Fall / Winter Movie 2025 Preview
by Brandon Norwood
Just as a note, these are the films, I am personally looking forward to. If you want Jeff’s picks, ask him.
Now that that has been stated, Summer movie season has come to an end. And before I post my thoughts on that, let’s get excited for what’s left for the remainder of the year. As always release dates subject to change.
THE LONG WALK - September 12th
Our review for this is live in Episode 178. This is has been a banner year for Stephen King, with one adaptation left to go.
Francis Lawrence absolutely delivered the goods here. Anchored by two stand-out performances from Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson, this thriller will leave you tense up while chocking back tears. An excellent sound mix makes this one a high recommendation for a trip to your local cinema for.
SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES - September 12
Look, comedy sequel rarely land. But, THE NAKED GUN just executed that perfectly. Fingers crossed.
HIM - September 19th
Justin Tipping’s second film concerning a football player and his training from a notable legend seems to be the horror film that might surprise us all. Jordan Peele is a producer and has attached his company, Monkeypaw Productions, as well as Peele’s producing partners. Very excited to see what the social commentary will be for this one!
A BIG BOLD BEATIFUL JOURNEY - September 19th
Kogonada return’s with his third feature. I love his first two films, but this one is a big question mark. The trailer is very saccharine which has me worried. Hope his first truly studio film pans out. If anything at least Colin Ferrell and Margot Robbie will provide great performances.
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - September 26th
I can’t say anything about this other than I’m excited to see this on the 8-story IMAX again and I’m itching to see a VistaVision print of this.
Paul Thomas Anderson returns in an unlikely form. Big-budget studio picture that is still all his own. Please make sure you get your ass to a theatre for this one!
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Chase Infiniti, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Wood Harris, Alana Haim, and Shayna McHayle (aka NYC rapper Junglepussy. Saw her open for Tame Impala and have been a fan since).
THE SMASHING MACHINE - October 3rd
This just premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Awards season (aka sad white people movies) is now in full swing. And word is Benn Safdie has delivered an unflinching, raw biopic with an Oscar worthy turn from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Nothing makes me happier knowing that Dwayne is moving away from the mass appeal blockbuster garbage to taking challenging roles.
TRON: ARES - October 10th
The third film in Disney’s TRON franchise finally arrives. Would’ve loved to see what TRON: ASCENSION would’ve been with the entire team from LEGACY returning both in front and behind the camera. The big elephant in the room is film’s star but I’m hoping this is fire. ‘Cause if not, then this is it for the franchise y’all. If anything we are finally getting a proper score from Nine Inch Nails following in the footsteps of Daft Punk and Wendy Carlos before them.
ROOFMAN - October 10th
Glad to see Derek Cianfrance cut loose and have fun for once. Based on the true story of Jeffery Allen Manchester know as the Rooftop Robber or Roofman, as he escaped prison and hides out in a local Toys “R” Us. Complications arise when falls for a local woman.
It’s on the festival circuit this year. Hopefully this turns into an awards player.
ANEMONE - October 10th
Daniel Day-Lewis comes out of retirement to star in his son’s directorial debut, which they co-wrote together. The parallels to THE LIGHTHOUSE are apparent from the trailer. I’m intrigued. Never not mad to see Sean Bean or Samantha Morton either.
IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU - October 10th
I’ve heard nothing but good things about this. The trailer sold me. Always down to watch Rose Byrne act her ass off. Add to that A$AP Rocky is turning out to be a charismatic actor.
AFTER THE HUNT - October 17th
Look, I know the first reviews are not kind, but it’s Luca Guadagnino doing a Me Too thriller with an all-star cast led by Julia Roberts & Ayo Edebiri. Not to mention Trent & Atticus are back doing the score again.
GOOD FORTUNE - October 17th
Aziz Ansari writes, produces, and directs this comedy about a down on his luck man who is granted a guardian angel to swap places with his boss. It looks funny. Hope it’s good.
