With a career that has included massive blockbusters like the Dune movies and an Academy Award nomination for playing Bob Dylan, a lot of people are going to have their eyes on Timothée Chalamet's upcoming projects. What's next for the actor is the upcoming A24 movie called Marty Supreme, and the first look at the film already has my attention.

Timothée Chalamet's next movie had already turned heads, if for no other reason than the actor's look, sporting a pencil mustache and looking almost like a young Walt Disney. We knew the film, from Josh Safdie would probably be something to talk about, but I wasn't expecting this.

Marty Supreme Looks Sweet And Serious In Equeal Measure

Marty Supreme somehow looks incredibly sweet and fun, and quite dramatic all at once. The new trailer shows us a guy who is an incredibly great table tennis player, and is romancing Gwyneth Paltrow (among others), not exactly things that require high drama.

But table tennis is a serious game in this movie. Marty Supreme usn't just a great player, he's trying to put the entire sport on the map, and he appears to be incredibly dedicated to doing this. I've never been more interested in ping pong in my life.

It has the vibe of a "feel good" movie that sees Marty Supreme as a character chasing a dream, but at other moments we see the character being threatened by people, appearing to carry on a pair of personal relationships, and in one brief shot we see what appears to be some sort of explosion.

Perhaps it shouldn't be that surprising. Marty Supreme is being directed by Josh Safdie, one half of the brotherly duo that brought us Uncut Gems. That movie also gave us moments with a character who was both incredibly charismatic and yet, frequently terrible, who got in over his head.

It's possible we could see a similar story here. Timothée Chalamet may be playing our title character, the man we will follow through the film, but it's far from clear from all this whether he's really the "good guy" or not.

Gwyneth Paltrow's Return To Movies Is Being Left Somewhat Mysterious

One of the reasons that Marty Supreme is noteworthy is that it will mark a major return to the screen for Gwyneth Paltrow. Her roles have been few and far between of late.

While we see her character in the trailer, and she has second billing behind Chalamet, she isn't in the trailer all that much, leaving details of her role a bit of a mystery. That said, we do know that the two characters will have some sort of romance as Paltrow has already talked about the sex scenes in Marty Supreme between them.

Timothée Chalamet didn't go home with an Oscar this year. Based on the first look at his new film, it looks like he might have another shot at the coveted award next year.

News broke ahead of the trailer's release that the premise of the show would follow The Office's Dunder Mifflin documentary team as they begin filming the publisher trying to revive a historic Midwestern newspaper. I'd wondered if The Office executive producer Greg Daniels and Co. would want to avoid too much focus on the original series while promoting the spinoff, but that's not the case in the first trailer.

Star Domhnall Gleeson previously shared that he knew The Office fans were already comparing him to Steve Carell's Michael Scott, but my knee-jerk reaction was that his character has more Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) vibes than Michael Scott. That said, I think a better approach might be to stop trying to compare the show and its characters to The Office, and just wait for the premiere to make any judgments on anything... except for Oscar, anyway.

Oscar Martinez will be in the mix for the newspaper, and I have to wonder if the character will have something to do with the documentary crew choosing Toledo as their next location after Dunder Mifflin in Scranton. That, or he has even worse luck than in the original series!

My biggest question coming out of the trailer honestly concerns his bleeped F-bomb at the very end. While the bleep would of course have been necessary if The Paper was airing on NBC like The Office before it, swearing is allowed on streaming, as anybody with a Peacock subscription who watched Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 can attest.

I got a kick out of Organized Crime taking advantage of the looser language rules on Peacock after its move from NBC, but The Paper certainly isn't a Law & Order show, and the F-bomb from Oscar trying to ruin the documentary footage might not be as funny if it's not bleeped. Whether or not more swearing can happen on The Paper than The Office, I think Oscar is entitled to an F-bomb here and there after nine seasons of a documentary crew in Scranton.

The premiere isn't actually too far off, with the first batch of Season 1 episodes debuting on Peacock on September 4. In addition to Domhnall Gleeson and Oscar Nuñez, The Paper stars Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, and Tim Key. The Office's Greg Daniels is on board as co-creator/co-showrunner/executive producer/writer, alongside Michael Koman in the same roles. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, who created the original U.K. version of The Office, are also credited as executive producers.

If you want to revisit the world of The Office as the wait continues for The Paper to premiere with the first four episodes on September 4, you can find all nine seasons of the original streaming on Peacock now.

Welcome to the world of Cold Storage, a 2019 novel from David Koepp, the notable screenwriter from the Jurassic Park universe. Adapting his own novel for the screen, Koepp’s tale of a contagion that could end the world sounds a lot like Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain. However, as you’ll see in the trailer provided below, this new tale puts more of a Slither style spin on things:

Will our Taken hero calming and/or threatening someone over the phone ever stop being amusing? The not-so-serious tone of Cold Storage certainly helps intrigue me into investing in this picture, as it allows Liam Neeson to be very non-chalant about his heroism. It’s not quite the flat-out goofiness I praised in my Naked Gun review, but that’s not a knock.

Rather, it’s a way to set expectations for this upcoming horror/comedy ride, which is so adjacent to Neeson’s action hero era that it feels like a knowing parody in its own right. "But, Mike," you're probably asking your screen, "what about Liam Neeson's supposed action movie retirement? Also, I was promised zombies! Where are the zombies?"

Well, I suppose we can get to the subject of how Stranger Things' Joe Keery and Broadchurch alum Georgina Campbell have to contend with that nightmarish contagion, especially when it seems to do everything from decay its victims to making them outright explode. Those of you squeamish around gore (no matter how green it may be) may want to skip over the next image:

Yeah, that’s what we’re dealing with here, folks: a good old fashioned desert outbreak of a lab-created nightmare, with a handful of people standing between us and extinction. If that’s not a Michael Crichton-coded adventure, then my name is Liam Neeson. Except it isn’t… and I totally know what I’m talking about here.

2026 already looked like a fantastic year for upcoming book to movie adaptations, and that’s just me echoing the enthusiasm surrounding Project Hail Mary’s recent trailer alone. If David Koepp has engineered a dark comedy that takes Crichton bioethics and splices them with a James Gunn-style sensibility, with Mr. Neeson playing a deadpan supporting character, then sign me up.

Unfortunately, Cold Storage doesn’t have a release date just yet, so we’ll have to sit tight for more information. However, with the trailer being released this early, that could be a sign that the studio is bullish on what it's got in the can. So try to contain your excitement by seeing something already on the 2025 movie calendar; like, say, The Naked Gun, which is currently in theaters.

Upon hearing that George Clooney and Adam Sandler were going to be in a dramedy together, my ears perked up. That anticipation has only grown after seeing the teaser for their 2025 movie Jay Kelly, which will be headed to theaters and Netflix this fall. However, after watching this footage, I have one more reason to be excited, as a venerated co-star of theirs stole the show.

All it took was three words, which provided the closing laugh line for this first look at director Noah Baumbach’s latest. Or rather, it only took 2020 Academy Award winner Laura Dern saying those words, in a perfectly deadpan manner, to send me out on a laugh that could carry me to November 14th. That simple grouping of words?

Trust me, in the context of the trailer above, it makes absolute sense. Though even out of context, simply knowing that Ms. Dern is saying this to George Clooney’s character could still make you laugh. Especially when Adam Sandler is standing over the other shoulder of Jay Kelly’s titular actor in crisis, playing the straight man like a champ.

While I’ve called this upcoming Netflix movie a dramedy, I feel like I’m doing it a disservice. After all, Netflix’s first Jay Kelly announcement labeled the movie as a “heartbreaking comedy,” and I take such a distinction seriously. The official synopsis for the picture even fleshes out some of the existential fun George Clooney and Adam Sandler will be having, as both men are looking over their lives and careers and wondering if they’re really where they want to be.

There’s clearly a very meta framework at work in Jay Kelly, right down to a scene that makes a recent interview in which George Clooney addressed “playing himself” all the more appropriate. Balancing all of this out are encounters with other members of this stacked ensemble, which also includes Billy Crudup, Jim Broadbent, Riley Keough, and Greta Gerwig.

While we may not totally know what to expect from any of those people in this world, this photo of Ms. Gerwig with Adam Sandler certainly looks charged with emotion.

Heartbreak certainly feels like it’s lingering around the corner in this world, even as our leading man drops an f-bomb when seeing a huge ad with his face on it. That leaves Laura Dern another opportunity to shine, as her dramatic chops could also be well served by Jay Kelly’s introspective story. It certainly wouldn’t be called a teaser if they gave you everything up front, would it?

Jay Kelly certainly has the potential to rival some of George Clooney’s best movies, as well as becoming a strong candidate to become yet another “surprisingly good” Adam Sandler film. However, I’ll be watching to see how Laura Dern fares, as she’s already got my vote for being a strong glue that bonds this picture together.

Should I be proven correct, I do hope that Mr. Clooney will consider finding a place in that Ocean’s 14 script where she can join the team. We’ll have to wait to see what happens, as Jay Kelly will debut in select theaters on November 14th, with its Netflix streaming debut set for December 5th.

It’s hard to believe that director Spike Lee and actor Denzel Washington have only made five films together, but I’d be lying if I said otherwise. The fifth is set to release as part of the 2025 movie schedule, as Highest 2 Lowest marks the first collaboration between the titans since 2006’s Inside Man. With a new trailer released to get the crowd ready for what to expect, Lee has also taken the time to write a totally fitting tribute to his frequent leading man.

We now have a longer look at the A24/Apple TV+ subscription title (which debuts in theaters on August 15th), and the remake to Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low appears to be worth the wait. Showing us Washington’s record mogul David King seemingly on top at the start, sour notes start to land in his life before you know it. Which is the total opposite of the vibe you’ll get from reading Spike Lee’s Instagram caption, shared below:

You’ve gotta love when friends like these absolutely gas each other up in the press. As far as that five picture run is concerned, Washington has been part of some of the most acclaimed pictures on Lee’s resume. Though that's not to overlook the current run of streaming heaters the Crooklyn director has been putting out.

In fact, some of Spike Lee's most socially relevant movies have been platform based originals like Prime Video's Chi-Raq and Netflix's Da 5 Bloods. That makes this reunion even more fruitful, as Washington can now be added to the roster of recent hits banked by Brooklyn's cinema hype man.

But of course, the wait between Inside Man and this new movie is one that fans have been braving for a while. You could see that as Lee’s message accompanying Highest 2 Lowest’s teaser acknowledged that “hella long” wait. That seems to be a specialty for Apple Original Films, as around this same time last year the platform delivered the George Clooney/Brad Pitt reunion we know as Wolfs.

What’s even more fitting is that yesterday Spike Lee posted another clip to his social media, one that may have been his tip off that a new Highest 2 Lowest look was coming. Sharing the snippet of Mo’ Better Blues you see below, the Atlanta-born filmmaker threw us all the way back to the beginning of his professional relationship with Denzel Washington:

As if the fan hype for Highest 2 Lowest wasn't enough, you've also got stories like ASAP Rocky's experience working with Mr. Washington, which only stoke those flames all the more. It's probably a good thing that audiences won't have to wait too much longer before they can catch Highest 2 Lowest, and with two very different options available.

You’ll be able to try and find the picture at a theater near you, as its theatrical release starts on August 15th. However, Apple TV+ subscribers will be able to partake in the reunion of Spike Lee and Denzel Washington soon after, as it will hit the streaming platform on September 5th.

James Cameron is a visionary filmmaker, who is known for pushing cutting-edge technology within the industry. The Avatar franchise (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription) is proof of that, and we're currently gearing up for the third movie. The trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash is here a visual feast, and debuts new Na'vi and other gorgeous creatures. Let's break it all down.

What we know about Avatar: Fire and Ash has been pretty slim, so finally getting some footage is a treat. While there are still plenty of unanswered questions, we got a glorious taste of how Pandora is expanding. That includes seeing Na'vi battle each other for the first time. Hearing the score itself is enough to get me hyped for a new adventure on the fictional planet.

CinemaBlend saw early footage of Avatar 3, but now the general public is able to feast their eye on each stunning frame of footage. It opens on members of Jake and Neytiri's family, who are now able to negotiate both the skies and sea. It seems they're all struggling with the death of Neteyam at the end of The Way of Water, with Zoe Saldaña's character in particular living in anger. One can only imagine how that will raise the stakes when the family is put back into danger in Fire and Ash.

That won't stop the Na'vi family from getting into new adventures, accompanied by Ronal, Tonowari, and their family. Early onto this clip we see new creatures on Pandora, giant ones who fly through the air with the protagonists on their backs. The footage is pretty beautiful, but it's not long before the danger coming with Avatar 3 is showcased.

James Cameron has teased that Avatar: Fire and Ash will show the Na'vi at war, and a bit of this conflict is shown in the first trailer. The Ash People have seemingly experienced a ton of loss, which will affect their inability to bond with other clans. As we see one new Na'vi tell Neytiri "Your Goddess has no dominion here." So even their belief systems will be challenged in the midst of this battle.

It looks like Jake and Neytiri will be facing a number of enemies throughout the threequel, so the odds aren't stacked in their favor. On top of battling the Ash People, the ongoing saga against the RDA continues. At one point it looks like Sam Worthington's protagonist is going to be take under custody. And who knows what's happening with Stephen Lang's Miles Quaritch.

All will be revealed when Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theaters on December 19th as part of the 2025 movie release list. I know I'll be there to see these visuals on the biggest screen possible.

There are still plenty of massive titles that have yet to premiere as part of the 2025 TV schedule, and Peacemaker Season 2 is one of them. It’s been some time since fans have seen John Cena’s Christopher Smith in action, but he and the 11th Street Kids are on their way back for new adventures. The first full trailer for the season was just released amid San Diego Comic-Con, and it teases some multiversal shenanigans for Chris. With that, there’s one wild and funny thing I’d love to see involving a major DCU character.

Christopher Smith’s Life In The Alternate Universe Should Have One Fun Component

Peacemaker Season 2 finds Chris trying to solidify himself as a legitimate hero, but he’s not having the best luck. As shown in the trailer above, with nothing going his way, Chris decides to use his father’s portal to a parallel world to start a brand-new life. The footage shows that in the alternate universe, Smith is not only a celebrated hero, but he’s also in a relationship with comrade Emilia Harcourt. There are so many possibilities to consider when it comes to the multiverse and, with this continuity, Smith could have a seriously powerful ally.

Considering that Smith is apparently a beloved hero in the other universe, it’s possible that he could be a member of the Justice Gang or at least on good terms with them. What I’d specifically love to see Chris be established as one of Superman’s best friends in that continuity. Even more, I don’t even want that just to be said – I’d love for Supes actor David Corenswet to cameo so that we can actually see some semblance of a bromance.

That’s a kooky idea, I know, but writer/director/producer James Gunn is just quirky enough to add something like that into the narrative. Also, Gunn has been teasing some appearances from more than a few major DCU players – aside from the already-revealed Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn). So why not have the Man of Steel show up, albeit in a very unconventional way?

Peacemaker Season 2’s Trailer Teases Even More Chaos For The Character And His Allies

Fans have known for a while now that Frank Grillo is part of Peacemaker Season 2 reprising his Creature Commandos and Superman role as Rick Flag Sr. It’s been said that the Flag is out for revenge against Chris for killing his son, and the trailer shows the enraged father getting some licks in against the costumed vigilante. That won’t be the only issue Smith will have to face, as it seems he’ll also come to blows with his counterpart from the other universe.

All the while, the other characters will seemingly be in a position in which they’ll have to rescue Chris. It seems that, in doing so, they’ll also brush up with both new and old faces like Tim Meadows’ Langston Fleury of A.R.G.U.S. and Nhut Le’s Judomaster. Overall, it feels like viewers are in for a wild ride with this upcoming DC show.

