Nosferatu

NOSFERATU is a 2024 supernatural gothic horror film written and directed by Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse). Following Werner Herzog's Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), it is the second remake of the 1922 film written by Henrik Galeen and directed by F. W. Murnau, which in turn is an "unauthorized and unofficial" adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula. Filming primarily took place in and around Prague between February and May 2023.

A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

The cast includes Bill Skarsgård, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Willem Dafoe.

NOSFERATU is set to debut in theaters December 25th, courtesy of Focus Features. Watch the official trailers below.

A Complete Unknown

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is a 2024 biographical musical drama film directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jay Cocks. Based on the 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald, the film portrays Bob Dylan through his earliest folk music success until the momentous controversy over his use of electric instruments at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

In the early 1960s, 19-year-old Bob Dylan arrives in New York with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. Forming his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement, making a controversial choice that reverberates worldwide.

Timothée Chalamet (who also produces) stars as Dylan, with Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz, and Scoot McNairy in supporting roles. The film's title is derived from the chorus of Dylan's 1965 single "Like a Rolling Stone".

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN arrives in theaters December 25th, courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. Watch the official trailers below.

Babygirl

BABYGIRL is a 2024 mystery crime thriller film written, directed, and co-produced by Halina Reijn, who also directed the unique 2022 horror thriller Bodies Bodies Bodies (our full review here). The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 30th, 2024, where Nicole Kidman won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. The North American premiere followed at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival on September 10th, 2024.

A high-powered CEO (Nicole Kidman) puts her family and career on the line when she embarks on a forbidden romance with a captivating young intern (Harris Dickinson).

The cast includes Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Sophie Wilde, and Antonio Banderas.

BABYGIRL is set to debut in theaters December 25th, 2024, courtesy of A24. Watch the official trailer below.

The Fire Inside

THE FIRE INSIDE is a 2024 biographical sports drama film directed by Rachel Morrison in her feature directorial debut, from a screenplay by Richard Jenkins. The film premiered in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7th, 2024.

The story of Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields, a boxer from Flint, Michigan who trained to become the first woman in her country's history to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport.

The cast includes Ryan Destiny as Claressa "T-Rex" Shields, Brian Tyree Henry as Jason Crutchfield, Oluniké Adeliyi as Jackie Shields, and De'Adre Aziza as Mickey.

THE FIRE INSIDE arrives in theaters December 25th, courtesy of Amazin MGM Studios. Watch the official trailer below.

Ferrari

Ferrari is a 2023 biographical drama film directed by Michael Mann and written by Troy Kennedy Martin about Enzo Ferrari, the Italian founder of the car manufacturer Ferrari. It is based on the 1991 biography Enzo Ferrari: The Man and the Machine by motorsport journalist Brock Yates.

Set during the summer of 1957, the pic finds ex-Formula 1 racer Enzo Ferrari in crisis. Bankruptcy stalks the company he and his wife, Laura, built from nothing 10 years earlier. Their tempestuous marriage struggles with the mourning for their one son. Ferrari struggles with the acknowledgment of another. His drivers’ lust to win pushes them out to the edge. He wagers all in a roll of the dice on one race, the treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy, the iconic Mille Miglia.

The film was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, where it is set to premiere on August 31, 2023. It is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 25, 2023, by Neon. Watch the official teaser trailer below.

The Boys in the Boat

The Boys in the Boat is an upcoming American biographical sports drama film co-produced and directed by George Clooney (The Midnight Sky, The Tender Bar) from a screenplay by Mark L. Smith, based on the 2013 book of the same name by Daniel James Brown. The film stars Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Emma.) and Joel Edgerton (Warrior, The Green Knight).

The non-fiction novel describes the University of Washington crew that represented the United States in the Men's eight at the 1936 Summer Olympic games in Berlin, including the coaches, boatbuilder George Pocock, and the working class student-athletes involved, especially rower Joe Rantz (Turner), who was effectively abandoned by his family and left to fend for himself at a young age.

The Boys in the Boat is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 25, 2023, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Watch the official trailer below.

The Color Purple

The Color Purple is a 2023 musical coming-of-age period drama film directed by Blitz Bazawule from a screenplay by Marcus Gardley, based on the stage musical of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker. It is the second film adaptation of the novel, following the 1985 film directed by Steven Spielberg. Spielberg and Quincy Jones return to produce this version, along with the stage musical's producers Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey, the latter of whom also starred in the 1985 film as Sofia.

The film stars Fantasia Barrino (winner of the third season of American Idol) and Danielle Brooks (Orange Is the New Black), both reprising their roles from stage musical productions, alongside Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Hidden Figures), Colman Domingo (Euphoria, Candyman), Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton, In the Heights), H.E.R. (Yes Day), Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (The Help, King Richard), and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi.

