There’s no denying that Paul Rudd is great in a buddy comedy (see I Love You, Man, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and everybody’s favorite cringe comedy, Friendship), and Nick Jonas is obviously an appropriate choice to play a former boyband star, so right off the bat, Power Ballad seems to be hitting all the right notes. The musical dramedy is the latest from John Carney — whose work regularly explores the connections that can be made through music and songwriting — and critics are mostly charmed by the leads' chemistry and the emotions the movie evokes.

Paul Rudd stars as Rick Power, the lead singer of a wedding band who gave up his dreams of being a rock star to start a family, and Nick Jonas as Danny Wilson, a boyband veteran who’s struggling to go solo. The two form an instant musical connection, which sours after Rick realizes Danny stole a song from him that he’d been working on for years. Ian Freer of Empire gives it 4 out of 5 stars. saying the lead actors are a delight together in this big-hearted film. In his Power Ballad review, Freer writes:

Angie Han of THR agrees the chemistry between the two leads is “immediate and easy and warm.” John Carney hits every emotional note and provides an in-universe hit song that’s bound to get stuck in your head. The film — like a good pop song, Han says — is “a little bit familiar, a little bit unexpected and utterly, thrillingly satisfying.” Han’s review of Power Ballad reads:

Christian Zilko of IndieWire gives it a B, calling it a “charming” addition to John Carney’s resume, even if disbelief must be suspended for some aspects of the plot. It’s worth it for what the director gets from Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd. Zilko continues:

Power Ballad didn’t win over every critic, however. Simon Abrams of AV Club gives it a C-, saying it’s hard to tell what the movie is about, beyond its “wispy platitudes.” Paul Rudd carries the movie despite an engaged Nick Jonas, the critic says, but there’s not a lot of character development. Abrams writes:

Kristy Puchko of Mashable agrees with other critics that Power Ballad is warm and silly with a big heart that will inspire many smiles and a few laughs, but it’s a far cry from the cinematic magic that John Carney has provided in the past. Puchko concludes:

Despite some critics wanting to dig a little deeper into the complicated relationship between our main characters, Power Ballad has struck a chord with those who caught an early showing, and it will premiere in wide release with a Certified Fresh 87% on Rotten Tomatoes. Our own Sarah El-Mahmoud can attest to the positive feedback, as the movie brought out a variety of emotions when she saw it.

If you’re excited to see John Carney’s new movie or to experience Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas as musical frenemies, Power Ballad is in limited release now, going wide on Friday, June 5.

When it comes to 2026 movie releases finding success on streaming, there’s few big wins like War Machine. The action/sci-fi flick that reminded us of the original Predator still boasts a spot on the Netflix top ten right now, even though it’s been out for two months now. So, I’d think it’d be a shoe-in for an Alan Ritchson-led sequel, but then I heard what one head honcho thought about it.

What The Lionsgate Film Head Said About A War Machine Sequel

Even though War Machine got a Netflix release through and through, it was actually produced by Lionsgate, with the original intention to bring it to theaters. However, the studio ultimately decided to make it a streaming movie, and that absolutely worked in the movie’s favor given all the people who are watching it with their Netflix subscription.

When Lionsgate’s film head Adam Fogelson was asked about a War Machine sequel, I figured he’d be all for it, but in a new interview with Business Insider Fogelson didn’t have much to say about another movie starring big star, Alan Ritchson. He apparently isn’t “ready” to announce a followup, and when asked whether another instalment could go theatrical, he said this:

Hey, I could be reading this wrong, but it doesn’t exactly sound like Fogelson’s amped to give us more War Machine. Chances are it’s just too early for the film head to discuss continuing the franchise at this time, but considering all the good buzz about the movie I guess I expected a bit more from the head honcho. We’ll have to wait and see what happens, of course.

What Has Been Said About Another War Machine Movie?

Contrary to Fogelson’s tight-lipped words on War Machine 2, the writer/director of the movie Patrick Hughes has definitely shared his interest in another movie. While he originally thought of it as a “fully formed standalone story,” he’s since said that he’d be absolutely “ready to pull the trigger” and has “sketched” out what happens next already. Alan Ritchson is also on board with it, and is already calling it War Machines - perhaps as a little homage to the title of the first Alien sequel.

It would probably come down to how the actor would be able to fit it into his schedule given he’s been everywhere lately. Ritchson has his own survival competition show for Netflix on the way and always seems to have his Reacher abs maintained for the next installment. The fourth season of the Prime series is expected to come out this year, so there will definitely be more chances for the actor to advocate for more War Machine movies.

The Michael Jackson biopic has been blowing up the box office since it hit the 2026 movie schedule. While some critics have called out the film for sidestepping the more complicated parts of Jackson’s story, there’s been growing chatter that a sequel could go there. So, should we expect another chapter? One exec is weighing in on whether “more story can” and should be told.

Speaking with Business Insider, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson said he’d be open to a Michael sequel if director Antoine Fuqua and writer John Logan decide to continue the story, potentially tackling the more controversial aspects of Jackson’s life. He told the outlet:

Right now, it sounds like any potential sequel isn’t just a creative decision, it’s a business one. If audiences keep showing up, the door stays open. Given how Michael has performed so far, it’s not hard to see why the studio might be interested in exploring a follow-up. At the same time, the conversation about a sequel is directly tied to what the first film left out.

The absence of Jackson’s sexual abuse allegations has been one of the most talked-about aspects of the movie, especially since that wasn’t originally the plan. As Fuqua has recently shared, the production had to pivot late in the process, undergoing extensive reshoots to avoid violating the terms of a 1993 settlement between Jackson and Jordan Chandler, who accused him at the time.

That legal restriction essentially drew a line around what the film could and couldn’t depict. And it’s a big part of why the movie focuses so heavily on Jackson’s early life, his rise to fame, and the pressures that shaped him, rather than diving into the allegations that would later define much of the public conversation around him.

Which brings us back to the sequel question. If Michael is laying the groundwork, a follow-up could pick up where the first film leaves off and move into the later chapters of Jackson’s life, territory the initial installment couldn’t fully explore. Antoine Fuqua has even hinted in other interviews that there’s more story already mapped out, suggesting this may not have been designed as a one-and-done.

The bigger question is tone. Telling a more complete version of Jackson’s story means stepping into some very sensitive territory, and how a sequel handles that will likely shape its reception just as much as its box office. Right now, much of Michael’s momentum is driven by nostalgia, fans showing up to relive the music and the iconic moments on the big screen. A sequel that leans into darker material, especially the allegations, could shift that dynamic in a big way.

For now, nothing is official. But between the film’s strong performance, the studio’s openness, and the curiosity around what comes next, it’s clear this story isn’t finished yet.

Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson, the real-life nephew of Jackson, is now playing in theaters. Be sure to check your local listings for showtimes.

So, I saw the new Michael biopic last night ahead of its release on the 2026 movie calendar and had a blast. Honestly, it was like a two-hour non-stop rundown of greatest hits, but the film stops at an unexpected place, so I wasn't surprised when the critics had strong opinions about the way the biopic makes them feel. I was surprised, though, about what exactly the complaints mostly centered on.

While I thought people would have been complaining more about the timeline — Antoine Fuqua's movie takes the pop icon’s career only into the late '80s — the real complaints had far more to do with how the movie dove into Michael Jackson himself. There’s a lot that works, The Wrap’s William Bibbiani writes, but with no mention of the sexual abuse allegations he faced, the movie presents an incomplete and inaccurate narrative. The critic writes:

Michael focuses on the period of the singer’s life from his first performances with The Jackson 5 through the late ‘80s, and an acknowledgement at the end of the movie that there’s more to Michael’s story makes it unclear if a second film might be able to fill in those gaps.

The original Michael ending addressed allegations of abuse against 13-year-old Jordan Chandler; however, due to an agreement between the Jackson and Chandler families to never dramatize those events, that ending was deemed “unusable.” Director Antoine Fuqua reportedly spent a lot of money to reshoot the ending that audiences will see.

Robert Daniels of RogerEbert says while making no mention of Michael Jackson’s legal troubles doesn’t help the movie, its biggest sin is a lack of complex interest in Michael himself. Daniels gives it just 1 star out of 4, saying Michael isn’t a movie — it’s a playlist. He continues:

Siddhant Adlakha of IGN rates the upcoming music biopic an “Awful” 3 out of 10 and calls it a “frictionless, flat, paper-thin story” that does what should be impossible when speaking about Michael Jackson by making him utterly boring. Adlakha’s review reads:

However, Pete Hammond of Deadline says Michael Jackson fans are sure to eat up this feel-good biopic. Jaafar Jackson channels his uncle in uncanny ways, making us believe the King of Pop is with here with us once again. Hammond writes:

David Rooney of THR says this may appear on the surface to be your run-of-the-mill music bio-drama — Michael being the sanitized, fan-friendly, family-sanctioned film that it is — but Rooney finds the project actually quite thoughtful and intimate. It’s a portrait of a damaged man, the critic says, “whose sharp professional instincts seemed at odds with his gentle demeanor.” He concludes:

I would have expected more critics to be upset that Michael cuts off before reaching the point in the late artist’s life that could explore his reclusiveness, his relationships, cosmetic surgeries and, of course, the sexual assault allegations. I suppose the tease of a possible second movie is enough to allay those concerns for now.

If you want to see what Jaafar Jackson has to offer as the King of Pop, be sure to get your tickets to Michael when it hits the big screen on Friday, April 24.

Antoine Fuqua’s Michael is currently positioned as one of the marquee titles on the 2026 movie schedule, as the biopic on Michael Jackson has generated plenty of conversations. Some of that chatter has been in regard to changes made to the actual production and, most notably, it was reported last year that the ending had to be changed for legal reasons. As the film’s release draws nearer, a new report includes the alleged amount of money it took to reshoot the ending (and this is a lot of cheddar).

Nearly a year ago, it was reported that Michael’s ending would, at least in part, revolve around the sexual assault allegations Jackson faced from the family of then-13-year-old boy Jordan Chandler. Overall, that portion of John Logan’s screenplay would’ve reportedly focused on how the allegations impacted Jackson’s life and career. Yet changes had to be made after Jackson’s estate, which co-produced the film, discovered a clause that barred Chandler from being mentioned or portrayed in the movie, rendering the ending “unusable.”

Variety now reports that somewhere between $10 and $15 million was shelled out in order to account for additional 22 days of photography needed to redo the ending. That’s a hefty sum, especially considering that Lionsgate already granted Fuqua’s film a reported $155 million budget. However, the studio reportedly didn’t kick in that additional money, as Jackson’s estate covered the tab due to not having recognized the Chandler-related clause sooner on their part. Because of that, the estate also now has an equity stake in the movie.

As of the actual content of the film, insiders dropped alleged details on what was initially planned. Michael was apparently supposed to open with a flash-forward scene set in 1993, and it would’ve shown the “Billie Jean” singer solemnly looking through a mirror at Neverland Ranch as police car lights flash behind him. With that, given what’s known about the original ending, it likely would’ve wrapped back around to the time period depicted in the prologue.

Of course, these revelations may also leave fans wondering what’s being planned for the new ending. It seems that Fuqua and co. instead opted to end the biopic on a more triumphant note, with the final scene taking place during Michael Jackson’s “Bad” Tour, which commenced in the late ‘80s. That rewritten conclusion was also penned by John Logan, who was also delayed after his house was damaged as a result of the Palisades fire.

Various reports swirled around the release date for Michael, which changed several times over the past couple of years. Had all gone according to the original plan, Lionsgate would’ve released the film back in April 2025, yet it was later delayed to October ‘25 before landing its current date. Some insiders even alleged that the reason for the delays was that the film was going to be split into two parts like Wicked (a fellow production from Universal Pictures).

Fuqua’s film sees Jaafar Jackson play his late uncle, and it was previously touted as covering much of the “Thriller” performer’s “complicated” legacy. While the abuse allegations are no longer part of the movie’s narrative, the Michael trailers suggest that many of the singer’s biggest hit songs – including those performed with The Jackson 5 – will be prominently featured. I remain curious as to how the movie will be received and whether it will strike a chord at the box office after all that money was dished out.

Michael opens in theaters on April 24. Ahead of its release, take some time to read up on other upcoming music biopics.

Back in 2018, I Can Only Imagine became a huge box office surprise, inspiring audiences much in the same way as the MercyMe song of the same name that the film was based on. It not only became one of the most successful faith-based films of all time, but one of the highest-grossing music biopics as well. However, that’s not where Bart Millard’s story ended, and critics are weighing in on I Can Only Imagine 2 as it hits the 2026 movie release calendar.

Much of the original cast returns for I Can Only Imagine 2, including John Michael Finley, Trace Adkins and Dennis Quaid. Milo Ventimiglia joins the group as singer-songwriter Tim Timmons. The sequel sees the creation of another MercyMe hit as the band faces health issues, parenting struggles and trauma. Mike Laxton of Today’s Christian Entertainment praises the sequel for portraying the band in a “new season of influence, responsibility, and growth.” His review of I Can Only Imagine 2 reads:

Pete Hammond of Deadline says Milo Ventimiglia is “completely authentic” here, while Trace Adkins provides much-needed humor and Sammy Dell is perfectly cast as Bart’s son Sam Millard. This film is definitely marketed toward Christians, but its messages of hope and love feel welcome and necessary for everyone in these dark times, Hammond says, writing:

Kelsey Kramer McGinnis of Christianity Today says I Can Only Imagine 2 had the opportunity to explore what it’s like for musicians after writing a megahit, knowing they may never again produce anything that reaches the same level of acclaim. For Christian artists, that’s even trickier as they balance material success with their faith. Instead, this movie leans on the same tropes as other movies about religion, as well as audiences’ enduring love for the song “I Can Only Imagine.” The critic writes:

Frank Scheck of THR says the upcoming music biopic struggles to find a compelling narrative, choosing to retread the trauma Bart experienced with his father. Also, with Sam being old enough to be responsible for his own health, his diabetes crisis plot also fails to evoke much sympathy from audience members, Scheck says, continuing:

Alonso Duralde of The Film Verdict says directors Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle find themselves in the same bind as their movie’s protagonist in trying to figure out how to move forward after a big hit. In the end they fail to rekindle the heartfelt musical drama of the first movie, making the sequel feel unnecessary. Duralde writes:

If you're a fan of MercyMe or just think this sounds like a good way to spend a couple of hours, I Can Only Imagine hits theaters on Friday, February 20.

It’s been an encouraging month for female-driven stories. Wuthering Heights absolutely dominated this week, marking one of the biggest weekends at the box office in 2026 so far. Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 is still making us swoon near the top of Netflix’s Top 10 list a few weeks in. Plus, The Housemaid is still hitting new heights, and Sydney Sweeney seems quite amped up about it.

When The Housemaid hit $300 million globally about a month ago, I honestly expected that to be the end of the milestones for the fun flick. It had been in theaters for over a month since its December 19th movie release date at that point, and I never expected the movie to have as long of legs as it’s truly had. Which brings me to mid-February, when Sydney Sweeney celebrated The Housemaid hitting $375 million.

Where is that number coming from? Reporting outlets have the film just under that milestone marker (around $360 million) right now when it comes to traditional box office, but Sweeney’s post also nodded at Lionsgate Home, which currently has the movie available to watch at home on VOD. Apparently, the flick’s been picking up moolah in the millions via secondary viewing platforms -- and that money goes right into the studio's pocket.