Peacemaker Season 2 has definitely been a long time coming, and I’m eager to see what lies ahead for the character. Of course, I’m also curious as to how James Gunn will continue to expand on this mythology now that the show is canon with the DCU. Hopefully, that change in continuity will shine through in interesting ways. And, if possible, I’d really love to see the alternate version of Chris chop it up with Superman.

The new season of Peacemaker debuts on August 21 and will be available for HBO Max subscription holders. Ahead of the new episodes, stream the entire first season now.

If you thought author Stephen King was good at weaving a dark and dreary story, you should check out the works of his dark half, Richard Bachman. The pseudonym King penned some of his grittier tales with, two of “the Bachman Books” have been adapted for the road of 2025 movies ahead. This September’s The Long Walk is the earlier entry of the two, and from the looks of its previous trailer, it already seemed like a dour affair.

So leave it to the folks at Lionsgate’s marketing department to say, “Hold my pen,” and drop what looks like an even more depressing reel during its San Diego Comic Con panel. In premise alone, The Long Walk is heartbreaking, as a pack of youths who volunteer for the titular competition have but two choices: walk or die. However, this trailer shows the truly tragic journey that lies ahead.

Among the cast of competitors are Saturday Night’s Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson, fresh off of his impressive role in last summer’s Alien: Romulus. And therein lies my new emotional pain point with this upcoming Stephen King movie; one that's inspired both my and frequent King adapter Mike Flanagan's curiosity.

As you see in both trailers, protagonist Raymond Garraty (Cooper Hoffman) and new friend Peter McVries (David Jonsson) seem to be bonding together in the face of this darkness. However, this new trailer introduces what looks like a wrinkle in these plans.

Not only does Peter lay down the rule that “you should never make friends on The Long Walk,” he’s also shown actively befriending and guiding Raymond through his quest to win. Which only makes this line from Cooper Hoffman’s character even more panic-inducing:

What follows that bombshell of a line are quick snippets of harrowing imagery - one such moment being David Jonsson screaming in anguish. Whether it’s because Raymond Garraty sacrifices himself or betrays Peter McVries in his own favor, The Long Walk looks like it’s basically Stephen King’s version of The Fox and the Hound.

Of course, the big difference is the fact that this novel is built on a potent allegory of the Vietnam War. So yeah, not exactly doing the tear ducts any favors when imagining Copper and Tod in the middle of a battlefield.

Also, with CinemaBlend’s resident King Beat correspondent Eric Eisenberg’s “flabergasted” disbelief that The Long Walk was even made, it kind of sounds like your older sibling trying to warn you about the darkness ahead. That claim is doubly appropriate when reading how Mr. Eisenberg feels that this could be 2025's most hardcore Stephen King adaptation.

That's appropriate, considering that I’ve never read The Long Walk. I fully intend to do so in order to further my crash course in King. Of course, the question is, do I digest this tragic tome before the cinematic adaptation’s September 12th release date, or wait to experience this potential heartbreak fresh in the cinema? That question is for Stephen King, and only Stephen King to answer - just because I want to see if he's actually reading.

I really feel like James Cameron’s Avatar saga has earned the nickname “Schrodinger’s Franchise.” While we’ve lived with the knowledge that the massive undertaking will continue with the 2025 movie Avatar: Fire and Ash, knowing it was on its way still doesn’t dull the fans’ excitement for what comes next. Now that I’ve seen the trailer myself, I can definitely say that the hype is real. And that goes double for anyone who’s looking forward to the 3D visuals ahead!

The Wonder Of Pandora’s Wildlife Still Shines In 3D

I was among the groups of journalists invited out by The Walt Disney Company and 20th Century Studios to see the first look at the threequel to that 2009 record-setting blockbuster. I’m uncertain if this was the same footage shown at Disney’s CinemaCon 2025 presentation, but I can agree that the Dolby 3D format being present made this sneak peek even more of a treat.

One of the shots that kept sticking out for me was a simple moment where young Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) marvels at a floating Woodsprite in front of her eyes. It practically feels like it’s sitting in front of our own faces, as even in this darker nighttime scene you can clearly sense the creature popping off of the screen.

It’s a peaceful moment, which could come in handy as there appears to be some darkness ahead. After moving to the next highlighted moment, you might want to head back to your Disney+ subscription to relive the journey so far,

Avatar: Fire And Ash’s Teaser Practically Ends With Neytiri’s Bow Aimed At Us

Another plotline that starts to unfold in Avatar: Fire and Ash’s new footage is that of Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña). Still grieving over the loss of her son Neteyam in Avatar: The Way of Water, the Na’vi warrior is basically told by husband Jake (Sam Worthington) that she can’t let the rage from that grief consume her.

The final moment shown in the Fire and Ash teaser is one where she draws her bow in anger, presumably hissing at Varang, the “evil Na’vi clan” leader James Cameron has previously spoken about. While there’s plenty of natural splendor to take in on Pandora, the upcoming threequel looks like it’s going to get brutal - with a 3D presentation that only heightens the emotional toll we’re about to witness.

I surely can't blame her, as while the specifics of Avatar's next chapter are still pretty hazy, you can't deny that tensions are definitely starting to mount. While there’s plenty of natural splendor to take in on Pandora, Fire and Ash looks like it’s going to get brutal.

With at least two more entries in the works, and whispers of Avatar 5 potentially sending Neytiri to Earth, the road ahead is still unclear. Luckily, the saga's reputation for eye-popping visuals is upheld - with a 3D presentation that seems destined heightens the emotional toll we’re about to witness. After The Way of Water's 3D variant on that heartbreak, I can make that prediction confidently.

Avatar: Fire and Ash will land in theaters on December 19th, making for another holiday vacation to Pandora everyone can enjoy. Don't forget, you can run your own crash course on the Sully family's antics, as you stream Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water, on Disney+!

While I’ve been waiting for a brand new trailer for Tron: Ares, I didn’t think my wish would be answered this soon. As the 2025 Disney movie is heading to San Diego Comic-Con next weekend, I was surely anticipating some sort of footage being shown, if not released to the public. Then the full trailer for this Jared Leto-led ensemble dropped, with a clear view of Jeff Bridges’ Kevin Flynn in the biodigital flesh…and it’s left me with some theories on why he’s actually back again.

Theory #1: There’s A Grid That Still Looks Like The OG Tron

As confirmed through D23’s 2024 updates on Tron: Ares, a new Grid is on the board: The Dillinger Grid. Ares (Jared Leto) is its Master Control Program, with Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters) being the human puppeteer who wants to use him for profit. I presume that’s why the red color scheme dominates Ares’ look, and the marketing for the movie is designed as it is.

Keeping that in mind, take a closer look at that Kevin Flynn photo at the top. Or better still, check out how Tron: Ares’ potential anti-hero looks as he speaks with the Maker himself:

Does anyone else hear Wendy Carlos’ classic 1982 theme tune, or is it just me? It seems like Ares is definitely heading to a digital realm that looks and feels like it’s from the start of the Tron movie timeline, only with an older Flynn. Don’t worry, I have an explanation for that as well.

Theory #2: This Isn’t The Kevin Flynn, But Another Copy

The original Kevin Flynn, for our purposes, is dead. Taken out by reintegrating with the villainous CLU in Tron: Legacy’s finale, any trace of the long-captive genius rests in that necklace we saw on Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund). With another Grid in existence, that surely has to mean there’s another copy of Kevin Flynn out there, right?

Ready for another potential twist that’s worth booting up your Disney+ subscription? I think this potentially new version of Kevin Flynn was designed by Sam! Don’t forget, the short film “The Next Day” saw the young rebel taking his place as the head of ENCOM - which is now run by Ares newcomer Eve Kim (Greta Lee).

While we don’t know where Sam (or Olivia Wilde’s Quorra) are in Tron: Ares' story, we do know that for a time, the Son of Flynn was ready to run the show. He could have very easily put together a version of his father that combined leftover code from Legacy, other records at ENCOM Tower, and whatever else he could scrape together.

Theory #3: Kevin Flynn Is Ares' Way To Find The Permanence Code

I’m kind of glad I learned about Tron: Ares’ Permanence Code when I did, because Kevin Flynn (whichever version he is) surely has to have something to do with that mega macguffin. If Sam Flynn did create this version of his father, it may have been to help him seek out that very code to preserve Quorra’s life in the real world.

That means Kevin Flynn 3.0 already has this answer, and that’s why Ares needs to see him. Furthering the analogy of Ares as a new version of Pinocchio, Jeff Bridges is almost literally the Blue Fairy for Jared Leto’s little digital boy. Which will undoubtedly ruffle feathers, instigate some fights, and could see Julian Dillinger running into the consequences his mother Elisabth (Gillian Anderson) tried to warn him about.

Yeah, that's not a look of maternal pride. That's a look that says "We're doomed." I hope I'm wrong for the sake of our species, because that last shot of the Recognizer firing an absurd amount of missiles in a real-world setting still haunts me.

The truth, and Tron: Ares itself, enters our world on October 10th. It’s going to be a battle for more than the fate of The Grid. It could very well determine the survival of humanity and all life on planet Earth. Are you ready to fight for Users and Programs alike?

Making our way into the 2025 movie schedule’s fall offerings, there’s going to be a lot of blood on the floor in certain parts. I’m not trying to be morbid, but the very existence of the long-awaited sequel, Mortal Kombat II, kind of dictates that as an eventuality. At the same time, thanks to the new trailer for the picture, I can say that I think Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage is a flawless victory…while at the same time being super hyped for his meeting with two Kombatants returning to the fray.

Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage Is Totally Going To Crush Mortal Kombat II

I’m starting to love co-creator Ed Boon’s reaction to Mortal Kombat II even more now, thanks to what we’ve just seen. Sure enough, he was on hand during Warner Bros.’ livestream event to unveil the trailer for this October roundhouse kick of excitement. If you didn’t already believe in Urban’s Mortal Kombat II casting, his cool-as-ice Johnny Cage was well worth the long game that’s been played since his reveal.

The mock poster for Uncaged Fury was only the beginning, apparently, as a promotional mailer that Warner Bros. sent out to journalists (myself included) contained a DVD made to look like it was a copy of that very film. What it actually contained was a faux trailer, which you can see for yourself below:

Clearly, the studio is going all in on our boy in the $500 sunglasses. However, there’s just enough crumbs here to intrigue me into wanting to know more about how he’ll be playing with two other Kombat Kids in this Outerworld sandbox.

Sonya Blade And Kano Are Gonna Get Along With Johnny Cage Just Fine

Deep cut Mortal Kombat fans were probably just as excited as I was that we got to see Karl Urban interacting with Jessica McNamee's Sonya Blade. That alone is pretty exciting, and only gets even more spectacular when you see that Josh Lawson's Kano is also mixing it up with Johnny Cage, too.

Oh, this could get messy my friends - and I'm not just making another reference to the blood and guts here. Between the lore of the MK games, as well as the 1995 film adaptation, Sonia and Johnny kinda became a power couple in the lore of the franchise. They even have a daughter named Cassie, a featured fighter in Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11.

I theorize that Sonya and Johnny’s believer/newcomer relationship could see the beginning of something along those lines. Which is only going to be complicated by the fact that Ms. Blade and Kano didn’t exactly end 2021’s Mortal Kombat on good terms. Then again, if you go back and watch that film with your HBO Max subscription, you’d also see that they were never really that chummy to begin with.

An uneasy alliance could form between these three, and any other Earthrealm fighters looking to defeat Shang Tsung and his crew. However, if Kano dies again (and he probably will), I think it’ll be Johnny Cage who does him in. And probably with a crack about how he’d never be able to find sunglasses with a laser-friendly prescription.

I don’t know about all of you, but I’m ready for Mortal Kombat II to open the portals, as well as numerous cans of whoop ass, starting October 24th.

In 1999, Marshall Mathers a.k.a. Eminem landed like a bomb in pop culture. His album The Slim Shady LP was both a massive hit and exceptionally controversial, and it earned him legions of fans around the world. In fact, his fans are so passionate that it's because of them that we have the slang term "Stans" – a reference to the rapper's 2000 hit "Stan."

After a quarter-century, that love is being examined in the new big screen documentary Stans. Between the success of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé's concert films last year (the former being the most successful concert film of all time at the box office) and the popularity of Becoming Led Zeppelin among Netflix subscribers, music and movies have been colliding in a big way as of late, and we're getting a special inside look at the world of Eminem later this summer in Stans.

Domestically, the doc is getting a limited theatrical release starting on August 7 exclusively in AMC Theatres, and it will only be on the big screen for a single weekend (so you may want to mark off your calendar now!). In order to qualify for awards, the film is getting a week-long run at the AMC Empire 25 in New York, and there will be at least two showtimes each day at each location.

As previewed in the trailer above, Stans will not just examine the highs and lows of Eminem's career – featuring a mix of archival footage, interviews, and recreations – but will examine the intense relationship he has with his fans and that his fans have with him. (I'll take this moment to point out that the eponymous Stan in the Eminem track is an extreme obsessive whose story ends with a murder-suicide).

This, of course, isn't the first time that Eminem has been featured on the big screen. When the calendar flips to November, die-hards will be celebrating the 23rd anniversary of director Curtis Hanson's 8 Mile – a fictional film loosely based on the rapper's life and early career in Detroit.

Looking back at the movie, it has an outstanding ensemble cast (including Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Michael Shannon, Taryn Manning and Anthony Mackie), and the Oscar-winning song "Lose Yourself" is an all-timer. However, that was a semi-autobiographical piece; where as Stans is purely a documentary. That means the Marshall Mathers we see on screen is unvarnished, and ready to get as candid as he wants about his own life and career.

If you want to reserve your seats now, tickets for Stans are now on sale via the AMC mobile app, the chain's official website, and via all platforms where the theater's tickets are sold. The film will be playing in 135 locations, so check listings to see if it is going to be playing near you. The soundtrack for the documentary is also now available for pre-order, with a press release promising to include previously unreleased tracks.

While I’m a staunch defender of Jim Carrey’s 2000 remake of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, I’m still nervous about returning to its spiritual successor - Mike Myers’ The Cat in the Hat. I know we’re currently running through the 2025 movie schedule, but learning about another crack at the bat with Dr. Seuss’ classic book was enough to make me worry.

At least, that was until today - the day that the new Bill Hader-starring reboot dropped its first trailer. Now that I’ve watched it myself, out of what started as morbid curiosity, I’m surprised to say I’m now very hopeful about what could be on the horizon. Better still, I think even jaded adults will be getting some serious laughs out of this.

The New Cat In The Hat Is Visually Stunning

Bathed in the sort of color and imaginative vision you’d expect from a Seussian masterpiece, this new 2026 take looks absolutely pure of heart. That’s something that was definitely missing from the 2003 live-action adventure. While some of my favorite moments that suggest maybe The Cat in the Hat is "good, actually," they weren't indicative of The Cat I grew up with.

Directors/co-writers Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja appear to have assembled a vision that’s awash in that sunlight and innocence. Both are animation veterans who’ve worked on franchises, thanks to Carloni’s credits through How to Train Your Dragon 2 and Kung Fu Panda 3, and Rivinoja’s work on South Park and Trolls.

Visually, that melting pot tracks; though when it comes to the humor, that subject is also a very promising prospect to discuss.

I’m Sensing A Strong Looney Tunes Influence In The Cat In The Hat’s Humor

I think the scene that best won me over to The Cat in the Hat’s side is the one where The Cat is about to do what he does best: ignore the rules. Pulling from the well of pure Looney Tunes insanity, we get a beautifully brief moment that mixes the innocence mentioned above with pure lunacy. It's an old gag, but it's playful and it works.

That same mindset is also rewarded when you realize that The Cat works at The Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC. Once again, we've got a modern skewing joke mixed with classic absurdity. Which leads to a rather interesting confrontation via a co-worker voiced by SNL star Bowen Yang.

