This semester is filled with incredible films ranging from highly anticipated sequels to adaptations to original stories. Whether you’re a horror fan, a cinephile, or a Timothée Chalamet stan, there’s something for every moviegoer on this list.
Here’s a guide to a few films you can look forward to this semester.
The Conjuring: Last Rights – Sept. 5 (60 words)
Set to release on Sept. 5, The Conjuring: Last Rights reunites Conjuring fans with Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, respectively) as they tackle a new paranormal mystery — the Smurl family haunted house.
Based on the real life haunting, this film takes place in the early eighties and comes after the events of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021). It is the fourth movie about Ed and Lorraine in the Conjuring cinematic universe.
Palestine 36 – Sept. 5
Palestine 36 is a historical drama directed by Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir. The film was chosen as the Palestinian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars next March.
The film follows the Palestinians who revolted against British colonial rule in 1936. Shots of the film online show a rich visual palette that is bold and vivid with expansive shots that feel straight out of a western.
Palestine 36 is set to debut on Sept. 5 at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
Sacrifice – Sept. 6
Featuring a list of A-listers like Chris Evans, Salma Hayek, and Anya Taylor-Joy, Sacrifice is satire directed and co-written by Romain Gavras (Athena). The story will follow Jane (Anya Taylor-Joy), a member of a radical group intent on sacrificing three people to save humanity. The three kidnappees: Mike Tyler (Chris Evans), a movie star, Braken (Vincent Cassel), the world’s richest man, and Katie (Ambika Mod) – an unlucky citizen.
And if the premise of the movie doesn’t sell you on Sacrifice, the BRAT herself, Charli XCX, is said to make an appearance in the movie. Sacrifice hits theatres on Sept. 6.
The Long Walk – Sept. 12
Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name (albeit originally published under the pen name Richard Bachman), The Long Walk is set in a dystopian future where each year, a group of young men must participate in a walking contest in which they must maintain a speed of at least three miles per hour or else they risk being executed. The contest will end when only one participant remains.
Directed by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games trilogy), the film debuts on Sept. 12.
One Battle After Another – Sept. 26
Paul Thomas Anderson’s thriller, One Battle After Another, is about
A former member of a revolutionary group, Leonardo DiCaprio) must get help from fellow revolutionaries to find his missing daughter.
The film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn will be released on Sept. 26 – this is the first of Anderson’s films to be released in IMAX.
After the Hunt – Oct. 10
After the Hunt is a psychological thriller about Alma (Julia Roberts), a college professor who is caught in between a case of alleged sexual abuse. When Alma’s protégé, Maggie (Ayo Edebiri) accuses her friend, Hank (Andrew Garfield) of misconduct, Alma finds herself navigating both professional and personal fallout.
This film features a talent-packed ensemble including Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Chloe Sevigny.
Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Challengers), this film is set to be released on Oct. 10.
Wicked: For Good – Nov. 21
Wicked: For Good serves as part two of Universal’s two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical and will take place three years after the events of the first film. Audiences can expect to follow Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as she continues to fight for the rights of animals living in Oz. Glinda (Ariana Grande), now styling herself as Glinda the Good, is starting to resemble her counterpart in the film, The Wizard of Oz (1939).
Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, and Marissa Bode will all reprise their previous roles in this second installment.
Jon M. Chu’s film will hit theatres on Nov. 21.
The Kidnapping of Arabella – Dec. 4 (Italy)
An Italian film, The Kidnapping of Arabella is a film you won’t want to miss. Starring Chris Pine (in his first-ever non-English role!) and Benedetta Porcaroli (The Nun 2, Baby), the film centers on Holly (Porcaroli) as she grapples with the feeling of her life not turning out the way she wants it to. When Holly meets Arabella (Lucrezia Guglielmino), she becomes convinced that the girl is her younger self. Holly kidnaps a willing Arabella and the two pursue adventure.
The film premieres on Dec. 4 in Italy, but it is likely that the film will be available to stream on MUBI Canada.
Avatar: Fire and Ash – Dec. 19
In James Cameron’s third Avatar installment, a new Na’vi clan will serve as the antagonists – Mangkwan clan or Ash People. It is likely that the antagonist, Quaritch (Stephen Lang), will be taken in by the Ash People, led by Varang (Oona Chaplin), in order to bring ruin and war to the other Na’vi clans. After their homeland was destroyed by fire, the Ash People ceased practicing their faith and no longer connect with Eywa. This new installment is set to have a much darker, grittier feel than the previous films.
Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to release on Dec. 19.
Marty Supreme – Dec. 25
Hollywood’s golden boy, Timothée Chalamet, takes on an A24 comedic sports drama in Marty Supreme. Loosely based on the life of ping-pong player Marty Reisman, the film is about a fictionalized version of Marty – Marty Mauser – as he pursues greatness in a sport no one seems to respect – ping pong.
The film will also star Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler the Creator, Kevin O’Leary, and Odessa A’zion.
Chalamet is credited as one of the producers on the film – his third producing credit following Bones and All (2022) and A Complete Unknown (2024).
Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme hits theatres on Christmas Day.
With releases like Wicked: For Good and One Battle After Another, Laurier students have the perfect excuse to step away from the books for a few hours and hit the theatre for a study break.