As she has in the past, Sydney Sweeney took to social media to celebrate the milestone with an encouraging message for the fans who have watched it once, twice, and maybe even thrice or more.

It may feel like a bit of a “duh” now, but The Housemaid was not an ace in the hole when it came out just a couple of months ago. In fact, the flick’s producer Todd Lieberman got candid about the film’s trajectory, calling it a “sleeper hit” and noting people hadn’t paid that much attention in Hollywood before its release. This was not guaranteed to be a winner, but the actresses took a risk that paid off.

Last timeThe Housemaid hit a box office milestone, Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried had a cute exchange about their time working together. There may be more to come for those two. Millie Calloway moved on to new houses at the end of The Housemaid, leading to questions about a sequel. Lionsgate later confirmed a second movie is in development, and I hope Nina Winchester will get to at least make an appearance the next time around.

The next movie will be based on the second book by Freida McFadden, The Housemaid’s Secret and should continue Lionsgate’s successful track record of adapting books to film, as they’ve done with a slew of other projects, including the Twilight and Hunger Games films, the former of which has a new project coming this year in the prequel Sunrise on the Reaping, as well.

Renny Harlin’s three-movie remake of 2008’s The Strangers is coming to a close, with The Strangers: Chapter 3 hitting the 2026 movie calendar on February 6. The finale picks up where Chapter 2 left off, with Maya celebrating the death of one of her masked assailants as she continues her attempts to survive. Critics panned the first chapter for writing lousy protagonists, while they called the follow-up “a complete betrayal of the franchise.” Will the trilogy find its footing in its closing chapter?

That answer would be no, if you ask the critics, who aren’t hiding their relief that no more visits to Venus, Oregon, will be required of them. In The Strangers: Chapter 3 Madelaine Petsch’s Maya is joined by her sister Debbie (Rachel Shenton), but according to Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting, this ends up being just another underbaked idea. The critic gives the movie 1.5 out of 5 skulls, writing:

Gregory Nussen of ScreenRant rates the upcoming horror movie a brutal 1 out of 10, saying it’s “almost impressive just how fundamentally wrong” this trilogy was about why the 2008 movie was so frightening. Thus, Chapter 3 is devoid of tension and energy, so much so, Nussen says, that it seems like the entire cast has overdosed on sleeping pills. More from his review:

Alistair Ryder of Looper gives it 4 out of 10, saying the screenwriters “spectacularly fail to stick the landing” with a final offering that is “so slow-burning it becomes dull.” Ryder continues:

To answer the above critic’s question about whether Chapter 3 is the worst of the three, William Bibbiani of The Wrap actually thinks it might be the best. However, that’s not the compliment you'd think it is, as he says it’s still not good and is, in fact, “torture, in all the wrong ways.” Bibbiani continues:

Erik Piepenburg of The New York Times seems offended on behalf of the original movie, as Renny Harlin extinguishes everything that made it scary, but at least this “masked nonsense” is over now. The critic writes:

Well, this is kind of rough news for anyone hoping that the story might find its footing in its final chapter. However, if you're a fan of the first two movies or just want to see the trilogy through, don't let these critics stop you! You can draw your own conclusions about The Strangers: Chapter 3 when it hits theaters on Friday, February 6.

Back in 2020, Gerard Butler starred in Greenland, one of many crazy disaster movies to prepare us for end times, and now he’s back to show us what happens next. The sequel Greenland 2: Migration continues the story of John Garrity, his wife Allison and their son Nathan five years after the events of the first movie, in which a large comet crashed into Earth. Critics have seen the flick ahead of its release to the 2026 movie calendar, and they’re split over its success.

In addition to Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin returns to the upcoming action movie as Allison, and Roman Griffin Davis replaces Roger Dale Floyd as Nathan, as the Garritys are forced to leave the Greenland bunker and attempt to start a new life amongst what’s left of Earth. Liz Declan of ScreenRant gives it an 8 out of 10, saying Greenland 2: Migration tackles topics this genre often skips over — the disaster's aftermath — and proves that story can be as exciting as the tragedy that came before. The critic says:

Chris Evangelista of SlashFilm rates the movie 7 out of 10, saying that while it still feels like a “silly disaster pic” at some points, Greenland 2: Migration stands out because it’s less interested in grand spectacle and more in the psychological toll of everyday people just trying to make it through another day. Evangelista writes:

William Bibbiani of The Wrap says Greenland 2: Migration is an above-average sequel to 2020’s above-average sleeper, with plenty of exciting set pieces. However, some of the despair that made the original such a gut punch is missing from the follow-up. Bibbiani says:

David Ehrlich of IndieWire calls the movie a “timely but tedious” sequel, saying it’s far more generic and action-oriented than its predecessor, which makes it lose sight of the human reaction that gave Greenland its friction. Ehrlich gives Migration a C and writes:

Josh Parham of Next Best Picture rates it just 4 out of 10, writing that while there are some decent thrills, most of the movie is “blandly shot and executed,” with shallow characters that don’t earn our emotional investment. Parham continues:

Unfortunately, the critics don’t agree on this one, but it could be worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of the first movie, which is considered one of the best movies streaming on HBO Max right now.

If you haven’t seen Greenland, it’s available to stream with an HBO Max subscription, which might help you decide if you want to invest more time into the Garritys' perilous quest for survival when Greenland 2: Migration hits theaters on Friday, January 9.

Sydney Sweeney is everywhere these days, whether that’s jet-setting to Jeff Bezos’ wedding in Italy, going full goth for a GQ event or showing her excitement to be on Celebrity Family Feud. But her work on the big screen isn’t done this year, as she and Amanda Seyfried are set to star in the highly anticipated book-to-screen adaptation The Housemaid. Critics have seen the film ahead of its December 19 release, and it doesn’t sound like Sweeney needs to worry about bad reviews.

Based on the 2022 novel by Freida McFadden, The Housemaid follows Millie (Sydney Sweeney), who becomes the live-in housekeeper for Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and her husband Andrew (Brandon Sklenar) only to discover dark secrets within the household. McFadden boldly claimed she liked the movie better than her book, and Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting respectfully agrees, rating the film 4 out of 5 skulls and saying that Paul Feig lets his stars cut loose in the most darkly comedic and violent ways. She continues:

Amanda Seyfried, especially, dances on the knife's edge between comedy and tragedy, William Bibbiani of The Wrap says, but both actresses seem to be having the time of their lives. The critic calls the adaptation “weirder and funnier than you expect,” writing:

Owen Gleiberman of Variety says The Housemaid is different from other thrillers like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. It’s over-the-top, but it’s clever, Gleiberman says, calling the movie “nothing more (or less) than a garishly fun and effective piece of postfeminist pulp.” The critic continues:

Pete Hammond of Deadline says The Housemaid is “mad fun” — “Another Simple Favor on steroids” — and you may hate yourself for indulging in its “unapologetic trashiness.” His review continues:

Kate Erbland of IndieWire is less impressed with Paul Feig’s newest thriller, save for what Amanda Seyfried brings to her performance. The director is too timid to go full camp, but it’ll suffice as counter-programming over the holiday season, Erbland says. She grades the movie a C+, writing:

With adjectives like "campy" and "trashy" being thrown around, it really sounds like audiences are in for a fun time with this one, logic be damned. If you want to check out The Housemaid, the movie hits theaters on Friday, December 19.

The family horror flick isn’t a genre you hear about all too often — there certainly aren’t a lot of kid-friendly options on the upcoming horror movie list — and yet, here we are with Dust Bunny, Bryan Fuller’s feature directorial debut. Mads Mikkelsen stars as a hitman who his 8-year-old neighbor, Aurora (newcomer Sophie Sloan), hires after her family is killed by the monster under her bed. Critics saw the film ahead of its release on the 2025 movie calendar, and they have strong (but positive) reactions.

Sigourney Weaver, David Dastmalchian and a few others also appear in this fantastical thriller that CinemaBlend’s Nick Venable calls a “must-see,” but Dust Bunny is really all about the relationship between the little girl and the killer for hire. Natalia Keogan of AV Club gives it a B, noting how impressive it is for Bryan Fuller to tackle all of these moving parts — monster puppetry, a new child actor and lots of VFX — with such confidence in his first time at the helm. Keogan says:

Rotem Rusak of Nerdist raves about Dust Bunny for doing something new, blending comedy seamlessly into action-horror and making fantasy exist alongside reality. Every frame is purposeful, the critic says, and Sophie Sloan delivers a performance well beyond her years. Rusak continues:

Michael Gingold of Fangoria writes that the unique tone of handling dark subject matter with whimsical humor is Bryan Fuller’s specialty, and despite its R rating — for some human fight scenes, rather than monster-involved violence — it should work as an appropriate gateway to horror for younger viewers. (Parents should use their own discretion.) Gingold writes:

Aimee Hart of Polygon agrees that the R rating feels unwarranted and says this is definitely worth your time. Combining the mundane with the fantastic is what Bryan Fuller does best, Hart says, and Dust Bunny is able to delight and horrify in equal measure. The critic writes:

Carlos Aguilar of Variety calls the film “morbidly fantastical” and appreciates how, despite the bond that forms between the Intriguing Neighbor and Aurora, Bryan Fuller’s tone fends off sappiness, along with Mads Mikkelsen’s “grizzled nonchalance.” Sophie Sloan is impressive in how she handles the movie’s deadpan demeanor. More from the review:

Overall, critics are impressed with Bryan Fuller’s directorial debut, as it has earned a Certified Fresh 86% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. For anyone looking for something outside of the typical superhero movie or holiday rom-com, this gateway horror that combines the monster under the bed with real-life hitmen and plenty of surrealism might be a good option.

Dust Bunny is now in theaters, as of Friday, December 12.

It’s been nine years since we last saw Daniel Atlas and his crew use their magic skills to pull off a heist, and now they’re back for Now You See Me, Now You Don’t. The third movie in the Jesse Eisenberg-led series hits the 2025 movie calendar on November 14. Combining magic with a good heist movie made for a lot of fun in the first movies (horrible plot twists notwithstanding), and the cast is bursting with talent, both old and new. But does that translate into positive reviews? Let’s see what the critics have up their sleeves.

Work on Now You See Me 3 started 10 years ago, and the three-quel has gone through changes in screenwriter and director over the years. Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer ended up landing the gig for another project with Jesse Eisenberg, who is rejoined by Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Isla Fisher as their characters recruit some new illusionists to assist in a big diamond heist. And according to Caroline Siede of AV Club they all seem to be having a blast. She gives the movie a B, saying:

Mark Kennedy of the AP says the old gang’s still got it, and the future is in good hands, as Now You See Me 3 introduces a trio of Gen Z illusionists, played by Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa and Ariana Greenblatt. The critic appreciates this offering not relying on CGI as much as the 2016 sequel, rating the movie 3 out of 4 stars and writing:

Owen Gleiberman of Variety says it’s a worthy continuation of the franchise, and Jesse Eisenberg is “gripping” as the leader of the Four Horsemen. Daniel Atlas? Try “Danny Ocean reborn as a terse megalomaniac of illusion.” Gleiberman continues:

Chris Hayner of Polygon, meanwhile, says the trick of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is actually being played on the audience. The movie isn’t actually a sequel but a reboot that’s seemingly passing the torch to a new generation of Horsemen. In the end, it’s a fine movie, the critic says, despite flaws like replacing magic with puzzles. In Hayner’s words:

Eric Goldman of IGN gives it an “Okay” 6 out of 10. As with the two that came before it, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t coasts on the charm of its ensemble cast but never fully realizes the potential of its concept. Goldman says:

Well, it sounds like Now You See Me 3 definitely has some issues, but regardless, Jesse Eisenberg and company are still game to entertain audiences. The movie currently stands with a 64% Rotten Tomatoes score, but if the first two movies are any indication, the audience will likely rate the movie higher than critics.

If you want to refresh yourself on the first two movies (or if you, ahem, didn’t realize there were two other movies) they can both be streamed with a Peacock subscription. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t hits theaters on Friday, November 14.

Horror flicks may be the primary focus for many movie lovers in October, but there’s always room for a good supernatural comedy, right? Aziz Ansari sure hopes so, as he makes his feature directorial debut with Good Fortune. With a cast that includes Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves, Keke Palmer and more, this one has been on our radar as one that must be seen in the theater, so are critics in agreement?

Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune — which hits the 2025 movie calendar on October 17 — stars Keanu Reeves as Gabriel, a guardian angel who loses his wings after failing to prove to down-on-his-luck Arj (Ansari) that switching lives with rich socialite Jeff (Seth Rogen) won’t make him happier. Matt Fowler of IGN calls the movie “funny, sharp, and sweet,” as it somehow upends the It’s a Wonderful Life cliché but still manages to embrace it. He rates it a “Great” 8 out of 10, writing:

Brian Truitt of USA TODAY also says Keanu Reeves is “angelic” in this “heaven-sent” comedy, giving it 3 out of 4 stars. Aziz Ansari toes the line between hilarity and gravity, Truitt says, by using comedy to approach deep themes. The critic says:

Joe Schmidt of Collider rates Good Fortune 7 out of 10, writing that it’s a fine first effort from Aziz Ansari at the helm, as he weaves a simple yet satisfying tale of people realizing they can both cherish what they have and fight to make the world better. Keke Palmer steals the show, in Schmidt’s opinion, and Keanu Reeves is a “godsend.” In the critic’s words:

Tim Grierson of AV Club grades the movie a C+, noting that Good Fortune acknowledges the anger that economic inequality causes but doesn’t dig too deep. Grierson wonders if Aziz Ansari’s message lacks heft because the actor can’t fully recognize the plight of those struggling to make ends meet. The critic says:

Lindsey Bahr of the AP also says the life-affirming message that comes from Good Fortune feels hollow, despite the director’s good intentions. She gives it 2 out of 4 stars and writes:

While there are some questions regarding Aziz Ansari’s feel-good message, it appears that critics are mostly on board with his directorial debut. Good Fortune holds a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so if you want to see the hilarity that ensues amongst this cast — including Keanu Reeves, who is apparently worthy of all the angel puns — the movie is in theaters as of Friday, October 17.

Last year, director Renny Harlin released The Strangers: Chapter 1 — the first of a planned trilogy rebooting one of the best horror movies of the 2000s — and now he’s back to give us round 2. The Strangers: Chapter 2 is set to hit the 2025 movie calendar on September 26, with Madelaine Petsch reprising her role as Maya Lucas. The first of the series was panned by critics, so will the sequel fare better?

After getting feedback on the first movie, Renny Harlin and co. reportedly did reshoots on the second and third chapters, but the changes apparently didn't win over the critics. Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting says instead of amping up the stakes for next year’s final installation, Chapter 2 is just a chase movie filled with asinine scenarios including a bad CGI boar attack. The critic rates it 1 out of 5 skulls, writing:

Tyler Nichols of JoBlo says he actually liked the first chapter for its slasher aspect, but this film was practically devoid of tension since we know Maya makes it to Chapter 3 on the 2026 movie calendar. It also dials back the violence after an already-tame first chapter. Nicols gives The Strangers: Chapter 2 a “Not Good” 4 out of 10 and says:

Rafael Motamayor of SlashFilm also rates it 4 out of 10, saying it’s better than the first one, but that was a low bar. Chapter 2’s biggest mistake, according to Motamayor, is adding backstory for the titular killers and thus taking away from the random “because you were home” of it all. In the critic’s words:

It should be said that in all of the reviews I read, the critics are all giving Madelaine Petsch her due, as she proves to be game for whatever bizarre set pieces await her character. They also all mention the CGI boar, so it must be bad.

