2026’s Must-See Movies

The 2026 film slate is indeed shaping up to be a diverse year for cinema, featuring everything from space epics and superhero blockbusters to true-life dramas and major animated sequels. Get ready for a visually stellar spectacle!

Below are WAMG’s list of the 2026 films we’re looking forward to.

SCREAM 7 – FEBRUARY 27

When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter (Isabel May) becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all. Directed by Kevin Williamson and starringNeve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mckenna Grace, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Asa Germann, Celeste O’Connor, Sam Rechner, Ethan Embry, Tim Simons and Mark Consuelos.

EPIC: Elvis Presley in Concert – ONE WEEK IMAX EXCLUSIVE STARTING FEBRUARY 20 and IN CINEMAS WORLDWIDE FEBRUARY 27

Elvis sings and tells his story like never before in a new cinematic experience from visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann. The director says: “EPiC Elvis takes the audience through the journey of his life, through both classic and contemporary musical prisms, weaving unseen footage with iconic performances that have never been presented in this way. EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert is a leap of the musical imagination and a tribute to one of the greatest performers of all time.”

THE BRIDE – MARCH 6

From Maggie Gyllenhaal (Academy Award-nominated writer/director of The Lost Daughter) and starring Academy Award nominee Jessie Buckley and Academy Award winner Christian Bale comes THE BRIDE! A bold, iconoclastic take on one of the world’s most compelling stories.

A lonely Frankenstein (Bale) travels to 1930s Chicago to ask groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious (five-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening) to create a companion for him. The two revive a murdered young woman and The Bride (Buckley) is born. What ensues is beyond what either of them imagined: Murder! Possession! A wild and radical cultural movement! And outlaw lovers in a wild and combustible romance!

The film stars Buckley, Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, with Bening, Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal, and Oscar winner Penélope Cruz. Maggie Gyllenhaal directs from her own screenplay and produces alongside Oscar nominee Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Talia Kleinhendler and Osnat Handelsman Keren. The executive producers are Carla Raij, David Webb and Courtney Kivowitz. 

Gyllenhaal is supported behind the camera by a team of award-winning film artisans, including director of photography Lawrence Sher, production designer Karen Murphy, editor Dylan Tichenor, music supervisor Randall Poster, composer Hildur Gudnadóttir and costume designer Sandy Powell. 

PROJECT HAIL MARY – MARCH 20

Science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction… but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone. Stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub

Based on Andy Weir’s New York Times best-selling novel, starring Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling with Academy Award nominee Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub. Directed by Academy Award® winning filmmakers Phil Lord & Christopher Miller.

BILLIE EILISH – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR (LIVE IN 3D) – MARCH 20

Captured during her sold-out world tour, BILLIE EILISH – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR (LIVE IN 3D) brings an innovative new concert experience to the big screen from one of the most celebrated and successful artists of her generation. Presented in immersive 3D, the film is directed by Academy Award® winners James Cameron and Billie Eilish.

PEAKY BLINDERS – THE IMMORTAL MAN – MARCH 20

Birmingham, 1940. Amidst the chaos of WWII, Tommy Shelby is driven back from a self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet. With the future of the family and the country at stake, Tommy must face his own demons, and choose whether to confront his legacy, or burn it to the ground. By order of the Peaky Blinders…

Academy Award® winner Cillian Murphy returns as the iconic Tommy Shelby in this epic feature film directed by Tom Harper and written by Steven Knight.

The cast also includes Rebecca Ferguson (Dune, A House of Dynamite), Academy Award® nominee Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, The Hateful Eight), Sophie Rundle (After the Flood, Gentleman Jack) with Academy Award® nominee Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin) and Primetime Emmy Award® winner Stephen Graham (Adolescence, Boiling Point).

READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME – MARCH 27

The film will have its world premiere at SXSW 2026.

Moments after surviving an all-out attack from the Le Domas family, Grace (Samara Weaving) discovers she’s reached the next level of the nightmarish game — and this time with her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) at her side. Grace has one chance to survive, keep her sister alive, and claim the High Seat of the Council that controls the world. Four rival families are hunting her for the throne, and whoever wins rules it all.

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett, the film also stars Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell, David Cronenberg, Elijah Wood, Kevin Durand, Olivia Cheng, Varun Saranga, Daniel Beirne.

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE –  APRIL 3

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros., and follows The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was released in 2023 and earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide. Both the 2023 film and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are produced by Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo.

The film will be co-financed by Universal Pictures and Nintendo and will be released worldwide by Universal Pictures.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is directed by returning filmmakers Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, from a screenplay by returning screenwriter Matthew Fogel, with Brian Tyler returning to compose the score.

THE MUMMY – APRIL 17

Hot off the record-setting resurrection of EVIL DEAD RISE, writer/director Lee Cronin turns to one of the most iconic horror stories of all time with an audacious and twisted retelling: LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY. 

