All the new movies and early theater releases you can watch at home right now

Movie theaters are slowly reopening, but most of the new releases are headed to streaming services rather than the big screen. Whether you’re staying at home to limit potential risks, or just saving a few bucks by watching from the couch, we’ve organized a huge list with many of the newly added films and some upcoming titles.

January 8

Stars Fell on Alabama

Comedy, Drama, Romance | Streaming: January 8 | IMDb

Starring: James Maslow, Ciara Hanna, Lesa Wilson

Successful Hollywood agent Bryce Dixon is returning to Alabama for the first time in 15 years for his high school reunion. When he learns he’s the only one of his friends who isn’t married with children, he convinces his client, starlet Madison Belle, to pretend to be his girlfriend. But he soon learns that success has different meanings, and romance may be closer than he thinks.

Fatale

Thriller, Mystery | Streaming: January 8 | Theaters: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Hilary Swank, Mike Colter, Michael Ealy

After a wild one-night stand, Derrick (Michael Ealy), a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for, is a determined police detective (Hilary Swank) who entangles him in her latest investigation. As he tries desperately to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap, risking his family, his career, and even his life. FATALE is a suspenseful and provocative psychological thriller and an unpredictable game of cat and mouse where one mistake can change your life.

12 Hour Shift

Comedy, Horror, Thriller | Streaming: January 5 | IMDb

Starring: Angela Bettis, Chloe Farnworth, Nikea Gamby-Turner, Tara Perry, David Arquette

Set in a small-town Arkansas hospital in 1999, 12 Hour Shift follows Mandy (Bettis) a drug-addicted nurse who gets caught in the middle of a black market organ-trading scheme after her ruthless cousin, Regina (Farnworth), misplaces a kidney scheduled for delivery that night. Death soon descends on the hospital as a mob boss and an injured convict (Arquette) terrorize patients, while Mandy and Regina scramble to replace the lost organ by any means necessary. Nothing is off the table and every patient is at risk as Mandy fights to restore order and appease the ruthless black market bosses.

Cody’s Review: It’s a struggle to come up with the right way to describe 12 Hour Shift. This is a really weird movie, and I’m still not entirely sure if I love it or hate it, but I’ve certainly enjoyed it the more I’ve thought about it. Despite being categorized as a comedy, horror, and thriller, I can’t rightly say it belongs to any of these genres. It has the pieces of a horror/thriller, including plenty of blood, a couple chase scenes, and at least three serial killers, but it’s not remotely scary. And as far as comedy, the first 30-40 minutes have basically no obvious humor; but if you laugh at stupid trailer trash behavior, you’re in for a treat. The legitimate laugh lines pick up in the second half, they’re amusing and quippy. But in truth, the humor comes from the sheer stupidity of the characters — and boy howdy, are they stupid. I’ll steer clear of spoilers, but it’s hard to paint a complete picture of how absurd things get while also remaining somehow light, but also dark. For example, there is a single mini-musical number involving just two unconnected characters… No, this movie isn’t a musical, but the setup resembles that moment in those movies before everybody breaks into song. Trying to explain 12 Hour Shift is almost the best part, and it’s growing on me as more time goes by. This movie is an experience, which means it’s either brilliant or terrible. Just don’t judge it too harshly by the first few minutes and you’ll probably come away loving this one. Verdict: If you have a sick sense of humor, this is a must-watch; otherwise, just run away and don’t look back.

Pieces of a Woman

Drama | Streaming: January 7 | IMDb

Starring: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn

A heartbreaking home birth leaves a woman grappling with the profound emotional fallout, isolated from her partner and family by a chasm of grief.

Herself

Drama | Streaming: January 8 (Amazon Prime Video) | IMDb

Starring: Clare Dunne, Harriet Walter, Conleth Hill

Struggling to provide her daughters with a safe, happy home, Sandra decides to build one – from scratch. Using all her ingenuity to make her ambitious dream a reality, Sandra draws together a community to lend a helping hand to build her house and ultimately recover her own sense of self.

If Not Now, When?

Drama | Streaming: January 8 | IMDb

Starring: Meagan Holder, Mekia Cox, Tamara Bass, Lexi Underwood, Meagan Good

Four friends, who met in high school and are bonded by an event, are suddenly forced back together when one of them suffers a crisis. It’s a story of love, forgiveness and the incredible bond between women.