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com touches on both of these subjects, calling the boar scene “one of the most ridiculously conceived and executed things I’ve seen in a horror film in years, something that doesn’t make sense physically or thematically.” The critics rates the movie just 1 out of 4 stars and says:

Jamie Graham of Empire gives it 2 out of 5 stars, saying it was saved from 1-star ignominy for Renny Harlin’s ability to frame an eye-catching shot and craft a decent jumpscare, as well as for Madelaine Petsch’s committed performance. Graham concludes:

It looks like the critics have reached a consensus, as The Strangers: Chapter 2 currently stands at 14% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer from 21 critics so far. If you want to check out the upcoming horror movie — or see what that wild boar is all about — don’t let the bad reviews stop you. The movie hits theaters on Friday, September 26.

When Francis Lawrence’s The Long Walk hits the 2025 movie calendar on September 12, expect to see some visceral reactions from those who take a trip to the theater. Already we’ve heard from people who can’t make it through the trailer without crying, and first reactions from the screenings described an “emotional wallop.” But beyond the “nauseating” experience that critics are promising, they’re also blown away by one David Jonsson’s performance.

The Stephen King book-to-screen adaptation centers around Cooper Hoffman’s Raymond Garraty, one of 50 young men who enter a contest to see who can walk the longest. Those who slow down are executed until just one remains. While Philip Seymour Hoffman’s son is being praised for his performance, our own Eric Eisenberg says David Jonsson has “never been better.” He rates the movie 4.5 out of 5 stars and writes in CinemaBlend’s review of The Long Walk:

Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting agrees, calling both Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza) and David Jonsson (Rye Lane, Alien: Romulus) rising stars. Overall, the critic gives the upcoming horror movie 4 out of 5 skulls, saying of the actors:

Jacob Oller of AV Club gives The Long Walk a B, saying that for as “bloody and upsetting” as the movie is, it boils down a 100-minute walk-and-talk between some of the best young actors out there — particularly Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson. Oller continues:

Clint Worthington of RogerEbert.com rates the movie 3 out of 4 stars, noting that The Long Walk has a very deserved R-rating for its splattercore killings that never get less haunting as the body count rises. Of the actors in question, the critic writes:

Gregory Nussen of Deadline agrees with the above critics when it comes to the jobs done by the leading cast members, but overall Nussen says The Long Walk is “entirely too heavy.” Its “nauseating” message is such that it “hits us with an anvil when a hammer would do.” He continues:

There’s no question that The Long Walk is going to be a tough watch, but for those who can stomach it — and this red-band clip might be a good litmus test for that — it sounds like the actors have really put in a performance worth watching. The movie hits theaters on Friday, September 12.

The Hunting Wives is a new murder mystery-drama that just hit the 2025 TV schedule. Following in the footsteps of other deliciously scandalous female-led soap operas, the new Netflix series stars Brittany Snow as Sophie, who feels out of place after relocating to Texas, until she meets Malin Akerman’s Margo. Strap in for an unexpected saga of sex, drugs and debauchery — all leading to murder — that critics seem to think is a trip down South worth taking.

I have to admit, The Hunting Wives wasn’t really on my radar; as a Texas transplant myself, I don’t need to fire up my Netflix subscription to experience red state social politics. I may have underestimated just how juicy the series gets, though, because after reading what critics have to say about the book-to-screen adaptation, it sounds like the binge I didn’t know I needed. Angie Han of THR calls it “pure over-the-top fun,” writing:

Saloni Gajjar of AV Club gives it a B, saying The Hunting Wives “screams guilty pleasure with its ludicrous characters and situations,” offering nothing but escapism. Gajjar continues:

Lacy Baugher Milas of Paste rates it a 7.0, writing that there’s something propulsive about a show that so unabashedly delights in the worst excesses of its characters. It exists solely to entertain, which it does with “utterly outlandish shock twists.” The critic says:

Nick Schager of the Daily Beast says everything’s bigger in Texas, including this series that’s “stuffed with sex, murder, betrayal, duplicity, and deep, dark secrets that threaten to destroy the lives of its well-off characters.” Schager enthusiastically recommends this story of secrets and scandals, writing:

Alison Herman of Variety calls The Hunting Wives a “very zany, very gay” red-state murder mystery, whose political culture clash remains its most interesting element, despite the hovering murder mystery. Herman says:

From what critics are saying about the series playing into our voyeuristic cravings, its outlandish plot twists and women behaving badly, The Hunting Wives seems primed to become one of the best shows to binge on Netflix. All eight episodes are available to stream now.

There are a lot of exciting things happening on the 2025 movie calendar these days. Superman is kicking off the DCU, fast zombies are a thing again in 28 Years Later, and I couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming Naked Gun reboot. I’m also intrigued by the heist movie Now You See Me: Now You Don’t that’s coming in November, and I’m actually really embarrassed that I’m only finding out now that it’s the third movie in a series.

I think I’ve been tricked. It’s the only explanation. Allow me to explain how I came to realize that the Jesse Eisenberg flick has two predecessors, as well as how finally checking out the first movie (available via Netflix subscription) affected my opinion of Now You See Me 3.

I Was Interested In Now You See Me: Now You Don’t Without Even Knowing About The Previous Movies

In my defense, if the three-quel were actually called Now You See Me 3, this wouldn’t have been an issue. This story won’t do much to prove otherwise, but I’d consider myself a fairly intelligent human being. However, this movie is called Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. (The colon is a bit of a hint, but the title in the trailer did not include the colon, and honestly, with movie titles these days, you can never really tell.)

The trailer for the upcoming heist movie played when my daughter and I went to see Jurassic World Rebirth. Admittedly, I didn’t pay too much attention to it, because I don’t like when previews give too much away. I saw Jesse Eisenberg surrounded by a great cast, I saw heists, I saw magic. Sold. That’s all I needed to know … so I thought.

When I returned home, I was recalling the trailers we’d seen — The Running Man remake, The Odyssey teaser, Wicked: For Good — and I mentioned Now You See Me: Now You Don’t to my husband (a fellow CinemaBlend employee) and asked him if he’d heard of it. That was when he broke the news to me: Two other magic heist movies had come before. Not only that, but apparently he’s seen them both and mentioned them to me several times.

*Starts playing air violin to prove I’ve been hypnotized by Woody Harrelson’s Merritt to forget such things.*

How Did Now You See Me Pull Off This Disappearing Act In My Memory?

It seems ridiculous that I hadn’t heard of 2013’s Now You See Me and 2016’s Now You See Me 2. The really annoying part is that I did know about Isla Fisher almost drowning in a water stunt and heard colleagues discussing why the third movie has another water tank scene. I just didn’t know what movie they were talking about.

I have to admit, with this ensemble cast — Jesse Eisenberg, Morgan Freeman, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Isla Fisher and more, many of whom are apparently returning for Now You See Me: Now You Don’t — it’s actually unreal that I never paid this movie any attention.

My only guess — outside of sorcery, which I’m sticking with as my official defense — is that in the years that both of those movies came out, I had infants in the house. I was barely sleeping and was consumed by a different job that was not as conducive as my current one to keeping me in the know about fun movies about magic.

Quick Note From The Aforementioned Loving Husband

• "While I can safely say with confidence that I'd suggested both the first and second NYSM movies to Heidi around the time of their respective releases, I can also speak to the fact that both of our children were slightly more attention-worthy than any Hollywood directors' efforts at the time. To her credit, I probably couldn't pick the second movie's plot out of a lineup, while I could easily pick at least one of our children out of that same lineup. "

Also, apparently my Netflix algorithm hasn’t been given the information it needs to know that heist films — especially ones with horribly ridiculous plot twists like we get in Now You See Me — are right up my alley. Hopefully I’m on my way to remedying that situation, because I have now watched the 2013 installment of the Four Horsemen’s hijinks, and it made me even more excited for what’s to come.

After Finally Watching The First Movie, I Can’t Wait For The Second And Third

Just in case anyone else is as thick-headed as myself and somehow missed the memo (or rather, saw the memo that was sent multiple times but still threw it away, as some might contend) that a decade ago an all-star Hollywood cast put out two perfectly binge-worthy heist movies revolving around magic, I’m going to keep this spoiler-free. I will, however, say that I understand why some moments from Now You See Me still bother people. Also, I really don’t know what the ending with the carousel was all about.

Absolutely none of that has done anything to dampen my spirits about the second and third movies. I don’t need my heist movies to be realistic any more than I need to know how a magic trick was performed. In fact, if magic is the point of the heist movie, being able to explain everything that happens could suck the fun right out of it.

I may not be able to explain how the Now You See Me 3 trailer is my first conscious awareness of this franchise, but I have to believe there are others out there like me. Maybe there are people who are unfamiliar with the 2013 movie but are just excited to see any film that reunites Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson with Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer (that alone is reason enough for me to buy a ticket).

Or maybe you also saw the three-quel’s trailer at a showing of Jurassic World Rebirth and thought it sounded like a blast, even if it felt a little like the Four Horsemen’s story was starting in the middle. You can actually check it out below:

Whichever way you've come to the movie, now that we’ve taken off our blindfolds and awoken from our hypnotic trance, there’s plenty of time to get caught up before Now You See Me: Now You Don’t arrives in theaters on Friday, November 14.

Whether you’re watching for the first time or need a refresher on those wild plot twists, both Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 are available to stream on Netflix.

It’s been eight long years since it was announced that John Wick was getting a spinoff, so there’s no doubt that Ballerina comes highly anticipated for fans of the John Wick franchise. The film — starring Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, the ballerina assassin who seeks revenge for her father’s death — finally hit the 2025 movie calendar on June 6, and critics are here to help us decide if we want to buy tickets to the new action movie.

The John Wick spinoff Ballerina, according to director Len Wiseman, is actually more of a parallel story, as it takes place between 2019’s Chapter 3 – Parabellum and 2023’s Chapter 4 (available to stream with a Peacock subscription).

The film received a glowing reaction from Tom Cruise (who has sparked dating rumors with Ana de Armas). However, in CinemaBlend’s review of Ballerina, Eric Eisenberg contends his low expectations helped his enjoyment of the “meh” spinoff. He rates the movie 3 out of 5 stars, writing:

Clint Gage of IGN gives the movie a “Great” 8 out of 10, admitting the movie does get off to a slow start, but once the story kicks in, Ballerina proves a worthy offering in the franchise, continuing the traditions that draw fans to John Wick but standing on its own in a surprising way. Gage continues:

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gives it 2.5 out of 4 stars, noting that the fight scenes — especially early on — don’t live up to what we’ve come to expect from this franchise. However, the movie’s second half is full of enough action that you won’t care. In Tallerico’s words:

Brian Truitt of USA TODAY calls the Ana de Armas movie a “game-changer,” as the actress is deemed a great addition to the John Wick universe. Truitt enjoys how the character uses more random objects, flamethrowers and knife work for her kills instead of mimicking Wick’s gun fu. He gives the movie 3.5 stars out of 4 and writes:

David Rooney of THR says everyone in Ballerina understands the assignment, including director Len Wiseman, who doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel with the franchise’s new protagonist. The flick very much stays true to the intense gun-fu franchise, making for a great summer afternoon at the movies. Rooney says:

Ballerina is also notable as it was Lance Reddick’s final movie before his 2023 death at age 60. If you’re a fan of the ever-expanding John Wick franchise and want to give this new assassin a shot, Ballerina is in theaters now.

Ok, confession time: I’ve never seen any of the Highlander movies. I know that’s a weird thing to share considering the headline of this article, but because I’m a fan of Henry Cavill and director Chad Stahlski, I am looking forward to diving into this mythology for the first time with their Highlander reboot. At the same time, though, I do understand the reason that’s being reported on regarding why said reboot was shifted from Lionsgate over to Amazon.

For years, Lionsgate had planned to add Highlander to its staple of big franchises, which includes John Wick (which Stahelski has spearheaded), The Hunger Games and Saw. However, last month, word came in that the reboot that Amazon MGM Studios had acquired the reboot. According to The Wrap, there were three reasons why Lionsgate decided to let go of the new Highlander: budget, audience and Cavill himself.

Per the report, Chad Stahelski wanted a $180 million budget for the upcoming movie, but Lionsgate wasn’t willing to go any higher than $165 million. The studio was also reportedly “worried” that Highlander was a “one-quadrant movie” for Gen X males who remembered the 1986 original fondly. Finally, the article says Lionsgate was “slightly concerned” about delivering a movie with Henry Cavill as the lead given that The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which came from the same studio, and Apple Films’ Argylle were both commercial flops last year.

Given that Lionsgate is one of the smaller film studios, I can understand the powers-that-be over there deciding that they didn’t want to pour resources into the project anymore. Even ignoring Cavill’s poor luck at the box office lately, $180 million, and frankly even $165 million, is a hefty asking price for restarting a property that doesn’t have nearly the amount of cache it didn’t in the ‘80s. Also, let’s not forget that none of the Highlander sequels performed nearly as well as the first movie, although the live-action TV series did fare better critically.

Now Amazon MGM Studios is taking the reims on Highlander, allowing Chad Stahelski to still fulfill his creative vision with Henry Cavill rather than see it shelved. This is the third film adaptation of an IP from the ‘80s that Amazon has coming up, the other two being next year’s Masters of the Universe and Voltron, which also stars Cavill. But as The Wrap notes, movies based off ‘80s IP in recent years have been hit or miss, so my fingers are crossed Highlander ends up being one of the former.

Highlander still doesn’t have a release date attached. However, Chad Stahelski informed Collider earlier this month, the reboot could begin filming in September, putting it o track for release sometime in 2027 or 2028.

We're at the Lionsgate Panel at CinemaCon Las Vegas, and we just got a first look at the new Hunger Games movie, Sunrise on the Reaping. During the event, director Francis Lawrence, who has also directed every movie out of the franchise (except for the first one) shared with the audience what's going on with one of the most exciting upcoming book adaptations.

Suzanne Collins' Sunrise On The Reaping novel has only been out in the world for (exactly) two weeks, but since the movie and book were announced at the same time over summer, the production has a head start. Take a look at the official animated logo for the 2026 release:

Along with this awesome reveal of the novel's logo come to life, Francis Lawrence also got excited by sharing how the movie is more inspired by the original trilogy. While he loved working on the last prequel Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, he called this upcoming movie a "return to form," especially because it's "much later in the timeline" where the arena is "spectacular" and "visual". Lawrence also called it his "favorite book of the series."

Sunrise On The Reaping takes place during Haymitch's games, which is the 50th Hunger Games, aka the 2nd Quarter Quell. Considering Katniss and Peeta were part of the 74th and 75th games, and the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 10th Hunger Games, it makes a lot of sense that Lawrence will be jumping into the grander visual feast from the original trilogy. It sounds like he's really excited to get out of the early days of Panem and make another huge blockbuster. We'll be seeing a 40-year jump from President Snow's origin story.