The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace—eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare. The film stars Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, May Calamawy, Natalie Grace, with Veronica Falcón. The film is written and directed by Cronin, and produced by James Wan, Jason Blum and John Keville. The executive producers are Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Macdara Kelleher and Lee Cronin. 

Cronin is supported behind the camera by a team of sterling film artisans, including director of photography Dave Garbett, production designer Nick Bassett, editor Bryan Shaw, costume designer Joanna Eatwell, music by Stephen McKeon and casting by Terri Taylor and Sarah Domeier Lindo.

MICHAEL – APRIL 24

Michael is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known.

The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.

Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.

Michael stars Jaafar Jackson in his feature film debut, Nia Long (Empire, The Best Man franchise), Laura Harrier (BlacKkKlansman, Spider-Man: Homecoming) and Juliano Krue Valdi (The Loud House, Arco), with Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick, Whiplash) and two-time Academy Award® nominee Colman Domingo (Sing Sing, Rustin).

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the award-winning filmmaker of Training Day, Olympus Has Fallen and The Equalizer franchise, from a screenplay by three-time Academy Award® nominee John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator), the film is produced by Academy Award® winner Graham King (The Departed, Bohemian Rhapsody), John Branca (executive producer This Is It, Thriller 40) and John McClain (executive producer This Is It, Michael Jackson Live at Wembley July 16, 1988).

DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 – MAY 1

Gird your loins. 20th Century Studios has unveiled its first glimpse of “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” 

Almost twenty years after making their iconic turns as Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine in the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon that defined a generation. 

The film reunites the original main cast with director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna, and introduces an all-new runway of characters including Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, Pauline Chalamet, B.J. Novak and Conrad Ricamora. Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman also reprise their roles as “Lily” and “Irv” from the first film. 

MORTAL KOMBAT II – MAY 8

From New Line Cinema comes the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory, Mortal Kombat II.  This time, the fan favorite champions—now joined by Johnny Cage himself—are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders.

Karl Urban stars as Johnny Cage, alongside Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, with Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Joe Taslim as Bi-Han, and Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion. (Trailer)

Director Simon McQuoid returns to helm the follow up to his explosive 2021 cinematic adventure, from a screenplay by Jeremy Slater, based on the videogame created by Ed Boon and John Tobias.  The film is produced by Todd Garner, James Wan, Toby Emmerich, E. Bennett Walsh and McQuoid, and executive produced by Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Slater and Lawrence Kasanoff.  

Joining McQuoid behind the camera are director of photography Stephen F. Windon, production designer Yohei Taneda, editor Stuart Levy and costume designer Cappi Ireland, with casting by Rich Delia and music by Benjamin Wallfisch.

THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU – MAY 22

The Mandalorian and Grogu embark on their most thrilling mission yet in Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” an all-new Star Wars adventure opening exclusively in theaters May 22, 2026.

The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu. Directed by Jon Favreau, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” also stars Sigourney Weaver and is produced by Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Ian Bryce,  with music composed by Ludwig Göransson.

DISCLOSURE DAY – JUNE 12

If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people. 

We are coming close to … Disclosure Day. 

Universal Pictures is proud to release a new original event film created and directed by Steven Spielberg. The film stars SAG winner and Oscar® nominee Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer, A Quiet Place), Emmy and Golden Globe winner Josh O’Connor (Challengers, The Crown), Oscar® winner Colin Firth (The King’s Speech, Kingsman franchise), Eve Hewson (Bad Sisters, The Perfect Couple) and two-time Oscar® nominee Colman Domingo (Sing Sing, Rustin).

Based on a story by Spielberg, the screenplay is by David Koepp, whose previous work with Spielberg includes the scripts for Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Combined, those films earned more than $3 billion worldwide. Koepp also wrote the script for this 2025’s Jurassic World Rebirth.

Disclosure Day is produced by five-time Academy Award® nominee Kristie Macosko Krieger (The Fabelmans, West Side Story) and by Spielberg for Amblin Entertainment. The executive producers are Adam Somner and Chris Brigham.

TOY STORY 5 – JUNE 19

in the teaser, fans are introduced to the new character Lilypad, a high-tech frog-shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee (“Past Lives,” “The Morning Show,” “TRON: Ares”) that makes Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs exponentially harder when they have to go head to head with the all-new threat to playtime.

Tom Hanks returns as the ever loyal cowboy Woody, Tim Allen reports for duty as Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack saddles up again as the rootin’ tootin’ cowgirl Jessie. It was recently announced that Conan O’Brien will also be a part of the voice cast as the toilet training tech toy,Smarty Pants.

“Toy Story 5” is directed by  is directed by Academy Award® winner Andrew Stanton (“WALL•E,” “Finding Nemo,” “Finding Dory”), co-directed by Kenna Harris (“Ciao Alberto”) and produced by Lindsey Collins (“Turning Red,” “WALL•E,” “Finding Dory”). cademy Award® winner Andrew Stanton (“WALL•E,” “Finding Nemo,” “Finding Dory”), co-directed by Kenna Harris (“Ciao Alberto”) and produced by Lindsey Collins (“Turning Red,” “WALL•E,” “Finding Dory”).

