Updated 12:47 PM ET, Mon June 27, 2022
Box Office: ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’ Opens to Franchise-Low $43 Million
“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” the third chapter in the “Harry Potter” spinoff series, collected a muted $43 million in its domestic box office debut.
In pandemic times, those ticket sales were enough to lead this weekend’s box office charts and land one of the biggest North American openings in 2022. But it’s also a sign that magic is in short supply for J.K. Rowling’s lucrative and ever-expanding Wizarding World. Dinged by mixed reviews and growing apathy for prequel series star Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and company, “The Secrets of Dumbledore” stands as the worst start for a “Harry Potter”-adjacent movie. (Its predecessor, 2016’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” launched to $74 million in North America, while the 2018 follow-up “The Crimes of Grindelwald” bowed to $62 million.)
The diminishing enthusiasm for “Fantastic Beasts” is problematic because witchcraft and wizardry does not come cheap. Warner Bros. shelled out $200 million to produce “The Secrets of Dumbledore,” and the studio spent tens of millions more to promote the film to audiences across the globe. Like the franchise’s earlier entries, “The Secrets of Dumbledore” will be reliant on the international box office to make money in its theatrical run. The first two “Fantastic Beasts” installments — which ended with $814 million globally and $650 million globally, respectively — made nearly 75% of revenues from foreign sales.
“Fantastic Beasts 3,” too, has been a bigger draw to overseas audiences. Since the film touched down in several foreign markets last weekend, “The Secrets of Dumbledore” has grossed $193 million globally to date. But the persistence of COVID-19 has cut into the box office in China, where 50% of movie theaters are closed, while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has meant that country is not granted access to Hollywood’s films. Those limitations have been difficult for all Blockbusters. Since the pandemic began in 2020, only five Hollywood movies have generated at least $500 million at the global box office. One film that hasn’t had trouble smashing that benchmark is “The Batman,” which has been a bright spot for Warner Bros. This weekend, the comic book adventure, starring Robert Pattinson, has blown past $750 million worldwide.
“Harry Potter” veteran David Yates directed the third chapter in the prequel series, which follows the beloved Hogwarts professor Albus Dumbledore (portrayed by Jude Law). But he’s only one of a couple Dumbledores with “secrets,” as referenced in the movie’s title. In “Fantastic Beasts 3,” which was co-written by Rowling and another “Potter” alum Steve Kloves, a young(er) Albus and Scamander, a notable magizoologist, team up to thwart the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelson, replacing Johnny Depp) from igniting a wizarding world war. The cast also includes Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Callum Turner and Jessica Williams.
Variety’s Peter Debruge called the film a “vastly improved sequel.” The prequel saga, which predates the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione, is intended to be a five-film franchise, but executives at Warner Bros. are waiting to see how “The Secrets of Dumbledore” is received by audiences before giving films four and five the greenlight. “Fantastic Beasts 3” secured a “B+” CinemaScore, the same grade as its predecessor. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” landed higher marks, an “A-” score, from moviegoers.
Off-screen, “Fantastic Beasts” has been a controversy magnet. On top of declining box office ticket sales, the series has been subjected to blowback over Rowling’s controversial views on sex and gender identity, as well as the domestic abuse allegations that forced Depp out of the franchise. And Miller, who has a key role in the latest film, was recently arrested for disorderly conduct and harassment, though a temporary restraining order against the actor has been newly dropped.
Though moviegoers may not be aware of all the scandals plaguing “Fantastic Beasts,” internally at Warner Bros. it has become a headache, one that has become less and less pleasant to endure because the series is no longer minting money in its theatrical run. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, however, is much more than a film franchise. The fantastical universe has lent itself to profitable theme parks, live events and a Broadway play, as well as consumer products riches and success on home entertainment.
This weekend’s other major release, Sony’s R-rated faith-based drama “Father Stu,” flopped in its domestic debut, earning only $5 million from 2,705 North American theaters. The film, which sunk to fifth place, has earned $8 million since opening on Wednesday. Mark Wahlberg, who stars in the film with Mel Gibson, produced “Father Stu” and used his own money when COVID-19 tacked on extra costs to production.
Rosalind Ross, Gibson’s partner, wrote and directed the film, which tells the story of boxer-turned-priest Father Stuart Long and his inspiring journey from self-destruction to redemption. “Father Stu” is Gibson’s first major studio movie since 2017’s “Daddy’s Home 2” from paramount Pictures. Gibson has largely been working on smaller indies and straight-to-streaming action films with Lionsgate and Saban Films in the decade since making headlines for anti-semitic and racist tirades.
Several holdovers, including “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” “The Lost City” and “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” had more to celebrate over the weekend. After all, it’s not a common occurrence that a romantic comedy (in “The Lost City”) and an indie movie (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”) place higher on box office charts than a major superhero movie (Sony’s “Morbius”) and an explosive Michael Bay movie (Universal’s “Ambulance”).
In the No. 2 spot, paramount’s family friendly “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” sped to $30 million from 4,258 cinemas, declining 58% in its second weekend of release. As “Sonic 2” continues to charm audiences, the film has generated a strong $119.6 million in North America to date.
Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum’s romantic action-adventure “The Lost City” took third place for the second weekend in a row. The movie, also from paramount Pictures, collected $6.5 million in its fourth weekend in theaters, bringing its domestic tally to $78.5 million.
A24’s genre-overload “Everything Everywhere All At Once” enjoyed another impressive run, moving up to fourth place with $6.1 million from 2,220 screens. Directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and starring Michelle Yeoh in a multiverse action-adventure-comedy-fantasy-sci-fi mashup, the indie film has earned $17.6 million so far.
In sixth and seventh place, respectively, “Morbius” added $4.7 million from 3,462 locations, while “Ambulance” scraped together $4 million from 3,412 locations. “Morbius,” which opened in theaters earlier in April, has grossed $65 million to date. “Ambulance,” which debuted on the big screen last weekend, has since generated $15 million.
Actors Who Went Method For Biopic Roles
She said, “When you’re a kid, you’re fearless, but starting at 26 years old, I had a lot of fear.”
