The Fall 2019 movie season (for the purposes of this preview, September to December) will include anticipated sequels, awards season contenders, and the conclusion to the Skywalker Saga. Summer 2019 started off strong thanks to The Lion King), but in general audiences seemed a bit underwhelmed by what Hollywood had on the menu.
Studios are no doubt hoping for a better turnout over the next four months, beginning with the release of a Stephen King horror sequel the weekend after Labor Day. Things aren't going to slow down from there either, as a whole lot of Oscar hopefuls will be making their debuts on the festival circuit around the same time. After that, October and November will be loaded with even more franchise offerings than usual, in addition to a number of director-driven films aiming to make some noise. Finally, December will round things out with the now-customary assortment of potential crowd-pleasers and prestige releases.
To help narrow things down, we've put together a list of 25 Fall 2019 movies to see (along with some honorable mentions, at the end). Per usual, the films are numbered in the order of their theatrical release date.
25. Dolemite Is My Name (October 4)
Plot Summary: Multi-talented performer Rudy Ray Moore sets out to beat Hollywood at its own game and make a blaxploitation film based on his popular character, Dolemite
The Breakdown: Craig Brewer's biography doesn't have a premiere date at the time of writing (other than "this fall"), but Dolemite Is My Name is among the buzzed-about films set to debut at TIFF in early September. Eddie Murphy stars here and there's already speculation the movie will serve as his long-awaited comeback vehicle; that it's a film about a comedian-actor trying to reinvent himself simply adds a self-reflexive element to the whole thing. With Black Panther's Ruth E. Carter providing the costumes and a cast that includes Wesley Snipes, Keegan-Michael Key, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Murphy might just get his groove back after all.
24. Joker (October 4)
Plot Summary: A wannabe stand-up comedian named Arthur Fleck gradually turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City, transforming himself into The Joker.
The Breakdown: Warner Bros. is serious about making Joker - a DC Comics film separate from the Justice League movie continuity - an Oscar contender, as evidenced by their decision to screen it at this year's Toronto and Venice's film festivals ahead of its October launch. Director Todd Phillips is certainly a ways away from his Hangover trilogy days with this Scorseseian crime drama, and star Joaquin Phoenix seems equally determined to leave his mark on the Clown Prince of Crime. Early word is Joker offers an... interesting twist on the Joker mythology, so it's anyone's guess as to how comic book fans (or viewers in general) will respond to this one.
23. Lucy in the Sky (October 4)
Plot Summary: Astronaut Lucy Cola returns to earth after a life-changing space mission and begins to lost touch with reality in a world that now feels too small.
The Breakdown: Lucy in the Sky, by the look of it.
22. Gemini Man (October 11)
Plot Summary: Elite assassin Henry Brogan is preparing to retire when he's suddenly targeted and pursued by his deadliest opponent yet: his younger clone.
The Breakdown: A film more than twenty years in the making, high frame rate cinematography. Who knows, Lee may yet have another Life of Pi-level hit on his hands.
21. Parasite (October 11)
Plot Summary: The street-smart, but unemployed, Kim family find their way into working for the extremely wealthy Park clan, before a parasitic interloper threatens to ruin everything.
The Breakdown: The Host, Snowpiercer, and Okja director Bong Joon-ho is back and picked up the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival for his latest darkly twisted original project. Parasite (aka. Gisaengchung) itself is described as being something of a bleak comedy, though the early reviews - which have been all but universally enthusiastic - suggest it doesn't fit squarely into any one particular genre box, and is rife with timely social commentary on class and wealth in the modern world. It sounds perfect for the filmmaker's die-hard fans, in other words, and might even bring Joon-ho some long overdue recognition from the Academy.
20. Zombieland: Double Tap (October 18)
Plot Summary: Columbus, Tallahasse, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they encounter fellow survivors and battle evolved zombies.
The Breakdown: Zombieland: Double Tap may've taken ten years to come together, but the chemistry among its main cast (Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, and Abigail Breslin) seems as crackling as ever in the trailers. The gang's back behind the camera too, with Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer and writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick aspiring to put their newfound experience to good use here. ittedly, comedy sequels are a dicey prospect (especially the belated variety) and it's not entirely clear what Double Tap is, y'know, about just yet, but this one may yet justify the decade-long wait it took to become a reality.
19. The Lighthouse (October 18)
Plot Summary: A pair of lighthouse keepers struggle to hold onto their sanity as they work on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.
The Breakdown: Robert Eggers' sophomore feature seems to have a lot in common with his debut on The Witch, especially when it comes to its richly macabre atmosphere and isolated historical horror movie setting. It's already a critical darling too, following its much-applauded unveiling at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. Stars Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe (and their facial hair) further appear to be in top-form here, as does the film's gorgeously black and white 35mm cinematography and general nightmarish mood. In a year that's already been kind to horror fans, The Lighthouse ought to keep the genre's winning streak alive and well.
18. Jojo Rabbit (October 18)
Plot Summary: A Nazi youth (whose best friend is an imaginary Adolf Hitler) discovers his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home during WWII.
The Breakdown: Before he returns to the MCU for uneasy about the film's satire, Fox Searchlight seems to know what they have on their hands and are premiering the movie on the festival circuit, in the hopes of boosting its awards prospects.
17. The Irishman (November 1)
Plot Summary: Frank Sheeran reflects on his career as a mob hitman, including his involvement with the disappearance of the legendary union boss, Jimmy Hoffa.
The Breakdown: After a decade or so of trying to get the film off the ground, Martin Scorsese is just about ready to unveil at the New York Film Festival in September.
16. Terminator: Dark Fate (November 1)
Plot Summary: Sarah Connor s forces with a soldier from the future to protect a young woman who's being hunted by a time-traveling Terminator.
The Breakdown: Director Tim Miller's Terminator: Dark Fate marks the long-awaited reunion of Terminator 2: Judgement Day stars Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger, with James Cameron also involved as a co-writer and producer. The actual movie has been described as a true continuation of Terminator 2 (one that ignores the previous three Terminator films) and will restore the franchise to its R-rated, sci-fi action form after the last two PG-13 entries. Terminator fans have already been burned by the promise of a fresh start for the series twice, but maybe - just maybe - third time will be the charm for this struggling property.
