Quick Summaries of the Newest Movie Releases
Here you’ll find summations, recommendations, and ratings for the newest releases I’ve seen. The goal is to give a quick idea of what it’s about and whether you’d want to see it, keeping it brief and blunt.
Looking for more to chew on? Check out “Reviews” and “Deep Dives.”
Shakespeare meets Willy Wonka and takes the conversation far too seriously amid a deceptively aesthetic Gothic-Victorian play-ground.
It’s decidedly worth the $5 Secret Movie price.
Release/Rating – 02/06/2025, PG-13
Main Genres – Horror, Fantasy
Director – Luc Besson
Writers – Luc Besson
Studio – Vertical Entertainment
Leads – Caleb Landry Jones, Zoë Bleu, Christoph Waltz
Key Supporting – Matilda De Angelis, Ewens Abid
A soul-stirring romantic drama with a melodic reminder that life doesn’t wait for anyone.
Best experienced in theaters, unless your home audio setup is worthy of the music.
Release/Rating – 12/25/2025, PG-13
Main Genre – Biographical Drama
Director – Craig Brewer
Writer – Craig Brewer
Studio – Focus Features
Leads – Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson
Key Supporting – Ella Anderson, Hudson Hensley, King Princess
Execution errors across the board render a compelling premise and speculative vision forgettable.
Don’t fall for the illusion staged by a 3D/XD release and save the superficial action for a night in.
Release/Rating – 1/19/2026, PG-13
Main Genre – Science Fiction
Director – Timur Bekmambetov
Writer – Marco van Belle
Studio – Sony Pictures
Leads – Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson
Key Supporting – Kali Reis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers, Jeff Pierre
The infected retreat to the shadows as human depravity adroitly assumes center stage.
Revisit the first three installments of the 28 franchise at home, then worship at the Bone Temple in theaters.
Release/Rating – 1/16/2026, R
Main Genre – Horror
Director – Nia DaCosta
Writer – Alex Garland
Studio – Sony Pictures
Leads – Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell
Key Supporting – Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, Chi Lewis-Parry
Is This Thing On?
Release/Rating – 12/19/2025, R
Main Genre – Comedy-Drama
Director – Bradley Cooper
Writers – Will Arnett, Mark Chappell, Bradley Cooper
Studio – Searchlight Pictures
Leads – Will Arnett, Laura Dern
Key Supporting – Andra Day, Bradley Cooper
A devoted paper aficionado fumbles through a choose-your-murder ad-venture in a savage satire critiquing the predatory modern job market.
File this one in the must-see pile (in theaters while you can).
Release/Rating – 12/25/2025, R
Main Genre – Dark Comedy
Director – Park Chan-wook
Writers – Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyoung-mi, Don McKellar, and Lee Ja-hye
Studio – Neon
Leads – Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin
Key Supporting – Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran
Lys Cenna 