is central to the story that paint her in a far better light.
Director Vanessa Caswill, meanwhile, aided by some beautiful Canadian scenery (standing in for Laramie, Wyoming), sets everything up decently, and draws some good performances out of the cast, but never challenges the great romantic dramas in the quality stakes.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Ledger Ward (Tyriq Withers) and Grace Landry (Lauren Graham) in ‘Reminders of Him,’ directed by Vanessa Caswill. Photo: Universal Studios.
Maika Monroe is the heart of the film for sure, her soulful performance providing much of the reason to watch. Tyriq Withers, meanwhile, comes across as a budget Channing Tatum with less of his natural charisma.
The supporting cast are mostly relegated to a handful of scenes, though Bradley Whitford and Lauren Graham put in stalwart work as the bitter parents of Kenna’s late boyfriend (Pankow), who are raising his young daughter.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) Patrick Landry (Bradley Whitford) and Ledger Ward (Tyriq Withers) in ‘Reminders of Him,’ directed by Vanessa Caswill. Photo: Universal Studios.
It’ll likely get the date night crowd in, but ‘Reminders of Him’ is a very straightforward romantic drama that ambles when it should be providing a satisfying, driven story.
‘Reminders of Him’ receives 65 out of 100.
(L to R) Diem Landry (Zoe Kosovic) and Ledger Ward (Tyriq Withers) in ‘Reminders of Him,’ directed by Vanessa Caswill. Photo: Universal Studios.
What’s the story of ‘Reminders of Him’?
When Diem’s custodial grandparents adamantly refuse Kenna’s attempts to see her daughter, Kenna discovers unexpected compassion, and then something truer and deeper, with former NFL player and local bar owner Ledger.
As their secret romance develops, so do the dangers for both of them, leading Kenna toward heartbreak and, ultimately, the hope for a second chance.
(Left) Donald Glover attends the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images. (Right) Yoshi in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
Preview:
Donald Glover is voicing Yoshi in ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.’
Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy and Charlie Day all return to their roles.
The new movie lands on April 1.
Having seen big box office success with 2023’s ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie,’ studio Universal and animation powerhouse Illumination have naturally come up with a sequel, this one drawing from the ‘Super Mario Galaxy’ game.
And at a recent Nintendo event, Illumination boss Chris Meledandri announced that ‘Atlanta’ star Donald Glover would be voicing dino favorite sidekick Yoshi in the movie.
What’s the story of ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’?
(L to R) Luigi, Yoshi, Mario and Toad in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
After defeating Bowser (Jack Black) in the original movie, Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day) and Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) are back for another adventure and must face off against the evil Koopa King and his son, Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie).
They’re also transported to outer space and explore various planets, like a fiery volcano world, an underwater planet and a techno-land with neon, gravity-defying obstacles. In the new trailer, the Mushroom Kingdom heroes team up with Rosalina (Brie Larson) and Yoshi (Glover), the egg-laying dinosaur (who’s normally silent except for the occasional “Yoshi!”).
When will ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ be on screens?
‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ lands in theaters on April 1.
L to R: Yoshi, Baby Luigi, Toad and Baby Mario in Nintendo and Illumination’s THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
Other Movies Similar to ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie:’
Chris Pine is looking to make a deal to appear in ‘The Catch.’
He’d star opposite Emma Stone.
Universal is producing the new romantic comedy.
Now that Emma Stone has some free time beyond working with director Yorgos Lanthimos on their wild and weird movies, she’s locked down what seems likely to be her next project, a new romantic comedy called ‘The Catch.’
With Universal nabbing the rights to the eventual movie, the rom-com has ‘Brigsby Bear’ director Dave McCary aboard to call the shots, which makes us think this won’t be a straight forward tale of love and relationships.
While many movies with that title tend to chronicle the lives of fishermen, we don’t actually know whether this one will feature scenes set on a trawler (seems unlikely!)
All we really know beyond the rom-com genre is that Patrick Kang and Michael Levin wrote the script and that prolific producer Shawn Levy is among those shepherding it to screens.
Stone’s interest in making this her next movie means it should get moving quickly.
Where else can we see Chris Pine?
Chris Pine plays Edgin in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures and eOne.
Pine is coming off strong reviews for ‘Carousel’, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival back in January, and has a few other movies on the way, including action pic ‘Run the Night’, crime thriller ‘Nowhere Fast’ and sci-fi comedy ‘Alpha Gang’.
(Left) Laurence Fishburne in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate. (Right) Chiwetel Ejiofor as Roger in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Preview:
Laurence Fishburne and Chiwetel Ejiofor are part of the next ‘Exorcist’ movie.
Mike Flanagan is writing and directing the film.
Scarlett Johansson and Diane Lane are already in the cast.
As he prepares to make his take on a movie that exists within the world of ‘The Exorcist,’ writer/director Mike Flanagan is recruiting two additional cast members –– one new to him, and one he’s worked with before.
The new movie won’t be a continuation of David Gordon Green’s ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ as plans for a trilogy flamed out following the disappointing box office returns for that.
Instead, Flanagan has written his own script, and has the backing of Universal and Blumhouse.
Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.
Flanagan is keeping his plans quiet for now –– no details have emerged, beyond the basic idea of demonic possession –– and we don’t know how the actors will factor in. We do know, however, that cameras will be rolling in New York this year.
When will the new ‘Exorcist’ movie be on screens?
Universal has scheduled the new movie for release on Friday, March 12, 2027.
(L to R) Cody Flanagan and director Mike Flanagan on the set of ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.
(L to R) Vin Diesel, Director Louis Leterrier and Rita Moreno on the set of ‘Fast X.’
Preview:
Vin Diesel has announced the next ‘Fast & Furious’ movie.
‘Fast Forever’ will be with us in 2028.
Louis Leterrier will direct the movie.
Like a backfiring jalopy with engine trouble, there have been several frustrating false starts for the next –– and most likely final –– ‘Fast & Furious’ movie.
Despite multiple announcements (including more than one from star, producer and ‘Fast’ cheerleader Vin Diesel) about different dates, budget wrangling and schedule issues have given the potential franchise wrap-up flat tires along the way.
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Now, though, it appears that everyone is on the same page (or maybe dirt track?) as both Diesel and studio backers Universal have announced that the new movie, now called ‘Fast Forever’ will be with us in 2028.
Jason Momoa as Dante in ‘Fast X’, directed by Louis Leterrier.
The typically stunt-heavy final minutes of 2023’s ‘Fast X’ show Diesel’s Dom Toretto driving down the side of a dam and into the water below, as he and his son, Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), race to escape a trap set by the villainous Dante (Jason Momoa), who arms a series of bombs. Then the movie cuts to black.
Two credit scenes follow, teasing the returns of Dwayne Johnson’s Hobbs and Gal Gadot‘s Gisele.
Universal has confirmed that the movie will be screeching into cinemas on March 17, 2028.
(Clockwise, from left) Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Han (Sung Kang), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), Dom (Vin Diesel), Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), Abuelita (Rita Moreno), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Tej (Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, back to camera) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson, back to camera) in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
