Sequels, sci-fi, Santa and more: 26 movies to see this fall and winter

For the most part this fall, big action movies are giving way to character-driven affairs, lots of scares starting several weeks before Halloween and a highly anticipated adaptation of a beloved work of musical theater.

Here’s a rundown on much of what’s coming to a theater near you. Remember, dates are subject to change.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (Friday): Michael Keaton’s pesky demon character, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara return in this sequel and Tim Burton is again behind the camera. Front and center on screen this time is Jenna Ortega as a rebellious daughter. If this is the hit we expect, can “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” be far behind?

“The Killer’s Game” (Sept. 13): In this action comedy, Dave Bautista plays a hitman who, after receiving tough medical news, arranges a hit on himself, only to then desperately want out of his would-be assassins’ crosshairs. The cast also includes Ben Kingsley, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews and Bautista’s buddy from the past two “Guardians of the Galaxy” romps, Pom Klementieff.

“My Old Ass” (Sept. 13): In this unusual comedy, the typically delightful Aubrey Plaza plays the older version of a teen girl (Maisy Stella of “Nashville”) who visits said younger version in a vision, warning her about becoming entangled with someone named Chad (Percy Hynes White). This is the second film, following 2021′s well-reviewed “The Fallout,” from actress-turned-filmmaker Megan Park.

“Speak No Evil” (Sept. 13): A remake of a 2022 Danish film, this fright fest stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis and Aisling Franciosi. The tale revolves around a couple’s weekend at a country estate of a family the duo befriended on vacation. It “begins as a dream holiday” and “soon warps into a psychological nightmare.” James Watkins (“The Woman in Black”) directs.

“Never Let Go” (Sept. 20): Halle Berry portrays a mother of twin sons, all of whom are in danger after an evil spirit sets up shop just beyond their doorstep in the next frightening offering from director Alexandre Aja (“The Hills Have Eyes,” “Crawl.”)

“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” (Sept. 21 & 25): As we wait for Warner Bros. Pictures to launch the DC Universe next year with “Superman,” the studio rolls out this documentary it acquired about the late actor who played the superhero in the movies of the late 1970s and ‘80s. The doc premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and focuses largely on the life of Reeve, who also was an activist and author, after the horse-riding accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down.

“Bagman” (Sept. 27): The titular character is a unpleasant-looking and malevolent creature who haunted Patrick McKee (Sam Claflin) as a child and returns years later to endanger the lives of his family. Sounds like good times.

“Lee” (Sept. 27): In the directorial debut of cinematographer Ellen Kuras (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”), Kate Winslet stars as war correspondent and photographer Lee Miller, who made a name for herself covering World War II. (Her famous shots include one of herself in Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s bathtub.) The cast also boasts Alexander Skarsgard, Andy Samberg and Marion Cotillard.

“Megalopolis” (Sept. 27): We’ll finally get to see filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola’s long-ago-conceived, self-financed and much-talked-about science fiction epic, which, despite its ambitiousness, hasn’t exactly wowed many who’ve already experienced it. Set in a huge decaying city called New Rome, the film stars Adam Driver as an architect who can stop time. The cast also boasts Nathalie Emmanuel, Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, Jon Voight and, among others, a notable alum of Coppola’s “Godfather” films, Talia Shire. Its distributor, Lionsgate, recently got in some hot water for a trailer, which it has since recalled, reportedly boasting fabricated negative critics’ quotes about previous Coppola films to suggest the director’s work long has been initially misunderstood.

“The Wild Robot” (Sept. 27): We’ve seen this animated adaptation of Peter Brown’s book and can say the visuals are dazzling. Also, this tale of a robot (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) who crash-lands on an island and makes what at first is an uneasy alliance with a fox (Pedro Pascal) to care for a just-hatched gosling (Kit Connor) also has a heart.

“Joker: Folie a Deux” (Oct. 3): Expect musical mayhem in this sequel to 2019′s acclaimed “Joker,” which earned Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar. To help with the whole musical aspect of the film, Lady Gaga has been cast as Harley Quinn, who transitions from psychologist Harleen Quinzel into the Joker’s love interest and sidekick. “Joker” director Todd Phillips (“The Hangover”) returns to guide this sure-to-be-dark-and-wild ride.

