Going to the movies is a nice way to escape for a few hours. You sink into your seat, the lights go down, and the rest of the world fades away.
The fall movie season is already looking like an interesting one. The year of sequels continues, with films like Gladiator II and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hitting the big screen years after the first installments. There are also smaller, original movies to look forward to, like The Outrun and We Live in Time.
But which ones should you go see? Here are our top recommendations for fall 2024 movies.
September
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
September 6, Theaters
What’s It About? Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife. When someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.
It’s been over 30 years since the original Beetlejuice came out, gaining a cult following and its own Broadway show. Now, Tim Burton returns to the world of the dead alongside Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara, plus newcomer and spooky queen Jenna Ortega.
The Killer’s Game
September 13, Theaters
What’s It About? Diagnosed with a terminal illness, top hitman Joe Flood decides to take matters into his own hands and take a hit out on himself. However, when the very men he hires also target his ex-girlfriend, he must fend off an army of assassins and win back the love of his life before it’s too late.
This gory action thriller follows in the footsteps of movies like John Wick, with a thrill-a-minute plot carried by stellar actors. Former stuntman J. J. Perry directs it, so we have especially high hopes for the action sequences.
Uglies
September 13, Netflix
What’s It About? In a futuristic dystopia with enforced beauty standards, a teen awaiting mandatory cosmetic surgery embarks on a journey to find her missing friend.
Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies is finally getting a movie adaptation, only about ten years after the heyday of the YA dystopian craze. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but it could still be a fun watch.
Transformers One
September 20, Theaters
What’s It About? Brothers-in-arms Orion Pax and D-16 become sworn enemies, Optimus Prime and Megatron.
Transformers are getting their first animated feature this year. While the animation looks a little toylike, the story seems promising, taking fans to an unseen era of Transformers history.
Wolfs
September 20, Theaters
What’s It About? Hired to cover up a high-profile crime, a fixer soon finds his night spiraling out of control when he’s forced to work with an unexpected counterpart.
Oceans Eleven stars Brad Pitt and George Clooney reunite in this fun action-thriller. It already looks like a wonderful return to the early 2000s action movies that made these men stars.
The Wild Robot
September 27, Theaters
What’s It About? Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings. Building relationships with the native animals, Roz soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling.
Universal’s latest animated feature, based on the children’s book of the same name, seems adorable from the trailers alone. It also continues the slightly experimental animation trend we’ve seen in movies like Into the Spider-Verse and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
Lee
September 27, Theaters
What’s It About? The story of American photographer Lee Miller, a fashion model who became an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War II.
This movie is based on the true story of Lee Miller, a WWII war reporter. The movie came out at film festivals last year and has rave reviews, building anticipation for its theatrical release.
Megalopolis
September 27, Theaters
What’s It About? A conflict between Cesar, a genius artist who seeks to leap into a utopian, idealistic future, and his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare.
Everyone’s eyes are on Francis Ford Coppola’s latest movie, unable to tell if it’ll be his greatest masterpiece or his worst failure. Either way, it’s getting a lot of attention online.
October
Joker: Folie à Deux
October 4, Theaters
What’s It About? Failed comedian Arthur Fleck meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn, while incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. Upon his release, the two of them embark on a doomed romantic misadventure.
If you thought the only way Joker (2019) could get better was if it was a musical, you’re in luck because that’s what the sequel is. It’s described as a psychological thriller musical and stars Lady Gaga alongside Joaquin Phonix.
The Outrun
October 4, Theaters
What’s It About? After living life on the edge in London, Rona attempts to come to terms with her troubled past. She returns to the wild beauty of Scotland’s Orkney Islands where she grew up, hoping to heal.
Saoirse Ronan is back to deliver another stellar performance. From the trailers, it looks like a deep, thoughtful drama about addiction and recovery set in the beautiful Orkney Islands.
Saturday Night
October 11, Theaters
What’s It About? Tensions run high as producer Lorne Michaels and a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers prepare for the first broadcast of “Saturday Night Live” on Oct. 11, 1975.
SNL is a TV legend at this point, but it almost wasn’t. This movie tells the story of the night the team aired the first episode and the ensuing tension.
We Live in Time
October 11, Theaters
What’s It About? Almut and Tobias are brought together by a surprise encounter that changes their lives. As they embark on a path challenged by the limits of time, they learn to cherish each moment of their unconventional love story.
Although its poster has already been memed, the movie itself looks great, with Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh in the lead roles. It’ll be a tear-jerker, so bring your tissues to the theater.
Venom: The Last Dance
October 25, Theaters
What’s It About? Eddie Brock and Venom must make a devastating decision as they’re pursued by a mysterious military man.
The Vemon films aren’t quality cinema, but they are a fun way to spend a few hours. With Tom Hardy back to play the dual roles of Eddie Brock and Venom, this one will probably be no exception.
November
Conclave
November 1, Theaters
What’s It About? Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events– selecting a new pope. Finding himself at the center of a conspiracy, he discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of the Roman Catholic Church.
Have you ever wanted a drama-thriller about becoming the pope? Well, that’s precisely what this film is about, led by actors Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow.
Blitz
November 1, Theaters
What’s It About? In World War II London, nine-year-old George is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita, to escape the bombings. Defiant and determined to return to his family, George embarks on a journey home as Rita searches for him.
No trailers have been released for this movie yet, but Saoirse Ronan is once again in the lead role. That alone makes it worth watching.
Gladiator II
November 22, Theaters
What’s It About? Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.
Ridley Scott returns to the world of gladiators with this sequel to his 2000 hit. People are wondering whether we needed a sequel, but at least the trailers look exciting.
Wicked
November 22, Theaters
What’s It About? Misunderstood because of her green skin, a young woman named Elphaba forges an unlikely but profound friendship with Glinda, a student with an unflinching desire for popularity. Following an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, their relationship soon reaches a crossroad as their lives begin to take very different paths.
Wicked has finally made it to the big screen, or the first part has, anyway. The anticipation is high for the film adaptation of one of Broadway’s biggest shows, headlined by an all-star cast.
Moana 2
November 27, Theaters
What’s It About? Moana journeys to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors.
This movie started as a Disney+ show before being reworked for the big screen to fill their fall release slot. This maneuver hasn’t gone well for Disney in the past (just look at Atlantis: Milo’s return), but maybe this time, it’ll work.
Which of these movies are you most interested in seeing?
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