BLACK PHONE 2 - October 17th
Let’s be real. THE BLACK PHONE absolutely did not need a sequel. I still have no idea what to make of this. My faith here is in Scott Derrickson.
HEDDA - October 22nd
I’ll always give Nia DaCosta the benefit of the doubt. I’m literally days away from seeing this one myself. So, before 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE drops, I hope Nia knocks this out of the park.
DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE - October 24th
The festivals already confirmed exactly what I expected. So, I’ll be here strictly for both Jeremys and the music. Scott Cooper strikes again.
BUGONIA - October 31st
Look. It’s Yorgos Lanthimos. You know what you’re getting with Yorgos. I laughed hard at the trailer, and I’m happy to see it’s doing well at the festivals.
PREADTOR: BADLANDS - November 7th
FUCK YEAH! Dan Tractenberg has delivered two great PREDATOR movies with PREY & KILLER OF KILLERS. The fact that the hero of the story is a Predator and has a Weyland-Yutani android sidekick played by Elle Fanning is wild. Slowly planting the seeds for another match-up of a xenomorph and a predator.
DIE, MY LOVE - November 7th
Yes, I’ve heard all the mixed reactions. I cannot pass on a Lynne Ramsey film. And it’ll be worth it if all the talk about Jennifer Lawerenc’s performance is to be believed.
THE RUNNING MAN - November 14th
2025 has been a good year for Stephen King adaptations. The last one of 2025. Edgar Wright is one of my favorite directors working today. The film looks to be a real crowd-pleaser. And one closer to King’s novel than the previous 1987 adaptation starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. No offense to that one at all, because it’s still an entertaining movie in its own right. Glenn Powell leads an all-star cast as Ben Richards. Powell looks to continue his run as a charismatic leading man.
NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T - November 14th
Not gonna lie, it’s wild it took till the third movie to get that title. It’s been a long time, but I remember being very entertained (if not bewildered by some plot points) by the first. I also remember being extremely underwhelmed by the second one. I’m including this on the chance that I walk out entertained. Lionsgate REALLY believes in this, as a fourth has already been greenlit.
KEEPER - November 14th
Even though I haven’t liked an Osgood Perkins movie so far, he’s such an interesting voice that I’ll always be curious on what he does next.
WICKED: FOR GOOD - November 21st
I was pleasantly surprised by the first one. Was it Best Picture good? No, but it was solid. Like the first, I have no idea what the story or songs here are so here’s hoping this just as enjoyable as the first.
SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE - November 21st
This shouldn’t exist. SISU absolutely did not need a sequel. Wild that this happened. I can only hope the action delivers.
ZOOTOPIA 2 - November 26th
I love the first ZOOTOPIA. It’s basically CHINATOWN for kids. Hopefully this second is just as good as the first with another catchy Shakira song.
HAMNET - December 12th
Chloe Zhao is back with a adaptation of a well-regarded novel. This had people wowed on the festivals circuit with the final 20 minutes being said to be top-tier. Excited to see this!
AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH - December 19th
My most anticipated film of the year. Big Jim promises narrative swerves in a franchise (thus far) light on plot. THE WAY OF WATER absolutely floored me with it’s visual feats (the Na’vi can emote now and have pores) as well as some the best action from Cameron yet. I’m excited for a giant spectacle. One thing Cameron does right is earnestness in today’s cynical world. Let’s see if the themes stay as relevant as the first two. And if the teaser is any indication, Cameron is pushing 3D forward yet again.
IS THIS THING ON? - December 19th
Bradley Cooper is skating closely to Tom “please give me another Oscar” Hooper with his work. This does look to be a great film. Will Arnett stars and co-wrote this comedy-drama. This is the closing night film of the 2025 New York Film Festival, so we’ll get word soon.
There’s certainly films I’m missing as the festivals keep rolling on. As always check release dates as things are always shifting. What are you excited for for the rest of 2025?