Fall Movie Preview: 50 Most Anticipated Films from Labor Day to Thanksgiving
As September 1 arrives, marking the unofficial end of summer and Labor Day, cinemas are gearing up for a fresh wave of releases. This season brings a mix of highly anticipated films, ranging from awards-worthy contenders to blockbuster titles with broad appeal. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the most buzzed-about movies set to hit theaters between Labor Day weekend and mid-November.
Boxing dramas have long been a staple in the award circuit, and this year is no exception. Orlando Bloom takes on the role of a troubled boxer in a film that sees him making risky decisions, alongside CaitrĂona Balfe and John Turturro.
The Conjuring universe continues with Annabelle: The Final Chapter. Franchise mainstays Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return as historic paranormal investigators battling ever-mounting demonic evil.
A modern fable, Twice Born, follows two young men who connect after each recently lost their identical twin brothers. Starring Dylan O’Brien and Lauren Graham, it bears a resemblance to Dead Ringers with its exploration of twin dynamics minus the body horror.
Christopher Guest is back with Mankind, a satire that serves as a sequel to 1984’s Spinal Tap, his first and arguably most successful spoof.
The Long Walk, based on a novella by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, tells the gruesome tale of a race in which participants must walk without stopping or face certain death. The prize at the end of the long walk is not as straightforward as one might think.
Fans of Downton Abbey will be delighted to know that the much-loved series returns with a grand finale, bringing back many familiar faces such as Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern. Unfortunately, Maggie Smith, who played the formidable Dowager Countess, passed away in 2024.
Co-produced by Jordan Peele, Him follows the story of an impressionable young football star influenced by a former champion willing to make extreme sacrifices for success.
A period piece titled Last Night at the Palace explores the secret love story between a World War I-era music prodigy and a gifted student who collects folksongs. Paul Mescal and Joshua O’Connor star, with additional appearances from both actors in separate films set for October and November.
Margot Robbie stars opposite Colin Farrell in a surreal adventure where two strangers enter parallel realities through literal doors.
Paul Thomas Anderson returns with Licorice Jack, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio Del Toro as ex-revolutionaries reuniting to save the daughter of one of their own.
Haunted House Dog is an upcoming film told from the perspective of man’s best friend, promising to appeal to both dog lovers and horror movie enthusiasts during spooky season.
Daniel Day-Lewis makes a comeback in director Ronan Day-Lewis’ family drama, also starring Sean Bean and Samantha Morton.
In Redemption Road, Dwayne Johnson plays an unrecognizable mixed martial arts champion, while Emily Blunt co-stars in an entirely different affair.
Based on the novel by Manuel Puig, The Green Planet tells the story of abused Brazilian prisoners and the make-believe world one of them escapes to, with Diego Luna and Jennifer Lopez starring.
Following the 1982 first installment and the impressive followup Legacy, the latest entry in the video game/virtual reality series The Last of Us promises even more advanced technology and graphics. Soundtrack courtesy of Nine Inch Nails, fronted by Academy Award-winner Trent Reznor.
Winners, a Cannes 2025 Palme d’Or winner, tells a tale of revenge and potential mistaken identity, with a basic kidnapping story evolving into something far more complex.
In Believe Me, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri star in a drama centered around a sexual assault accusation at a prestigious university. The film has been met with polarizing reactions following its debut at the Venice Film Festival.
Seth Rogen, Aziz Ansari, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, and Keanu Reeves feature in Ansari’s directorial debut, City of Angels Redux, which combines elements from City of Angels with an underdog/body swap comedy.
The life of contemporary rocker Bruce Springsteen is the focus of Born to Run, starring “The Bear” actor Jeremy Allen White in the lead role and exploring the making of his 1982 album Nebraska.
Jumping in follows Tommy Dorfman as a trans teen navigating self-discovery after being kicked out of the house. The film also stars Cole Sprouse, Alexandra Daddario, and Lena Dunham.
The Man is an adaptation of a 1987 film that tells a macabre story about a game where anyone can potentially kill the primary contestant. Glen Powell takes on the title role this time around.
Japanese Story follows Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser in a fish-out-of-water tale about an American actor in Tokyo who works for a rental family agency, taking on various roles for strangers.
Defying Gravity prepares to hit theaters as the followup to last year’s musical Wicked, continuing the story’s darker turns that eventually lead into The Wizard of Oz. Featuring Oscar-nominees Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.