If you’re anything like me, one of the things you look most forward to each month is the new movies being released. With the pandemic stretching across the last year and a half, going to the movie theater has been stressful and rare, but now that more people are getting vaccinated, you can feel a little better about sitting in your local movie theater to watch the latest release, especially if you reserve seats far away from everyone else! Plus, watching a movie in your free time is a great way to take your mind off of school and the stresses of everyday life while getting a chance to immerse yourself in someone else’s story.Â
Ending off the year with a bang, the highly-anticipated movies on this list star some of the greatest actors and actresses of our generation, with stellar plot lines and directors to match. To help inform you on the most exciting selection of new movies coming out soon, here’s a list of some highly anticipated films coming to theaters (and streaming services) near you:
- Red Notice
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A crime thriller and art heist mystery all wrapped up into one, this movie revolves around what might possibly be the best film trifecta of the year— The Rock, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds. With a cast this good, this motion picture is sure to have a great balance between action, comedy, and maybe even some romance? If you love watching movies with great banter and hilarious partners-in-crime, this is the movie for you. Plus, how could you not be excited to see it when everyone is so impeccably dressed?
Watch it starting November 12th on Netflix.
- House of gucci
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We all know from A Star is Born that Lady Gaga is not only an amazing singer, but she can act too. That’s why it’s no surprise that House of Gucci is sure to be fantastic; Lady Gaga plays Patrizia Gucci, wife of the head of the Gucci family and fashion brand. The movie revolves around the murder of this Gucci patriarch, with both a dark and glamorous aesthetic to match. Even outside of Lady Gaga, the movie has a stellar cast, starring Jared Leto, Salma Hayek, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, and more. If you’re into rich family drama, high fashion and murder mysteries, this is the film for you.
Watch it on November 24th in theaters (to celebrate Gucci’s 100th anniversary) and eventually on Paramount+.
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
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Following the theme of teen heartthrobs, we can’t forget Tom Holland, aka Peter Parker, in the final installation of the new Spider-Man trilogy. I don’t know about you, but the Spider-Man movies are some of my favorite Marvel films after the confusing mess that is the Avengers film series. With an awkward and quirky protagonist, high school drama, and a superhero-movie plot, this movie has all the ingredients to a great movie for teens and adults alike. Plus, who isn’t excited to see Tom Holland and Zendaya on screen together now that they’ve announced they’re dating?
Watch it beginning on December 17th in theaters, and eventually on Starz.Â
- West Side Story
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For all of the theatre nerds out there, this new film adaptation of the 1957 Broadway show West Side Story is sure to be the best musical-movie of the year. Starring Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, and Maddie Ziegler (and directed by Steven Spielberg!) the film is sure to include stellar dancing, singing, and romance. Revolving around the story of two star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, the plot features rival gangs, the 1950s Upper West Side, and the struggles of “The American Dream,” much like a cooler version of the classic Romeo and Juliet. I don’t know about you, but I’m already ready to save this film soundtrack to my Spotify playlist.Â
Watch it starting December 10th in a theater near you!
So, I hope this inspires you to go watch more movies before the year is up, whether the ones in this list or others! Even if you don’t feel comfortable going to the movie theaters in the middle of the pandemic, there’s a multitude of new and exciting movies being released on streaming services every month— all you have to do is look!