Fall movie preview 2022: 20 films we can’t wait to see

It’s been a long, hot summer, and we’re longing for the fall. Bring on the cooler temperatures, the cozy knitwear, the pumpkin spice everything, and perhaps our favorite aspect of autumn — a flood of films that are playing to win big audiences and Oscar attention!

Fall movie season means big stars, bonkers spectacle, and a dizzying array of genres to choose from. Craving a crunchy comedy with a dash of satire? Hankering for horror that’ll turn your stomach? Thirsting for superhero thrills? Or maybe you’re hungering for prestige dramas, stewed from delectable true stories? Whatever your taste in cinema, we’ve got something for you.

Listed in order of release, here are the 20 films Mashable can’t wait to see this fall.

1. Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.

One of the standouts of Sundance 2022, this mockumentary from writer/director Adamma Ebo explores the marital strain put on a pastor’s wife (a radiant Regina Hall) once her husband (a sizzling Sterling K. Brown) is snarled in a sex scandal. Determined to rebuild their congregation and rebrand their sullied reputation, the couple allows a documentary crew to film them at church, at home, and in compromising moments involving shady conversations and a clown costume. Bursting with dazzling charm and biting comedy, Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is a bold blessing. 

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. opens in theaters and streams on Peacock Sept. 2.

2. Speak No Evil 

If you like your horror films twisted and deeply, darkly funny, then you’ll want to turn up for Speak No Evil, a breathtaking thriller that turns the social contract into a slowly tightening noose. Co-writer/director Christian Tafdrup wowed Sundance audiences with his tale of two families whose growing bond grows ever more ghoulish. Starting off as a cringe comedy, it follows a Dutch family visiting their new Danish friends’ home, where cultures clash over vegetarianism, parenting, and PDA. Exchanged glances of annoyance soon give way to potential paranoia and mounting panic, yet the guests can’t escape this holiday turning hellish. Be warned: This one’s not for the faint of heart. Its final act leaves civility behind with frank violence and realistic gore that had Midnight Movie fans cheering. * 

Speak No Evil opens in theaters in NY and LA on Sept. 9, then streams exclusively on Shudder starting Sept. 15.

3. The Woman King

It’s a role Viola Davis was born to play. The Woman King stars the Academy Award-winner as General Nanisca, the leader of the Agojie, an all-female band of fighters who shielded the African Kingdom of Dahomey from harm in the 1800s. Basically, this is a massive historical drama about the women warriors who inspired Black Panther‘s iconic Dora Milaje. If that doesn’t pique your interest, you should probably check your pulse, but here’s one last tidbit of info to convince you: The Woman King is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, who brought us the badass action hit The Old Guard, not to mention modern romance classics like Love and Basketball and Beyond the Lights, and we can’t wait to witness what she unleashes next. 

The Woman King opens in theaters Sept. 16.

4. The Silent Twins

This drama is based on the true and tragic story of June and Jennifer Gibbons, a pair of Welsh twins who communicated only with each other and shut out the rest of the world. Letitia Wright (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and Tamara Lawrance headline as June and Jennifer, bringing audiences into the private world of the so-called silent twins’ fantasies and fiction-writing. And who better to bring this story of intense sisterhood to the screen than Agnieszka Smoczynska, the director of The Lure, a rock musical slash fairy tale about a pair of man-eating mermaids whose sisterly bond is oh, so slithery and suffocating? Smoczynska’s sincere empathy for misfit heroines (see also: Fugue) and the ongoing interest in the Gibbons’ sisters story — which was first chronicled in the 1986 book The Silent Twins by Marjorie Wallace and has grown to inspire everything from podcast episodes to an opera — makes this a particularly compelling fall flick.

The Silent Twins opens in theaters Sept. 16.

5. Catherine Called Birdy

Controversy queen Lena Dunham is back with another tale of a daring young woman with a mind of her own. The Girls creator does double duty here as screenwriter and director of this adaptation of Karen Cushman’s eponymous novel, which takes place in medieval England. 14-year-old Birdy ruffles feathers by refusing to be a lady or entertain suitors in this teen-friendly tale. The cast is studded with stars, starting with Bella Ramsey, who you might remember as Game of Thrones’ no-nonsense Lyanna Mormont, as our heroine Birdy. The supporting cast boasts Andrew Scott (aka Fleabag’s Hot Priest), Billie Piper (Doctor Who), Ralph Ineson (The Green Knight, The Witch), Joe Alwyn (Conversations with Friends), and Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses). While Dunham’s Sharp Stick left us flat, her Birdy could truly sing. 

Catherine Called Birdy opens in theaters Sept. 23, then comes to Prime Video on Oct. 7.

6. Don’t Worry Darling

What happens when a gaggle of our favorite celebrity crushes convenes for one movie? We’ll find out when Don’t Worry Darling drops. As a follow-up to her critically adored coming-of-age comedy Booksmart, actress/director Olivia Wilde returns with a twisted thriller that boasts serious sex appeal courtesy of herself and castmates Chris Pine, Florence Pugh, and Harry Styles. Pugh headlines as a 1950s-style housewife who seems to have a picture-perfect existence, but something sinister lurks behind these white picket fences.

