The Best New Movie Releases Coming This Fall

With so many entertainment options at our fingertips, it’s hard to keep track of which films are debuting in theaters and which titles are going straight to streaming services, like Netflix and Prime Video. 

That’s why we compiled this foolproof list of new movie releases to watch in fall 2023. Some of the titles—like The Color Purple—are remakes of classic stories. Others—like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes—are based on popular books. But the one thing they all have in common is that they’re all set to premiere later this year. 

Keep scrolling for a list of the best new movie releases.

Thriller

• Release date: November 10
• Who’s in it: Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Arliss Howard, Charles Parnell
• Runtime: 159 minutes

David Fincher (Fight Club, Gone Girl) fans are counting down the days until the premiere of The Killer, which stars Michael Fassbender and Tilda Swinton.

Fassbender portrays a methodical killer who lurks in the shadows waiting for his next victim. His impatience proves to be a problem because the longer it takes, the more paranoid he becomes. Before long, he’s questioning his own sanity. 

• Release date: December 8
• Who’s in it: Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali
• Runtime: 138 minutes

The story is inspired by the 2020 novel by Rumaan Alam, following a Manhattan couple (Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke) who rent an AirBnb in Long Island for a staycation. Their getaway turns sour when the owners show up and claim there’s a mysterious blackout affecting the entire Eastern seaboard. With no cell service or power, they must figure out who they can trust. 

The psychological thriller is written and directed by Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot). This isn't the first time that Roberts has worked with Esmail. In fact, they previously collaborated on Homecoming and Gaslit.

Sci-Fi

• Release date: November 10
• Who’s in it: Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Teyonah Parris
• Runtime: 105 minutes

Join Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Spectrum (Teyonah Parris) as they team up for another sci-fi adventure in this upcoming superhero film. Fun fact: The movie is directed by Candyman filmmaker Nia DaCosta, who’s making history as the youngest Marvel director. 

“It just felt great to get back in the suit and to be Carol [Danvers] again,” Larson told PureWow. “She's somebody that has inspired me, pushed me outside of my comfort zone and so, it's always a good experience to get to hang with her more.” Amen to that. 

• Release date: November 17
• Who’s in it: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer
• Runtime: 165 minutes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to The Hunger Games franchise. The film follows a young Coriolanus Snow, long before he became the President of Panem. Although the role is played by Donald Sutherland in the original movies, Tom Blyth is set to portray the younger version of the character.

Since it’s a prequel, the film features a brand-new cast including Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Peter Dinklage and Viola Davis. Of course, The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins is serving as an executive producer. 

• Release date: December 8
• Who’s in it: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe
• Runtime: 141 minutes

Emma Stone stars as a young woman who’s brought back to life by a wacky scientist à la Frankenstein. It doesn’t take long for her to meet and fall for a lawyer, who accompanies her on a wild journey to find her purpose in life. 

The film is helmed by Greek surrealist director Yorgos Lanthimos (known for The Favourite and The Lobster). So, fans can expect to see a combination of Victorian, gothic and science-fiction elements.

Drama

• Release date: December 20
• Who’s in it: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke
• Runtime: 129 minutes

In the upcoming film, Bradley Cooper is nearly unrecognizable as Broadway composer Leonard Bernstein (who’s best known for West Side Story). The biographical drama offers a rare glimpse into the conductor’s life and career, including his relationship with Costa Rican actress Felicia Montealegre.

Similar to A Star Is Born, Cooper didn’t hold back on his transformation for Maestro, using everything from prosthetics to wigs. In addition to his starring role, the actor also directed the film. (NBD.)

• Release date: December 25
• Who’s in it: Adam Driver, Shailene Woodley, Penélope Cruz
• Runtime: 130 minutes

If you’ve ever wondered how Ferrari became, well, Ferrari, then you need to watch this upcoming biopic. The film dramatizes the life and career of Enzo Ferrari (played by Adam Driver) and how he changed the sports car industry for the better. After putting Italian vehicles on the map, he goes on to conceptualize what is now known as Formula One racing. 

The film marks the return of director Michael Mann, who hasn’t released a film since Blackhat in 2015. In addition to Driver, Ferrari also stars Shailene Woodley, Penélope Cruz, Jack O’Connell and Patrick Dempsey.

Musical

• Release date: November 22
• Who’s in it: Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk
• Runtime: 92 minutes

Meet Asha (Ariana DeBose), a young woman who makes an out-of-this-world wish that comes true. Her prize? A magic wishing star. While little is known about the plot, we do know that Chris Pine portrays an evil villain who wants the star for himself. 

The film is directed by two Disney masterminds, Chris Buck (The Little Mermaid, Frozen, Frozen II, Pocahontas) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (Moana, Zootopia, Raya and the Last Dragon). If it’s anything like Frozen, the soundtrack is bound to get stuck in your head. 

• Release date: December 25
• Who’s in it: Halle Bailey, Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson
• Runtime: 153 minutes

The movie gives viewers an opportunity to see the classic story retold in an entirely new way. Based on the novel by Alice Walker, the story takes place in the south during the early 1900s and follows an African-American woman as she navigates racial discrimination.

The talented ensemble cast includes Halle Bailey, Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Corey Hawkins, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo and R&B singer H.E.R. Oprah Winfrey is also serving as an executive producer. Not only did she star in the original film version of The Color Purple, but she also served as an executive producer on the Broadway musical.

Romantic Comedy

• Release date: December 15
• Who’s in it: Glen Powell, Sydney Sweeney, Alexandra Shipp
• Runtime: TBA

The rom-com is about a single man and woman who have an amazing first date that soon falls flat. When they cross paths at a destination wedding, they decide to have fun with it by pretending to be a couple. What could possibly go wrong?

Unfortunately, Sony hasn't released any further details about the plot, but we do know the film is directed by Will Gluck (Friends with Benefits, Easy A). It also stars Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney, who are bound to have stellar on-screen chemistry. 

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