New on Netflix July 2022 | Decider
There’s no shortage of titles coming to Netflix this month, but the streamer is making history with one in particular. July marks the long-awaited debut of the streamer’s most expensive movie ever, The Gray Man, which you can watch as your very own at-home summer Blockbuster!
The Russo Brothers action flick is finally dropping on Netflix this month when it premieres July 15. Starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and resident Netflix hottie Regé-Jean Page, The Gray Man follows a CIA operative who becomes the target of assassins after he discovers information he was never tasked with finding.
While there are plenty of thrills in store with The Gray Man, that’s not the only exciting release coming to Netflix this month. We can also look forward to some fresh Stranger Things content when two new episodes from Season 4 drop on the platform to kick off the month. Series star Noah Schnapp has hinted at carnage in store for volume 2 of the sci-fi hit’s latest series, so brace yourself when it premieres July 1.
Page isn’t the only Netflix staple returning to the streamer for another project. To All the Boys icon Lana Condor is back with a new series, Boo, Bitch, which hits the streamer early July, despite its spooky title. Condor stars in her new show as a teen ghost whose life is turned upside down by her supernatural transformation. Boo, Bitch hits the small screen July 8.
Scroll down to see the full list of movies and shows coming to Netflix in July 2022.
Released July 1
Stranger Things 4: Volume 2 — Netflix SERIES
A Call to Spy
Big Daddy
Blue Jasmine
Boogie Nights
Catch Me If You Can
Deliverance
Falls Around Her
Final Score
GoodFellas
I Am Legend
Insidious
LOL
Mean Girls
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Natural Born Killers
Old School
Police Academy
Semi-Pro
Seven
Snatch
The Dark Knight Rises
The Dirty Dozen
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Talented Mr. Ripley
The Terminal
Vampires
Wyatt Earp
Zero Dark Thirty
Released July 3
Blair Witch (2016)
Released July 4
Leave No Trace
Released July 6
Control Z: Season 3– Netflix SERIES
Girl in the Picture — Netflix DOCUMENTARY
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between — Netflix FILM
King of Stonks– Netflix SERIES
Uncle from Another World– Netflix ANIME
Released July 7
The Flash: Season 8
Karma’s World: Season 3 — Netflix FAMILY
VINLAND SAGA: Season 1
Released July 8
Boo, Bitch — Netflix SERIES
Capitani: Season 2– Netflix SERIES
Dangerous Liaisons– Netflix FILM
How To Build a Sex Room — Netflix SERIES
Incantation– Netflix FILM
Jewel– Netflix FILM
The Longest Night– Netflix SERIES
Ranveer vs Wild with Bear Grylls– Netflix FILM
The Sea Beast — Netflix FILM
Released July 10
12 Strong
Released July 11
For Jojo– Netflix FILM
Valley of the Dead– Netflix FILM
Released July 12
Bill Burr: Live at Red Rocks — Netflix COMEDY
How to Change Your Mind — Netflix DOCUMENTARY
My Daughter’s Killer — Netflix DOCUMENTARY
Released July 13
Big Timber: Season 2– Netflix SERIES
D.B. Cooper: Where Are You?! — Netflix DOCUMENTARY
Hurts Like Hell– Netflix SERIES
Never Stop Dreaming: The Life and Legacy of Shimon Peres — Netflix DOCUMENTARY
Sintonia: Season 3– Netflix SERIES
Under the Amalfi Sun– Netflix FILM
Released July 14
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight — Netflix FAMILY
Resident Evil — Netflix SERIES
Released July 15
Alba– Netflix SERIES
Country Queen– Netflix SERIES
Farzar — Netflix SERIES
Love Goals (Jaadugar)– Netflix FILM
Mom, Don’t Do That!– Netflix SERIES
Persuasion — Netflix FILM
Remarriage Desires — Netflix SERIES
Uncharted
Released July 16
Umma
Released July 18
Live is Life — Netflix FILM
My Little Pony: A New Generation: Sing-Along — Netflix FAMILY
StoryBots: Laugh, Learn, Sing: Collection 2: Learn to Read — Netflix FAMILY
Too Old for Fairy Tales– Netflix FILM
Released July 19
David A. Arnold: It Ain’t For the Weak — Netflix COMEDY
Released July 20
Bad Exorcist: Seasons 1-2– Netflix SERIES
Virgin River: Season 4 — Netflix SERIES
Released July 21
Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Season 5 — Netflix FAMILY
Released July 22
Blown Away: Season 3– Netflix SERIES
The Gray Man — Netflix FILM
ONE PIECE: New Episodes
Released July 25
Gabby’s Dollhouse: Season 5 — Netflix FAMILY
Released July 26
August: Osage County
DI4RIES– Netflix SERIES
Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl
Street Food: USA — Netflix DOCUMENTARY
Released July 27
Car Masters: Rust to Riches: Season 4 — Netflix SERIES
Dream Home Makeover: Season 3 — Netflix SERIES
The Most Hated Man on the Internet — Netflix DOCUMENTARY
Pipa– Netflix FILM
Rebelde: Season 2– Netflix SERIES
Released July 28
A Cut Above — Netflix FILM
Another Self– Netflix SERIES
Keep Breathing — Netflix SERIES
Oggy and the Cockroaches: Next Generation– Netflix FAMILY
Released July 29
The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem: Season 2– Netflix SERIES
Case Closed: Zero’s Tea Time– Netflix ANIME
The Entitled — Netflix FILM
Fanático– Netflix SERIES
Purple Hearts — Netflix FILM
Rebel Cheer Squad: A Get Even Series — Netflix FAMILY
Uncoupled — Netflix SERIES
Released July 31
The Wretched
Pakistan: Harry Potter’s magical Hogwarts world now inside vintage GC University, Lahore campus
After the Great War, Harry and his friends killed the Dark Lord
Many hundred years have passed, but still
There are believers that dark forces will once again rise
And bring chaos to the magical world…
The team has also been trying to get in touch with Rowling but has not had any luck yet.
What happens in the world of Harry Potter years after the death of Lord Voldemort? The quest to find an answer is what inspired a group of youngsters from Government College University, Lahore to come up with a film on the subject.
Titled ‘The Last Follower and the Resurrection of Voldemort’, the film is all set for a grand release and screening on Monday (November 29), during a week-long Harry Potter festival that the university will host till December 5. This comes a decade after the last Harry Potter film, ‘The Deathly Hallows Part-2’, was released in 2011.
