25 Movies to Look Forward to This Fall

A lot of movies come out every year, and it can be hard to know where you should spend your money. This preview will help you out by showcasing 25 of the most interesting movies that are scheduled to be released in fall 2015.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve. Produced by Basil Iwanyk, Thad Luckinbill, Edward McDonnell, and Molly Smith. Written by Taylor Sheridan. Release date: September 17, 2015 (limited); September 25, 2015 (wide).

An FBI agent is tasked with fighting the war against drugs around the US-Mexico border.

Apart from a premise that will likely offer both thrills and plenty of social commentary, Denis Villeneuve is one of the most intriguing directors working right now. After Incendies and Prisoners – and perhaps ignoring Enemy, even if it does have a certain “what is going on?” factor to it – I’m looking forward to anything he does. Emily Blunt is riding high after last year’s Edge of Tomorrow, Brolin, Del Toro, and Bernthal are welcome additions to any cast, and early film festival reviews have generally been quite positive.

Directed by Eli Roth. Produced by Eli Roth, Miguel Asensio, Nicolás López, Christopher Woodrow, Molly Conners, and Jason Blum. Written by Eli Roth and Guillermo Amoedo. Release date: September 25, 2015.

A group of well-meaning students head to the Amazon rainforest in order to save a native tribe, but after their plane crashes, they wind up being held hostage by the very tribe they were hoping to save.

Remember how Cannibal Holocaust was kind of a big deal, and in some respects still is? It’s still banned in some countries, it was incredibly violent, and it showed the deaths of real-life animals. The Green Inferno is a film that pays tribute to Cannibal Holocaust. Eli Roth, the film’s director, co-writer, and co-producer, loves Cannibal Holocaust, and he’s decided to make an homage to that which he loves. The Green Inferno was supposed to be released last year, but got delayed due to financial issues. It’s finally coming out, and whether it’s amazing or a disaster, it’s going to be a spectacle worth seeing. Just check out its official MPAA rating:

Rated R for aberrant violence and torture, grisly disturbing images, brief graphic nudity, sexual content, language and some drug use.

Yeah.

Directed by Roland Emmerich. Produced by Roland Emmerich, Michael Fossat, Marc Frydman, and Carsten Lorenz. Written by Jon Robin Baitz. Release date: September 25, 2015.

Set against the 1969 Stonewall riots – a cornerstone in the LGBT rights movement – Stonewall follows a young man as he begins to figure out both who he is and what he believes in.

Roland Emmerich is a filmmaker best known for his disaster movies. 2012, Godzilla, The Day After Tomorrow – those are all his doing. He’s at his best when he’s blowing things up, using tons of special effects, and effectively ignoring his human characters. All of the drama in these movies was atrocious. So, he may seem like the wrong person to direct a movie like this. But, then, it’s a passion project for Emmerich, who is himself gay, and if someone’s passionate about the movie they’re making, chances are it’s going to be better than if it’s being made for a cynical reason.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis. Produced by Jack Rapke, Tom Rothman, Steve Starkey, and Robert Zemeckis. Screenplay by Christopher Browne and Robert Zemeckis. Release date: September 30, 2015 (IMAX); October 9, 2015 (wide).

In 1974, a man named Philippe Petit decided to walk across a rope spread between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. The Walk is about his quest to do this, an illegal and highly dangerous stunt.

Back in 2008, a documentary called Man on Wire was released. It won several awards, including an Academy Award. Now it’s been adapted into a narrative film – essentially a recreation of what actually happened. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Petit and Ben Kingsley plays his mentor, while Robert Zemeckis, one of the best directors (when not working with creepy motion-capture), is the one behind the camera. All of this speaks to me like it could be a potentially award-winning film, and given the IMAX release, it’s likely to be visually stunning – unless you’re terrified of heights.

Directed by Brian Helgeland. Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Chris Clark, Quentin Curtis, and Brian Oliver. Written by Brian Helgeland. Release date: October 2, 2015

Legend is about the Kray twins, Ronald and Reggie, two big-name gangsters who terrorized London in the 1950s and ’60s.