Don’t Worry Darling opens in theaters Sept. 23.

7. The Good House

Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline team up for a winsome and witty romance, adapted from Ann Leary’s bestselling novel 2013 The Good House. She’s a realtor and divorcee who could really use “a good year” (and maybe a little break from the booze). He’s a former flame who still sets her heart on fire. With a trailer peppered with comedic asides, this rom-com is already drawing Fleabag comparisons, along with a bit of side-eye — but as much as we love Phoebe Waller-Bridge, she didn’t invent breaking the fourth wall. So, rather than anticipating this to be a Persuasion-like disaster, we’re hopeful. Mainly because at the helm of this film, The Good House has Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky, the dynamic duo responsible for the topsy-turvy true-crime comedy The Polka King. They know how to craft compelling characters while building outrageous laughs. So, let’s raise a glass! 

The Good House opens in theaters Sept. 30.

8. Decision to Leave

Park Chan-wook is a master of thrillers that are darkly entertaining mindfucks, from the jaw-dropping Oldboy to the spine-tingling Stoker, to the goose-bump-raising The Handmaiden. His reputation alone should have you adding Decision to Leave to your must-sees this fall — especially because part of the thrill of seeing a new Chan-wook is discovering its sick twists before they’ve been spilled across social media. No spoilers here, just the synopsis: When a man dies in the mountains, a detective (Park Hae-il, The Host) is brought in to investigate, but he soon finds himself fascinated by the deceased’s wife (Tang Wei, Lust, Caution). That’s sure to end well. 

Decision to Leave opens in theaters Oct. 14.

9. Halloween Ends

Cue that spooky theme song. As its title suggests, the conclusion to David Gordon Green’s Halloween trilogy of gritty — and sometimes goofy — sequels will come to a close those this fall. But that’s not all. This latest chapter of the saga of Michael Myers will also be the final installment of the franchise that began with John Carpenter and Deborah Hill’s iconic 1978 slasher. Jamie Lee Curtis reprises the role of traumatized survivor Laurie Strode one last time. This is sure to be a Halloween that horror fans will never forget. 

Halloween Ends comes to theaters and Peacock on Oct. 14.

10. Till

Named for the boy who was murdered and the mother who refused to let America forget him, Till tells the story of Mamie Till Mobley, whose 14-year-old son Emmett was fatally lynched while visiting cousins in Mississippi in 1955. Many Americans know the horrors that Emmett faced that day, and the lack of accountability that has stretched on for decades. As follow-up to her critically heralded drama Clemency, writer/director Chinonye Chukwu reveals how Emmett’s devoted mother fought for justice while battling racism and her own grief. Danielle Deadwyler, who had critics raving for Station Eleven and The Harder They Fall, promises a performance that should not only have audiences in awe but could well catch Oscar’s eye. 

Till opens in theaters Oct. 14. 

11. Banshees of Inisherin

He’s brought us the pitch-black comedy of In Bruges, the zany mayhem of Seven Psychopaths, and the complicated exploration of grief in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Now, Martin McDonagh is back with his In Bruges boys, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, with a fresh tale of grisly humor. It all begins in their homeland of Ireland, in a quaint village where a glum Colm (Gleeson) unceremoniously declares he no longer wants to be friends with dull Padraic (Farrell). When the latter refuses to leave him alone, Colm promises that every time Padriac tries to talk to him from here on out, he will cut off one of his own fingers. You might think Colm is bluffing, but considering this has McDonagh at the helm, we believe him…and that things will get far more gruesome from there. And we can’t wait. 

Banshees of Inisherin opens in theaters Oct. 21.

12. Black Adam 

Batgirl is dead. The Aquaman and Shazam sequels have been bounced to 2023. So, like it or not, DC fans’ best bet for superhero cinema this fall is Black Adam. Dwayne Johnson brings his super-sized muscles and glower power to the lead role, alongside big names like Viola Davis, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Shahi, Aldis Hodge, and Noah Centineo. Black Adam’s story begins 5,000 years ago in Egypt, where he received god-like powers and an ax to grind. In the comics, this character is sometimes a villain, sometimes an anti-hero. (Think Harley Quinn without the chipper mayhem.) In his big movie debut, where will this powerful protagonist land? 

Black Adam opens in theaters Oct. 21.

13. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Since Walk Hard literally made a mockery of the musical biopic, it’s difficult to take the genre and its cliches too seriously. (Looking at you, Elvis.) Thankfully, director Eric Appel isn’t taking anything seriously when it comes to the life story of “Weird Al” Yankovic, who co-wrote this screenplay himself. Daniel Radcliffe stars as the curly-haired king of parody jams, and joining him in a comically over-the-top “biopic” — which seems to paint the accordion player as a sex god – is a bevy of stars playing ‘80s icons, like Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna, Quinta Brunson as Oprah Winfrey, and many more. Dare to be stupid and tune in. 

