Fall movie season brings ‘Springsteen’ and ‘Wicked’ part 2 — and more

The slate of movies landing in theaters and on streaming services through the Friday before Thanksgiving is, surprisingly, devoid of superheroes.

Nothing from the Marvel Cinematic Universe or upstart rival the DC Universe.

That is not to say the fall season is lacking in heroes. If you’re looking for a couple of heroines of the supernatural variety, you’ll likely be thrilled to know Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s Glinda will be back in theaters with “Wicked: For Good,” right before Turkey Day.

But you want to talk about a hero in whom so many of us believe? That’s Bruce Springsteen, who will be celebrated in the biopic “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” in theaters on Oct. 24.

Here’s a brief look at other flicks, from family fare to Halloween haunts, headed to the cineplex or your living room in the next few months — and remember, dates are subject to change.

“The Conjuring: Last Rites”: Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are back as paranormal experts in this follow-up to 2021’s “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” and the 10th entry in “The Conjuring Universe,” launched with the pair in 2013’s “The Conjuring.” Director Michael Chaves already has helmed three entries in this spooky world, the last being 2023’s “The Nun II.” (Friday; theaters)

“Highest 2 Lowest”: Director Spike Lee’s well-received crime thriller — said to be a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film, “High and Low” — is landing on Apple’s platform a couple of weeks after a limited theatrical release. Denzel Washington portrays a New York City music mogul who becomes the target of a ransom plot in the film, which also features Jeffrey Wright. (Friday; Apple TV+)

“The Baltimorons”: Jay Duplass (“Jeff, Who Liv es at Home”) directs this comedy about a Charm City man in need of emergency oral surgery on Christmas Eve. (Sept. 12; theaters)

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Movie: Infinity Castle”: This work of animated dark fantasy action from Japan is said to be set after the fourth season of the TV series “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” and earlier films. If you’re not an anime fan, this one probably isn’t on your radar. (Sept. 12; theaters)

“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale”: OK, the big-screen follow-ups to “Downton Abbey,” the beloved British series from Julian Fellowes about the fictional aristocratic Crawley family, have been something short of brilliant. But at least the 2019 film “Downton Abbey” and its 2022 sequel, “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” brought us back together with our English friends. It’s hard to believe this third film — like the second, penned by Fellowes and directed by Simon Curtis — will serve as a farewell to characters such as Hugh Bonneville’s Earl of Grantham Robert Crawley, Jim Carter’s Mr. Carson and Phyllis Logan’s Mrs. Hughes, to name but three faves. The tale will see the Crawleys entering the 1930s as Michelle Dockery’s Lady Mary finds herself engulfed in scandal following her divorce from Matthew Goode’s Henry Talbot. (Goode, due to scheduling conflicts, is not expected to appear in the movie.) Paul Giamatti — who portrays an American businessman and the brother of Elizabeth McGovern’s Cora Crawley, the countess of Grantham — is among a few newcomers swimming in a sea of familiar faces. (Sept. 12; theaters)

“The Long Walk”: Francis Lawrence, a veteran of the “Hunger Games” franchise, helms this adaptation of Stephen King’s 1979 novel set in a dystopian version of the United States. In the oh-so-fun tale, young men, hoping to win money, enter a contest in which they must walk a great distance and maintain a speed of 3 mph or face the prospect of being executed. Cooper Hoffman (“Licorice Pizza”), David Jonsson (“Alien: Romulus”) and Garrett Wareing (“Pretty Little Liars”) are among those portraying the walkers, while Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, portrays baddie The Major. (Sept. 12; theaters)

“Rabbit Trap”: Dev Patel and Rosy McEwen portray a married couple that runs afoul of fairies in this British horror offering written and directed by Bryn Chainey, who’s best known for short films. (Sept. 12; theaters)

“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey”: Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell portray strangers who embark on an unusual journey together in this romance-fantasy from director Kogonada (“Columbus”). The supporting cast boasts Kevin Kline and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. (Sept. 19; theaters)

“Him”: Counting Jordan Peele (“Get Out,” “Nope”) among its producers, this Justin Tipping-directed effort is the rare sports-horror film. The examination of fame, power and other themes will see Marlon Wayans as an aging quarterback who takes a young protege (Tyriq Withers) into a hidden, unsettling world. (Sept. 19; theaters)

“Night of the Reaper”: Babysitting and murder mix in this straight-to-streaming Scare-tember offering starring Jessica Clement (“Gen V”). (Sept. 19; Shudder)