The Color Purple is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 25, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures. Watch the official trailers below.

American Underdog

American Underdog is a 2021 biographical sports drama about National Football League quarterback Kurt Warner. Directed by Andrew and Jon Erwin, the film tells the story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.

The cast includes Zachary Levi as Warner, alongside Anna Paquin as his wife Brenda and Dennis Quaid as head coach Dick Vermeil.

American Underdog is scheduled to be released only in theaters on December 25th, courtesy of Lionsgate. Watch the official trailer below.

A Journal for Jordan

A Journal for Jordan is a 2021 war drama directed by Denzel Washington. The film is written by Virgil Williams, and is based on the memoir A Journal for Jordan: A Story of Love and Honor by Dana Canedy.

Based on a true story, while Sergeant Charles Monroe King is deployed in Iraq, he keeps a journal of love and advice for his infant son. Sharing this journal with her son, his fiancée, Dana Candey reflects on her unlikely yet powerful romantic relationship with King.

The cast includes Michael B. Jordan, Chanté Adams, Robert Wisdom, and Johnny M. Wu.

A Journal for Jordan is scheduled to hit theaters December 25th, courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing. Check out the official trailers below.

Licorice Pizza

Licorice Pizza is a 2021 coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who also serves as co-cinematographer. The story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.

The film stars Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, and Benny Safdie.

Licorice Pizza is scheduled for a limited release in the United States on November 26th, before going wide on December 25th. Watch the official trailer below.

Wonder Woman 1984

Director Patty Jenkins

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Pedro Pascal, Kristen Wiig

Rating PG-13

Release Date December 25th, 2020

“Wonder Woman squares off against the Cheetah, a villainess who possesses superhuman strength and agility.”

From multi-talented director Patty Jenkins (Monster, The Killing, Wonder Woman), Wonder Woman 1984 follows Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman as she squares off against the Cheetah, a villainess who possesses superhuman strength and agility. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Wonder Woman 1984:

• The villain role was first offered to Emma Stone but she declined. The role was then offered to Kristen Wiig, Patty Jenkins's first choice.

• Originally intended to release on December 20th 2019, but was pushed forward over a month to November 1st the same year to avoid competing with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

Promising Young Woman

Director Emerald Fennell

Genre Comedy | Crime | Drama

Cast Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Laverne Cox, Clancy Brown

Rating R

Release Date December 25th, 2020 (Limited & On-Demand)

“A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against men who cross her path.”

Written and directed by actress Emerald Fennell, her directorial debut, Promising Young Woman is a drama thriller that tells the story of a young woman traumatized by a tragic event in her past who seeks out vengeance against men who cross her path. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Emerald Fennell:

• Emerald Fennell was born on October 1, 1985 in Hammersmith, London, England as Emerald Lilly Fennell. She is an actress and writer, known for Promising Young Woman (2020), The Crown (2016) and Killing Eve (2018).

Soul

Director Pete Docter, Kemp Powers

Genre Animation | Adventure | Family

Cast Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Daveed Diggs, John Ratzenberger

Rating PG

Release Date December 25th, 2020 (Disney+)

“A musician who has lost his passion for music is transported out of his body and must find his way back with the help of an infant soul learning about herself.”

From directors Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc., Up, Inside Out) and Kemp Powers (co-director), Soul is a animated adventure that tells the story of a musician who has lost his passion for music and is transported out of his body and must find his way back with the help of an infant soul learning about herself. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Pixar’s Soul:

• John Ratzenberger's 23rd consecutive full-length film from Pixar.

• This is Pete Doctor's first Pixar movie to be produced in the widescreen 2.35:1 "scope" aspect ratio, unlike his previous films Monsters, Inc. (2001), Up (2009), and Inside Out(2015), which were produced in the taller 1.85:1 ratio.

News of the World

Director Paul Greengrass (United 93, Jason Bourne) and Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, who worked on Captain Phillips (2013) together, return for the western drama ‘News of the World’. It is based on the novel of the same name from author Paulette Jiles.

The film tells the story of a widowed Civil War veteran who agrees to deliver a girl, taken by the Kiowa people years ago, to her aunt and uncle, against her will. They travel hundreds of miles and face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home.

This is the first American feature film for German child actress Helena Zengel, who was discovered at the Berlin International Film Festival premiere of the German motion picture, System Crasher.

News of the World is set to hit theaters this Christmas. Watch the new trailer below.

Uncut Gems

Director Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

Genre Comedy | Crime | Drama

Cast Adam Sandler, Lakeith Stanfield, Idina Menzel, The Weeknd

Rating R

Release Date December 25th, 2019 (Netflix May 25th, 2020)

“A jewelry dealer to the rich and famous must find a way to pay his debts when his merchandise is taken from one of his top sellers and girlfriend.”

