20 must-see films hitting cinemas this Autumn
Fortunately, there are numerous promising films to look forward to this Autumn. From blockbusters and comedies, to psychological thrillers.
IT
What is it? – The latest Stephen King adaptation hitting screens this year. When their fellow classmates begin to go missing, a group of bullied schoolchildren band together to uncover a mystery – pointing to a sinister clown that has long plagued their town. Fans will be hoping the uneasy horror is more successful than this summer’s The Dark Tower.
When? – September 8
Who’s in it? – Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Bill Skarsgard
WIND RIVER
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWhat is it? – A crime thriller from one of Hollywood’s brightest new talents, Taylor Sheridan (who wrote Sicario and Hell or High Water, and wrote and directed this). When the frozen body of a young woman is discovered on a Native American reserve in snowy Wyoming, it’s up to the town’s resident tracker and a rookie FBI agent to unearth the truth and find the killer.
When? – September 8
Who’s in it? – Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene
VICTORIA AND ABDUL
What is it? – This royal drama recounts the true tale of Queen Victoria’s unlikely close friendship with Abdul, an Indian servant. With Judi Dench and Ali Fazal in the titular roles, and The Queen’s Stephen Frears behind the camera, Victoria and Abdul is aiming for classic, heartwarming British costume drama.
When? – September 15
Who’s in it? – Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, Michael Gambon
MOTHER!
What is it? – Jennifer Lawrence fronts a stellar cast in this American psychological horror from the award-winning Darren Aronofsky. Her character’s life is turning upside down when two uninvited guests arrive at her country home in this paranoia-piece. It looks unnerving and claustrophobic, and marks Aronofsky’s first film since 2014’s Noah.
When? – September 15
Who’s in it? – Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris
BORG/MCENROE
What is it? – The story of one of the greatest sporting rivalries in history. Borg/McEnroe looks to capture the volatile relationship between tennis greats Björn Borg and John McEnroe throughout the 80’s. Shia LaBeouf looks inspired casting as the loud-mouthed American, alongside relative newcomer Sverrir Gudnason as Borg.
When? – September 22
Who’s in it? – Shia LaBeouf, Sverrir Gudnason, Stellan Skarsgard
KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
What is it? – The follow-up to surprise 2014 hit Kingsman sees the eponymous British spy unit team up with their American counterparts to combat a worldwide terrorist threat. Eggsy and Merlin are joined by newcomers played by Channing Tatum and Pedro Pascal in this comedy-action sequel, which mixes stiff-upper-lip British humour with wry James Bond thrills.
When? – September 29
Who’s in it? – Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Channing Tatum
GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWhat is it? – Charming look into the life of A.A. Milne, and the creation of the author’s most iconic series, Winnie-the-Pooh. Domhnall Gleeson plays the writer, who must juggle family life and his own WWI demons with the burgeoning success of his children’s books.
When? – September 29
Who’s in it? – Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, Kelly Macdonald
BLADE RUNNER: 2049
What is it? – The hotly anticipated follow-up to the legendary Ridley Scott sci-fi. Set thirty years after the events of Blade Runner, a discovery that could have dangerous repercussions sends Ryan Gosling’s Officer K on a mission to track-down the mysterious Rick Deckard. Perhaps there will finally be an answer to the age-old question: was Deckard a replicant?
When? – October 6
Who’s in it? – Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Jared Leto
THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US
What is it? – Kate Winslet and Idris Elba head up this survival drama. When their plane crashes deep in the mountains, two remaining passengers must work together to cross a perilous wilderness and return to civilisation. Expect a tale of human endurance and the will to live.
When? – October 6
Who’s in it? – Kate Winslet, Idris Elba, Beau Bridges
THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE
What is it? – Hoping to hit the heights of its predecessors in the Lego Movie franchise, the Ninjago Movie stars Dave Franco as teenage ninja-in-the-making Lloyd. Things take a turn for the worst when an evil warlord threatens Ninjago city, and it falls to Lloyd and his school-mates to save the day. Not necessarily just one for the kids, as the surprisingly deep Lego Movie proved.