January 1

Shadow in the Cloud

Action, Horror, War | Streaming: January 1 | IMDb

Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Beulah Koale

In the throes of World War II, Captain Maude Garrett (CHLOË GRACE MORETZ) joins the all-male crew of a B-17 bomber with a top-secret package. Caught off guard by the presence of a woman on a military flight, the crew tests Maude’s every move. Just as her quick wit is winning them over, strange happenings and holes in her backstory incite paranoia surrounding her true mission. But this crew has more to fear…lurking in the shadows, something sinister is tearing at the heart of the plane. Trapped between an oncoming air ambush and an evil lurking within, Maude must push beyond her limits to save the hapless crew and protect her mysterious cargo.

The Minimalists: Less Is Now

Documentary | Streaming: January 1 | IMDb

Starring: Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus, Dave Ramsey

They’ve built a movement out of minimalism. Longtime friends Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus share how our lives can be better with less.

Yellow Rose

Drama, Music | Streaming: December 22 | Theaters: October 9 | IMDb

Starring: Eva Noblezada, Dale Watson, Princess Punzalan

A Filipina teen from a small Texas town fights to pursue her dreams as a country music performer while having to decide between staying with her family or leaving the only home she has known.

The Emoji Story

Documentary, Comedy | Streaming: December 22 | IMDb

Starring: Ian Cheney, Martha Shane

Emojis are a worldwide phenomenon, with some arguing that these smiling poops and heart-eyed faces are on the verge of actually becoming their own language. Who, if anyone, is in charge of this new global digital language?

The Last Shift

Comedy, Drama | Streaming: December 29 | IMDb

Starring: Richard Jenkins, Shane Paul McGhie, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Birgundi Baker, Ed O’Neill

Stanley, an aging fast food worker, prepares to work his final graveyard shift after 38 years. When he’s asked to train his replacement, Jevon, Stanley’s weekend takes an unexpected turn.

Two Ways Home

Drama | Streaming: December 29 | IMDb

Starring: Tom Bower, Joel West, Tanna Frederick

A young woman living with bipolar disorder struggles to honor her grandfather’s last wish while attempting to reunite with her estranged 12-year-old daughter.

December 25

Wonder Woman 1984

Action, Adventure, Fantasy | Streaming: December 25 (HBO Max) | Theaters: December 25 | Note: December 16 in some markets | IMDb

Starring: Gal Gadot, Kristen Wiig, Chris Pine, Pedro Pascal

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

Soul

Animation, Adventure, Comedy | Streaming: December 25 | Note: (Disney+) | IMDb

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton

Joe Gardner is a middle school teacher with a love for jazz music. After a successful gig at the Half Note Club, he suddenly gets into an accident that separates his soul from his body and is transported to the You Seminar, a center in which souls develop and gain passions before being transported to a newborn child. Joe must enlist help from the other souls-in-training, like 22, a soul who has spent eons in the You Seminar, in order to get back to Earth.

We Can Be Heroes

Action, Comedy, Drama | Streaming: December 25 | IMDb

Starring: YaYa Gosselin, Lyon Daniels, Andy Walken

When alien invaders capture Earth’s superheroes, their kids must learn to work together to save their parents — and the planet.

Half Brothers

Drama, Comedy | Streaming: December 23 | Theaters: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Luke Greenfield, Vincent Spano, Connor Del Rio, Luis Gerardo Mendez, Hayes Hargrove, Shira Scott Astrof, Jose Zuniga

Renato, a successful Mexican aviation executive, is shocked to discover he has an American half-brother he never knew about, the free-spirited Asher. The two very different half-brothers are forced on a road journey together masterminded by their ailing father, tracing the path their father took as an immigrant from Mexico to the US.

Modern Persuasion

Romance | Streaming: December 22 | IMDb

Starring: Alicia Witt, Bebe Neuwirth, Shane McRae

In this modern telling of Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion,’ Wren Cosgrove is a happy, single, and self-confessed workaholic. After rising to the top of the corporate ladder, she finds herself coming home every night to her cat. When her firm is hired by Owen Jasper, ‘the man who got away,’ Wren’s long-lost feelings are stirred, giving Wren a second chance at true love.