Harry Potter festival in Pakistan: Watch how 156-year old vintage campus of @gculahore has been turned into magical Hogwarts school of wizardry campus 🧙♀️ @IndianExpress @ieEntertainment pic.twitter.com/s2HZoSmCxO
— Divya Goyal (@divya5521) November 28, 2021
The effort is a labour of love as it hopes to invoke the nostalgia of the magical hallways of Hogwarts, with wizards armed with wands, Quidditch stadiums brimming with spectators, the threat of death-eaters and the idiosyncrasies of the Ministry of Magic. The film’s trailer throws up an interesting surprise—the 156-year-old vintage campus of GC University in Lahore, which came into existence in 1864, has been reimagined to match the ambience of huge, dark and magical castle-like campus of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The Last Follower and the Resurrection of Voldemort’ casts students and alumni of GC University (Credit: Khayaali Productions)
Rowling’s seven-part fictional book series had taken millions of Harry Potter fans into a distinct world. The popular Harry Potter films were shot across multiple locations across the UK, including Alnwick Castle.
‘The Last Follower and the Resurrection of Voldemort’ casts students and alumni of GC University, who with wands in their hands and House scarves around their neck, look to be engrossed in their setting as they try to cast a spell. The students of Hogwarts in Rowling’s books were divided into four Houses—Slytherin, Gryffindor (Harry Potter belonged to this House), Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
GC University in Lahire has been reimagined as Hogwarts in the film (Credit: Khayaali Productions)
Speaking to The Indian Express, university alumna Marian Hassan Naqvi, who acted in the film and is also the content head with Khayaali Productions, said that the film is the product of an idea that started taking shape way back in 2018 after a group of Harry Potter fans from the varsity realised that their own campus had striking similarities with Hogwarts.
Harry Potter festival in Pakistan: Watch how 156-year old vintage campus of @gculahore has been turned into magical Hogwarts school of wizardry campus 🧙♀️ pic.twitter.com/KsAa7D0ENa
— Divya Goyal (@divya5521) November 28, 2021
“We started working on the project way back in 2018 but Covid-19 delayed some re-shoots. Looking at the beautiful architecture of our campus, we, a group of Harry Potter fans, always used to imagine that we can create our own Hogwarts here. Our film has different characters and storylines but it is based on the Harry Potter theme. In the film, we take the story ahead on what happens years after Harry Potter and his friends had eliminated Lord Voldemort. We have also tried to focus on the power of true friendship like that of Harry, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley,” said Naqvi.
The film focuses on what happens years after Harry Potter and his friends had eliminated Lord Voldemort. (Credit: Khayaali Productions)
Directed by Waleed Akram, the CEO of Khayaali Productions, the film for the time being can be viewed during week-long screenings at GC University campus via pre-bookings (on khayaaliproduction.com/event2021.html) which can cost 300 PKR per pass (valid for both film screening and festival).
Naqvi said that as of now, the team hasn’t faced any opposition or hindrance from Islamic fundamentalists. “Such an event is being organised in Pakistan for the first time. There are some curious comments on our social media profiles. But fortunately, there hasn’t been any opposition yet,” she said.
The effort is a labour of love as it hopes to invoke the nostalgia of the magical hallways of Hogwarts.
The team has also been trying to get in touch with Rowling but has not had any luck yet. “We want her to see and respond to the effort we have put in. We are yet to get a response from her,” said Naqvi.
Best of Express Premium
For a ‘Muggle’ (a real-world human being), it is the right time to visit GC University Lahore campus till December 5 and experience the wizardry world of Hogwarts from Rowling’s enchanting books as the campus will retain the look till festival is on!
The Ghost of Tsushima movie has found its writer | VGC
PlayStation Productions and Sony Pictures have revealed the screenwriter for the Ghost of Tsushima movie.
The film adaptation of Sucker Punch’s action adventure game will be written by Takashi Doscher, Deadline reports.
Doscher previously wrote and directed sci-fi romance Only, starring Freida Pinto and Leslie Odom Jr, thriller Still, starring Madeline Brewer, and the ESPN documentary A Fighting Chance.
The Ghost of Tsushima film is in early development and is being directed by John Wick’s Chad Stahelski.
Sucker Punch’s game follows Jin Sakai, a warrior fighting against Mongol invaders for the freedom of Tsushima in an adventure that draws on Japanese history and the traditions of samurai cinema.
It was first released for PS4 in July 2020 and sold over 2.4 million copies in three days to become PlayStation’s fastest-selling original IP.
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Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut released in August 2021, including a new Iki Island expansion and several PS5-only features.
Sucker Punch claimed in January that Ghost of Tsushima had sold over eight million copies.
Related
Following February’s Uncharted movie, Ghost of Tsushima is the second film project from PlayStation Productions. The studio was formed in 2019 by Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt its original game properties for film and TV in partnership with Sony Pictures.
PlayStation Productions is also working on a The Last of Us HBO TV series and a Twisted Metal TV series from Deadpool’s writers, among other projects.
The 33 Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now (June 2022)
It’s another quiet week for movie releases on Amazon Prime Video, so you could use this time of relative peace to catch up on our list of all the best movies to watch on Prime Video right now. No Time to Die, Daniel Craig’s final appearance as James Bond (he means it this time, really!), is the most recent addition. It’s pretty high-profile, so if you’re looking for something a little more under-the-radar, I personally recommend checking out two movies that came out earlier this year: Emergency, a pretty great college-set dramedy, and I Want You Back, a delightful rom-com with two incredibly charming leads in Jenny Slate and Charlie Day. Or, whatever, just turn off your brain and watch the Twilight movies. No one here would judge you.
An important note about how this list was made: In order to keep the list as relevant as possible, we’re stressing the best recent releases, Prime Video originals, and critics’ favorites. But we’re also putting our own personal spin on the list, with underrated gems we’re recommending to our friends, classic favorites, and important selections that highlight diverse voices. We’ll be updating the list regularly.