SUPERGIRL – JUNE 26

“Supergirl,” DC Studios’ newest feature film to hit the big screen, will be in theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures, starring Milly Alcock in the dual role of Supergirl/Kara Zor-El.  Craig Gillespie directs the film from a screenplay by Ana Nogueira.

When an unexpected and ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion on an epic, interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.

Alcock stars alongside Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, and Jason Momoa.

DC Studios heads Peter Safran and James Gunn are producing the film, which is based on characters from DC, Supergirl based on characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.  The film is executive produced by Nigel Gostelow, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars P. Winther.  Behind the camera, Gillespie is joined by director of photography Rob Hardy, production designer Neil Lamont, editor Tatiana S. Riegel, costume designer Anna B. Sheppard, Visual Effects Supervisor Geoffrey Baumann, and composer Ramin Djawadi. 

MINIONS 3 – JULY 1

While specific plot details are still under wraps, the film is expected to continue as a bridge between the prequel timeline and the original Despicable Me. Rumors suggest it may be set in the 1980s or 1990s, following the chronological progression of previous films. From director Pierre Coffin, who directed the first three Despicable Me films and the first Minions movie.

https://www.universalpictures.com/movies/minions-3/#:~:text=Minions%203%20%7C%20Universal%20Pictures,HomeAboutNews

THE ODYSSEY – JULY 17

Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey, is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX® film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX® film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026. 

The Odyssey stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o, with Zendaya and Charlize Theron.

The Odyssey is produced by Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan for their company, Syncopy. The executive producer is Thomas Hayslip.

MOANA – JULY 10

In Disney’s live-action adaptation of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”); produced by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Thomas Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated features “Moana” and “Moana 2.” 

SPIDERMAN: BRAND NEW DAY – JULY 31

Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker in his fourth standalone MCU film. Will we see see Scorpion?

THE DOG STARS – AUGUST 28

From 20th Century, The Dog Stars centers on a civilian pilot living on an abandoned airbase with his dog and an ex-Marine amid a devastating pandemic. A random transmission picked up by the pilot’s radio from his 1956 Cessna offers hope for a better life. Directed by Ridley Scott. Stars Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong, Margaret Qualley. Based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-ridley-scotts-the-dog-stars-pushed-1236457245

COYOTE VS ACME – AUGUST 28

One of the must-sees of 2026, audiences will finally get to see COYOTE VS ACME.

Will Forte, John Cena, Lana Condor and Tone Bell star in this live-action/animation hybrid film. The film centers on Wile E. Coyote as he takes legal action against the Acme Corporation for the countless faulty products that have hindered his relentless pursuit of the Road Runner.

After a long and controversial journey, the live-action/animation hybrid film Coyote vs. Acme is officially back on track for a theatrical release. Originally produced by Warner Bros. and famously shelved for a tax write-off in 2023, the film was “saved” by Ketchup Entertainment.

Even the film’s composer took to X to express his dismay after the film was originally canceled.

During Comic Con 2025, the first footage from Coyote vs. Acme featured a montage of Wile E. Coyote’s failed attempts to thwart the Road Runner, which was set to Johnny Cash’s version of the Nine Inch Nails hit “Hurt.” Later, Wile E. Coyote happens to see a TV commercial from attorney Kevin Avery, as played by Forte. (THR)

DIGGER – OCTOBER 2 

Stars Tom Cruise. Directed by Academy Award-winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the film marks Cruise’s first collaboration with the director 

Logline: A comedy of catastrophic proportions.

THE SOCIAL RECKONING – OCTOBER 9

Via Variety:

Described as a “companion piece” to “The Social Network,” the new film focuses on events that take place nearly two decades after the boy-genius programmer and a troupe of tech pioneers invented what would go on to become the world’s largest social media platform. “The Social Reckoning” tells the true story of how Frances Haugen (Madison), a young Facebook engineer, enlists the help of Jeff Horwitz (White), a Wall Street Journal reporter, to go on a dangerous journey that ends up blowing the whistle on the social network’s most guarded secrets.

Horwitz’s reporting, a series of articles known as “The Facebook Files,” was published in 2021 and exposed Facebook for its harmful effects on teens and its knowing proliferation of misinformation, which contributed to acts of political violence.

Aaron Sorkin’s film stars Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, Bill Burr and Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg.

STREET FIGHTER – OCTOBER 16

Set in 1993, estranged Street Fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament: a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury. But behind this battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past. And if they don’t, it’s GAME OVER!

Helmed by director Kitao Sakurai, Street Fighter is set to bring the battle from the arcade to the big screen with Hadoukens, roundhouses, and all your favorite characters. Stars Noah Centineo as “Ken Masters”, Andrew Koji as “Ryu”, Callina Liang as “Chun-Li”, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoai as “Akuma”, David Dastmalchian as “M. Bison”, Cody Rhodes as “Guile”, Andrew Schulz as “Dan Hibiki”, Vidyut Jammwal as “Dhalsim”, Eric André as “Don Sauvage” with Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson as “Balrog” and Jason Momoa as “Blanka”

ARCHANGEL – NOVEMBER 6

Via Deadline:

Sony Pictures is opening Mandalay Pictures’ new action movie Archangel starring Jim CaviezelOlivia ThirlbyGarret Dillahunt and Shea Whigham on Nov. 6, 2026. This is the first we’re hearing about the project, particularly with Sony’s attachment. Plot details are under wraps.