Sylvie’s Love

Drama, Music, Romance | Streaming: December 25 | Note: (Amazon Prime Video) | IMDb

Starring: Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Eva Longoria

The jazz is smooth and the air sultry in the hot New York summer of 1957. Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha), a saxophonist, spends late nights playing behind a less-talented but well-known bandleader, as member of a jazz quartet. Sylvie (Tessa Thompson), who dreams of a career in television, spends her summer days helping around her father’s record store, as she waits for her fiancé to return from war. When Robert takes a part-time job at the record store, the two begin a friendship that sparks a deep passion in each of them unlike anything they have felt before. As the summer winds down, life takes them in different directions, bringing their relationship to an end. Years pass, Sylvie’s career as a TV producer blossoms, while Robert has to come to terms with what the age of Motown is doing to the popularity of Jazz. In a chance meeting, Sylvie and Robert cross paths again, only to find that while their lives have changed, their feelings for each other remain the same. Writer/director Eugene Ashe combines romance and music into a sweeping story that brings together changing times, a changing culture, and the true price of love.

All My Life

Drama, Romance | Streaming: December 23 | Theaters: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Todd Garner, Jessica Rothe, Kyle Allen, Marc Meyers, Sean Robins, Todd Rosenberg, Harry Shum Jr, Chrissie Fit

Jennifer Carter (Jessica Rothe, the Happy Death Day films) and Solomon Chau (Harry Shum Jr, Crazy Rich Asians) are a sweet, fun-loving, newly engaged couple whose whole life seems ahead of them. But when Sol is diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in December, their plans for a summer wedding become impossible. In a race against time, Jenn and Sol’s friends and family launch an online fundraiser to help the couple create their dream wedding in just two weeks. In the process, they unleash an outpouring of generosity and attention from people around the world who want to celebrate the power of love with them. Through it all, Jenn and Sol’s commitment to each other only deepens, becoming a heartwarming reminder that the strength of true love knows no limits.

Another Round

Comedy, Drama | Streaming: December 19 | IMDb

Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang

There’s a theory that we should be born with a small amount of alcohol in our blood, and that modest inebriation opens our minds to the world around us, diminishing our problems and increasing our creativity. Heartened by that theory, Martin and three of his friends, all weary high school teachers, embark on an experiment to maintain a constant level of intoxication throughout the workday.

The Midnight Sky

Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi | Streaming: December 23 | IMDb

Starring: Felicity Jones, Ethan Peck, George Clooney, David Oyelowo, Kyle Chandler, Sophie Rundle, Demian Bichir, Tiffany Boone

This post-apocalyptic tale follows Augustine (George Clooney), a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as he races to stop Sully (Felicity Jones) and her fellow astronauts from returning home to Earth, where a mysterious global catastrophe has taken place.

Shortcut

Horror, Adventure, Fantasy | Streaming: December 25 | IMDb

Starring: Jack Kane, Zander Emlano, Zak Sutcliffe

A group of five classmates is trapped inside their school bus after a mysterious creature invade the road. Time runs and every passing minute decreases their survival chances against the constant threats of that unknown entity.

Zombie Bro

Comedy, Family, Fantasy | Streaming: December 29 | IMDb

Starring: Lauren Grego, Anthony Taufa, Cooper Flynn

They say blood is thicker than water, but does infected zombie blood count? When Francine (Lauren Grego) catches her brother, Teddie (Cooper Flynn), in the act of a zombie attack, she must convince her parents that they’re in danger and – worst of all – that they have to find a way to get rid of her brother. Along the way, Francine learns how to defend herself, make a best friend for life and become closer to her idol, her father.

December 18

Tenet

Action, Sci-Fi | Streaming: December 15 | Theaters: September 3 | IMDb

Starring: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki

Armed with only one word, Tenet, and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.

Army of One

Action, Revenge | Streaming: December 15 | IMDb

Starring: Ellen Hollman, Matt Passmore, Geraldine Singer, Gary Kasper, Cam Bowen

Out hiking, Special Forces Brenner Baker and her husband stumble upon an illegal drug compound. The drug dealers capture them, kill her husband, and leave her for dead. They should have made sure they finished the job. Now, 1st Lieutenant Brenner Baker of the Army’s 75th Ranger Division is on a one-woman killing mission carving up everyone in her path until there is only one person standing, her.