In addition to Sunrise on the Reaping being a "return" to the vibe of the first movies starring Jennifer Lawrence, it's also the Quarter Quell, which is the games where twice as many tributes were plucked from the districts to fight to the death. Haymitch Abernathy is a District 12 tribute who must fight for his life and along the way he meets all sorts of names that fans of the original will recognize from the trilogy and prequel.

As someone who's in the middle of the novel, Haymitch's backstory is definitely not what I was expecting and revealed to be much more tragic and different than how we hear about his games during Katniss and Peeta's games. Of course, we're curious about who will be cast as Haymitch, especially after both Cobra Kai's Tanner Buchanan was fancast along with House of the Dragon's Tom Glynn-Carney.

There's also been some past rumors that Chalengers' Mike Faist could have been secretly cast to play Plutarch Heavensbee. We expect casting to be the next step we'll hear about so stay tuned!

When it comes to upcoming action movies on the 2025 movie schedule, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is arguably one of the biggest titles. Fans have been treated to a number of looks at the Ana de Armas-led flick thus far and just received their latest during a virtual trailer event from Lionsgate. I tuned in for the proceedings and can honestly say it was the wildest launch for new footage of any kind that I’ve ever seen. And, as eventful as it was, I’m curious as to whether Mr. Wick himself would’ve been able to sit through it.

The event in question for the highly anticipated Ballerina, which was billed as the Fire vs. Ice Launch, streamed live early Wednesday morning on X. It began with a countdown clock, during which fans were chosen to receive a prize or “bounty.” The launch began in earnest with a quick introduction from Ana de Armas, before the action shifted to a dark room with a monitor surrounded by blocks of ice. Also in the vicinity was a person holding a flamethrower, like De Armas uses in the movie.

As explained, the goal of the user-fueled event is for all the blocks of ice to be melted so that the new trailer can be revealed. Fans help to make that happen by hitting the fire emoji constantly at the specified time to fuel the flame meter. With that, the person with the flamethrower is able to cut through a new layer. If this all sound too wild to be true, know that it really happened, and you can check out an image below:

On top of that, there was an incentive for fans to join in the festivities. Above the screen was also a gauge indicating access to new bounties. So, as the person with the flamethrower came closer to penetrating the ice, fans reached a new opportunity to claim a prize like a Continental coin used in the film or ice skates signed by the film’s lead actress. The ultimate “bounty” was a trip to London for the movie’s world premiere, and fans had to compete for such prizes by typing in a term at the specified time:

I have to give it to Lionsgate that this is definitely a creative way to market a film, to say the least. However, considering the event as a whole lasting nearly 50 minutes, it did run quite long. In my experience, a number of trailer launches usually don’t last too long, though they admittedly aren’t as grandiose as this one. It would’ve been easy for fans to become somewhat impatient, and I’d imagine that Keanu Reeves’ Wick would’ve been the same. After all, the character, as intuitive as he is, definitely isn’t one to sit around too long.

Nevertheless, I’d wager that fans are still excited to see what the latest entry in the saga of John Wick films has to offer. Set in between the events of the third and fourth films in the main series, Ballerina centers around Ana de Armas’ Eve Macarro, an assassin who seeks to avenge her father’s death. That mission puts her in conflict with dangerous forces, including the Baba Yaga himself. Check out the new trailer below:

It’s cool to see both Eve and Wick share the screen, and the fight between them should be quite a spectacle. (Keanu Reeves’ return should also serve as some kind of comfort for fans who’ve been craving for him to return for a fifth Wick film.) As for the event that unveiled this new footage, it’s hard to say just how effective it’ll be as a marketing tool. Though I can say I’ll surely never forget it either way.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina opens in theaters on June 6, and I have a feeling it’s going to be straight fire. (Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.)

We’re in a weird limbo regarding whether or not John Wick: Chapter 5 will actually happen, but the world that spawned out of the exploits of Keanu Reeves’ assassin character won’t disappear anytime soon. In addition to the first theatrical spinoff, Ballerina, opening this summer on the 2025 release schedule, there’s also the Caine spinoff movie and the anime-style flick about John’s “impossible task” that are in development, as well as a TV series focused on the High Table. That latter project is something I want to discuss right now, as I’m hoping a new streaming deal between Lionsgate, the studio that owns John Wick, and Prime Video will finally be the kick needed to move this series forward.

It was announced today that Prime Video has snagged an exclusive window to provide Lionsgate-produced movies and TV shows after the first-run window on premium cable network Starz, which is also managed by the studio, is over. This agreement will be initially comprised of Lionsgate’s 2026 movies, a “package” of movies from its 2025 lineup, and, as described by THR, “a commitment to Prime Video for licensing library movies and TV.”

Now You See Me 3 and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping are already confirmed as future movies that those with a Prime Video subscription will be able to stream, and starting in 2026, the platform will be able to pick older Lionsgate titles to add to its catalog of content, including the John Wick, Divergent and Saw franchises, as well as TV shows like Nurse Jackie and Weeds. So as you can see, so far we’re just talking about existing Lionsgate movies and TV shows, and a few officially-slated theatrical movies, but I’d like to think this arrangement could turn into something more.

It’s the “licensing library movies and TV” that specifically caught my eye. What if Lionsgate and Prime Video could start co-producing TV shows together? This could be just the thing that could get John Wick: Under the High Table past the development stage. After all, the show was officially greenlit last August and was going to be shopped around to the best streaming services. And frankly, I don’t think this will end up on Peacock considering how The Continental failed gain much traction when it was released in 2023 on that platform.

Prime Video, on the other hand, has a much larger subscriber base, so if the John Wick movies are made available on there, the amount of people streaming them can be used a gauge to determine if investing in that High Table TV show is worth it. Considering how critically and commercially well the John Wick movies have performed, I’d be willing to bet plenty of Prime Video subscribers would stream at least one, if not all of them. If I’m right, then it also stands to reason they’d turn out in droves to see episodes exploring the inner workings of this criminal organization in a post-John Wick: Chapter environment.

John Wick: Under the High Table is the project in the franchise I’m most looking forward to seeing, so I’ll be happy to watch it wherever it ends up. But considering that Lionsgate and Prime Video will be cozy with each other for the foreseeable future, it’d be a missed opportunity for them not to collaborate on this series.

It wasn’t long after Den of Thieves hit theaters in 2018 that writer/director Christian Gudegast began working on a sequel to the heist movie. Now, seven years later, Big Nick is finally back, hitting the 2025 movie calendar with Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. This time Gerard Butler’s character is pursuing O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s Donnie Wilson after he escaped to Europe with plans to execute a new robbery. Critics were able to screen the flick ahead of its January 10 theatrical release, so let’s see what they’re saying about this second installment.

While seven years may have passed in real time, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera picks up right where its 2018 predecessor (available to stream with a Max subscription) left off, with Nick O’Brien reeling after being bested by the thief. Big Nick goes after Donnie, and what follows is a surprisingly good time, according to Christian Zilko of IndieWire, who grades it a B. Despite its mid-January release and ridiculously unserious subtitle, the Gerard Butler movie is far more entertaining than it has any right to be, the critic says, writing:

Chris Bumbray of JoBlo gives it a “Good” 7 out of 10. The critic admits going in with low expectations but was pleasantly surprised by the slick sequel. Bumbray says Pantera is much more fun than the first film with its fresh Euro-style vibes, and he wouldn’t be surprised to see Den of Thieves 3 somewhere down the road. He continues:

Matt Schimkowitz of AV Club gives Den of Thieves 2 a B-, saying this is lighter than the first movie, as Christian Gudegast has toned down moral ambiguities and cranked up the personalities and likability of the characters, making for a “funnier, chummier heist.” Schimkowitz says:

Owen Gleiberman of Variety calls Den of Thieves 2: Pantera a satisfying impersonation of a high-end crime film, saying that Gerard Butler is good enough to lift “a piece of pulp so it almost seems like a real movie.” The critic continues:

Frank Scheck of THR, however, isn’t here for the sequel or the bromance, saying the chemistry between Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. isn’t as interesting as the director thinks it is. Add the too-long runtime, and Scheck calls this heist movie more “numbing” than invigorating. He writes:

It sounds like if you’re able to suspend reality for long enough (probably too long) to go along for this buddy heist flick, you might be in for a good time. If Den of Thieves 2: Pantera sounds like the mid-January movie you’ve been looking for, you can catch it in theaters now.

Halloween has passed, which means we’re now entering the holiday portion of our 2024 movie calendar. Television as well is full of upcoming Christmas movies to choose from, and thankfully it looks like there are at least a few options for the kids as well. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever arrives in theaters on November 8, and critics have had the opportunity to screen the film, which was adapted from the book of the same name by Barbara Robinson. While not without its flaws, reviews indicate that the film is an enjoyable take on the true meaning of Christmas.

Judy Greer and Pete Holmes star in the movie, which centers around a church’s Christmas pageant and the town’s six notoriously trouble-making kids who volunteer to participate in it. It sounds like there are lessons to be learned one and all, and Nell Minow of RogerEbert.com rates it 3.5 out of 4 stars, confirming that to be the case. The critic says the adaptation glows with a message of hope and kindness, writing:

Mary Kassel of ScreenRant, meanwhile, isn’t so convinced, saying the choice to have an entire town of supposedly Christian people hate six children they know to be impoverished goes against the movie’s overall message. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever fails to dig deep, making for an ultimately forgettable holiday film, but one with enough feel-good appeal that it will find an audience anyway. Kassel rates the movie 4 out of 10 and says:

Robert Kojder of Flickering Myth agrees the upcoming family friendly flick isn’t without its flaws — Lauren Graham’s narration a la A Christmas Story becomes unnecessary, darker elements are avoided, etc., but the story overall is “unexpectedly beautiful.” Kojder continues:

William Bibbiani of The Wrap thinks the movie has plenty of depth, with Dallas Jenkins not content to merely rehash a story about a church play and some naughty kids. This comedy asks serious questions about Christianity and also comes up with quite good answers. Bibbiani writes:

Pete Hammond of Deadline is reminded of A Christmas Story and says The Best Christmas Pageant Ever has what it takes to become a perennial itself. It’s the rare faith-based movie that, in Hammond’s words, “doesn’t try to hit you on the head with a sermon.” Instead it grabs your heart and makes you smile. The critic continues:

Ahead of its November 8 release to theaters, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever holds an impressive 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. Only time will tell, however, if The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will become one of the best Christmas movies ever.

Spooky stuff led the pack at the box office last weekend with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Speak No Evil, and on Friday they’ll be joined by a couple of other upcoming horror movies for those hoping to stay in the spirit of the season. Halle Berry stars in Never Let Go, and critics had the chance to screen the movie ahead of its September 20 release on the 2024 movie calendar. Let’s take a look at what they’re saying.

The survival horror sees Halle Berry as the mother of twin boys in a world that’s supposedly been taken over by a malicious spirit. The family’s bond is broken and their lives become at risk when one of her sons begins to doubt the evil’s existence. In CinemaBlend’s review of Never Let Go, Eric Eisenberg says Berry gives a great performance that will keep audiences guessing throughout the disturbing adventure. He rates it 4 out of 5 stars, writing:

Bill Bria of SlashFilm also praises Halle Berry, rating the movie 8.5 out of 10 and saying that while Never Let Go has vibes of A Quiet Place or something from M. Night Shyamalan, director Alexandre Aja’s fractured fairy tale continues to reveal new layers as it unfolds that will stick with audiences after the lights come back up. Bria writes:

Mae Abdulbaki of ScreenRant gives the movie 3 out of 5 stars, saying the flick’s engrossing premise keeps moviegoers engaged even through its lulls. Halle Berry is great, as expected, but child actors Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins steal the show. Abdulbaki continues:

The critics seem to agree that the performances sell this story, but William Bibbiani of The Wrap still feels that Never Let Go is grasping at straws. Halle Berry is perfectly matched by the young actors, who play her twins as “desperate and haunted,” the critic says. Bibbiani continues:

David Rooney of THR says Never Let Go starts out intriguing enough and provides a few jump scares, but the critic says there’s only so much mileage the film can get out of making us wonder if Halle Berry’s character is sane or not before it becomes monotonous. Rooney continues:

The critics may not be completely satisfied with all aspects of Alexandre Aja’s latest venture, but they mostly agree that there are scares to be had and that the three leading actors are up to the task. Will you be supporting Halle Berry’s new movie on opening weekend? If the critics above have piqued your interest, Never Let Go will be in theaters on Friday, September 20.

Coming off of one of the best years for video game movies with offerings like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Gran Turismo and Five Nights at Freddy’s, the scene seemed all but set for projects like Borderlands to crush the 2024 movie schedule, especially with a cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Ariana Greenblatt, Jamie Lee Curtis and more. However, fans were given pause when it was learned the adaptation wouldn’t carry an R-rating, and those fears seemed to be warranted, as Eli Roth’s Borderlands has opened to a single-digit Rotten Tomatoes score and some pretty brutal comments from critics.

It definitely wasn’t a great sign for the movie adaptation of Borderlands when first reactions called it “repulsive dud.” As the sci-fi action comedy hits theaters on August 9, the movie holds a 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Let’s see what critics are saying, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of Borderlands. Eric Eisenberg rates the film just 1.5 stars out of 5, saying it was naive to ignore all of this film’s red flags, because it is “a total mess.” He explains:

Neil Smith of GamesRadar speaks to those red flags in his assessment — giving the movie 2 stars out of 5 — and warns fans of the video game that they may loathe this adaptation. Smith says:

Alison Foreman of IndieWire grades the movie a C-, saying the choice to make Borderlands a PG-13 movie and hire Eli Roth to do so resulted in a film that both betrays the hyper-violent video game that fans will be looking for and is still probably too mature for the younger audience who might enjoy the shallow story. Foreman writes:

Aaron Neuwirth of We Live Entertainment is one of many critics saying Eli Roth seemed to be going for the Guardian of the Galaxies misfit vibes. However, the critic says this project suggests no work was put into making the movie “funny, memorable, dramatically compelling” or interesting in any way. Neuwirth gives it a User Rating of 4, writing:

Another Guardians comparison comes from Matt Donato of IGN, who rates Borderlands an “Awful” 3 out of 10, calling it “a catastrophic disappointment” and a “hideous-as-sin recreation.” Donato writes that it’s an “inexcusably dull, one-dimensional chore of a movie [that] captures none of the creative chaos, exploration, or action-packed hilarity of the games that inspired it.” Yikes! And he continues:

From these and other critics’ reactions, it seems Borderlands may not end up on anybody’s list of best video game movies, but if you’re interested in seeing what Eli Roth’s latest movie is all about, you should definitely feel free to check it out and draw your own conclusions. The movie is in theaters now, and be sure to check out what other upcoming video game adaptations are in the works.

The 2008 film The Strangers — one of the best horror movies of the 2000s — told the story of a couple being terrorized by masked assailants while staying at a remote vacation home. In the upcoming horror movie The Strangers: Chapter 1, we’ll go further into that lore in the first of a planned prequel trilogy. Critics are weighing in on the project, which stars Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez as the couple whose cross-country trip turns into a nightmare. 