Last updated on June 25; the most recent additions are at the top
No Time to Die (2021)
For fans of: Bond… James Bond
Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas, No Time to Die
MGMDirector: Cary Fukunaga
Stars: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Ana de Armas, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Lashana Lynch, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 68
No Time to Die is neither the best nor the worst Daniel Craig Bond movie, but it does mark his final appearance as the character, which makes it significant. It’s a lengthy, stylish, occasionally inexplicable film that picks up after Bond has left active service with MI6 and is just trying to enjoy living a quiet life as a normal, extraordinarily handsome man. But you can’t make a Bond movie about that, so it’s all very quickly disrupted when the CIA recruits him to hunt down a mysterious and dangerous villain (Rami Malek). [Trailer]
The Twilight film series
For fans of: The internet, vampires, CGI babies, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, Twilight
LionsgateYear: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Director: Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz, David Slade, Bill Condon
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Fantasy, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 56, 44, 58, 45, 52
What is there to say about Twilight that hasn’t already been said? Stephanie Meyer’s teen vampire romance books were adapted into a five-movie franchise that defined the late 2000s/early 2010s, introducing us to the love story between human high school student Bella (Kristen Stewart) and her undead boyfriend Edward (Robert Pattinson), but most importantly, these are the films that inspired a thousand memes. When people say “so bad it’s good,” they’re talking about Twilight. [Trailer]
Emergency (2022)
RJ Cyler and Donald Elise Watkins, Emergency
Amazon StudiosDirector: Carey Williams
Stars: Sabrina Carpenter, Donald Elise Watkins, RJ Cyler
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 75
This Amazon film will likely get lost in the noise of the high-profile releases, but do not let it slip by if you’re a fan of party comedies. The indie film follows a pair of young Black college seniors (RJ Cyler and Donald Elise Watkins) ready to let loose in a string of parties before spring break when they discover an unconscious white girl in their apartment, with no idea how she got there. Realizing the bad optics of the situation, they (and their Latino roommate) set out to return her to safety without their good intentions being misinterpreted. The movie got great reviews when it did the festival circuit earlier this year. –Tim Surette [Trailer]
All the Old Knives (2022)
Thandiwe Newton and Chris Pine, All the Old Knives
Stefania Rosini/Amazon StudiosDirector: Janus Metz Pederson
Stars: Thandiwe Newton, Chris Pine, Jonathan Pryce, Laurence Fishburne
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 63
All the Old Knives sounds like a Knives Out sequel set in a nursing home (that’s a free idea for Rian Johnson), but it’s actually a thriller starring Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton as spies who are also ex-lovers. I have no complaints about that concept. Based on the novel of the same name by Olen Steinhauer, who wrote the film’s screenplay, the movie follows Pine’s Henry Pelham as his investigation into a CIA mole becomes entangled in his history with Newton’s Celia. Laurence Fishburne and Jonathan Pryce also star. Pine promoted this one in a series of to-die-for outfits. –Kelly Connolly [Trailer]
Master (2022)
Regina Hall, Master
Sundance InstituteDirector: Mariama Diallo
Stars: Regina Hall, Amber Gray, Zoe Renee
Genre: Drama/Horror
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 67
The buzz out of Sundance and SXSW is that Regina Hall gives one of the best performances of her career in this horror movie about racism in the vein of Get Out. She plays a professor at a prestigious, predominately white New England university with a historical connection to the Salem Witch Trials and a legacy of racism that continues into the present. She, a Black first-year student (Zoe Renee), and another Black faculty member (Amber Gray) experience racism at the school as a literal haunting. It’s an assured debut film from writer-director Mariama Diallo (a Yale graduate) that’s adept at scares and social commentary. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]
Lucy and Desi (2022)
Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, Lucy and Desi
Library of CongressDirector: Amy Poehler (yes, that Amy Poehler)
Stars: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz
Genre: Documentary
Rating: NR
Metacritic score: 75
Sure, Nicole Kidman played a great Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin‘s biopic Being the Ricardos (also on Amazon), but have you seen Lucille Ball play Lucille Ball? Amy Poehler directs this documentary looking at the lives of I Love Lucy‘s stars, both on set and at home. (Not to be confused with Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie, a 1993 documentary directed by Lucy and Desi’s daughter, Lucie Arnaz, that is also on Amazon.) –Tim Surette [Trailer]
More recommendations:
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The Protégé (2021)
Maggie Q and Michael Keaton, The Protégé
LionsgateDirector: Martin Campbell
Stars: Maggie Q, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 48
Look, if you tell me Maggie Q is starring in an action movie, I’m pretty much already on board. Here, she stars as a contract killer who vows to get brutal, bloody revenge on the people who killed her mentor (Samuel L. Jackson). Along the way, she becomes entangled in a game of cat and mouse with another ruthless criminal (Michael Keaton), and the two of them have such effortless chemistry it’ll make you forget about the movie’s shortcomings. The Protégé received middling reviews when it was released in theaters, but the fight scenes are well choreographed spectacles that make it the ideal watch when you want to turn your brain off. –Allison Picurro [Trailer]
Book of Love (2022)
Sam Claflin and Verónica Echegui, Book of Love
Amazon StudiosDirector: Analeine Cal y Mayor
Stars: Sam Claflin, Verónica Echegui
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Metacritic score: 44
In this silly, sweet romantic comedy, Sam Claflin plays the kind of character Hugh Grant would’ve played back in the ’90s: an uptight British romance author who learns that his latest (and not very good) novel has become a huge hit in Mexico, spurring him to travel there for a book tour. He only realizes after he arrives that the Spanish version of his book has actually been rewritten into a much spicier story that’s way more interesting than his original story, all thanks to Maria (Verónica Echegui), the woman who translated it. This is the kind of classic rom-com premise that I can’t help being utterly endeared by. [Trailer]
I Want You Back (2022)
For fans of: Jenny Slate, Charlie Day, ill-advised schemes
Jenny Slate, Charlie Day, I Want You Back
