Now that the extra-hot summer box office of “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” is cooling down, the fall film forecast is for a more subdued pattern with gusts of award wannabes and occasional showers of sequels and crowd-pleasers.
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September in Los Gatos is full of music, art and movies
Hollywood is slowly getting back to work, but the days of peak TV aren’t coming back
Nearly every genre gets a chance to shine this upcoming season, including musicals (“Wicked,” “Emilia Pérez” and, in a weird way, “Joker: Folie à Deux”), horror films (“The Front Room,” “Bagman,” “The Substance,” “Smile 2,” “Heretic”) and animated delights (“Transformers One,” “The Wild Robot,” “Spellbound”).
You can also expect to see comic-book characters flexing their box-office muscles, including the aforementioned “Joker” and “Venom: The Last Dance,” the third in that film franchise.
Here are are the movies (five each from September, October and November) that were most excited about, plus some honorable mentions.
Release dates, of course, are subject to change.
September
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”: Tim Burton revisits one of his favorite haunts — the iconic 1988 Gothic comedy hit “Beetlejuice” — and brings much of the spirited gang from the original along with him, including Michael Keaton as the ghost who freaks out homeowners, Wynona Ryder as Beetlejuice’s human buddy and Catherine O’Hara as her mom. The sequel conjures a new generation in the form of Jenna Ortega, who plays Ryder’s character’s daughter who inadvertently yanks Beetlejuice back into the human realm. Burton has been hit or miss of late, with his visual flair intact but his storytelling often in disarray. Our spirits remain guarded, but high, for this one; the Venice Film Festival crowd seemed to eat it up. When & where: In theaters Sept. 6.
“My Old Ass”: In one of the best crowd-pleasers of 2024, a micro-mushrooming experience on an 18th birthday camping trip results in 18-year-old Elliott (Maisy Stella) meeting up with her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza). What could have been a one-joke gimmick turns into a heartfelt, funny comedy/drama that takes you to some profound spaces. When & where: In select theaters (including S.F.) Sept. 20, wider release on Sept. 27.
“The Substance”: Our culture’s incessant worship of youthful beauty and chiseled bods drives an image-conscious celebrity (Demi Moore) to try a too-good-to-be-true drug that transforms her into a pretty young thing (Margaret Qualley). The film reportedly shocked critics and audiences alike at the Cannes Film Festival, but earned a 13-minute standing ovation and won a screenwriting award. When & where: In theaters Sept. 20.
“A Different Man”: After undergoing a physical transformation, a fledgling actor (Sebastian Stan) now in possession of some smashing good looks competes for a role that is based on who he is. He encounters stiff competition from a confident actor (Adam Pearson) who looks similar to his former self. This Sundance drama earned praise for its ambition, performances and handling of complex issues. When & where: In select theaters Sept. 20.
“The Wild Robot”: Task-driven robot ROZZUM unit 7134 (voice of Lupita Nyong’o) crash lands on wooded island where she reluctantly raises an orphaned gosling and befriends a wily fox (voice of Pedro Pascal). DreamWorks Animation’s latest production — released by Universal Pictures — might well become a film franchise given popularity of the award-winning book series on which it is based. When & where: In theater Sept. 27.
September honorable mentions
“The Front Room”: The feature directorial debut of Max and Sam Eggers (brothers of “The Witch” director Robert Eggers) pits a pregnant woman (Brandy Norwood) against her evil mother-in-law. (In theaters Sept. 6.)
“His Three Daughters”: Three half-sisters (Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, Natasha Lyonne) gather in an apartment during the final stages of their father’s life. (In theaters Sept. 6, On Netflix Sept. 13).
“The Killer’s Game”: Dave Bautista plays a terminally ill hitman who puts a hit on himself, then must fend off the killer when he changes his mind. (In theaters Sept. 13).
“Close Your Eyes”: The case of an actor’s mysterious disappearance gets reopened 20 years later. (In theaters Sept. 13.)
“Speak No Evil”: Two vacationing families hit it off until the dark side of one couple emerges, in this remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name. (In theaters Sept. 13.)
“Transformers One”: Berkeley native and “Toy Story 4” director Josh Cooley jumps into the famed franchise with this animated origin story on how the relationship between former best buds Optimus Prime and Megatron went sour. (In theaters Sept. 20).
“Wolfs”: Two fixers (Brad Pitt and George Clooney) are assigned to dispose of the same corpse. (In theaters Sept. 20, on Apple TV+ Sept 27).
“Never Let Go”: Reliable scaremeister Alexandre Aja casts Oscar winner Halle Berry as a post-apocalyptic mom struggling to save her family from imminent danger. (In theaters Sept. 20.)