“All of You”: Friends Simon (Brett Goldstein) and Laura (Imogen Poots) try to determine if they’re soulmates in this sci-fi romance directed by William Bridges and co-written by him and “Ted Lasso” fave Goldstein. (Sept. 26; Apple TV+)

“Eleanor the Great”: Scarlett Johansson makes her feature-directing debut with this drama about the unlikely friendship between an older woman (June Squibb) from Florida and a 19-year-old New Yorker (Erin Kellyman). (Sept. 26; theaters)

“Dead of Winter”: In this cold-tinged drama, Emma Thompson portrays a grief-stricken loner who, when lost in the back roads of Minnesota, encounters a desperate couple (Judy Greer and Marc Menchaca) who’ve kidnapped a young woman (Laurel Marsden). Brian Kirk — who’s no stranger to icy settings, having helmed episodes of “Game of Thrones” — directs. (Sept. 26; theaters)

“One Battle After Another”: Leonardo DiCaprio collaborates for the first time with auteur Paul Thomas Anderson, the former starring alongside Sean Penn, Regina Hall, Benicio del Toro and Teyana Taylor in the latest from the writer-director of “Magnolia” (1999), “There Will Be Blood” (2007), “Phantom Thread” (2017) and other cinematic gems. We don’t know much about the story beyond it involving ex-revolutionaries coming together after years apart when one of the daughters is kidnapped, but the trailers have been a whole lot of fun. (Sept. 26; theaters)

“Ruth & Boaz”: Serayah (“The Sound of Christmas”) and Tyler Lepley (“The Haves and the Have Nots”) star in this modern-day take on a biblical story. Alanna Brown directs, and Tyler Perry is among the movie’s producers. (Sept. 26: Netflix)

“The Strangers: Chapter 2”: The second installment of “Die Hard 2” director Renny Harlin’s trilogy of prequels to 2008 horror flick “The Strangers” arrives a year and some change after “The Strangers: Chapter 1.” No date has been given for the final volume. (Sept. 26; theaters)

“Play Dirty”: Shane Black (“Iron Man 3,” “The Nice Guys”) directs Mark Wahlberg and LaKeith Stanfield in this heist flick, which also features Rosa Salazar, Tony Shalhoub and Keegan-Michael Key. (Oct. 1; Prime Video)

“The Lost Bus”: Director Paul Greengrass (“United 93,” “Captain Phillips”) would seem to be an excellent fit for a survival film, this one dealing with a bus full of children navigating California’s deadly Camp fire in 2018. Greengrass co-wrote the film, based on Lizzie Johnson’s 2021 nonfiction book “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire.” It stars Matthew McConaughey as Kevin McKay, the driver of the bus, and America Ferrera as Mary Ludwig, the children’s teacher. “The Lost Bus” is getting a limited theatrical run starting Sept. 19 before landing on Apple’s streaming platform. (Oct. 3; Apple TV+)

“The Smashing Machine”: In this truth-based story, Dwayne Johnson portrays amateur wrestler-turned-mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr. Johnson’s “Jungle Cruise” co-star, Emily Blunt, portrays Kerr’s wife, Dawn, and Benny Safdie — known for making films with brother Josh — directed, wrote, edited and co-produced the biographical sports drama. (Oct. 3; theaters)

“Steve”: Cillian Murphy portrays the titular character, a teacher and leader at a school for boys with behavior issues, in this film helmed by Tim Mielants (“Small Things Like These”). (Oct. 3; Netflix)

“V/H/S/Halloween”: The latest installment of the “V/H/S” found-footage horror anthology helps usher October and its frights into your living room. (Oct. 3; Shudder)

“Anemone”: The great Daniel Day-Lewis emerges from retirement — the actor last starred in 2017’s “Phantom Thread” — for this film directed by son Ronan Day-Lewis, who co-wrote the film with his father. Family conflicts will be explored in this visually stylized film, which will see Sean Bean (“Game of Thrones”) portray the brother of Day-Lewis’ character. (Oct. 10; theaters)

“Kiss of the Spider Woman”: Bill Condon (“Chicago,” “Dreamgirls”) knows a thing or three about directing movie musicals, and he has star Jennifer Lopez to help make this one a smashing success. Like the 1985 drama starring Oscar winner William Hurt, it is an adaptation of Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel. The supporting cast is led by “Andor” star Diego Luna. (Oct. 10; theaters)

