The most anticipated films and series you must watch this fall and winter season
The most anticipated films and series you must watch this fall and winter season
As summer starts drifting away, many are getting ready for cozy season, a time of the year that is typically associated with the autumn months. As the name suggests, this is the time when people prefer to stay indoors and feel comfortable as the weather starts to become chilly and the days get shorter. And there’s nothing quite like watching some good films or series to welcome this very special time. If you’re an avid movie-goer and like to be up to date with the latest releases, here are the titles you should look forward to this autumn.
Speak No Evil
Cozy season co-exists with Halloween, and there’s nothing quite like some thriller and horror movies to enjoy during this time. Speak No Evil is scheduled for a September 13th release and features James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis in leading roles. The synopsis follows a married couple who goes on vacation with their kids. After arriving at their destination, they meet another family who invites them to visit their home. Naturally, things aren’t what they seem, and the idyllic country house becomes a legitimate psychological nightmare.
Joker: Folie à Deux
This upcoming film is a sequel to the 2019 Joker film, a production loosely based on DC Comic characters following the supervillain best known as the archenemy of Batman. Folie a deux will be a musical thriller and follows Arthur Fleck, who is now a patient in the infamous Arkham State Hospital and who falls in love with his therapist, Harleen Quinzel. Their shared attachment becomes an obsession, and the two begin to experience shared delusions. At the same time, Arthur’s supporters are starting a movement with the purpose of liberating him. The film will have a premiere on September 4th at the 81st annual Venice International Film Festival, followed by a United States release on October 4th.
Moana 2
Moana will be released on November 27th and is the sequel to the original Disney film of 2016. The company had a very full 2024 with the release of blockbusters such as Deadpool & Wolverine and Alien: Romulus. A prequel to Lion King, telling the origin stories of Mufasa and Scar, is also set for a December 20th premiere. These releases have got fans hyped up, and even increased the demand for merch such as collectible mini backpacks. But what about Moana 2? What can fans expect from the plot? The premise focuses on the titular character receiving a message from her ancestors and has to journey through the seas in search of a hidden island to break a curse. On her way, she will have to get help from old and new friends to face the challenges that lie ahead. Many fans were not expecting Moana 2, and the announcement that there would be a sequel arrived in February and surprised many fans. However, animation lovers will definitely tune in for this one.
Venom: The Last Dance
The latest installment of the Venom series sees Eddie Brock and the symbiote Venom forced to go on the run as they become fugitives hunted by individuals from both of their worlds. Venom’s character has become very popular with the fans, who found his personality very compelling and entertaining. The Last Dance will be a sequel to both the original Venom movie of 2018 and the Let There Be Carnage follow-up of 2021. While some critics were harsher on the films, considering them unsubstantial and complaining about their relatively short running time, there were also many who praised their ability to combine lightheartedness with action scenes, something that is not always easy to achieve in the superhero movie landscape that is typically focused on serious and solemn protagonists.
Gladiator II
After more than two decades, Ridley Scott returns with a sequel to Gladiator, a movie that became the second-highest-grossing film of 2000 and won five Academy Awards. The acting, cinematography, directing, score and production design were highly praised, meaning Gladiator II has some big shoes to fill. The events of the film fittingly take place more than two decades after the events of Gladiator and follow Lucius, the son of Lucilla and grandson of the late emperor Marcus Aurelius. Roman soldiers invade and force Lucius into slavery. As a result, he ends up becoming a gladiator. The main cast includes actors Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and Joseph Quinn. Sir Derek Jacobi and Connie Nielsen reprise their roles from the original film as Senator Gracchus and Lucilla, respectively. Gladiator II will premiere on November 15th in the United Kingdom and a week later, on November 22nd, in the United States.
Wicked
Another November 22nd release, Wicked will be the first of a two-part film adaptation based on the famous stage musical of the same name, which in turn was based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire. The adaptation was first announced in 2012, but development took an unexpectedly long time as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and later because of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Universal Pictures will also release Wicked Part Two a few days later, on November 26th. The film follows Elphaba and Galinda, two young women who forge a powerful yet unlikely friendship due to their distinct lives. Elphaba has been ostracized as a result of her green skin, while her companion is popular and well-liked. Over time, life sets them on very different paths.
Arcane
Another gem for those who love animated shows, Arcane, the adult animated action series based on the League of Legends universe, returns for its second and final series that will conclude the plotlines of the first season, which was released in November 2021. Sources indicate that the second season will arrive on Netflix on November 2nd. Arcane was Netflix’s highest-rated series at the time of its release within only one week from its premiere, and it ranked first in the Netflix Top 10 in fifty-two countries. While online communities are debating how the events will unfold, a few clips from the season have been released, as well as a trailer, with more promotional material expected to arrive before the release date.
While many people associate the end of summer with boredom, bleak days, and seasonal depression, there are also many for whom this is the best time of the year since it means the return of many different shows and the arrival of long-awaited films. If you’re excited about cozy season as well, you’ll be glad to hear that there’s plenty to watch this autumn.
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