1917

Director Sam Mendes

Genre Drama | War

Cast Richard Madden, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay

Rating R

Release Date January 10th, 2020

“Two British soldiers experience one harrowing day while fighting in World War I in 1917.”

Directed and co-written by Sam Mendes, the man who brought us American Beauty, Jarhead, and Skyfall, 1917 is a war drama that tells the story of two young British soldiers during the First World War, who are given an impossible mission: deliver a message, deep in enemy territory, that will stop their own men, and Blake's own brother, walking straight into a deadly trap. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, 1917:

• Sections of the film were shot in and around Low Force, on the River Tees, Teesdale in June 2019. The production staff had to install signs warning walkers in the area not be alarmed by the bodies strewn around the site as they were prosthetic.

• 2020 Golden Globe Winner for Best Motion Picture and Best Director.

Just Mercy

Director Destin Daniel Cretton

Genre Drama

Cast Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson, Jamie Foxx, Rafe Spall

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 10th, 2020

“Just Mercy shadows world-renowned civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson as he recounts his experiences and details the case of a condemned death row prisoner whom he fought to free.”

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who also wrote the screenplay, Just Mercy is a a powerful and thought-provoking true-story that follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his history-making battle for justice. After graduating from Harvard, Bryan might have had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Film Facts, Just Mercy:

• Based on the book "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson.

• This is Brie Larson and Destin Daniel Creston's third collaboration together after The Glass Castle (2017) and Short Term 12 (2013).

Like a Boss

Director Miguel Arteta

Genre Drama

Cast Rose Byrne, Tiffany Haddish, Salma Hayek, Billy Porter

Rating R

Release Date January 10th, 2020

“Two female friends with very different ideals decide to start a beauty company together. One is more practical, while the other wants to earn her fortune and live a lavish lifestyle.”

From director Miguel Arteta, the man behind The Good Girl, Youth in Revolt, and Beatriz at Dinner, Like a Boss tells the story of two female friends with very different ideals who decide to start a beauty company together. One is more practical, while the other wants to earn her fortune and live a lavish lifestyle. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Like a Boss:

• Salma Hayek previously worked with director Miguel Arteta in Beatriz at Dinner (2017).

The Outsider

Genre Thriller

Cast Ben Mendelsohn, Jason Bateman, Cynthia Erivo, Marc Menchaca

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere January 12th, 2020 9:00 PM EST (HBO)

“A seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy. takes a turn when an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case, leading a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in.”

An upcoming HBO thriller miniseries, The Outsider begins with a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy. But when an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in. Check out the official trailers for the upcoming HBO series below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Outsider:

• Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel of the same name.

• In the novel, upon searching his computers and devices, the police note that Terry Maitland watches Ozark on Netflix. In the series, Terry Maitland is played by Jason Bateman, the star of Ozark.

Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector

Genre Crime | Drama | Mystery

Cast Russell Hornsby, Arielle Kebbel, Brían F. O’Byrne, Tate Ellington

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere Friday January 10th, 2020 8:00 PM EST (NBC)

“A retired forensic criminologist teams up with an ambitious young detective to help capture some of the most dangerous criminals in America.”

“Lincoln Rhyme” follows the titular former NYPD detective and forensic genius, played by Russell Hornsby, who was at the top of his game until a serious accident at the hands of a notorious serial killer forces him out of the field. Check out the official trailer below!!

Underwater

Director William Eubank

Genre Action | Drama | Horror

Cast Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassel, T.J. Miller, Jessica Henwick

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 10th, 2020

“Mysterious creatures terrorize crew members aboard a research station located seven miles below the surface of the ocean.”

From director William Eubank (The Signal), Underwater is a horror thriller that tells the story of a crew of underwater researchers who must scramble to safety after an earthquake devastates their subterranean laboratory. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Underwater:

• Shooting took place in the spring of 2017 but due to the Disney purchase of 20th Century Fox, the release date was pushed to January 2020. By the time it is releases it will be almost 3 years since it was filmed.