Playing a more serious green character, Yang warns this feline funster not to open a box that literally says “Do Not Open.” Cue a short gag, where several other warning signs are ignored, and we’re left to gleefully wonder what’s going to leap out. While I can’t make any educated guesses, I’ll let a moment from one of the best Bill Hader TV appearences guess for me!

Perhaps whatever, or whomever, is in the box will reveal the true nature of The Cat in the Hat’s Matt Berry performance. If that’s the case, then this scene just might be my favorite from this upcoming picture. Of course it’s way too early to tell, but the point is that this teaser has actually gotten me invested in seeing how Bill Hader and company reinvent the mascot of Dr. Seuss’ legacy.

With that, I must remind you all that The Cat in the Hat will once again leap from our imaginations and onto the big screen, on February 27th, 2026. So let's not get too hyped up, as there's bound to be plenty more tricks in that titular hat. Although you can check out what other 2026 movies we should be paying attention to. Maybe there's more of this sort of magic awaiting in the next year, and we wouldn't want to miss out, would we?

The original adaptation of Stephen King’s The Running Man is iconic in its own right. That being said, it was never a version loyal to the original text, so that made it ripe for the Edgar Wright directed 2025 movie that readapts the story for a modern audience. With that pedigree in mind, I didn’t know what to expect from a Glen Powell-led variant.

Ahead of watching the first trailer for Wright's new spin, co-written with Michael Bacall, I totally forgot to expect a Scott Pilgrim reunion in the cards. But as you'll see in the full-length clip above, Michael Cera pops up to fulfill the trifecta, as a wannabe revolutionary - complete with a...Super Soaker?

It actually makes a lot of sense, when you see he rigged some floors with electronic charges. Much like Edgar Wright's other action packed movies, Pilgrim included, the presence of bad ass action doesn't mean we don't get to have a little fun.

As for the rest of what we know about The Running Man, it’s pretty much what you’d expect - but through Mr. Wright’s killer eye for action and comedy. Glen Powell’s Ben Richards is still running for his life in the hellish version of reality TV.

Despite the traditional set up being alive and well, we do see some pretty huge differences here, as our hero has to survive 30 days of being tracked by various Hunters. Richards' motivations are also different, as instead of being the victim of a vicious cover up, our new friend with an attitude finds himself staring down the barrel of a different sort of threat: dystopia.

It's not all bad though, because as you can see below, Mr. Powell gets to use those skills of disguise he picked up in 2023's Hit Man:

Those changes connect straight back the source material, which you may see at times being credited to author Richard Bachman. For those of you who may not know it, that was just Stephen King’s pseudonym to write more than one book a year.

The so called "Bachman Books" also happened to be King's works of darker, dystopian fiction - which we’ve also seen through the trailer for The Long Walk. Of course, if you know The Running Man's super dark book ending, you're probably asking how in the hell they're going to get away with that!

I won't spoil it for anyone, but I wouldn't count on getting Stephen King's pitch black finale. Modern historical events have pretty much ruled that out; and how could you end a movie where Michael Cera wields a Psycho Hydro water gun with...those events?

The Running Man sprints into theaters on November 7th, in various premium formats to boot! So you can bet your ass I'll be locking in for a 4DX showing, hoping that the seat mounted water cannons get in on Michael Cera's electrifying hero moment.

The upcoming Naked Gun reboot shocked fans when its first official footage revealed it to be a legacy-quel, with Liam Neeson playing the son of Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin, and Paul Walter Houser portraying the offspring of George Kennedy’s Ed Hocken. Now, the parody’s official trailer has been unleashed on the world, and it’s an absolute hoot from start to finish, with co-stars Pamela Anderson and WWE fave Cody Rhodes serving up some of the hilarious highlights.

I was definitely far from the only Naked Gun fan excited when Pamela Anderson was cast in the upcoming 2025 movie, and the trailer seen below justifies that anticipation with a pair of moments that speak loudly to her serving as a solid follow-up as a female lead after Priscilla Presley’s stellar work in the original trilogy.

While there are definitely plenty of moments to shine a spotlight on throughout the full video, here are some of my own favorite gags that had me giggling.

1. Beth "Taking A Chair"

I am one of the world's biggest suckers for groan-worthy puns, and it doesn't get much cornier than this moment.

• Frank: Please, take a chair.
• Beth: Thank you. [Loudly drags chair out of room and down the hall]

It's right up there with a doctor saying, "Walk this way," and replying, "If I could walk that way, I wouldn't be here." I'll always laugh at that kind of joke way quicker than I will at Frank fretting over having to use the bathroom while wearing a body-cam.

2. Beth "Cleaning Frank's Oven"

A hallmark of the Naked Gun movies, ribald sexual gags are plentiful throughout the original trilogy, and Akiva Schaeffer's reboot made sure to remind fans of that fact with the trailer, as abedded by the use of heat vision. The reveal that Anderson's Beth is just cleaning a kitchen appliance, and isn't orally servicing Frank, is almost as groan-worthy as the above chair gag. But like, in the best way possible.

For those who want to see Pamela Anderson's more serious side, be sure to check out Gia Coppola's The Last Showgirl, which is available to stream with a Hulu subscription.

3. Cody Rhodes' Face Gets Rearranged

In much the same way that wordplay never fails to crack me up, I'm also forever entertained by a split-second sight gag like Cody Rhodes' dialogue-free appearance in the trailer. He looks perfect normal when Frank grabs his face, but after it's slammed down against the bar, suddenly his nose is all smashed, with his eyebrows also being flattened and bushier.

It's dumb, low-stakes humor, but it's 100% what I seek out in a movie like this. I also just happen to like wonky facial prosthetics.

4. Spirit Halloween Snatching Up Space

Let's also share the love for co-star Paul Walter Hauser, even if he wasn't the most intrinsically amusing thing about the shot above indicating that a Spirit Halloween store immediately opened up in the newly vacated Police Squad building.

It's perhaps the most "topical" joke in the trailer, other than the previously revealed gag tied to O.J. Simpson and the actor playing Fred Nordberg's son. I wonder if they have any O.J. costumes in the spooky holiday retailer.

The Naked Gun hits theaters on August 1, 2025. Just don't expect to find yourself seated next to franchise co-creator David Zucker, who publicly denounced the new movie and revealed he turned down a producer credit.

Eddie Murphy has certainly been busy over the past several years, seemingly landing movie roles left and right. He last graced screens via the big-screen worthy Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, and Murphy’s follow-up promises to provide more thrills and laughs. The veteran actor is headlining The Pickup, a new action comedy that’ll be available for Prime Video subscription holders later this summer. Now, the first trailer has arrived and, while it shows off the film’s impressive cast, there’s one particular actor I want to see more of.

What Does The Pickup Trailer Have To Offer?

The trailer for the 2025 movie schedule release quickly establishes Eddie Murphy’s character, Russell, an armored truck driver looking forward to celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife (played by Eva Longoria). Russell is assigned to oversee a routine cash pickup alongside the younger and less experienced Travis (Pete Davidson). While the shift initially goes normally, it takes a turn when the pair and their truck are intercepted by the shady Zoe (Keke Palmer), who ropes them into her scheme to steal millions of dollars.

Based on the trailer alone, hijinks abound in this heist-laden tale, including car chases, shootouts and more. Of course, even with a madcap comedy like this one has to be grounded in character, and it seems that at the center of the film is the relationship between Russell and Travis. The trailer gives me the impression Pete Davidson is having a lot of fun, and I’m intrigued by the notion of him and the 48 Hrs. icon bouncing off each other. Of course, Davidson’s dynamic with his on-screen fling, Keke Palmer, seems funny, too.

Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson’s on-screen dynamic – which seems to involve the former throwing humorously exhausted glances at the latter – alone could make this film worth a watch. And, seriously, it’s hard not to make note of the talent that’s present here. In addition to the actors that have already been mentioned, veteran comedian Andrew Dice Clay, The Rings of Power star Ismael Cruz Córdova and pro wrestler Roman Reigns are in the mix as well. As eclectic as the ensemble is, there’s another person I really have to highlight.

Marshawn Lynch Deserves As Much Screentime As Possible

Yes, athlete-turned-actor Marshawn Lynch is also a part of this Prime Video comedy and seemingly plays a member of Zoe’s crew. For those who aren’t familiar with Lynch’s work as an actor, he’s appeared in films like Freaky Tales and Love Hurts as well as shows such as Westworld and Lopez vs. Lopez. The projects Lynch has appeared in may vary in quality, but he’s always on his game. I particularly love his performance as the uncouth, but supportive, Mr. G in Bottoms and would argue that he steals almost every scene he’s in.

Given all of that, I’d love to see the Super Bowl winner receive his due in The Pickup. He definitely serves well in a supporting role, but I hope he’s not sidelined too much. Given he doesn’t appear all that much in the trailer, I’m a little worried as to whether that’s an indication of the size of his role. Hopefully, though, director Tim Story utilizes the comedic actor in an effective way.

Eddie Murphy remains front and center, of course and, while I’ve been concerned about Murphy taking on so many buddy comedies, I’m hopeful that his latest film is a delight. If anything, the cast can truly bolster the flick. After all, Pete Davidson’s quirky comedic prowess is usually entertaining, and I’ve been excited to see more from Keke Palmer since One of Them Days hit theaters earlier this year. Let’s just hope that amid all of the craziness, Marshawn Lynch doesn’t take too much of a backseat.

The Pickup will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video globally on August 6. In the meantime, why not entertain yourself by checking out some of Eddie Murphy’s best movies.

The 2025 movie schedule has quite a few returns to beloved pictures of the past, especially with the next couple months offering 28 Years Later and Jurassic World Rebirth. The former example just might get a bit of a bump, as the first trailer expanding what we know about Wicked: For Good will probably be attached to its pre-show reel.

But as previously promised, tonight’s special Wicked re-release screenings saw the first trailer for director Jon M. Chu’s follow-up to 2024’s smash hit unfurled. While I love the results, I think that showing Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) making his face turn to save Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) in the Wizard's lair feels like it should have been saved for the film. I'd like to think hardcore Wicked fans would agree with me on that.

On the plus side, Wicked: For Good’s expected tonal shift does get to shine in this first look footage. Oz certainly feels darker and more restrained under The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and his reign. And that close-up on the Cowardly Lion has me buying into that theory that the little cub Elphaba and Fiyero release into the woods in Wicked is indeed our anxious friend.

Which circles me back to the point I was making earlier. While I’m still trying to avoid Wicked: For Good spoilers in this ridiculous year-long gap between movies, I sadly know a little more than I want to about Jonathan Bailey’s uniformed heartthrob.

While I won’t spoil anything big here, I totally learned about that face turn. Even without knowing the exact circumstances surrounding it, Wicked 2's big moment loses its impact when shown mere seconds after a very serious looking Bailey in uniform shows up looking like this:

Then again, maybe this trailer is really more for selling Wicked: For Good to hardcore fans. I mean, they dropped 007 First LIght's announcement trailer tonight too, and for all I know, someone is feeling this same way about young James Bond's first appearance in that new video game.

I apologize to all of the loyal Wicked fans in tears, as the continued teasing of the pivotal song “For Good” has been going on for some time. Tonight's new reel of anticipation certainly played on those feelings, as well as digging into Cynthia Erivo's rendition of "No Good Deed."

Such expectations were set last night, as the Instagram announcement video for tonight’s event was probably a bit of a trigger. Not only were For Good’s costumes shown off, but we heard another small bit of Erivo and Grande singing that very song. If you’re ready to burn through some more tissues, here’s what that looked like:

Am I excited for Wicked: For Good? Of course I am. But as someone who tries to defend watching trailers to some of my friends who flat out avoid them, I can now see why they're so adverse to such things. Regardless, the conclusion of Wicked flies into theaters on November 21st; just in time for the Thanksgiving table to talk about the huge twists that await all of Oz.

The 2025 movie schedule has been a pretty rough time to be a 007 fan. With Amazon-MGM’s creative control deal putting them in the driver’s seat for the road ahead, and those recent Bond copyright issues threatening to derail Bond 26’s rumored production/release schedule, no one knows when or how James Bond will return.

It's the perfect time for something like the announcement trailer for IO Interactive’s 007 First Light to hit, and if the movies are given this much care, I’m even more optimistic about the future. Revealing the first public look at what was once called Project 007, that reel has taken the first steps into this modern stand alone prequel. Per reporting out of PlayStation’s official blog, here’s what to expect from young James:

Now unless we’ve discarded Charlie Higson’s Young Bond books, this 007 First Light claim is absolutely true. But putting that nitpick aside, we’ll be seeing James Bond grabbing the spotlight after showing his pattern of risky behavior that goes against rules and regulations.

What’s more, Amazon-MGM Studios has collaborated with IO Interactive on First Light’s story. With all respect to the good people at EON Productions, it looks like previous James Bond game restrictions are now officially out the window.

Gunplay is definitely on the table here, as are car chases, Roger Moore-style pick-up lines, and a new version of the On Her Majesty’s Secret Service theme I need an MP3 of at once. We’re going to see young James Bond “earn the number,” as the game’s tagline states. It’s a refreshingly modern looking take that's reminiscent of when Casino Royale rebooted the Bond legacy in 2006.

Despite sounding like a more modern reinvention that discards the past, there are a lot of classic references throughout 007 First Light. The Alpha build footage shows us a chess game similar to the one in From Russia with Love, Bond wearing a jacket styled like the one in Dr. No, and various outfits and locations that nod to every era of James Bond movies.

Mixing those two halves together in the way that First Light has is key to making a good James Bond story - no matter what medium it's in. So if this is the first inkling of what Amazon-MGM's reign will give audience in James Bond 26, consider my ticket already bought.

007 First Light doesn’t have a release date, but is scheduled to be released at some point in 2026. Let’s just hope this title and Grand Theft Auto VI stay clear out of each other’s way, so as not to collapse the internet, massive world economies and countless relationships in their wake.

There are some sequels fans just want to dive into as soon as possible, but I don’t think Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is one of them. At least, that’s my subjective opinion about this upcoming 2025 movie schedule entry, because it’s going to bring creator Julian Fellowes’ iconic British drama to a resounding close.

Now the first footage has finally released to the public, I’m doubling down on my feelings, as it features an emotional scene with a typically stoic member of the Crawley family that feels sure to bring the house down.

Robert Crawley’s Goodbye Gesture To Downton Abbey Is Going To Break Audiences

So what is the scene in Focus Features’ upcoming drama? It's one where Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) plants a kiss on one of those very recognizable front walls. After all of the ups, downs, and everything in-between experienced in that stately manor, the teaser continues to sum it all up in a phrase we’ve seen since Downton Abbey 3’s title reveal: “It’s time to say goodbye.”

I just don't want to, despite knowing better going into this trailer. I let myself get caught up in beautiful little glimpses of Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) showing up to an event dressed in her finest, the return of Julian Levinson (Paul Giamatti) being marked by his trademark ebullience, and a bunch of the family showing up to a horse racing event. But then came that moment where the Paddington franchise star bid farewell to his familial home. A scene that may have been in the works for longer than we thought.

I Think The 1929 Wall Street Crash Has Finally Hit Downton Abbey

Before doing the required deep dive to revisit Downton Abbey’s previous adventures through my Peacock subscription, the vague recollection that the Crawley’s beautiful home has always been on the verge of bankruptcy has always been on my mind. And for a while, one year in particular on the calendar has stuck out as a potential stumbling block to the family fortune - 1929.

Seeing as that’s when the American financial system suffered its first major crisis, and part of the money that’s kept Downton afloat is from Cora’s side of the family. Elizabeth McGovern’s Cora, the American fixture in the ITV hit, has been the connection to various lifelines, for better or worse. With this movie being announced as taking place in 1930, the moment has passed, and consequences will start to take shape - with plenty of Downton Abbey 3 cast members still waiting to take their places.

Which now introduces the possibility that Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale may see her brother Julius coming to collect in some manner or another. Let’s not forget Paul Giamatti’s cryptic Downton 3 tease where he said he does “something of real significance.”

