After the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the film industry is still trying to find its sea legs in 2024. While the box office has been lagging, and there’s been no “Super Mario Bros,” “Barbie,” or “Oppenheimer” so far this year, to be fair, most of those hits didn’t arrive until the summer (minus the Nintendo adaptation). While it’s been a relatively slow year at the domestic box office, there have been hits in “Dune: Part Two” and “Godzilla x Kong,”

And, while the movie industry seemingly slowed down production last year because of said strikes, there’s absolutely no lack of content this year.

Continue reading Summer Movie Preview: 50 Must-See Films To Watch at The Playlist.

Toss a coin to your witcher. Netflix has officially renewed its fantasy drama series “The Witcher” for seasons four and five, which will be its final two. The fourth season has just begun filming in the United Kingdom, with the fifth and final season being filmed immediately afterward.

These final two installments will cover Andrzej Sapkowski’s three remaining books in his “Witcher” series that the show is based on— “Baptism of Fire,” “The Tower of the Swallow,” and “Lady of the Lake.

Continue reading ‘The Witcher’: Netflix Renews Fantasy Series For 2 Seasons Ending With Season 5 at The Playlist.

See no evil. Hear no evil. Written for the screen and directed by James Watkins, the writer-director of “Eden Lake” and the award-winning gothic ghost story “The Woman in Black,” “Speak No Evil” is a new psychological thriller with a terrific cast. From Blumhouse, the producer of “The Black Phone,” “Get Out” and “The Invisible Man,” comes an intense suspense thriller starring BAFTA award-winner James McAvoy (“Split,” “Glass”) as the charismatic, alpha-male estate owner whose untrammeled hospitality masks an unspeakable darkness. 

Continue reading ‘Speak No Evil’ Trailer: James McAvoy & Mackenzie Davis Starring Psychological Thriller Hits In September at The Playlist.

Former enfante terrible filmmaker Harmony Korine (“Gummo“) has said he’s bored with conventional moviemaking and thinks video games, A.I., and experiential films are the way of the future. And well, he’s really putting his money where his mouth is with “Argro Dr1ft,” his latest feature, an experimental assassin movie that debuted at the Venice Film Festival last year (read our review).

Today, Korine’s Miami-based multimedia company EDGLRD (pronounced “edgelord”) announces the limited theatrical release of “Aggro Drf1t.” For one week only, this May 10-16, 2024, Korine’s new experimental action will screen at independent theaters across nearly 20 key locations nationwide: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Portland, Raleigh, San Francisco, and Washington DC.

Continue reading Harmony Korine’s Experimental ‘Aggro Dr1ft’ Coming To Theaters For One Week In May at The Playlist.

Olivia Colman is reuniting with her “Favourite” screenwriter, Tony McNamara. The former wrote the screenplay for Yorgos Lanthimos‘ Best Picture-nominated dramedy which won Colman an Oscar and now has a new adaptation of Warren Adler‘s novel “The War of the Roses” ready for Jay Roach to direct. Benedict Cumberbatch will play the other half of the warring couple in the Searchlight Pictures release.

Continue reading Benedict Cumberbatch & Olivia Colman To Go At It In Jay Roach’s New ‘The War of The Roses’ Adaptation at The Playlist.

If you haven’t seen the paparazzi photos of Timothée Chalamet with a guitar swung over his shoulder on social media, let us be the first to inform you that James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” has already begun filming. Searchlight Pictures made it official today with a cast announcement that added Boyd Holbrook, Scoot McNairy, Dan Fogler, Will Harrison, and Charlie Tahan to a growing ensemble.

Continue reading Boyd Holbrook, Scoot McNairy & Dan Fogler Join Bob Dylan Biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ at The Playlist.