Amazon StudiosDirector: Jason Orley
Stars: Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Gina Rodriguez, Manny Jacinto, Scott Eastwood
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 62
It’s a Jenny Slate rom-com; it’s a Charlie Day rom-com; it’s a combination Jenny Slate-Charlie Day rom-com! And that means it’s actually funny. I Want You Back pairs up two of Hollywood’s most reliable chaos agents as a pair of strangers who bond over being recently dumped, then team up to win back their exes by destroying their new relationships. It’s a solid romantic comedy that actually feels fresh, and who doesn’t love a messy scheme? –Kelly Connolly [Trailer]
A Hero (2021)
For fans of: International films, twisty morality tales
Amir Jadidi, A Hero
Amir Hossein ShojaeiDirector: Asghar Farhadi
Stars: Amir Jadidi, Mohsen Tanabandeh, Sahar Goldoost
Genre:
Drama, Thriller
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 82
The latest movie from Iranian filmmaker and two-time Oscar-winner Asghar Farhadi is this tense morality tale that’s getting rave reviews from critics. It follows a man (Amir Jadidi) whose debt has landed him in jail, but a chance discovery of some gold coins while on furlough turns him into a national hero when he decides to return the bag of coins to its rightful owner. But beneath this seeming act of altruism lie questions of the man’s true intentions. -Tim Surette [Trailer]
Being the Ricardos (2021)
For fans of: Aaron Sorkin, backstage drama
Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos
Amazon StudiosDirector: Aaron Sorkin
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, J.K. Simmons, Nina Arianda, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat
Genre:
Biography, Drama, History
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 60
Ever want to see Aaron Sorkin stuff the mouths of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz with his wordy monologues? Sorkin wrote and directed Being the Ricardos, a biopic following I Love Lucy‘s Ball and Arnaz during a critical moment in their careers when Ball was accused of being a communist and the gossip rags wondered if their relationship was on the fritz. Early reviews are middling, but the draw here is watching Nicole Kidman as Ball and Javier Bardem as Arnaz, accompanied by J.K. Simmons, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development reunion!), and Nina Arianda. –Tim Surette [Trailer]
Encounter (2021)
For fans of: Aliens, bugs, aliens that look like bugs
Lucian-River Chauhan, Riz Ahmed, and Aditya Geddada, Encounter
Amazon StudiosDirector: Michael Pearce
Stars: Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer, Rory Cochrane, Janina Gavankar
Genre:
Sci-Fi, Thriller
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 57
Riz Ahmed follows up his Oscar-nominated turn in last year’s The Sound of Metal with this paranoid sci-fi thriller that looks like a mix of Take Shelter and War of the Worlds. Ahmed plays Malik Khan, a decorated Marine who takes his two sons and goes AWOL to protect them from an alien threat – and military operatives who are trying to make sure the secret of that threat doesn’t get out. It comes from writer-director Michael Pearce, who made the excellent 2017 psychological thriller Beast, so you can bet there will be some gut-punching twists and some meaty material for Ahmed to work with. The supporting cast includes Octavia Spencer, Janina Gavankar, and Rory Cochrane. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021)
For fans of: Benedict Cumberbatch, cats
Benedict Cumberbatch and Toby Jones, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
Amazon StudiosDirector: Will Sharpe
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy, Andrea Riseborough, Toby Jones
Genre:
Biography, Drama, History
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 63
Benedict Cumberbatch plays the eccentric late 19th and early 20th century artist Louis Wain, known for his cat portraits, who falls for his sisters’ governess (Claire Foy), in this fanciful biographical drama. Reviews for the film have been polite but rarely glowing — which is to be expected from a film created and directed by the dark and whimsical Will Sharpe (Flowers) — but it’s got Benedict Cumberbatch and cats, so there are a lot of very online people who will certainly love it. Plus, Olivia Colman narrates. –Kelly Connolly [Trailer]
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021)
For fans of: Musicals, sweet coming-of-age stories
Max Harwood, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Amazon StudiosDirectors: Dan Gillespie Sells, Jonathan Butterell, and Tom MacRae
Stars: Max Harwood, Lauren Patel, Sarah Lancashire, Richard E. Grant, Ralph Ineson, Sharon Horgan
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy, Musical
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 62
This stage-to-screen musical film is destined to set your heart aflame — provided you aren’t a hateful malcontent — as it tells the story of a 16-year-old high schooler’s journey against bullying and toward realizing his dream to become a drag queen. It’s been reviewed positively with critics likening it to Billy Elliott, and is exactly the feel-good salve you’re desiring. –Tim Surette [Trailer]
The Big Sick (2017)
For fans of: Pre-Marvel Kumail Nanjiani, heartfelt rom-coms
Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan, The Big Sick
Amazon StudiosDirector: Michael Showalter
Stars: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 86
This romantic comedy is based on the actual love story between Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon. Nanjiani plays the fictionalized version of himself while Zoe Kazan plays the fictionalized version of Emily, whose sudden diagnosis with adult-onset Still’s disease — and the coma she falls into — throws a major wrench into their burgeoning relationship. While Kumail and Emily’s story is undoubtedly the thing that drives The Big Sick, Ray Romano and Holly Hunter, who play Emily’s parents, are the movie’s grounding forces. You’ll probably walk away from this mostly wishing they could adopt you. [Trailer]
Cinderella (2021)
For fans of: Pop songs, using the phrase “so bad it’s good”
Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Cabello, Cinderella
Amazon StudiosDirector: Kay Cannon
Stars: Camila Cabello, Idina Menzel, Billy Porter, Minnie Driver, Nicholas Galitzine, Pierce Brosnan
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Family, Musical
Rating: PG
Metacritic score: 41
Did we need another Cinderella re-telling? Probably not, but here’s this movie anyway. In this latest version, Camila Cabello plays the fairy tale heroine, now going by simply “Ella,” as an aspiring fashion designer with big dreams the traditional society she lives in just isn’t ready for. She gets help from her fairy godparent (Billy Porter), pushes back against her evil stepmother (Idina Menzel), and belts out a lot of classic pop tunes you already know, because this confounding movie is also a jukebox musical. If all of that doesn’t turn you off, you’re definitely ready for Cinderella, girlboss edition. It’s not “good,” per se, but the baffling choices will certainly make you laugh. This could be a new camp classic in the making. [Trailer]
