It’s the 8th of January. The roads are filling up. The hangovers are fading. It’s time to catch up on all the pop culture you missed.
Here are the trailers released between 18 December and 8 January, in order of release. Godspeed.
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Ocean’s 8
This Ocean’s sequel stars Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham-Carter, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, and Rihanna.
Do you need any other reason to give it all your money? Catch it in South African cinemas 8 June.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is an Alice-in-Wonderland-esque adaptation of the classic ballet. It stars Morgan Freeman, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, and young Mackenzie Foy (who you may recognise as the creepy CGI baby in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn).
The film doesn’t yet have an SA release, though it will be in the US 2 November.
Gringo
Gringo — which means “white/American person” in Mexico — is advertised as a dark comedy about a “mild-mannered businessman” who is kidnapped by members of a drug cartel in Mexico.
The film stars Charlize Theron, David Oyelowo, Joel Edgerton, Amanda Seyfried, Thandie Newton, and Sharlto Copley.
Catch Gringo in theatres 23 March.
Seven Seconds
Seven Seconds is an upcoming Netflix series about a city reeling from the effects of police brutality — but you wouldn’t know that from this 15 second teaser.
Season one premieres on the platform 23 February.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a sequel with a title that immediately implants that stupid catchy song in your head. It’s both genius and the absolute worst.
The musical opens in cinemas 20 July 2018.
A Futile and Stupid Gesture
This Netflix original film tells the story of controversial humour magazine The National Lampoon, examining the ways it shaped the counterculture of the 1970s.
It’s on the platform from 26 January.
The End of the F**king World
Based on the eponymous graphic novel, The End of the F**king World is a coming-of-age story about two misfits — one murderous psychopath and one looking for love — who run away from home in an attempt to forge their own paths.
The first season premiered on Netflix 5 January.
Fifty Shades Freed
Say what you want about this franchise — it knows how to sell a great tag line.
Don’t miss the climax: catch the film in theatres (are you sure?) on 9 February. And as a reminder: this is all Twilight fan fiction. Thank you.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
The second season of Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is on its way, and the first look arrived New Year’s Day.
Catch up with the Baudelaires on 30 March.
Death Wish
Bruce Willis is yet another in the line of “female family members murdered, must get revenge” stories.
Do we need another? No. Are we getting one? 9 March, baby.
Truth or Dare
If you don’t follow the rules of this deadly Truth or Dare, you turn into a troll face meme and kill your friends.
Truth or Dare stars YA sweethearts Lucy Hale and Tyler Posey. It doesn’t have an SA release, but it’s in the US 27 April.
Slender Man
Slenderman has turned into Slender Man, because apparently Sony thinks regular thin men are creepier.
This very standard horror trailer features bugs, frantic writing, and a predictable jump scare. Love it.
Catch Slender Man in theatres 18 May.
Winchester
In Helen Mirren’s second appearance on this list, she stars as a grieving widow who orders the construction of her chaotic architecture, built to keep out ominous spirits.
The film, based on actual events, features a creepy singing boy who later becomes possessed and screams “DIE! DIE! DIE!” So make of that what you will.
Winchester opens in cinemas 30 March.
Game Over, Man!
From the creators of Workaholics comes this ridiculous action comedy about a trio of hotel employees embroiled in an intense hostage situation.
Game Over, Man! does not yet have a release date.
Braven
Jason Momoa stars as Joe Braven, a man who stumbles upon a stash of heroin in a remote hunting cabin, and is subsequently ambushed by criminals.
The action film is in cinemas 6 April.
Patrick Melrose
Patrick Melrose is a mini-series that explores the effects of childhood trauma on adult emotional and mental health.
Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the titular role alongside Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hugo Weaving, Anna Madeley, and Allison Williams. The show doesn’t yet have a release.