Tom Hardy’s become one of the better actors currently working in the last half-decade, but seeing him take on dual roles as both Kray twins might wind up being his best performance(s) to-date. We’ve already seen him play a big-name criminal before in Bronson, and Legend may very well top that. It’s also being directed by an Academy Award winner, Brian Helgeland, who most notably wrote the screenplays to L.A. Confidential and Mystic River, as well as directing 42.

Directed by Ridley Scott. Produced by Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Aditya Sood, and Mark Huffam. Written by Drew Goddard. Release date: October 2, 2015.

An astronaut, on a trip to Mars, is caught in a fierce storm and presumed dead. He hasn’t met his end yet, and has to figure out a way to survive while stranded all alone.

The Martian‘s general storyline sounds like a cross between Gravity and Interstellar, which in itself is a good idea. Add in director Ridley Scott, whose best films have all been of the sci-fi variety, and a talented cast consisting of Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Kristen Wiig, Sebastian Stan, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, and you’ve got a strong on-paper film. The screenplay has been written by Drew Goddard, who directed and co-wrote The Cabin in the Woods, and I’m sold.

Directed by Joe Wright. Produced by Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Paul Webster. Written by Jason Fuchs. Release date: October 9, 2015.

Pan is supposed to take place before the story of Peter Pan. It’s an origin story to establish Captain Hook and Peter Pan as characters, presumably so that the studio can franchise it up at a later date if the movie is a success.

It’s a little worrying when a movie gets pushed back from a relatively prime release date to an early October one, although it’s not necessarily a guarantee that it’s a failure. While I’ve not personally been a fan of director Joe Wright’s work, a lot of people are, and his track record is certainly better than a lot of directors who could’ve been hired. Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard should be hilarious casting. And while writer Jason Fuchs hasn’t had much screenplay experience, he’s been hired to write the Wonder Woman solo film, so Pan might give us a slight indication as to how that’ll pan out. Get it? “Pan” out?

Directed by Danny Boyle. Produced by Danny Boyle, Guymon Casady, Christian Colson, Mark Gordon, and Scott Rudin. Written by Aaron Sorkin. Release date: October 9, 2015.

As its title indicates, the film is about Steve Jobs, although it’s not a biopic a la Jobs. It instead takes place backstage during three big product launches, ending with the reveal of the iMac.

We’ve been waiting for a good Steve Jobs movie since we learned Aaron Sorkin was writing one a few years back, David Fincher was originally attached to direct, re-teaming with Sorkin after The Social Network, but after he left, Danny Boyle took over. Hey, if someone’s going to replace Fincher, Boyle’s a pretty good replacement. Michael Fassbender plays Jobs, which should be great, while Seth Rogen plays Steve Wozniak, which should be hilarious, or perhaps great – but probably worth seeing one way or the other.

Directed by Steven Spielberg. Produced by Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt, and Kristie Macosko Krieger. Written by Matt Charman, Ethan Coen, and Joel Coen. Release date: October 16, 2015.

A lawyer tries to negotiate the release of an American pilot who was captured by the Soviets in the middle of the Cold War.

I don’t know if I need to say anything beyond “It’s directed by Steven Spielberg and it’s been co-written by the Coen brothers.” Both the word “Spielberg” and “Coen” is enough to get me into the theater. That it stars Tom Hanks and is set in the Cold War – perhaps my favorite war setting – is just icing on the cake.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Produced by Guillermo del Toro, Callum Greene, Jon Jashni, and Thomas Tull. Written by Guillermo del Toro and Matthew Robbins. Release date: October 16, 2015.

A young author falls in love with a man, only to discover that his giant mansion isn’t quite what it appears – and may in fact be haunted by evil spirits.

Guillermo. del. Toro. Look, even if del Toro often bites off more than he can chew – how many projects does he currently have “in development”? – the ones that actually make it to the finish line are typically fascinating works. And with a cast like he’s got here – Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, to name a few – as well as a pretty solid premise, it’s hard to think Crimson Peak will be anything but fascinating.

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson. Produced by Ed Guiney and David Gross. Written by Emma Donoghue. Release date: October 16, 2015.

A mother and child are locked in a room together for several years.

