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.

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.

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire is a 2023 2-part science fiction action thriller film directed by Zack Snyder (300, Man of Steel), from a screenplay he co-wrote with Kurt Johnstad and Shay Hatten, based on a story Snyder also created.

When a peaceful settlement on the edge of a distant moon finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, a mysterious stranger living among its villagers becomes their best hope for survival.

After crash landing on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a stranger with a mysterious past, begins a new life among a peaceful settlement of farmers. But she soon becomes their only hope for survival when the tyrannical Regent Balisarius (Fra Fee) and his cruel emissary, Admiral Noble (Ed Skrein), discover the farmers have unwittingly sold their crops to the Bloodaxes (Cleopatra Coleman and Ray Fisher) — leaders of a fierce group of insurgents hunted by the Motherworld.

The cast includes Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, Michiel Huisman, Djimon Hounsou, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cleopatra Coleman, Jena Malone, Ed Skrein, Fra Fee, and Anthony Hopkins.

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire is set to debut December 22nd only on Netflix. Watch the official trailer below.

Maestro

Maestro is a 2023 American biographical drama film directed by Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born) and produced by Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Todd Phillips, as well as Cooper, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Josh Singer. The film stars Cooper as Bernstein alongside Carey Mulligan (Drive, Promising Young Woman) as his wife, Felicia Montealegre. Matt Bomer (White Collar, American Horror Story), Maya Hawke (Stranger Things), and Sarah Silverman (School of Rock, Don’t Look Up) appear in supporting roles.

A portrait of Leonard Bernstein’s singular charisma and passion for music as he rose to fame as America’s first native-born, world-renowned conductor, all along following his ambition to compose both symphonic and popular Broadway works.

Maestro premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion, on September 2, 2023. The film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on November 22, 2023, before streaming on Netflix on December 20, 2023. Watch the official trailer below.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians

Percy Jackson and The Olympians is an upcoming American fantasy television series created by Rick Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg for Disney+. It is based on the book series of the same name by Riordan.

Walker Scobell (The Adam Project) stars as Percy Jackson, alongside Leah Sava Jeffries (Beast) and Aryan Simhadri. Development on the series began by May 2020, following a pitch by Riordan to Disney Branded Television. Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz were announced as showrunners in July 2021, with James Bobin hired to direct the first episode in October. Scobell was cast in the lead role in January 2022, with Jeffries and Simhadri joining the cast in May. By September, Anders Engström and Jet Wilkinson were also set to direct multiple episodes of the series. Filming began in June 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia and concluded in February 2023, with additional cast members revealed throughout 2022 and 2023.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians is scheduled to premiere on December 20, 2023, with the first season consisting of eight episodes. Watch the official trailer below.

Saltburn

Saltburn is a 2023 psychological thriller drama film written, directed, and produced by Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman). The film stars Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, and Archie Madekwe.

Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.

Saltburn had its world premiere at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, and is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2023, and in the United States via a limited theatrical release the same day, before expanding wide on November 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.

Daniel

Daniel is a 2023 HBO Original Documentary produced by Adam McKay, and follows Daniel Northcott around the world as he attempts to understand life, love, and human connection.

Daniel Northcott began documenting his surroundings at 7 when he got his dad's video camera. He filmed his family and friends growing up then traveled, capturing meaningful moments with new people and places.

Daniel is set to premiere December 20th only on Max. Watch the official trailer 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.

Familia

Familia is a 2023 Mexican film directed by Rodrigo García that stars Daniel Giménez Cacho, Ilse Salas, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Natalia Solián, Maribel Verdú, Brian Shortall, Natalia Plascencia, Ricardo Selmen. Adolfo Madera, and Ángeles Cruz.

As a family discusses the future of their idyllic olive farm over a meal, the complexity of their relationships emerges through laughs and confessions

Familia was released on Netflix on December 15, 2023. Watch the official trailer below.

John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial

John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial is a 2023 documentary series directed by Rob Coldstream. The docuseries follows friends, doctors, investigators, and other key figures who share their personal memories and reveal what happened on the night that iconic music artist John Lennon was killed. The docuseries is narrated by Kiefer Sutherland.

John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial was released only on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Watch the official trailer below.

Yu Yu Hakusho

Yu Yu Hakusho (Japanese: 幽遊白書, Hepburn: YūYū Hakusho) is a Japanese action fantasy adventure streaming television series developed by Akira Morii and Kaata Sakamoto for Netflix. The series is a live-action adaptation of the 1990–94 manga series of the same name by Yoshihiro Togashi. It is produced by Robot Communications and stars Takumi Kitamura, Jun Shison, Kanata Hongō, and Shuhei Uesugi.

The story revolves around Yusuke Urameshi, a delinquent junior high school student who spends his days getting into fights. He dies after saving a child in a car accident and gets resurrected to serve as an investigator of the supernatural.

It premiered on December 14, 2023. Watch the official trailer below.

Under Pressure: The U.S. Women's World Cup Team

Under Pressure: The U.S. Women's World Cup Team is a four-episode miniseries that follows the U.S. women's national soccer team as they pursue their third consecutive title amid trials and triumphs at the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

The miniseries premiered on Netflix on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Watch the official trailer below.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is a 2023 animated Christmas comedy film directed by Luke Cormican. It is the seventh installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series, the third animated feature, and the first adaptation of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney. Wesley Kimmel replaced Brady Noon as Greg Heffley, while Hunter Dillion, Erica Cerra, and Chris Diamantopoulos reprised their roles as Rodrick, Susan, and Frank respectively. Ethan William Childress is replaced by Spencer Howell in the role of Rowley.

The winter holidays are turning out to be especially stressful for Greg Heffley this year. After accidentally damaging a snowplow while making a snowman with best friend Rowley Jefferson, Greg worries he won’t get the new video game console he so desperately wants for Christmas. To make matters worse, he gets snowed in with his family, including his grumpy older brother Rodrick and annoying younger brother Manny.

It was released on Disney+ as a Disney+ original film on December 8, 2023. Watch the official trailer below.

Wonka

Wonka is a 2023 musical fantasy film directed by Paul King (Paddington, Paddington 2), who co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Farnaby. It tells the origin story of Willy Wonka, a character in Roald Dahl's 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The film stars Timothée Chalamet in the title role of Willy Wonka, featuring his early days as an eccentric chocolatier. Chalamet and newcomer Calah Lane lead an eleven-actor ensemble cast including Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Tom Davis, Olivia Colman, and Hugh Grant.

Wonka is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2023, followed by the United States a week later, on December 15, 2023. Watch the official trailers below.

The Zone of Interest

The Zone of Interest is a 2023 historical drama film written and directed by Jonathan Glazer (Under the Skin), loosely based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Martin Amis. A co-production between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland, the film centers on Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife as they strive to build a dream life next to the camp. It stars Sandra Hüller and Christian Friedel in the lead roles.

The Zone of Interest premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2023, to critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prix and the FIPRESCI Prize. It is set to have a limited release in the United States on December 8, 2023, by A24, before expanding a week later on December 15, 2023. It was selected as the British entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards. Watch the official trailer below.