Fall Movie Preview: All the Exciting Films Coming This Season

You may still be soaking up the last of the sun, but before you know it, Fall will really be here, and there's a big reason to look forward to the changing of the seasons. Actually, there are more than 40 big reasons, and they can all be found on the big screen over the next few months. Yes, Fall is when the studios start rolling out their heavier fare (most of the year's Oscar winners will come out in this round — see what's already getting buzz), but it's not all weighty dramas. There are also comedies, family films, and indies we've been hearing about — and they all should be on your radar. Find out which movies of the Fall you need to know about and why. Source: Sony Pictures

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby
The Weinstein Company

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

  • Who's starring: Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy play a troubled young married couple.
  • Why you should be interested: The film got great buzz out of Cannes, no doubt due to its unconventional format — it's told from both perspectives of McAvoy and Chastain's characters.
  • When it comes out: Sept. 12
  • Watch the trailer for The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby.
The Skeleton Twins
Sony Pictures

The Skeleton Twins

  • Who's starring: Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader play siblings Maggie and Milo; Ty Burrell and Luke Wilson also costar.
  • Why you should be interested: Former SNL costars Wiig and Hader are reuniting, but in a more dramatic fashion; it's especially interesting to see Hader as a depressed gay man.
  • When it comes out: Sept. 12
  • Watch the trailer for The Skeleton Twins.
The Drop
20th Century Studios

The Drop

  • Who's starring: Tom Hardy and James Gandolfini play a couple of guys who find themselves in trouble when their bar (a drop for local gangsters) gets held up.
  • Why you should be interested: It's been a little over a year since Gandolfini died, and this gritty but moving drama captures his final performance.
  • When it comes out: Sept. 12
  • Watch the trailer for The Drop.
The Maze Runner
20th Century Studios

The Maze Runner

  • Who's starring: Teen Wolf's Dylan O'Brien plays the lead, Thomas; Kaya Scodelario, Patricia Clarkson, and Will Poulter also star.
  • Why you should be interested: This is the latest dystopian YA adaption turned potential franchise, and it's poised to be one that gets guys into YA.
  • When it comes out: Sept. 19
  • Watch the trailer for The Maze Runner.
A Walk Among the Tombstones
Universal Pictures

A Walk Among the Tombstones

  • Who's starring: Liam Neeson plays a private detective, and Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens is a client who wants revenge for the murder of his wife.
  • Why you should be interested: Neeson is channeling his Taken persona, but this adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name looks darker and more compelling.
  • When it comes out: Sept. 19
  • Watch the trailer for A Walk Among the Tombstones.
This Is Where I Leave You
Warner Bros.

This Is Where I Leave You

  • Who's starring: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, and Corey Stoll play siblings who attend the funeral of their father. Jane Fonda plays their mother.
  • Why you should be interested: Fans of the novel by Jonathan Tropper can attest that this story is both sentimental and raucously funny.
  • When it comes out: Sept. 19
  • Watch the trailer for This Is Where I Leave You.
Tracks
The Weinstein Company

Tracks

  • Who's starring: Mia Wasikowska takes a solo journey through the Australian desert, and Adam Driver is a National Geographic photographer who shoots her trip.
  • Why you should be interested: The cinematography and imagery of this sprawling drama look mesmerizing — even if you're not the type to ride a camel through the outback.
  • When it comes out: Sept. 19
  • Watch the trailer for Tracks.
Men, Women & Children
Paramount Pictures

Men, Women & Children

  • Who's starring: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Ansel Elgort, and Rosemarie DeWitt all have roles in this ensemble.
  • Why you should be interested: Director Jason Reitman has brought up affecting dramas in the past (Up in the Air, Juno), plus Sandler and newbie Elgort in the same cast? Sold.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 1
  • Watch the trailer for Men, Women & Children.
Gone Girl
20th Century Studios

Gone Girl

  • Who's starring: Ben Affleck plays Nick, the main suspect in his wife Amy's (Rosamund Pike) disappearance.
  • Why you should be interested: The Gillian Flynn book the movie is based on is spellbinding, and with David Fincher as director, the movie should be one of this year's best thrillers.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 3
  • Watch the trailer for Gone Girl.
The Good Lie
Warner Bros.