Annette (2021)
For fans of: Adam Driver, creepy puppet babies, A Star Is Born
Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, Annette
Amazon StudiosDirector: Leos Carax
Stars: Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard, Simon Helberg, Devyn McDowell
Genre: Drama, Romance, Musical
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 67
If you care at all about film festivals, you’ve probably already heard of Annette, but if you haven’t, listen carefully: This is a musical where Adam Driver, speaking in an even lower register than usual, plays Henry, a stand-up comedian who falls in love with Marion Cotillard‘s Ann, an opera singer. Their relationship declines after the birth of their mysteriously prodigious daughter Annette (who is played, confoundingly, by a puppet), and from there it becomes A Star Is Born by way of Marriage Story, but with a touch of surrealism. It’s a fast-paced, hallucinatory rollercoaster that is certainly not for everyone, but will definitely have you walk away reeling. [Trailer]
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
For fans of: Sequels, the way Borat says “my wiiiiife”
Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Amazon StudiosDirector: Jason Woliner
Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 68
It’s hard not to be wary when a beloved character is resurrected for a second go-around years later, but Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (full title Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan) is the rare sequel that works. Sacha Baron Cohen returns as Kazakh journalist Borat, and the international fame he’s racked up since the first film has hurt more than helped his home country. In an attempt to redeem Kazakhstan, he returns back to America with the hopes of delivering a gift to former President Donald Trump (this movie was released right before the 2020 election, which does admittedly give some of the jokes a ten-second expiration date), but more compelling than all of that is Borat’s legitimately sweet relationship with his daughter, Tutar (Maria Bakalova, who absolutely earned the Oscar nomination she received for her performance), who accompanies him on his mission, much to his chagrin. Honestly, the Rudy Giuliani stuff is the least interesting thing about this movie. It’s good! Wa wa wee wa indeed. [Trailer]
Get Duked! (2019)
For fans of: Trainspotting, psychedelics
Director: Ninian Doff
Stars: Eddie Izzard, Kate Dickie, Samuel Bottomley, Viraj Juneja, Rian Gordon, Lewis Gribben
Genre: Action, Horror, Comedy, Music
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 69
This 2019 British black comedy film will easily remind you of Danny Boyle’s bonkers classic Trainspotting, and it should: three Scottish teens with a knack for partying and doing drugs get into trouble. In Get Duked!, they’re joined by a do-gooder and wander the Highlands to win the Duke of Edinborough Award, a survival challenge that turns boys into men, but they get stuck in the middle of a hunt-or-be-hunted situation with Eddie Izzard playing a psycho with a sniper rifle. Believe it or not, it gets weirder from there. Hilarious, ridiculous, and packed with social commentary, this would be regular viewing in weed smoke-filled dorm rooms of the late-’90s. –Tim Surette [Trailer]
The Handmaiden (2016)
For fans of: Deception, but in a sexy way
Director: Chan-wook Park
Stars: Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Romance
Rating: Not rated
Metacritic score: 84
The Handmaiden is one of those movies where every character is scamming another character, resulting in an exciting, dramatic thriller. It starts out as a film about a Korean con man (Ha Jung-woo) who devises a pan to seduce a Japanese heiress (Kim Min-hee) out of her inheritance. He enlists the help of a pickpocket (Kim Tae-ri) to act as the heiress’ maid and confidant, tasking her with encouraging marriage between the two. Things begin to get more dangerous as deeper relationships develop in the messy, intertwined trio, which is all I want to say without actually spoiling the plot’s genius twists. What you should know going in is that this movie was directed by Park Chan-wook, who gave us the brutal, bloody Oldboy, so you should expect some gruesome imagery. [Trailer]
Jolt (2021)
For fans of: Kate Beckinsale violently brutalizing goons
Kate Beckinsale, Jolt
Amazon StudiosDirector: Tanya Wexler
Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Bobby Cannavale, Laverne Cox, Stanley Tucci, Jai Courtney
Genre: Action, Comedy
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 48
Kate Beckinsale could have coasted in her career and played a lonely single mom who gets wooed by a hunk in various rom-coms, but thank god she’s decided to be a butt-kicking action hero instead. In Jolt, she plays a woman with a unique condition that you’ll only find in movies: If she doesn’t electroshock herself with a custom-made harness, she loses her temper and starts to beat the sh– out of everyone. Let’s just say she doesn’t always get the jolt she needs in time… a lot. There’s also a scene in which she throws babies, and there are many swift kicks to the groin. Dumb fun, good time. –Tim Surette [Trailer]
Late Night (2019)
For fans of: Comedies about going to work, Emma Thompson wearing suits
Director: Nisha Ganatra
Stars: Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, Max Casella, Hugh Dancy
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 70
Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson star in this extremely sweet-hearted movie, written by Kaling, about a talk show host (played by Thompson) whose popularity is waning as she ages. To help freshen up her writers’ room and stop the network from replacing her, she hires a new, inexperienced writer (Kaling). Some of the jokes and job responsibilities admittedly delve a little too far into the inside baseball territory — a lot of importance is placed on Kaling’s character becoming co-monologue writer, for example — but overall, Late Night is a fun movie about the lengths women have to go to in order to be taken seriously in their careers. [Trailer]
One Child Nation (2019)
For fans of: Learning about history without opening a book
One Child Nation
Amazon StudiosDirectors: Nanfu Wang, Zhang Lynn
Genre: History, Documentary
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 85
This award-winning documentary will teach you all about a painful chapter in China’s history via the one-child policy, which lasted from 1979 to 2015. Real people who lived through such a devastating period speak on their experiences, and the film delves into the damaging effects of government propaganda. Interestingly, One Child Nation is given a personal touch by co-director Nanfu Wang, who weaves stories of her own experience as a new mother in with the documentary’s overall narrative. [Trailer]
One Night in Miami… (2020)
For fans of: Historical figures, monologues
Director: Regina King
Stars: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr.
Genre: Drama
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 83
Directed by Regina King and based on a play by Kemp Powers, One Night in Miami… tells a dramatized account of a 1964 meeting between Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Muhammad Ali (Eli Goree), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge). They spend the night in a Miami hotel room together and end up arguing for a good portion of it, about X’s belief that Cooke has sold out by pandering to white audience with his music, and Ali’s, referred to in the film as Cassius Clay, decision to convert to Islam and change his name. It’s an interesting movie that succeeds in peeling back the curtain on four pretty untouchable cultural icons, revealing more about their anxieties, inner lives, and ambitions than the average biopic would. [Trailer]
Pink: All I Know So Far (2021)
For fans of: P!nk, acrobatics, good music
Pink
David Crotty, Patrick McMullan via Getty ImageDirector: Michael Gracey
Genre: Biography, Music, Documentary
Rating: Not rated
Metacritic score: 60
What do you know about Pink? (Or, sorry, P!nk, as she apparently prefers to be addressed.) You’re probably aware she has the voice of an angel, and that she really, really loves singing while performing aerial tricks, but you might not know much beyond that. This documentary is a highly personal look into her life as a mother. Expect a lot of very sweet scenes of her carting her young children around on tour, some emotional behind the scenes interviews, and to be blown away by her sheer vocal range. It’s a fun watch for Pink devotees and new fans alike. [Trailer]
Small Axe (2020)
For fans of: Social justice stories, period pieces
Small Axe
Amazon StudiosDirector: Steve McQueen
Stars: John Boyega, Letitia Wright, Michael Ward, Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn, Sheyi Cole, Kenyah Sandy
Genre: Drama
Rating: R
Metacritic scores: 90, 95, 84, 77, 87
Small Axe is peak prestige television in that it’s not actually television at all, but instead it’s an anthology collection of five films directed by Steve McQueen. Every installment focuses on London’s West Indian community in the years between 1969 and 1982, and each stars a great group of actors that includes John Boyega, Letitia Wright, Jack Lowden, and more. The stories don’t overlap, but they all do a beautiful job of building out the world, and deal with issues and themes that impact the community, like police brutality, education, and what it means to be part of British society as a person of West Indian descent. On one hand, yes, five films is a lot to ask of viewers, but on the other, it just so happens that McQueen is an incredible director with a strong vision and every one is worth your time. If you only want to try one, give “Lovers Rock,” a romance centered around a reggae house party, a spin. [Trailer]
Sound of Metal (2020)
For fans of: Heavy metal band t-shirts, being emotional
Director: Darius Marder
Stars: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci
Genre: Drama, Music
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 82
I am of the opinion that Riz Ahmed gave the best performance of 2020 as a heavy metal drummer losing his hearing in Sound of Metal, and he very correctly earned an Oscar nomination for it. As Ruben, he explores the emotional trauma of sudden deafness — literally, as it plays out in the film, one minute he can hear perfectly, and the next everything is muffled — and the importance of finding community as he goes to live in a rural home for deaf recovering addicts in order, run by Joe (Paul Raci, also rightfully Oscar-nominated for his work). The way the film utilizes sound design is nothing short of incredible, and most notably, director Darius Marder cast many actual Deaf actors who help bring the story to life. [Trailer]
Suspiria (2018)
For fans of: Witches, dancers, witchy dancers, Tilda Swinton
Suspiria
Amazon StudiosDirector: Luca Guadagnino
Stars: Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Horror
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 64
Luca Guadagnino directs this remake of the 1977 Dario Argento horror classic. Dakota Johnson stars as Susie, a seemingly fresh-faced dancer who travels from Ohio to Berlin to study at an elite dance academy and is quickly named head dancer. As Suspiria unfolds, and as more students and teachers are found dead or go missing entirely, and it becomes increasingly clear that something very sinister and supernatural is going on underneath the surface. Also, Tilda Swinton plays three roles, and for one of them she gets to dress up as an old man. It’s kooky, it’s campy, and it’s also very, very scary. [Trailer]
Sylvie’s Love (2020)
For fans of: Tessa Thompson, period romance
Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha, Sylvie’s Love
Amazon StudiosDirector: Eugene Ashe
Stars: Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha
Genre: Drama, Romance, Music
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 74
If sweeping romance is your thing, Sylvie’s Love should be your next watch. Set in New York City in 1962, Tessa Thompson stars as Sylvie, an aspiring TV producer who strikes up a summer romance with a saxophonist (Nnamdi Asomugha) who works at her father’s record store. Life eventually drags them apart, and they both go on without each other for a while, only to reunite years later to find that their connection remains just as strong. [Trailer]
The Tomorrow War (2021)
For fans of: Independence Day, action broken up with passable humor
Chris Pratt, Keith Powers, and Sam Richardson, The Tomorrow War
Amazon Prime VideoDirector: Chris McKay
Stars: Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J. K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, Sam Richardson
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller, War
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 45
A muscly and brainy Chris Pratt stars as a scientist who, along with thousands of others, is zapped 30 years into the future to help future soldiers fight an alien invasion and save the human race. Yeah, if that insane logline doesn’t turn you off then you should enjoy this popcorn flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously — as evidenced by the many one-liners from comedians Sam Richardson, Mike Mitchell, and Mary Lynn Rajskub — but doesn’t skimp on hours of soldiers unloading clips into grotesque aliens. It’ll remind you of Starship Troopers without that sharp commentary. [Trailer]
Uncle Frank (2020)
For fans of: Road trips, Paul Bettany’s American accent
Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, and Peter Macdissi, Uncle Frank
Amazon StudiosDirector: Alan Ball
Stars: Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, Peter Macdissi, Judy Greer, Steve Zahn
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 58
This movie is a little bit like if someone tried to update Little Miss Sunshine and focus primarily on Steve Carell’s character, but in a good way. Beth (Sophia Lillis) moves from her small North Carolina hometown to good ol’ New York City, and immediately crashes into her favorite uncle’s life. She finds out that Frank (Paul Bettany) is gay and has been living with his boyfriend Wally (Peter Macdissi) for years, while successfully keeping it a secret from the rest of their family. And because this is a movie, the secret is of course put in jeopardy when Frank’s father dies and he, Beth, and Wally embark on a road trip to attend the funeral. Uncle Frank balances its comedic and dramatic moments well, and your heart will ache during the flashbacks to Frank’s adolescence, where he was first confronted with his family’s homophobia. Plus, an always perfect Judy Greer co-stars. [Trailer]
Val (2021)
For fans of: Intimate portraits of ’80s icons
Val Kilmer, Val
Amazon StudiosDirectors: Leo Scott, Ting Poo
Genre: Documentary
Rating: R
Metacritic score: 73
Val Kilmer gets the autobiographical treatment in this intimate documentary about his life and career. Kilmer lends his own home movies he’s taken over the years to the film — which includes videos from the set of Batman Forever, and footage of younger versions of Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon just hanging out — and provides a look at his struggle with throat cancer, from which he’s still recovering and has left him using a prosthesis in order to speak. It’s more revealing than the standard celebrity doc. [Trailer]
The Vast of Night (2019)
For fans of: That ’80s and ’90s sci-fi feel, first-time directors making a huge splash
Sierra McCormick, The Vast of Night
Amazon StudiosDirector: Andrew Patterson
Stars: Sierra McCormick, Jake Horowitz
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Metacritic score: 84
This 2019 science-fiction film from director Andrew Patterson is one of the best directorial debuts of the last decade, with Patterson’s keen eye able to bring to life a small town experiencing strange phenomena from the sky. Featuring some truly incredible continuous shots featuring hundreds of extras and one of my favorite intimate cinematic scenes featuring just one person on screen, The Vast of Night is a film school student’s dream that follows a young switchboard operator and a disc jockey in 1950s New Mexico trying to find the source of unidentified sounds, and it’s an entrancing thriller from the opening shot to the closing seconds. –Tim Surette [Trailer]
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Harry Potter star Rupert Grint calls relationship with JK Rowling ‘tricky’: ‘I don’t necessarily agree with everything but…’
He wrote, “I liken J.K. Rowling to an auntie. I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie. It’s a tricky one.”
