The 2016 Fall Movie Guide

This fall is jam packed with movies to put on your radar, whether Marvel blockbusters or smaller Oscar-leaning releases. Click through our comprehensive gallery, watch trailers and get tickets.

Anya Taylor-Joy, who came to our attention with ‘The Witch’ last year, stars in this eerie-looking sci-fi thriller as the title character, an artificial being created by a corporation. Kate Mara costars in what seems to be a perfect directorial debut for Luke Scott, son of ‘Blade Runner’ filmmaker Ridley Scott. 

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Real-life romantic pair Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, previously seen together in last year’s ‘Macbeth,’ reunite for this period drama in which they play a couple who find a baby and raise it as their own. The latest from acclaimed writer-director Derek Cianfrance (‘Blue Valentine’) also features Rachel Weisz.

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Kevin Smith returns with the second installment of his Canada-set True North trilogy for a crazy story about two teens (Smith’s own daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, and Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lily-Rose Depp) fighting, uh, miniature Nazi sausage people (?!) in a convenience store. A nearly unrecognizable Daddy Depp also appears in the horror-comedy.

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In 2009, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger made an unforgettable emergency landing of US Airways flight 1549 in the Hudson River following his takeoff from New York’s LaGuardia airport. Now his unbelievable story is dramatized in a film from Clint Eastwood starring a mustachioed Tom Hanks in the heroic title role.

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Surrogate parenthood goes terribly wrong in this psychological thriller starring Regina Hall and Morris Chestnut as a wealthy couple who take in the young woman (Jaz Sinclair) hired to carry their baby. Think ‘The Hand That Rocks the Cradle’ but during pregnancy.

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Kate Beckinsale and her young son (Lucas Till) move into their dream home, only to inadvertently release the stuff of nightmares from the attic. Actor Wentworth Miller ('Stoker') wrote the original screenplay. 

The classic shipwreck story of ‘Robinson Crusoe’ is reworked in a wacky computer-animated feature told from the perspective of the animals on the island. Eventually the creatures and their guest learn to live together, but then the pirates and some villainous felines show up to ruin their paradise.

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Twelve years after the last sequel to ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary,’ Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth are back for a comedic chapter on parenthood. But now Patrick Dempsey is also in the mix as Jones’s new boyfriend and one half of a paternity dispute when she gets pregnant and isn’t sure who the father is.

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Controversial NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden gets the biopic treatment from controversial filmmaker Oliver Stone (‘Nixon’) in this thriller depicting events previously seen in the Oscar-winning documentary ‘Citizenfour.’ Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrays Snowden, with Shailene Woodley as his girlfriend, Lindsay Mills. Melissa Leo plays 'Citizenfour’ director Laura Poitras.

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This out-of-nowhere sequel to the iconic 1999 horror film ‘The Blair Witch Project’ was kept a secret until recently, and then it immediately became one of the most anticipated fall releases. The found-footage feature is a direct follow-up involving the (probably doomed) search for one of the characters from the original.

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The long-awaited Hillsong United concert film presents the whole package for fans of the Australia-based Christian rock band. From stage performances to behind the scenes to the story of their youth ministry origins, you’ll understand and appreciate how they became one of the biggest groups in the genre.

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The classic Western of the same name is remade with an exciting ensemble cast that includes Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio and more. Together they’re the titular septet of outlaw avengers who protect a town from a dastardly villain played by Peter Sarsgaard.

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Featuring the voices of Andy Samberg, Jennifer Aniston and Kelsey Grammer, the second movie this year from ‘Neighbors 2’ director Nicholas Stoller is an animated feature inspired by the myth that storks deliver babies. Despite his usual output being raunchy comedies, Stoller also wrote ‘The Muppets’ -- so he can be trusted for family fare.

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When it comes to winning our moviegoing interests, casting ‘Selma’ star David Oyelowo and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o is a sure way to achieve checkmate. The movie depicts the true story of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) in what looks to be an inspiring drama.

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Mark Wahlberg reunites with ‘Lone Survivor’ director Peter Berg for a movie about the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil-rig disaster, in which the actor plays real-life hero Mike Williams. Kate Hudson costars as his wife, and Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez and Dylan O’Brien round out the cast.

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The cast of this heist comedy, which is based on a true story, includes Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis and three of the new Ghostbusters: Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon. It would be a crime if a movie so jam-packed with hilarious actors is anything but perfect.