Cody’s Review: Where and how do I begin? Let’s just say, if you’re into the idea of revenge porn (not the sexual kind) with a not-so-subtle dose of girl power, keep reading so I can set your expectations appropriately low before watching. And by that, I mean you can practically write this script by filling in the blanks of classic movie tropes, Mad Libs style. This is a Roaring Rampage of Revenge starring perhaps the greatest example of a (God Mode) Mary Sue in cinematic history. Rey (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and her excessive Force powers have nothing on Ellen Hollman’s character Brenner. She’s an Army Ranger with expert hunting/tracking/trapping skills, she can’t be shot but always hits every target, she can take down any man 3x-4x her size and weight, her hair and makeup never get messed up, and she doesn’t even sweat — seriously, just watch, it never happens. Look, I wrote 2 pages of notes before giving up; believe me when I say you’re just gonna have to turn off your brain for this one. Strangely, that might be the thing that redeems Army of One: it’s kinda fun to watch once you stop caring, or maybe even go full MST3K on it. Most of the acting is B-grade, and sometimes barely above the standards set by porn, and the writing didn’t give anybody much to work with anyway. The villains are two-dimensional rednecks running a human trafficking empire; and they’re revealed to be even more evil with every other scene, just to ensure the viewer will feel good about hating them unconditionally. Verdict: I’ll say it again, don’t expect too much; just turn off your brain, don’t ask any questions, and enjoy a hot girl leaving a trail of bodies behind… if that’s your thing. Oh, but if you’re going to take anything away from reading this, DO NOT START COOKING FIRES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRUSH, DURING A DRY SEASON, AND WITHOUT EVEN SETTING UP A ROCK WALL BARRIER!!! How f***ing stupid can these two ‘protagonists’ be?!?! And she’s supposed to be a tracker!?!?! I almost started to cheer for the villains, at least they’re not trying to burn down the place.

The Croods: A New Age

Animation, Adventure, Comedy | Streaming: December 17 | Theaters: November 25 | IMDb

Starring: Kirk DeMicco, Catherine Keener, Leslie Mann, Joel Crawford, Dan Hageman, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke, Peter Dinklage

The Croods have survived their fair share of dangers and disasters, from fanged prehistoric beasts to watching their daughter get heart eyes over a new boyfriend. But now they face something that will shake their pack to its core and make them reconsider everything they hold true: another family.

The Beach House

Drama, Horror, Mystery | Streaming: December 15 | IMDb

Starring: Liana Liberato, Noah Le Gros, Maryann Nagel, Jake Weber

Hoping to reignite their relationship, college students Emily (Liberato) and Randall (Le Gros) arrive at their weekend getaway only to discover a peculiar older couple already staying there. They all agree to share the home but, after an indulgent night of partying, they’re awoken to a living nightmare of apocalyptic proportions. A mysterious airborne microbe has infected the water and it’s making its way to the house.

The Last Blockbuster

Documentary | Streaming: December 15 | IMDb

Starring: Taylor Morden, Zeke Kamm, Sandi Harding, Adam Brody, Ione Skye, Doug Benson, Paul Scheer, Kevin Smith

This fun, nostalgic documentary follows the manager of the last Blockbuster as she struggles to keep the store open and reveals why Blockbuster corporate really went out of business.

Breaking Surface

Action, Drama, Thriller | Streaming: December 15 | IMDb

Starring: Moa Gammel, Madeleine Martin, Trine Wiggen

A few days after Christmas, half-sisters Ida and Tuva set out on a winter dive in a remote part of the Norwegian coastline. Towards the end of the dive, a rockslide traps Tuva under water. As Ida surfaces to call for help, she discovers that the rockslide has struck above water as well, burying their equipment, phones and car keys–they are completely cut off from any chance of outside rescue. As the frantic race for survival unfolds, Ida is put to the ultimate test of character and forcefulness. During Ida’s fight to save Tuva, a fractured sisterhood is exposed, and when all seems lost, the stakes rise beyond simple survival.

Sister of the Groom

Comedy, Drama, Romance | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Tom Everett Scott, Mathilde Ollivier

Liam is set to wed a younger French girl, Clemence, in the Hamptons. His sister, Audrey, and her husband, Ethan, drive to attend, yet Audrey’s motives are likely to stop the wedding. Audrey and Clemence do not get along, as Clemence, a perfect gorgeous French woman, reminds Audrey of her own imperfections. Feelings of jealousy due to her own lost opportunities, uncertainty of herself and 40 years of lifetime choices could explode and scorch her new sister-in-law.

Greenland

Action, Drama, Thriller | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Basil Iwanyk, Morena Baccarin, Gerard Butler, David Denman, Andrew Bachelor, Joshua Mikel, Sébastien Raybaud, Nik Bower

John Garrity, his estranged wife and their young son embark on a perilous journey to find sanctuary as a planet-killing comet hurtles toward Earth. Amid terrifying accounts of cities getting leveled, the Garrity’s experience the best and worst in humanity. As the countdown to the global apocalypse approaches zero, their incredible trek culminates in a desperate and last-minute flight to a possible safe haven.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Drama, Music | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Taylour Paige, George C. Wolfe, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Dusan Brown

Tensions rise when the trailblazing Mother of the Blues and her band gather at a Chicago recording studio in 1927. Adapted from August Wilson’s play.

