It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the month when blockbuster holiday movies and Oscar contenders collide.
Do you like to take yourself too seriously and lecture people on the pitfalls of British period pieces? We got you. Prefer to just see the Harry Potter universe continue to expand? We got that, too.
No matter what you’re looking for, November probably has it in store for you. We chose the best that you should keep an eye out for this month:
A Private War
If you’d told me that one from Fifty Shades, the woman from Gone Girl, and the guy that plays alongside Meryl Streep in at least three movies were going to star in a war thriller, I’d probably say pass, but you know what? A Private War looks pretty interesting. Playing a journalist compelled to go to war-torn locations, Rosamund Pike turns out what looks to be a strong performance, even with an eye patch.
The Girl in the Spider’s Web
The latest instalment in the Millennium series, Claire Foy steps into the role of Lisbeth Salander, super hacker and abuse survivor. In the midst of The Girl in the Spider’s Web, she finds herself in an actual web of criminals and equally savvy spies. In short, if you liked the Dragon Tattoo instalment or Kicked the Hornet’s Nest chapter, this film is in your zone.
Overlord
Jovan Adepo made his big splash playing Denzel’s son in Fences, but now, two years later, he’s made the switch any young actor might make: starring in a supernatural World War II film about sci-fi looking monsters. Hey, it has the backing of J.J. Abrams, so let’s run with it.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Who can blame Hollywood and J.K. Rowling for managing to keep the Harry Potter train running for over two decades? In the universe’s newest instalment, Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander to take on Johnny Depp’s Gellert Grindelwald before he enlists wizards to rule over all of us muggles out here in the world just trying to get to work without any magic.
Robin Hood
It’s a tale as old as time (OK, wrong movie), but it’s been a few years since we had a new take. In this one, Robin Hood is played by Taron Egerton, a war-stricken badass who is in need of a little extra training. That’s where Jamie Foxx steps as Little John. The film looks dark and full of impressive archery, so we’re in.
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Wreck It Ralph was good, and I’ll stand behind that all day. The John C. Reilly-led cartoon is coming back for its sequel after a six-year hiatus, and you know what? In these dark times of film and storytelling, we need more Wreck It Ralph-type movies. If you’re looking for something around Thanksgiving to put pep in your step, try Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Creed II
You just can’t go wrong with Rocky. In Creed II, Michael B. Jordan returns as Adonis, facing his family’s painful past. Taking on Ivan Drago’s son, Adonis is tasked with avenging the death of his father, Apollo, back in Rocky IV. Expect some serious inner-contemplation and a sick physique from Jordan.