JK Rowling was criticised by the stars of the film for her transphobic comments. At the time, Rupert had said in a statement to The Times, “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgement.”
Rowling had tweeted in 2020, “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.” Her statement drew a lot of backlash from the trans community.
Best of Express Premium
Rowling’s name was missing from the promos of the reunion and her participation in the special event was limited to her archival interview footage.
New Netflix movie racks up 11 million viewing hours — and it’s not slowing down
Netflix has a new movie that is melting hearts and enjoying strong word of mouth as it continues to rise higher up the streamer’s most-watched list.
The film is called Along for the Ride, and it’s based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Sarah Dessen. The movie was written by and is the directorial debut of Sofia Alvarez. That name may be familiar to genre fans, as Alvarez also wrote Netflix hits To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, and its 2020 sequel To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You.
The romantic drama revolves around Auden (Emma Pasarow), a recent high-school graduate and insomniac, who plans to spend her summer visiting her father and his new wife in the small town of Colby Beach.
While there she meets Eli (Belmont Cameli), a fellow insomniac, and the night owls decide to explore the beachside town together. The pair soon bond as Eli introduces Auden to the fun, carefree teen life she never knew she wanted. And their deepening connection leads to romantic sparks flying.
Along for the Ride might on the surface sound like a schmaltzy teen flick full of cringe-worthy dialogue and overly dramatic character, but don’t be fooled by first impressions. The movie is surprisingly thoughtful and has received a far stronger critical reception than movies of this ilk tend to enjoy.
Over on Rotten Tomatoes (opens in new tab), Along for the Ride has scored a respectable 60%. Critics have praised it for its ability to capture the feeling of first love and its relatable message. Viewers appear to be more impressed with the film scoring a 74% audience score, which is fairly strong.
Along for the Ride is making a serious splash on Netflix. It’s currently ranked the No. 4 on the most-watched list of films in English. Plus, in its first 48 hours on Netflix, the film racked up almost 11 million viewing hours worldwide (per Top 10 Netflix (opens in new tab)). Right now we see it as No. 3 in the U.S. through the Netflix app.
Meanwhile, Netflix is enduring another turbulent week. While the service has got plenty of new content to offer subscribers, including several new movies and shows to watch this weekend, the streamer has received substantial backlash after confirming it will launch an ad-supported tier and crackdown on password sharing before the end of the year.
These announcements have led to grim predictions that a tidal wave of Netflix cancelations could be on the horizon, but to others, these changes aren’t quite such a dealbreaker.
If you’re looking for more to stream, check out our guide to the 11 new shows and movies to watch this weekend on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and more. And in other streaming news, Netflix could be embracing new tech to tackle its subscriber slump.
When does Doctor Strange 2 release on Disney Plus?
Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen star as two of Marvel’s most powerful superheroes in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, which debuts tonight at 12 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 22 and is streaming exclusively on Disney Plus, Disney’s streaming platform.
• If you don’t already have access to Disney+, you can sign up to watch Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on Disney+($7.99/month or $79.99/year).
This sequel movie, which narratively follows 2016′s “Doctor Strange” and the 2021 release of “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, follows Dr. Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) and Wanda Maximoff aka The Scarlett Witch (Olsen) as they battle for the fate of the world through time and space.
The film is set in a variety of locations, ranging from bustling London to dismal alternative universes, and hinges on Dr. Strange ensuring the safety of a teenager named America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez). Along with superstar leads, the film features a myriad of well-known cameos from actors including Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier, John Krasinski as Mr. Fantastic, and Lashana Lynch as Captain Marvel. Watch the sneak peek trailer below:
What time does “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” actually become available to watch on Disney+?
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will become available to watch starting at 12:01 a.m. PT/3:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 22.
Is “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” ok for young children? How long is it?
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is rated PG-13, so take that into consideration depending on the age of your children. It is two hours and six minutes long. Take a look at the trailer for the film, provided above.
Which actors star in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”?
Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff aka The Scarlett Witch
Benedict Wong as Wong
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo
Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez
Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer
Lashana Lynch as Captain Marvel
Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier
John Krasinski as Mr. Fantastic
• Full cast and crew for “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”
HOW TO WATCH
What: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Rating: PG-13
When: Wednesday, June 22 at 12:01 a.m. PT/3:01 a.m. ET.
TV channel: Not on regular TV, available only streaming on Disney+
Watch live stream online: If you don’t already have access to Disney+, you can sign up and watch Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on Disney+ ($7.99/month or $79.99/year). There’s also a Disney+ bundle option available, which includes access to Disney+, Hulu (with ads) and ESPN+ for just $13.99/month.
What if I’m already a Hulu subscriber and want to add Disney+?
Sign up for Disney+ using the same email that’s associated with your Hulu account, no matter which type of Hulu account it is. You’ll still be charged for the full price for your Hulu account every month, but you will receive a $5.99 credit toward a Disney+ subscription.
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