Will Eubank directs (Land of BadUnderwater) from a script by Chris Papasadero and Oscar nominee Randall Wallace (Braveheart, We Were Soldiers). Pic is produced by David Zelon and William Sherak. Peter Guber is executive producing. Eubank recently directed Land Of Bad starring Liam Hemsworth and Russell Crowe and Underwater starring Kristen Stewart.

https://twitter.com/Archangel_Movie

GODZILLA MINUS ZERO – NOVEMBER 6

TOHO and GKIDS have officially locked in theatrical dates for Godzilla Minus Zero. The new film will open in Japan on November 3, 2026, with a wide North American release following just days later on November 6, marking a rare near-simultaneous rollout for a Japan-produced Godzilla feature.

The November 3 release date carries clear historical weight. It is the same day the original Godzilla debuted in Japanese theaters in 1954, a date now celebrated annually as Godzilla Day. The choice also echoes Godzilla Minus One, which opened on November 3, 2023 in Japan, and went on to become the highest-grossing Japan-produced Godzilla film worldwide, earning more than $116 million and winning the Academy Award® for Best Visual Effects.

Godzilla Minus Zero once again brings back Oscar®-winning filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki, who returns as director, screenwriter, and VFX supervisor. Plot details remain tightly guarded, but production is currently underway at Toho Studios, with ROBOT producing and visual effects handled by SHIROGUMI Inc. The project was first announced in November 2024, with its title revealed a year later during Godzilla Fest 2025. 

THE GREAT BEYOND – NOVEMBER 13

J.J. Abrams’ upcoming sci-fi film, officially titled The Great Beyond, starring Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega, is confirmed for a November 13, 2026, release in IMAX theaters. The secretive Warner Bros. project also features Emma Mackey, Samuel L. Jackson, Sophie Okonedo, and Merritt Wever, with Abrams writing, directing, and producing the mysterious big-screen event, his first directorial feature since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

EBENEZER: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – NOVEMBER 13

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is an upcoming horror-tinged adaptation of Dickens’ classic, directed by Ti West (known for X, Pearl) and starring Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge, set for a November 13, 2026 release by Paramount, with a cast including Ian McKellen, Tramell Tillman, Daisy Ridley, and Rupert Grint, promising a darker, psychologically intense take on redemption with atmospheric visuals.

(Deadline https://deadline.com/2025/11/ian-mckellen-severance-tramell-tillman-johnny-depp-ebenezer-1236605074/ )

THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING – NOVEMBER 20

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. Directed by Francis Lawrence Lawrence has helmed four previous films in the Hunger Games franchise – every film since Catching Fire.

It stars an ensemble cast that includes Joseph Zada, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Mckenna Grace, Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Glenn Close.

MADDEN – NOVEMBER 26

Inspired by a true story, MADDEN follows the football legend from Super Bowl glory with the Raiders to revolutionizing the game with Madden NFL. Directed by David O. Russell, the film stars Nicholas Cage and features Christian Bale, Kathryn Hahn, John Mulaney, Sienna Miller, and Shane Gillis.

JUMANJI 3 – DECEMBER 11

Jake Kasdan is back in the director’s chair. While specific plot details are being kept under wraps, the film is expected to pick up after the cliffhanger at the end of The Next Level, where Jumanji’s animals and game elements began crossing over into the real world.

(L-R) Franklin ‘Mouse’ Finbar (Kevin Hart), Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan), Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson) and Professor Shelly Oberon (Jack Black) star in Columbia Pictures’ JUMANJI 3 (Photo by Hiram Garcia)

AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY – DECEMBER 18

Directed by the Russo brothers, this Marvel Cinematic Universe event features the return of Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, the XMEN and an extensive cast of heroes facing off against Doctor Doom, Robert Downey Jr.

Avengers: Endgame, which marks Downey’s return to Marvel, and Chalamet’s Dune: Part Three both hit movie theaters Dec. 18

Robert Downey Jr. said during a Q&A he moderated for Timothée Chalamet’s movie Marty Supreme that he and Chalamet are coining the day their next movies release “Dunesday” “We both have films opening on December 18, and we decided to coin it — we’re thinking Dunesday.”

DUNE: PART 3 – DECEMBER 18

Denis Villeneuve’s final entry in the trilogy follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) 12 years after the events of the second film.

Returning cast members include Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Zendaya as Chani, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides, and Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck. Jason Momoa is also set to reprise his role as Duncan Idaho (as a ghola), and Robert Pattinson has joined the cast in an undisclosed role, rumored to be the villain Scytale.