Skylines

Sci-Fi, Action | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Lindsey Morgan, Jonathan Howard, Rhona Mitra, James Cosmo, Alexander Siddig, Daniel Bernhardt, Cha-Lee Yoon

When a virus threatens to turn earth-dwelling friendly alien hybrids against humans, Captain Rose Corley (Lindsey Morgan) must lead a team of elite soldiers on a mission to the alien’s world in order to save what’s left of humanity.

Cody’s Review: Welcome to the third installment to the Skyline universe — at least it must be a ‘universe’ by now, right? Skyline (2010) kicked off the story and was eventually followed by Beyond Skyline (2017), each with entirely different themes and cast members. Skylines is lead by Lindsey Morgan (The 100) as (former) Captain Rose Corley, the first person to ever reprise a role in the franchise, even if she only had about 2 minutes of screen time in the previous film. It won’t matter much if you’re just dropping into Skylines without watching the first two entries, most of the important details are covered by a rapid retelling of events and a few contextual clues in the early scenes. A few things might be a little confusing, but you’re not missing out on much. Like its predecessors, Skylines is a typical B-grade sci-fi with tons of action, but with a budget that looks almost A-list in quality. It helps that the cast and crew clearly care enough to deliver a polished product. The plot is a bit of a mixed bag, as the first act presents a good setup with room for it to become a pretty rich story, but the remainder of the movie backslides into fairly generic action scenes and a very familiar plot. This feels a lot like recent Star Trek movies, but Skylines doesn’t ask you to pretend it has anything to do with a once-beloved (and now abused) franchise. Aside from our heroine, the remaining cast of characters is largely forgetable and exists primarily to keep her from doing the entire movie alone. The sci-fi can be cheesy at times and the dialog isn’t particularly elegant, but there are also a lot of lines that intentionally reveal Skylines doesn’t take itself too seriously. You’re meant to laugh along with the writers, and if you’re in on the joke, the story is more enjoyable. Verdict: This is the simplicity of a Saturday morning cartoon, but the look of a well-funded flick. There’s nothing particularly special here, but if you’re looking for a low commitment sci-fi with plenty of action, Skylines is definitely the one to watch.

Breach

Sci-fi, Action | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Cody Kearsley, Bruce Willis, Rachel Nichols, Thomas Jane

Bruce Willis stars in the action-packed, Sci-fi thriller. Fleeing a devastating plague on Earth, an interstellar ark comes under attack from a new threat; a shape-shifting alien force intent on slaughtering what is left of humanity.

Cody’s Review: Breach calls back to some good ol’ hard sci-fi films like Alien, and that comparison is easy since we find ourselves with a small crew of spacefarers doing grunt work as a foreign creature picks them off one-by-one. However, things never reach ominous creature feature stage, but instead take a hard turn to zombie movie… IN SPAAAAAACE. It’s still a good watch despite lots of poor post-production. For example, scenes are occasionally missing, sound design is incomplete, and some special effects look like they were farmed out to people on Fiverr for $50. Maybe a Director’s Cut will finish the work someday, but viewers should just be prepared to forgive this one. Counterintuitively, the set looks pretty good, and most of the actors deliver appropriate performances (which doesn’t necessarily mean they’re good, [cough] Thomas Jane). And on that note, Bruce Willis has had a year of phoning in movies like Hard Kill and agreeing to do a horrendous ‘DieHard is Back’ commercial. However, he’s not just walking in front of a camera for a paycheck this time, it seems like Willis cared enough to surface some personality again. Make no mistake, Breach isn’t his best work, it’s not even better than Live Free or Die Hard, but at least it’s Bruce doing his thing. It’s a servicable space thriller that will get you through another night. Just be prepared for a few groans and some cliche moments, particularly the very last few seconds. #nospoilers. Verdict: If you liked Alien, go ahead and watch Breach, just be ready to forgive it for a half-assed editing job, courtesy of 2020.