Though now that I think about it, could the return of Guy Dexter (Dominic West) be an indication that he may want to secure the location as his own? You have to admit, that possibility would not only keep Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) in the house he rose through the ranks serving, it’d also be a way to keep the household staff on board after the transition.

I think even Barrows’ former foe Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) would begrudgingly admit that this is making the best of a sad situation. In either of these scenarios, the Crawley era of Downton Abbey looks to be at its end.

The real questions left to answer are where will its inhabitants go, who will be the new owner, and is it really for the best that Matthew Goode won’t be appearing in The Grand Finale? Save your energy, and your tears, as we’ve got until September 12th to think of what to say about the end of this pop culture favorite.

Can you believe it’s almost time to hit the links again with Happy? It still feels like a sort of miracle to know that the 2025 movie schedule will bring us Happy Gilmore 2, almost 30 years after the first comedy hit landed in theaters. I'll allow us all a moment to adjust our backs and fetch our slippers before we continue.

The teaser for Adam Sandler’s upcoming legacy-quel gave us some pretty exciting glimpses on what’s to come And, now, a full trailer featuring a cavalcade of cameos has delivered something I’ve been waiting for since the project’s announcement: Happy Gilmore’s continued owning of Shooter McGavin.

Unveiled during tonight’s live Tudum event for Netflix’s upcoming movies and TV shows, the return of everyone’s favorite hockey player-turned-golfer couldn’t feel closer. And getting to see Bad Bunny, Ben Stiller and even Travis Kelce on deck for Happy Gilmore 2 definitely made my night.

Especially when it looks like these two are going to get into a bit of a conflict, for reasons we still don't know about. I guess it's a good thing the original plan for Kelce's Happy Gilmore 2 role didn't pan out - seeing as I now want to see this new caddy beat his potential foe into a tray of chicken tenders.

And who wants to root against a Gilmore after all of this time? No, seriously, who? Could it be....SHOOTER MCGAVIN (Christopher McDonald)?! Watching this classic sports movie baddie in action does make the wait for July 25th’s Netflix subscription driver seem relatively infinite, especially if the fighting is already this heated.

If Happy's already reminding his legendary nemesis that he eats pieces of shit for breakfast, where's he gonna go from there? And how's Shooter going to try and top that; after all this time? Maybe they should have called this movie Happy Gilmore: The Final Reckoning; because there are a lot of threads from the past that are paid off in this full trailer. And, based on some social media traffic during the film's production, we will get a scene of former Tom Cruise impersonator Ben Stiller running.

Quick glimpses of a man that looks like the son of Carl Weathers' beloved character Chubbs, as well relatives of Richard Kiel and Joe Flaherty's original Happy Gilmore characters, are also present. All this, plus the tease of a potential Jon Lovitz cameo, make for a pretty exciting continuation of what's already considered one of the best '90s movies ever!

It’s pretty sweet to get back in some sand traps with Adam Sandler after all this time. So, if you’re looking fore-ward to what comes next, Happy Gilmore 2 will be making its way to the Netflix ready device of your choice, starting July 25th.

It’s alive, my friends. It’s finally alive. After over a decade of starts, stops, and setbacks, we can finally see Guillermo del Toro’s spin on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is taking its place -- and on the 2025 movie schedule. While teases for del Toro’s “emotional” retelling may scare some, it’s been music to my ears. But, now, after seeing the teaser, I think we’re going to see Ms. Shelley’s creation do something we don’t typically see it do: fight.

One of the many gifts given to fans amid tonight’s live upfront event known as Tudum, this is the first official batch footage for this creature feature starring Oscar Isaac as the damned scientist and Jacob Elordi as his forsaken creation. Co-starring Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and a ton of other notables, this is a film that del Toro has been “actively pursuing" for "25 years.” And oh, baby is it worth it.

Even if you know all of the ins and outs of Frankenstein, The Creature typically is portrayed as a lumbering beast that hulks over humans with its power. But that last shot of Frankenstein’s Monster taking a pitchfork like a champ and pulling his potential assassin forward for a beat down is impressive.

Not to mention, Jacob Elordi's supposed affront to the natural order pretty much clears the deck of crew members who stand in his way. Which still has me wondering how Andrew Garfield's original casting would have shaken out, though I'm also all in on the Euphoria vet's portrayal. But we're not veering too far from tradition here, as there's only one thing on his mind: "VICTOR!" Damn, this is chilling and heartbreaking at the same time; with a side of nerd warmth from the world of reality.

To understand my excitement beyond this footage, I have to give you a small history lesson. You see, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein has been discussed for quite a while. In fact, one of our own archival reports from 2012 had “Frankenstein back on track at Universal.”

Much like At the Mountains of Madness, that project never materialized at that studio home; marking a period of time where we’d see connected pitches come and go. (Anyone else remember the Dark Universe pitch for Bride of Frankenstein?) But, now, the monster and his creator will return to haunt us all in this brand new tale. And Frankenstein's creation is going to show us his existential rage in a way we're not accustomed to - which only further intrigues me.

As you heard before, Guillermo del Toro has been wanting to make this movie for almost three decades. So he's had time to study up, and determine how and why that scene of physical prowess fit into this morbid and emotional mix. Frankenstein will descend upon us this November, only on Netflix. Pray he doesn't find you! Or do, it's your choice really.

Summer has come to the 2025 TV schedule, which often means the arrivals of some of the most highly-anticipated streaming TV shows. As a fan of Chicago Fire on network TV who has been known to dabble in Station 19 and 9-1-1, I had a feeling that Apple TV+'s flame-filled Smoke with Taron Egerton was going to be right up my alley. After the streamer released a trailer with some thrilling footage and reminders of the fantastic Black Bird, however, I see that I had no idea what I was in for, and Smoke has become one of my must-see shows of the summer.

What can I say? If the team from Black Bird came back together for Smoke, I can't see the new project going up in flames.

What To Expect From Smoke

The new crime drama was created and written by Dennis Lehane, starring Taron Egerton as arson investigator Dave Gudsen as well as Jurnee Smollett as police detective Michelle Calderone. Based on the trailer (seen above), they'll have a complicated relationship, to say the least! The cast will also feature the likes of Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Hannah Emily Anderson, Anna Chlumsky, Adina Porter, Greg Kinnear, and John Leguizamo.

The story follows Gudsen and Calderone as they reluctantly team up to try and stop two arsonists who seem to be wreaking fiery havoc on the area. Although Smoke is a fictional story, the new drama was inspired by truth.media's "Firebug" podcast. The first two episodes will release on Friday, June 27, followed by one episode per week through to August 15.

After watching the trailer and thinking back on Taron Egerton and Dennis Lehane's previous collaboration, I can't help but wonder how true-to-life the story will be. Black Bird was based on an autobiographical novel and went the extra mile to avoid "exploiting" the true story. And that brings us to...

Why Black Bird Is An All-Time Favorite Streaming Crime Thriller

Almost exactly three years before Smoke will premiere for any viewer with an Apple TV+ subscription, Black Bird kicked off the story of Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), who makes a plea deal to get out of his own prison sentence if he can get a full confession from serial killer and rapist Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser, who won the Critics Choice Award, Emmy, and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for the role) behind bars. The series also starred Sepidah Moafi as Jimmy's FBI handler, Greg Kinnear as police detective Brian Miller, and Ray Liotta as Jimmy's father in one of the Goodfellas star's last performances before his death.

This wasn't an action-packed crime thriller comprised of six episodes of riots and explosions and gunfights galore, but rather a chilling miniseries that really lingers. Even three years later, I vividly remember the shots of Egerton's Jimmy in isolation, frantically trying to recreate Hall's map in his own blood before he forgot the finer details. There was no true happy ending, with none of the burial sites from the map being unearthed, and the show was an intense experience.

So, as a fan of crime dramas, I'd be optimistic about any project reuniting the creative team behind Black Bird, which includes Dennis Lehane once more as writer/creator and Taron Egerton once more as star/executive producer. Smoke's trailer just adds – pardon the pun – fuel to the fire. I'm officially psyched for the new show.

You can check out the series premiere of Smoke on Friday, June 27 on Apple TV+. If you missed out on Black Bird when it first released in 2022, you can find that on the streamer now.

Remember in April when James Gunn called David Corenswet’s Superman “beautiful” in that behind-the-scenes video that teased new looks at so many other amazing cast members? Well, after watching the first full-length trailer for the DCU-launching Superman, I feel comfortable cribbing Gunn’s use of “beautiful” to describe everything about it. Except maybe Supes being viewed as a threat!

One of the most anticipated upcoming 2025 movies by a long shot, Superman Is obviously far from the first time comic book fans have seen the hero in live-action on the big screen, but it's never been in a movie that looked quite like this!

I mean, we're all quite grateful that Nathan Fillion's dorky 'do as Green Lantern Guy Gardner was never actualized on film before. But at least there are so many other things to distract me and sway me from poking fun at the fan-favorite actor.

Distractions like, I dunno, Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane interrogating, er, interviewing David Corenswet's Clark-as-Superman, where her words alone are able to work the alien hero up into a mild frenzy while defending some of his past actions that, while beneficial to some, was highly damaging to others. It'll be amazing if James Gunn gives Superman the most complicated version of the "trolley problem" imaginable.

If that were to happen, I don't think it's necessarily out of logic's bounds to think that the giant rocky kaiju creature might be the "trolley" in question. I can't think of any possible way for that thing to be stopped without a truly depressing amount of destruction and death involved. Perhaps Mr. Terrific can whip up a giant catapult...

It's also easy for one's attention span to get rattled by our latest super-great look at Barry and Gotham vet Anthony Carrigan's debut as the DCU's Metamorpho, who can manipulate his body's chemical compounds for shape-shifting and other fun utilizations.

I'm even here for that Mighty Crabjoys poster on Clark's wall in Smallville, as that presumably fictional band was also namechecked-via-logo in an episode of Creature Commandos.

Oh, and speaking of that sorta horrifying ragtag group, the Superman trailer also delivers a live-action return from Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr., and the dialogue happening over the lone shot of him seems to indicate that he's now the Secretary of Defense. Which...yeah, okay, I guess that tracks in 2025.

It’s kind of bonkers to think that fans have been waiting for years now to see a finished trailer for James Gunn’s first movie as the head of DC Studios, and we’re only getting it less than two months before the film’s debut. Granted, Warner Bros. and DC haven’t exactly held back on sneak peeks, having debuted the extended Krypto scene teaser-trailer during CinemaCon after the initial exciting-as-hell teaser promo. Thankfully, the wait was worth it, at least for yours truly.

David Corenswet's Man of Steel will be flying into theaters all over the world on July 11, 2025.

When it comes to the schedule of upcoming Marvel shows, there’s one title fans have been waiting several years for at this point. I’m talking about Ironheart, which is set to show the continuing adventures of Riri Williams, the tech prodigy from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Luckily for fans, the first official trailer has arrived, and it shows some of the explosive situations Riri’s going to find herself in. As cool as it is to see her in action, though, there’s a new character I’m eager to check out in this 2025 TV schedule entry.

Riri Williams Shines In The First Ironheart Trailer

The trailer, which can be seen above, begins on a tense note, as Riri enters a seemingly abandoned building and finds herself trapped in an elevator filled with air-poisoning gas. Ultimately, she’s able to find her way out of the situation and ace her “interview” with the seemingly mysterious figure (who we’ll discuss more later). What I appreciate about this trailer is that it highlights Williams’ ingenuity with and without her suit of armor. I also like seeing her interact with friends and family, including her mother, Ronnie.

Of course, the action here can’t be understated, and I’m quite impressed with what I’m seeing so far. The visual effects for Riri’s armor look downright impeccable, and it appears the production team staged some action sequences worthy of the big screen. I suppose that shouldn’t be all that surprising, especially since the show also counts visionary filmmaker (and Black Panther helmer) Ryan Coogler amongst its producers.

Dominique Thorne, who heads up the cast of Ironheart, also seems to be giving a performance that’s consistent with her charming work in Wakanda Forever. To me, she seems a bit more comfortable in the role of Iron Man’s heir apparent. I also love that Thorne has spoken with Robert Downey Jr. about the journey that she’s embarked upon with this character. I’m excited to see what’s in store for Thorne and Riri, but I also have to gush about a newcomer.

Which MCU Character Am I Pumped To See?

The mysterious voice that Riri hears on the elevator belongs to a shady individual known as Parker Robbins a.k.a. The Hood, who’s played by none other than Anthony Ramos. Robbins’ red hood imbues him with supernatural powers, which he uses for his own gain. However, as the trailer teases, those abilities may come at a cost (Robbins’ blackened back in that one shot is an indication of that point).

Parker is a charismatic individual, though, and it seems he’s going to serve as the devil on Riri’s shoulder in this story. Though I think another devil may be in the mix as well.

In the comics, Parker Robbins obtains his dark magic-infused gear after an encounter with a demon. Robbins’ origin in the MCU is (unsurprisingly) being kept under wraps at this time. However, for some time now, there’s been speculation regarding a possible role for the demon Mephisto in this show. Sacha Baron Cohen is reportedly part of Ironheart’s ensemble, and it’s believed that he’s playing the role of the dark lord. That’s all speculation right now, but I am still wondering if Mephisto is somehow responsible for Parker’s powers.

Moving away from the more otherworldly elements of this show though, I’m excited to see Riri Williams use her technological brilliance to develop a new suit and become a hero in her own right. That journey is probably going to come with a few stumbles, of course, which should make the narrative all the more interesting. Overall, I’m hopeful that this series ends does the character justice.

Disney+ subscription holders should tune in for Ironheart when it soars onto the platform with a three-episode premiere on June 24.

2025 is a big year for the DC Universe, and not just because its first movie, James Gunn’s Superman, flies onto the 2025 film calendar in July. One month later, Peacemaker Season 2 will premiere on the 2025 TV schedule, with the Max subscription-exclusive series being shifted over to this new continuity after starting out as a DCEU offering. The first trailer for this new season has arrived, and while there’s a lot to enjoy from it, including appearances from Nathan Fillion’s Guy Garner, Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl and Sean Gunn’s Maxwell Lord, I’m left mainly thinking about a specific question about Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller: where is she following Creature Commandos Season 1?

Here’s some quick background: as a result of The Suicide Squad being loosely considered part of DCU continuity since it was written and directed by James Gunn, like John Cena, Davis is one of the few DCEU holdovers for this new franchise. As such, we heard her vocally reprising Amanda Waller in Creature Commandos Season 1, and the Waller TV series was one of the first DCU projects to be announced. Davis also made two uncredited appearances in Peacemaker Season 1, which aired during the DCEU days, but it seems like we won’t be seeing her in Season 2 if this line from John Economos is any indication:

We’ve known for a long time that Frank Grillo is coming to Peacemaker Season 2, with this marking the character’s third appearance following Creature Commandos (which is returning for another season) and Superman in two months time. There’s more than enough justification to bring Rick Flag Sr. into the upcoming DC TV show since as the trailer reminds us, Peacemaker, a.k.a. Christopher Smith, killed his son, as depicted in The Suicide Squad. But the fact that Sr. is now running A.R.G.U.S. took me by surprise.

At the end of Peacemaker Season 1, Leota Adebayo, Amanda Waller’s daughter, revealed the existence of Task Force X and Project Butterfly to the public, as well as how her mother was in charge of both. And yet, when Creature Commandos began, Waller was still A.R.G.U.S.’s director, though because Task Force X had been shut down for putting human lives in danger, she was forced to use “monsters” rather than humans for Task Force M. So what happened between then and now that’s resulted in Rick Flag Sr. becoming the new A.R.G.U.S. head honcho?