“Megalopolis”: Francis Ford Coppola supposedly forked over millions of his own money on this trippy, long-in-the-making sci-fi epic with Adam Driver, Grace VanderWaal and many more. (In theaters Sept. 27.)
“Lee”: Kate Winslet goes deep into the trenches as tenacious real-life American war journalist/photographer Lee Miller. (In theaters Sept. 27.)
“Killer Heat”: A PI (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) on the Greek Island of Crete investigates the death of a wealthy shipping magnate (Richard Madden). (On Amazon Prime Video Sept. 26.)
“Azrael”: The always-game Samara Weaving plays a potential human sacrifice intended to appease a dreadful entity in this shot-in-real-time horror film. (In theaters Sept. 27).
“Will & Harper”: Will Ferrell embarks on a New York-to-L.A. road trip with dear friend Harper Steele, an “SNL” writer who is trans, in this documentary. (On Netflix Sept. 27.)
“All Shall Be Well”: The death of a Hong Kong woman’s longtime partner reveals a family’s repressed prejudices in this near-perfect drama. (In theaters Sept. 27.)
“Sleep”: A thriller in which a newlywed man (Lee Sun-kyun, of “Parasite”) turns into someone different every time he nods off. (In theaters Sept. 27.)
October
“Joker: Folie À Deux”: Joaquin Phoenix came up with four aces — and an Oscar — the first time he cackled and killed as one of the world’s most enduring supervillains (aka Arthur Fleck). In this eagerly anticipated sequel, director Todd Phillips pairs him with another unhinged anti-hero: Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga). The twosome meet — probably not so cute — at Arkham State Hospital and then become all the rage in Gotham City as they dance and sing the dark nights away. When & where: In theaters Oct. 4.
“Saturday Night”: What was it like backstage and onstage during that nail-biter of a debut of “Saturday Night Live” on Oct. 11, 1975? Jason Reitman takes us through the landmark night of TV in real-time with a talented ensemble cast including Gabriel LaBelle as creator Lorne Michaels; Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner; Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd; Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase; and Jon Batiste as Billy Preston. When & where: In theaters Oct. 11.
“We Live in Time”: Director John Crowley’s decades-spanning love story chronicles the ups, downs and in-betweens of a romance between two very likable people — played by the very likable Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh. The trailer turned us into a puddle. When & where: In theaters Oct. 11.
“Anora”: It collected the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, but will Sean Baker’s comedic, one-of-a-kind feature about the whirlwind romance between a Brooklyn exotic dancer (Mikey Madison) and a Russian oligarch (Mark Eydelshteyn) and the wild family drama that ensues appeal to the mainstream? Given all the raves, the latest effort from one of America’s best and most provocative filmmakers might even cop a best picture Oscar nomination. When & where: In theaters Oct. 18.
“Nickel Boys”: There’s almost always that one under-the-radar film that surprises everyone. I’m hoping this year’s breakout will be this first dramatic feature from documentarian RaMell Ross (“Hale County This Morning, This Evening”), an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s devastating, truth-based Pulitzer-winning novel about two Black teens who attended a horrific Florida reform school. What happened behind closed doors there haunts a nation years later. When & where: In limited theatrical release Oct 25.
October honorable mentions
“Hold Your Breath”: A 1930s Oklahoma mom (Sarah Paulson) is convinced there’s a sinister presence lurking in a series of swirling dust storms. (On Hulu Oct. 3.)
“House of Spoils”: An up-and-coming chef (Ariana DeBose) gets served one heaping platter of trouble in this the horror/thriller. (On Prime Video Oct. 3.)
“The Outrun”: A recovering addict from London (Saoirse Ronan) returns to her Scottish roots. (In theaters Oct. 4.)
“Little Bites”: A mother gives a flesh-eating critter consent to slowly devour her in order to spare her daughter the same fate. (In theaters Oct. 4.)
“Smile 2”: Nerve-fraying disturbances strike a pop star (Naomi Scott) as she is about to go on tour in this sequel to 2022’s breakout horror hit. (In theaters Oct. 18.)
“White Bird”: In the follow-up to the beloved tearjerker “Wonder,” a bully learns to becomes a better person after a visit from his grandmother (Helen Mirren). (In theaters Oct. 4.)
“Piece by Piece”: If you’re bored by standard music biopics, try this film which uses LEGOs to animate the life of creative musical force Pharrell Williams. (In theaters Oct. 11.)
“Flight Risk”: Director Mel Gibson (yes, that Mel Gibson) helms this thriller starring Mark Wahlberg as a duplicitous pilot and hitman. (In theaters Oct. 18.)
“Venom: The Last Dance”: Will Tom Hardy’s third time as Eddie Brock/Venom charm the heck out of us again? We certainly think so after watching its wild trailer. (In theaters Oct. 25.)