Director Robert Eggers on the set of his film NOSFERATU, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

WERWULF – DECEMBER 25

Directed by Robert Eggers (The Witch, Nosferatu) and is described as a brutal, atmospheric historical thriller set in 13th-century England. It will star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, and Willem Dafoe.

James Garner and Rod Taylor in 36 HOURS Screening at The Wildey Theater in Edwardsville September 7th

“We are patrolling the border so then the young, strong, and handsome men can go to Russia and freeze to death.”

James Garner and Rod Taylor in 36 HOURS (1964) is one of the more obscure films to play at The Wildey’s Tuesday Night Film Series, but we’ll be there! This thriller will be on the big screen when it plays at The Wildey Theater in Edwardsville, IL (252 N Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025) at 7:00pm Tuesday September 7th. $3  Tickets available starting at 3pm day of movie at Wildey Theatre ticket office.  Cash or check only. (cash, credit cards accepted for concessions)  Lobby opens at 6pm.

Just days prior to the launch of D-Day in June 1944, the Nazis kidnap Maj. Jefferson Pike in Lisbon and transport him to Germany. They have established an elaborate ruse to convince him that it is 1950 and that the war is long over. They have built a replica of an American hospital, staffed it with English-speaking personnel and tell Pike he has been suffering from periodic loss of memory since the war’s end. What they really want to learn is where the Allies will launch their assault on Fortress Europe: the Pas de Calais or Normandy. He is initially taken in and gives away the plans for the Normandy invasion. Once he realizes what is happening, he not only has to convince them he was lying the first time around but find a way to escape.

Paul Newman in COOL HAND LUKE Screening at The Wildey Theater in Edwardsville August 31st

“What we’ve got here is… failure to communicate.”

Paul Newman in COOL HAND LUKE (1957) is one of the most beloved films of the 1960’s . The classic will be on the big screen when it plays at The Wildey Theater in Edwardsville, IL (252 N Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025) at 7:00pm Tuesday August 313st. $3  Tickets available starting at 3pm day of movie at Wildey Theatre ticket office.  Cash or check only. (cash, credit cards accepted for concessions)  Lobby opens at 6pm.

Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced to a stretch on a southern chain gang after he’s arrested for drunkenly decapitating parking meters. While the avowed ambition of the captain (Strother Martin) is for each prisoner to “get their mind right,” it soon becomes obvious that Luke is not about to kowtow to anybody. When challenged to a fistfight by fellow inmate Dragline (George Kennedy), Luke simply refuses to give up, even though he’s brutally beaten. Soon, Luke becomes a symbol of hope and resilience to the other men in the prison camp — and a symbol of rebelliousness that must be stamped out to the guards and the captain.

James Gunn And Michael Rooker Talk THE BELKO EXPERIMENT: First Mind-Boggling Trailer Debuts

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Last night, We Are Movie Geeks attended the Belko Industries Holiday Party and it did not disappoint! The event was held to unveil the new red-band trailer for THE BELKO EXPERIMENT, the upcoming “kill-or-be-killed” dark comedy/thriller from writer/producer James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy).

Directed by Greg McLean (creator of the Wolf Creek franchise), THE BELKO EXPERIMENT is a terrifying, provocative and at times hilarious thrill-ride that literally provokes the question; what does it take to survive at work?

In attendance were Gunn, director McLean (via FaceTime), executive producer Peter Safran, cast members Tony Goldwyn (via taped video intro), John C. McGinley, Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, Adria Arjona, James Earl, David Del Rio, Owain Yeoman, David Dastmacian, and Gail Bean.

I had a chat with star Michael Rooker (aka “Yondu” from Guardians of the Galaxy). “Jimmy (Gunn) always calls me when he needs an a-hole…but in this film, maintenance workers Bud (Rooker) and Lonny (David Dastmalchian) have a very sweet relationship, trying to keep each other safe.”

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As seen in the trailer, office workers at an American company in Bogota, Colombia are physically and psychologically threatened by an ominous voice over a loud speaker, telling them they must kill one another or risk being killed themselves (this same voice impressively came on last night as the lights abruptly went out and the trailer was shown on a big screen to the enthusiastic crowd in attendance).

Said Rooker, “I read the script and was just blown away at how good it was.” The film shot on location in Bogota for 6 weeks, with Rooker there for 2 weeks shooting his scenes. “It’s a wild place, and we had a great time filming.”

And when I got a moment to talk to writer Gunn, he was happy that I had the chance to see the film and was very interested in what we thought, saying “I am also a movie geek!” and is a regular reader of our site.

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I’m really rooting for the success of this film because it really is a brilliant thriller. At the screening I attended, almost a year ago, my back never touched the back of the seat, as I was on the edge of a full blown anxiety attack throughout most of the movie!

THE BELKO EXPERIMENT opens in theaters March 17, 2017.

https://www.facebook.com/TheBelkoExperiment

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Jerry Says ‘Adventureland’ is Well Worth the Price of Admission

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OK, sorry for that terrible title of this post but the film’s title and setting open it up to some really bad puns. I will try not to make any more as we take a ride to Adventureland in this review. Sorry.