The Good Lie

  • Who's starring: Reese Witherspoon plays a woman who takes in three Sudanese refugees.
  • Why you should be interested: Leave it to the producer of The Blind Side to make a story about Sudan fuzzy and heartwarming, but it's hard not to feel something watching this trailer.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 3
  • Watch the trailer for The Good Lie.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Disney

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

  • Who's starring: Jennifer Garner and Steve Carell play the parents in this family-friendly flick.
  • Why you should be interested: Even if you're all grown-up now, you have to see one of your favorite childhood books come to life. Plus, Steve Carell!
  • When it comes out: Oct. 10
  • Watch the trailer for Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
The Judge
Warner Bros.

The Judge

  • Who's starring: Robert Downey Jr. plays a lawyer, and Robert Duvall is his estranged father.
  • Why you should be interested: It's rare that we see Downey out of the Iron Man suit, and sometimes it's nice to get a reminder of what an excellent dramatic actor he is.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 10
  • Watch the trailer for The Judge.
Whiplash
Sony Pictures Classics

Whiplash

  • Who's starring: Miles Teller plays a student jazz drummer and J.K. Simmons is the conductor who pushes him to succeed (and, well, bleed).
  • Why you should be interested: Teller — well-known for his comedic, supporting turns — got major praise when this drama premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and more recently, at the Toronto International Film Festival.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 10
  • Watch the trailer for Whiplash.
Kill the Messenger
Focus Features

Kill the Messenger

  • Who's starring: Jeremy Renner plays a journalist whose investigation into a crack epidemic threatens his life.
  • Why you should be interested: Director Michael Cuesta can handle political thrillers — he's an executive producer for Homeland, plus Renner promises to bring gravitas to this real-life story.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 10
  • Watch the trailer for Kill the Messenger.
The Best of Me
Relativity

The Best of Me

  • Who's starring: Michelle Monaghan and James Marsden play former high school sweethearts who reconnect after 20 years.
  • Why you should be interested: This is based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, so you know what to expect (tears, longing, softly lit love scenes), but somehow, we can't resist. (It may have something to do with Marsden).
  • When it comes out: Oct. 17
  • Watch the trailer for The Best of Me.
The Book of Life
20th Century Studios

The Book of Life

  • Who's starring: Channing Tatum and Zoe Saldana voice characters in this 3D animated film.
  • Why you should be interested: It's animated, but the film's look is reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas (and Guillermo del Toro produced it).
  • When it comes out: Oct. 17
  • Watch the trailer for The Book of Life.
Dracula Untold
Universal Pictures

Dracula Untold

  • Who's starring: Luke Evans plays original vampire, Vlad the Impaler.
  • Why you should be interested: This is supposed to be the origin story of all vampire origin stories, so we'll see if Evans can make vampires scary again.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 17
  • Watch the trailer for Dracula Untold.
Fury
Sony Pictures

Fury

  • Who's starring: Brad Pitt plays the leader of a WWII tank; Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña, and Jon Bernthal play his squad members.
  • Why you should be interested: Besides Brad Pitt? The trailer makes it look like so much more than a violent war movie, and that supporting cast is pretty great, too.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 17
  • Watch the trailer for Fury.
Camp X-Ray

Camp X-Ray

  • Who's starring: Kristen Stewart plays Private Amy Cole, a soldier stationed at Guantanamo Bay.
  • Why you should be interested: Stewart continues to prove herself as someone who can do more than vampire flicks, and this one looks like the most impressive example of her acting thus far.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 17
  • Watch the trailer for Camp X-Ray.

Source: Gotham Group

Birdman
Searchlight Pictures

Birdman

  • Who's starring: Michael Keaton plays a faded actor known for an iconic superhero role who tries to make a comeback on Broadway. Edward Norton and Emma Stone also star.
  • Why you should be interested: Keaton's role is eerily similar to reality; if this is his comeback, it's a must see. Also, did you check out the image? The trailer is full of eccentric vignettes such as this.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 17
  • Watch the trailer for Birdman.
Nightcrawler
Open Road Films

Nightcrawler

  • Who's starring: Jake Gyllenhaal plays a nighttime crime reporter; Bill Paxton and Rene Russo costar.
  • Why you should be interested: Gyllenhaal dropped a lot of weight and gives you the serious crazy eyes in the trailer, but it's unclear whether he's the unhinged one — or the victim.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 31
  • Watch the trailer for Nightcrawler.
Horns
The Weinstein Company