It’s been a strange few weeks for Jennifer Lopez. Her recent hybrid drama-musical-self-awareness Prime Video exercise “This Is Me…Now” debuted to mixed critical reviews, and the accompanying album hasn’t necessarily burned up the charts. The good news is that Lopez has a big tentpole Netflix movie arriving on Netflix on Friday, May 24th, to distract from that endeavor, “Atlas.“

READ MORE: Netflix 2024 Film Slate Includes Jerry Seinfeld’s ‘Pop Tarts,’ New JLo, Lee Daniels, Mark Wahlberg Movies and more

Directed by Brad Peyton, Netflix says the film centers on “Atlas Shepherd (Lopez), a brilliant but misanthropic data analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, who joins a mission to capture a renegade robot with whom she shares a mysterious past.

Continue reading ‘Atlas’ Trailer: Jennifer Lopez Is Stranded Off Planet In New Sci-Fi Thriller at The Playlist.

There is a large, nostalgic fanbase that has been waiting breathlessly for the return of the “animated” X-Men. The original “X-Men: The Animated Series” ran from 1992-1997 on Fox’s Fox Kids programming block on Saturday mornings and weekday afternoons. When Disney+ launched it included a mandate for more Marvel Studios programming and that meant that cult revivals like the relatively inexpensive and beloved “X-Men” series were possible. That led to “X-Men ’97,” a continuation of the series (set in the same era) that was the creative vision of creator and head writer, Beau DeMayo.

Continue reading Shocker: ‘X-Men ’97’ Creator Fired Before Season Debut at The Playlist.

Last week, the trades revealed details about “The Department,” a new espionage political thriller series based on the critically acclaimed hit French drama “Le Bureau des Legendes.” Michael Fassbender was cast in the lead role, and the series came from George Clooney and Grant Heslov’s Smokehouse Pictures shingle. While early reports said Clooney would direct, a new Paramount+ announcement revealed that he’s just executive producing the project and Golden Globe and multi-BAFTA winner Joe Wright (“Pride and Prejudice,” “The Darkest Hour” and “Atonement”) will direct the series instead.

Continue reading Joe Wright To Direct ‘The Department’ Spy Series Starring Michael Fassbender at The Playlist.

“I’ve been trying to maintain just being truthful on camera.” Comedian Jerrod Carmichael is a comedic force with three previous comedy specials on HBO. But it arguably wasn’t until 2022’s intimate, naked, and very vulnerable comedy special “Rothaniel” (directed by Bo Burnham), where he came out of the closet for the first time, that he truly left an unforgettable mark on the comedy special landscape (the New Yorker called it a “vital” stand-up experience).

Continue reading ‘Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show’ Trailer: Famed Comedian Returns To HBO For A Comedy Docuseries About Love, Sex & Death at The Playlist.

In some ways, it’s been a pretty great 12 months for Ramy Youssef. Last spring he won his first Peabody Award as the co-creator and executive producer of Netflix‘s “Mo” and this winter he could be found on the big screen alongside Emma Stone in the global box office hit and Oscar-nominated “Poor Things.” As an Egyptian-American, however, he’s been vocal about his frustration with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and, it appears that may partially be the subject matter of his new HBO comedy special, “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings” which dropped its first trailer today.

Continue reading ‘Ramy Youssef: More Feelings’ Trailer: New HBO Comedy Special Arrives March 23 at The Playlist.

The second season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” should arrive on Prime Video later this year, but the streamer is already making inroads into a third go-around. Series executive producers and showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne have just signed a new overall deal with Amazon Studios. And, while a writer’s room has not officially begun, it appears Payne and McKay are already working on a story outline for season three.

Continue reading ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 3 Already In The Works at The Playlist.

Apple TV+ is continuing its foray into acclaimed Sci-Fi adaptations. The streamer already has multiple seasons of “Foundation” and “Silo” in production and is now set to bring William Gibson’s “Neuromancer” to the small screen. The classic 1984 novel is part of the acclaimed “Sprawl” trilogy, which means 1986’s “Count Zero” and 1988’s “Mona Lisa Overdrive” are ripe to continue the journey long-term.

READ MORE: Guy Ritchie to direct “The Donovans” gangster series based on “Ray Donovan” show

A Hugo Award, Nebula Award, and Philip K.

Continue reading ‘Neuromancer’: J.D. Dillard & Graham Roland To Shepherd William Gibson Sci-Fi Drama Series For Apple TV+ at The Playlist.