First reactions to The Strangers: Chapter 1 were generally positive, with people calling it a “terrifying gorefest” but taking issue with a few different aspects. Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting gives it 2.5 out of 5 skulls, writing that this movie leans so heavily on its predecessor that it doesn’t have much impact on its own. But it does pique curiosity about where the next two movies will go. The critic continues: 

Lena Wilson of IGN also notes how similar Chapter 1 is to the 2008 original but says The Strangers’ writer/director Bryan Bertino did it better than the prequel’s helmer, Renny Harlin. Wilson rates the first chapter an “Awful” 3 out of 10, writing: 

William Bibianni of The Wrap says the entire first half of the movie is “tedious filler” as we wait for the masked attackers to show up. The critic calls the movie “rote” and “by-the-numbers,” and features an infuriatingly clueless couple of leading characters. In Bibianni’s words: 

Maya and Ryan’s “questionable choices” were discussed in the first reactions, and it’s an issue also brought up by BJ Colangelo of SlashFilm, who questions how a movie can be a new chapter in the same universe as its predecessor when it is basically an exact lift of that movie. The critic gives it a 4.5 out of 10, and in regards to our “heroes”: 

Emma Kiely of Collider rates The Strangers: Chapter 1 a 4 out of 10, pointing out some editing flaws and flat-out rejecting the director’s claim that his film isn’t just a mere remake of the original. The critic says: 

Despite some admittedly effective jumpscares, it sounds like fans of 2008’s The Strangers might not find enough new material to grasp in Renny Harlin’s The Strangers: Chapter 1, but several of the critics maintained hope that the next two chapters of the trilogy — which have both been filmed and are scheduled to come out later this year — will bring something new to the franchise. 

You can catch this first chapter in theaters starting on Friday, May 17, and be sure to check out our 2024 movie calendar to see what else is coming soon. 

While there are plenty of different subgenres within the horror realm, there’s something that’s just so unsettling about the ones based on a true story. Horror allows viewers a safe space to be scared, but if the events depicted on screen could really happen — or have happened to someone else — that safety net doesn’t feel quite so comforting. The Strangers explored one of those stories as one of the best horror movies of the 2000s, and now we’ll dive deeper into that world with The Strangers: Chapter 1. The upcoming horror movie has screened, and people are hitting social media with their initial reactions.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 is the first of a planned trilogy from director Renny Harlin, which will serve as a prequel to the 2008 film and 2018 sequel. Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez star as Maya and Ryan, who are forced to spend the night in an isolated Airbnb after their car breaks down, where they are terrorized by three masked strangers. Raven Brunner writes that this version is missing something that original stars Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman brought to the table, but overall it’s a pleasing experience. The writer continues: 

The Hashtag Show tweets that Chapter 1 is a worthy addition to the franchise, and of all the horror movies we’ve already seen hit the 2024 movie schedule, fans of the genre won’t want to miss this one. The post reads: 

Movie lover Kev writes that the suspense of The Strangers: Chapter 1 had his anxiety through the roof. As it tends to go in the horror genre, the terrorized parties apparently make some questionable choices, and the actors’ performances leave a little to be desired in the first act, but overall this is one worth checking out. He writes: 

Comparing the acting to something off The CW is fitting, given Madelaine Petsch’s role on Riverdale, which aired on that network, as well as Froy Gutierrez’s history on teen dramas like Teen Wolf and Cruel Summer. Still, Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky agrees the reboot is an overall success, and she advises audiences to stay for the credits in order to get a peek at what's to come in Chapter 2. Smith says: 

While there have been nit-picks made about The Strangers: Chapter 1, most of those who caught a screening still seem to think it’s a good movie. Shannon McGrew of Nightmarish, however, disagrees and — like one of the above comments — compares the project to a show on The CW. McGrew tweets: 

Critics will be able to expand their thoughts next week ahead of the movie’s release to theaters on Friday, May 17. Will The Strangers’ “this could happen to you” approach be strong enough to make it one of the best horror movies of the year? We don't have to wait long to find out.

Christian music fans are likely familiar with the Australian duo For King + Country and their sister Rebecca St. James. The family has been making music for years, even earning five Grammy Awards between them, and now fans will get a chance to see their family’s story and the upbringing that led to those careers in the upcoming faith-based film Unsung Hero. Critics have seen the movie, so let’s take a look at what they’re saying.

Joel Smallbone stars as his father David, with Daisy Betts playing his wife Helen, and the cast also features plenty of recognizable names, including Candace Cameron Bure (who now also produces faith-centered movies), Jonathan Jackson, Terry O'Quinn and Hillary Scott. Smallbone pulls triple duty on the film, as he also wrote and directed the project with Richard Ramsey. Let’s take a look at the reviews, starting with Nicolas Rapold of the New York Times. The critic didn’t seem to think too much of the movie, calling it “cringe” and writing: 

Katie Walsh of the L.A. Times also understands the movie’s intention and recognizes that it will inspire its audience members. However, the story is predictable, and Joel Smallbone is too close to the situation to properly reflect on his family’s experience and offer anything meaningful, Walsh writes. The critic says:  

Others, however, seem moved by the Smallbones’ story and the family’s faith amid so many hardships. Linda of Linda’s Lunacy says she didn’t want the movie to end, and she recommends it as a family film, noting that it’s suitable for all ages. Linda writes: 

Adam R. Holz of Plugged In calls the family’s story “quietly remarkable,” saying the “warts and all” approach to David’s struggles gives Unsung Hero a feeling of refreshing realism. Holz says: 

The Christian movie review site Movieguide writes that Unsung Hero delivers in a big way. The Smallbones’ story is compelling, and all of the actors turn in impressive performances. The review continues: 

While Unsung Hero isn’t to the liking of all of the critics, it sounds like those hitting the theater to see a story about a family’s faith and perseverance won’t be disappointed. The movie will be on the big screen starting Friday, April 26, and be sure to check out our 2024 movie release calendar to see what else is coming soon to theaters. 

Henry Cavill and Guy Ritchie have re-teamed for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, nearly a decade after collabing on the 2015 spy flick The Man from U.N.C.L.E. This time, the story that the actor and director are telling is based on the real events of Winston Churchill’s World War II special ops mission Operation Postmaster. The book-to-screen adaptation hits theaters on Friday, April 19, and critics are having mixed feelings about the action comedy.

First reactions to the film were mostly positive, though critics found a few bones to pick. In CinemaBlend’s review of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Mike Reyes says Guy Ritchie definitely leans more into the entertainment aspect of it all, even at the expense of historical accuracy (though he doesn’t dilute the importance of that, either). Reyes gives the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling it “fast, fierce, fascist-fighting fun.” He writes: 

Matt Donato of IGN agrees, and while the critic admits there are some missteps, it’s unmistakably a Guy Ritchie film that’s overall plucky, punchy, and quite entertaining. Donato gives the movie a “Good” 7 out of 10, saying: 

Kristy Puchko of Mashable says the movie is bursting with “sensational slaughter scenes, chaotic charisma, and charged suspense,” however Guy Ritchie struggles with tone throughout the 2-hour runtime, and despite a high body count, the conservative amount of bloodshed makes The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare feel ultimately tame in comparison to Inglourious Basterds. Puchko writes: 

Glenn Kenny of RogerEbert.com gives the movie 2 out of 4 stars, saying that anyone who wants to enjoy this movie should throw what they know of World War II history out of the window. While there's some to be derives from the action and killings, there’s not as much banter as the critic would have liked. In Kenny’s words: 

Nick Schager of the Daily Beast is also left wanting after watching The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, calling the film a “World War Snooze.” Guy Ritchie provides neither scenarios that would make us care about the movie’s plot of characters nor the boisterous banter that would keep audiences interested. The critic writes: 

The critics seem mixed on Guy Ritchie’s latest effort, and while many of them find the historical action comedy entertaining enough for its Nazi slaughter, many were also underwhelmed by the dialogue and tonal waffling. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare holds a 72% from 51 critics  on Rotten Tomatoes, so we’ll have to see what audiences say after they have the chance to see it in theaters.

The film starring Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson opens in theaters on Friday, April 19, and you can get a jump on your next trip to the movies as well by checking out our 2024 movie release calendar. 

Guy Ritchie is dipping into the history books for his next action comedy, telling the story of Operation Postmaster, a British special ops mission that is credited with changing the course of World War II. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare — based on the nonfiction book by Damien Lewis — hits theaters on Friday, April 19, and people are taking to social media with their first reactions to the movie after catching an early screening of the war comedy, which reunites Ritchie with Henry Cavill. So what can we expect from this book-to-screen adaptation?

Henry Cavill leads The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’s cast, along with Alan Ritchson, as Guy Ritchie provides a fictionalized portrayal of Winston Churchill’s 1940s special ops mission. As with other projects from the director, this movie seems to be full of smart banter and fun action, as Rama’s Screen tweets that the film is “hugely entertaining”: 

They’re not the only ones comparing this movie to Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 war flick, and @_shutupmatt writes that if you’re expecting a cross between Inglourious Basterds and the Kingsman movies, you won’t be disappointed. He writes: 

Hard to argue with that logic. Others who caught a screening of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare are lauding the flick as one of the best action movies of Guy Ritchie's career, including The Hollywood Handle, who calls it an “adrenaline rollercoaster”: 

Fans of Guy Ritchie likely won’t be surprised to hear such comments about the fight scene choreography, and movie critic Nolan Ryan also has positive things to say about Henry Cavill (who's teaming up with Ritchie again for another movie) as Gus March-Phillipps and the film overall, writing: 

The X (Twitter) user SerialViewer also writes of some of the director’s creative choices, and while they admit that some aspects of the movie are “clunky,” the performances and exciting action are enough to justify purchasing a ticket. The movie fan writes: 

ScreenRant's Joseph Deckelmeister says he enjoyed the film as well, as the action and comedy are well-balanced, and it allows us to celebrate some heroic efforts that we may not have been aware of. The critic says: 

James Hancock also says this movie is worth the watch, even if it doesn’t compare to others pertaining to this conflict. The critic tweets: 

Lane Mills of Geek Vibes Nation agrees with the above that the latest effort from Guy Ritchie doesn’t quite live up to expectations. In the critic’s words: 

There are definitely some things to unpack, as it sounds like some people found a few bones to pick with the upcoming movie. We’ll be able to gauge more when reviews come out Tuesday. If you want to start planning your trip to see The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, the movie will hit the big screen on Friday, April 19, and be sure to check out our 2024 movie release calendar to see what else is coming soon. 

Where does one even begin when trying to tell the story of Michael Jackson? It’s a question being posed by producer Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Aviator) as he took to the stage in Las Vegas to tease Michael as part of Lionsgate’s presentation at CinemaCon 2024. The studio saved Michael for last – partly because the movie will not be coming out until 2025, but also because it’s very clearly an important component of the upcoming Lionsgate slate. On a panel that rolled out the first look at the John Wick spinoff Ballerina, a better look at both The Crow and Borderlands, and news about Blumhouse tackling The Blair Witch, Michael closed the show. And while the footage was impressive, it did raise an important question that I still need answered. 

This was the world’s first official look at Michael, and it showcased the physicality and prowess of Jaafar Jackson, who has been cast in the role. But Jackson, Michael’s nephew, will only play the King of Pop in the later stages of his career, as Michael has also cast Juliano Krue Valdi to play Jackson 5 era Michael. The film is going to cover a massive span. Just how much? That’s a big part of my question. 

Michael Jackson, arguably, was one of our most famous celebrities, ever. He was famous from a young age, and had a global career that spanned decades. The footage that we saw stretched all the way back to the Jackson family’s beginnings in Indiana, and seemed to cover the Jackson 5 days. Then, we ran through a montage of moments set to some of Jackson’s greatest hits. Man in the Mirror. Beat It. Bad. The Way You Make Me Feel. Some biopics focus on a moment in an artist’s career. Michael appears to be attempting to devour the entirety of his accomplishments, and I’m just not sure how possible that is. 

My major concern, though, is the way that Bohemian Rhapsody handled Freddie Mercury’s (and Queen’s) rock legacy with kid gloves. The approach made the band uncomfortable initially, and they realized that they had to be involved to make sure the story got told right. But that meant spotlighting the highlights, and glossing over the controversies. Can one even do that with Michael Jackson? 

As prolific of an artist as he was (and no one is questioning his musical genius), Jackson came with a lot of off-stage baggage. And while Graham King assured attendees from the CinemaCon stage that the movie won’t shy away from the controversial moments in Jackson’s life, I remain genuinely curious how deep into those dark corners Michael will go. Our own Rich Knight broke down elements of Michael’s life that he does (and does not) want to see in this movie. I remain curious about how many will make it in. Is this movie a celebration, or an examination? The trailer suggested the former… which is fine. But you can’t ignore the latter completely. 

Hollywood walks that line all the time, from Elvis to… well, Walk the Line. We will continue to track the progress of Michael to see what kind of story Antonie Fuqua is setting out to tell. The movie hits theaters, for now, on April 18, 2025.

It’d be an understatement to say that Blumhouse Productions has been making some serious noise in the movie business over the past decade or so. Producer Jason Blum and co. have truly carved out a space for themselves by delivering a vast array of horror offerings. They’ve delivered original offerings like The Purge, Get Out and M3GAN but have also rebooted some beloved IPs. Among those are the Halloween series as well as The Exorcist. Now, it seems the company is preparing to revive yet another famous piece of work, and it’s definitely a biggie. 

During Lionsgate’s presentation at CinemaCon, it was confirmed that Blumhouse is officially set to reboot The Blair Witch Project. This not only marks yet another major release for the entertainment brand, but it also signifies the beginning of a multi-picture deal between BH and Lionsgate. CinemaBlend was present at the panel, during which the film studio’s Motion Picture Group chair, Adam Fogelsen, discussed the production. As he put it, this will be a “new vision” for the franchise “that will reintroduce this horror classic for a new generation.” In a statement, he also said: 

Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum also shared some sentiments on this new venture, and he seems excited to be moving forward. While expressing his enthusiasm, he also spoke to the impact of the classic scary movie:

The Blair Witch Project, which hit theaters in 1999, still stands as one of the scariest and most influential horror flicks of all time. The found-footage production centers around three aspiring filmmakers, who trek across the Black Hills of Maryland to make a documentary about the movie’s titular myth. In time, the trio meet ambiguous ends and, as explained, their footage is what makes up the feature film itself. The Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez-directed independent movie grossed over $248 million worldwide against a production budget that reportedly didn’t exceed $750,000.

On paper, this production is a smart move on Blumhouse’s part for a few reasons. First off, it aligns with its business model, as this is yet another film that can be made on a shoe-string budget. Secondly (and most obviously), this IP is very popular and, if handled with care, it could indeed win over both longtime fans of the OG movie and newbies. That’s certainly a big “if,” though Jason Blum and co. have taken major swings before and been met with positive results. 

Unsurprisingly, story details were not revealed during Lionsgate’s CinemaCon spiel. That begs the question of whether this will serve as a full-blown remake or a legacy sequel of sorts. The latter route was taken with the most recent Halloween and Exorcist installments, and those were met with varied responses. At this point, there are also two sequels to The Blair Witch Project, including 2000's Book of Shadows and 2016's Blair Witch, which bombed at the box office.

