Movies hoping to be in the run for Oscars and other major awards wait to be released until the end of the year so they’re still fresh on the minds of the public and industry voters when awards season begins. Some major awards hopefuls are coming out this month, aiming to rule the box office until Disney comes back with the one-two punch of Frozen 2 and Star Wars in November and December. Here are my five most anticipated movies for October 2019.
Joker (Oct. 4)
Rating: R
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy
A dark, psychological thriller with a new origin story about Batman’s greatest villain. Joker follows Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comedian, and his descent into a life of crime.
Why I’m excited: Oh boy, this movie is already causing controversy and getting tons of Oscar buzz. It will certainly be a unique take on the character, and it could be a major turning point for comic book and superhero movies. I’m interested to see the response from comic book fans, the general audience, and the industry.
See this if you liked: The Dark Knight trilogy, Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy
The Addams Family (Oct. 11)
Rating: PG
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Bette Midler, Allison Janney
An updated tale of the creepy and kooky Addams family. After moving to New Jersey, the Addams family must face new neighbors that don’t see eye to eye with their way of life.
Why I’m excited: The 90s Addams Family movies are pretty iconic, but doing a new version as an animated movie should allow for some new and interesting ideas. Plus the voice cast is so impressive. As it’s the only family-friendly movie coming out in October, I assume it will do well at the box office, regardless of reviews.
See this if you liked: The Addams Family (1991), Addams Family Values, Sherlock Gnomes
Zombieland: Double Tap (Oct. 18)
Rating: R
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Rosario Dawson
In the midst of a zombie apocalypse, a makeshift family travels across the country fighting zombies and coming into contact with other survivors.
Why I’m excited: The original Zombieland is an incredibly fun movie. Ten years after the first one was released, Double Tap looks just as wild and unruly. The first trailer hilariously reminds you that these four actors are incredibly talented and have all been nominated for or won Oscars, and the fact that they all came back for this is a testament to the first movie. Definitely one of my most anticipated movies of the rest of the year.
See this if you liked: Zombieland
Jojo Rabbit (Oct. 18)
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Taika Waititi, Sam Rockwell
During World War II, a young Hitler Youth recruit comes to terms with the Nazi regime surrounding him. With an imaginary Adolf Hitler as his main companion, he learns his mother is secretly hiding Jews and his whole world turns upside down.
Why I’m excited: This is quite possibly one of the most bizarre ideas for a movie I’ve ever heard. But with Taika Waititi directing and playing an imaginary Hitler? That’s something I need to see. The movie won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and is already creating some controversy, so it should definitely generate some interesting conversations.
See this if you liked: Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What We Do in the Shadows
The Current War (Oct. 25)
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Katherine Waterston, Tom Holland, Nicholas Hoult
Edison. Westinghouse. Tesla. Today we know them as icons of the electric age, but The Current War tells the story of their war to power the modern world. They put their competing systems to the test as they fight to power the Chicago World’s Fair.
Why I’m excited: I’m not expecting spectacular things from this movie, but the cast is fantastic. It’s based on real events, but time will tell if it’s enough to stay engaging. It looks like it wants to be Oscar bait, but I would doubt it gets the recognition it wants.
See this if you liked: The Prestige, Argo
Movies with Mitchell 