On Tuesday I posted this recap of the tweetup Miramax held for bloggers in NYC to see Adventureland and meet Greg Mottola and Margarita Levieva. Apparently Miramax seemed to like what I wrote, calling it funny, poignant and well written. Actually those are just terms I thought up when thinking about Adventureland. Miramax just thanked me for the recap and told me that I was wrong about the embargo. There actually isn’t one. I probably should have realized that when Scott wasn’t asked to take down his review from SXSW. So without further ado, here is my review†¦

I have been looking forward to seeing Adventureland since I first heard about it when reading press for Superbad. Most people who know me know that Superbad is one of my all time favorite films. It is a perfect character study that nails the elements of true friendship and brilliantly blends elements of fictional teen fantasy with a realistic high school experience. I was lucky enough to have the chance to tell Greg Mottola how greatly influenced I was by Superbad. I stayed up all night on August 17th 2007 thinking about the film and some of my own film ideas. Actually, that was the night Stuck Like Chuck was born, albeit with the much crappier title Andy and Julie Spend the Night Together. As you can imagine, there is a special place in my heart for Superbad. If you think that will make my review a little biased, you are sorely mistaken. Adventureland is not Superbad Does the 80’s.

In fact, when the film first started, I was a little taken aback. There were some jokes but the humor was not rapid fire. They were talking about sex but it was not overly vulgar. Brennan is a virgin but it’s by choice. I started to realize that this was not even the same style as Superbad. I threw away all my expectations and started to appreciate the film for what it is; a mature superbly written coming of age story with brilliant but flawed characters and a nice amount of subtle humor strewn throughout.

Adventureland was written and directed by Greg Mottola and is based on his own personal experience spending a summer working at a local amusement park. In the film, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) takes a summer job working at Adventureland when he finds out his dad has been demoted and he can no longer afford to go to Europe with his friends for the summer. He may not even be able to afford to go to Columbia for grad school in the fall. While “doing the work of pathetic lazy morons,† he falls for Em (Kristen Stewart), becomes friends with Joel (Martin Starr), scores a date with Lisa P. (Margarita Levieva) and takes some advice from Conell (Ryan Reynolds).

By the end of the screening, I realized that I had not taken a single note. In fact, the notepad that was in my hand at the start of the film was resting on the seat next to me once the lights came up. I’m not sure if I put it down due to laziness or because I was drawn into the film, but I will say the latter because it makes the film and myself look better.

The writing is sharp and perfectly captures what it’s like to be stuck at a summer job. I should know, I’ve been stuck at mine for 5 years. Although my “summer job† became a year round part time position at a library, the idea of terrible patrons and things constantly breaking down definitely resonates with me. Unfortunately, my bosses are not at all like Bobby and Paulette, who are played perfectly by Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig. I wish Bill Hader was my boss. He provides some of the funniest moments in the film and Kristen’s soft-spoken Paulette makes for some hilarious low-key moments. There is one moment of utter brilliance when they are making some of the prizes for the games and Paulette’s solution for a lack of resources is priceless. Another great source of laughs is the pipe-smoking Russian-literature reading Joel. Martin Starr spouts some very funny lines and some choice nuggets of wisdom. He is also great at making fun of himself for some good laughs. Joel has a lot on his mind that he usually tells Brennan but he seems to also have some hidden feelings. And despite not liking his job, there is definitely a sense that he feels comfortable working there.

One actor that really surprised me was Ryan Reynolds. I’ve always been a big fan of him, going all the way back to Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place. He is usually the comic relief but he is also a very good dramatic actor. I thought he was great in Finder’s Fee and Smokin’ Aces, which both had him in more dramatic roles then what he usually plays. In this, his role is very different but he somehow gets you to relate and even feel sorry for Conner despite the fact he is cheating on his wife. For most, on paper the role of Conner could have gone two ways. First, he could have been the fun loving party animal who sleeps around with girls at the park for sport and doesn’t care about anyone except himself. Or he could have been a sleazy a-hole who doesn’t care about anyone except himself and sleeps around with girls at the park for sport. Instead, Mottola crafted a real person and Reynolds brings a great depth and humanity to him. He is funny at times but he also has a lot of personal problems and mixed emotions. It is almost as if he is Van Wilder a few years after college, stuck in a loveless marriage and drained of his sarcastic wit and party vibe. I am actually interested enough in this character that I would be more than willing to watch a spin-off film in which he was the lead.

On the other end of the character spectrum, a slightly more stereotypical offering is Lisa P. who is the embodiment of male adolescent fantasy in the 80’s. In fact, upon her arrival into Adventureland (both the park and the film) the character Munch comes running in before her proclaiming, “Lisa P is back!† to all the male employees. Margarita Levieva plays Lisa P with a certain daftness that fits the flirty stereotype but she also has a sincerity that makes her different and much more likeable than the usual bitchy stock character. At one point during her date with Brennan, Lisa P tells him that he is not like most guys she dates. We get the feeling she may actually like him but we know they are not right for each other. She shouldn’t worry though because she has the look, clothes and dance moves to land anyone else in the park.