There may still be a number of variables to consider here, but the prospect of a Blumhouse-produced third installment is intriguing, at the very least. We’ll have to see if Jason Blum and his cohorts manage to recapture the sheer terror that audiences experienced in theaters over two decades ago. Here’s hoping the right pieces come together to create a truly entertaining film. 

Right now, you can check out Blumhouse’s recently released 2024 movie schedule, Imaginary, as it’s playing in theaters now. The Blair Witch Project, which has a killer ending, is also available to stream with a Prime Video subscription. Also, anyone who loves scary fare should keep an eye on the schedule of upcoming horror movies.

We are back in Caesar's in Las Vegas for the Lionsgate panel, and hope to see new footage from the upcoming Borderlands movie, The Crow, The Strangers: Chapter 1, and... hopefully ... the John Wick spinoff Ballerina with Ana de Armas. Stay here for live updates!

The presentation has begun, but in true CinemaCon fashion, we begin with a visual presentation about innovations coming to theaters. Today, it's Laser By Barco. 

Lionsgate should begin shortly. 

OK, Lionsgate begins with a celebration of their 2023 films. The reel included plenty of Saw, The Hunger Games, and, of course, John Wick: Chapter 4! 

LOTS of Ballerina clips mixed in to the opening reel, so I definitely anticipate seeing something from the 2025 movie this morning. 

Lionsgate talks about using 2023 to set up longer-term plans for their three major franchises: John Wick, The Hunger Games, and Saw. And they say that the audience response to those sequels in 2023 has convinced them to continue telling stories in those worlds. 

In addition: 

Destin Daniel Cretton is going to do Naruto; 

Now You See Me 3 is in development with Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer at the helm; 

Jason Blum is taking a new spin on Blair Witch, and; 

Margot Robbie is going to make a Monopoly movie with her production shingle!

After that slate of announcements, we are moving on to Guy Ritchie's The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. In addition, Lionsgate will release Ritchie's In The Grey early next year., It also stars Henry Cavill and Eiza Gonzalez, but adds Jake Gyllenhaal and Rosamund Pike into a stylish-looking heist thriller about sexy thieves. It looks confident, funny, sleek, sexy... right up Ritchie's alley. Cavill, Gyllenhaal and Gonzalez are criminals who operate "in the grey." Looks fantastic. 

Henry Cavill has joined the presentation! He appears to be Mr. Lionsgate, preparing to appear in Ministry, In The Grey, and The Highlander series, with director Chad Stahelski. It's suggested from the stage that Highlander is going to be multiple movies. Let's see what Henry says about it. 

Guy Ritchie's In The Grey, with Cavill, Gyllenhaal, and Gonzalez, hits theaters on January 17, 2025. 

Cavill on Highlander. Says that these movies will dig much deeper into the lore of the characters and the world in ways the previously films did not. He also teases:  

I'm sold. 

Onto The Strangers: Chapter 1!

Just saw the full trailer for The Strangers: Chapter 1. It looks like a stylish remake of the original movie, where home invaders wearing creepy masks terrorize a young couple in the woods. The tagline sticks to the unpredictable nature of it all, "They don't need a reason." Looks scary,. In theaters May 17. 

Time for Borderlands. The cast recorded videos, and now we are getting a longer version of the existing trailer. The story is a treasure hunt that takes place on the weirdest, most dangerous planet in the universe. Jack Black steals most of the show by voicing the robot Claptrap. The trailer very much seems to want to capture the anti-hero, rock opera tone of Guardians of the Galaxy. We'll see if Eli Roth can do James Gunn. 

Borderlands has a ton of energy. It's a full-throttle rock concert of a movie. At least, based on the trailer. High-octane sci-fi. Eli Roth name drops The Fifth Element, Aliens, Raiders of the Lost Ark and more as inspiration. He says that Cate Blanchett's favorite movie is Escape From New York. If Borderlands captures an ounce of that, it could be a lot of fun!

Time for The Crow! Coming to theaters on August 23. 

Lots of emphasis on a return to the source material, the graphic novel, and how that differed from the movie released 30 years ago.

The new trailer they just showed for The Crow was infinitely better than the initial one. Hard R, red-band type stuff. Spends a lot of time building up the relationship between Bill Skarsard and FKA twigs, so that when she is murdered, we feel that loss. And then he;'s told, "The Crow will guide you to put the wrong things right. Kill them. Kill them all."

And after that, it becomes a vengeance flick. The trailer had an extended, incredible truck fight. Think "Deadpool fighting thugs" in the first movie. And it ends on a visceral rebuilding of his body after he gets run over by traffic. It was memorable. The trailer looks great, and I'm suddenly way more bullish on The Crow than I was.  

Halle Berry is now on stage to promote her terrifying horror movie Never Let Go, which looks disturbing as hell. It's from the director of The Hills Have Eyes and Crawl, so no real surprise there. Berry says that she wanted to do the role because she's an adrenaline junkie, she grew up on The Shining, and she wanted to be part of a story that she's never seen before: A mother with two children who never leaves the house in which they were born. She makes it sound so creepy. 

Halle Berry talks Method acting, to figure out how to play a mother who keeps her children in a house in the woods for a decade. She says she actually learned to skin a squirrel as part of her preparation. Now that's dedication!

Here's one I didn't know about. Dave Bautista is going to be doing a movie with Lionsgate called The Killer's Game. He plays a trained assassin so falls in love with Sofia Boutella (Rebel Moon). But he's diagnosed with a lethal disease, so he puts a contract out on himself. Then, he learns his diagnosis was wrong, but the hit (placed by Pom Klementieff) remains. Action-packed, bloody and funny. 

Mel Gibson is back in business with Lionsgate. He has a new movie called Flight Risk, with Mark Wahlberg. It's a thriller set on a charter flight. We got an early look, and it has Wahlberg with an exaggerated country accent flying a prisoner (Topher Grace) to New York for trial. Wait until you see Wahlberg's hair piece in this. Legendary. 

Here's one I knew nothing about, Aziz Ansari directs and stars in Good Fortune, with Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves. Ansari is a broke L.A. assistant who gets visited by Gabriel (Reeves), a "budget Guardian Angel" who helps the main character learn the value of his life. 

Ansari and Rogen end up switching lives, to see how the other half lives. But there's a twist. Several twists. It looks like a very funny and savvy commentary on the human condition, as only Aziz, Seth Rogen, and Keanu could manage. Big surprise. It looks really great. 

Aziz Ansari is now on stage, and immediately starts ripping Henry Cavill, exhibitors who pack strip clubs, and more. He's crushing. 

Aziz tells a story of Keanu Reeves getting injured on the set. The dude survived multiple John Wick movies, multiple Matrix movies, Speed... you name it. But on the way back to his trailer, Reeves tripped on a rug and broke his knee cap! It put him on crutches, but he still managed to film all of his Good Fortune scenes except for a dance sequence. Which Keanu still tried to do. Ansari calls him an actual angel. 

Finally... Ballerina! 

This is a John Wick spinoff, and it had been delayed for quite some time. The movie is set between the story of John Wick 3 and 4. Director Len Wiseman got the chance to go back into the movie and add set pieces once the movie got delayed. 

Ballerina trailer confirms that Keanu Reeves will play John Wick again in the movie. 

It's a vengeance story. It involves The Continental, and key members from the John Wick franchise. And it looks action-packed. Ana de Armas fits into that world perfectly, She looks lethal as hell. It looks like Wick will train her during her mission. Not sure how large his part will be. 

The panel extends with Michael, the Michael Jackson movie, that Antoine Fuqua will direct. Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King introduces a first look, even though the movie remains in production. (Fuqua is on the set and couldn't be here.) 

King says that Michael will dig into Jackson's life on stage and off, and will not avoid the more suspect aspects of the musician's life. He admits that it's a tremendous amount of material to cover, talking about Jackson's life and career. But he's confident in their approach.

Michael looks solid. Classic biopic formula, but the actors they found to play Jackson fit the bill, and Jackson has thousands of hits. Should be a massive movie for next year. 

And that's it for Lionsgate, so thank you for following along with the live blog!

With the critical acclaim of Elvis, the box office success of Bob Marley: One Love and the imminent release of the Amy Winehouse film Back to Black, musical biopics seem to be in. The trend is only set to continue in 2025, as the year will be marked by the release of a biographical film centered around Michael Jackson. The film, which is being directed by Antoine Fuqua is in production now and, all the while, BTS tidbits have been dropping. While way too early for any of us to actually speak to the quality of the movie, it just received an unexpected vote of confidence from a major studio executive. 

Michael is being distributed in the United States by Lionsgate, which is headed up by CEO Jon Feltheimer. It’s been reported that Feltheimer recently purchased some shares of the company by way of the open market. It’s an interesting move, and one that begs some questions in regard to his motivation. But, if you were to ask the company’s vice chair, Michael Burns, it can be chalked up to the upcoming biopic. Burns recalled how Feltheimer reacted after visiting the set: 

Now, it’s definitely not out of the ordinary for a Hollywood bigwig like Michael Burns to talk up his company’s own production while talking to a trade like Deadline. However, to hear that his colleague apparently bought them around the time that he visited the set of the film is intriguing. I mean, if Jon Feltheimer’s purchase was indeed spurred by what he saw on the set, then it speaks volumes to what the cast and crew are doing. 

By all accounts, Michael is set to be an extravagant piece of work, though it’ll also seek to humanize the complex entertainer who was known to the public as The King of Pop. In the film, Michael Jackson, who died in 2009 from cardiac arrest, is being played by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson. Antoine Fuqua is ecstatic about Jafaar playing the role and has made note of the young man’s “uncanny” similarities to his late uncle. Coming off his Oscar nomination for Rustin, Colman Domingo is playing Jackson family patriarch, Joe, while Nia Long will play the matriarch and his wife, Katherine. Other notable cast members include Miles Teller, who’s portraying lawyer John Branca, and Laura Harrier, who’s set to play music producer Suzanne de Passe. 

The film may be starting to pick up buzz now, but not everyone has been so thrilled about it. Leaving Neverland’s Dan Reed was notably upset when the movie was confirmed to be in the works. His 2019 documentary centerered around the “Billie Jean” singer’s relationships with young men and the sexual abuse allegations that stemmed from them. When discussing the biopic, Reed questioned why the public didn’t express “outrage” over it like they apparently did when his doc was released. 

All of that aside, it does seem that many prospective moviegoers are at least curious about what Antoine Fuqua’s latest flick has to offer. It’s honestly a hard production to ignore, considering the talent involved. And, if Jon Feltheimer really bought shares because he's that bullish about it, then we might be in for something truly special.

Michael is currently set to open in theaters on April 18, 2025. In the meantime, you can read about what’s coming up on the 2024 movie schedule and watch some great biopics about Black musicians.

It’s a good time to be a horror fan, with new and creative ideas being regularly introduced through the genre, and the best part is we don’t even have to wait until Halloween to get great ones. We’ve already seen a couple of spooky options hit the 2024 movie schedule, and up next we have Imaginary (not to be confused with John Krasinski’s IF — another movie about imaginary friends) from Blumhouse Productions. Critics have seen Imaginary, and most of them say they were left wanting when it came to the scares.

Jeff Wadlow helms this story of Jessica (DeWanda Wise) moving back into her childhood home to find that her imaginary friend was real after all and is connected to the teddy bear with which her youngest stepdaughter (Pyper Braun) has become enamored. In CinemaBlend’s review of Imaginary, Sarah El-Mahmoud says the movie follows titles like M3GAN and Five Nights at Freddy’s in being a bit more beginner horror. Overall it’s a bit clunky, she writes, in part because Chauncey is too darn cute to be that scary. El-Mahmoud rates the film 2.5 stars out of 5, saying: 

Brianna Zigler of Paste Magazine rates it a 2 out of 10, calling it an “imaginary horror movie.” Zigler writes that everything in Imaginary appears to be pulled from an algorithm, and even the dialogue sounds like it was written by bad A.I. The critic continues: 

Wilson Chapman of IndieWire says that for a movie titled Imaginary, it’s striking how much creativity is lacking. This critic also finds attempts to mimic M3GAN with humor and self-awareness, but this one unfortunately will likely be quickly forgotten. Chapman grades it a C, writing: 

Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter says the movie starts out promising enough and features a dedicated effort from DeWanda Wise, but it doesn’t deliver enough creepiness to make you look twice at your child’s teddy bears. Scheck says: 

For Matt Goldberg of The Wrap, however, Imaginary was serviceable, thanks to the director knowing how to construct a good scare and the thoughtful theme explored in Jessica and Alice’s parental trauma. Goldberg warns audiences not to dismiss the movie too quickly, writing: 

Overall it seems the critics aren’t too excited about what Imaginary delivers, citing a rote plot and a lack of anything truly scary. However, if this still sounds like a movie you might enjoy, you should definitely check it out for yourself, and you can do so starting on Friday, March 8. Whether or not this is your kind of fright-fest, be sure to check out what other upcoming horror movies are headed our way soon. 

Twilight was not a phase. Following the vampire phenomenon taking the world by storm in the early '00s with Stephenie Meyer’s series of novels and the movies only making the franchise even larger, there’s more plans for Edward and Bella brewing over at Lionsgate. In fact, the vice chairman of the studio, Michael Burns, recently offered an update on a Twilight TV show that’s been in the works since last year, and as a longtime fan of the romance, the latest news has me even more excited for what’s coming out of it. 

Burns recently spoke about what’s going on with Lionsgate’s Twilight plans, per Variety. Here’s what he had to say: 

Since April 2023, we’ve known that Lionsgate has been pursuing a way to reboot the Twilight series after Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart led the original movies. But, now we know it’s going to be an animated series rather than live action. What a solid idea! While I thoroughly enjoyed the initial Twilight movies, there was always something a bit odd about all the wonky makeup and CGI werewolves in the live-action franchise. And don’t even get me started on the uncanny valley that was Edward and Bella’s baby, Renesmee!! 

Having an animated adaptation gives the franchise room to tell Stephenie Meyer’s vampire romance without some of the challenges that the franchise had to deal with prior that, which perhaps made it more of a meme than expected by fans of the angsty love story. 

For the time being, very little is known about what’s in store for the Twilight series, except for this new piece of information that offers up a new medium to explore the franchise through. The decision for Lionsgate to reboot Twilight most certainly has to be inspired by the movie’s becoming popular among a new generation of fans in recent years. The series is so popular these days that it’s even getting its own LEGO set!! 

Another exciting element of Twilight being a TV series is the potential of original cast members perhaps returning, since age would not be an issue via animation. While I don’t necessarily expect Kristen Stewart or Robert Pattinson (the latter of whom is currently a first-time expecting father), Peter Facinelli for example has shared his readiness to return to the world of Forks. Plus, without having live-action actors who are constantly aging, Lionsgate could build out a Twilight universe that could include spinoff Twilight series. 

While we wait for more news about the upcoming Twilight TV show, you can stream the entire live-action saga with a Hulu subscription. 

Rumors are circulating pointing to two of the best horror movies of all time could be getting remade, with Stephen King's The Dead Zone and American Psycho both allegedly set for on-the-horizon reimaginings. While genre purists might be sharpening their pitchforks over such news, possibly understandably, I'm over here already drafting a wishlist of what these reimaginings could bring to the list of upcoming horror movies.

According to The Insneider newsletter (via Bloody Disgusting),  Jeff Sneider is reporting on Lionsgate execs' alleged interest in a modern take on the Christian Bale-led American Psycho, as well as a potential new approach to the Christopher Walken-starring political thriller The Dead Zone, with Korean-American film and television producer Roy Lee said to be attached. 

The landscape of upcoming book adaptations can be dicey, especially when books have previously been adapted into successful movies, which both The Dead Zone and American Psycho already were. Remakes can also be challenging, but neither have to be a bad thing. With the right approach, they can pay homage to the original while creating a new path, so let's take a look at how that could happen, at least in my eyes. 

A Fresh Yet Faithful Take on The Dead Zone

The Dead Zone is considered by many to be one of Stephen King's best books, and it's already sparked a TV adaptation in the early 2000s with Anthony Michael Hall in the lead role. The novel tells a chilling story about precognition and the power of a demagogue, with King's views on politics and the price of power still very relevant today, nearly 50 years later. Here’s what I’d like to see from a new adaptation of the King property:

• A More Faithful Adaptation: Cronenberg’s original 1983 adaptation, which stands out as one of the director's best movies, took certain liberties with the source material, so a remake should aim for closer adherence to King's novel, bringing to life the depth and complexity of his characters and themes.
• Modern Political Divides: Stephen King's novels have become increasingly relevant in a society affected by divisive presidential elections, health crises, social upheavals, etc. Incorporating real-life US political climate elements could add urgency and immediacy to his narrative. Using the character of Greg Stillson, the power-hungry politician, as a dark reflection of today's political figures could turn his stories into cautionary tales of unchecked power.
• Focus on Stillson's Malevolence: In the novel,Stillson is introduced in the prologue, but in the 1983 movie, Martin Sheen's savvy charmer isn't introduced until over an hour into its run time. To showcase the danger of charismatic demagogues in power, it's crucial to emphasize Stillson's evil and bring it to the forefront.

Doesn't seem like those requests would be too difficult to hone in on, should this project come to fruition. And from the world of Stephen King, we jump over to Bret Easton Ellis.

How a New American Psycho Could Work

American Psycho is a satire-infused psychological horror that has aged like a fine wine, becoming more relevant each year. Mary Harron's status-obsessed film stands as one of the best movies of the 2000s, with its critiques on consumerism and  unforgettable performance from Christian Bale making it a tough act to follow. However, there's always room for innovation, as the current comic book series has proven, especially if it means we can avoid the pitfalls of the regrettable straight-to-DVD sequel. For example: 

• A Direct Sequel, Not a Retread: A sequel should honor the original's themes while forging a unique path. A modern setting exploring the 2008 financial crisis could blend The Big Short with American Psycho, or something invested in cryptocurrency. 
• Bring Mary Harron Back: Getting the original director on board, even in a consultancy role, would ensure the sequel maintains the unique tone and style that made the first film so impactful. Harron's involvement would be a seal of authenticity and respect for the source material.
• A New Story for a New Era: This sequel needs to distance itself from the ill-fated previous attempt by telling a compelling, original story that respects the legacy of Patrick Bateman while exploring new themes relevant to today's society. What if Bateman was a social media influencer, or managed a group of them? It might sound like cringe, but it could be very compelling if done right. 
• A Television Adaptation: If Lionsgate is set on a remake instead of a sequel, why not a streaming mini-series? With 6 to 10 episodes, the show could explore Patrick Bateman's character in more depth and include elements from the book that were cut from the film due to time constraints. 

In the case that either of these reported remakes are completely legit, I am always excited by the prospect of more upcoming Stephen King adaptations, and I think a new take on Bret Easton Ellis’ highly influential novel could work with the right touches, even if the sequel ideas are jettisoned. Handled carefully, these films could offer a fresh lens on familiar stories, engaging new audiences and satisfying old fans. 

Check out our 2024 movie schedule to see what's headed to a theater near you. 

If what you’re looking for this holiday season is a sweet romance full of magic and cheer, there are plenty of upcoming Christmas movies to choose from. However, if you need something a little stronger in your eggnog to get you through December, John Woo’s Christmas action thriller Silent Night might be more your style. Critics were able to screen the film ahead of its December 1 theatrical release, and their opinions range from artful and fun to boring and basic.

Given what we know about Silent Night, this looks suited to anyone who thinks Die Hard is a Christmas movie (and the trailer definitely seems John McClane-approved). Directed by John Woo, the upcoming action flick stars Joel Kinnaman as Brian Godluck, a father looking to avenge his son’s death on Christmas Eve. Let’s see what the critics have to say. 

Paul Attard of Slant rates the movie 3 out of 4 stars, noting that the lack of dialogue in Silent Night furthers the statement John Woo (who's made his first US film in years) is trying to make on grief in this thorny revenge-thriller. The critic writes: 

Peter Debruge of Variety says John Woo lets the guns do the talking in this movie, a high-concept comeback for the director who still has no intention of letting logic get in the way of the story. Debruge continues: 

However, not all of the critics are so forgiving of the director’s effort. IGN’s Siddhant Adlakha gives Silent Night a “Bad” 4 out of 10, saying it plays at best like a Punisher fan film, and at worst like a failed film school assignment. The dialogue-free experiment becomes an unsustainable gimmick, the critic says, writing:  

Kristy Puchko of Mashable calls the production a “major misfire,” agreeing with the critic above in saying it feels like “a bad student film project.” John Woo brings none of the delicious fun of his best projects and has nothing new to contribute to the revenge movie genre. Puchko continues: 

David Ehrlich of IndieWire grades the movie a D, saying it feels like John Woo lost all interest in this story before he got around to filming its “basic” grand finale, thereby rewarding audiences’ patience with a massive lump of coal. Ehrlich says: 

The critics definitely seem to have some differing opinions on John Woo’s movie and his choice to go dialogue-free in this tale of holiday vengeance. If you’d like to check it out to draw your own conclusions, Silent Night is hitting the big screen on Friday, December 1. There are still plenty of good options headed our way on the 2023 movie calendar, but you can also get a jump on planning next year’s theatrical outings by taking a peek at our 2024 movie calendar. 

More than a decade after Jennifer Lawrence brought life to Katniss Everdeen and the world of Panem in The Hunger Games, Rachel Zegler is about to make her debut in the universe as Lucy Gray Baird when The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes hits theaters on November 17th. Critics have seen the prequel — which was adapted from the book of the same name — and while most commend the performances of its leads, many are quick to point out the flaws of its story.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes serves as an origin story for Coriolanus Snow, Panem’s tyrannical president. However, in the prequel he is still 18-year-old Coryo, played by Tom Blyth, who is assigned to mentor District 12 tribute Lucy Gray in the 10th Hunger Games. Early reactions had people calling the prequel the best in the series, so let’s see what critics are saying now that they can expand on those opinions. In CinemaBlend’s review of The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes, Sarah El-Mahmoud says there’s some excellent world-building despite some textbook prequel traps. She rates it 3.5 stars out of 5, writing: 

Kevin Harley of GamesRadar gives the prequel 3 out of 5 stars, agreeing with the above opinion that Coriolanus Snow’s fill-in-the-blanks backstory isn’t as engaging as the plot’s other main strand, especially because we already know what happens to Snow. Harley says:

Petrana Radulovic of Polygon, however, seems to disagree. The critic praises Tom Blyth as young Snow and says this movie overall is exactly what the YA dystopia genre needs. It reminds us of how brilliant The Hunger Games series is and makes us question why we like the genre in the first place. Radulovic continues:  

David Ehrlich of IndieWire gives The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes a B+, writing that no protagonist during the YA boom years was ever as watchable as Tom Blyth, but still it’s Rachel Zegler who makes the movie sing. This installment is by far the best of the franchise, Ehrich says, continuing: 

Emma Stefansky of IGN rates the movie a “Good” 7 out of 10, saying The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes rushes through a rich story that needs more time for its characters’ conflicts and manipulations to feel earned. The critic writes: 

While many critics are able to point to flaws in the movie, it sounds like overall they enjoyed climbing back into the dystopian world created by Suzanne Collins, particularly due to the performances of Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler. 

If you want to check out The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes for yourself, you can do so starting Friday, November 17, and be sure to check out our 2023 movie calendar to see what other films are hitting the big screen through the end of the year. 

It’s been eight years since Katniss Everdeen’s story came to an end in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. Now, we’ll get a chance to witness some of the events that created the world she lived in with the prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This book-to-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins' work, which will hit theaters November 17, stars Tom Blyth as a young Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Zegler as a District 12 tribute for the 10th Hunger Games. The movie has screened ahead of its release, and people are hitting social media with their first reactions.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is essentially an origin story for the man who we know will grow up to be the villainous president of Panem (portrayed in the OG franchise movies by Donald Sutherland). At 18 years old, Coriolanus is assigned to mentor Rachel Zegler’s Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12 (and possible distant relative of one Katniss Everdeen). Let’s see what people are saying about what transpires between the two.

Perri Nemiroff raves about The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ stacked cast, in multiple posts on X, specifically shouting out the two leads and Viola Davis. It does sound like it was a struggle to include all of the events from the book, though, as Nemiroff notes: 

Daniel Howat of Next Best Picture also says he had a “great time” with the prequel. Howat mentioned the movie’s surprisingly long runtime of 2 hours and 37 minutes but said it doesn’t drag. The critic continues: 

Stephanie Ramirez also calls this her favorite Hunger Games movie, saying in an X thread that Tom Blyth feels like he was born for this role. The film stays true to the source material, the portrayal of Panem from the page to the screen is perfect, and the chemistry between the lead actors is “flawless,” according to Ramirez, who continues: 

Lauren Garafano of Buzzfeed writes that she LOVES this movie and already can’t wait for a repeat viewing once it hits theaters. Tom Blyth’s transformation into the tyrant fans have long known is “spot-on,” she says. In her words: 

Tessa Smith has the same takeaway, calling Tom Blyth’s portrayal “the performance of a lifetime.” She writes on X:  

It sounds like people are really fired up about The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, especially established fans of the series. The leading actors are garnering a lot of praise from those who were able to catch an early screening, so hopefully their opinions will help you decide whether or not this will be a part of your plans upon the movie’s release.

If you want to refamiliarize yourself with the world of Panem before the prequel hits theaters on Friday, November 17, all four of the Hunger Games movies (which we've ranked) are available to stream with a Peacock subscription. Also be sure to check out the schedule of 2023 new movie releases to see what’s coming up now through the end of the year. 

Saw is officially back, with the 10th installment of one of the best horror movie franchises hitting theaters just in time to welcome in the month of Halloween. This offering, however, won’t feature Jigsaw copycats or students of John Kramer’s twisted games like in previous offerings. Saw X is actually centered around Tobin Bell’s character, with its story set between the first two films — a timeline that surely appeals to OG fans. Critics had the chance to screen the movie ahead of its September 29 release, so let’s see what they’re saying.

Along with Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith will reprise her role as Amanda Young, John Kramer’s victim-turned-protégé, and as the franchise returns to the beginning, is it possible we could see some other familiar faces? That’s just one of the questions we had after watching the trailer, so let’s see what the critics can tell us. In CinemaBlend’s review of Saw X, Eric Eisenberg says this offering stands out from its predecessors for actually attempting story and character development. He rates it 3.5 out of 5 stars, writing: 

However, Neil Smith of GamesRadar isn’t quite as impressed, giving the upcoming horror movie just 2 stars out of 5. While some will surely be pleased with Tobin Bell’s return to the series, Smith says, the movie isn’t good enough to justify resuscitating John Kramer. The critic continues: 

When the first reactions came out following screenings of Saw X, many were calling it a return to form and one of the best films in the franchise, and Kofi Outlaw of ComicBook.com agrees, writing that the film feels meaningful and thrilling in the way that fans used to love-- albeit with some brutal new DIY traps. In the critic’s words: 

Travis Hopson of Punch Drunk Critics rates Saw X 3.5 stars out of a possible 5, warning that this installment (like the others) is not for the easily squeamish; however, it makes both the franchise and its infamous killer relevant again. Hopson continues: 

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com says the 10th movie feels more grounded than the other sequels, as it lets John and Amanda involve themselves openly in the process. This in turn allows Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith to dig into the roles like never before. Tallerico writes: 

With Saw being one of the best movies of the 2000s, any return to form for the 10th installment sounds very promising, and the Rotten Tomatoes score adds to that optimism, with Saw X garnering an 84% Fresh rating from 64 critics so far. Saw X is in theaters now if this sounds like a sequel/prequel you need to check out for yourself, and be sure to also take a look at our 2023 movie release calendar to see what else is hitting the big screen soon. 

Jason Statham and Sylvester Stallone are back with the fourth installation of The Expendables franchise, as the mercenaries try to prevent nuclear war. It’s been nearly a decade since their previous adventures, and some new faces have joined the fray, including Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Megan Fox. With Expend4bles now showing in theaters, the critics are here to provide us with more information about what — in addition to sexy fight scenes between Statham and Fox — we can expect to get out of the movie.

While some people were excited about The Expendables 4 following early screenings, most of the first reactions featured strongly worded opinions about why this is the weakest of the tetralogy. Now that the critics are able to expand on their initial thoughts, let’s see what they’re saying. Frank Scheck of THR writes that this fourth offering takes the franchise to new lows, and despite some welcome doses of humor (however lame), it’s time to stick a fork in this series. Scheck continues:  

Courtney Howard of AV Club says forget the terrorists; the most dangerous foes in this movie are boredom and obsolescence. For a property that had a lot of potential for sequels, it’s disheartening to see it face such creative bankruptcy, the critic says. Howard grades is a D-, continuing: 

IndieWire’s David Ehrlich isn’t quite so harsh in his assessment, giving it the grade of a C. He describes Expend4bles as having a script that “feels like it was written by a frat boy trying to plagiarize Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty” and CGI so bad it looks less natural than Avatar: The Way of Water. However, it seems to be perfectly at peace with being this stupid. Ehrlich explains: 

Katie Walsh of the L.A. Times says director Scott Waugh doesn’t take advantage of what he has to work with, because not even legendary martial artists Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais can help Expend4bles. In Walsh’s words: 

Simon Thompson of IGN rates the movie an "Awful" 3 out of 10, saying the actors look almost embarrassed to deliver their clunky and uninspired dialogue. It's a pale imitation of the movies that came before it, Thompson says, writing:

The critics seem to be in agreement about this one, as The Expendables 4 is coming in at just 15% on Rotten Tomatoes from 54 critiques so far. However, if you’re a fan of the franchise and want to see the gang in action, Expend4bles is in theaters now for you to check out for yourself and draw your own conclusions. Either way, be sure to take a peek at our 2023 movie schedule to start planning your next trip to the theater. 

It’s been nearly a decade since we’ve seen Sylvester Stallone’s team of elite mercenaries known as The Expendables take on one of its explosive missions, but now he and Jason Statham are back, and they've added some new names to the roster for Expend4bles. The third sequel, formerly titled The Expendables 4, has seen a number of delays over the years after 2014’s PG-13-rated The Expendables 3 was panned by critics. The fourth installment has returned to original form with an R rating, and those who have been able to attend advance screenings of the movie are hitting social media with their first reactions. Although opinions are somewhat split, moviegoers seem to feel very strongly.