People who’ve seen Peacemaker, but not Creature Commandos, might just assumes this comes as part of the aftermath of Leota spilling the beans on TV. However, I’m wondering if Amanda Waller’s removal stems from how the events of the aforementioned animated series nearly led to Princess Ilana Rostovic’s plans for world domination succeeding. Maybe sometime after the new Task Force M was formed, Waller’s superiors decided it was time for her to go.

Whether that’s the reason for Rick Flag Sr.’s promotion or something else, that then begs the question of where exactly Amanda Waller is. Is she still at A.R.G.U.S. and just working in a demoted position? Has she managed to finagle her way into a different position in the U.S. government? Or has yet-to-be-revealed events forced her to go into hiding? Maybe her whereabouts will be one of the explored mysteries in Peacemaker Season 2, although again, that doesn’t guarantee we’ll see Viola Davis reprising her role.

My hope is that whatever’s happened to Amanda Waller will set the stage for the Waller TV series. James Gunn acknowledged in February (via Variety) that this project has had a “bumpy road,” but it’s now been re-conceived to follow Peacemaker Season 2. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how things unfold in this next batch of Peacemaker episodes, which start airing on August 21.

Materialists is coming in June, and if it were from any other studio than A24, I wouldn't bat an eye at a romantic comedy starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans. But again, if readers look at the best A24 movies out there, this isn't a studio known for doing a normal movie. As such, I can't help but be a little suspicious and wonder if there's a weirder movie hiding beneath this trailer.

This upcoming A24 movie might just be a standard romantic comedy that harkens back to the 2000s... or maybe it's something else entirely. I'm leaning toward the latter, and if it turns out I'm wrong, well, it's a great cast and could be a great regular movie!

This Movie Looks All Too Normal To Be An A24 Film

When I watch the trailer for Materialists, I'm reminded of How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days or any other best rom coms I'd watch with a Netflix subscription. I think the fact that the tone of the movie itself feels like something I would've watched 20 years ago set off my Spidey senses, but again, this is A24 we're talking about.

Look at some of A24's top-rated movies, and they all fall in one of three categories. They cover very niche topics with a strong statement, are horror movies that will creep you out, or are just esoteric and batshit crazy. I wouldn't describe Materialists as any of that, and would even go so far as to say it strikes me as a fairly standard romantic comedy with a likable cast. If it ends up being nothing more, I'm cool with that, but doesn't this trailer just feel like there's something lurking beneath the surface?

Is It Possible This Movie Is Something Entirely Different Than What The Trailers Depict?

This is complete speculation, but what if Materialists is doing something similar to what Longlegs did with its trailers in keeping a big secret? Listen, I have a tinfoil hat on here in making this bold accusation, pointing mainly to the track record of the production company behind it. I honestly can't put my finger on what exactly that twist might be, but I can't shake the feeling this is more than just some normal romantic comedy.

If Materialists is exactly what it's advertised, then rom-com fans will be happy. Dakota Johnson is a New York matchmaker torn between an old flame (Chris Evans) and her "perfect match" (Pedro Pascal). Which will she choose? Maybe the twist is how the movie plays out? I'll say this much, I'm intrigued enough I'm about to buy a ticket so I can find out for myself!

Materialists is in theaters on June 13th, and if there ends up being a wild twist, you heard it here first! If not, get a healthy dose of that by watching some of the best horror movies by A24.

After more than a decade spent away from each other onscreen, former NCIS mainstays Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David are finally being paired for their aptly-titled spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva. This Paramount+-exclusive series will premiere on the 2025 TV schedule this fall, and last month, the first images from the show were released. Now the first trailer for Tony & Ziva is here to watch as well, and in the midst of kicking so much ass, Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo’s characters are still figuring out their vibe together. Just like old times, am I right?

Not only does this spinoff mark the first time we’re seeing Tony and Ziva together since the NCIS Season 11 episode “Past, Present, and Future,” it’s also giving us our first taste of them parenting their daughter Tali, played by Isla Gie. While the characters look like they have the co-parenting down pat, their romantic relationship status is still very much up in the air, with Ziva describing it to her therapist as, “On again, maybe again, kind of again.” What on Earth could finally bring these two crazy kids together for good?

Evidently their daughter being put in danger, because although Tony and Ziva hired have hired someone to protect Tali, their girl has now been targeted by someone Tony trusted. On top of that, Tony’s security company is attacked, so all these unfortunate events will force the title protagonists to go on the run across Europe and use their combined law enforcement and combat experience to get out of this mess. The preview also amusingly highlights a moment when Ziva’s the one who has to be “charmingly persuasive” and Tony is kicking ass, a 180 from what we usually expect from these two.

Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo’s other co-stars in NCIS: Tony & Ziva include Amita Suman, Maximilian Osinski, Julian Ovenden, Nassima Benchicou, Lara Rossi, Terence Maynard and James D’Arcy. John McNamara is serving as the spinoff’s showrunner and executive produces with Weatherly, de Pablo, Laurie Lieser, Christina Strain, Shelley Meals and Mairzee Almas. For now, Tony & Ziva has been envisioned as a “single, serialized story of intrigue and espionage over 10 episodes,” as McNamara described it. So it’s hard to say whether Season 2 will happen if the limited series is successful, but for now, at least NCIS fans can take comfort knowing they’re only months away from getting Tiva back, as they’re so affectionately known together.

NCIS: Tony & Ziva doesn’t have a specific premiere date yet, but we’ll pass that along once it’s announced alongside our continuing coverage of the spinoff. This fall will also bring NCIS Season 23 and NCIS: Origins Season 2 to CBS, and it remains to be seen when NCIS: Sydney Season 3 will premiere.

As a child of the era where Fear Street books were as prevalent as Calvin & Hobbes collections at the book fair, seeing Netflix release its 2021 trilogy of terrifying adaptations made my dark heart melt. Going into the 2025 movie schedule, that flame reignited when Fear Street: Prom Queen’s announcement video promised a new entry for a May debut.

So after having finally seen the trailer, I think this latest slasher throwback looks to die for; while also being concerned about how the series could potentially move forward. And no, I’m not talking about how according to that timestamp on the trailer, this prom would be held on a very manic Monday.

Fear Street: Prom Queen’s Easter Egg Invokes The Spirit Of Fear Street: Part 2 - 1978

Oooh baby, I do know what it’s worth, to have another Fear Street flick on Earth. Director/co-writer Matt Palmer looks to have crafted a worthy follow-up to Leigh Janiak’s previous Fear Street trilogy, full of era appropriate fashion and needle drops. But of course, this is Shadyside we’re dealing with; and the historic curse that holds the town in its grip is still very much in effect.

That leads to a moment that both pleased and concerned me, as we see a quick glimpse of the Camp Nightwing mural you see pictured above. While we know what Fear Street: Part 2 - 1978’s ending meant for the overall story, seeing the effect those events have on the town’s youth a decade on certainly sounds like a fun idea. However, this bit of continuity has me thinking about the future - which gives me a very specific axe to grind.

I Hope Future Fear Street Installments Don't Bypass Standalone Stories Just For Connective Tissue

Continuity is something I’ll always value in an extended universe like Fear Street, as it allows me to use my Netflix subscription to revisit the impressive gore anytime I want. At the same time, looking back at author R.L. Stine’s anthology series has me longing for self-contained stories in this universe.

Yes, I loved the trilogy arcs that would pop up on a recurring basis; which is part of why I will never shut up about how The Cataluna Chronicles deserves the same movie adaptation treatment The Prom Queen got. But at the same time, one-offs like this 1992 entry, as well as dozens of others such as Double Date and The Wrong Number, all existed as isolated stories in the Shadyside universe.

While “The Curse of Shadyside” can still be present in these stories, and maybe even influence some of them, I really hope that the Fear Street films will branch out past slashers that simply build on the lore of that curse. Sometimes your maniac killer is a jilted lover who wants you to themselves; and not a person possessed by an ancient evil.

And before anyone thinks I’m getting my hopes up here, R.L. Stine admitted in a THR interview back in January that there are three new movies being developed. So if Fear Street: Prom Queen’s May 23rd release is crowned a slashing success, we might get to have this conversation again.

Producer Jordan Peele has an eye for culturally relevant horror, whether he’s behind the wheel or not. For his 2025 movie schedule entry Him, director/co-writer Justin Tipping is in control, in a story that looks to be blending football, body horror, and some witchcraft in the mix. But even with such chilling visuals, one performance in this upcoming horror movie cut me to the core, and I can’t wait to see more of what’s to come.

Playing the character of Isaiah White, who is described as “a legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar” in this project’s synopsis, Marlon Wayans doesn’t tip into over-the-top energy in the small peek Universal Pictures has shared here.

As he offers young quarterback Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) the chance to bounce back from a gnarly injury, you hear White offering a pep talk that sounds like your usual training montage pump-up. At least, until we pivot into the stuff that probably impressed the audience at Universal's 2025 CinemaCon panel, which is where this clip may have made its debut.

That quickly turns to moments alternating between stoicism and pure histrionics, with some creepy vocal distortion finding its way into the mix as well. Which, if you know Marlon Wayans’ filmography, is familiar territory that he’s making a welcome return to.

Most people cite Wayans’ comedic work, with the Scary Movie franchise and White Chicks as his claims to fame. However, his chops as a comedian who’s great in dramatic roles, as seen in pictures such as Requiem for a Dream, or even action pictures like G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra, are nothing to sleep on.

The push and pull of Him’s teaser shows that off rather brilliantly, as we’re shown the temptations and the pitfalls of sporting fame. All the while Tyriq Withers’ Cameron is being constantly asked by Marlon Wayans’ character how much he’s willing to sacrifice. It’s practically a bargain with the devil when the Atlanta star finally shouts “Everything!”; which allows Wayans to coolly scale back to an icy calm, knowing he’s won.

Putting together the picture's title with that gigantic symbol on the gridiron during Him's teaser title card, we might be able to get away with omitting "practically" from the equation entirely. That's right: I'm saying that Marlon Wayans could either be a servant of, if not the Devil himself in Him.

Unless the gigantic heartagram, the Faustian nature of the central pitch, and the title potentially standing for "His Infernal Majesty" - similar to the Swedish rock band of the same name - are just red herrings. Maybe it's just the cultural diet of some of the best horror movies ever talking here. Taking that promise, and crossing it with a cultural examination of college football that feels like Get Out meets Ballers, is certainly a way to get my attention.

And with all of our eyes on the screen at this moment, let’s start counting the days until Him makes its theatrical debut, on September 19th - just in time for football season! As for those of you who thought this was Jordan Peele's upcoming 2026 movie, you can find information on that still mysterious project elsewhere.

Days turned to weeks in 2007, and on the 2025 movie schedule, weeks skip straight over to years - in the name of terror. Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland’s return with 28 Years Later has been a long time coming, and as a fan of the previous films, I’m loving what we’ve seen so far from the upcoming horror movie.

That notion was proven to be correct yet again, as not only has the Aaron Taylor-Johnson-starring picture dropped a new trailer, but Mr. Garland made a pretty huge admission about canon during a recent interview. Seeing as we’re all amped up like a Rage-plagued Infected, let’s tear into how the past looks to be affecting the future.

We Might Finally See The Origins Of 28 Days Later’s Infected Priest

From the moment we all locked eyes on 28 Years Later’s first trailer, one scene from 2002’s 28 Days Later has frequently cropped up in conversation. After seeing swarms of Infected flooding a random church in the teaser’s prologue, people started to wonder if Cillian Murphy’s first big encounter with this holy menace would be revisited.

If you don’t remember or are not familiar with that scene, that’s OK. Considering 28 Days Later was out of circulation for years, you may not have seen it, or it’s probably been a while. So enjoy this throwback to memory lane:

With the widely held belief that 28 Years Later is going to show moments from the initial Rage Virus outbreak as the picture’s opening, this assumption seems to have gained some steam. In fact, some seem to think that this could be a connection to Jack O’Connell’s mysterious character, Sir Jimmy Crystal.

Yes, that may very well be the Jimmy at the heart of my theory on Cillian Murphy’s 28 Years Later return; so perhaps Jim hasn't broken bad after all. Though I will admit, even if this isn't the priest from 28 Days Later, it looks like we'll at least see how that location was so wrecked by the time we saw it in that horror classic.

However, as I previously promised, there’s another piece to the puzzle that’s fallen into place. If you’ve been worrying about whether 28 Weeks Later was still canon or not, allow an expert to ease your troubled mind.

Writer Alex Garland Found An Explosive Solution To Handling The Ending Of 28 Weeks Later

Another interesting development came from an AMA that Alex Garland was on hand for, in order to promote his recent film, Warfare. Naturally, the question of how a Paris overrun with Infected at the end of director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s follow-up to 28 Days Later would fit with the vision of this potential trilogy has been weighing on some franchise enthusiasts.

Sure enough, the Civil War writer/director had an answer for that question, in this statement shared to Reddit:

So much for those plans to visit the Eiffel Tower. The world of 28 Years Later is slowly coming into focus, and through these two segments, we could have something special on our hands. Although this could be only the beginning of a long and interesting game, which leads me to one final note to share.

28 Years Later Could Have A Viral Marketing Site Debuting Real Soon

When the teaser for this new 28 Years Later trailer was shared, another Morse Code message popped up. Take a look at that clip for yourself below, and make sure you know your dots from your dashes:

For those of us not born into the Navy, that message appears to spell the name of a website: RageLeaks-dot-net. The good folks at Reddit seemed to crack that code, and the site does seem to exist, albeit locked up with an Admin password that, at the time of this writing, no one’s figured out.

The popular guess is that if everything checks out, this could be an official viral marketing site that provides a lore dump for the events between 28 Weeks Later and 28 Years Later. So if you’re someone who wants to relive obsessively combing Cloverfield's viral marketing for backstory, that glorious day may be upon you.

And speaking of glorious days, 28 Years Later will be in theaters starting June 20th. Be thankful for everything, for soon there will be nothing.

For years, there’d been talk of a third Tron film, and the project (unfortunately) went through its share of starts and stops. The project seemed to gain true momentum in 2017, though, when Jared Leto boarded it and, now, we’re months away from the release of Tron: Ares. Footage has been kept close to the vest as you can imagine but, now, the first official trailer for the 2025 movie schedule entry has been released. Not only does it feature awesome footage of Leto’s renegade program, but it also features a quick, vocal cameo that has me pumped.

Ares And Co. Enter The Real World In A Big Way

Per the few plot details that have been released about Ares, the film sees the eponymous character – along with others – leaving the Grid and entering the real world. The protagonist makes the leap due to being tasked with a mission and, as of right now, his exact goals are unclear. Nevertheless, as you can see in the footage above, he manages to cause some true chaos, as these worlds collide for the first time.

There are some truly striking images here, including some that, as a fan, I never thought I’d actually bear witness to. Honestly, the sheer sight of elements from the Grid appearing in a real-world setting is just so surreal. I particularly love the striking shot of a Lightcyle tearing through a patrol car. And, of course, it’s wild to see a Recognizer floating against the night sky, too, as Greta Lee’s character runs for her life.

Despite all of this, anyone who’s still hoping to see the Tron’s franchise’s digital world in this upcoming Disney movie is in luck. There’s also footage that seems to show guards in the virtual realm, and it goes without saying that red is the signature color this time around. At this point, I’d just love to rush to an IMAX theater to watch these stunning visuals on a big screen, but that’s going to have to wait. The prospect of being patient is going to be hard, especially given another sweet tease featured in this batch of footage.

There's A Vocal Cameo In The Tron: Ares Trailer That Has Me Hyped

The trailer is definitely cool-looking, but there’s one particular tidbit that I’m simply geeking out about – and you might know what it is. Near the end of the trailer, an unseen character asks, “Ready? ‘Cause there’s no going back.” That voice belongs to none other than Kevin Flynn, who’s played by returning franchise OG Jeff Bridges. Honestly, just the sound of Bridges’ voice sends a chill down my spine. Anyone familiar with the franchise’s and Flynn’s journey up to this point, certainly knows that this is an auspicious occasion.