The fact that I spent several paragraphs talking about the supporting characters first shows how strong the writing and acting is. It also shows that I don’t know how to properly structure a review. Our protagonist, Brennan, is an intelligent, caring, occasionally awkward college graduate who believes strongly in love and chooses to be a virgin despite several opportunities. I definitely see myself in Brennan and found myself rooting for the hopeless romantic the whole time. And who is the girl that he woos with his bag of pot and awkward attempts at conversation? The lovely Kristen Stewart who does a great job in the role of Em. She is not really sure what she wants but she is a genuinely good person. Just like the supporting characters I mentioned, neither Em nor Brennan are cookie cutter stereotypes but instead are real people that you actually care about.

In addition to the fantastic script and stellar acting, Greg Mottola’s direction is top notch and the cinematography is beautiful. There are some truly amazing shots in the film and some wonderful use of lighting. The location of the Kennywood amusement park was perfect and reminded me of an old run down park I once went to as a kid. The rides look pleasantly unsafe and the games are impossible to win. There is also the constant blasting of “Rock Me Amadeus† through the speakers so that guests can further enjoy their visit at Adventureland. Actually, the music in the film is fantastic. It has an awesomely 80’s soundtrack featuring Lou Reed, David Bowie, INXS, and The Cure to name a few.

I would never want to ruin the end of a movie but I would like to make a comment about this film’s ending. I will keep this spoiler free but you may still want to skip the rest of this paragraph and come back after you have seen the film. It’s OK, you won’t hurt my feelings. Last chance. Ok good. So without giving away too much, I want to say that I was at first a little disappointed with the ending. It wasn’t exactly two characters kissing in the rain and saying they love each other, but at first it did feel like a slightly less generic studio ending. It fit the film and wasn’t too typical but I thought it would end in a more unique manner. Then while thinking about the film, it hit me how great the ending actually is. You see, there is a thing called subtext that Hollywood often does not allow in their films. It basically means that a scene can have layers and different meanings can arise from the multiple levels. When thinking of the characters and what we actually see at the end, I realized there was a certain ambiguity to the conclusion that I really loved. Perhaps I am reading too much into it.

And that’s why I can’t believe she died. Sorry, had to mess with you. There isn’t even a little death at the end of the film. (wink, wink). Everyone needs to know this about the end though, stay during the credits. Towards the end of them there is a very funny commercial for Adventureland that plays.

There is much more that can be said about this film but I’m just going to leave off with this†¦

Adventureland is a perfect 80’s love song for the underpaid and overqualified. It is funny, heartfelt and perfectly awkward. John Hughes, eat your heart out.

‘Adventureland’ [R] opens April 3rd in theaters everywhere.

5 out of 5 Corn Dogs

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

‘Stuck Like Chuck’ Official Trailer Finally Re-Released!

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In the tradition of Star Wars, I destroyed all copies of my original trailer and rereleased it with only a minor change that didn’t bother most people to begin with. Â  Since CGI is not in my budget, I did the next best thing. I added much better music from some of the awesome bands in my film and uploaded a higher quality video. Whether you already watched the first version or you’ve yet to be Chuck’d, check out the official Stuck Like Chuck trailer below.

It is an honor for me to get to personally premiere the rerelease of my trailer on this site. I have had so much fun writing and making videos for you guys these last 6 months and I look forward to being a part of this site for a long time. Please let me know what you think of the trailer and please pass it along to your friends and family. And while I am again pulling a Kevin Smith and acting like a total press whore, here are some Stuck Like Chuck sites you should check out.

http://www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

http://www.myspace.com/AreYouStuckLikeChuck

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stuck-Like-Chuck/21461312023?ref=ts

http://www.twitter.com/getstuck

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1326869/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuck_like_chuck

Add us as a friend, sign up as a fan, follow my every move, comment our videos and share them with friends. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

Stuck Like Chuck Official Trailer Finally Released!

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A year ago I decided that I wanted to be different in my advertising of Stuck Like Chuck, particularly in the videos I released. So rather than release an actual trailer, I released a series of promo videos that often used behind the scenes footage, alternate takes, bloopers or footage shot just for the video. While people seemed to like the videos, I also got numerous complaints from people who wanted to see a trailer, one with actual footage from the film in it. Well to all 12 of you who are actually interested, here is the first “official† trailer for Stuck Like Chuck.