Horns

  • Who's starring: Daniel Radcliffe plays Ig, a guy who wakes up to find his girlfriend (Juno Temple) murdered — and a pair of horns on his head.
  • Why you should be interested: Radcliffe has been impressing with one interesting role after the other since Harry Potter wrapped, and if you wonder how this story is interesting, read about his character again.
  • When it comes out: Oct. 31
  • Watch the trailer for Horns.
Rosewater
Open Road Films

Rosewater

  • Who's starring: Gael García Bernal plays real-life journalist Maziar Bahari, who reported on the 2009 Iranaian elections and was imprisoned as a spy.
  • Why you should be interested: Jon Stewart wrote and directed the movie, his first time behind the camera.
  • When it comes out: Nov. 7
  • Watch the trailer for Rosewater.
Interstellar
Paramount Pictures

Interstellar

  • Who's starring: Matthew McConaughey is an engineer sent to space to find resources for a depleted Earth; Anne Hathaway plays a fellow astronaut.
  • Why you should be interested: This is Christopher Nolan's first project since his Batman franchise wrapped — and didn't you hear? This year has been subtitled "The McConaissance."
  • When it comes out: Nov. 7
  • Watch the trailer for Interstellar.
The Theory of Everything
Focus Features

The Theory of Everything

  • Who's starring: Eddie Redmayne plays astrophysicist Stephen Hawking and Felicity Jones is his first wife, Jane.
  • Why you should be interested: This isn't just for science lovers; it's for romantics too, as the trailer gives equal focus to Hawking's relationship as it does his legendary career.
  • When it comes out: Nov. 7
  • Watch the trailer for The Theory of Everything.
Dumb and Dumber To
Universal Pictures

Dumb and Dumber To

  • Who's starring: Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprise their roles as Lloyd and Harry in this long-awaited sequel.
  • Why you should be interested: It's been 20 years since the classic comedy premiered, and whether a sequel was necessary or not, you have to see what Lloyd and Harry get up to now.
  • When it comes out: Nov. 14
  • Watch the trailer for Dumb and Dumber To.
Foxcatcher
Sony Pictures Classics

Foxcatcher

  • Who's starring: Channing Tatum plays wrestler Mark Schultz, Steve Carell plays his benefactor John du Pont, and Mark Ruffalo plays David, Mark's brother.
  • Why you should be interested: The real-life story is chilling (du Pont murdered David Schultz), but the trailer is even more so. Also, Tatum and Carell got rave reviews for their acting at this year's spate of film festivals.
  • When it comes out: Nov. 14
  • Watch the trailer for Foxcatcher.
Mockingjay
Lionsgate

Mockingjay

  • Who's starring: Jennifer Lawrence reprises her role as Katniss, along with the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julianne Moore as President Alma Coin.
  • Why you should be interested: This is the end of The Hunger Games series (well, sort of; it's part one of the end, anyway)! To refresh you, it's when the revolution against the Capitol finally takes place and Katniss steps forward as the face of the movement. You can't miss it!
  • When it comes out: Nov. 21
  • Watch the trailer for Mockingjay.
The Imitation Game
The Weinstein Company

The Imitation Game

  • Who's starring: Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing, a WWII code breaker, and Keira Knightley plays a colleague.
  • Why you should be interested: If you're not Cumberbatch's biggest fan, this movie might convince you; he has the perfect skillset to charm you while convincing you he's the smartest man in the room (which the real Turing may have been; he cracked the German Enigma to help the Allies win the war).
  • When it comes out: Nov. 21
  • Watch the trailer for The Imitation Game.
Horrible Bosses 2
Warner Bros.

Horrible Bosses 2

  • Who's starring: Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, and Jason Bateman reprise their roles as men tortured by their bosses. Chris Pine and Christoph Waltz join the cast as the new bosses.
  • Why you should be interested: The first movie was hilarious (remember Day singing "That's Not My Name"?), plus it's wise bringing back the characters of Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Aniston.
  • When it comes out: Nov. 28
  • Watch the trailer for Horrible Bosses 2.
Wild
Searchlight Pictures

Wild

  • Who's starring: Reese Witherspoon plays Cheryl Strayed in the film based on her memoir of the same name.
  • Why you should be interested: Strayed's book can destroy you emotionally; there's no telling to how much more heartbreaking it will be played out on the big screen. And, with her journey along the Pacific Crest Trail, the visuals should be incredible.
  • When it comes out: Dec. 5
  • Watch the trailer for Wild.
Inherent Vice
Warner Bros.