Hunter Hunter

Thriller, Horror, Suspense | Streaming: December 18 | IMDb

Starring: Devon Sawa, Nick Stahl, Camille Sullivan, Summer Howell

HUNTER HUNTER follows a family living in the remote wilderness earning a living as fur trappers. Joseph Mersault (Devon Sawa), his wife Anne (Camille Sullivan), and their daughter Renée (Summer H. Howell) struggle to make ends meet and think their traps are being hunted by the return of a rogue wolf. Determined to catch the predator in the act, Joseph leaves his family behind to track the wolf. Anne and Renée grow increasingly anxious during Joseph’s prolonged absence and struggle to survive without him. When they hear a strange noise outside their cabin, Anne hopes it is Joseph but instead finds a man named Lou (Nick Stahl), who has been severely injured and left for dead. The longer Lou stays and Joseph is away, the more paranoid Anne becomes, and the idea of a mysterious predator in the woods slowly becomes a threat much closer to home.

Infidel

Action, Adventure, Thriller | Theaters: September 18 | IMDb

Starring: Jim Caviezel, Claudia Karvan, Hal Ozsan

An American man, played by Jim Caviezel, is kidnapped after a friend invites him to Cairo to speak out about recent militant uprisings. His wife heads to the city after hearing the news, determined to get him back.

Honest Thief

Action, Crime, Drama | Streaming: December 8 | Theaters: October 16 | IMDb

Starring: Liam Neeson, Kate Walsh, Jai Courtney

Hoping to cut a deal, a professional bank robber agrees to return all the money he stole in exchange for a reduced sentence. But when two FBI agents set him up for murder, he must now go on the run to clear his name and bring them to justice.

Radium Girls

Drama | Streaming: December 18 | Theaters: October 23 | IMDb

Starring: Joey King, Abby Quinn, Cara Seymour

Early in the 20th century, women work at the U.S. Radium Factory, painting glow in the dark watches, unaware of the dangers of working with radium.

Let Him Go

Crime, Drama, Thriller | Streaming: November 25 | Theaters: November 6 | IMDb

Starring: Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Lesley Manville

Following the loss of their son, a retired sheriff and his wife leave their Montana ranch to rescue their young grandson from the clutches of a dangerous family living off the grid in the Dakotas.

December 11

Archenemy

Action, Thriller | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Joe Manganiello, Skylan Brooks, Zolee Griggs, Amy Seimetz, Glenn Howerton

Max Fist (Manganiello) claims to be a hero from another dimension who fell through time and space to Earth, where he has no powers. No one believes his stories except for a local teen named Hamster. Together, they take to the streets to wipe out the local drug syndicate and its vicious crime boss known as The Manager.

Cody’s Review: Archenemy raids the anti-hero pantry to construct an alcoholic, homeless Max Fist (Joe Manganiello). It may sound crazy, but I think this is most original movie I’ve seen in years. It’s not that Archenemy is filled with brand new ideas, but rather, it revives concepts that failed in movies like Hancock (2008) and The Punisher (2004). This film works because it blows through the tropes and embraces the worst ways a person can fall, and what they need to get back up. The formulas fit the superhero genre we all know, but the story feels unpredictable and surprising, and by the end you’ll feel more invested because this is different. Manganiello is the headliner, and he does an awesome job, but the true stars of the show are Skylan Brooks and relative newcomer Zolee Griggs, playing brother/sister pair Hamster and Indigo. While the casting, script, and set design are all solid, there is one woeful mistake: animation. Somebody had the misguided plan to shoehorn animated comic cells between scenes to shed light on the backstory, and it looks bad. Despite this and a few other mistakes, Archenemy deserves a place at the table for award season, even if it’s only just to get a couple nominations. Verdict: Archenemy will likely be the most underrated film of the year. It is to superhero movies what the original versions of Grimm’s Fairytales are to the children’s stories we grew up with — uncomfortably dark and grimy, definitely not for everyone, but it tells a story that doesn’t bury the cold realities of life. Warning: if you’re easily put off by themes of mental illness, alcoholism, or drug abuse, turn back now.

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee

Comedy | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Paul Hogan, John Cleese, Chevy Chase, Luke Hemsworth, Mel Gibson, Olivia Newton-John

Retired in L.A. and overshadowed by his Crocodile Dundee character, Hogan is offered a knighthood by the Queen of England. But before he can accept it, Hogan gets caught up in a series of comical scandals that dominate gossip shows and social media feeds. Can he keep his reputation clean long enough to hang onto his prize — and his dignity? Hilarious celebrity co-stars include Chevy Chase, John Cleese, Olivia Newton-John, and more!

The Stand In

Comedy | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: T.J. Miller, Drew Barrymore, Holland Taylor, Jamie Babbit, Sam Bain, Michael Zegen, Michelle Buteau

When ordered to serve a year in rehab, actress Candy (Drew Barrymore) hires her on-set stand-in to take her place. The unassuming woman flips the script and steals her identity, career and boyfriend in this hilarious comedy about trading places.