Are you ready for the return of bumbling detective Frank Drebin to the big screen? Wait, chances are if you are under 35 you have no idea what we’re referring to. The character was a masterstroke of deadpan humor played by Leslie Nielsen in three motion pictures beginning with “The Naked Gun: From The Files of Police Squad!” in 1988. Today, Paramount Pictures revealed the long-rumored reboot starring Liam Neeson will arrive in theaters on July 18, 2025.

Continue reading Liam Neeson’s ‘Naked Gun’ Reboot Set For July 2025 at The Playlist.

After a production delay so star Jean Smart could recover from an undisclosed heart procedure, Max’s Emmy-winning comedy series “Hacks” is set to return for a third season. Today, Max revealed that Oscar-winner Helen Hunt, six-time Emmy Award nominee Christina Hendricks, and the legendary Christopher Lloyd are among this year’s guest stars. Last week, it was announced that co-creator Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter have been promoted to series regulars.

Continue reading Christina Hendricks, Helen Hunt & Christopher Lloyd Among ‘Hacks’ Season 3 Guest Stars at The Playlist.

If you don’t recognize Benito Skinner’s name chances are you’ve seen his Instagram or TikTok videos. A content creator who exploded during the stay-at-home pandemic, Skinner made a name for himself with his impersonations of the Kardashians and his fictional characters such as LA relator Deliverance Richards and Jenni the TMI hairstylist. Now, after two years of development, Prime Video has greenlit his new series “Overcompensating” and pop star Charli XCX is giving him an assist by producing the soundtrack.

Continue reading Benito Skinner’s ‘Overcompensating’ Gets Prime Video Greenlight & A Charli XCX Soundtrack at The Playlist.

When Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” took the Ensemble in a Motion Picture honor at the 2024 SAG Awards Saturday night, one member of the cast was conspicuously missing. It turned out Florence Pugh, who played the pivotal role of Jean Tatlock, wasn’t in attendance. Many assumed it was due to Pugh’s commitments to the promotional tour for Denis Villeneuve’s already celebrated “Dune: Part II” which opens in theaters on Friday.

Continue reading Florence Pugh Reveals ‘Thunderbolts’ Is Already Filming at The Playlist.

This past weekend saw red carpets for the SAG Awards and Spirit Awards and, frankly, some stars are running out of things to say. Thankfully, Kathryn Hahn was a presenter at the former and willing to talk about her upcoming Marvel Studios series, “Agatha: Darkhold Diaries.” A spin-off of the Emmy Award-winning “WandaVision” which will arrive on Disney+ on September 19.

READ MORE: The 70 Most Anticipated TV Shows and Mini-Series of 2024

Speaking to ETOnline, Hahn noted, “I wish I could tell you anything.

Continue reading ‘Agatha: Darkhold Diaries’: Kathryn Hahn Says Fans Will Be “Surprised” at The Playlist.

In a revelation that is sure to justifiably anger many, it turns out the stars of Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux” are not being paid anything close to the same salary. The news was just a tidbit in a larger story regarding Warner Bros. Studios’ recent “spending spree” – which many would find debatable – especially considering some of the business choices the company has made. Oh, right, and the movie now has a reported budget of almost $200 million.

Continue reading ‘Joker Folie à Deux’ Budget Balloons To $200 Million at The Playlist.

Is a threesome scenario still titillating for movie audiences in 2024? We’re going to find out after Chad Hartigan’s “The Threesome” arrives at festivals and/or theaters down the road. The drama recently wrapped production in Arkansas and today it was revealed Zoey Deutch, Jonah Hauer-King, and Ruby Cruz are prominent cast members of the independently financed production.

READ MORE: Simu Liu confirms Destin Daniel Cretton will return to direct “Shang-Chi 2“

According to a release from production entities Star Thrower Entertainment, Filmopoly, and Jupiter Peak Productions, the movie is based on a script by Ethan Ogilby in his first screenplay credit (although “based on” is a curious way to describe it).

Continue reading Zoey Deutch To Star In Chad Hartigan’s ‘The Threesome’ at The Playlist.