Flynn serves as the lead character in the franchise’s inaugural 1982 installment and plays a supporting role in the 2010 sequel, Tron: Legacy. Kevin notably sacrifices himself at the end of Legacy in order to prevent his rogue, former program, Clu, from taking his forces into the real world. The exact circumstances behind Flynn’s return are unclear, though I’m certainly pumped that he’s back in the fold for this latest adventure.

Joining the aforementioned Jared Leto, Jeff Bridges and Greta Lee in the film are Jodie Turner-Smith, Evan Peters (who’s briefly featured in the trailer), Cameron Monaghan, Hasan Minhaj and Gillian Anderson. Director Joachim Rønning seems to be offering viewers a visual feast, and the music from Nine Inch Nails is sure to hit hard. After seeing this trailer, I'm excited and eager to see more, and here’s hoping that fans’ return to the Grid proves to be well worth the wait.

Tron: Ares rides into theaters on October 10. In the meantime, you can stream the first two installments in the series using a Disney+ subscription.

In 1991, Leslie Nielsen’s Lt. Frank Drebin spoke of how he wanted to “live in a world where Frank Jr…” could do many things - some of which would never be repeated in modern comedy. So when the 2025 movie schedule became the home to Liam Neeson’s long-awaited spin on The Naked Gun, I never imagined that it was going to fulfill that very promise.

And yet, that's exactly what the first teaser for Paramount’s upcoming comedy offered - and without any of the reasons the first film is considered an '80s movie that didn't age well. As if that wasn't awesome enough, there was actually a joke that made me feel like a raccoon found in a bakery’s dumpster: caught off guard, but very happy with what I saw.

The Naked Gun’s Going Full Legacy-quel, And That’s Probably For The Best

Fresh off of its debut at Paramount Pictures' CinemaCon 2025 panel, the central gag that showcased director Akiva Schaffer and producer Seth MacFarlane’s glorious arrival is something that feels right at home in the files of Police Squad. We all knew that Frank Jr. (Liam Neeson) was going to show up somehow, and that the small girl entering an armed hostage situation was going to be the vehicle.

But seeing it pulled off was a true treat, and a perfect lead up to the revelation that “the new version” of The Naked Gun is indeed a legacy-quel. Introducing us to a hall where we see the next generation of law enforcement paying fond tribute to their fathers, we also see the son of George Kennedy’s Capt. Ed Hocken, played beautifully by Paul Walter Hauser.

Now since comedy works on the “Rule of Three,” and there were three cops central to director David Zucker’s classic franchise starter, I think you know where the trailer’s best joke comes from. In fact, you could say that much like corn, and the San Francisco 49’ers’ ‘78-’79 lineup, it’s got The Juice!

O.J. Simpson’s Nordberg Gets A Proper Satirical Send Off

If there was any question that needed to be answered while watching this trailer, it’s “Will Pamela Anderson play a ‘rebooted’ version of Frank Drebin Jr.’s mother?” While that’s still important now, seeing how controversial sports figure O.J. Simpson’s Nordberg was going to be folded into a Naked Gun legacy-quel was a door that needed to be opened - so that this question could fall down a flight of painful looking stairs.

The dismissal of Nordberg would have been appropriate even if the late Simpson’s legacy didn’t include his infamous murder trial, and other troubles that plagued him throughout his life. Out of the trio of beat cops trying to protect the city from increasingly ridiculous plots outside of their jurisdiction, The Naked Gun trilogy firmly made this character its punching bag.

With an updated action sensibility, crossed with a traditional flavor of humor I’d like to think the original team would appreciate, The Naked Gun has me won over as a fan. Although now I’m going to need some more information on whether or not Pamela Anderson’s casting is connected to some sort of reboot joke involving Priscilla Presley’s Jane Spencer-Drebin.

Should that suspicion is correct, then score another point for this legacy-quel, as well as the comedy skills of the beloved Baywatch vet in question. The Naked Gun reloads this beloved comedy for a new generation, August 1st. Your move, Marvel Studios.

As millennials get older, it's sometimes mind-boggling to think about how old our favorite movies from childhood actually are. Case in point: Freaky Friday (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription), which hit theaters over two decades ago in 2003. It's finally getting a sequel, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan back to reprise their roles as Tess and Anna. And the first trailer for Freakier Friday already gave some killer lines to Oscar-winning actress JLC.

What we know about Freakier Friday has been pretty limited so far, although it certainly seemed like the pair of leading ladies were happy to be back together. Their chemistry is heart warming in the above trailer, and for the second time around they both get to act like kids. We all can't forget Curtis famously saying "I look like the crypt keeper" in the original film, and this time when the body swap happens she hilariously utters

This trailer opens on Curtis and Lohan in a scene with SNL alum Vanessa Bayer, who appears to be a psychic. She clocks that they changed places back in the day, and suggests it might need to happen again. They protest, and once again feel the familiar rumblings of something supernatural.

Another body swap does happen, but this time involving Anna's daughter and her boyfriend's daughter. Both Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis get to act like young kids, and this teaser for Freakier Friday is no doubt just the tip of the iceberg for this comedic duo.

The first Freakier Friday sneak peek with Lohan and Curtain came in October, and anticipation for the upcoming Disney movie has been steadily building since. The project will contribute to the current Lohanassaince, and marks the actress' return to the big screen after a number of movies made available for those with a Netflix subscription.

Given how much love are coming at both Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis currently, the timing for this long-awaited sequel feels killer. And if this brief trailer is to be believed, it looks like director Nisha Ganatra was able to capture the same fun tone as the original movie. This time there are three different generations factoring into the comedy, which will bring something new to the burgeoning franchise. Chad Michael Murray is also featured in the final moments, as he's also reprise his role.

It doesn't hurt that the teaser is set to tune of Chappell Roan's "Hot to Go!", which has been wildly popular since last year. It looks like Lindsay Lohan's Anna is going to once again take to the stage as a rock star, so maybe she'll get to belt out some Chappell in the process.

Freakier Friday is expected to hit theaters August 8th as part of the 2025 movie release list. We'll just have to wait and see see what other easer eggs and connections to the original are included in the final film.

Stephen King contains multitudes. Many try to put his work in a box, as he is certainly best known for his contributions to the world of horror fiction (including classics like Carrie, The Shining, Cujo and IT), but his vast bibliography includes works that can be categorized in a wide variety of genres. It's a war against labeling that King has been fighting almost his entire career – he loves to tell a story about a woman who didn't believe he wrote The Shawshank Redemption – and it now has a new front with Mike Flanagan's The Life Of Chuck set to arrive in theaters everywhere this summer.

The upcoming Stephen King movie debuted its first teaser trailer this morning, and while it doesn't provide audiences with a deep sense of what they can expect from the story, it does aim to introduce the tone of the work – with a big element being titles of comparable adaptations. While this is Flanagan's third movie based on a King book, it's notable that you won't see the titles Gerald's Game or Doctor Sleep anywhere in the 78-second clip. Instead, the folks at Neon want to make sure you're thinking about The Life Of Chuck as being more in line with dramatic modern classics like The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and Stand By Me.

Based on the novella that was published in the 2020 collection If It Bleeds, The Life Of Chuck is a somewhat complicated story to describe – which is why it's probably good that the marketing campaign is starting off by simply establishing the film's mood. The narrative unfolds in three parts that are all linked by the existence of a man named Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston). The first part is a depiction of a slow apocalypse that sees the world decorated with strange advertising depicting Charles and featuring messaging that says “Charles Krantz: 39 Great Years! Thanks, Chuck!”

The second part depicts what seems like an ordinary day in the life of Charles Krantz, but that's before he gets caught up in the beat of a busker drummer and begins dancing in a public square with a beautiful stranger (Annalise Basso).

In the third and final part, we witness Charles coming-of-age as a boy – living with his grandparents (Mark Hamill, Mia Sara) and discovering both his personal love of dance and the fragility of life.

All of Mike Flanagan's projects are outfitted with outrageously talented casts, and as the Life Of Chuck trailer boasts, this film is no different. In addition to the aforementioned Tom Hiddleston, Annalise Basso, Mark Hamill and Mia Sara, the movie also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay, Kate Siegel, Samantha Sloyan, Carl Lumbly, and Matthew Lillard. The feature had its world premiere last year at the Toronto International Film Festival and won the coveted People's Choice Award. I had a chance to personally see it last fall during the Canadian event, and I was wowed to the point of declaring it one of the best Stephen King movies of all time with zero hesitation.

The Life Of Chuck will be in theaters everywhere this June (a more specific release date has not yet been announced).

Everyone has a different flavor of Disney live-action films they prefer, so when the trailer for something new comes along, there are always going to be thoughts. From where I’m standing, my most anticipated 2025 movie falling into that bucket has to be the flesh-and-blood revamp of Lilo & Stitch. Part of that is because I’ve been attached to Experiment 626’s journeys for some time, making him one of my favorite characters in this canon.

My Lilo & Stitch Worries Can Finally Be Put To Rest

But now that the full trailer for director Dean Fleischer Camp’s new take on this beloved classic has arrived, I’m excited both by what’s changed and what hasn’t. In the latter side of that equation, Stitch is still very cute and fluffy, and he continues to be voiced by co-creator Chris Sanders. Which I think is a huge credit to this upcoming Disney live-action movie selling its human cast, led by young newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo.

Yes, you’re talking to the guy who had major concerns about Lilo & Stitch’s marketing, as we hadn’t seen any of the human cast members present during the marketing for this movie until now. All it took was the initial interactions between Kealoha and her CGI scene partner to sell me that this picture’s heart is definitely in the right place.

Admit it: I’m not the only one that teared up when Lilo told Stitch that “family isn’t perfect.” If you can nail that emotional core with a live-action remake, you’ve certainly got my attention. Although this does lead to an interesting choice when it comes to some of Lilo & Stitch’s cast of characters; and I have to say, I’m only further intrigued.

I'm Still Processing Jumbaa And Pleakley’s Actual Human Disguises

I’m not trying to be negative by saying this, but after years of having the original Lilo & Stitch in my mind, this new spin on Dr. Jumba Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis) and Agent Pleakley (Billy Magnussen) is something we need to talk about. While I’m a fan of both actors and their comedic timings, the fact that these scene stealing Disney side-characters look to be using some sort of holographic camouflage to look like two friends on business is very interesting.

Disney+ subscription holders who can't get enough of the original 2002 animated film know that the renegade scientist and uptight galactic law enforcement agent were barely disguised as humans in their original incarnations. Merely using human clothes and accessories to (not) blend in, the results looked more like this:

I suppose that the jump to live-action required some creativity, as the gag of people not paying much attention to this weird pair in the field might not play as well in a live-action Lilo & Stitch. Admittedly I’m still uncertain about this choice, but not in a way that would count as a game over. If anything, the live action casting department surely deserves a raise for drafting Courtney B. Vance to play the imposing Cobra Bubbles in a way that stands side by side with Ving Rhames’ original voice-over.

In any case, this new Lilo & Stitch trailer has done its job, and I’m pretty excited to both laugh and cry in a public space soon enough! The movie arrives in our galaxy, in its new live-action form, on May 23rd, so that’s plenty of time to brush up on your Tantalog language skills. Just don’t expect the most infamous Stitch line to ever be translated…it’s apparently meant to be very vile.

George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead reinvented the subgenre of zombie horror, giving the world a new variant of cinematic apocalypse to prepare for. The 2025 movie schedule is about to benefit from that watershed moment, as 28 Years Later will be rampaging into theaters with Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s Infected tipping their rage-filled hats once again.

But I had no clue that a pseudo-remake named Nyaight of the Living Cat is actually on the way! Weaponizing one of this planet’s most beautiful creatures, Crunchyroll’s increased success with anime seems to have helped make this adorable nightmare possible. The streamer released this colorful trailer along with the good folks at Sony Pictures Television, and the movie is set to premiere at some point in July 2025.

Boasting horror directing icon Takashi Miike as its executive director, this official trailer suggests that an enclave of kitties supposedly caused the inciting explosion. The ensuing aftermath threatens to make humanity a bit cattier than usual, as we learned through the following advisory press release:

So you mean to tell me that instead of becoming a shambling mess that you’d see in an upcoming The Walking Dead project, I could become a cat instead? Look, besides the obvious problems of needing to work for a living and requiring humans for sustenance, I think I could get behind this dawn of the pure bred.

Anyone who’s heard the stories of Taylor Swift’s cats being pop culture icons knows that if you want an easy gig, you just need to be cute and cuddly! Sure, I'd need to somehow find assistance in catching Crunchyroll's most anticipated 2025 anime once all is said and done, but I think I could manage.

Speaking of which, please enjoy another still from the series, as further proof that Nyaight of the Living Cat is the best usage of Night of the Living Dead's public domain status. Also, cats:

Which circles back to my case for why I have to hate the concept of Nyaight of the Living Cat, were it a reality instead of a delightful looking anime series. With survival dictating that I’m not allowed to pet the babies, that also means that there'd be no human minders who are able to provide for my transformed survival.

Right there are two reasons not to succumb to the cuteness, although the greatest reason I’ve gato pass on this opportunity is the fact that we don’t know what a human/cat transformation looks like. Ideally, a victim would instantaneously transform into four-legged existence with little trouble at all.

However, we can’t rule out the most horrifying scenario, which would be that you’d end up looking like one of the abominations shown off in the marketing for Cats. Forgive me for re-opening old wounds, but sharing this trailer is for our own good.

Picture a thousand of those coming at you at night. It wouldn’t be pretty, which is why now’s a good time to return to the realm of reality, and remind ourselves that cats are absolutely cool and adorable.

So feel free to pet, snuggle and pspsps at them all you want, provided they’re into it, of course. Just be careful when watching Nyaight of the Living Cat’s Crunchyroll debut this July. And always remember: when there's no more food in Hell, the cats will walk for foodies!

When it comes to 2025 movies, there’s a lot to be excited about, especially on the upcoming A24 movies front, in my opinion. One movie that’s starting to inch closer to the top of my list right now is Death of the Unicorn’s release date, especially after its new trailer (which you can watch above) totally and oddly reminds me of an all-time great popcorn movie: Jurassic Park.

Now, Death of the Unicorn is not a Jurassic Park movie – and in fact, we’re getting one of those in the form of this summer’s release of Jurassic World Rebirth. Actually, Death of the Unicorn was one of the few independent films that filmed during the actor’s strikes. However, the new trailer does remind me of what makes the original 1993 movie great. It’s exploring the idea of a legendary creature, and how we humans would find a way to absolutely wreck its existence if we could get the hold of it.

As the trailer teases, Paul Rudd’s Elliot and Jenna Ortega’s Ridley (who play father and daughter) will accidentally kill a unicorn while driving to a summit for Eliot’s work. Following the unicorn being found, the Leopold family, whom Eliot works for, will jump right to using their riches to exploit the unicorn and find more like it.

As legend has it, unicorns have incredible healing properties, so they think they are doing a good thing by hunting unicorns and using their components to save humankind. However, they will find a killer unicorn somewhere during the movie that will hunt them down (and perhaps get revenge) for playing around with natural forces they don’t understand.

I absolutely love movies that explore ideas about humankind and how twisted we can be. Not only do a lot of concepts explored in the trailer remind me of Jurassic Park, some of the specific sequences do too. When Rudd’s character is hiding behind cars to avert the deadly unicorn (or whatever monster that is), or when it breathes on Jenna Ortega’s character, it reminds me of the kitchen scene when the raptor is right next to the kids. Of course, that scene also feels like a clear reference to Alien. Oh, and her name is Ripley, so duh!

As soon as I heard one of the Leopolds declare that it is their “moral imperative to harvest every last one,” I only got more excited for Death Of A Unicorn as well. Between this trailer and the one that came out two months ago on YouTube, I can tell the movie is full of quirky humor and may go to some fun and twisted places. Honestly, I might be more excited for this movie, coming out March 28, than the new Jurassic World entry on originality alone.