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The pitch for this YA adaptation must have been “What if Tim Burton made an X-Men movie?” The ‘Edward Scissorhands’ director is at the helm here for a tale of youngsters gifted with special powers, including a newcomer played by Asa Butterfield (‘Hugo’), living under the protection of Eva Green.

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Director and star Nate Parker's dramatization of Nat Turner's 1831 slave revolt was a massive hit at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize before it was purchased for a record-breaking price. Now, it's poised to be one of the most talked-about (and controversial) movies released in 2016.

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‘Psycho’ kept you out of the shower. ‘Jaws’ kept you off the beach. And now, ‘Friend Request’ wants to keep you away from... Facebook? This new horror movie explores what happens when you unfriend an evil spirit on social media, and let's just say it's worse than a few passive-aggressive direct messages.

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This adaptation of Paula Hawkins' best-selling novel sounds like the spiritual cousin to ‘Gone Girl.’ Emily Blunt plays a tragic mess who can barely keep her life together BEFORE she starts suspecting that the woman she spies on during her daily commute was murdered. Justin Theroux, Rebecca Ferguson, Luke Evans, Alison Janney and Edgar Ramirez round out a cast filled with potential suspects.

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(Exclusive Photo) Based on the book by James Patterson and directed by ‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop’'s Steve Carr, ‘Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life’ follows a shy but creative student who decides to shake up his oppressive school by breaking every single rule in the book. Hijinks, as they say, ensue.

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Don't let the title fool you: ‘The Accountant’ may star Ben Affleck as an introverted economics genius, but he's the kind of introverted economics genius who does work for vicious criminal organizations and finds himself propelled into a dangerous conspiracy. Anna Kendrick plays his love interest and Oscar winner J.K. Simmons plays the treasury agent hunting him down.

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In the three years since ‘Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain,’ the eponymous comedian has transformed into a box office heavyweight with films like ‘Ride Along,’ ‘Get Hard’ and ‘Central Intelligence.’ Now, he's back with another concert movie, which finds him performing for a crowd of 50,000 at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.

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After a three-year break from the character, Tyler Perry is back as the tough-talking grandmother Madea for another holiday-themed romp. This time, the always unpredictable character takes on supernatural threats alongside her usual, more down-to-earth problems.

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‘I'm Not Ashamed’ tells the story of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School massacre of 1999, as told in her published journals as well as books written by her father. It chronicles her life before that day, exploring how her faith informed her life and worldview and how it continues to resonate with people today.

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Tom Cruise's retired military policeman turned wandering problem solver apparently doesn't listen to the titles of his own movies, because Jack Reacher is back in ‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.’ The case this time involves an old colleague (Cobie Smulders), an unsolved murder, and a conspiracy within the armed forces. And of course, Reacher must outthink his enemies before he goes in for the skull breaking.

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‘Superbad’ director Greg Mottola is back with this comedy about an ordinary suburban couple (Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher) who discovers that their far-too-sexy new neighbors (Jon Hamm and Gal Gadot) are actually spies. Naturally, one thing leads to another and this unlikely quartet has to work together to save the world, of course.

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Outside of the title, ‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’ doesn't have a direct connection to 2014's ‘Ouija.’ It's actually a prequel set in 1967, following a family torn apart by evil spirits summoned by that pesky supernatural board game. More importantly, it's the latest film from the always promising Mike Flanagan, whose writing-directing credits include ‘Hush’ and ‘Oculus.’

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Tom Hanks' Robert Langdon is back for this third big-screen thriller following ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and ‘Angels & Demons.’ This time, a resourceful doctor played by Felicity Jones assists him as he races across Europe, battling his own amnesia while attempting to foil a doomsday plot. You know, just another day in the life of an art-history professor.

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Another Marvel movie! Except this isn’t JUST another Marvel movie. With the introduction of Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), aka the Sorcerer Supreme, to the big screen, the Marvel Cinematic Universe promises a turn towards the supernatural and psychedelic. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams and Mads Mikkelsen round out its marvelous cast. 

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Mel Gibson returns to the director’s chair, reunited with ‘Braveheart’ screenwriter Randall Wallace, for a World War II movie with an unbelievable true story. Andrew Garfield plays real-life hero Desmond T. Doss, who received the Medal of Honor for saving more than 75 men in battle, despite his religious refusal to carry a weapon.