When? – October 13
Who’s in it? – Dave Franco, Olivia Munn, Jackie Chan
THE SNOWMAN
What is it? – Bleak Scandinavian murder drama, based on the Jo Nesbo novel. Michael Fassbender is caught in a race against time to catch an elusive serial killer who marks his crime scenes with a sinister-looking snowman. There’s nothing festive about this psychological adaptation however, as Fassbender becomes embroiled in a battle of cunning with the mysterious perpetrator.
When? – October 13
Who’s in it? – Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Val Kilmer
LOVING VINCENT
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWhat is it? – Visually stunning, Loving Vincent is the world’s first feature-length animation produced entirely in oil painting. This biographical drama recounts the life and mysterious death of legendary artist Vincent van Gogh. Looks beautiful – you just hope the rest of the film matches the stunning visuals on screen.
When? – October 13
Who’s in it? – Saoirse Ronan, Jerome Flynn, Robert Gulaczyk
THE DEATH OF STALIN
What is it? – TheThick of It creator Armando Iannucci returns to political satire with a take on the final days of the Soviet dictator’s rule. With the death of the titular despot, the regime is plunged into political chaos – an area Iannucci knows well. Boasting a strong cast, and Iannucci’s fabled comedic writing, The Death of Stalin looks the perfect antidote to current real-life political shambles.
When? – October 20
Who’s in it? – Olga Kurylenko, Richard Brake, Steve Buscemi
THOR: RAGNAROK
What is it? – The latest instalment in the Marvel Universe franchise. All-powerful god Thor finds himself in a galaxy-wide gladiatorial contest that includes former ally The Hulk, while the sadistic Hela threatens his homeworld of Asgard. After Thor’s previous hit-and-miss solo outings, Ragnarok appears to have adapted a more comedic Guardians of the Galaxy style approach. No surprise, given humorous New Zealand director Taika Waititi is at the helm.
When? – October 27
Who’s in it? – Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Cate Blanchett
BREATH
What is it? – Andy Serkis’ indie directional debut is a real-life romance. When Andrew Garfield’s Robin is stricken with polio, he and his wife decide to spend his final months living their lives to the fullest extent. Expect tearjerking moments.
When? – October 27
Who’s in it? – Andrew Garfield, Diana Rigg, Claire Foy
LAST FLAG FLYING
What is it? – Boyhood director Richard Linklater is back with another award-baiter. Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne star as three Vietnam veterans on a mission to bury Carell’s son, a Marine killed in the Iraq War. It’s billed as a touching indie comedy; one that promises as many poignant moments as amusing ones.
When? – November 3
Who’s in it? – Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWhat is it? – Kenneth Branagh directs and stars as iconic detective Hercule Poirot in this re-imagining of Agatha Christie’s famous novel. After a passenger dies on the luxurious cross-continent train, it falls to Poirot to gather the suspects and solve the crime.
When? – November 3
Who’s in it? – Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfieffer
PADDINGTON 2
What is it? – The marmalade-eating Bear returns for this comedy sequel, in which he decides to raise money for a gift for Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the present to be stolen. If it’s anything like the charming first, it’ll be warm, friendly and funny.
When? – November 10
Who’s in it? – Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson, Jim Broadbent
THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER
What is it? – A chilling psychological thriller with wonderful cinematography. The Killing of a Sacred Deer stars Colin Farrell as a renowned surgeon with a tough decision to make, when his young protege’s behaviour begins to raise disturbing questions. Expect tense performances from all involved.
When? – November 17
Who’s in it? – Nicole Kidman, Alicia Silverstone, Colin Farrell
JUSTICE LEAGUE
What is it? – The latest edition to the blockbuster DC Universe franchise. Going head-to-head against Marvel’s Avengers is the Batman-fronted Justice League. All of the gang are together to combat a threat to the future of the world. Will it be more Wonder Woman than Batman V Superman and Suicide Squad? We certainly hope so.
When? – November 17
Who’s in it? – Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill