Goodbye, super summer blockbusters. The fall movies are coming. Festival buzz is heating up and while some early Oscar contenders (Frankenstein, The Bride, The History of Sound and Julia Robert's instantly controversial After the Hunt) have already fizzled out, a new crop of top-tier films has emerged. These are the ones to circle in your calendar and get your popcorn and excitment ready for.
TOP 3 LOCKS
Hamnet
In a nutshell: Adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed novel, this drama centers on Agnes (Jessie Buckley) grieving a family tragedy that inspires her husband William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) to write Hamlet. Directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao.
Why it's a lock: It's Zhao’s first drama since Nomadland, and it slayed at Telluride. Focus Features might finally have its Best Picture winner.
In theaters: Limited release November 27, 2025, national expansion December 12, 2025.
Sentimental Value
In a nutshell: An actress reunites with her estranged, acclaimed director father, who wants her to star in his autobiographical film.
Why it's a lock: Reuniting The Worst Person in the World dream team of Trier and Reinsve. Oh, and it was the Cannes runner-up for the Palme d’Or. Sentimental? Early word has it as sensational.
In theaters: Limited release November 7, 2025.
Sinners
In a nutshell: A complex, ambitious film that blends vampires, blues music and historical themes. Michael B. Jordan excels in a dual role.
Why it's a lock: Don’t let the vampires fool you, this one has real teeth. One of the only Oscar-quality films to already hit theaters and people are still talking about it.
In theaters: Now streaming online.
TOP 3 CONTENDERS
House of Dynamite
In a nutshell: A U.S. missile is accidentally launched at Chicago, and a high-stakes team led by Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson races to prevent catastrophe.
Why it's a lock: It's directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt Locker), in another James Cameron Avatar year, and it recently blew up the Venice Film Festial.
In theaters: Limited September release and on Netflix October 10, 2025.
Marty Supreme
In a nutshell: Timothée Chalamet is a young ping pong player in the 1950s on a quest for greatness. The ensemble cast including Gwyneth Paltrow, Fran Drescher and Tyler, The Creator.
Why it's a lock: Directed by Josh Safdie (Uncut Gems) and backed by A24, this late-year entry is the weird, wild awards contender that will likely sneak in at the end.
In theaters: Christmas Day.
Jay Kelly
In a nutshell: George Clooney plays a fading actor on a reflective European road trip with his longtime manager, grappling with fame, failure, and legacy.
Why it's a lock: Directed by Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story), with Adam Sandler poised for another serious-actor moment. Netflix is pushing this hard despite some so-so reviews — expect it to go the distance.
In theaters: November 14, 2025.
THE 3 POPULAR, COLON ONES
In a nutshell: A U.S. missile is accidentally launched at Chicago, and a high-stakes team led by Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson races to prevent catastrophe.
Why it's a lock: It's directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt Locker), in another James Cameron Avatar year, and it recently blew up the Venice Film Festial.
In theaters: Limited September release and on Netflix October 10, 2025.
Marty Supreme
In a nutshell: Timothée Chalamet is a young ping pong player in the 1950s on a quest for greatness. The ensemble cast including Gwyneth Paltrow, Fran Drescher and Tyler, The Creator.
Why it's a lock: Directed by Josh Safdie (Uncut Gems) and backed by A24, this late-year entry is the weird, wild awards contender that will likely sneak in at the end.
In theaters: Christmas Day.
Jay Kelly
In a nutshell: George Clooney plays a fading actor on a reflective European road trip with his longtime manager, grappling with fame, failure, and legacy.
Why it's a lock: Directed by Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story), with Adam Sandler poised for another serious-actor moment. Netflix is pushing this hard despite some so-so reviews — expect it to go the distance.
In theaters: November 14, 2025.
THE 3 POPULAR, COLON ONES
Avatar: Fire & Ash: The upcoming third film in the James Cameron Avatar series (each prior film was nominated for Best Picture) will release on December 19, 2025.
Wicked: For Good: The follow-up and conclusion to last year's Best Picture nominee releases November 21, 2025.
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere: The film about Springsteen's personal work on the Nebraska album, and not his life story, had a boss world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, securing likely nominations for both Jeremy actors (Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong) and a shot at Best Picture. Releases October 24, 2025.
THE WILD CARDS
It Was Just An Accident: Directed by Jafar Panahi, this co-production between Iran, France, and Luxembourg explores political repression in Iran. It has garnered global acclaim and was awarded the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Releases October 15, 2025.
No Other Choice: A 2025 South Korean dark comedy thriller film co-written, produced and directed by Park Chan-wook, in theaters now.
Begonia: The next satirical absurdist science fiction dark comedy film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things, The Favorite) with Jesse Plemmons and Emma Stone, opens appropriately on October 31, 2026.
One Battle After Another: Paul Thomas Anderson directs Leonardo DiCaprio as a former revolutionary hunting for his missing daughter. Ehh. Releases September 25, 2025.
Train Dreams: Netflix's contender with actor Joel Edgerton as a logger and railroad worker in the rapidly changing American West in theaters November 7, 2025, followed by a global Netflix release on November 21, 2025.
Testament of Ann Lee: Early indications from the Venice Film Festival suggest a divisive film like The Brutalist. It stars Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shakers religious sect in the 18th century. Release date is still TBD.
Is This Thing On? Bradley Coopers' film about British comedian John Bishop is the closing film of the New York Film Festival on October 10, 2025, and it releases on December 19, 2025.
Rental Family: A comedy-drama, starring Brendan Fraser, is set in Tokyo and follows an American actor who finds purpose working for a Japanese "rental family" agency. In theaters starting November 21, 2025.
Weapons: One of two summer horror breakouts. Stylish, chilling and smarter than your average scream fest. It's in theaters now.
No comments:
Post a Comment