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Remember Troll dolls, with their crazy, colorful hair? They’ve finally got their own movie, a magical musical starring the voices of Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick as a mismatched duo who must save their town. The cast and soundtrack also include singing talents Zooey Deschanel and Gwen Stefani.

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In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of interracial marriage in a landmark case prompted by the perfectly named Lovings. Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga portray the couple, who were run out of Virginia in 1959 after being legally wed out of state in this acclaimed drama.

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Miles Teller portrays real-life boxing champ Vinny Pazienza, aka “The Pazmanian Devil,” who wouldn’t let a little thing like a broken neck stop his career following a severe car accident. The amazing comeback story also features Aaron Eckhart as the trainer who helps Paz return to the ring. 

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What if we were able to talk things over with the aliens in ‘Independence Day’ before they blew up all our landmarks? In this more serious work of science fiction, Amy Adams plays a linguist tasked with communicating with extraterrestrials whose ships suddenly show up around the world. 

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Visionary director Ang Lee (‘Life of Pi’) adapts the award-winning novel about an Iraq War hero (newcomer Joe Alwyn) flashing back to his harrowing combat experiences during a victory tour. The all-star supporting cast includes Kristen Stewart as Billy’s sister and Vin Diesel as one of his army brothers. 

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Jacob Tremblay, everyone’s favorite new child star after his breakout performance in last year’s ‘Room,’ is back for another movie involving isolation. This time he’s paired with Naomi Watts, who plays a lonely, reclusive child psychologist who must rescue him during an extreme New England snowstorm. 

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‘Tis the season for another wild holiday comedy that’ll make us better appreciate our own families over Thanksgiving break. Danny Glover is the patriarch of a dysfunctional clan that includes Mo’Nique, Gabrielle Union and Kimberly Elise, gathered together for the first time since the death of his wife. 

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The magical world of Harry Potter is back on the big screen with a 1920s-set prequel starring Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, future author of Hogwarts textbooks. In this J.K. Rowling-scripted tale, the British wizard unleashes a host of problems when he accidentally lets loose a bunch of strange creatures. 

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In teen movies, siblings are the enemy and friends are essential aids in coping through the pain of high school. So when her bestie starts dating her brother, Nadine (Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld) feels her whole world crumbling. Fortunately, Woody Harrelson is there for hilarious guidance in this coming-of-age dramedy.

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One of the most talked about films at Sundance this year, the new drama from Kenneth Lonergan (‘You Can Count on Me’) features awards-buzz performances from Michelle Williams and Casey Affleck. He plays a man who becomes the sudden legal guardian of his teenage nephew (Lucas Hedges) when his brother dies. 

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The second feature from fashion-designer-turned-filmmaker Tom Ford (‘A Single Man’) stars Amy Adams as a woman haunted by her past when she receives a violent manuscript written by her ex-husband (Armie Hammer). Jake Gyllenhaal costars as the main character of the novel, which plays out alongside her story.

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Featuring catchy new music cowritten by ‘Hamilton’’s Lin-Manuel Miranda, Disney’s next animated movie takes us to the South Pacific for an oceanic adventure that teams up a little girl with the Polynesian demigod Maui. Dwayne Johnson lends his vocals and his famous raised eyebrow to the mythological hero. 

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Brad Pitt is back fighting Nazis in a World War II espionage drama from ‘Forrest Gump’ director Robert Zemeckis. Instead of his ‘Inglourious Basterds,’ he’s partnered in marriage and mission with a French spy (Marion Cotillard) in Casablanca, a setting that should recall a certain classic romance film.

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It’s been a long time since Warren Beatty appeared on the big screen and even longer since he made a movie, so this Old Hollywood-set comedy he directs, in which he portrays iconic businessman Howard Hughes, is a real treat. His comeback also stars the new Han Solo, Alden Ehrenreich.

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What better way to start the holiday season than with a visit from your favorite foul-mouthed St. Nick? Get the sandwiches ready, because Billy Bob Thornton and Tony Cox are back in this long-awaited sequel to the raunchy Christmas classic as the worst Santa ever and his equally depraved sidekick. 

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‘Slumdog Millionaire’’s Dev Patel plays a man searching for his family decades after becoming lost in India at age five and adopted overseas by an Australian couple (Nicole Kidman and David Wenham). Based on Saroo Brierley’s best-selling memoir, ‘A Long Way Home,’ this true story is sure to be a tearjerker.

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