Life begins and ends with “Wicked” – if you believe the trailers for the movie musical.
A hit on Broadway, it’s bound to be a big audience draw when it moves into movie theaters but, then what?
Before “Wicked” was a Broadway smash, it was a 1995 book and nearly a movie. The big-screen was, perhaps, always the most fitting medium for a “Wizard of the Oz” riff. In this Jon M. Chu-directed film, Cynthia Erivo plays the woman who’ll become the Wicked Witch of the West, while Ariana Grande plays Glinda. This “Wicked” will be split in two, with part two arriving in late 2025. (Nov. 22, in theaters)
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas you’ll have ample opportunity to size up the year’s best pictures and get a peek at ones that could factor into next year’s Oscar race.
“Nickel Boys,” “The Piano Lesson” and “A Complete Unknown” could be ones to consider. If they turn up in your neighborhood theater (some are in limited release), check them out before making your end-of-the-year list.
What’s coming?
Here’s the list:
WICKED
Twenty years ago, the musical took Broadway by storm and now it’s likely to be this year’s “Barbie” in movie theaters. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in this look at Oz before Dorothy and Toto dropped in. A tale of friendship (and empowerment), the film has been split into two parts. The second will come next year, but expect this to prompt all sorts of spinoffs in the future. (“Shiz University”? It’s practically a done deal.) Sets and costumes win the day here and should help mask the idea that folks in their late 20s and 30s are playing college students.
Twenty-four years after “Gladiator,” Ridley Scott is back with more swords, sandals and … a rhino. Yes, that horned mammal makes its way into the Colosseum this time, but it’s far from the only new addition. Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal star in this sequel, set several decades following the events of the original movie. (Nov. 22, in theaters)
GLADIATOR II
Lucius, the son of Maximus (who died in the first film) is old enough to walk in dad’s sandals. Ridley Scott directs the sequel and should have much of the first’s vibe, particularly since Paul Mescal gets to swing the sword. Denzel Washington stars as his mentor and Pedro Pascal plays his adversary. The action film of the holidays.
Washington has set himself the task of bringing August Wilson's plays to the big screen. In this adaptation of Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winner, he produces while son Malcolm Washington directs, and son John David Washington stars. Led by a powerhouse performance by Danielle Deadwyler, “The Piano Lesson” depicts a Pittsburgh family in 1936 reckoning with a family heirloom, a piano, which doubles as a metaphor for the legacy of slavery. (Nov. 22, on Netflix)
THE PIANO LESSON
Based on August Wilson’s award-winning play, this brings the Washington family together to tell the story of a family deciding the fate of an heirloom that has ties to the past. John David Washington stars; Denzel Washington produces; Malcolm Washington directs.
Kieran Culkin, left, and Jesse Eisenberg play cousins in "A Real Pain."
A REAL PAIN
Kieran Culkin deserves Oscar buzz for playing the cousin of an uptight New Yorker (Jesse Eisenberg) who’s hoping to pay tribute to their grandmother on a trip to Poland. Culkin’s breezy attitude sells the film; Eisenberg’s screenplay makes sure it says something. This is a great adults-in-the-family offering that should prompt plenty of discussions.
A scene from "Moana 2," expected in theaters November.
MOANA 2
Just what we need: A sequel to the hit animated film. Lin-Manuel Miranda doesn’t do the songs (Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear do) but the film boasts the return of Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. (Nov. 27)
QUEER
Daniel Craig steps out of his James Bond guise to play an American living in Mexico City in the 1950s. It’s a steamy drama (thus the title) and a second offering this year from Luca Guadagnino (“Challengers”). (Nov. 27)
NIGHTBITCH
Amy Adams is good as a mom who changes form when she’s left alone at night. Directed by Marielle Heller, it’s a bizarre foray into the mind but Adams makes it work. (Dec. 6)
THE ORDER
Jude Law gets the case of a lifetime – investigating a White supremacist group known as “The Order.” Nicholas Hoult plays the leader who tries to expand his reach. Based in truth, it’s a chilling look at how intimidation keeps innocent people silent. (Dec. 6)
UNSTOPPABLE
The winning story of a wrestler born with one leg and the strides he made on the mat. The story of Anthony Robles, it stars Jharrel Jerome as the wrestler and Jennifer Lopez as his mom. (Dec. 6)
Y2K
“Saturday Night Live” vet Kyle Mooney directs this look at the end of the 20th century and how it affected teens. Comedy and horror swirl amid the possible meltdown. (Dec. 6)
NICKEL BOYS
If you’re looking for the next auteur, check this out. Director RaMell Ross uses documentary techniques to tell the story of friends sent to a terrifying school. Based in truth, it’s a chilling look at a side of the Civil Rights Movement that was hidden from many. Ethan Hesse and Brandon Wilson are excellent as the friends. (Coming Dec. 13)
THE BRUTALIST
Here’s your “Oppenheimer” offering. Adrien Brady gets another Oscar run as a Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust and finds opportunity in the United States. Already garnering attention for Brody, it also gives Guy Pearce a shot as a Best Supporting Actor nominee. (Dec. 20)
- Director: Barry Jenkins
Barry Jenkins is best known for his Best Picture Oscar-winning drama "Moonlight" and "If Beale Street Could Talk." Now he's lending his talents to Disney for the upcoming film "Mufasa: The Lion King," which will serve as a prequel to Jon Favreau's 2019 remake of "The Lion King." The 2019 movie broke ground with its photorealistic animation style, an aesthetic "Mufasa" will also adopt. In the aftermath of the Hollywood strikes, the release date was pushed from July to Dec. 20.
MUFASA, THE LION KING
You’d think this was the ultimate attempt to wring every dime out of a winning concept but the “origins” story of Mufasa happens to have Barry Jenkins as its director. There are other shifts that suggest change. The music immediately brings back visions of the original. (Dec. 20)
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3
What? Did you miss one? This edition puts Sonic and friends up against a new enemy, Shadow. Ben Schwartz returns as the voice of Sonic. This is one the kids will lap up. Mom, not so much. (Dec. 20)
BABYGIRL
Nicole Kidman plays the company CEO who engages in, um, untoward behavior with an intern (Harris Dickinson). The film got raves at the Venice Film Festival and could bring Kidman another Oscar nomination. Halina Reijn directs. (Dec. 25)
BETTER MAN
How many times have you said, “A chimpanzee would be better in the role”? Now, you get just that. Telling the story of pop star Robbie Williams, this biography is a wild look at an even wilder life. (Dec. 25)
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
Timothee Chalamet plays Bob Dylan in this account up to 1965 (expect a sequel if it’s good). James Mangold directs and, yes, Timothee does sing. (Dec. 25)
THE FIRE INSIDE
The story of Olympic boxer Claressa Shields is put in the hands of director Rachel Morrison and actress Ryan Destiny. Another “Rocky”? It, too, came out during the Thanksgiving-Christmas break and went on to win Best Picture. (Dec 25)
NOSFERATU
Film students will remember this was one of the first vampire films to hit the screen. Now Robert Eggers has the reins and puts Bill Skarsgard in the fangs. Willem Dafoe, Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult are along for the ride. (Dec. 25)