• Actress Kristen Stewart shaved her head for this role.

The Informer

Director Andrea Di Stefano

Genre Crime | Drama

Cast Joel Kinnaman, Ana de Armas, Rosamund Pike, Clive Owen

Rating Unrated

Release Date January 10th, 2020 (Limited)

“An ex-convict working undercover intentionally gets himself incarcerated again in order to infiltrate the mob at a maximum security prison.”

From director Andrea Di Stefano, The Informer is a crime thriller that tells the story of an ex-convict working undercover who intentionally gets himself incarcerated again in order to infiltrate the mob at a maximum security prison. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Informer:

• This is Joel Kinnaman & Common's 3rd feature film collaboration, after Run All Night & Suicide Squad (although they don't share any scenes in that film).

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

Genre Comedy | Drama | Musical

Cast Jane Levy, Skylar Astin, Peter Gallagher, Lauren Graham

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere January 7th, 2020 (NBC)

“Zoey Clarke is a whip-smart computer coder forging her way in the tech world of San Francisco. After an unexpected event, she starts to hear the innermost wants and desires of the people around her through music. ”

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist tells the unique story of Zoey Clarke, a whip-smart computer coder forging her way in the tech world of San Francisco. After an unexpected event, she starts to hear the innermost wants and desires of the people around her through music. People are unknowingly singing their feelings through popular songs -- just to her. 

The shows premise may not be for everyone, and I figured I would likely find myself in the latter, but having watched the pilot episode I can say with certainty that it is at least worth 40 minutes of your time to see what you think. On the surface the show may feel a little goofy at first, but as you get deeper into the pilot you’ll realize it is actually pretty deep on an emotional level and also includes some great music and a few creative dance routines. Bottom line, this show will put a smile on your face, and may even get you a little teary eyed - but don’t take my word for it, check out the full-length commercial free pilot episode for yourself below!! And be sure to set your DVR for the upcoming episodes.

The Grudge

Director Nicolas Pesce

Genre Horror

Cast Lin Shaye, Andrea Riseborough, Betty Gilpin, John Cho

Rating R

Release Date January 3rd, 2020

“A house is cursed by a vengeful ghost that dooms those who enter it with a violent death.”

From director Nicolas Pesce (The Eyes of My Mother), The Grudge is a fresh twist on the story of a house that is cursed by a vengeful ghost that dooms those who enter it with a violent death. After a young mother murders her family in her own house, a single mother and young detective tries to investigate and solve the case. Later, she discovers the house is cursed by a vengeful ghost that dooms those who enter it with a violent death. Now, she runs to save herself and her son from demonic spirits from the cursed house in her neighborhood. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Grudge:

• The original plan was to reboot the series completely, featuring a new storyline that abandons the Saeki family. However, it was confirmed in an interview with Nicholas Pesce that the film is an interquel, taking place during the events of The Grudge (2004) and The Grudge 2 (2006).

Kevin Hart: Don't F**k This Up

Genre Docuseries

Cast Kevin Hart

Rating TV-MA

Series Premiere December 27th, 2019 (Netflix)

“Comedian Kevin Hart reflects on the events from the past year that have shaped his life.”

A new Netflix docuseries, Kevin Hart: Don't F**k This Up follows comedian/actorKevin Hart as he reflects on how the events of the past year have shaped his life. Check out the official trailer below!!

Dracula

Genre Drama | Horror

Cast Claes Bang, Dolly Wells, Morfydd Clark, Corrina Wilson

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere January 4th, 2020 (Netflix)

“He’s been around for centuries, but what happens when a worthy adversary bites back? In 1897 Transylvania, the blood-drinking Count draws his plans against Victorian London.”

He's been around for centuries, but what happens when a worthy adversary bites back? In 1897 Transylvania, the blood-drinking Count draws his plans against Victorian London. Check out the official trailers for Dracula below!! Streaming on Netflix beginning January 4th.

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.

