33 Most Anticipated Movies of Fall

The seasonal differences in the movie calendar have diminished over time. Neither of the last two Oscar juggernauts — “Oppenheimer” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — premiered in the fall, traditionally the launchpad for Academy Awards hopefuls. Yet, fall remains nearly as packed as summer with sequels, horror thrillers, and potential blockbusters. Some of the old rules still apply, and a good portion of 2024’s best movies will be released in the coming months.

Keeping that in mind, here are some of the most anticipated films of this fall, ranging from large productions to smaller, unique features.

A psychedelic trip leads to an unusual meeting in “My Old Ass,” the latest from director Megan Park. After sipping some mushroom-infused tea, 18-year-old Elliott, played by Maisy Stella, finds herself accompanied by her future self, portrayed by Aubrey Plaza, on a camping trip on the lakes of Muskoka, outside Toronto. This film hits theaters on Sept. 13.

Former “Saturday Night Live” writer Harper Steele, who came out as trans, received an email from old friend and “SNL” colleague Will Ferrell suggesting a cross-country trip. This journey culminates in the documentary “Will & Harper,” directed by Josh Greenbaum, which premieres on Sept. 13 in theaters and Sept. 27 on Netflix.

The Danish horror film “Speak No Evil,” directed by Christian Tafdrup in 2022, was potent enough to warrant a Blumhouse remake just two years later. This thriller, starring James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, and Aisling Franciosi, revolves around an idyllic countryside vacation gone wrong and will be in theaters on Sept. 13.

Sebastian Stan stars as Edward, an actor with neurofibromatosis who undergoes experimental surgery to cure his facial disfigurement in “A Different Man.” Living next to a friendly playwright played by Renate Reinsve, Edward’s new life brings mixed blessings. Adam Pearson co-stars in this film, which releases on Sept. 20 in theaters.

Azazel Jacobs’ latest film “His Three Daughters” stars Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen as sisters gathering in their dying father’s New York apartment. Premiering on Netflix on Sept. 20, this movie offers a poignant look at siblinghood and family grief.

The Fall season sees Demi Moore starring in Coralie Fargeat’s body-horror parable “The Substance.” In this Cannes hit, Moore plays a TV star deemed too old by male producers. A mysterious service offers her transformation into a younger self, played by Margaret Qualley, with a caveat against prolonged change. This film releases on Sept. 20 in theaters.

Brad Pitt and George Clooney team up in Jon Watts’ comic caper “Wolfs,” where they play rival fixers hired for the same job. This film arrives in theaters on Sept. 20 and on Apple TV+ on Sept. 27.

Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui’s documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” aims to capture Reeve’s life, from his stardom post “Superman” in 1978 to his resilience following a paralyzing accident in 1995. This documentary will be in theaters on Sept. 21.

DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” adapts Peter Brown’s popular book series. The story follows a robot, voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, that crash lands in a forest and raises a runt goose until it can fly. This family-friendly film hits theaters on Sept. 27.

Francis Ford Coppola returns with “Megalopolis,” his first film in 13 years, starring Adam Driver as Caesar, a visionary with dreams of a utopian New York. The cast includes Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, Laurence Fishburne, and Shia LeBeouf. This epic releases on Sept. 27.

Director Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix return with “Joker: Folie à Deux,” five years after their Oscar-nominated blockbuster. This time, Lady Gaga joins as Harley Quinn in a musical format. The film releases on Oct. 4 in theaters.

Nora Fingscheidt directs the adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir of addiction, “The Outrun.” Saoirse Ronan stars as a young woman fresh out of rehab returning to her home in Scotland’s Orkney Islands. The film premieres on Oct. 4.

Ali Abbasi’s “The Apprentice” portrays a young Donald Trump, played by Sebastian Stan, under the guidance of Roy Cohn, portrayed by Jeremy Strong. Set in the ’80s, this film releases on Oct. 11.

Morgan Neville directs “Piece by Piece,” a documentary where Pharrell Williams recounts his life story, told through Lego. The film debuts in theaters on Oct. 11.

Jason Reitman brings “Saturday Night” to theaters, charting the chaotic infancy of the iconic show “Saturday Night Live” in the mid-’70s. Gabrielle LaBelle stars as creator Lorne Michaels. This film releases on Oct. 11.

“We Live in Time” stars Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in a drama directed by John Crowley. The film explores a non-linear love story through romance, sickness, and parenthood and premieres on Oct. 11.

Sean Baker’s “Anora,” the Palme d’Or winner at Cannes, follows a Brooklyn sex worker whose Vegas marriage to a Russian oligarch’s son prompts efforts to annul it. The movie releases on Oct. 18.

RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys” opens the New York Film Festival and adapts Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about two Black teens in a 1960s Florida reform school. The film premieres on Oct. 25.

Tom Hardy is back in “Venom: The Last Dance.” In this third installment, both Eddie Brock and his symbiote, Venom, are on the run. The film releases on Oct. 25.

“Dahomey,” directed by Mati Diop, dramatizes the stories of African artworks taken during French colonial rule. This “magical documentary” hits theaters on Oct. 25.

Adam Elliot’s long-awaited stop-motion drama “Memoir of a Snail” follows Grace Puddle, voiced by Sarah Snook, who begins collecting snails after her mother’s death. The film releases on Oct. 25.

Steve McQueen’s World War II drama “Blitz” stars Saoirse Ronan as a single mother trying to protect her son in London under siege. This movie releases on Nov. 1.

Edward Berger’s “Conclave” stars Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, who uncovers a secret during a Vatican conclave. The film hits theaters on Nov. 1.

Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez” stars Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Selena Gomez in a musical about a Mexican drug lord transitioning into a woman. This audacious film releases on Nov. 1, with a Netflix release on Nov. 13.

“Here,” directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks, chronicles a single spot of land through history in what appears to be one continuous take. The film releases on Nov. 1.

Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain” stars Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as cousins traveling to Poland to honor their grandmother. The film hits theaters on Nov. 1.

Andrea Arnold’s “Bird” returns to a working-class English backdrop, telling a fable-laced story of a 12-year-old girl visited by a peculiar stranger. This film releases on Nov. 8.

Hugh Grant stars in “Heretic,” an A24 horror thriller directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East play Mormon missionaries who knock on the wrong door. The film releases on Nov. 15.

Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine as Light” depicts the struggles of two Mumbai nurses striving for love and happiness amidst their hectic city lives. The film releases on Nov. 15.

Ridley Scott returns with “Gladiator II,” featuring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal. The sequel, set several decades after the original, releases on Nov. 22.

Jon M. Chu directs “Wicked,” starring Cynthia Erivo as the future Wicked Witch of the West and Ariana Grande as Glinda. The film is split in two, with the first part releasing on Nov. 22.

Denzel Washington takes on August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” with son Malcolm directing and son John David starring. This adaptation depicts a 1936 Pittsburgh family dealing with a symbolic family heirloom. The film hits Netflix on Nov. 22.

“Moana 2” revisits the story set three years after the original, with new ocean adventures and familiar voices returning. The film releases on Nov. 27.