What If...?: Season 2

The second season of the American animated anthology series What If...?, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name, explores alternate timelines in the multiverse that show what would happen if major moments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe films occurred differently. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The season is produced by Marvel Studios Animation, with A. C. Bradley serving as head writer and Bryan Andrews directing.

Jeffrey Wright (The French Dispatch, The Batman) stars as the Watcher, who narrates the series, alongside numerous MCU film actors reprising their roles. Development of the season began in December 2019.

The second season is scheduled to debut on December 22, 2023, on Disney+ and will release each of its nine episodes daily until December 30, as part of Phase Five of the MCU. Watch the official trailer below.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a 2023 superhero action film directed by James Wan, and produced by Peter Safran, Wan and Rob Cowan. The executive producers are Galen Vaisman and Walter Hamada. The screenplay is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, from a story by James Wan and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Jason Momoa & Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, based on characters from DC, Aquaman created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger.

Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.

All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin. - DC

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to debut in theaters and IMAX December 20th, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Watch the official trailers below.

The Iron Claw

The Iron Claw is a 2023 biographical sports drama film written and directed by Sean Durkin, based on the life of professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich and the Von Erich family.

The story of the Von Erich family, a dynasty of wrestlers from the 1960s onwards that had enormous success, and popularized the iron claw professional wrestling hold. However, they not only had to battle inside the ring, but fight the "Von Erich curse" outside of it.

The talented cast includes Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Holt McCallany, and Lily James.

The Iron Claw is set to debut in theaters December 22nd, courtesy of A24. Watch the official trailer below.

Migration

Migration is an upcoming American computer-animated adventure comedy film directed by Benjamin Renner, co-directed by Guylo Homsy, and written by Mike White (creator of The White Lotus). Produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures, the film features the voices of Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, David Mitchell, Carol Kane, Casper Jennings, Tresi Gazal, and Danny DeVito. The story follows a family of mallards who try to convince their overprotective father to go on a vacation of a lifetime and attempt to migrate from New England, through New York City, and to Jamaica.

Illumination announced Migration in February 2022, with Renner, Homsy, and White attached as director, co-director, and writer, respectively. Renner, who had previously helmed traditionally animated films, was tasked with adapting his simple drawing style for a computer-animated film. In hiring Renner, studio head and producer Chris Meledandri sought to focus on a filmmaker's vision for the project in comparison with Illumination's recent films. John Powell will compose the score, marking his second collaboration with Illumination following The Lorax (2012).

Migration is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on December 22, 2023. Watch the official trailer below.

American Fiction

American Fiction is a 2023 American satirical comedy-drama film written and directed by Cord Jefferson (in his feature directorial debut), based on the 2001 novel Erasure by Percival Everett. The film stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Sterling K. Brown, Myra Lucretia Taylor, John Ortiz, Issa Rae, and Adam Brody.

Thelonious “Monk” Ellison’s (Wright) writing career has stalled because his work isn’t deemed “Black enough.” Monk, a writer and English professor, writes a satirical novel under a pseudonym, aiming to expose the publishing world’s hypocrisies. The book’s immediate success forces him to get deeper enmeshed in his assumed identity and challenges his closely-held worldviews.

American Fiction premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2023, where it won the People's Choice Award. It is scheduled to receive a limited theatrical release by Orion Pictures through Amazon MGM Studios on December 15, 2023, with an expansion on December 22, 2023. Watch the official trailer below.

Anyone But You

Anyone But You is an upcoming American romantic comedy film directed by Will Gluck (Easy A, Friends with Benefits), from a screenplay he co-wrote with Ilana Wolpert. It stars Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria) and Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick).

Bea (Sweeney) and Ben (Powell) look like the perfect couple, but after an amazing first date, something happens that turns their fiery hot attraction ice cold — until they find themselves unexpectedly thrust together at a destination wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do - pretend to be a couple.

The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 22, 2023, by Sony Pictures Releasing. Watch the official trailers below.

All of Us Strangers

All of Us Strangers is a 2023 British romantic fantasy film written and directed by Andrew Haigh (Weekend, 45 Years), and loosely based on the 1987 novel Strangers by Taichi Yamada. The film stars Andrew Scott (Sherlock, Fleabag), Paul Mescal (Normal People, Aftersun), Jamie Bell (Snowpiercer, Rocketman), and Claire Foy (First Man, Women Talking). It is the second film adaptation of the novel, after the 1988 Japanese film The Discarnates directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi.

One night, screenwriter Adam (Scott), in his near-empty tower block in contemporary London, has a chance encounter with his mysterious neighbor Harry (Mescal) that punctures the rhythm of his everyday life. As Adam and Harry get closer, Adam is pulled back to his childhood home where he discovers that his long-dead parents are both living and look the same age as the day they died over 30 years ago.

All of Us Strangers premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 22, 2023, by Searchlight Pictures. Watch the official trailer below.

The Matrix Resurrections

The Matrix Resurrections is an 2021 sci-fi action film produced, co-written, and directed by Lana Wachowski, the writer behind The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), and Cloud Atlas (2012). It is the fourth installment in The Matrix film series. Plagued by strange memories, Neo's life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself back inside the Matrix.

Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Jada Pinkett Smith reprise their roles from previous films in the series, where they are joined by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Christina Ricci.

The Matrix Resurrections is scheduled to be released by Warner Bros. Pictures theatrically on December 22nd. It will also be streaming on HBO Max for a month after release. Watch the official trailers below.

The King's Man

The King's Man is a 2021 action thriller directed by Matthew Vaughn, from a screenplay by Vaughn and Karl Gajdusek, and a story by Vaughn. The third instalment in the Kingsman film series, which is based on the comic book The Secret Service by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, the film serves as a prequel to 2014's Kingsman: The Secret Service and 2017's Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

In the early years of the 20th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions.

The cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance.

The King's Man is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 22nd, courtesy of 20th Century Studios. Watch the official trailers below.

Sing 2

Sing 2 is an 2021 computer-animated musical comedy film produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures. The sequel to the 2016 film Sing, it is written and directed by Garth Jennings.

Can-do koala Buster Moon and his all-star cast of animal performers prepare to launch a dazzling stage extravaganza in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There's just one hitch -- he has to find and persuade the world's most reclusive rock star to join them.

The voice cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Kroll, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Nick Offerman, and Jennings reprising their roles from the first film. The sequel is also set to feature characters voiced by Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Pharrell Williams, Letitia Wright, Eric André, Chelsea Peretti, and Bono.

Sing 2 is set to hit theaters December 22nd, courtesy of Universal Pictures. Watch the official trailers below.