After a quiet period following his international breakout in “The White Lotus” season two, Will Sharpe‘s dance card is beginning to fill up. The actor and playwright has a key role in Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain,” which debuted to raves at Sundance; he recently banked Audrey Diwan‘s feature “Emmanuelle” opposite Naomi Watts; and is still expected to star opposite Meg Statler in Netflix’s limited series “Too Much.” Now, the Brit has landed the title role of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in a television adaptation of Peter Shaffer’s 1979 play “Amadeus.”

READ MORE: “A Real Pain” Review: Kieran Culkin is superb in Jesse Eisenberg’s moving dramedy

According to a release from Sky, the project will reunite Sharpe with “Giri/Haji” writer and producer Joe Barton who has been a very busy bee on both sides of the Atlantic these days.

Continue reading Will Sharpe Will Play Mozart In Joe Barton’s New Adaptation Of ‘Amadeus’ at The Playlist.

While the movie industry seemingly buckles, Disney’s seemingly cutting back on any physical media anymore, and Best Buy is apparently ending its run of selling DVDs and Blu-Rays, companies like the Criterion Collection are staying the course. As usual, the boutique, cinephile-friendly company always aims to release and rediscover classic movies in the annals of film history, and they’re doing much the same with their May 2024 announcements.

READ MORE: Criterion Adds ‘I Am Cuba,’ ‘Werckmeister Harmonies’ & More For April 2024

Celebrated Senegalese film director Ousmane Sembène, known for 1966’s “Black Girl,” is getting his further due with “Three Revolutionary Films by Ousmane Sembène, “a three-disc box set featuring powerful 1970s works by the trailblazing Senegalese auteur.

Continue reading Criterion Adds ‘Anatomy Of A Fall,’ Karyn Kusama’s ‘Girlfight’ An Ousmane Sembène Box Set & More For May 2024 at The Playlist.

The Walt Disney Company reported its first quarter earnings of 2024 on Wednesday, and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger made several surprise announcements. For one, as you probably already read, a surprise “Moana 2” is not only coming, it’s nearly ready, and dated for November 2024. “Zootopia 2” was also dated for fall 2025, and Disney confirmed the title of Fede Alvarez’s next ‘Aliens’ movie as “Alien: Romulus.” Iger noted several “significant announcements that represent important and exciting steps forward.” Among them were also unexpected announcements about “Frozen 3,” “Toy Story 5,” and the confirmation that the Lucasfilm movie “The Mandalorian & Grogu” will be the first “Star Wars” theatrical film to arrive in 2026.

Continue reading Disney Announces ‘Toy Story 5,’ ‘Frozen 3,’ ‘Mandalorian & Grogu’ For 2026 & More at The Playlist.

Well, this one comes out of nowhere. A $682.6 million global box office winner that has surely grossed just as much as that in toys, games, merchandise, and ancillary products, if not more, today Disney’s Bob Iger made the surprise announcement of a sequel to the animated hit “Moana.” And here’s more of a shocker: it’s basically done and ready to come out this year in November. “Moana 2,” Disney Animation’s all-new feature-length sequel to 2016’s Oscar-nominated film, will be released in theaters in 2024.

Continue reading ‘Moana 2’ Announcement Teaser: Surprise! Disney’s Animated Sequel Arrives In November at The Playlist.

Following the announcement of a guilty verdict in his domestic violence trial this afternoon, Marvel Studios has fired actor Jonathan Majors. Majors was convicted on December 18 of two misdemeanor counts of reckless harassment and assault of Grace Jabbari, his ex-girlfriend. Majors had been cast as Kang The Conqueror, a major antagonist who appeared in two seasons of the series “Loki,” the film “Ant-Man: Quantumania,” and had been all primed up to play the next villain in the next ‘Avengers’ film, ‘The Kang Dynasty.’

READ MORE: Disney Unsets’ Magazine Dreams’ Release Date As Jonathan Majors’ Trial Approaches

Sentencing has been set for February 6.

Continue reading Marvel Studios Fires Jonathan Majors From Kang Role Following Guilty Verdict In Assault Case at The Playlist.