Fall Movie Preview: 60 Films You Need to Have on Your Radar

By Shannon Vestal Robson

Updated on 10/15/2015 at 11:00 AM

Fall is officially here, and for those grieving Summer, let me just assure you that closing the door on one season has a very shiny silver lining: movies! The crop of this year's Fall movies is a staggering mix of poignant award season bait, gut-busting comedies, and the kind of sequels that you always want more of. Here are the movies you need on your radar, so start planning your viewing accordingly.

Sleeping With Other People — IFC Films

Sleeping With Other People

Who's starring: Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie
Why you should be interested: The unconventional romantic comedy is now the best kind of romantic comedy, and that's what we're getting with these two comedy powerhouses, who play people who think they're only interested in each other for sex.
When it opened: Sept. 11
Watch the trailer for Sleeping With Other People.

The Visit — Universal Pictures

The Visit

Who's starring: Kathryn Hahn, Ed Oxenbould, and Olivia DeJonge
Why you should be interested: This could be M. Night Shyamalan's big comeback. The movie looks creepy and the story (grandparents going psycho) has a unique enough angle to do it.
When it opened: Sept. 11
Watch the trailer for The Visit.

The Perfect Guy — Sony Pictures

The Perfect Guy

Who's starring: Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy, and Morris Chestnut
Why you should be interested: This is classic, guilty-pleasure, movie stalker fun. Pass the popcorn!
When it opened: Sept. 11
Watch the trailer for The Perfect Guy.

Pawn Sacrifice — Lionsgate

Pawn Sacrifice

Who's starring: Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, Peter Sarsgaard, and Lily Rabe
Why you should be interested: It's rare that we see Maguire delve into such a meaty role, and this, where he plays the legendary Bobby Fischer in one of his most important matches, could be Oscar material for him.
When it opened: Sept. 16
Watch the trailer for Pawn Sacrifice.

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials — 20th Century Studios

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

Who's starring: Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Rosa Salazar, and Patricia Clarkson
Why you should be interested: After the intriguing first installment in this postapocalyptic tale, we're curious about where chapter two will take O'Brien and company.
When it opened: Sept. 18
Watch the trailer for Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.

Sicario — Lionsgate

Sicario

Who's starring: Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio Del Toro
Why you should be interested: Drug trafficking dramas are usually the provenance of men, but Sicario gives us a female protagonist — and Blunt, by the way, is already getting Oscar buzz for this.
When it opened: Sept. 18
Watch the trailer for Sicario.

Black Mass — Warner Bros.

Black Mass

Who's starring: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, and Benedict Cumberbatch
Why you should be interested: Once again, Depp transformed himself into a character, and this time it's notorious mob boss Whitey Bulger. Plus, you have to hear Cumberbatch's Boston accent.
When it opened: Sept. 18
Watch the trailer for Black Mass.

Everest — Universal Pictures

Everest

Who's starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, and Jason Clarke
Why you should be interested: The film is based on the true story of a tragic climb, and the actors themselves were subject to extreme conditions in the Italian Alps.
When it opened: Sept. 18
Watch the trailer for Everest.

The Intern — Warner Bros.

The Intern

Who's starring: Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro
Why you should be interested: Nancy Meyers knows her way around a heartwarming comedy, and this one, focusing on an unlikely friendship, looks like it won't disappoint.
When it opened: Sept. 25
Watch the trailer for The Intern.

99 Homes — Broad Green Pictures

99 Homes

Who's starring: Andrew Garfield, Laura Dern, and Michael Shannon
Why you should be interested: This searing look at the housing crisis humanizes both sides of the financial struggle — plus Garfield is fantastic in one of his first post-Spider-Man roles.
When it opened: Sept. 25
Watch the trailer for 99 Homes.

The Keeping Room — STX Entertainment

The Keeping Room

Who's starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Brit Marling, and Sam Worthington
Why you should be interested: The drama bills itself as a "feminist Western," a term and a genre not often mixed. Count us in.
When it opened: Sept. 25
Watch the trailer for The Keeping Room.

Mississippi Grind — A24

Mississippi Grind

Who's starring: Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn
Why you should be interested: Reynolds is always a good time, and now that we've seen Mendelsohn on Bloodline, we're itching to see more of him.
When it opened: Sept. 25
Watch the trailer for Mississippi Grind.

The Walk — Sony Pictures

The Walk

Who's starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ben Kingsley
Why you should be interested: Not only is the true story of Philippe Petit (Gordon-Levitt), the Frenchman who walked a wire between the twin towers in 1974, astounding, but the film also boasts insane special effects you can watch in 3D and IMAX.
When it opened: Sept. 30
Watch the trailer for The Walk.

The Martian — 20th Century Studios

The Martian

Who's starring: Matt Damon, Kate Mara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Kristen Wiig
Why you should be interested: The trailers feature Damon as an unexpectedly charming and funny regular guy — who just happens to be an astronaut stuck on Mars.
When it opened: Oct. 2
Watch the trailer for The Martian.

Legend — Universal Pictures

Legend

Who's starring: Tom Hardy, in a dual role as real-life gangster twins Reginald and Ronnie Kray
Why you should be interested: Did you read the part about the dual role? This is going to be a feat, any way you slice it.
When it opens: Nov. 20
Watch the trailer for Legend.

Pan — Warner Bros.

Pan

Who's starring: Hugh Jackman, Rooney Mara, and Garrett Hedlund
Why you should be interested: Director Joe Wright is known for visual film bonanzas like Anna Karenina, making him the perfect storyteller to recount an iconic but well-known tale.
When it opens: Oct. 9
Watch the trailer for Pan.

Steve Jobs — Universal Pictures

Steve Jobs

Who's starring: Michael Fassbender and Seth Rogen
Why you should be interested: This isn't the first time Hollywood has taken a shot at telling Jobs's life story, but with Aaron Sorkin and Danny Boyle behind the scenes, this may be the version that pulls it off.
When it opens: Oct. 9
Watch the trailer for Steve Jobs.

Bridge of Spies — Dreamworks

Bridge of Spies

Who's starring: Tom Hanks and Amy Ryan
Why you should be interested: Steven Spielberg is directing Tom Hanks! Nothing else matters. OK fine, if you need more info: it's a true story about the CIA rescuing a US pilot during the Cold War.
When it opens: Oct. 16
Watch the trailer for Bridge of Spies.

Freeheld — Lionsgate

Freeheld

Who's starring: Ellen Page, Julianne Moore, and Steve Carell
Why you should be interested: It's the true story of an important gay rights battle, in which a lesbian couple fought for spousal benefits in 2005 New Jersey.
When it opens: Oct. 16
Watch the trailer for Freeheld.

Crimson Peak — Universal Pictures

Crimson Peak

Who's starring: Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam, and Mia Wasikowska
Why you should be interested: Modern horror master Guillermo del Toro is behind the camera of this gothic tale, and did you see that cast?
When it opens: Oct. 16
Watch the trailer for Crimson Peak.

Truth — Sony Pictures Classics

Truth

Who's starring: Robert Redford as Dan Rather and Cate Blanchett as his producer, Mary Mapes
Why you should be interested: There's nothing more compelling than a recent scandal, and Rather's 2004 documents incident is under the microscope here for a look at politics and the modern media. But honestly, this is going to be all about the performances of insanely talented duo Blanchett and Redford.
When it opens: Oct. 16

Goosebumps — Sony Pictures

Goosebumps

Who's starring: Jack Black is playing legendary author R. L. Stine
Why you should be interested: Because Stine's creations come to life, and you know you have a soft spot for them all from your literary childhood.
When it opens: Oct. 16
Watch the trailer for Goosebumps.

Beasts of No Nation — Netflix

Beasts of No Nation

Who's starring: Idris Elba
Why you should be interested: 1. This child-soldier drama is from True Detective season one director Cary Fukunaga, 2. Idris Elba is everything, and 3. It's streaming on Netflix the same day it releases in theaters.
When it opens: Oct. 16
Watch the trailer for Beasts of No Nation.

Room — A24

Room

Who's starring: Brie Larson and William H. Macy
Why you should be interested: The bestselling novel about an imprisoned woman and her son is a gripping triumph. We expect as much from these skilled actors.
When it opens: Oct. 16
Watch the trailer for Room.

Jem and the Holograms — Universal Pictures

Jem and the Holograms

Who's starring: Aubrey Peeples, Ryan Guzman, and Juliette Lewis
Why you should be interested: Because you still wish you were in this band.
When it opens: Oct. 23
Watch the trailer for Jem and the Holograms.

Burnt — The Weinstein Company

Burnt

Who's starring: Bradley Cooper, Jamie Dornan, and Sienna Miller
Why you should be interested: Cooper as a bad-boy chef just sounds way too tasty to pass up.
When it opens: Oct. 23
Watch the trailer for Burnt.

The Last Witch Hunter — Lionsgate

The Last Witch Hunter

Who's starring: Vin Diesel, Michael Caine, and Elijah Wood
Why you should be interested: This movie — about an immortal witch hunter who's still fighting the good fight in present-day New York — just looks like a lot of fun.
When it opens: Oct. 23
Watch the trailer for The Last Witch Hunter.

Rock the Kasbah — Open Road Films

Rock the Kasbah

Who's starring: Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, and Zooey Deschanel
Why you should be interested: Bill Murray is a national treasure. And he really made us laugh in this trailer.
When it opens: Oct. 23
Watch the trailer for Rock the Kasbah.

