The Best, Blackest Fall Movie Preview of the Year

From holiday comedies, to captivating biopics, to superhero returns, this fall is stocked with a wide-range of film genres. It may be a cliche to say there’s something for everyone, but this time there actually is. With projects from Beyoncé, Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali, Viola Davis and Eddie Murphy, we figured you’d need some help navigating the release calendar. So relax, enjoy some hot cocoa and bookmark our fall movie preview.

Cast: Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani and Samuel L. Jackson

Synopsis: Carol Danver, Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan must unite against the villain who’s manipulated their powers.

First Impression: I don’t care what the world is saying about the MCU, this looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun to see these three badass women team up.

Cast: Dr. Angela Davis, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Dr. Jennifer L. Morgan, and Dr. Ibram X Kendi.

Synopsis: Oscar-winning director Roger Ross Williams’ documentary based on Kendi’s best-selling book uses “ vivid animations” to examine the history of racist tropes and images.

First Impression: Using animation to explore these topics sounds like a fascinating way to put a fresh take on documentaries.

Cast: Heather Graham, Brandy Norwood, Matt Cedeño and Jason Biggs

Synopsis: At Christmastime, two friends try to find the balance between reality and expectations.

First Impression: Everyone has that one friend who needs everything to be perfect during the holidays. Spoiler alert: Nothing is perfect during the holidays. The real question is will we get to hear Brandy sing holiday favorites?

Cast: Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, CCH Pounder, Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald

Synopsis: This biopic chronicles civil rights leader Bayard Rustin’s organization of the March on Washington.

First Impression: I cannot wait to see Colman Domingo embody Rustin and give this inspiring leader his long overdue, well deserved flowers.

Cast: Lil Rel Howery, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Teyonah Parris

Synopsis: On Christmas Eve, Eddie (Bridges) and his 9-year-old daughter meet Nick (Howery), a mysterious man in a red suit, then embark on a “magical adventure.”

First Impression: Who doesn’t love a fun little Christmas movie about a man who has his holiday spirit restored by someone who may or may not be Santa? Here’s hoping we get a cool Christmas carol remix from Luda.

Cast: Rachel Zegler, Jason Schwartzman, Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis

Synopsis: Future President Snow seemingly falls in love amid the 10th Hunger Games in this prequel to the popular franchise.

First Impression: If you’ve ever watched The Hunger Games and wondered how Donald Sutherland’s Coriolanus Snow became such a soulless jerk, this is your story.

Cast: Baritone Will Liverman as Malcolm X; soprano Leah Hawkins as his mother, Louise; mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis as his sister Ella; bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as his brother Reginald; tenor Victor Ryan Robertson as Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad

Synopsis: The opera debuted in 1986, but “new staging that imagines Malcolm as an Everyman whose story transcends time and space.”

First Impression: It’s always fascinating to enjoy these theatrical presentations on the big screen. And we’re always excited to see Black artists in fresh spaces. Check your local theater’s schedule, as these usually only play at specific times.

Cast: Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk, Ariana DeBose

Synopsis: This Disney animated fairy tale is the origin story to where all those magical wishes come from.

First Impression: Look, it doesn’t matter whether you’re interested or not. If you have kids, you’re absolutely going to go see this Thanksgiving weekend.

Cast: Beyoncé

Synopsis: This concert film follows Queen Bey’s Renaissance tour from its creation to the finale in Kansas City.

First Impression: There’s no question we’re going to see this, it’s really about how many times we’ll be at the theater.

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Robin Thede, Chris Redd

Synopsis: A neighborhood holiday decorating contest goes off the rails when the 12 Days of Christmas magically come to life.

First Impression: With a star-studded cast of hilarious actors we’re hoping this becomes a new holiday favorite.

Cast: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, Farrah Mackenzie

Synopsis: A middle class white family and an upper class Black family are stuck together during a mysterious run of apocalyptic events.

First Impression: With a cast this talented, you know this one is going to be must-watch. I can’t wait for the tense back and forth between Hawke and Ali as they try to figure out if the world is ending.

Cast: Jeffrey Wright, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sterling K. Brown

Synopsis: An academic author decides to write a parody of the “Black experience.” When it becomes a surprise hit, shenanigans ensue.

First Impression: We all know this is how the entertainment world works, so the movie going straight at the elephant in the room is really interesting. Plus, Jeffrey Wright is brilliant in everything. It opens to a wider release on Dec. 22.

Cast: Jason Momoa, Ben Affleck, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Synopsis: I have no idea, but does it even matter since the DC film universe is clearly moving on from all these characters.

First Impression: We’ve finally reached the last gasp of the DCEU. This Aquaman sequel has been on the shelf so long, we won’t actually believe it’s been released until we see it in a theater.

Cast: Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ray Fisher, Anthony Hopkins

Synopsis: Kora assembles an unlikely team of warriors to defend her village from the galaxy’s powerful, tyrannical army.

First Impression: Um, I can just watch Star Wars. I don’t need overly long knockoffs overflowing with slow motion fight scenes.

Cast: Fantasia; Danielle Brooks; Taraji P. Henson; Colman Domingo; Corey Hawkins; H.E.R.; Halle Bailey; Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor; Louis Gossett Jr.

Synopsis: Adaptation of the Broadway musical based on the 1985 film.

First Impression: Fantasia singing “I’m Here” is a life-changing experience.