“Roofman”: Channing Tatum stars in this comedy drama based on the life of escaped convict Jeffrey Manchester, a former U.S. Army Reserve officer with a habit of stealing from places he comes into from above. Kirsten Dunst, Peter Dinklage, Juno Temple and LaKeith Stanfield are among the supporting cast members. Based on the high-energy trailer, this should prove to be a significant tonal shift for director Derek Cianfrance, best known for the dramas “Blue Valentine” (2010) and “The Light Between Oceans.” (Oct. 10; theaters)

“Tron: Ares”: Jared Leto portrays Ares, a super-smart program who ventures from the digital world into the real one, in this third film in the sci-fi “Tron” franchise, following the 1982 original and its 2010 sequel, “Tron: Legacy.” The latter was helmed by Joseph Kosinski, who went on to direct big-budget, thrill-delivering flicks “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) and this year’s “F1 The Movie,” so you can’t help but wonder what may be ahead for Joachim Rønning (“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”). (Oct. 10; theaters)

“The Woman in Cabin 10”: Keira Knightley portrays a journalist who, while writing about a new cruise ship, sees someone thrown overboard in this thriller from “The Dig” director Simon Stone and based on the novel by Ruth Ware. The supporting cast boasts Guy Pearce, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kaya Scodelario and Hannah Waddingham. (Oct. 10; Netflix)

“After the Hunt”: Julia Roberts and “The Bear” standout Ayo Edebiri star in the latest film from button-pushing director Luca Guadagnino (“Bones and All,” “Challengers”). Andrew Garfield portrays a college professor accused of improper behavior by a student (Edebiri), the protege of a professor close to him (Roberts). (Oct. 17; theaters)

“Good Fortune”: Keanu Reeves portrays Gabriel, a not-so-effective guardian angel trying to help the struggling Arj (Aziz Ansari) in this comedy, which also features Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer and Sandra Oh. Written by Ansari, “Good Fortune” also marks his feature-directing debut. (Oct. 17; theaters)

“Blue Moon”: The actor-director tandem of Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater (“Before Sunrise” and its sequels, “Boyhood”) are back together in this film in which Hawke portrays Lorenz Hart, the former creative partner of composer Richard Rodgers. Margaret Qualley and Bobby Cannavale are among the supporting players, as is Andrew Scott, who plays the role of Rodgers. (Oct. 24; theaters)

“Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc”: Here’s another slice of theater-bound anime following a TV series, and we’re guessing that, as with the aforementioned fellow Sony Pictures release “Demon Slayer,” this surely is for a niche crowd. (Oct. 24; theaters)

“A House of Dynamite”: Getting a limited theatrical release two weeks before its streaming release, the latest from heavyweight filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker,” “Zero Dark Thirty”) centers around White House officials dealing with a coming missile attack. We are eagerly awaiting the release of a trailer for the drama, which stars Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson and also features Jared Harris, Greta Lee, Gabriel Basso, Anthony Ramos, Jason Clarke and other familiar names in its cast. (Oct. 24; Netflix)

“Queens of the Dead”: Tina Romero — daughter of late horror master George Romero (“Night of the Living Dead”) — directs this horror comedy involving drag queens facing a zombie apocalypse. The cast features Jaquel Spivey, Katy O’Brian and Margaret Cho, among others. (Oct. 24; theaters)

“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere”: If you’re a fan of “the Boss” and “The Bear,” you no doubt have a hungry heart for this Bruce Springsteen biopic starring Jeremy Allen White, who’s impressed as a talented but troubled chef on the latter, an engrossing Hulu comedy-drama series. He portrays the New Jersey legend with a talent for writing passionate anthems at the time of the making of his 1982 album “Nebraska,” a bold departure from his earlier work. “Deliver Me From Nowhere” is written and directed by Scott Cooper, who put a fictional singer-songwriter front and center in his critically acclaimed 2009 film, “Crazy Heart,” and whose credits also include “Black Mass” (2015) and “Hostiles” (2017). (Oct. 24; theaters)

“Anniversary”: Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler star in this thriller, which sees a family torn apart as a movement sweeps the country. The supporting cast features Phoebe Dynevor, Zoey Deutch, Dylan O’Brien and Mckenna Grace. (Oct. 29; theaters)

“Ballad of a Small Player”: Colin Farrell plays a hard-drinking gambler in the latest film from director Edward Berger (“All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Conclave”), which will see a limited theatrical release two weeks earlier. Based on the trailer, this looks to be another thought-provoking, visually powerful drama from the Swiss-Austrian filmmaker. Tilda Swinton is the most notable supporting player in this adaptation of the 2014 novel of the same name by Lawrence Osborne. (Oct. 29; Netflix)

“Bugonia”: The fourth collaboration between top-notch actor Emma Stone and directing great Yorgos Lanthimos — following 2018’s “The Favourite,” 2023’s “Poor Things” and last year’s “Kinds of Kindness” — reteams her with Jesse Plemons, her “Kinds of Kindness” co-star. Based on the 2003 film “Save the Green Planet!” from South Korea, “Bugonia” sees Plemons’ character kidnapping Stone’s, believing the high-powered corporate executive to be hiding her true, extraterrestrial identity. The recently released trailer is every bit as wild as you’ve come to expect from a Lanthimos film. (Oct. 29; theaters)

“Frankenstein”: We can’t wait to see what the wildly creative filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (“The Shape of Water,” “Nightmare Alley”) has planned for his take on the classic monster tale that explores themes such as ambition, alienation and isolation. Oscar Isaac shines in the trailer as mad genius Victor Frankenstein, with Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein’s monster and a supporting cast led by Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz. The film is getting a limited theatrical run beginning on Oct. 17. (Nov. 7; Netflix)

“Nuremberg”: “Bohemian Rhapsody” star Rami Malek portrays Douglas Kelley, the psychiatrist charged with determining if Nazi figure Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe) is fit to stand at the Nuremberg trials in this drama based on the nonfiction book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist” by Jack El-Hai. Best known as the writer of films including 2007’s “Zodiac” and “The Amazing Spider-Man,” James Vanderbilt also directs this film, which boasts a supporting cast that includes Michael Shannon, Leo Woodall, Richard E. Grant and John Slattery. (Nov. 7; theaters)

“Predator: Badlands”: Arriving only a few months after the impressive straight-to-Hulu animated film “Predator: Killer of Killers,” “Badlands” is also helmed by Dan Trachtenberg, as was the well-regarded 2022 entry in the franchise, “Prey.” This seventh film in the series — if you don’t count the two “Alien vs. Predator” endeavors — sees a young Predator alien team up with a synthetic being, Thia (Elle Fanning of “The Great”), on a remote planet. Hmm, seeing that Thia is said to be the work of Weyland-Yutani corporation — a staple of the “Alien” franchise that’s featured on the current excellent Hulu series “Alien: Earth” — maybe we should take those “Alien” crossover movies more seriously. (Nov. 7; theaters)

“Sarah’s Oil”: Cyrus Nowrasteh directs this biopic about Sarah Rector (Naya Desir-Johnson), a Black girl who believed oil resided beneath her barren Oklahoma land. It’s inspired by Tonya Bolden’s 2014 book, “Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America,” and also features performances by Zachary Levi, Sonequa Martin-Green and Vincent D’Onofrio. (Nov. 7; theaters)

“A Merry Little Ex-Mas”: Oh boy, let the parade of Christmas movies begin. Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson star in this one, about a couple planning to split after spending one more holiday together for the kids. (Nov. 14; Netflix)

“Keeper”: “Longlegs” director Osgood Perkins seemingly doesn’t want to have the taste of “The Monkey,” released earlier this year, lingering in our mouths, as he’s already back with another tale of horror. “Orphan Black” star Tatiana Maslany, who was featured in “The Monkey,” stars in this film, set largely in a spooky cabin. (Nov. 14; theaters)

“Nouvelle Vague”: Richard Linklater, of the just-mentioned “Blue Moon,” is back, seemingly sans Ethan Hawke, with this Netflix offering getting a limited theatrical release two weeks earlier. This comedy-drama, borrowing the French term for “new wave,” stars Guillaume Marbeck as Jean-Luc Godard, Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg and Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo. (Nov. 14; Netflix)

“The Running Man”: Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Baby Driver”) helms this second adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel of the same name, with Glen Powell in the role previously filled by Arnold Schwarzenegger. As “the runner” in a game show called “The Running Man,” Powell’s Ben Richards must survive for 30 days to win a cool billion dollars. Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace and William H. Macy are among the other notable names in the cast. (Nov. 14; theaters)

“Sisu: Road to Revenge”: Star Jorma Tommila returns to star in this sequel to well-regarded 2022 Finnish action thriller “Sisu.” Writer-director Jalmari Helander is back, as well. (Nov. 21; theaters)

“Train Dreams”: Joel Edgerton portrays a logger working to develop a railroad across the U.S., and Felicity Jones plays his wife in this film directed and co-written by Clint Bentley (“Jockey”). It is receiving a limited theatrical run two weeks prior to its streaming debut. (Nov. 21; Netflix)