Suffragette — Focus Features

Suffragette

Who's starring: Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep
Why you should be interested: This may be a period piece about the fight for women's right to vote — but it could not be more relevant to the present day.
When it opens: Oct. 23
Watch the trailer for Suffragette.

Our Brand Is Crisis

Who's starring: Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton
Why you should be interested: Bullock plays a political fixer in a role that already has people speculating about her Oscar chances.
When it opens: Oct. 30
Watch the trailer for Our Brand Is Crisis.

Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse — Paramount Pictures

Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

Who's starring:Tye Sheridan and Patrick Schwarzenegger
Why you should be interested: A zombie attack comedy is just the thing to take your mind off how terrifying the zombies of The Walking Dead are.
When it opens: Oct. 30
Watch the trailer for Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.

Miss You Already — Lionsgate

Miss You Already

Who's starring: Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette
Why you should be interested: This is about two best friends coping when one gets cancer. This is our new Beaches. Hopefully.
When it opens: Nov. 6
Watch the trailer for Miss You Already.

Trumbo — Groundswell Films

Trumbo

Who's starring: Bryan Cranston and Patricia Clarkson
Why you should be interested: Not only is it sweet relief to see Cranston in a new project, but blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo is such a different role than Walter White.
When it opens: Nov. 6
Watch the trailer for Trumbo.

The Peanuts Movie — 20th Century Studios

The Peanuts Movie

Who's starring: Charlie Brown and his friends!
Why you should be interested: Your favorite cartoon characters have not been bastardized; author Charles M. Schulz's son and grandson are both writers on the film.
When it opens: Nov. 6
Watch the trailer for The Peanuts Movie.

Brooklyn — Searchlight Pictures

Brooklyn

Who's starring: Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, and Emory Cohen
Why you should be interested: This immigrant drama (based on the book of the same name) is also a romantic-looking love triangle as Ronan's character is torn between an American boy and an Irish boy back home.
When it opens: Nov. 4
Watch the trailer for Brooklyn.

Spotlight — Open Road Films

Spotlight

Who's starring: Rachel McAdams, Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, and Liev Schreiber
Why you should be interested: As unsavory as it is, this all happened, and it's important to see how a dedicated group of journalists exposed a huge molestation scandal within the Catholic church.
When it opens: Nov. 6
Watch the trailer for Spotlight.

Spectre — Sony Pictures

Spectre

Who's starring: Daniel Craig and Christoph Waltz
Why you should be interested: Craig is one of the best Bonds in recent memory (sorry, Pierce), and after the devastating events of Skyfall, we have to see where he goes next.
When it opens: Nov. 6
Watch the trailer for Spectre.

By the Sea — Universal Pictures

By the Sea

Who's starring: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Why you should be interested: It's Jolie and Pitt as a couple in distress in 1970s France. And Jolie directed. Do you need more?
When it opens: Nov. 13
Watch the trailer for By the Sea.

The 33 — Warner Bros.

The 33

Who's starring: Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, and Lou Diamond Phillips
Why you should be interested: The Chilean mine collapse just happened in 2010 — and though this depiction is sure to be harrowing, at least you know there is a somewhat happy ending.
When it opens: Nov. 13
Watch the trailer for The 33.

Love the Coopers — CBS Films

Love the Coopers

Who's starring: Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Marisa Tomei, and Ed Helms
Why you should be interested: Because you can't resist the latest ensemble comedy if it's about the holidays.
When it opens: Nov. 13
Watch the trailer for Love the Coopers.

Carol — The Weinstein Company

Carol

Who's starring: Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett
Why you should be interested: Blanchett and Mara — who play forbidden lovers in 1950s New York — earned rapturous raves for each of their performances at Cannes.
When it opens: Nov. 20
Watch the trailer for Carol.

Secret in Their Eyes — STX Entertainment

Secret in Their Eyes

Who's starring: Julia Roberts, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Nicole Kidman
Why you should be interested: The plot is brutal — an FBI investigator's daughter is murdered, and the case reopens 13 years later to drag her back in — but the talent assembled is staggering.
When it opens: Nov. 20
Watch the trailer for Secret in Their Eyes.

Mockingjay — Part 2 — Lionsgate

Mockingjay — Part 2

Who's starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and Donald Sutherland
Why you should be interested: Are you kidding? We've been waiting years for Katniss to get her revenge on President Snow. It's time — even though we say goodbye to the Hunger Games franchise with it.
When it opens: Nov. 20
Watch the trailer for Mockingjay — Part 2.

Creed — Warner Bros.

