The Most Anticipated Movies of Fall 2021, From Marvel Superheroes to '90s Lady Gaga
And don't forget Ben Platt playing a teenager.
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After a year of movies getting delayed and delayed again, a regular release schedule is actually starting to resume. The good news? There are lots of films to watch. Like, so many. From blockbusters and biopics to superheroes and Sopranos, there are a ton of movies to choose from this fall. The bad news? You'll have to get off of your couch to watch some of them.
Movies are hitting theaters once again, which means streaming ASAP isn't always an option. Of course, there still are films being released on streaming services—HBO Max and Netflix have some major new movies hitting just in time for October—but if you want to see the new James Bond movie or one of Marvel's big offerings, going to the theater is the only option...for now.
Read on to find out more about the 19 most anticipated movies of fall 2021 and pick which ones to add to your must-watch list.
'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'
Where to watch: In theaters September 3
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the first new Marvel movie of the season. It's based on the Shang-Chi comics and is about a man who was trained as an assassin, and after trying to start a normal life, he's drawn back into his past. Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, and Michelle Yeoh star.
'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'
Where to watch: In theaters September 17
Jessica Chastain stars in this biopic about the life of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, and she looks totally unrecognizable in the trailer. Andrew Garfield co-stars as her husband, Jim Bakker, a fellow televangelist who was convicted on multiple counts of fraud.
'Dear Evan Hansen'
Where to watch: In theaters September 24
The trailer for Dear Evan Hansen got everyone talking because 27-year-old Ben Platt plays a teen, which, LOL. The film is based on the Broadway musical of the same name—in which Platt originated the role—and is about a high schooler with debilitating anxiety who becomes close with a classmate's family after the classmate dies by suicide. Julianne Moore, Amy Adams, Kaitlyn Dever, Colton Ryan, and Amandla Stenberg co-star.
'Venom: Let There Be Carnage'
Where to watch: In theaters October 1
Tom Hardy is back again as Eddie Brock/Venom in—if the original is any indication—what is sure to be a very bizarre movie. This time the alien-symbiote-hosting superhero is taking on the villain Carnage, played by Woody Harrelson. Michelle Williams and Naomie Harris also star.
'The Many Saints of Newark'
Where to watch: In theaters and on HBO Max October 1
The Many Saints of Newark is the Sopranos prequel movie. It stars the late James Gandolfini's son Michael Gandolfini as a teenage Tony Soprano, who is learning about his family's involvement in crime. Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, and Cory Stoll co-star.
'No Time to Die'
Where to watch: In theaters October 8
After being pushed back multiple times, the next James Bond movie is finally being released! Daniel Craig returns for his fifth run as 007, and he is joined by Lashana Lynch, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Ben Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Ana de Armas, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, and Ralph Fiennes. What's it about? Super secret spy missions, duh!
'Halloween Kills'
Where to watch: In theaters October 15
The twelfth Halloween movie and the direct sequel to Halloween (2018) is being released just in time for October scary movie viewing. Jamie Lee Curtis returns to battle Michael Myers (Nick Castle) and freak us all out once again, along with Judy Greer, Kyle Richards, Andi Matichak, and Will Patton.
'The Last Duel'
Where to watch: In theaters October 15
BFFs Ben Affleck and Matt Damon reunite as actors and writers for The Last Duel, which they penned along with Nicole Holofcener. It's based on a real-life duel that occurred between knights in the 14th century. Jodie Comer and Adam Driver also star.
'Dune'
Where to watch: In theaters and on HBO Max October 22
Dune is a sci-fi movie based on the Frank Herbert book of the same name. Timothée Chalamet stars as Paul, whose father (Oscar Isaac) is the leader of one planet but moves to another in search of a very powerful substance. Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, and Josh Brolin also star.
'The French Dispatch'
Where to watch: In theaters October 22
Wes Anderson's latest film features in ensemble cast and follows three different storylines centered around a newspaper office. The cast includes Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, Adrien Brody, Bill Murray, Benicio del Toro, Frances McDormand, and Elisabeth Moss.
'The Harder They Fall'
Where to watch: In select theaters October 22 and on Netflix November 3
Based on the real-life African American cowboy Nat Love, The Harder They Fall is a western about a reunited gang looking for revenge in the Old West. The ensemble cast includes Idris Elba, Regina King, Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Lakeith Stanfield, and Delroy Lindo.
'Passing'
Where to watch: In select theaters October 27 and on Netflix November 10
Passing is based on the 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen and is about two biracial childhood friends who reunite as adults, with one identifying as Black and the other passing as white while married to a racist white husband. Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga star.
'Last Night in Soho'
Where to watch: In theaters October 29
From director Edgar Wright, Last Night in Soho is a horror movie about a young woman (Thomasin McKenzie), who mysteriously finds herself transported back in time to 1960s London and into the body of a singer named Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy). Things get much scarier from there.
'Spencer'
Where to watch: In theaters November 5
Kristen Stewart stars as Princess Diana in Spencer. The film focuses on Diana's life in a fictional three-day span during Christmastime at the royal family's Sandringham Estate. It takes place not long before her separation from Prince Charles (Jack Farthing).
'Eternals'
Where to watch: In theaters November 5
The second Marvel movie of the season is Eternals, directed by recent Oscar winner Chloé Zhao. It's about a group of immortal aliens who come out of hiding following the events of Avengers: Endgame. The ensemble cast includes Gemma Chan, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, and Bryan Tyree Henry.
'Tick, Tick... Boom!'
Where to watch: In select theaters November 12 and on Netflix November 19
Tick, Tick... Boom! is Lin-Manuel Miranda's film directing debut, and it's about a topic he understands: being a theater composer. The movie is adapted from the musical of the same name, based in part on late writer Jonathan Larson's life. Andrew Garfield stars as a an aspiring composer alongside Vanessa Hudgens and Alexandra Shipp.
'Ghostbusters: Afterlife'
Where to watch: In theaters November 19
Yep, there's another Ghostbusters movie. Unlike the 2016 movie featuring four female Ghostbusters, this one is a direct sequel to the two 1980s films. It's based around a mother and her two children who realize they have family ties to the original Ghostbusters. Finn Wolfhard, Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, and Mckenna Grace star.
'King Richard'
Where to watch: In theaters and on HBO Max November 19
King Richard is a biopic about Richard Williams, the father and original coach of Venus and Serena Williams. Richard becomes known for training his daughters super intensely from an early age in order to make them tennis champions. Will Smith stars as Richard; Co-stars include Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Jon Bernthal, and Tony Goldwyn.
'House of Gucci'
Where to watch: In theaters November 24
The internet went wild when photos of Adam Driver and Lady Gaga wearing their mid-'90s best on the House of Gucci set were released, and rightfully so. House of Gucci is about Patrizia Reggiani (Gaga), who was convicted of having her ex-husband and head of Gucci Maurizio Gucci (Driver) assassinated.
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