A new year, a new list of reasons to eat popcorn. Here are some of the notable movies that will be gracing the multiplexes in the coming year; note that movie release dates, as always, are subject to change.
"Magic Mike's Last Dance"
Those fond of Channing Tatum's particular brand of snake-hipped charm (check out how he hilariously stole "The Lost City" earlier this year) won't want to miss Steven Soderbergh's final film in his male-entertainer (don't call them strippers) trilogy, as Tatum's Mike tries to train a new group of dancers for one last hurrah. (Feb. 10)
"Chevalier"
Costume drama alert! Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays Joseph Bologne, a real-life Black composer who rose to unlikely heights in 18th-century French society, including a relationship with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton). Stephen Williams, whose television work includes "Lost" and "Watchmen," directs. (April 7)
"Next Goal Wins"
I'd imagine Taika Waititi ("Thor: Ragnarok," "What We Do in the Shadows," "Reservation Dogs") might be pretty good at a sports comedy? This one follows the American Samoa soccer team, known as the world's worst after a 31-0 FIFA loss, as they take on a charismatic new coach (Michael Fassbender). (April 21)
"Are You There God? It's Me Margaret"
I grew up with this Judy Blume book; maybe you did too? It's finally a movie, with Abby Ryder Fortson (Cassie in the "Ant-Man" movies) as Margaret, Rachel McAdams as her mother and Kathy Bates as Grandma Sylvia. (April 28)
"Fast X"
Need I say anything other than this title? And that Helen Mirren AND Rita Moreno are in this one? This franchise always promises fast cars, slow talking and good fun. (May 19)
"The Little Mermaid"
Halle Bailey stars in this live-action version of the beloved animated Disney musical, with a supporting cast that sounds pretty swell: Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina. (May 26)
"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"
Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) returns for a long-awaited sequel to the acclaimed 2018 animated adventure "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." Yes, the title's a little boring but the movie should be slick. (June 2)
"Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One"
Speaking of slick, here we have the latest "Mission: Impossible" installment, apparently so full of plot and Tom-Cruise-trying-to-get-himself-killed that it had to be split into two parts. The usual suspects — Cruise, Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby — will all be on hand; Christopher McQuarrie directs. (July 14)
"Barbie"
OK, I've raised my eyebrows at this one too, but this is written and directed by Greta Gerwig ("Little Women," "Lady Bird") so there's definitely a benefit-of-the-doubt factor. So yes, this is a movie based on the life of a famous fashion doll, played by Margot Robbie, with Ryan Gosling as Ken. We shall see! (July 21)
"Oppenheimer"
Not your typical summer-movie fare, but potentially fascinating: Christopher Nolan directs a biopic about American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who was known as the "father of the atomic bomb." Cillian Murphy plays the title role; also on hand are Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., Gary Oldman and Rami Malek. (July 21)
"The Marvels"
Nia DaCosta ("Candyman") directs this sequel to 2019's "Captain Marvel," with Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani and Samuel L. Jackson. And I'm hoping for a triumphant return of Goose the Cat. (July 28)
"A Haunting in Venice"
Kenneth Branagh returns as Detective Hercule Poirot in his third Agatha Christie adaptation, this one taking place in post-World War II Venice and featuring Kelly Reilly, Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey and Jamie Dornan. (Sept. 15)
"True Love"
Gareth Edwards, director of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," returns with a science-fiction love story featuring John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney and Ken Watanabe. (Oct. 6)
"Dune: Part Two"
I know it feels like the last "Dune" was just a few weeks ago, but nonetheless here's the sequel, directed by Denis Villeneuve and featuring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem. (Nov. 3)
"Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget"
Thank you, universe, for recognizing that it's been a tough couple of years, and that we all need a new "Chicken Run" movie from the stop-motion wizards at Aardman Animations. David Fowler, Imelda Staunton and Bella Ramsey are among the voice talent. (Nov. 10)
"Wonka"
Do we need another "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" movie? Apparently we do! This one features Timothée Chalamet as the young Willy Wonka, with a supporting cast that includes Sally Hawkins, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Colman and Rowan Atkinson (Dec. 15)
"The Color Purple"
First it was an acclaimed novel by Alice Walker, then it was a Steven Spielberg movie, then it was a hit Broadway musical, and now it's a movie of the musical, starring Fantasia, Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson and H.E.R. Spielberg, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey are among the producers; Blitz Bazawule ("Black Is King") directs. (Dec. 20)