The Prom

Comedy, Drama, Musical | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, Keegan-Michael Key, Tracey Ullman

A group of down-on-their-luck Broadway stars shake up a small Indiana town as they rally behind a teen who just wants to attend prom with her girlfriend.

The Planters

Comedy | Streaming: December 8 | Theaters: October 9 | IMDb

Starring: Alexandra Kotcheff, Hannah Leder, Phil Parolisi

Awkward telemarketer Martha Plant lives a lonely existence burying treasure and eating split pea soup. When she takes in a vagrant with multiple personalities, she discovers having three friends in one may be more than she can handle.

Freaky

Comedy, Horror, Thriller | Streaming: December 4 | Theaters: November 13 | IMDb

Starring: Kathryn Newton, Vince Vaughn, Alan Ruck

Seventeen-year-old Millie Kessler spends her days trying to survive high school and the cruel actions of the popular crowd. But when she becomes the latest target of the Butcher, the town’s infamous serial killer, her senior year becomes the least of her worries. When the Butcher’s mystical dagger causes him and Millie to magically switch bodies, the frightened teen learns she has just 24 hours to get her identity back before she looks like a middle-aged maniac forever.

Wolfwalkers

Animation, Adventure, Family | Streaming: December 11 (Apple TV+) | IMDb

Starring: Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, Sean Bean

A young apprentice hunter and her father journey to Ireland to help wipe out the last wolf pack. But everything changes when she befriends a free-spirited girl from a mysterious tribe rumored to transform into wolves by night.

Smiley Face Killers

Thriller | Streaming: December 8 | IMDb

Starring: Ronen Rubinstein, Mia Serafino, Crispin Glover

As a strange wave of mysterious drownings of male college students plagues the California coast, Jake Graham (Rubinstein) struggles to keep his life together at school. Finding himself stalked by a hooded figure (Glover) driving an unmarked van, Jake fears he may become the next victim in the killers’ horrific spree.

I’m Your Woman

Drama | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Julia Hart, Jordan Horowitz, Rachel Brosnahan, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Arinzé Kene, Frankie Faison, Bill Heck

In this 1970s set crime drama, a woman is forced to go on the run after her husband betrays his partners, sending her and her baby on a dangerous journey.

Wild Mountain Thyme

Drama, Romance | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Emily Blunt, Jamie Dornan, Christopher Walken

The headstrong farmer Rosemary Muldoon (Emily Blunt) has her heart set on winning her neighbor Anthony Reilly’s love. The problem is Anthony (Jamie Dornan) seems to have inherited a family curse, and remains oblivious to his beautiful admirer. Stung by his father Tony’s (Christopher Walken) plans to sell the family farm to his American nephew (Jon Hamm), Anthony is jolted into pursuing his dreams in this comedic, moving and wildly romantic tale.

Parallel

Drama, Thriller | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Kathleen Quinlan, Alyssa Diaz, Georgia King

A group of friends stumble upon a mirror that serves as a portal to a ‘multiverse’, but soon discover that importing knowledge from the other side in order to better their lives brings increasingly dangerous consequences.

Safety

Biography, Drama, Sport | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Jay Reeves, Hunter Sansone, Reginald Hudlin, Mark Ciardi, Nick Santora, Randy McKinnon, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Corinne Foxx

The story of Ray-Ray McElrathbey, a freshman football player for Clemson University, who secretly raised his younger brother on campus after his home life became too unsteady.

Wander Darkly

Drama | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Sienna Miller, Diego Luna, Beth Grant, Aimee Carrero, Tory Kittles, Vanessa Bayer

In Wander Darkly, a traumatic accident leaves a couple, Adrienne (Sienna Miller) and Matteo (Diego Luna), in a surreal state of being that takes them on a disorienting journey through the duality of their shared moments. By reliving fond recollections from the beginning of their romance while also navigating the overwhelming truths of their present, they must rediscover the love that truly binds them together. Writer/director Tara Miele offers a profound new perspective on the delicate nature of relationships with this emotionally moving story about a couple who must reflect on their past in order to face their uncertain future.

Knuckledust

Action, Thriller | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Camille Rowe, Gethin Anthony, James Kermack, Moe Dunford, Kate Dickie, Phil Davis, Alex Ferns, Olivier Richters

Police discover an elite fight club where they find seven underground levels, filled with the dead bodies of fighters from around the world. Only one man is found left alive. The task force has to work out if he’s a mass murderer or the lone survivor?

Beyond Hell

Horror, Fantasy | Streaming: November 17 | IMDb

Starring: Dominique Smith, Sean Rey, Kearsten Johansson

After trying a new version of the drug Changa, Maryssa finds herself transported to a hell dimension where the demon, Belial, latches on to her. through Maryssa, Belial begins killing her friends one by one in horrific hallucinations.

The Black Book Of Father Dinis

Drama, History, Romance | Streaming: December 8 | IMDb

Starring: Lou de Laâge, Stanislas Merhar, Niels Schneider

THE BLACK BOOK OF FATHER DINIS explores the tumultuous lives of Laura (Lou de Laâge), a peasant maid, and Sebastian (Vasco Varela da Silva), the young orphan in her charge, against a backdrop of overflowing passion and revolutionary intrigue in Europe at the twilight of the 18th century. An unlikely adventure yarn that strides the continent, from Rome and Venice to London and Paris, with whispers of conspiracies from the clergy, the military, and the gentry, this sumptuous period piece ponders the intertwined nature of fate, desire, and duty. Conceived by director Valeria Sarmiento as an appendix to the expansive literary maze of her late partner Raul Ruiz’s landmark MYSTERIES OF LISBON, this picaresque chronicle both enriches the earlier work and stands on its own as a grand meditation of the stories we construct about ourselves.

Giving Voice

Documentary | Streaming: December 11 | IMDb

Starring: Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, Stephen Henderson

Six ambitious student actors audition for the prestigious August Wilson Monologue Competition, culminating in a riveting final round on Broadway.

December 4

Godmothered

Comedy, Family, Holiday | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Jillian Bell, Melissa Stack, Isla Fisher, Willa Skye, Justin Springer, June Squibb, Stephnie Weir, Sharon McGuire

Set at Christmas time, “Godmothered” is a comedy about Eleanor, a young, inexperienced fairy godmother-in-training (Jillian Bell), who upon hearing that her chosen profession is facing extinction, decides to show the world that people still need fairy godmothers. Finding a mislaid letter from a 10-year-old girl in distress, Eleanor tracks her down and discovers that the girl, Mackenzie, is now a 40-year-old single mom (Isla Fisher) working at a news station in Boston. Having lost her husband several years earlier, Mackenzie has all but given up on the idea of “happily ever after,” but Eleanor is bound and determined to give Mackenzie a happiness makeover, whether she likes it or not.

Evergreen

Drama | Streaming: November 24 (iTunes), December 1 (streaming) | IMDb

Starring: Olivia Grace Applegate, David Bianchi, Tanner Kalina

From writer and director Joe Duca (Her Name Was Jo), Evergreen is an intimate character study of an interfaith couple’s relationship over a tumultuous Christmas weekend. Paul (Tanner Kalina, Everybody Wants Some!!), a contemporary Catholic, plans to propose to his girlfriend, while pragmatic Gena (Amanda Maddox, Gripped: Climbing the Killer Pillar) wants to finally take their celibate relationship to the next level. When expectations clash, the two set aside their prior notions and agree to a brutally honest, no-holds-barred weekend of ‘question and answer,’ unearthing long-buried secrets and manifestations from relationships past.

Angela’s Christmas Wish

Family, Animated | Streaming: December 1 | IMDb

Starring: Lucy O’Connell, Brendan Mullins, Ruth Negga

With her father working far away in Australia, a determined Angela makes a plan — and a heartfelt wish — to reunite her family in time for the holidays.

100% Wolf

Animation, Adventure, Comedy | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Samara Weaving, Jane Lynch, Jai Courtney, Loren Gray

Freddy Lupin, heir to a proud family of werewolves, is in for a shock when his first ‘transwolfation’ turns him into a ferocious… poodle. He gets thrown out of his pack and finds himself in the clutches of a dog pound. Can Freddy and his new streetwise friend, Batty, escape? Despite his pink and fluffy exterior, Freddy now has until moonrise to prove that he’s still 100% Wolf!

Wander

Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller | Streaming: December 4 | IMDb

Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Katheryn Winnick, Heather Graham, Tommy Lee Jones

Aaron Eckhart, Tommy Lee Jones and Heather Graham star in the edge-of-your-seat thriller following Arthur Bretnik, a paranoid private investigator with a troubled past. After Bretnik (Eckhart) is hired to investigate a suspicious death in the town of Wander, he becomes convinced the case is linked to the same ‘conspiracy cover up’ that caused the death of his daughter.

Black Bear

Comedy, Drama | Streaming: December 4 |