Issue 19: Films For Your Watchlist
Currently on 12 upcoming film releases that might be missing from your watchlist.
We’re about halfway through the year which means Sundance, South by Southwest, and Cannes film festivals have already occurred and kickstarted buzz for some upcoming film releases. From summer hits, popcorn flicks, and potential Oscar winners, here are 12 films I’m excited about that might be missing from your watchlist.
Hit Man
Why: Glen Powell is super in right now and Linklater’s a veteran
Director: Richard Linklater (Before Trilogy, Dazed & Confused, School of Rock)
Starring: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona
Expected Release: In limited theaters May 24th, streaming on Netflix June 7th
Add To Your List If: You like The Fall Guy and steamy romantic thrillers
The Watchers
Why: The debut feature film from M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter
Director: Ishana Shyamalan
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell
Expected Release: In theaters June 7th
Add To Your List If: You like Knock At The Cabin and are scared to be home alone
Ghostlight
Why: Wide acclaim coming from Sundance and I loved their first release, Saint Frances
Director: Alex Thompson + Kelly O’Sullivan (Saint Frances)
Starring: Keith Kupferer, Katherine Mallen Kupferer
Expected Release: In theaters June 14th
Add To Your List If: You like Lady Bird and ugly crying
Kinds of Kindness
Why: It just won Best Actor at Cannes
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things, The Lobster, The Favourite)
Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Hong Chau
Expected Release: In theaters June 21st
Add To Your List If: You know what to expect from a Lanthimos film
Sing Sing
Why: A24 quietly puts out a dramatic hit every year (Aftersun, Past Lives, C’mon C’mon)
Director: Greg Kwedar
Starring: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin
Expected Release: In theaters July 12th
Add To Your List If: You like Shawshank Redemption and the liberating power of art
Twisters
Why: Because 1996’s Twister is a banger
Director: Lee Isaac Chung (Minari)
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Expected Release: In theaters July 19th
Add To Your List If: You like Top Gun: Maverick and want to take your parents to the theater
Dìdi
Why: It was one of my two favorites from Sundance
Director: Sean Wang (Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó)
Starring: Izaac Wang, Joan Chen
Expected Release: In theaters July 26th
Add To Your List If: You like Eighth Grade and had a MySpace Top 8
The Instigators
Why: Damon + an Affleck are as dynamic of a duo as Pitt + Clooney
Director: Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow, The Bourne Identity)
Starring: Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Hong Chau
Expected Release: In theaters August 2nd, on AppleTV+ August 9th
Add To Your List If: You like The Town and Boston crime thrillers
Wolfs
Why: Pitt and Clooney together in their first film in 16 years
Director: Jon Watts (Spider-Man: No Way Home)
Starring: Brad Pitt, George Clooney
Expected Release: In theaters September 20th
Add To Your List If: You like Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, and Ocean’s Thirteen
A Real Pain
Why: It was one of my two favorites from Sundance
Director: Jesse Eisenberg (When You Finish Saving The World)
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin
Expected Release: In theaters October 18th
Add To Your List If: You like Peanut Butter Falcon and are a Kieran Culkin stan
Anora
Why: It just won Best Film at Cannes (past winners Anatomy of a Fall and Parasite)
Director: Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Red Rocket)
Starring: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn
Expected Release: TBA
Add To Your List If: You like Uncut Gems and exploring the human condition
The Smashing Machine
Why: The solo feature directorial debut of Safdie after parting ways with his brother
Director: Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems, Good Time, The Curse)
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt
Expected Release: In theaters December 24th
Add To Your List If: You like The Iron Claw and the UFC
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— Justin