The monsoon season is here, and there’s no better way to cosy up indoors than putting on a good movie (or binge-watching a TV show, for the extra rainy days). November brings all the hype with a lineup of long-awaited films and TV series—and some very familiar faces. Between Stranger Things returning with its fifth and final season, Guillermo del Toro’s star-studded Frankenstein adaptation releasing, and Ariana Grande lighting up screens again in a Wicked sequel, it feels like every corner of entertainment is alive. Whether you’re venturing out to theatres or hunkering down at home, this month’s watchlist has plenty to keep you excited and entertained.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
Premieres 13 November in Cinemas
Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman, Mark Ruffalo and Rosamund Pike—an absurdly stellar cast—star in a dazzling threequel to the 2013 caper Now You See Me. The old crew of Horsemen reunite with more tricks up their sleeves, pulling rabbits and plausibility out of hats in a critical heist. With eight magicians and one sleight of hand, they attempt to seize the world’s most valuable jewel and bring down a worldwide crime syndicate. The comedy crime-thriller is the gateway to an action-packed evening.
Watch the trailer here
Frankenstein
Premieres 7 November on Netflix
This is for the yearners out there. The classic Mary Shelley novel Frankenstein gets an operatic interpretation that’s brooding, sexy and tragic. With stars Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz, director Guillermo del Toro explores the heavy themes of humanity and empathy in his own biblical monster of a film. From film fanatics to lovers of gothic literature, you’ll see people talking about it—they already are. Complete with a standout performance from Jacob Elordi, it’s a big one you won’t want to miss.
Watch the trailer here.
Stranger Things, Season 5 – Volume 1
Premieres 26 November on Netflix
What started as an homage to horror novelist Stephen King—with some fun ‘80s nostalgia—ended up gripping and stealing the hearts of audiences worldwide. The 12-time Emmy-winning cult classic comes to a close after nearly a decade, and its final season is sure to be nothing short of a spectacle. The party’s together for one final battle to save Hawkins from the Rifts and horrors that have plagued their town for years. With the government looking for Eleven and the looming threat of Vecna on the loose, all that they’ve learned has come to this. It’s been over three years since Season 4 ended, so it may well be worth rewatching the show, according to its cast, together for one last adventure.
Watch the trailer here.
Pluribus
Premieres 7 November on Apple TV+
From the creator Vince Gilligan of Breaking Bad comes Pluribus—a sci-fi drama following the most miserable person on Earth’s desperate mission to save the world from happiness. Cast in the lead role is Rhea Seehorn, the same talent who portrayed the lovable-hateable Kim Wexler in the critically acclaimed series, Better Call Saul. The nine-episode series is an unsettling, genre-bending original set in the familiar town of Albuquerque, New Mexico (for fans of the Breaking Bad universe). Mysterious, thrilling and already green-lit for a second season, this may be your next binge-watch.
Watch the trailer here.
Wicked: For Good
Premieres 27 November in Cinemas
We all fell under Wicked: Part One’s spell the first time around, and now, Wicked: For Good brings the story full circle with songs from Act 2 of the stage musical. The fantastical duo’s friendship will be tested as Elphaba takes on the mantle of Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. With Elphaba in exile and Glinda living the high life in Emerald City, the concept of seeing the media-adored pair Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande together to enchant us once more is nothing short of exciting.
Watch the trailer here.
Last Samurai Standing
Premieres 13 November on Netflix
Set in 1878 Japan, a samurai takes part in a deadly survival game: make it to Tokyo, take the other samurai’s wooden tags, and be the last one standing. It’s a battle royale with a 100 billion yen prize. Yet, that prize means the world to warrior Shujiro Saga, who risks his life in the heated competition to save his village and family. This samurai epic is based on the mesmerising manga series by Shōgo Imamura and stars Junichi Okada, a talented fight choreographer and former member of Japanese boy band V6.
Watch the trailer here.
Dear X
Premieres 6 November on HBO Max
The K-drama dives into the dark machinery of fame, where every smile is rehearsed and every secret has a price. Blending romance and psychological thriller, Dear X is about a star (Kim Yo-joung) who builds her success on lies, manipulation and deception, hiding her traumatic history. How does she get away with it? She’s being protected by Yoon Jeon-seo (Kim Young-dae), a man with an intense, all-consuming love for her. Adapted from the hit Webtoon of the same name, it’s not afraid of getting messy.
Watch the trailer here.
The Family Plan 2
Premieres 21 November on Apple TV+
Dan, a former government operative, hopes to enjoy a relaxing vacation with his wife and kids. However, a mysterious figure from his past resurfaces, turning their family getaway into a globe-trotting game of cat and mouse. Just in time for the holiday season, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, and Kit Harington star in this feel-good comedy to get you into the festive spirit. With bank heists and car chases in their way, and Christmas high jinks, it’s a holiday to remember for the Morgans.
Watch the trailer here.
Maxton Hall: The World Between Us, Season 2
Premieres 7 November on Amazon Prime
This German romance series is back for round two. Based on the international bestselling book by Mona Kasten, its first season topped Prime Video charts with Ruby Bell and James Beaufort’s tumultuous love story, enrapturing audiences worldwide. And it’s far from over. In the all-new season, their newfound happiness is brought sharply to an end when the pair have to face reality. Encountering what seems to be endless obstacles in the way of their happiness, will love prevail, or will fate keep the couple apart?
Watch the trailer here.
A Very Jonas Christmas Movie
Premieres 14 November on Disney+ Hotstar
The last thing we were expecting this Winter was the Jonas Brothers back together in a Disney original, but it’s a pleasant gift. Coinciding with their Greetings from Your Hometown tour, the flick releases this November, featuring the iconic trio racing against time and defying fate amidst the chaos of the Christmas season. It’s a classic “in-time-for-Christmas” tale. Bah, Lovebug!
Watch the teaser here.
The Running Man
Premieres 6 November in Cinemas
The second Stephen King thriller on the watchlist is The Running Man—a film set in a thrilling game show where contestants outrun a team of murderous Hunters tracking them down. You might think it’d take an insane person to volunteer themselves for the show, but when the prize is $1 billion, it’s worth the risk for Ben Richards (Glen Powell), in a desperate last resort attempt to save his sick daughter. With an entire nation watching, gripped by his resilience, skill and determination, yet waiting to see him fail, will he cave into the pressure?
Watch the trailer here.
The Seduction
Premieres 14 November on HBO Max
Desire is a weapon… power is everything. Set in 18th-century France, The Seduction flips Dangerous Liaisons into a TV drama dripping with scandal and spice. Fuelled by the pain of betrayal, Marquise de Merteuil (Anamaria Vartolomei) climbs the social ladder of Paris, and she’s not afraid to burn the whole system down to do it. The steamy epistolary novel by Laclos gets a vivid and intense adaptation from the perspective of the pre-revolution French woman in this new series.
Watch the trailer here.
Palm Royale, Season 2
Premieres 12 November on Apple TV+
How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to get what someone else has? The Emmy-nominated TV series has us dive back into Palm Beach’s glossy madness after a year of anticipation. Kristen Wiig, playing the part of underdog Maxine Dellacorte, plots her way back into Florida’s upper crust after a very dramatic season finale. Set in the 1960s, it’s a story about identity, social hierarchy and secrets, neatly packaged in a star-studded comedy.
Watch the trailer here.
I Love LA
Premieres 2 November on HBO Max
Written by Rachel Senott, I Love LA is a comedy about a codependent friend group reuniting in the city of angels, where they hope to make it big. With colliding career dreams, high ambitions and time changing people for worse or for better, tensions are high. But as they say, it’s all about the hustle. Featuring stars like Josh Hutcherson, Odessa A’zion, Quen Blackwell, and Elijah Wood, the Los Angeles grind gets wild and wittier this November.
Watch the trailer here.
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