New movies this week: Watch ‘Black Panther 2,’ skip Lindsay Lohan’s ‘Falling for Christmas’
Marvel movies or Dickens twists, cinemas are hooking you up.
This weekend, yell “Wakanda Forever!” once again as the heroes of “Black Panther” return to the big screen in a new sequel. Or if you’re more into tidings of comfort and joy, Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell are an A-list duo in a musical comedy take on “A Christmas Carol” while Lindsay Lohan is a rich woman with memory problems in a Netflix holiday romance.
Here’s a guide to new movies that will satisfy every cinematic taste, plus some noteworthy theatrical films making their streaming and on-demand debuts:
Holiday movie preview:10 films you must see this season, from ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ to ‘Avatar 2’
‘Black Panther’ sequel:Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o on ‘beautiful love letter’ of ‘Wakanda Forever’
If you’re still missing Chadwick Boseman too: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’
Be prepared for cheers and tears. After the death of the beloved actor, director Ryan Coogler and his cast pull off a superb sequel that pays tribute to Boseman while moving the Wakandan characters forward in an emotional, exciting fashion. Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright) especially has quite the arc in the new film, faced with grief and a new threat emerging from the sea in charismatic Talokan ruler Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía).
Where to watch: In theaters
‘Black Panther 2’ review:‘Wakanda Forever’ is a profound, action-packed take on life and legacy
If you’re a Scrooge needing a pick-me-up: ‘Spirited’
In a musical twist on “A Christmas Carol,” a snarky PR guy (Reynolds) is visited by those famous phantoms but things go off the rails and he forms an unlikely bond with the goofy Ghost of Christmas Present (Ferrell). It’s no “Scrooged,” that’s for sure, and there are way too many songs (and not enough catchy ones), but the dynamic Reynolds/Ferrell duo keeps it entertaining.
Where to watch: In theaters (and on Apple TV+ Nov. 18)
‘Spirited’ review:Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds waste a jolly good ‘Christmas Carol’ premise
If your kids need a feel-good adventure: ‘My Father’s Dragon’
After his mom’s country store closes, Elmer (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) is forced to move to the city, meets a talking cat (Whoopi Goldberg) and ends up on a boat to Wild Island. It’s there he meets Boris (Gaten Matarazzo), a young dragon with a broken wing and a big destiny, and that heartfelt friendship forms a nice combo with vibrant animation for a sincere story.
Where to watch: Netflix
If you’ve been anxiously awaiting Lindsay Lohan’s return: ‘Falling for Christmas’
The “Mean Girls” actress’ first movie in nearly a decade is a far-fetched, predictably cheeseball affair. Lohan plays a pampered hotel heiress who hits the ski slopes with her influencer boyfriend, falls off a cliff when he proposes and winds up with a case of amnesia. A kindly, widowed ski-lodge owner (Chord Overstreet) takes her in, and life lessons, yuletide sparks and paint-by-numbers holiday romance ensue.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Falling for Christmas’:Lindsay Lohan returns to the screen in Netflix holiday movie
If you’ve ever had a bad breakup: ‘Bar Fight!’
There’s some insightful stuff said about love and relationships amid human bowling and flying axes in this broad indie comedy. Nina (Melissa Fumero) and Allen (Luka Jones) break up and split their assets, but a problem arises when it comes to who “owns” their favorite watering hole. A drunken holiday custody battle breaks out alongside a colorful crew of friends and bartenders (including Rachel Bloom as Nina’s salty BFF).
Where to watch: In theaters and on AMC+, Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon
If you dig teen-oriented horror movies: ‘The Friendship Game’
“Cobra Kai” star Peyton List headlines this chiller about a teen girl who finds a strange circular object at a yard sale that turns out to be a “friendship” game she plays with her friends. The catch is, once you take it for a spin, you have to actually stay friends to survive. Their loyalty is tested and freaky stuff happens in a horror film that needs more tech scares and less young-adult angst.
Where to watch: In theaters and on Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon
If you’re all about World War II dramas and/or Cary Elwes: ‘Resistance: 1942’
Elwes, Judd Hirsch and Jason Patric comprise a pretty decent trio in this engaging war film set in Nazi-occupied France. Jacques (Elwes) broadcasts hopeful messages to pockets of resistance, which gives the Germans fits, but when he and others (including Hirsch) have their hiding place exposed, they are given sanctuary by a Swiss banker (Patric) with questionable political ties.
Where to watch: In theaters and on Apple TV, Google Play
Also on streaming
- David O. Russell’s period mystery comedy “Amsterdam,” with Christian Bale, John David Washington and Margot Robbie as World War I veterans/friends, is available on Apple TV and other on-demand platforms.
- Also on demand is the romantic comedy “Ticket to Paradise,” starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney as exes who have to band together to bust up their daughter’s wedding.
- “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” a feel-good 1950s-set dramedy featuring Lesley Manville as a cleaning lady with couture dreams, is streaming on Peacock.