Creed

Who's starring: Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan
Why you should be interested: The Rocky movies were your favorite when you were a kid — or if they weren't, Michael B. Jordan is here to be your new favorite movie boxer.
When it opens: Nov. 25
Watch the trailer for Creed.

The Good Dinosaur — Pixar

The Good Dinosaur

Who's starring: The voices of Steve Zahn, Anna Paquin, and Frances McDormand
Why you should be interested: Pixar can melt the heart of a person of any age, which is what the previews for this animated tale about a dinosaur and his human friend have already done.
When it opens: Nov. 25
Watch the trailer for The Good Dinosaur.

The Night Before — Columbia Pictures

The Night Before

Who's starring: Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie
Why you should be interested: Besides the fact that this preview is one of the funniest trailers we've seen all year, it also boasts cameos by stars like Miley Cyrus.
When it opens: Nov. 25
Watch the trailer for The Night Before.

Victor Frankenstein — 20th Century Studios

Victor Frankenstein

Who's starring:Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy
Why you should be interested: You know the story well, but this time we're getting an emphasis on the relationship of the good doctor (McAvoy) and a much less hunchbacked Igor (Radcliffe).
When it opens: Nov. 25
Watch the trailer for Victor Frankenstein.

The Danish Girl — Focus Features

The Danish Girl

Who's starring: Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander
Why you should be interested: Redmayne is still hot off of his Oscar win, and he could be going two for two as Lili Elbe, a real-life transgender pioneer in 1920s Europe.
When it opens: Nov. 27
Watch the trailer for The Danish Girl.

Youth — Searchlight Pictures

Youth

Who's starring: Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, and Rachel Weisz
Why you should be interested: In today's youth-obsessed culture, this is the artful and sweet side of what it's like to reflect back on your life.
When it opens: Dec. 4
Watch the trailer for Youth.

In the Heart of the Sea — Warner Bros.

In the Heart of the Sea

Who's starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, and Cillian Murphy
Why you should be interested: This is the true story of the real whale that would inspire Herman Melville's Moby Dick.
When it opens: Dec. 11
Watch the trailer for In the Heart of the Sea.

Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens — Disney

Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens

Who's starring: Harrison Ford, Oscar Isaac, Simon Pegg, and Carrie Fisher
Why you should be interested: No big deal; it's just the new Star Wars movie, which is only the cinematic event of the year.
When it opens: Dec. 18
Watch the trailer for Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens.

Sisters — Universal Pictures

Sisters

Who's starring: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler
Why you should be interested: This beyond-perfect pair have not been costars in a movie together since Baby Mama. This comedy is your Christmas gift.
When it opens: Dec. 18
Watch the trailer for Sisters.

Daddy's Home — Paramount Pictures

Daddy's Home

Who's starring: Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell
Why you should be interested: Ferrell plays the stepdad infringing on Wahlberg's character's family. If this doesn't lead to laughs, we don't know what will.
When it opens: Dec. 25
Watch the trailer for Daddy's Home.

The Big Short — Paramount Pictures

The Big Short

Who's starring: Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, and Steve Carell
Why you should be interested: Not only does this movie look like it does for the housing crisis what Moneyball did for baseball, it has the most insanely-stacked cast.
When it opens: Dec. 11
Watch the trailer for The Big Short.

The Revenant — 20th Century Studios

The Revenant

Who's starring: Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy
Why you should be interested: Birdman director Alejandro González Iñárritu turns his lens to the brutal 1820s wilderness to portray a tale of revenge. Plus, this could be another shot at Oscar for DiCaprio.
When it opens: Dec. 25
Watch the trailer for The Revenant.

Point Break — Warner Bros.

Point Break

Who's starring: Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey, and Teresa Palmer
Why you should be interested: The original is a cult classic, so why should you give this a chance? Insane stunts that real athletes performed to bring the remake to a new level of extreme, bro.
When it opens: Dec. 25
Watch the trailer for Point Break.

Joy — 20th Century Studios

Joy

Who's starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Robert De Niro
Why you should be interested: This equation of David O. Russell, David O'Russell's regular actors, and the story of Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence), the entrepreneur who created the Miracle Mop, is nothing less than irresistible.
When it opens: Dec. 25
Watch the trailer for Joy.

The Hateful Eight — The Weinstein Company

The Hateful Eight

Who's starring: Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Samuel L. Jackson, and Channing Tatum
Why you should be interested: Mr. Quentin Tarantino is giving us another Western with a cast that's simply mind-boggling. Yes, please.
When it opens: Dec. 25
Watch the trailer for The Hateful Eight.

Concussion — Columbia Pictures

Concussion

Who's starring: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Why you should be interested: A sports movie that's not about worshipping everything involved? Color us intrigued.
When it opens: Dec. 25
Watch the trailer for Concussion.

Pin It! — Warner Bros.

Pin It!