Inherent Vice

  • Who's starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Reese Witherspoon, and Maya Rudolph comprise the ensemble cast.
  • Why you should be interested: Director Paul Thomas Anderson (The Master) is one of today's best directors, and his movies tend to be intense, which is fitting for this '70s crime story based on a Thomas Pynchon novel.
  • When it comes out: Dec. 12
Exodus: Gods and Kings
20th Century Studios

Exodus: Gods and Kings

  • Who's starring: Christian Bale is Moses and Joel Edgerton plays the Pharaoh Ramses.
  • Why you should be interested: Bale is the draw here, especially since his version of Moses, is well, really good-looking. And director Ridley Scott knows a thing or two about delivering an epic.
  • When it comes out: Dec. 12
  • Watch the trailer for Exodus: Gods and Kings.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Warner Bros.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

  • Who's starring: Martin Freeman reprises his role as Bilbo, along with returning stars Luke Evans and Orlando Bloom.
  • Why you should be interested: This chapter closes the book (pun intended) on Peter Jackson's Hobbit series — and shows us what happens after Smaug flew off to destroy Lake-town.
  • When it comes out: Dec. 17
  • Watch the trailer for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
20th Century Studios

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

  • Who's starring: Ben Stiller is back as Larry, Rebel Wilson and Dan Stevens join the cast, and of course, the late Robin Williams is back as Teddy Roosevelt.
  • Why you should be interested: These movies are great family fun, but the real reason is to catch Williams one last time.
  • When it comes out: Dec. 19
  • Watch the trailer for Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.
Annie
Sony Pictures

Annie

  • Who's starring: Quvenzhané Wallis stars as Annie, Cameron Diaz is Miss Hannigan, and Jamie Foxx is Benjamin Stacks.
  • Why you should be interested: The reboot of the classic story looks like a lot of fun (and we could always use a reminder that the sun will come out tomorrow).
  • When it comes out: Dec. 19
  • Watch the trailer for Annie.
Hot Tub Time Machine 2
Paramount Pictures

Hot Tub Time Machine 2

  • Who's starring: Clark Gregg, Craig Robinson, and Rob Rob Corddry all reprise their roles, while Adam Scott joins the sequel.
  • Why you should be interested: The first movie was ridiculous, and the sequel will be too — plus, Scott is in the cast now! He makes a more-than-worthy replacement for John Cusack.
  • When it comes out: Dec. 25
  • Watch the trailer for Hot Tub Time Machine 2.
Big Eyes
The Weinstein Company

Big Eyes

  • Who's starring: Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz play real-life married couple and painters Margaret and Walter Keane.
  • Why you should be interested: This true story is already compelling; Margaret painted the famous "big eyes" paintings popular in the '50s, but her husband Walter got the credit. And the biggest draw is iconic director Tim Burton.
  • When it comes out: Dec. 25
The Interview
Sony Pictures

The Interview

  • Who's starring: James Franco plays a journalist sent to interview, then assassinate, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, and Seth Rogen plays his producer.
  • Why you should be interested: Well, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a real person, and the movie is already ruffling feathers politically. We're curious to see how far these guys go.
  • When it comes out: Dec. 25
  • Watch the trailer for The Interview.
Unbroken
Universal Pictures

Unbroken

  • Who's starring: Jack O'Connell plays WWII soldier and POW Louis Zamperini in this true story.
  • Why you should be interested: It's Angelina Jolie's directorial debut, and Zamperini's story is truly an inspiration (he was an Olympic runner prior to joining the army). He also recently passed away, so this should be all the more poignant.
  • When it comes out: Dec. 25
  • Watch the trailer for Unbroken.
Into the Woods
Disney

Into the Woods

  • Who's starring: Meryl Streep is The Witch, Emily Blunt is The Baker's Wife, James Corden is the Baker, and Johnny Depp is The Wolf.
  • Why you should be interested: This isn't the first Broadway hit director Rob Marshall has brought to the big screen, and the first teaser we saw already looked incredible.
  • When it comes out: Dec. 25
  • Watch the trailer for Into the Woods.