“The Last of the Sea Women”: A hardy group of mature South Korean female divers — who plunge to the ocean floor minus oxygen tanks so they can catch their food — find their way of life being threatened by climate change and other issues. (On Apple TV+ Oct. 11.)
“Rumours”: A dark comedy about several Group of 7 members (one played by Cate Blanchett) who get lost in the woods. (In theaters Oct. 11.)
“Brothers”: Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage play twins on a road trip that puts them on a path to lucrative financial gains … maybe. (In theaters Oct. 10, on Prime Video Oct. 17.)
“Canary Black”: A CIA agent (Kate Beckinsale) learns she can trust no one as she stares down blackmailers who kidnap her husband and demand she betray her country. (On Prime Video Oct. 24.)
“Memoir of a Snail“: An awkward bookworm/snail collector pals around with a kooky friend named Pinky in this stop-motion animated comedy-drama. (In theaters Oct. 25.)
November
“Conclave”: The closely watched selection of a new pope after the unexpected death of the previous pontiff dredges up secrets and fuels a power struggle in this tense thriller directed by Edward Berger. With an acclaimed cast (Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini) and a proven director who breathed new cinematic life into his Oscar-winning take on “All Quiet on the Western Front,” this prestige title is positioning itself as an awards magnet. When & where: In limited release Nov. 1, wider release Nov. 8; also opening night selection (Oct. 3) at Mill Valley Film Festival.
“Gladiator II”: In director Ridley Scott’s sequel to the Russell Crowe 2000 Oscar giant, a lowly Lucius (Paul Mescal) channels his rage about the destruction of his home by flexing his muscles and wielding a sword in and out of Rome’s Colosseum ring. The trailer promises more beefed-up battle sequences; the cast includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Connie Nielsen. Just take our money now. When & where: In theaters Nov. 22.
“Wicked”: Palo Alto native Jon M. Chu proved his mettle as a musical director with “In the Heights,” even if the film didn’t whistle a happy tune at the box office. Don’t worry, my pretties, his star-studded take on the beloved Tony-award-winning powerhouse, featuring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum, among others, promises to bring down the house. When & where: Part 1 drops in theaters Nov. 22; Part 2 is due out Nov. 26, 2025. Also, a touring production of the stage show is playing at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre through Oct. 13; www.broadwaysf.com.
“Emilia Pérez”: A dynamite cast — Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Karla Sofia Gascón, Edgar Ramírez — fuels this bold and vivacious Cannes Film Festival winner that bursts with song and dance numbers, and drama. French director/screenwriter Jacques Audiard’s feature defies categorization as it peers into the lives of four intrepid women in Mexico. The trailer exudes confidence and combustible energy. When & where: In select theaters Nov. 1, on Netflix Nov. 13; also screening Oct. 5 at the Mill Valley Film Festival.
“The Piano Lesson”: Malcolm Washington’s directorial feature debut proves that love for August Wilson runs in the family (his father, Denzel, directed and starred in the playwright’s “Fences”). Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play is about two siblings (John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler) in 1936 Pittsburgh as they square off over the fate of an heirloom — the family piano. Officiating over this symbolic tug-of-war is their uncle (Samuel L. Jackson). Wilson’s plays are guaranteed to make for a riveting watch — on film or on stage. When & where: In select theaters Nov. 8, on Netflix Nov. 22; screening Oct. 6 at Mill Valley Film Festival.
November honorable mentions
“Home”: Robert Zemeckis and his crack CGI team de-age and age Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in this tearjerker about a couple’s joys and tragedies while living in the same abode through the decades. (In theaters Nov. 1.)
“A Real Pain”: Two cousins (Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg, who also wrote and directed) book it to Poland to honor their dead grandmother in this Sundance breakout. (In select theaters Nov. 1, wider release Nov. 15).
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”: A group of young misfits impress parishioners by stepping it up big time for an annual celebration. (In theaters Nov. 8.)
“Red One”: Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans team up to rescue a kidnapped Santa, played by J.K. Simmons. (In theaters Nov. 15.)
“Heretic”: Two missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) become human cat toys for a wicked creep (Hugh Grant) when they knock at his door. (In theaters Nov. 15.)
“Blitz”: Deservedly lauded filmmaker Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) returns with this World War II-set drama about a 9-year-old son trying to make his way back to his mother (Saoirse Ronan) and grandfather. (On Apple TV+ Nov. 22; theatrical release TBA.)
“Flow”: A brave black cat and his four critter friends weather a flood and then learn to navigate a waterlogged planet in this animated fantasy/adventure release. (In theaters Nov. 22.)
“Spellbound”: In this animated musical, a resourceful daughter seeks to break a spell that turned her parents into monsters. (On Netflix Nov. 22.)