It is really an honor to get to personally premiere my trailer on WAMG and I am so glad to finally get it out there. I am very proud of this film and I can’t wait to start screening it soon. Please let me know what you think of the trailer and please pass it along to your friends and family. And while I am pulling a Kevin Smith and acting like a total press whore, here are some Stuck Like Chuck sites you should check out.

http://www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

http://www.myspace.com/AreYouStuckLikeChuck

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stuck-Like-Chuck/21461312023?ref=ts

http://www.twitter.com/getstuck

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1326869/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuck_like_chuck

This is a very small independent film with no real stars (except for an appearance by Lloyd Kaufman and a small celebrity cameo), a non-existent budget and not a lot of resources. Add us as a friend, sign up as a fan, follow my every move, comment our videos and share them with friends. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

25 Movies You Should Have Seen And Probably Never Have

I am a fan of James Gunn’s movies. And his hair.

He keeps an interesting blog on Myspace. His latest concerns itself with the aforementioned list of movies you should – but probably haven’t – seen. There are some great, obscure films on his list:

Continue reading 25 Movies You Should Have Seen And Probably Never Have

The Movies you NEED to see: December 2008

Punisher: War Zone – December 5th

There have been 3 ‘Punisher’ movies since 1989 and none of them have been sequels or have absolutely anything to do with the previous one. You have had Dolph Lundgren and Thomas Jane as Frank Castle and now we are getting Ray Stevenson to play the vigilante superhero.

Who really knows how good this is going to be, it seems that it hit post production hell and I am not certain what the final outcome is but I do want to see it!

The Day The Earth Stood Still – December 12th

Keanu Reeves in a Sci-Fi movie that isn’t named ‘The Matrix’ and is a remake of the 1951 classic. I don’t know know if this movie should make it on the list, but here it is…

Che – December 12th (Limited)

Sure, this movie may be so long that it has to be split into two films, but this is a labor of love from director Soderbergh and with Benicio del Toro as Che, I am eagerly awaiting to see this biopic. Again, this isn’t a new topic for filmmaker’s to tackle, but this film may prove to be the creme de la creme.

Gran Torino – December 17th (Limited)

Clint Eastwood has turned in 2 director credits this year, but he will also star in this one. “Eastwood stars as a racist Korean War veteran who catches a Hmong boy trying to steal his 1972 Gran Torino.” I wonder how this movie will be accepted? Neil Miller from FSJ said the movie was “Tastefully Racist”.

The Wrestler – December 17th (Limited)

The Movie Geeks have already seen, loved, and raved about this movie. You can read our review here, which landed an overall score of 5 stars out of 5! You cant get any better than this movie, and I hope that the Oscars reflect that!

Seven Pounds – December 19th

‘Seven Pounds’ is the best Will Smith performance you’ll see since ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ and further proves that Smith is a serious actor, despite the Academy’s refusal to acknowledge this. The story involves a secret and that secret keeps me from revealing much at all about the story. What I can say though is that it’s an emotionally charged experience that is well-worth seeing!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – December 25th

If you don’t believe Brad Pitt is a serious actor, than you haven’t seen ‘The Curious case of Benjamin Button’. I am calling this film the Best Picture and Best Director favorite, whether it wins or not. Cate Blanchett also delivers a wonderful performance in a movie that combined brilliant cinematography with a philosophical sci-fi love story that crosses an entire lifetime.

The Spirit – December 25th

Frank Miller’s first stab at directing by himself(He had Robert Rodriguez for ‘Sin City). Are we going to see a beautiful ‘Sin City’ or something more disastrous? With all of the hot Hollywood A list actresses this movie boasts, plus Samuel L Jackson, lets hope we get something amazing.

Valkyrie – December 25th

Whatever you think of Tom Cruise, ‘Valkyrie’ is bound to be the second best WWII film of 2008. I am hesitant to believe it will outshine ‘Defiance’, but it still looks to offer a fascinating look at that era and the events that unfolded. The topic of the attempted assassination of Adolph Hitler isn’t a new subject for filmmakers to tackle, but this is perhaps the largest budget film to portray the events.

Revolutionary Road – December 26th

Leo and Kate meet up again for the first time since ‘Titanic’… this film is getting a lot of critical attention but the film has been short on screenings. Winslet has been on top of the online critic’s lists for Best Actress and that alone has me excited. I always enjoy Kate Winslet, ever since I saw her in Peter Jackson’s ‘Heavenly Creatures’ and I’d love to see her win. Apparently, Leo does a good job too… but, that’s not news.

Defiance – December 31st

As far as WWII movies are concerned, this one is a must see. James Bond, I mean Daniel Craig, makes his first major film since his back-to-back 007 adventure along side a phenomenal supporting cast. The story is one that hasn’t been told, despite being part of a larger topic that’s been dealt with on film more than almost any other. The appeal of this film is that it takes a very large and epic event and breaks it down to a very local and relatively small scale piece of the bigger puzzle. It’s likely however, that this film will stun audiences and prove far bigger in scope than it’s more personal and intimate appearance.

The Cast & Crew of ‘Repo! The Genetic Opera’ Sing Its Praises!

‘Repo! The Genetic Opera’ tells the story of an epidemic of organ failures, where organ transplants are financed by GeneCo, a company that sends out murderous Repo Men to reclaim body parts from patients who miss payments.

Continue reading The Cast & Crew of ‘Repo! The Genetic Opera’ Sing Its Praises!