“Gladiator II”
Nearly 25 years after the original release, Ridley Scott returns with the highly anticipated sequel, Gladiator II. Paul Mescal stars as Lucius, who, years after witnessing Maximus’s death, must enter the Colosseum after the emperors of Rome conquer his home. Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington also star.
Release Date: In theaters November 22 via Paramount Pictures.
“Wicked”
Director Jon M. Chu continues his plight to revitalize the American musical adaptation with the long-awaited “Wicked.” Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as Elphaba and Glinda, who strikes an unlikely friendship in a story set long before Dorothy’s visit to the Land of Oz. The story takes place at Shiz University, which sets the path on Elphaba’s journey to becoming the Wicked Witch of the West. Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, and Michelle Yeoh are also stars.
Release Date: In theaters November 22 via Universal Pictures.
“Moana 2”
In their feature film debut, David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller direct the Walt Disney Studios sequel, “Moana 2.” Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, and Alan Tudyk all reprise their roles with Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Hualālai Chung, Awhimai Fraser, and Gerald Ramsey joining the extensive cast. Set three years after the first film’s events, Moana is called on by her ancestors and must reunite with her friend, the demigod Maui.
Release Date: In theaters November 27 via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
“Maria”
Angelina Jolie plays famed opera singer Maria Callas in “Maria,” which follows her retreat to Paris in the 1970s after a life in the public eye. Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, and Kodi Smit-McPhee also star in the film by Pablo Larraín. The film marks the conclusion of Larraín’s trilogy of influential 20th-century women, following the previous releases of “Jackie” and “Spencer.” (Read our review.)
Release Date: In theaters on November 27 before streaming on Netflix on December 11.
“The Seed of the Sacred King”
Written and directed by Mohammad Rasoulof (“There is No Evil”), the story follows Iman, an investigative judge in the Revolutionary Court in Tehran who deals with paranoia admissions nationwide protests and the disappearance of his gun. Soheila Golestani, Missagh Zareh, Mahsa Rostami, and Setareh Maleki star. The film has been selected as Germany’s entry to compete in the Best International Film category for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards. (Read our review.)
Release Date: In theaters November 27 via NEON.