You: Season Two

Genre Crime | Drama | Romance

Cast Penn Badgley, Ambyr Childers, Elizabeth Lail, Luca Padovan

Rating TV-14

Series Premiere December 26th, 2019 (Netflix)

“A clever bookstore manager relies on his savvy Internet know-how to make the woman of his dreams fall in love with him.”

The first season was a hit for Netflix so of course they had to come up with a 2nd season to please a growing fan base. You is a crime drama series that tells the story of a clever bookstore manager relies on his savvy Internet know-how to make the woman of his dreams fall in love with him. Check out the official trailers for the new season below!!

Just getting started on the You binge-fest and not yet ready for Season 2?! Well we have you covered, go ahead and check out the trailer for the first season below and get comfy! You’re welcome.

Clemency

Director Chinonye Chukwu

Genre Drama

Cast Alfre Woodard, Aldis Hodge, Wendell Pierce, Richard Schiff

Rating R

Release Date December 27th, 2019

“Bernadine is a stoic prison warden, but two back-to-back executions put a strain on her marriage, career and convictions.”

Written and directed by Chinonye Chukwu, Clemency tells the story of prison warden Bernadine Williams who is carrying some serious baggage in her life after years of carrying out death row executions. As she prepares to execute another inmate, Bernadine must confront the psychological and emotional demons her job creates, ultimately connecting her to the man she is sanctioned to kill.

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Clemency:

• Oklahoma born actress Alfre Woodard received a Best Actress in a Supporting Role Oscar nomination for her role in the 1983 drama Cross Creek.

Cats

Director Tom Hooper

Genre Animation | Comedy | Drama

Cast James Corden, Judy Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba

Rating PG

Release Date December 20th, 2019

“A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.”

From acclaimed director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, Les Misérables), Cats tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles who must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Cats:

• Andrew Lloyd Webber has written new songs, exclusively for this movie.

• The stage version is the fourth-longest-running show in Broadway history, and the sixth-longest-running in London's West End.

• Ironically, Rebel Wilson is allergic to cats in real life.

The Witcher

Genre Action | Adventure | Drama

Cast Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, Joey Batey, MyAnna Buring

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere December 20th, 2019 (Netflix)

“Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.”

The highly anticipated trailers for The Witcher are finally here!! The first thing I noticed is that Henry Cavill, who takes on the lead role of Geralt of Rivia, got absolutely huge for this role! Also, this new series from Netflix looks pretty damn good. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Witcher:

• An adaptation of the books, not the video games. In fact, showrunner Lauren Schmidt revealed in an interview that the show will never adapt the video games.

• Even before his first meeting with the role, Henry Cavill had already played all the Witcher games and read all the Witcher novels. So when it came to finally making the series, Cavill was already well-versed in the lore and deeply aware of the story and his character.

A Christmas Carol

Genre Drama | Fantasy

Cast Joe Alwyn, Stephen Graham, Guy Pearce, Tom Hardy

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere December 19th, 2019 (FX)

“A television adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge.”

Ted Takes Series Facts, A Christmas Carol:

• Although it's a 3 episode mini series, FX considers and addresses it as a movie.

• Rutger Hauer, who was supposed to play The Ghost of Christmas Future (The Grim Reaper), died the year this was made.

The Two Popes

Director Fernando Meirelles

Genre Drama

Cast Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Juan Minujín, Sidney Cole

Rating PG-13

Release Date  December 20th, 2019 (Limited Theaters & Netflix)

“Behind Vatican walls, the conservative Pope Benedict and the liberal future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church.”

“An intimate story of one of the most dramatic transitions of power in the last 2,000 years. Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) requests permission to retire in 2012 from Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins). Instead, facing scandal and self-doubt, the introspective Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to reveal a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church. Behind Vatican walls, a struggle commences between both tradition and progress, guilt and forgiveness, as these two very different men confront their pasts in order to find common ground and forge a future for a billion followers around the world. Inspired by true events.”

— Netflix

Check out the official trailer for the Netflix original film The Two Popes below!!