In the grand scheme of 2025 movies, The Accountant 2 has to be one of the most long-awaited gems. Sure, nine years between sequels isn’t that much of a stretch when compared to other franchises, but I’m pumped nonetheless that Ben Affleck’s action/thriller sequel is actually happening. That much has been proven to be true at this moment, as the first trailer is now up, and there's a lot to discuss.

Don't Expect Much. J.K. Simmons In The Accountant 2

Things are looking quite dangerous in this sequel to 2016’s Gavin O’Connor-directed hit, as Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) and his brother Brax (Jon Bernthal) are embroiled in a pretty personal conflict. And just as I’d suspected from the moment the synopsis mentioned the murder of an “old acquaintance” as the catalyst for this adventure, J.K . Simmons’ Ray King has turned in his Treasury badge for the great beyond.

While it’s expected, I’m still kind of bummed that the Academy Award winner has checked his last counterfeit bill. At the same time, that lends The Accountant 2 a set of stakes that weren’t present in the first picture, as we mostly saw Christian Wolff deal with the job and not his emotions.

Part of that journey is going to come from re-teaming with The Rings of Power cast member Cynthia Addai-Robinson, who played Treasury agent Marybeth Medina from the previous picture. I can definitely see where Addai-Robinson's excitement over The Accountant 2 comes from, as she now gets to work on the frontlines with Mr. Affleck at this time of crisis. And that doesn’t look like the only emotional paydirt on the menu either!

The Accountant 2 Promises Some Brotherly Ben Affleck/Jon Bernthal Drama

Beyond all of the combat that lies ahead in The Accountant 2, there’s an unexpectedly touching angle that looks to be present. Amidst the dry humor between this “good killer, bad killer” pair of siblings, and the threat of the various parties who took out J.K. Simmons’ character, we see the signs of two men trying to reconnect as family.

What I’m about to say is no insult to Jon Bernthal, but out of the two actors, I’m more used to Ben Affleck plumbing those depths in his career. So to see Bernthal’s Brax asking his brother if he even missed him pulls at my heartstrings. And yes, I know The Punisher afforded him the opportunity to dip into some tragic drama in Frank Castle's backstory, but that's a whole other animal from trying to reconnect with your brother.

Though in the opposite direction, it still blows me away to see Affleck doing the sort of ass-kicking I’d expect from the once-and-future Punisher.

I still can’t believe that this movie even happened, as when I spoke to The Way Back director back in 2020, The Accountant 2 seemed like a dead end. But then in 2021, during O’Connor’s ReelBlend appearance, the man walked back that statement with an announcement that Christian Wolff would live to crunch numbers, and necks, once more.

Part of what made this all possible may have been Affleck's co-creation of Artists Equity, a production company founded by himself and his dear friend/collaborator Matt Damon. That'd totally explain the almost decade-long wait for this next chapter. While it may be too early to tell, as The Accountant 2 doesn’t head to theaters until April 25th, but so far the wait looks to have been worth it.

And if you need me to show my receipts for that claim, just zip back to the end of the trailer. I don't know about you, but watching Ben Affleck wrecking shop with an automatic rifle, while Jon Bernthal hot swaps to his pistol, feels like a thing of beauty.

With that in mind, please be aware that this movie is being released 10 days after Tax Day in the US. So be sure to have your returns in order ahead of time, as I’m sure none of us would want to learn how cross Christian Wolff must look when someone tries to file without a proper extension.

To date, the previews for the upcoming Marvel movie Thunderbolts* have mostly been focused on the ensemble. The characters that have been collected as the roster for the titular team are all off-beat antagonist-types, and the marketing has principally focused on their fun dynamic as a unit (described recently by Sebastian Stan as a Brat Pack-esque feature). Today, the film debuted a brand new trailer for the Marvel Studios blockbuster that finally gives us a better sense of the story – and while there is a clear attempt to try and hide the identity of the movie's main villain, I'm pretty confident I know who it is.

In this new Thunderbolts* trailer, it's revealed that the team has been brought together because there is serious threat to the world that has emerged and there is a consensus that the Avengers are not going to assemble to stop it. We see evidence of this threat's power via people being vaporized and helicopters crashing, but whenever the big bad is featured on screen, they are only represented as a silhouette:

Marvel Studios has a history of using visual effects to manipulate scenes in marketing materials, and I think it's safe to say that they are being employed here to prevent us from recognizing who the villain is:

It's a valiant effort, but I think it's pretty clear who it is: Bob Reynolds a.k.a. Sentry (played by Lewis Pullman).

Those who have been paying attention to Thunderbolts* will recall that Bob was prominently featured as a character in the first trailer for the blockbuster that arrived in September, but that footage just had him featured as an ordinary guy with no awareness of why he was suddenly meeting a group of costumed heroes. We haven't seen too much of him in the materials that have released since then, and his absence may be explainable if he is the big bad that Marvel Studios is trying to keep in the shadows pre-release.

While Sentry is typically a force for good in Marvel Comics, a significant part of his history on the page has him doing battle with a force known as the Void – a dark half that exists within him and that he is constantly trying to keep at bay. When the character was first introduced, it was established that he went as far as to erase himself from the minds of everyone to stop the Void from destroying the world.

Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* will be arriving as the second Marvel Cinematic Universe film of 2025 following Captain America: Brave New World (which debuts in theaters everywhere this Friday). The movie features what is easily one of the best ensembles that Marvel Studios has put together to date – including Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus – and the film will be in theaters everywhere on May 2.

For the moviegoing public, the Super Bowl is one of the first times new footage from upcoming titles is shown. While the roster of 2025 movies already impresses on paper, getting our first chance to see how excited we should get about the road ahead feels special. With my fandom driven anticipation for Scarlet Johansson’s ensemble blockbuster Jurassic World Rebirth firmly in mind, I have to say that it looks like it's going to be thrilling.

What we know about Jurassic World 4 has been pretty scarce up until this point. So of course Universal Pictures’ debut of the first Rebirth teaser trailer has been hotly anticipated. As promised in this week’s earlier footage tease featuring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey’s new characters, DNA of franchise past is going to be important to this sci-fi thriller set to debut on July 2nd. In fact there were some strong Lost World vibes as we saw the pair in some long grass with some large dinosaurs that had Velociraptor reminiscent tails, while trying to survive on an abandoned island full of dinosaurs.

As a fan of the Jurassic Park Universe, this heightens my excitement for the return of legacy screenwriter David Koepp. With the scribe behind the stories for Steven Spielberg’s iconic 1993 and its 1997 sequel promising no canon clashes, Jurassic World Rebirth will keep moving forward with the story in play. Indeed, there are references to the original trilogy, as well as connections to the Jurassic World movies, as it's set five years after the events of Dominion.

Now that we’ve got the business end taken care of, let’s talk about what we’re all here to discuss. So far, there’s only been a vague promise of actual dinosaurs on this dinosaur tour, with none of Rebirth’s prehistoric denizens fully on display. We see a number of dinos throughout this first footage, usually trying to kill or gravely injure the human characters. We see giant Mosasaurus in the water, a number of raptors, as well as pterodactyls. With the team of humans looking to extract DNA from a number of dinosaurs on their expedition, it sounds like there's going to be a constant threat of danger.

It really looks like the next Jurassic movie is going back to basics, especially after Dominion focused more on bugs then dinosaurs (see our review here). And with talent like ScarJo and Wicked dreamboat Jonathan Bailey at the center of the story, smart money says plenty of fans will be heading to theaters when the next blockbuster is release this coming summer Jurassic World Rebirth will find its way into our lives, and theaters, on July 2nd, 2025. We'll just have to wait and see if more connections to the previous two trilogies are revealed as we get close to the movie's release.

It's always fun to see what upcoming horror movies are on the way, but this spring the genre will receive an interesting twist thanks to The Weeknd getting his hands on it. Following Abel Tesfaye releasing Hurry Up Tomorrow, his sixth and final studio album under The Weeknd last week, the first trailer for his movie of the same name is here. And I'm especially interested in what is being teased for Jenna Ortega's mysterious character.

In the Hurry Up Tomorrow trailer (which can be viewed above), we get a first glimpse of The Weeknd's movie. While I wasn't sure what to expect from it, it seems like the movie will have Abel Tesfaye playing himself (or a fictionalized version of himself, anyway), who seems very much haunted by something. Jenna Ortega co-stars in the movie with him as his girlfriend, but there are hints here and there that seem to suggest there will be a lot more to her. Why does she say she's "not trying to hurt" him before coldly apologizing to him? Why is she pouring gas all over someone's house and running off? Why does Abel seem so stressed and confused by her? The questions are piling up!

Jenna Ortega has become a mainstay in horror movies in the last few years in things like the recent Scream movies, X and horror-esque properties like Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. She also co-starred with Sabrina Carpenter in last year’s very bloody Taste music video. Now, she’s working next to The Weeknd for his debut film that looks like it will be very creepy and twisted. As Tesfaye says in the trailer: “WTF”!! Also, I’m so confused about who Barry Keoghan is playing in the thriller.

The Hurry Up Tomorrow album just came out, but watching the trailer also has me wanting to listen to it more closely to look for hints regarding how the music and movie’s plotline might be connected. Considering what I’ve read about it thus far, I imagine Hurry Up Tomorrow might have some commentary on the isolation of fame and such. I also am curious if some of the imagery from his collaboration with Universal Horror Nights (including last year’s Nightmare Trilogy house) will be involved at all.

When The Weeknd spoke about working with Jenna Ortega recently, he said she “brought so much depth to the character”. In one instance he remembers himself and director Trey Edward Shults thought one scene was “just ridiculous,” but she said she had “an idea” about the scene and went for it on set and Tesfaye’s reaction was “not acting.” Ortega also called The Weeknd a “sweetheart” on set who really “looked out for everyone on set” and a pleasure to get to know.

Hurry Up Tomorrow was co-written by Tesfaye alongside Waves and It Comes At Night filmmaker Trey Edward Shults, who also helmed the film. It’s another one of the upcoming 2025 movies I’m now curious about. You can check it out in theaters on May 16.

Without intending the obvious pun involved in the following statement, I continue to marvel at the 2025 movie schedule. There are quite a few familiar projects getting fresh new entries, or in the case of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a well deserved reboot that brings us the “First Family of Superheroes” in a retro-futuristic light that’s very Disneyana adjacent.

July’s upcoming Marvel movie has quite a cast to back up that visual flair, and now with the public’s first proper look at director Matt Shakman’s cinematic offering clear looks at the entire titular team... plus H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot. I can now say this with a little more authority, as Marvel Studios has now debuted this Fantastic Four footage to audiences far and wide.

That’s important to remember, as both San Diego Comic-Con and D23’s 2024 showcases had presentations that boasted first looks at Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and the rest of the leads in the First Steps cast. But this is the first time the general public has been treated to footage... and it didn't disappoint. We even got to see the titular team before and after they became superheroes.

So how much did Marvel’s footage map up with our The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer moment wishes? Well, if you were betting a Disney+ subscription on when we’d get a trailer, you might be able to collect your winnings pertaining to that predicted drop date. In terms of the content of this trailer, it's fairly limited but still very exciting. We got to see a quick glimpse of each member of the team using their abilities, as well as their retro futuristic world. But while we saw Galactus' shadow he, as well as Julia Garner's Silver Surfer, were noticeably missing from this first teaser.

For all that we’ve seen in this resurgence of The Fantastic Four, there are still some things that remain a mystery. As previously mentioned, Galactus and Silver Surfer haven't taken center stage yet. And while we got to fall in love with H.E.R.B.I.E. immediately, fans are left wondering about Natasha Lyonne's mystery role in the Marvel flick.

In the anticipation of Fantastic Four: First Steps’ teaser debut, a short but sweet video of children in the ‘60s gathering around a television display was used. Invoking the era of the American/Soviet Space Race, that time was when Walt Disney’s optimistic futurism made its mark on pop culture.

That attitude even carried through to the new teaser poster for First Steps! As you can see below, this artwork is evocative of the retro feel, and I hope Disney is ready to make collectable buttons that look like this:

We still feel echoes of that giddiness for Tomorrow every now and then, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems to be positively drenched in that aesthetic. July 25th seems like it’s both much closer and longer away than ever, but hopefully we'll be treated to more footage soon. After all, fans want to see the team in action/battle sooner rather than later. And of course, the biggest question is how the retro team will somehow make it into the main MCU timeline for crossover events like Avengers: Doomsday. Fingers crossed we get more answers soon.

We’re still pretty early in the run of 2025 movies, and there’s always room for surprises. But I have to admit that when it comes to the upcoming Blumhouse movie Drop, I’ve been harboring some excitement for this one since the back half of last year. With the trailer for Happy Death Day director Christopher Landon’s latest now hitting the internet, I need to talk about how this new thriller is rapidly becoming a must-see movie on my dance card.

Why Drop Is A 2025 Must-See In My Eyes

As you can see by the lightning fast, and Sabrina Carpenter-enhanced trailer, Drop is set to play out in a unique but tested genre. Unfortunately, this real-time thriller unfolds at the expense of Violet (Meghann Fahy), a widow who’s putting herself back out there in the dating world. What was supposed to be a night out with Henry (Brandon Sklenar) turns into a game of cat and mouse, as an unseen threat gives Drop’s heroine a choice: kill her date, or lose her family.

Watching this trailer back at New York Comic Con in 2024, and then again during my recent screening of Wolf Man, has hammered home how much I can’t wait to see this flick. The concept alone has given me flashbacks to personal favorites like the Johnny Depp/Christopher Walken movie Nick of Time, as well as the Fox series 24.

As such spirited influences have Drop already promising an intense experience of white knuckle tension, I'm pretty much on the line for this movie. And if that trailer wasn't enough inspiration, you should see what director Christopher Landon had to say about why he actually took the gig.

Christopher Landon’s Excitement For Drop Is Infectious

Mr. Landon himself got me even more hyped about this new project during the press line for Blumfest 2024, back at NYCC. After debuting the footage to a room packed with Blumhouse devotees, the helmer behind one of the potentially best horror movies of all time took a moment to chat with a bunch of us on the event's press line.

The mere mention of Nick of Time made his face light up, as he and Meghann Fahy were on hand for some early chatter about their suspenseful thrill ride. So when I asked Christopher Landon what attracted him to Drop’s script, written by Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, what he shared with CinemaBlend sold me even more:

I don’t think we get enough real-time thrillers, and even if I did I wouldn’t push away Drop. This upcoming horror movie feels like a breath of fresh air, mostly because the terror isn't something mystical or omnipresent. Violet's plight appears to be a more grounded picture for both Christopher Landon and Blumhouse Productions; even if the thrills are on the same level as a would-be blockbuster.

Then again, if you boil the trailer you watched above down to a movie in which time is the enemy and death is on the line, this is also kind of a homecoming for all involved. Seriously, the only way I think I’d be happier with Blumhouse and Landon at this point is if there were another sick Happy Death Day 3 update putting that project into production.

However, I’m glad to make the climb to experience Drop in the near future, as this is right up there with Tron: Ares and 28 Years Later as a project that I’m ready to fall for. We’ll have to be patient though, asis set to debut with its April 11th release, only in theaters. Meanwhile Blumhouse fans who may have missed the remake of Speak No Evil can stream that dark delight through access to a Peacock subscription.

The wait for Yellowjackets Season 3 has been longer than expected, as it was all the way back in May 2023 that fans got to witness the extreme conclusions of "Storytelling," but nearly two years of patience is about to pay off. It was back in November that we first learned the Showtime horror series was going to return in February, and now that it's almost here, we have an amazing new full trailer that showcases a lot of insane action that is set to unfold in the new run.

So what's going on in this footage? Let's do a quick breakdown!