It always interests me to see what happens when someone who wrote a novel also writes the screenplay to a movie being adapted from that novel. That’s what’s happened with Room, whose novel and screenplay were written by Emma Donoghue. The film looks like it could wind up being this year’s Short Term 12 – and if you haven’t seen Short Term 12, you need to do that right away – in that it’ll provide Brie Larson ample time on-screen to show us why she’s a great actor. Here’s hoping the child they got doesn’t ruin it.

Directed by John Wells. Produced by Stacey Sher, Erwin Stoff, and John Wells. Written by Steven Knight. Release date: October 23, 2015.

A chef ruins his career thanks to substance abuse and a penchant for causing drama. The film serves as a redemption story, as he attempts to make good and return to the industry he loves.

This is this year’s “Bradley Cooper would like an Oscar, please” film. Sure, he’s in David O. Russell’s Joy later on, but it doesn’t look like he’ll have a big role in that. Burnt, on the other hand, appears to be falling squarely on his shoulders, even if it does have quite the supporting cast. The director is John Wells, who previous worked a lot in TV and also directed The Company Men and August: Osage County, which is only a good sign.

Directed by Sarah Gavron. Produced by Alison Owen and Faye Ward. Written by Abi Morgan. Release date: October 23, 2015.

The women’s suffrage movement in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

If Burnt was Bradley Cooper’s Oscar hopeful, Suffragette is Meryl Streep’s. Sure, she’s not the lead – that falls to Carey Mulligan – but you can tell just by watching the trailer that Streep will get yet another nomination. The film has an intriguing subject that hopefully will make for a compelling watch.

Directed by Steve Martino. Produced by Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, Cornelius Uliano, and Paul Feig. Written by Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano. Release date: November 6, 2015.

From what the internet says, Snoopy will fight the Red Baron, while Charlie Brown will try to woo a girl who’s new to the neighborhood.

It’s the Peanuts, man. It’s the first Peanuts movie in 35 years. That should be enough for anyone who liked them as a child, and given how old they are, that’s a lot of people.

Directed by Sam Mendes. Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and John Logan. Release date: November 6, 2015.

James Bond has to try to take down an organization known as SPECTRE, which is led Franz Oberhauser, who is definitely, 100%, serious not Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

It’s hard not to care about a new James Bond movie, isn’t it? That’s especially true of the Daniel Craig era, as each of the films – yes, even Quantum of Solace, even if it’s the weakest of them – has been pretty fun. Two of them have even been great. Craig’s had a great run as Bond, and let’s hope that Spectre continues that.

Directed and written by Angelina Jolie Pitt. Produced by Angelina Jolie Pitt and Brad Pitt. Release date: November 13, 2015.

A married couple who have been drifting apart take a trip together in the hopes of strengthening their relationship.

Angelina Jolie – who is now using the “Pitt” last name, too – hasn’t exactly had the greatest directorial career so far, but By the Sea looks like it could change all that. It’s an intriguing film not just because of its premise, which looks far darker than I just described it – seriously, go watch the teaser trailer – but also because of the potential for a meta-narrative given that its two lead actors are married in real life, and the wife is the one who wrote and directed the film. If that’s not intriguing, I don’t know what is.

Directed by Francis Lawrence. Produced by Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik. Written by Danny Strong and Peter Craig. Release date: November 20, 2015.

Panem has finally entered “revolutionary war” mode, so we get to watch that play out in as PG-13 a way as possible.

I’ve never liked splitting the last chapter of a series into two films, but I won’t deny that, at least for the majority of the time, the second part delivers, even if the first half falters as a result. Mockingjay – Part 1 was the worst Hunger Games movie thus far, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Part 2 winds up being the best. I mean, that’s what happened with Twilight…

Directed by Todd Haynes. Produced by Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley, Tessa Ross, and Christine Vachon. Written by Phyllis Nagy. Release date: November 20, 2015.

A woman in her 20s falls for an older grocery store clerk, who is married. And also it’s the 1950s.

Carol may have been on some radars before it premiered at Cannes, but after that showing, after which it was nominated for the Palme d’Or, it was on far more of them. A movie about a taboo lesbian romance set in the 1950s? Sure, maybe that’s getting a little awards-baity, but it also sounds like it could be really great.

Directed by Ryan Coogler. Produced by Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff, Sylvester Stallone, and Kevin King Templeton. Written by Ryan Coogler and Aaron Covington. Release date: November 25, 2015.

Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis, travels to Philadelphia to train with Rocky Balboa.

Yeah, so Creed is a boxing movie that also serves as the seventh installment in the Rocky franchise. That’s pretty big news. That it re-teams Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan – the latter of whom must be so happy he booked this role before Fantastic Four was released – is also a good sign. Mostly, though, it’s more Rocky, and that’s just swell.

Directed by Peter Sohn. Produced by Denise Ream. Written by Enrico Casarosa and Bob Peterson. Release date: November 25, 2015.

The Good Dinosaur takes place in an alternate timeline where dinosaurs never went extinct. The film follows a dinosaur and a caveboy he befriends.

It’s Pixar. With the release of Inside Out earlier in the year, Pixar stopped a relatively lengthy stretch of mediocre movies. And since The Good Dinosaur is an original movie – not a sequel, spin-off, or prequel – it’s even easier to anticipate it.

Directed by Jonathan Levine. Produced by Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen, and James Weaver. Written by Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter, Jonathan Levine, and Ariel Shaffir. Release date: November 25, 2015.

Since childhood, three friends have always hung out together on Christmas Eve. Now, as adults, their night may or may not be in jeopardy – or it might just get crazier.

The last time that Jonathan Levine, Evan Goldberg, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen teamed up to make a movie, they wound up making one of the best of the year. The movie looks like it’s going to be hilarious, make fun of a whole bunch of Christmastime traditions, and deliver levels of insanity of which The Hangover could only dream.

Directed by Tom Hooper. Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anne Harrison, Tom Hooper, Gail Mutrux, and Linda Reisman. Written by Lucinda Coxon. Release date: November 27, 2015.

The Danish Girl follows Einar Wegener, one of the first recipients of male-to-female sex reassignment surgery.

This is probably the most awards-baity film on the list. Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, Les Miserables) is the director, Eddie Redmayne looks like he’s going to try to go for a second straight Oscar, and it’s a British period piece drama. That does not, however, mean it won’t be good. In fact, chances are that it will be great. Just because something wants awards doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve them, and it’s possible that The Danish Girl winds up deserving multiple.

Directed by Ron Howard. Produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Will Ward, Joe Roth, and Paula Weinstein. Written by Charles Leavitt. Release date: December 11, 2015.

After an attack by a giant whale, a group of sailors find themselves shipwrecked at sea for several months as they simply try to survive and find land.

In the Heart of the Sea was originally scheduled to be released in March, but its delay in this case means it’s probably really good. The studio wanted it to be remembered when it came to award shows, which likely wouldn’t have been the case given its initial release date. Ron Howard directed, the good-at-acting Hemsworth brother stars – re-teaming the two after Rush – and it’s been written by Charles Leavitt, the man who wrote the screenplay for Blood Diamond.

Directed by Jason Moore. Produced by Tina Fey and Jay Roach. Written by Paula Pell. Release date: December 18, 2015.

A couple of adult sisters throw a house party to end all house parties before their parents sell the place.

While most people will want to see Sisters because it gives us Tina Fey and Amy Poehler together in leading roles – they’re funny apart and hilarious together – I’m personally more interested in seeing it because it marks the second film directed by Jason Moore, whose directorial debut was Pitch Perfect. This looks to be a really funny project.

Directed by J. J. Abrams. Produced by J. J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, and Kathleen Kennedy. Written by J. J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan. Release date: December 18, 2015.

Do we even know? We’ve only gotten a teaser trailer so far, and it hasn’t exactly told us much of the plot. We know it’s set a good chunk of time after the last films, and it sees both new and returning characters in big roles. Outside of that? I’m sure there will be villains whom the heroes will try to defeat.

Look, we’re going to need to invent new numbers to figure out how much money Star Wars: The Force Awakens will make. This is many people’s most anticipated film of the year, the Star Wars fanbase is one of the largest out there, and we all hope that the new movie will be amazing. What are the odds that it is? I don’t know. JJ Abrams is directing, and he’s directed precisely one good movie, so that doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence. But, hey, it’s Star Wars, it’s now under the Disney brand, so let’s so how it pans out.

If you want more of Matthew “Marter” Parkinson, you can follow him on the Twitter @Martertweet and check out his weekly movie podcast.