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story premieres on the Roku Channel on Nov. 4.  

14. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

When Black Panther roared into theaters in 2018, audiences, critics, and even the stodgy Academy cheered. The Oscar-winning superhero adventure from director Ryan Coogler brought the kind of action that MCU fans have come to demand, along with a thrilling cast of Black heroes who radiated with strength, beauty, and charm. However, the untimely death of Chadwick Boseman complicated a sequel, sparking a division of fans defined by the hashtag #RecastTChalla. But Coogler and leading ladies Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Angela Bassett have reunited for a follow-up that aims to carry on the legacy of Boseman’s portrayal with a new adventure that proudly proclaims “Wakanda forever.”

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever opens in theaters Nov. 11. 

15. Devotion 

One of the most exciting Black filmmakers working today is J.D. Dillard, who wowed horror fans with his creepy and clever monster movie, Sweetheart. Now, he’s moving from creature-infested seas to the high-flying skies with this drama, which is based on Adam Makos’s non-fiction book Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice. Dillard’s latest film follows a pair of U.S. Navy fighter pilots whose derring-do during the Korean War made them heralded heroes; Jonathan Majors (Lovecraft County, Loki) and Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) star as real-life buddies-in-arms Jesse Brown and Tom Hudner. Given its Toronto Film Festival premiere ahead of a prime November release date, it’s likely that this war story of friendship and bravery is aiming for Oscar gold. 

Devotion opens in theaters Nov. 23.

16. The Fabelmans

Ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, little is known about this drama. There’s no trailer. No first image has yet to be released. But it’s Steven Spielberg. The visionary behind some of the biggest films in Hollywood history — from Indiana Jones to E.T. and Jaws — is turning his lens inward with a semi-autobiographical drama about a boy growing up in post-World War II Arizona. The screenplay from Spielberg and celebrated playwright Tony Kushner will be brought to life by a star-studded cast that boasts Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, and David Lynch. So, yeah, we’re sold. 

The Fabelmans opens in NYC and Los Angeles on Nov. 11, then expands nationwide on Nov. 23. 

17. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

You might think you know the story of Pinocchio, but who could better understand the plight of a little wooden boy than the modern king of monsters, Guillermo del Toro? The visionary director who brought us Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth, Crimson Peak, and The Shape of Water has teamed up with animator Mark Gustafson to co-direct what promises to be a more disturbing take on this classic tale. (It’s set during the reign of Italian fascist Benito Mussolini, in case you thought this was going to be chill in any way.) This Netflix original boasts an all-star cast that includes Finn Wolfhard, Ewan McGregor, Christoph Waltz, Ron Perlman, Tim Blake Nelson, Tilda Swinton, Cate Blanchett, John Turturro, and David Bradley. And while Netflix has been making a bunch of baffling decisions lately, this one seems to be a stupendous call. 

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio premieres on Netflix on Dec. 9, with select theatrical dates TBA.

18. Spirited

Credit: Apple TV+

The holidays are coming early to Apple TV+, thanks to this modern spin on Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” Some curmudgeons might groan over the idea of another adaptation of the holiday classic, but we’re cautiously curious. Co-writers/co-directors Sean Anders (Daddy’s Home) and John Morris bring a glittery sheen to this concept, not only by making it a musical but also by pairing wise-cracking A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell as Scrooge and Christmas Present, respectively speaking. (They’re also producers, natch.) Might their powers combined means this yuletide tale will be like Deadpool meets Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga? It’s all we want for Christmas. 

Spirited is coming to AppleTV+ in November.

19. Avatar: The Way of Water

13 years ago, James Cameron’s fantasy epic Avatar was the biggest movie in the world, but since it shattered box office records, the film has become a bit of a punching bag for being popular yet somehow uncool. Well, to renew that initial awe, Avatar is returning to theaters on Sept. 23, ahead of the long, long, long-awaited sequel: Avatar: The Way of the Water. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver reprise their roles as the fight for the future of the planet of Pandora is renewed. Joining the fray is a new constellation of captivating stars, including Kate Winslet, Michelle Yeoh, and Jemaine Clement. Be as cynical as you want, but you know the internet will go wild as soon as we see what Cameron’s been concocting for the last decade. 

Avatar: The Way of Water opens in theaters Dec. 16.

20. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Credit: Netflix

Writer/director Rian Johnson single-handedly revived the whodunnit genre with the 2019 smash hit Knives Out. Now, he’s bringing his eccentric Southern detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) back for another round of murder mystery with a fresh ensemble of enticing performers. Ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, the plotline is under wraps. But its cast of could-be killers includes Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Janelle Monáe, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista. Who will die? Who will try to outwit the donut-hole pondering dick? Who will be caught? Will they have impeccable taste in knitwear? We can’t wait to find out. 

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery comes to Netflix Dec. 23, with select theatrical dates TBA.