Homestead

HOMESTEAD is a 2024 action drama thriller film directed by Ben Smallbone, from a screenplay by Phillip Abraham, Leah Bateman, and Ben Kasica.

A nuclear bomb is detonated in Los Angeles, and the nation devolves into unprecedented chaos. Ex-Green Beret Jeff Eriksson and his family escape to The Homestead, an eccentric prepper’s fortress nestled in the mountains. As violent threats and apocalyptic conditions creep toward their borders, the residents of The Homestead are left to wonder: how long can a group of people resist both the dangers of human nature and the bloodshed at their doorstep?

The cast includes Neal McDonough, Dawn Olivieri, Bailey Chase, Susan Misner, Jesse Hutch, and Kevin Lawson.

HOMESTEAD is set to debut in theaters December 20th, courtesy of Angel Studios. Watch the official trailer below.

The Brutalist

THE BRUTALIST is a 2024 epic historical drama film written and directed by Brady Corbet, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Mona Fastvold. The film is an international co-production between the United States, United Kingdom, and Hungary.

The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2024, where it received critical acclaim for its direction, screenplay, cinematography, editing, production design, and performances—particularly those of Brody, Pearce, and Jones. Corbet was awarded the Silver Lion for Best Direction.

When visionary architect László Toth and his wife Erzsébet flee post-war Europe in 1947 to rebuild their legacy and witness the birth of modern America, their lives are changed forever by a mysterious and wealthy client.

The cast includes Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Emma Laird, Isaach De Bankolé, and Alessandro Nivola.

THE BRUTALIST is set to debut in theaters December 20th, courtesy of A24. Watch the official trailers below.

Mufasa: The Lion King

MUFASA: THE LION KING is a 2024 musical drama film directed by Barry Jenkins, written by Jeff Nathanson, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pastel Productions. It is the live-action styled photorealistic animated prequel to the similarly created 2019 remake of the original 1994 film The Lion King. Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani reprise their character roles from the remake, and are joined by Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr., who voice their young versions of King Mufasa and Scar, respectively.

Simba, having become king of the Pride Lands, is determined for his cub to follow in his paw prints while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored.

The cast includes Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, Donald Glover, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, and John Kani.

MUFASA: THE LION KING is set to debut in theaters on December 20th, 2024, courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Watch the official trailers below.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a 2024 action adventure comedy film based on the video game series published by Sega, and the sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022). It is directed by Jeff Fowler who helmed the previous two films, and written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, based on a story by Casey and Miller. The film draws inspiration from the video games Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) and Shadow the Hedgehog (2005).

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are pitted against a mysterious and powerful new adversary, Shadow the Hedgehog. The trio seeks out an an unlikely ally, Dr. Robotnik, in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.

The cast includes Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Lee Majdoub, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Keanu Reeves, Krysten Ritter, Alyla Browne, and James Wolk.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 is set to debut in theaters December 20th, courtesy of Paramount Pictures. Watch the official trailer below.

Maestro

Maestro is a 2023 American biographical drama film directed by Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born) and produced by Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Todd Phillips, as well as Cooper, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Josh Singer. The film stars Cooper as Bernstein alongside Carey Mulligan (Drive, Promising Young Woman) as his wife, Felicia Montealegre. Matt Bomer (White Collar, American Horror Story), Maya Hawke (Stranger Things), and Sarah Silverman (School of Rock, Don’t Look Up) appear in supporting roles.

A portrait of Leonard Bernstein’s singular charisma and passion for music as he rose to fame as America’s first native-born, world-renowned conductor, all along following his ambition to compose both symphonic and popular Broadway works.

Maestro premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion, on September 2, 2023. The film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on November 22, 2023, before streaming on Netflix on December 20, 2023. Watch the official trailer below.

Daniel

Daniel is a 2023 HBO Original Documentary produced by Adam McKay, and follows Daniel Northcott around the world as he attempts to understand life, love, and human connection.

Daniel Northcott began documenting his surroundings at 7 when he got his dad's video camera. He filmed his family and friends growing up then traveled, capturing meaningful moments with new people and places.

Daniel is set to premiere December 20th only on Max. Watch the official trailer below.

Cats

Director Tom Hooper

Genre Animation | Comedy | Drama

Cast James Corden, Judy Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba

Rating PG

Release Date December 20th, 2019

“A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.”

From acclaimed director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, Les Misérables), Cats tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles who must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Cats:

• Andrew Lloyd Webber has written new songs, exclusively for this movie.

• The stage version is the fourth-longest-running show in Broadway history, and the sixth-longest-running in London's West End.

• Ironically, Rebel Wilson is allergic to cats in real life.

The Witcher

Genre Action | Adventure | Drama

Cast Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, Joey Batey, MyAnna Buring

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere December 20th, 2019 (Netflix)

“Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.”

The highly anticipated trailers for The Witcher are finally here!! The first thing I noticed is that Henry Cavill, who takes on the lead role of Geralt of Rivia, got absolutely huge for this role! Also, this new series from Netflix looks pretty damn good. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Witcher:

• An adaptation of the books, not the video games. In fact, showrunner Lauren Schmidt revealed in an interview that the show will never adapt the video games.

• Even before his first meeting with the role, Henry Cavill had already played all the Witcher games and read all the Witcher novels. So when it came to finally making the series, Cavill was already well-versed in the lore and deeply aware of the story and his character.

The Two Popes

Director Fernando Meirelles

Genre Drama

Cast Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Juan Minujín, Sidney Cole

Rating PG-13

Release Date  December 20th, 2019 (Limited Theaters & Netflix)

“Behind Vatican walls, the conservative Pope Benedict and the liberal future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church.”

“An intimate story of one of the most dramatic transitions of power in the last 2,000 years. Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) requests permission to retire in 2012 from Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins). Instead, facing scandal and self-doubt, the introspective Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to reveal a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church. Behind Vatican walls, a struggle commences between both tradition and progress, guilt and forgiveness, as these two very different men confront their pasts in order to find common ground and forge a future for a billion followers around the world. Inspired by true events.”

— Netflix

Check out the official trailer for the Netflix original film The Two Popes below!!

Togo

Director Ericson Core

Genre Drama

Cast Willem Dafoe, Julianne Nicholson, Christopher Heyerdahl, Michael Gaston

Rating PG

Release Date December 20th, 2019 (Disney+)

“The true story of the sled dog, Togo, who led the 1925 serum run, but was considered by most to be too small and weak to lead such an intense race.”

From cinematographer turned director Ericson Core (Invincible, Point Break), Togo tells the untold true story of the sled dog, Togo, who led the 1925 serum run, but was considered by most to be too small and weak to lead such an intense race. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Togo:

• The animated film Balto 1995 told the same story but Togo was the lead sled dog for most of the journey. Balto finished the last quarter but gets most of the credit. Hence the UNTOLD true story.

Bombshell

Director Jay Roach

Genre Biography | Drama

Cast Margot Robbie, Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow

Rating R

Release Date  December 20th, 2019

“A group of women decide to take on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic atmosphere he presided over the network.”

From director Jay Roach (Meet the Parents, Dinner for Shmucks) and writer Charles Randolph (Love & Other Drugs, The Big Short), Bombshell tells the story of a group of women decide to take on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic atmosphere he presided over the network. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Bombshell:

• Margot Robbie's character is the only main character in the film not based on a real person. Her character was invented for the film, possibly from a combination of real-life people or experiences, rolled into one character to streamline storytelling.

• The film includes three Oscar winners: Allison Janney, Nicole Kidman, and Charlize Theron; and two Oscar nominees: John Lithgow and Margot Robbie.