The next few months will be busy for moviegoers. With so many streaming options available, it seems more challenging to lure people away from the comfort of their homes. However, the future lineup of movies should be strong enough to make even the most agoraphobic inclined to put on pants and leave the house. Indeed, the recently released Predator: Badlands crushed expectations and overperformed at the box office, proving that audiences will leave their homes for the right movie.
The pictures on this list have all the makings of great box office successes. From the newest chapters in blockbuster franchises to beloved characters leaping into new adventures, there’s something for everyone at the theaters. No matter what the taste, everyone is 100% likely to see the following movies at their closest Cineplex. Listed by release date, these are the upcoming movies not to be missed.
9
‘The Running Man’ – November 14th
Game shows of the future have slightly higher stakes in The Running Man. Based on the book by Stephen King, The Running Man stars Glen Powell as Ben Richards, a man who signs up for an impossible-to-win televised competition. If Ben is able to survive being hunted by assassins for 30 days, he earns the top prize of one billion dollars. Sounds easy, right?
The release of an Edgar Wright movie is always reason to celebrate, and The Running Man promises to be a fresh and funny action film with some topical commentary sprinkled in. Powell has been on a hot streak with movies such as Top Gun: Maverick and Twisters, so his rising star power and an intriguing premise should lure moviegoers in. Hopefully, the film lives up to its action-packed trailers, but we’ll soon be able to find out on November 14th when The Running Man premieres.
8
‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ – November 14th
When the world’s most well-trained intelligence agencies can’t capture the crooks, call in the magicians. In Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, The Four Horsemen are back to their old tricks, literally, proving that magic can be used for more than failed pick-up lines. Joining the team are the next generation of illusionists to help them pull off their most daring feat yet.
The latest installment since 2016, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, has all the makings of a winner this month. Both Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 were financial successes, and the trend is projected to continue. Audiences tend to embrace heist films, and the chemistry of the returning cast that includes Oscar nominees Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg should be more than enough to sell tickets.
7
‘Wicked: For Good’ – November 21st
Wicked: For Good, the second half of the Broadway cultural phenomenon, is finally arriving for rabid fans of the musical. Continuing the story of 2024’s Wicked, For Good drops viewers back in the world of Oz as Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) grapple with their new roles in society. Despite Elphaba’s exile, she will return to her former home to right the wrongs previously committed.
The first installment of Wicked set records with a roughly $756 million haul, making it the most financially successful film adaptation of a Broadway musical. With reviews overwhelmingly positive for the first half of the adaptation, general excitement and familiarity with the story could lead to larger numbers for the grand finale. Fans will be able to see Wicked: For Good for the first of what surely be many times on November 21st.
6
‘Zootopia 2’ – November 26th
This year, Disney invites viewers back to the crowded metropolis of animals cohabitating in Zootopia 2. Picking up where the last movie left off, perky rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and sly fox Nick Wilde (Justin Bateman) are ready to tackle crime as newly minted partners of the Zootopia Police Department. Their first case will make or break their careers, as it involves the arrival of a snake that threatens the peace of Zootopia’s wary community.
Even though it’s been almost a decade since the release of the first film, it’s a locked-in guarantee that Zootopia 2 will pack tablet-holding tykes into seats. The first Zootopia movie made a billion dollars, so even if the sequel does half that, it will still be… (doing some quick math here) half a billion dollars. The colorful and crowded world of Zootopia is sure to have more new characters to fall in love with and buy plush dolls of when Zootopia 2 hits theaters on November 26th.
5
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ – December 5th
The demented animatronics that live inside Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza are set to make a killer return in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. On the human side of things, Josh Hutcherson is coming back as Mike, along with new cast members like Skeet Ulrich, to round out the horror follow-up. Fans of the original can expect Freddy to offer up new scares, alongside introducing a few surprise characters to join in on the mayhem.
The first Five Nights at Freddy’s movie proved what many fans of the games had always believed: a live-action adaptation would be a hit. An increased budget that more than doubles the original signifies that Universal has confidence in the follow-up, and the studio is likely making the right bet. A holiday season release of December 5th is the type of counter-programming that will only help Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, ensuring a new horror franchise filled with sequels in the foreseeable future.
4
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ – December 19th
The arrival of any new Avatar movie is sure to pack the theaters, and Avatar: Fire and Ash will be no different. Set a year after the events of Avatar: The Way of Water, Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) continue to grieve over the losses experienced under the direction of Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). However, the couple quickly has to set their feelings aside at the arrival of a new enemy with ties to threats they’ve encountered in the past.
There are only so many movies that are considered events, and new entries in the Avatar franchise qualify at the top of the list. Audience’s fascination with Pandora and the creatures that inhabit it has only deepened since the release of the first film, and Avatar: Fire and Ash promises to expand the lore even further. Everyone will definitely have their calendars cleared when director James Cameron drops off his early Christmas present to audiences on December 19th.
3
‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Square Pants’ – December 19th
Everyone’s favorite sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea makes his big-screen return later this year. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Square Pants, see SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) attempt to prove he’s brave enough to do things like ride scary amusement park rides. With the help of Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) and unlikely ally The Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill), SpongeBob will see if he has what it takes to be the bravest sponge in the ocean.
Few characters have enjoyed the sustained popularity of SpongeBob, and a new movie with a holiday release is further proof. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants will be one of the rare instances where parents suggest the movie to their children and not the other way around. Early reviews have been kind, so there’s no reason to expect anything less than a solid hit for the cheery little guy on December 19th.
2
‘Anaconda’ – December 25th
In Anaconda, Jack Black and Paul Rudd star as two friends who have always dreamed of remaking their favorite movie. Tired of talking about it, the two men take a small loan and travel to the Amazon to film their passion project. However, fiction becomes reality when a giant snake shows up to audition for the leading role.
If there’s ever a time to watch a giant snake attack two of the most likable men in Hollywood, it’s obviously on Christmas, right? A meta reboot of Anaconda wasn’t at the top of anyone’s cinematic wishlist, but the combination of Rudd and Black in a broad horror comedy is an easy sell. Anaconda is the type of fun popcorn movie that everyone in a group can agree on, especially with the supporting cast including Thandiwe Newton and the always underrated Steve Zahn.
1
’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ – January 16th
It’s only a few more months before audiences learn what happened to pint-sized zombie survivor Spike (Alfie Williams) in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The last viewers saw, Spike had run into the Jimmys, a dangerous cult based on Jimmy Savile, led by Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). Trailers suggest the violent gang will be as much of a threat as the rage-infected hosts, which might spell trouble for the kind skull-collecting Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes).
Despite a somewhat mixed reception for 28 Years Later, the audience turnout will likely be strong to get a resolution on the cliffhanger. The Jimmys have the potential to be a fascinating group of brutal villains, and in the survival of the fittest world of the 28 Days Later franchise, they could serve as allies or enemies based on shifting situations. We’re a little nervous that Dr. Kelson won’t be able to make it out alive, but a mid-January release should answer any questions fans have.