The Beekeeper

The Beekeeper is a 2024 action thriller film directed by David Ayer (Fury, Suicide Squad) and written by Kurt Wimmer. It stars Jason Statham (Snatch, The Meg), Emmy Raver-Lampman (The Umbrella Academy, Blacklight), Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games film series), Bobby Naderi (Argo, Bright), Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting), Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show, Creed films), and Jeremy Irons (The Lion King, House of Gucci).

"Mr. Clay" (Statham) is a former operative of a clandestine organization called "Beekeepers". After his friend and neighbor dies by suicide after falling for a phishing scam, Mr. Clay sets out to exact revenge against the company responsible.

The Beekeeper is set to be released theatrically by Amazon MGM Studios on January 12th, 2024. Watch the official restricted trailer below.

Mean Girls

Mean Girls is a 2024 musical comedy film directed by Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne from a screenplay by Tina Fey, adapted from the stage musical of the same name, which in turn is based on the 2004 film of the same name, itself partially based on Rosalind Wiseman's 2002 book Queen Bees and Wannabes. The film stars Angourie Rice (The Nice Guys, Spider-Man: No Way Home), Auliʻi Cravalho (Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet), Reneé Rapp (The Sex Lives of College Girls), Jaquel Spivey, Avantika Vandanapu (Moxie, Senior Year), Bebe Wood (A Merry Friggin’ Christmas, Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans), Christopher Briney (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Jenna Fischer (The Office), and Busy Philipps (Freaks and Geeks, Dawson’s Creek). Fey and Tim Meadows also reprise their roles from the 2004 film.

Cady Heron (Rice) is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels (Briney), the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George (Rapp).

Mean Girls is set to be theatrically released in the United States on January 12, 2024, by Paramount Pictures. Watch the official trailers below.

The Book of Clarence

The Book of Clarence is a 2023 American epic biblical comedy-drama film written and directed by Jeymes Samuel (The Harder They Fall). The film stars LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, Anna Diop, RJ Cyler, David Oyelowo, Micheal Ward, Alfre Woodard, Teyana Taylor, Caleb McLaughlin, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, James McAvoy, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

A struggling down-on-his-luck man named Clarence (Stanfield) living in 29 A.D. Jerusalem looks to capitalize on the rise of Jesus Christ by claiming to be a new Messiah sent by God, in an attempt to free himself of debt and start a life of glory for himself.

The Book of Clarence had its world premiere at the 67th BFI London Film Festival on October 11, 2023, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on January 12, 2024, by TriStar Pictures. Watch the official trailers below.

Self Reliance

Self Reliance is a 2024 comedy thriller film written, directed by and starring Jake Johnson in his feature length directorial debut. The film premiered at the SXSW Film Festival on March 11, 2023.

In Los Angeles, a disillusioned man receives an invitation to win $1 million by taking part in a reality television game on the dark web. For 30 days, he must outwit hunters attempting to kill him. He realizes there's a loophole to the game – the hunters can only attack him when he's alone – so he attempts to convince friends, family and total strangers that the game is real, and that they must stay with him 24/7.

The cast includes Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morale, Mary Holland, Emily Hampshire, Christopher Lloyd, and Wayne Brady.

Self Reliance is set to debut theatrically in the United States in a one-night special release on January 3rd, 2024, courtesy of Neon, followed by a streaming release on Hulu on January 12th. Watch the official trailer below.

Role Play

Role Play is a 2024 action thriller film directed by Thomas Vincent, from a screenplay by Seth Owen. Kaley Cuoco stars in the film and also serves as a producer.

Emma has a wonderful husband and two kids in the suburbs of New Jersey – she also has a secret life as an assassin for hire – a secret that her husband David discovers when the couple decide to spice up their marriage with a little role play.

The cast includes Kaley Cuoco, David Oyelowo, Connie Nielsen, and Bill Nighy.

Role Play will debut exclusively on Prime Video January 12th, 2024. Watch the official trailer below.

Lift

Lift is a 2024 heist comedy film directed by F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton, The Fate of the Furious) and written by Daniel Kunka. The film stars Kevin Hart (who also served as producer), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (The Cloverfield Paradox, Loki), Vincent D'Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket, Daredevil), Úrsula Corberó (Money Heist, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins), Billy Magnussen (Game Night, Aladdin), Jacob Batalon (Avengers: Infinity War, Spider-Man: No Way Home), Jean Reno (Léon: The Professional, Mission: Impossible), and Sam Worthington (Hacksaw Ridge, Avatar: The Way of Water).

An international heist crew, led by Cyrus Whitaker (Hart), race to lift $500 million in gold from a passenger plane at 40,000 feet.

Lift is scheduled to be released by Netflix on January 12, 2024. Watch the official trailers below.

The Outsider

Genre Thriller

Cast Ben Mendelsohn, Jason Bateman, Cynthia Erivo, Marc Menchaca

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere January 12th, 2020 9:00 PM EST (HBO)

“A seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy. takes a turn when an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case, leading a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in.”

An upcoming HBO thriller miniseries, The Outsider begins with a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy. But when an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in. Check out the official trailers for the upcoming HBO series below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Outsider:

• Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel of the same name.

• In the novel, upon searching his computers and devices, the police note that Terry Maitland watches Ozark on Netflix. In the series, Terry Maitland is played by Jason Bateman, the star of Ozark.

The Commuter

Director Jaume Collet-Serra

Genre Crime | Drama | Mystery

Cast Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Sam Neill

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 12th, 2018

“A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.”

From talented director Jaume Collet-Serra, the man behind House of Wax, Orphan, Unknown, Non-Stop, Run All Night, and The Shallows (he clearly enjoys the company of Liam Neeson), The Commuter is yet another intense crime drama about a man who gets caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his commute home from work. The cast includes Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Sam Neill, and Dean-Charles Chapman. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Commuter:

• Liam Neeson and Sam Neill are both Irish actors and were both contenders for the role of James Bond in Goldeneye (1995), which eventually went to fellow Irish actor Pierce Brosnan. Neill was also considered for Bond in The Living Daylights (1987). Additionally, both actors starred in two 1993 Steven Spielberg films (Schindler's List and Jurassic Park).

Paddington 2

Director Paul King

Genre Animation | Comedy | Family

Cast Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Ben Whishaw

Rating Unrated

Release Date January 12th, 2018

“Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.”

Paddington (2014) director Paul King returns for the sequel, and the world's cutest bear is packed and ready for a new adventure! The original was very well received by critics, finishing with a phenomenal 98% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The sequel looks to build on that success. The cast includes Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington. Check out the official trailer below!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Paddington 2:

• After months of speculations, in October 2015 it was confirmed that Paul King would return to helm this second installment.
• Creator of the Paddington books, Michael Bond, was told of the official announcement of the second film on his 90th birthday.
• Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent and Hugh Grant previously all three appeared in Cloud Atlas (2012).

The Post

Director Steven Spielberg

Genre Biography | Drama | History

Cast Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Alison Brie, Carrie Coon

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 12th, 2018

“A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country’s first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between journalist and government. Inspired by true events.”

From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, The Post is a biographical drama based on a widespread cover-up that set forth a battle between a journalist and the government. The cast includes Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Alison Brie, and Carrie Coon. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Post:

• This is the fifth feature film collaboration of actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg. The earlier films were: Saving Private Ryan (1998), Catch Me If You Can (2002), The Terminal (2004), and Bridge of Spies (2015).
• This is the second film coming out in 2017 about a historical high-profile whistleblower case. Spielberg's The Post (2017) is based on Daniel Ellsberg and the release of the secret 'Pentagon Papers', while Landesman's Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House (2017) is based on 'Mark Felt' and the Watergate scandal. Both films feature by coincidence Canadian actor Bruce Greenwood.

The Polka King

Director Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky

Genre Biography | Comedy | Drama

Cast Jack Black, Jenny Slate, Vanessa Bayer, Jason Schwartzma

Rating Unrated

Release Date January 12th, 2018 (Netflix)

“Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.”

Written and directed by Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky, The Polka King is the story of local Pennsylvania Polka king Jan Lewan who concocts a get rich scheme that lands him in jail, as well as in hot water with the locals. The cast includes Jack Black, Jenny Slate, Vanessa Bayer, and Jason Schwartzman. Check out the official trailer below!!  

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Polka King:

• The real Jan Lewan, whose life this film is based, was in attendance at the Sundance Film Festival 2017 screening at the Eccles theatre. During the cast and crew Q&A, Jan joined Jack Black onstage to perform an a capella version of the Polka Rap.
• A book based on Jan Lewan's life is currently in the works by author Melinda Stanislawczyk.
• This film was selected as an official entry to the Sundance film festival 2017.

Proud Mary

Director Babak Najafi

Genre Action | Thriller

Cast Taraji P. Henson, Neal McDonough, Danny Glover, Xander Berkeley

Rating R

Release Date January 12th, 2018

“Taraji P. Henson is Mary, a hitwoman working for an organized crime family in Boston. Mary’s life is completely turned around when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes awry.”

From director Babak Najafi (London Has Fallen), Proud Mary is an action thriller about a hitwoman working for an organized crime family in Boston. Her career takes a drastic turn when she crosses paths with a young boy after a contract goes south. The cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Neal McDonough, Danny Glover, and Xander Berkeley. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Proud Mary:

• Multiple scenes filmed in Lowell, MA.
• This film reunites Danny Glover and Margaret Avery, who starred together in The Color Purple (1985).

Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams

Genre Sci-Fi

Cast Steve Buscemi, Bryan Cranston, Greg Kinnear, Juno Temple

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere January 12th, 2018 (Amazon Prime)

“A sci-fi anthology series with stand-alone episodes based on the works of Phillip K. Dick.”

Based on Philip K. Dick's short stories, which have inspired films like Blade Runner and Minority Report, Electric Dreams is a sci-fi anthology series featuring 10 standalone episodes. The show will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime. The cast includes Steve Buscemi, Bryan Cranston, Greg Kinnear, and Juno Temple, to name a few. Check out the official trailer below!!