Is Natalie's Run As Leader Not Going To Be As Long As Expected?

Among the many intense and wild events that transpired in the Season 2 finale, perhaps the most exciting was the revelation that Natalie (Sophie Thatcher) was chosen as the new leader of the Yellowjackets while they worked together to try and survive the wilderness. But just how firm is her hold on the group?

Based on the footage, the X factor in Natalie's reign as Antler Queen may be the instigations of Misty (Sammi Hanratty). We first hear her suggest that Natalie knows the hidden location of Coach Scott (Steven Krueger) – who abandoned the girls after being totally freaked by their cannibalistic urges last season – and then she straight-up asks if she should be the one leading the group. Given the shot of Natalie on the ground in front of everyone being berated by Shauna (Sophie Nélisse), she may have some sway.

Who Is Planning To Murder The Yellowjackets?

With violent, homicidal assistance from Walter Tattersall (Elijah Wood), the surviving Yellowjackets got some serious relief at the end of Season 2 regarding the investigation into the murder of Adam Martin (Peter Gadiot), but these ladies are never free from trouble for long. The new trailer for Yellowjackets Season 3 illustrates this quite well, as it seems that there is some kind secret plot that has the women targeted for murder, and there is a suggestion in the footage that the would-be killer is leaving them threatening tapes.

This murder plot has season arc written all over it, so we'll probably be kept guessing with each episode the identity of the potential slayer. After this trailer, I'm particularly excited to watch Misty (Christina Ricci) collect clues and use her citizen detective skills to get at the truth.

Between those the two noted plot developments and all of the bloody insanity that unfolds in the quick cut montage that concludes the preview (including heading smashing, plenty of knives, some delicious people-eating, and a quick shot of Ella Purnell's Jackie), Yellowjackets Season 3 is looking as though it's going to be delivering one hell of a show, and I can't wait. The run will begin with a two-episode premiere that will be available to stream on Paramount+ with Showtime starting on February 14 (they will air on Showtime on February 16), and subsequent episodes will debut on Sundays. Be sure to stay tuned on CinemaBlend once the adventure starts, as we plan to have plenty of in-depth coverage for you.

I don’t think people would have guessed that Jason Statham and director David Ayer would already be reteaming on the 2025 movie schedule. As last year saw The Beekeeper’s growing fandom lending the film a bit of a reputation as an underground favorite, you’d think we’d just be getting the announcement that the pair are working on another project together.

Well we did get some news, as well as a trailer and a release date for the upcoming film A Working Man. And yes, The Statham is now going to get to be best pals with Violent Night star David Harbour, which only increases the hype. Seemingly out of nowhere Amazon MGM Studios dropped the first trailer for what looks like a pure Statham/Ayer joy fest, which introduces us to our new hero Levon Cade (Statham.)

A widower and retired Royal Marine, Cade seems to have found a new family at his construction job. Of course, his particular set of skills are always waiting for an excuse to come out and play; and the kidnapping of his boss’ daughter is the match that lights A Working Man’s fuse. Naturally, if a Taken-style rampage of vengeance is in play, that means a hero like Jason Statham’s latest is going to need some friends.

Enter the man known as “Gunny” (David Harbour), an old buddy and fellow retired soldier who outfits Mr. Cade with some pretty neat toys. Using his usual attitude and authority in the role of a blind war vet, the Suicide Squad co-star comes off as a version of Q…if he had served in the field. Seriously, I’m shocked the Bluetooth scope hasn’t made it into a James Bond movie yet.

I’m afraid that we’re not going to see much of A Working Man’s Gunny in the finished film, which sucks because in the limited scenes showing off David Harbour’s performance, I’m really digging his presence. I mean, this is a David Ayer movie, and there’s always room for one more colorful, over the top kill to spice things up.

Perhaps if this action packed free-for-all is a success at the movies, we’ll get to see these characters reunite in a potential sequel. Or maybe David Ayer will get the boys back together for another project altogether. So long as David Harbour’s recent Violent Night 2 tease isn’t impacted in any way, I’ll gladly take it!

A Working Man gets to work in theaters on March 28th, so you’ve got time to prepare. Which means that if you haven’t seen The Beekeeper for yourself, you can currently stream that movie through access to a Prime Video subscription. Where it lands on the list of best Jason Statham films will be up to you.

We've spent a lot of focus in the last few weeks looking back at the cinema of 2024, reflecting on our favorite films of the year, but now is also the time to look ahead at what is on the way – and there is a lot to be excited about. Not only are there a number of big screen titles to anticipate coming to theaters on the 2025 movie calendar, but there are a lot of standout streaming titles as well – including Happy Gilmore 2, which we just got our first look at today.

With today being both Christmas and the first day of Channukah, Adam Sandler has gifted fans everywhere with a special teaser for his long-awaited sequel to one of his best films. He posted the above trailer on his personal Twitter page along with the following message:

This being just a teaser trailer, we don't get to learn via the footage what Happy Gilmore 2 is about (Adam Sandler has previously made vague references to Happy's life being a bit of a mess). And it doesn't even give us a general release date beyond "2025." But what it does do is showcase a number of notable faces and make us wonder about how they are going to fit into the story. This includes a couple of celebrity cameos, including Travis Kelce as a waiter:

And Bad Bunny as Happy Gilmore's caddy (though what's up with the bowtie?):

Celebrity cameos were inevitable in Happy Gilmore 2, but what really makes this special holiday teaser trailer stand out is the fact that it gives us our first look at a couple of important returning characters. Again, we don't know any specific details about the different relationships in the titular character's life when we catch up with him in the new story, but he appears to at least still be on good terms with Julie Bowen's Virginia Venit (are they still together?) and the footage suggests that Happy and Christopher McDonald's Shooter McGavin have not yet become friends (though why the Happy Gilmore antagonist is showing up at a cemetery wearing blue pajamas is a whole other deal unto itself and raises a bunch of questions independently to the rest of the footage).

Happy Gilmore 2 is coming in 2025, and like most new Adam Sandler movies these days, it will be premiering as an exclusive for those with a Netflix subscription. There is still a lot we don't know about the upcoming comedy, but we here at CinemaBlend are hungry for new knowledge about the movie, so be sure to stay tuned in the coming months for more news and updates about the release.

As we head into the holidays, wishes and dreams are freely floating in the air, whether you know it or not. I honestly thought I had my rundown of the upcoming 2025 movies I’m most looking forward to locked, but apparently I was wrong. Thanks to a new trailer for Prime Video’s You’re Cordially Invited, I once again believe that dreams do come true - as Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell have made a comedy together, and it looks hysterical.

While we have previously seen a teaser for the Nicholas Stoller-directed picture in the wild, this is our first full look at this R-rated laugh riot. The basic story’s still the same: Reese Witherspoon’s on-screen sister is having a wedding at the same time and place as Will Ferrell’s daughter - and hilarity is about to ensue.

Despite this new footage being a bit more safe for broadcast in language, the laughs are still very much present. Especially when poor Peyton Manning gets upstaged by one the engagements that kicks off this entire mess. Seriously…can Mr. Manning wait? Has he not earned the respect of the world through his sporting career? Are you going to tell this face to wait?

I’m honestly sitting here, flabbergasted that no one had previously thought to pair this venerated SNL alum and the iconic star of Legally Blonde in an all out comedy. Then again, Ms. Witherspoon’s point on the “death” of the rom-com kind of signifies the type of thinking that could lead to overlooking such diamonds in the rough.

That mistake isn’t going to be repeated though, as You’re Cordially Invited has been given the hype train treatment throughout 2024. With the first teaser dropping this past May, and the raunchy humor right at the forefront, this event has kind of been treated like a blessed event of its own.

Ms. Witherspoon even got to hype the movie in a special Will Ferrell birthday greeting, because she’s not only a good friend, she’s also a fantastic co-lead. No opportunity seems to have been passed up to get people on board with this wild looking comedy, and this trailer further proves that point.

But if you needed a further indication of the chemistry at work between You’re Cordially Invited’s stars, I’ve got just the thing for you. Check out the teaser video that Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell recently released, in advance of today’s big launch:

You’re Cordially Invited to log onto your Prime Video subscription on January 30th, 2025 to enjoy this blessed event. Black tie attire is optional…but by no means required. Unless you’re planning to rent out a ballroom to stream this upcoming comedy. In which case, you set the rules, while I will await an invitation.

But while you're at it, check out our guide on the best movies on Prime Video! The end of 2024 still has some fantastic options waiting for fans of all genres, and it's the perfect time of year to catch up on what you might have missed.

With December in full swing, it’s time to start taking a peek at upcoming 2025 movie schedule, and we’ve just been given a first look at an especially exciting thriller coming to those with an Apple TV+ subscription this Valentine’s Day. The first trailer for Scott Derrickson’s The Gorge is here and, while it's a V-Day release, I'm so pleasantly surprised by how romantic Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller's film about the gates of hell looks. With that, I'm all in for this one!

The trailer (above) was just revealed amid Brazil Comic-Con by Anya Taylor-Joy (our favorite modern horror queen) and Miles Teller. Taylor-Joy sports black hair and an accent while playing Drasa, a highly-trained operative who is stationed at an ominous guard tower that apparently guards the gorge, or gates of Hell. Meanwhile, Teller -- who signed up for the movie back in 2022 -- plays Levi, who's on the other side of the gorge and on guard as well. Fans may also be delighted to see Sigourney Weaver in the trailer, too, as the long-beloved genre veteran plays the official who recruits Levi for his task.

It's established that Levi is stationed there for an entire year without the ability to call or communicate with the outside world. He’s also “strictly forbidden” to communicate with Drasa, on the other side, as he’s tasked with making sure nothing comes out of the gorge, which is described as the “door to hell.” But, as time passes for the lonely operatives, they start to reach out to each other and forge some sort of bond.

One scene from the trailer sees the characters communicating using signs with messages on them, and it actually reminds me of one of Taylor Swift’s best music videos, “You Belong With Me”! However, when Teller’s character tries to zipline to the other side, perhaps to finally rendezvous with Taylor-Joy’s character, he falls directly into the gorge, and she goes after him. Based on this footage, it seems fans are in for a creepy, horror-filled thriller with a lot of romantic tension, and I'm so eager to see how it all plays out.

This forthcoming release was written by The Tomorrow War’s Zach Dean, but I’m especially pumped due to the fact that it’s been helmed by Scott Derrickson. The filmmaker is best known for directing movies like The Black Phone, Doctor Strange and one of the best horror movies of all time, 2012’s Sinister. Derrickson’s passion for horror and unique direction always feel refreshing, so I'm very intrigued by how he'll balance the movie’s romance with his love for scares and suspense.

Both Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy have been booking and busy as of late, and it’s exciting to see them placed together in one movie. Taylor-Joy is coming off a year that saw her headline the critically acclaimed Furiosa. Looking ahead, Teller has the Michael Jackson biopic, in which he'll play lawyer John Branca.

Ahead of that, though, I'm just excited to see what the two actors bring to The Gorge after seeing this first trailer. If you're feeling the same way, grab an Apple TV+ membership so you'll be able to stream it when it debuts on February 14.

Disney's live-action remakes of animated classics continue to be big business for the House of Mouse. Next year's list of upcoming Disney movies includes two of them, in the form of both Snow White and Lilo & Stitch. The first trailer for Snow White came out months ago, but now we have our first look at Lilo & Stitch in motion, and the little blue alien is up to his old tricks, wreaking havoc on all things Disney.

Lilo & Stitch's Live-Action Trailer Calls Back To The Animated Film

The original trailers for the animated Lilo & Stitch saw the alien invading other classic Disney movies. We would see him ruin the classic dance sequence from Beauty and the Beast or interrupt Aladdin and Jasmine on their magic carpet ride. In live-action, Stitch goes to town on the iconic Disney castle in what feels like it should be a trailer for Moana before things go south. Check the trailer out above.

Considering that this trailer will probably be attached to Moana 2 when it's released later this week it's a fitting connection to make. We see a beautiful beach and hear music from Moana before Stitch comes in to tear things up.

Considering that Moana itself is getting a live-action adaptation, many in the audience of Moana 2 might be thinking that's the trailer they're about to get here. Of course, if you're reading this there's a safe bet you know that the live-action Moana only just started filming and that it's far too early to see a trailer, but most in the general audience probably won't know that.

The Best Part Of Lilo And Stitch Is Still Unseen

As somebody who loved those original Lilo & Stitch teasers, I hope we see more of them in live-action. It would be awesome if they brought in some of the cast of previous Disney live-action remakes to make fun teasers with Donald Glover voicing Simba or recreated the original Beauty & The Beast teaser using Emma Watson and Dan Stevens. Doing it in live-action would be a lot more complex than recreating the animation, but we can dream, can't we?

Still, while I love Lilo & Stitch's original trailers, and I actually love the movie just as much, I am still waiting to see more of this remake, because what's going to determine how good it is isn't Stitch.

Lilo & Stitch is honestly one of Disney's best-animated movies, but what elevates it to greatness isn't the alien, it's the people. The relationship between Lilo and her sister Nani is something truly special in the original film. The emotion is powerful. It's the love of two sisters that makes the film great.

To be fair, we didn't see much about what Lilo& Stitch was really about the first time around either. If people want to go see it just for the alien hijinks, that's fine. Hopefully, we'll all be treated to something beautiful too.

We’re about to see a lot of first looks at the upcoming 2025 movies that will hold our minds and hearts captive with imagination. What we know about How to Train Your Dragon’s live-action remake has that picture squarely poised to be one such title, and we now have a teaser for director Dean DeBlois’ efforts to translate the animated hit he helped created. And since the marketing folks included the one scene I needed to convince me this remake will work, I’m pretty convinced that opinion will hold up.

Our first trailer didn’t show off much of the How to Train Your Dragon’s cast, as the only prominent humans we really got to focus on were Gerard Butler’s Stoick the Vast, Nick Frost’s Gobber the Belch, and Mason Thames Toothless the…boy. Hey, this is the first movie in the Dragon series, and we’re back to seeing our young rider striking it out to become the hero we know he’ll turn out to be.

Which leads us to the one scene that makes this all work. As you may have guessed, we’ve got our first look at the photo realistic Toothless, which was a given no matter how you stretch it. However, we get to see the iconic moment where Hiccup decides to spare the Night Fury’s life, and instead makes himself a friend.

Is anyone else crying in here? Seriously, that is the moment that the entire How to Train Your Dragon universe pivots on. And history proves this notion to be correct, as we happened to see this lovely scene in the original marketing for the 2010 original. As proof, take a look at this trailer for the DreamWorks Animation classic:

The realm of upcoming kids movies in 2025 is going to be quite competitive, as we also have the likes of Paddington in Peru looking to milk people’s tear ducts of their precious tears. And just by the mere look of How to Train Your Dragon, we’re not just copying the magic of the animated movies in live action.

What we’ve been shown here is visually sweeping and gorgeous, and I’m curious about how the finished product will work in more of the color that its CGI counterpart possessed. Also, with Nick Frost hyping Mason Thames and his comedic prowess, I can't wait to see how his awkward Hiccup fares against Nico Parker's Astrid.

At any rate, even with my hopes for How to Train Your Dragon firmly held, I can say that I’m still pretty confident we’re seeing something beautiful taking shape. I’d still hope DreamWorks’s live-action aspirations veer away from remakes and more towards unrealized projects finally having that moment in the production sun. But if this means we’re going to get equally enthralling Dragon remakes of the rest of the series (and maybe an expansion using some of the streaming series/source material lore), then I’ll have my helmet ready for when that time comes.

Thankfully we all have time to prepare ourselves as How to Train Your Dragon’s new reinvention takes to the skies, only in theaters, on June 13, 2024. If you’re looking to return to the past glories of the original animated film, you can do that pretty easily. Just open up your Hulu subscription, and take flight. Just be sure you have tissues, as you’re going to need them!