“The Outrun” (Oct. 4): Saoirse Ronan stars as a woman returning home after undergoing treatment for alcoholism in this drama, based on the 2016 memoir of Amy Liptrot, who co-wrote the screenplay with director Nora Fingscheidt (“The Unforgivable”).

“White Bird” (Oct. 4): After multiple delays, we should finally get this half-prequel-half-sequel to 2017′s “Wonder.” Based on the 2019 graphic novel, “White Bird” sees “Wonder” bully Julian Albans (now portrayed by Bryce Gheisar) learning about the experiences of his grandmother (Helen Mirren) as a young girl (Ariella Glaser) in Nazi-occupied France.

“Piece by Piece” (Oct. 11): The latest animation feature built with Lego pieces and parts is a telling of the story of Pharrell Williams, who voices himself. Fellow music figures such as Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg also are featured.

“Saturday Night” (Oct. 11): Director Jason Reitman helms and is the co-writer (with Gil Kenan) of this dramatization of the coming together of the late-night sketch-comedy staple that would come to be known as “Saturday Night Live.” Gabriel LaBelle portrays showrunner Lorne Michaels, while Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt and Dylan O’Brien portray Not Ready for Prime Time Players Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd and Laraine Newman, respectively.

“Flight Risk” (Oct. 18): Mel Gibson directs and Mark Wahlberg is a pilot who’s more than he seems in this up-in-the-air action thriller. Michelle Dockery portrays an FBI agent and Topher Grace is an informant.

“A Real Pain” (Oct. 18): Jesse Eisenberg is the writer, director and co-star of this dramady, in which he and “Succession” star Kieran Culkin portray mismatched cousins taking a tour of Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. Against the backdrop of their family history, old tensions resurface.

“Smile 2″ (Oct. 18): In this sequel to 2022 creepy-fun flick “Smile,” the supernaturally induced grinning is surrounding Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a famous pop singer. Parker Finn, the writer/director of “Smile,” returns.

“Venom: The Last Dance” (Oct. 25): Tom Hardy is back as Eddie Brock — the antihero joined with a loud-mouthed alien symbiote attached to him — and is supported by appealing newcomers Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave”) and Juno Temple (“Ted Lasso”).

“Here” (Nov. 1): We have a genuine “Forrest Gump” reunion in the offing, with Tom Hanks and Robin Wright starring in this drama. Co-penned by director Robert Zemeckis and Eric Roth — yes, the “Gump” screenwriter — “Here” chronicles one small bit of the planet over many years, a few of which see it become home to the couple played by Hanks and Wright. The cast also features Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly and Michelle Dockery.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” (Nov. 8): Judy Greer and Pete Holmes star in this adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s 1972 children’s book, with Dallas Jenkins (“The Chosen”) in the director’s chair.

“Conclave” (Nov. 8): In the thriller, intrigue swirls as a new pope must be chosen as the secrets of the one recently deceased surface. Ralph Fiennes portrays the cardinal tasked with leading the papal conclave, while the cast also boasts Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rosellini.

“Heretic” (Nov. 15): The autumnal scares continue into November with this horror film about Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who get more than they were looking for to convert a man played by Hugh Grant.

“Red One” (Nov. 15): Jake Kasdan (“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”) directs an impressive cast, including Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans and J.K. Simmons, in this Christmas-themed action-comedy. Johnson plays the head of North Pole security, who, after Santa Claus (Simmons) is kidnapped, must team with a bounty hunter (Evans) for the rescue. The screenplay is by Chris Morgan, best known for his work on the “Fast and Furious” franchise.

“Gladiator II” (Nov. 22): In this sequel talked about for decades, Paul Mescal portrays the grown Lucius, who years earlier had witnessed the death of the heroic Maximus (Russell Crowe’s character from “Gladiator”) — and is now a gladiator himself. Ridley Scott returns as does “Gladiator’s” Connie Nielsen, as Lucilla, mother of Lucius. Other actors new to Scott’s spin on ancient Rome include Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn (“Stranger Things”).

“Wicked” (Nov. 22): It’s the first part of a two-part adaptation of the stage version, with Part 2 coming out in late 2025. Penned by the book writer of the show, Winnie Holzman, and directed by Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians”), Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande play witch pals Elphaba Thorpp and Galinda Upland, respectively. The cast also includes Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh.