Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: ArcticDogsMovie.com
Distributor: Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild action and rude humor.
Source: Original Screenplay
Genre: Adventure
Keywords: Talking Animals, Family Movie, Underdog, Postal Workers / Delivery Person, Evil Mastermind, Bent on World Domination
Directed By: Aaron Woodley
Written By: Cal Brunker, Bob Barlen, Bryan Thompson, Aaron Woodley, Matt Lyon
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Heidi Klum, James Franco, John Cleese, Omar Sy, Anjelica Huston, Alec Baldwin
Production Budget: Reported at $50 million
Box Office Potential: $20 million

We have a potential UglyDolls situation here. This is a third-tier animated film being released by a studio that isn’t part of the big five. Furthermore, there are still no reviews, which is another strike against the film’s box office chances. I would be surprised if it opens with more than $10 million and it could do so poorly that it will lose a large chunk of its theater count before Thanksgiving arrives.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: FocusFeatures.com/Harriet/
Distributor: Focus Features
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic content throughout, violent material and language including racial epithets.
Source: Based on Real Life Events
Genre: Drama
Keywords: Runaway Slave, 1800s, Biography, Slavery, Rescue
Directed By: Kasi Lemmons
Written By: Gregory Allen Howard, Kasi Lemmons, Gregory Allen Howard
Starring: Cynthia Erivo
Production Budget: Unknown - Estimated at $15 million to $25 million
Box Office Potential: $25 million

This is a biopic of Harriet Tubman, who is one of the most famous people associated with the Underground Railroad. This is a clear Oscar-bait movie, but its reviews are no where near strong enough to be a major player during Awards Season. That said, I can see Cynthia Erivo earning more than a few nominations for her performance in the titular role. She might even get enough Oscar buzz to help the film become a midlevel hit. I wouldn’t bet on it, but it is a possibility.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: MotherlessBrooklynFilm.net/
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout including some sexual references, brief drug use, and violence.
Source: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre: Drama
Keywords: 1950s, Private Investigator, Harlem, Brooklyn, Crime, Directing Yourself, Screenplay Written By the Star, Film Noir, Mentor, Death of a Mentor
Directed By: Edward Norton
Written By: Edward Norton, Jonathan Lethem
Starring: Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe
Production Budget: Reported at $26 million
Box Office Potential: $15 million

This film is reportedly opening in just 1,250 theaters and its reviews are not good enough that it will overcome such a small theater count. I fear it will open outside the top five and disappear by the end of the month.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: TerminatorMovie.com
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
MPAA Rating: R for violence throughout, language and brief nudity.
Source: Original Screenplay
Genre: Action
Keywords: IMAX: DMR, Near Future, Time Travel, Robot, Cyborg, Death of a Son or Daughter, Adopted Family, Artificial Intelligence, 2020s, Mexico City, Mexico, Border Town, Border Agents
Directed By: Tim Miller
Written By: David S. Goyer, Justin Rhodes, Billy Ray, Charles Eglee, James Cameron, Josh Friedman, David S. Goyer, Justin Rhodes
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Production Budget: Reported at $185 million
Box Office Potential: $95 million

The first Terminator movie is basically a teenage slasher, but the unstoppable killer is a robot, not some supernatural foe. The first sequel is still considered one of the best action films of all time. Since then, the quality has gone down. Not only that, but the decline in quality was accelerating. However, that appears to have stopped, as Terminator: Dark Fate’s reviews are the best the franchise has earned in over 15 years. Granted, they are not award-worthy, but they are certainly good enough for an action film. If they do grow a little bit more, they could even become the best since Judgment Day. That said, the years of bad reviews have damaged the franchise and I’m worried it won’t be able to find an audience in theaters. In fact, it could become the lowest grossing installment in the franchise since the first film. I think it will avoid that fate, but it could be very close.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: DoctorSleepMovie.com
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Release Date: November 8th, 2019
MPAA Rating: R For disturbing and violent content, some bloody images, language, nudity and drug use.
Source: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre: Horror
Keywords: Psychics, Delayed Sequel, Supernatural, Cults, Fountain of Youth
Directed By: Mike Flanagan
Written By: Mike Flanagan, Akiva Goldsman, Stephen King
Starring: Ewan McGregor
Production Budget: Unknown - Estimated at $20 million to $30 million
Box Office Potential: $85 million

A sequel to The Shining, which is based on a novel by Stephen King and not an original script. If it were based on an original script, I would be a lot less bullish about its chances, because I think audiences would reject the idea of making a sequel to The Shining. The film’s early reviews suggest it will find an audience in theaters, but it won’t be considered a classic. I think it will open in first place, but because it is a horror movie, it won’t have the best legs and won’t finish on top out of the four films opening this week. It wouldn’t have to open too much faster than anticipated to reach $100 million. After all, if it opens just 10% faster, more theater owners will be willing to keep it around longer, which means it would not only get a boost from Thanksgiving this month, but potentially Christmas next month.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: LastChristmasMovie.com
Distributor: Universal
Release Date: November 8th, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and sexual content.
Source: Based on a Song
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Keywords: Christmas, Santa Claus, Romance, Christmas in November, Medical and Hospitals, Dysfunctional Family
Directed By: Paul Feig
Written By: Emma Thompson, Bryony Kimmings, Greg Wise
Starring: Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding
Production Budget: Reported at $30 million
Box Office Potential: $90 million

I’m worried that I’m overestimating this film’s chances. If I’m doing so, it’s because I like all of the main cast and I found the trailer very charming. On the positive side, we are due for a romantic comedy box office hit and it should play well as counter-programing to the other films opening this week. Also, Asian Americans are an underserved demographic, despite them going to the theaters more per capita than any other ethnicity, so that could help as well. Finally, if the film does open well and shows any real legs, it could last through not only Thanksgiving, but Christmas as well and that will give it a path to $100 million. On the other hand, it could miss expectations during its opening weekend and then theater owners won’t be inclined to keep it in theaters till Christmas and it could struggle just to reach $50 million at the box office.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: Midway.movie
Distributor: Lionsgate
Release Date: November 8th, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of war violence and related images, language and smoking.
Source: Based on Real Life Events
Genre: Action
Keywords: World War II, 1940s, War, Navy, On a Boat, In a Plane, Historical Battles, Ensemble
Directed By: Roland Emmerich
Written By: Wes Tooke
Starring: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Mandy Moore, Luke Evans, Patrick Wilson, Jake Weber, Aaron Eckhart
Production Budget: Reported at $60 million
Box Office Potential: $55 million

Why isn’t this movie earning more buzz? It’s an ensemble war movie in a similar vein to Dunkirk, which earned nearly $200 million two years ago. On the other hand, I think the film is reminding people of Pearl Harbor, which also earned nearly $200 million domestically, but that film’s reputation isn’t nearly as good. If this film is melodramatic cheese instead of compellingly dramatic, then I can see it failing to match its production budget domestically. Sadly, I think that’s going to be the case. I do hope I’m wrong here and this turns out to be a surprise hit at the box office. We could use some surprise hits.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: Tickets.PlayingWithFire.movie
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: November 8th, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG for rude humor, some suggestive material and mild peril.
Source: Original Screenplay
Genre: Comedy
Keywords: Firefighter, Family Movie, Unexpected Families, Animal Lead
Directed By: Andy Fickman
Written By: Dan Ewen, Matt Lieberman
Starring: John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo, Brianna Hildebrand, Christian Convery, Finley Rose Slater
Production Budget: Unknown - Estimated at between $25 million and $35 million
Box Office Potential: $45 million

Live-action family films tend to struggle at the box office and Paramount hasn’t had a lot of success this year. They are still waiting for their first $100 million film of 2019. If Terminator: Dark Fate doesn’t get to that milestone, then they will go an entire calendar year without a single film reaching the century mark.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: CharliesAngels.movie
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Release Date: November 15th, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for action/violence, language and some suggestive material
Source: Based on TV
Genre: Action
Keywords: Reboot, Kidnap, Delayed Sequel, Special Ops
Directed By: Elizabeth Banks
Written By: Elizabeth Banks, Evan Spiliotopoulos, David Auburn, Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Balinska
Production Budget: Reported at $48 million
Box Office Potential: $65 million

The first films in the Charlie’s Angels franchise both earned over $100 million; however, their production budgets were, on average, more than $100 million as well, so they weren’t really profitable. The new Charlie’s Angels cost less than half of the previous film’s average, which means it won’t need to earn nearly as much domestically to break even. Assuming it earns more than half of what its predecessors made at the box office, and finds a similar audience internationally, then it will very likely earn itself a sequel. I wouldn’t be shocked if that happened, but I’m not willing to bet on it either.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: FoxMovies.com/Movies/Ford-v-Ferrari
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: November 15th, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some language and peril.
Source: Based on Factual Book/Article
Genre: Drama
Keywords: IMAX: DMR, Auto Racing, France, 1960s, Professional Rivalry
Directed By: James Mangold
Written By: Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, Jason Keller
Starring: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Adam Mayfield
Production Budget: Reported at $98 million
Box Office Potential: $105 million

This film is about the racing rivalry between Ford and Ferrari that started off after a failed attempt by Ford to buy Ferrari. The film is tracking well enough to get to $100 million domestically and it better get there, because it cost nearly $100 million to make. The film’s early reviews are promising, although its average review score is significantly below its Tomatometer Score, so while most critics like it, few love it. This means its word-of-mouth could be positive, but not enthusiastic enough to give the film legs.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: GoodLiarMovie.net/
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Release Date: November 15th, 2019
MPAA Rating: R for some strong violence, and for language and brief nudity.
Source: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Keywords: Confidence Men, Romance, Autumn Years, December Romance
Directed By: Bill Condon
Written By: Jeffrey Hatcher, Nicholas Searle
Starring: Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren
Production Budget: Unknown - Estimated at between $20 million and $30 million
Box Office Potential: $40 million

A romantic thriller about a seasoned con artist who falls for his latest mark. On the one hand, this film has an amazing cast and there’s almost no direct competition in theaters to eat at its box office numbers. On the other hand, it is the smallest of the three films opening wide and I fear it might get lost in the crowd.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: STXFilms.com/21Bridges
Distributor: STX Entertainment
Release Date: November 22nd, 2019
MPAA Rating:
Source: Original Screenplay
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Keywords: NYPD, New York, New York City, Manhunt, Corrupt Cops
Directed By: Brian Kirk
Written By: Adam Mervis, Adam Mervis
Starring: Chadwick Boseman
Production Budget: Unknown - Estimated at between $20 million and $30 million
Box Office Potential: $35 million

Chadwick Boseman stars as a NYPD detective in charge of tracking down a pair of cop killers and does the unprecedented and shuts down all 17 bridges entering New York City. ... I mean 21 bridges. The original title for this film was 17 Bridges, then someone explained there are in fact 21 bridges that would need to be closed to cut off New York City. Thank goodness they got that fixed before the film was released.

There are no reviews to talk about, the buzz is rather quiet, and there are two much bigger films opening this weekend. I fear this film will slip between the cracks.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: ABeautifulDay.movie
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Release Date: November 22nd, 2019
MPAA Rating:
Source: Based on Factual Book/Article
Genre: Drama
Keywords: TV Industry, Writing and Writers, Magazine, 1990s, Biography, Pittsburgh
Directed By: Marielle Heller
Written By: Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster, Tom Junod
Starring: Tom Hanks
Production Budget: Reported at $45 million
Box Office Potential: $125 million

Tom Hanks stars as Fred Rogers, the man who is associated with more childhoods than any other single person in the history of Television. The film is widely considered an Oscar contender and its reviews certainly bolster that claim. Furthermore, it is opening a week before one of the most lucrative weekends of the year and if it does start picking up major Awards Season nominations, it could remain in theaters well into the new year easily crossing $100 million before then.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: Movies.Disney.com/Frozen-2
Distributor: Walt Disney
Release Date: November 22nd, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG for action/peril and some thematic elements.
Source: Original Screenplay
Genre: Adventure
Keywords: Prince/Princess, 3-D, Royalty, Romance, Trapped, 3-D - Shot in 3-D, IMAX: DMR
Directed By: Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck
Written By: Jennifer Lee, Allison Schroeder
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad
Production Budget: Unknown - Estimated at between $175 million and $200 million
Box Office Potential: $405 million million

The first Frozen earn $400 million domestically and $1.2 billion worldwide. There are some who think this film will top those numbers by large degrees and might even become the third $1 billion hit of the year on the international chart while earning more than $500 million domestically. I would love it if that were the case, as 2019 could really use a hit like that to make up for all of the misses we’ve suffered through the year. However, I think it is wise to be a little more conservative. I do think Frozen II will top its predecessor both here and abroad, but I think it will do so by a razor thin margin.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: KnivesOut.movie
Distributor: Lionsgate
Release Date: November 27th, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references, and drug material.
Source: Original Screenplay
Genre: Drama
Keywords: Murder Mystery, Dysfunctional Family, Adult Child Dealing with the Death of a Parent, Police Detective, Writing and Writers, Inheritance, Ensemble
Directed By: Rian Johnson
Written By: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Lakeith Lee Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Christopher Plummer
Production Budget: Reported at $40 million
Box Office Potential: $80 million

A family comes together to celebrate their patriarchs 85th birthday. However, when the patriarch dies, the police show up and think one of the family was responsible. This film has an amazing ensemble cast and the only thing better than its pre-release buzz are its reviews, which are nearly 100% positive. On the downside, it does have some black comedy elements to it and that genre rarely does well at the box office. If audiences like this film as much as critics did, then it has a shot at $100 million domestically. Even if it doesn’t come particularly close, it should still make enough to break even sooner rather than later.

Trailer: Click to Play
Official Site: QueenAndSlim.com
Distributor: Universal
Release Date: November 27th, 2019
MPAA Rating: R for violence, some strong sexuality, nudity, pervasive language, and brief drug use.
Source: Original Screenplay
Genre: Drama
Keywords: Police Brutality, Fugitive / On the Run, Romance, African-American
Directed By: Melina Matsoukas
Written By: Lena Waithe, Lena Waithe, James Frey
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith
Production Budget: Unknown - Estimate at between $15 million and $25 million
Box Office Potential: $35 million

Jodie Turner-Smith and Daniel Kaluuya star as the titular Queen & Slim, two people on their first date. On the drive to her home, they are pulled over by a cop for a very minor traffic infraction, but the cop is very aggressive and things escalate to the point where the cop is shot with his own gun.

This is one of the smallest films on this month’s list and it will be dealing with monster competition, albeit not a lot of direct competition. I don’t think it will bomb, but I don’t think it will be able to become a midlevel hit either.