Alongside Sly Stallone and Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture reprise their roles, and the franchise welcomes Megan Fox, Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent), Andy Garcia and more as newcomers. Former stuntman Scott Waugh takes the helm for Expend4bles, which will see the group attempt to prevent a terrorist organization from smuggling nuclear warheads. We’re expecting some big action and some sexy fight scenes involving Fox and Statham, so let’s see what people think. Eric Eisenberg of CinemaBlend doesn’t pull punches, describing the fourth movie as an “embarrassment for all involved.” In his words: 

Nick of Bitesize Breakdown agrees that the franchise is headed in the wrong direction, with the fourth movie being the weakest offering yet. He writes: 

Adriano Caporusso also says The Expendables 4 is bad, but not so-bad-it’s-good. While the movie celebrates its R-rating, there’s not nearly enough fun being had. Caporusso continues: 

Ian Sandwell of Digital Spy tweets that he also noticed a lack of fun, particularly in the first hour. After that, though, the movie picks up and plays more to its strengths, of which Jason Statham is a big part. According to the critic: 

Some early viewers clearly aren’t satisfied with Scott Waugh’s final product, but the reactions certainly aren’t all bad. Jeremy Kazieva tweets that the movie reminds him of The Suicide Squad and any fans of the Call of Duty: Black Ops video games will find something to like here. He continues:  

Film critic Rama’s Screen seems to have had no trouble finding the fun in the film, embracing the “nonsensical” aspect of it all, tweeting: 

With some saying Expend4bles has hit rock bottom with its no-fun fourth installment and others saying the gory combat mixed with humor is the right combination, it’s hard to know what to think. We might gain some clarity when full reviews come out, but there isn't much time left before the movie hits theaters on Friday, September 22. Whether or not you decide to check out Megan Fox, Jason Statham, 50 Cent and the rest, take a peek at our 2023 Movie Release Calendar to see what else is hitting the big screen soon. 

There have been plenty of family-friendly options in theaters this summer, and that’s great-- especially for people trying to keep the kids occupied while school’s out. But sometimes you just need a raunchy comedy, and Joy Ride is aiming to help fill that void on the big screen. Starring up-and-coming actor Ashley Park and directed by Adele Lim (screenwriter for Crazy Rich Asians and Raya and the Last Dragon), Joy Ride was released July 7, and the critics all seem to agree that the leading quartet brings a hilarious mix of spicy humor and emotional stakes to the movie.

Along with Ashley Park, Joy Ride stars Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu and Sabrina Wu as the group of friends who journey to China in search of Audrey’s (Park) birth parents, certainly engaging in scenarios both emotional and filthy over the course of its 95 minutes. Let’s see what people are saying, starting with Monica Castillo of RogerEbert.com. The critic rates it 2.5 out of 4 stars, comparing it to Girls Trip in terms of outrageous behavior, and saying the audience's lasting impression will depend on their stomach for this brand of bawdy humor:

Alan Ng of Film Threat rates it 8 out of 10, calling Joy Ride one of the best comedies to come out this year, with heart-filled stories, characters with depth and enough raunchiness to really earn its R rating. The critic continues:

Justin Chang of NPR compares Joy Ride to Bridesmaids and The Hangover, saying that Adele Lim proves Asian American women and non-binary characters can also bring it in terms of gleefully gross comedy. Chang writes:

Devan Coggan of EW grades the movie a B, also drawing likenesses between it and female-driven comedies that came before it. Joy Ride doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it’s well worth the watch, according to the critic, who continues:

Brian Truitt of USA TODAY rates it 3.5 out of 4 stars, remarking that the film is bursting with heart as it destroys stereotypes in a smartly paced and proudly explicit directorial debut for Adele Lim. Truitt writes:

The critics seem to be in agreement that Joy Ride is a ride worth taking, as the movie has garnered a 91 percent Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes from more than 100 reviews. The audience score was a similarly favorable 88 percent, but that number will likely change as more people weigh in. Joy Ride is in theaters as of July 7, and be sure to see what other movies are hitting the big screen soon with our 2023 Movie Release Calendar.

Light spoilers for The Blackening lie ahead, so read at your own risk.

The Blackening, one of the latest entries on the schedule of 2023 new movie releases, aims to give audiences some good scares. However, this is a horror comedy we’re talking about, which means the filmmakers also sought to throw in plenty of laughs. A person who’s aware of that is Dewayne Perkins, who co-wrote the script and plays the role of Dewayne. The comedian, alongside fellow scribe Tracy Oliver, dropped in more than a few great quips. Yet there are two wild jokes, in particular, that Perkins is most proud to have come up with. 

This Tim Story-directed flick centers on a group of friends who reunite for a weekend at a cabin in celebration of Juneteenth and end up being pawns in a sadistic killer’s game. While there are jump scares, there are also plenty of A+ zingers that’ll keep audiences talking for a while. I was fortunate enough to speak with Dewayne Perkins and his co-stars X Mayo and Jermaine Fowler during the junket for the new movie. With his keen knack for comedy in mind, I couldn’t help but ask him about his favorite jokes from the film. He easily named two, and the first is one that’s muttered early on during this frighteningly funny tale:

I definitely have to agree with the Amber Ruffin Show alum on this one. To be honest, I definitely wouldn’t condone anyone referring to another person’s wife in such a way. However, you simply can’t help but laugh at the manner in which Nnamdi tries to rationalize his slip of the tongue. Many who’ve seen The Blackening surely got a good laugh out of this moment, but I’d be willing to bet money that the co-writer’s other favorite wisecrack has moviegoers cackling: 

That line comes into play when the central characters are playing the titular game, and it’s well-written and deftly delivered. Dewayne Perkins has been making a name for himself within the comedy landscape over the past several years. With credits like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Upshaws and the Saved by the Bell reboot under his belt, he’s had the opportunity to flex his funny bones in a number of ways. So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that he managed to inject some many sweet pieces of dialogue into this feature film. 

Of course, in addition to the jokes, he and Tracy Oliver had to sharply blend humor and frights so that audiences get a somewhat equal dose of both. It would seem that their efforts were mostly successful, considering the positive reviews The Blackening has received. What’s also impressive is that the two scribes some witty remarks that really speak to the Black experience. Ultimately, those help contribute to a story that provides a little social commentary and avoids age-old tropes regarding people of color in even some of the best horror movies.

The jokes fly fast and furiously in the film at times, so audiences are really going to pay close attention so that they don’t miss anything. Dewayne Perkins, Tracy Oliver and co. seem to have put a lot of time and effort into making this production feel fresh and authentic. And that’s something I think viewers will appreciate when they see it. 

Lionsgate’s The Blackening is now playing in theaters. After you’ve checked it out, take a look at CinemaBlend’s schedule of upcoming horror movies to learn about scary fare that’s coming down the pike.

It's time to go back to The Hunger Games... or more fittingly back in time – to the 10th Hunger Games to be exact. It's been almost a decade since Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss Everdeen saw the end of her harrowing journey as a tribute for District 12. Now, the prequel based on Suzanne Collins' 2020 novel is set to be brought to life with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. You can check out the first trailer above. 

As the first look at one of 2023 new movie releases sets up, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will follow a teen President Snow, played by Tom Blyth, long prior to his tyrannical reign. Before he terrorized the people of Panem and their symbol of resistance decades later, he was the mentor to one District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird, played by West Side Story and Shazam!: The Fury of the Gods actress, Rachel Zegler. 

The trailer begins with Viola Davis’ Volumnia Gaul, the Head Gamemaker of the 10th Hunger Games, as she introduces Peter Dinklage’s character, Casca Highbottom, the creator of the games and dean at the Capitol Academy, which young Snow attends, as he swigs a vial of liquid. It’s a reaping ceremony for the latest games where each of the students will be asked to mentor a tribute, which in Snow’s case is District 12’s Lucy Gray Baird. Check out the movie's two leads on the newly released poster as well: 

On the side, Snow is asked to make his tribute a “spectacle” rather than “survivor,” but Lucy is, of course, concerned with actually getting out of the Capitol’s twisted games alive. As the trailer teases a bit, the tribute and mentor will become a bit closer than the Capitol would like them too, bringing them both in additional danger. As if living in a dystopian society isn’t enough! 

The trailer showcased The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes stacked cast list, also showing a first look at Jason Schwartzman as an ancestor to Stanley Tucci’s Caesar Flickerman, who conducts a much more old-timey version of the Hunger Games broadcast likened to the ‘50s. Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer as Snow’s cousin Tigris also makes an appearance, serving as a confidant to Snow in one moment where she tells him “it’s not just about winning.” 

If you’re a fellow longtime Hunger Games fan who read the 2020 novel, you know the world of epicness and pain we’re all in for. For those of you who love The Hunger Games movies, but are not yet familiar with the story, get ready! Suzanne Collins’ prequel has always had a lot to say about the human race and their hunger for power and by the looks of the trailer, this upcoming book-to-screen adaptation looks like it will do the story justice.  

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set to hit theaters on November 17. 

Judy Blume is synonymous with coming-of-age fiction. And while the author boasts numerous titles that have been passed down from generation to generation, few are as well-known as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The 1970 novel tells the story of sixth-grader Margaret, whose mom is Christian and father is Jewish. Their family has recently moved, and she talks to God while trying to come to terms with her changing life and body. The reviews are here to give us an idea of how the classic book translated to the big screen ahead of its April 28 premiere.

Abby Ryder Fortson (from Ant-Man, the HBO series Togetherness and more) stars as Margaret Simon, with Rachel McAdams and Benny Safdie playing her parents. Kathy Bates also appears as her grandmother in a story that writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig chose to keep in 1970s, rather than update it for the 2023 crowd. In CinemaBlend’s review of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Sarah El-Mahmoud says she thinks this is a good decision, and she rates the movie 3.5 stars out of 5, praising its support for growing girls: 

Amy Nicholson of Variety says there’s plenty to like in this book-to-screen adaptation, but the movie seems uncomfortable with the idea of allowing Margaret to be a flawed character, as Judy Blume’s iteration (and every pre-teen) is. The critic continues: 

Marya E. Gates of RogerEbert.com rates the movie 3.5 out of 4 stars, praising Rachel McAdams (who recently rocked a new look at a photo shoot) as Barbara Simon. The critic says the mother’s expanded role in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret takes the story beyond just a coming-of-age tale. It’s some of McAdams’ best work, and Kelly Fremon Craig proves capable of handling such iconic material. From the review:  

Kristen Lopez of The Wrap finds the film a fantastic addition to the too-limited genre of movies for tween girls and their families. The critic calls the adaptation heartfelt, compassionate, funny, and frank, saying: 

Josh Spiegel of SlashFilm rates Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret an impressive 9.5 out of 10, as he implores audiences to give this story the attention and support it deserves. This movie is worth discussing for the rest of the year and beyond, the critic says, calling it an “oasis” in a world of IP money grabs:  

One can’t argue with the popularity of Judy Blume’s novel, but will that translate to box-office success for Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret? We’ll see what happens next weekend, as the movie is set for theatrical release on Friday, April 28. You can also check out these other coming-of-age movies, and also be sure to glance at our 2023 Movie Release Schedule in order to start planning your next movie night out. 

In April 2022, F. Murray Abraham suddenly left Mythic Quest, with Lionsgate only confirming his departure. Now, it’s been reported that the actor was let go from the show because of sexual misconduct complaints, and Lionsgate, the studio behind one of Apple TV+’s best series has responded to the allegations. 

Rolling Stone reported that there were two concerns in regard to Abraham’s behavior. One resulted in the actor getting a warning, and being told he needed to stay away from Mythic Quest’s actresses. The second time the incident was brought to Rob McElhenney’s attention, and it was reported that after the Apple TV+ show’s creator and star learned about this, the actor behind C.W. Longbottom was let go. Lionsgate, the studio behind Mythic Quest, responded to the reports, saying:

At the moment, those involved with the show and Abraham himself have not commented on the reason he left Mythic Quest. However, when Season 3 of the comedy was premiering, McElhenney did talk about how C.W. Longbottom was written off the show, telling Variety:

Abraham played the head writer of the game Mythic Quest, C.W. Longbottom, and the character acted quite inappropriately in the offices. To address the exit of one of the show's main players, they wrote in his departure into the first episodes of Season 3, which aired last fall. In the series, Longbottom discovered he had a terminal illness, so he decided to not return to the offices and drove off a cliff into the Grand Canyon. 

Season 4 of Mythic Quest has been greenlit, and will likely premiere on the 2023 TV schedule. Abraham was completely written off the show, and will not return. However, he has been a part of many other series over the last year, and has a movie in the works. 

Over the course of 2022, F. Murray Abraham starred in Season 2 of The White Lotus, joined the MCU as part of the Moon Knight cast where he voiced the Egyptian God of the Moon Khonshu, and was part of the ensemble for Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities. Throughout his career the actor has starred in massive movies, like one of Wes Anderson’s best films The Grand Budapest Hotel. He also won an Oscar in 1984 for Amadeus. 

Lionsgate made it clear they do not talk about “personnel actions,” so details regarding Abraham’s exit have not been made public. However, as of right now, he was reportedly let go because of sexual misconduct. As more news comes out about why the actor being written off of Mythic Quest, we’ll be sure to keep you updated. 

It’s been nearly four years since audiences have seen Keanu Reeves as the assassin John Wick, but when John Wick: Chapter 4 hits theaters on March 24, the story will pick up right where the third installment of one of the best action movie franchises left off. The hitman is determined to take down the High Table, the crime organization that has a huge bounty on his head, and the trailer promises a large body count and all the bad-assery that fans have come to expect from this franchise. First reactions were very promising, with people calling the fourth installment “epic,” and the praise continues now that reviews are out. 

Keanu Reeves is again joined by Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and Lance Reddick, and the John Wick: Chapter 4 cast also adds some notable characters in Caine (Donnie Yen) and the Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård), who have left their mark on the critics. Let’s get to it then, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of John Wick: Chapter 4. Eric Eisenberg rates the film 4.5 stars out of 5, saying it earns every minute of its nearly three-hour runtime and is likely the best of the sequels. He continues: 

Hoai-Tran Bui of Inverse agrees the three hours breezes by, saying the movie is a “bone-crunching showcase” of what director Chad Stahelski has honed and perfected over the course of four John Wick movies. The critic says: 

Tom Jorgensen of IGN rates the movie a perfect 10 out of 10, calling John Wick: Chapter 4 a “Masterpiece” whose incredibly staged action scenes, engaging ensemble and stylish production design coalesce into a modern action masterclass. From the review: 

Leah Greenblatt of EW grades the movie a B+, calling the movie both “patently ridiculous” and “gloriously illogical,” but also says it’s mostly very fun. The review states: 

Frank Scheck of THR says this fourth John Wick movie outperforms its predecessors in almost every respect, calling it “bigger, badder, bolder, longer.” The critic agrees with those above in saying not many in the audience will complain about the runtime. He continues: 

Thanks to Keanu Reeves, Chad Stahelski and many others involved, John Wick has become one of the best action franchises, boasting some pretty memorable scenes. If you’ve been waiting for this next chapter, your time is almost here, as John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to hit theaters Friday, March 24. Be sure to check out our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to see what else is headed to theaters soon.