From directors Benny and Josh Safdie, the directors behind the 2017 indie crime thriller Good Time, Uncut Gems is a comedy drama set in the diamond district of New York City and follows Howard Ratner, a jewelry store owner and dealer to the rich and famous, who must find a way to pay his debts when his merchandise is taken from one of his top sellers and girlfriend. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, directors The Safdie Brothers:

• The Safdie Brothers wanted to make this film since 2009 and prior to Good Time (2017), but couldn't get the project off the ground due to lack of financing. During that waiting period, Robert Pattinson contacted the brothers after he discovered the photo/poster of actress Arielle Holmes covered in pink neon light from their previous film Heaven Knows What (2014) on the internet. He was so intrigued by the energy of the photograph, that he wrote an email to the directors without knowing them and said he wanted to work with them. After they met with Pattinson, liking him and being inspired by his energy, the Safdie's spontaneously started to write Good Time (2017) with him in mind. After the film's premiere in Cannes and the following success, the brothers found themselves getting calls from Hollywood executives with offers including a big-budget superhero movie, which they declined and instead secured financing for Uncut Gems.

Little Women

Director Greta Gerwig

Genre Drama | Romance

Cast Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen

Rating PG

Release Date  December 25th, 2019

“Four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War.”

From director Greta Gerwig, who also wrote the screenplay, Little Women is a drama that tells the story of four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Little Women:

• Emma Watson took over the role of Meg March from Emma Stone, who became unavailable due to scheduling conflicts with promoting The Favourite (2018). Ironically, Stone previously took over the role of Mia in La La Land (2016) after Watson dropped out of the project due to the commitment of her role as Belle in the Disney live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast (2017).

Spies in Disguise

Director Nick Bruno, Troy Quane

Genre Animation | Action | Adventure

Cast Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan, Rashida Jones

Rating PG

Release Date December 25th, 2019

“When the world’s best spy is turned into a pigeon, he must rely on his nerdy tech officer to save the world.”

From directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, Spies in Disguise is an animated action adventure that tells the story of the world's best spy who gets turned into a pigeon and must rely on his nerdy tech officer to save the world. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Spies in Disguise:

• Will Smith's first animated film since Shark Tale (2004) released 15 years prior.

• This is the first animated film from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

If Beale Street Could Talk

Director Barry Jenkins

Genre Crime | Drama | Romance

Cast KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Colman Domingo

Rating R

Release Date December 25th, 2018

“A woman in Harlem desperately scrambles to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime while carrying their first child.”

From director Barry Jenkins, the Academy Award winning director of Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk is a romantic drama that tells the story of a woman in Harlem desperately scrambling to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime while carrying their first child. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Film Facts, If Beale Street Could Talk:

• Based on the novel by James Baldwin. The first trailer was released on August 2, 2018, which would have been the 94th birthday of the late author.

• The film premiered at TIFF (Toronto international Film Festival) in Canada in September 2018.

Holmes & Watson

Director Etan Cohen

Genre Adventure | Comedy | Crime

Cast Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Rebecca Hall, Kelly Macdonald

Rating PG-13

Release Date December 25th, 2018

“A humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.”

Co-written and directed by the talented Etan Cohen, Holmes & Watson is a seemingly slapstick take on the larger than life investigative duo. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly team up again after a variety of successful comedic roles together including Talladega Nights and Step Brothers. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Holmes & Watson:

• Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell were once attached to star as Sherlock Holmes and Watson.

• The movie is based on a Saturday Night Live (1975) sketch, in which Will Ferrell starred.

Vice

Director Adam McKay

Genre Biography | Drama

Cast Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell

Rating R

Release Date  December 25th, 2018

“The story of Dick Cheney, the most powerful Vice President in history, and how his policies changed the world as we know it.”

LEFT: Former Vice President Dick Cheney | RIGHT: Actor Christian Bale as Dick Cheney

Written and directed by Adam McKay, the academy award winning co-writer and director of The Big Short, Vice tells the untold true story of how the most powerful Vice President in history changed the world as we know it. The cast for this film is absolutely stacked and McKay is undeniably talented as a writer/director so I cannot wait for this movie. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Vice:

• Christian Bale gained 40 pounds, shaved his head and bleached his eyebrows to play Cheney. He said he achieved his hefty physique for the film by eating a lot of pies.

• It was revealed that Amy Adams stayed in character during filming, especially keeping her character's distinct voice. She would even have political debates with the director while maintain the voice. Adams revealed that it was the first time she stayed in character throughout filming.

•  Christian Bale and Dick Cheney share the same birthday, January 30th.