As the summer season comes to a close, we can now look forward to the fall movie season, which typically combines big flicks (Star Wars: The Force Awakens anyone?) with those films getting their Oscar buzz on.
Here’s a list of 10 films you shouldn’t miss (in order of release date):
The Martian (Oct. 2)
Who: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Chiwitel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels; directed by Ridley Scott
What: Damon plays an astronaut stranded on Mars after being left for dead and as he finds ways to survive and let Earth know he’s still alive, the peeps at NASA rush to rescue him before its too late.
Why: Ridley Scott in space always works, plus Matt Damon’s quippy delivery of lines like, “I’m going to have to science the shit out of this,” just makes it more entertaining.
Steve Jobs (Oct. 9)
Who: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen; directed by Danny Boyle; written by Aaron Sorkin
What: The biopic examines Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ (Fassbender) life as it revolves around three iconic Apple product launches, ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac.
Why: Under some expert guidance from Danny Boyle and dialogue from Aaron Sorkin, this Steve Jobs biopic is sure to erase the previous one (sorry, Ashton Kutcher). Plus, Fassbender is also starring in Macbeth, out Dec. 4. The combo is just too good.
Crimson Peak (Oct. 15)
Who: Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam, Tom Hiddleston; directed by Guillermo del Toro
What: Just in time for Halloween, this Gothic tale centers on an aspiring author trying to escape the ghosts of her past, as she is swept away to a house by her dashing new husband — a house that breathes, bleeds… and remembers.
Why: Did you watch this trailer? Del Toro rarely disappoints when he embraces his weird horror fetishes, and crafting a story that’s part Jane Eyre, part Rebecca and set in one hell of a creepy house… we are totally there.
Suffragette (Oct. 23)
Who: Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Ben Whislaw, Meryl Streep; directed by Sarah Gavron
What: A look at the early feminist movement at the turn of the 20th century, as women in England fought for their right to vote and met with sometimes brutal opposition.
Why: The force is strong with this one (yeah, it’s a Star Wars kind of fall season), especially with its powerhouse cast lead by Carey Mulligan. Plus, girl power just rules.
Spectre (Nov. 6)
Who: Daniel Craig, Christophe Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes; directed by Sam Mendes
What: A cryptic message from James Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization, SPECTRE.
Why: Daniel Craig has more than proven he’s a close second to the original Bond, Sean Connery, and teaming up with Skyfall director Sam Mendes again only makes it better. Plus, there’s Christophe Waltz as a villain. Done.
Carol (Nov. 20)
Who: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara; directed by Todd Haynes
What: The film revolves around a ’50s Manhattan socialite trapped in a loveless marriage of convenience, whose life is forever changed when she meets a department store clerk, and the two women embark on a forbidden love affair.
Why: Cate Blanchett is simply astounding in most things she does these days, so watching her play a woman repressed by her conventional times, only to blossom as she falls in love with a woman, should make for another fantastic, Oscar worthy performance. Watch out, Meryl Streep, Blanchett may be coming after your record.
The Danish Girl (Nov. 27)
Who: Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Amber Heard; directed by Tom Hooper
What: The film centers on Danish artist Lili Elbe, who is believed to be the first person to undergo gender-reassignment surgery in Germany in 1930, and his/her love story with wife Gerda Wegener.
Why: I just can’t get over how gorgeous Eddie Redmayne looks as a woman… and this story couldn’t come at a better time.
Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens (Dec. 18)
Who: Oscar Isaac, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher; directed by J.J. Abrams
What: Well, we’re not sure. The story has been so closely under wraps, and the trailer doesn’t give us much to go on. We do know it takes place 30 years after Luke, Leia and Han destroyed the Empire, presumably for good. I guess until a more in-depth trailer is released, we will we know more. Whatever it is, we are way too excited.
Why: Um, do you need to ask?
Joy (Dec. 25)
Who: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro; directed by David O. Russell
What: This is a story of a powerful family that spans four generations, and the woman who rises to become founder and matriarch of its business dynasty.
Why: It seems like the triple combo of Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and David O. Russell never fails, so look for another hit.
The Revenant (Dec. 25)
Who: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhall Gleeson; written and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu
What: In the 1820s, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.
Why: This looks intense, as only Birdman director Alejandro González Iñárritu can provide. Plus, this finally may be the year Leo DiCaprio wins his Oscar.
Also keep a lookout for these films:
—Black Mass (Sept. 18) to see Johnny Depp play the ruthless mobster Whitey Bulger (also stars Joel Edgerton and Dakota Johnson).
– Sicario (Oct. 2) for some harrowing drug cartel action (stars Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro)
– Legend (Oct. 2) for a look at the ’60s mob scene in the U.K (stars Tom Hardy as the twin Kray brothers)
– Pan (Oct. 9) for a fantastical Peter Pan tale (stars Hugh Jackman)
– Goosebumps (Oct. 16) for fun YA scares (stars Jack Black)
– Bridge of Spies (Oct. 16) for political intrigue (pairs Tom Hanks with director Steven Spielberg again)
– Our Brand Is Crisis (Oct. 31) for a political dark comedy (stars Sandra Bullock)
– Trumbo (Nov. 6) for a look at blacklisting in the Hollywood in 1950s (stars Bryan Cranston)
– By the Sea (Nov. 13) to see how Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie play a married couple in crisis
– The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (Nov. 20) to see how it’s all going to end in that world (stars Jennifer Lawrence)
– Victor Frankenstein (Nov. 25) for a new take on the Frankenstein classic told from Igor’s POV (stars James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe)
– Point Break (Dec. 25) to see why they decided to remake this cult classic.