Following the success of its 2019 predecessor, MUFASA: THE LION KING opens in theatres today! The origins story to The Lion King, is projected to make a solid $50 million in its debut pre-Christmas weekend.

In-town to promote the Film by Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), whcih features music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, are its two leads Aaron Pierre, who voices the titular character, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. who plays Taka.

Though Toronto isn’t new for Pierre, who filmed Clement Virgo‘s BROTHER here, and also Harrison, who has had multiple films premiere at TIFF over the years, this was a much-needed boost in starpower in the City which has seen a waning amount of red carpets this year.

Both stars were an absolute delight, doing the rounds early this morning including Breakfast Television, The Morning Show and a stop at SiriusXM Canada, among others.

Our snaps with beanie, the Lion Queen!

Walt Disney Studios Canada release MUFASA: THE LION KING, now in theatres. Our Amanda Gilmore‘s glowing review here.

(Photo/video credit: Disney/Mr. Will Wong)

Toronto got a very special treat this past week with an Advance Screening, with Q&A, of Oscar contender THE BRUTALIST by Actor/Writer/Director Brady Corbet (pronounced “cor-bay”) in 70mm at TIFF Lightbox. One of the few places which can support the format.

This sweeping epic of a film, despite being three-and-a-half hours plus intermission, certainly doesn’t feel its length.

Corbet, who also has starred in acclaimed films like The Clouds of Sils-Maria, Martha Marcy May Marlene and Melancholia, crafts a sublime feast for the senses, visually and sonically.

Academy Award winner Adrien Brody taps into soul of a Hungarian architect named László Tóth and the sacrifices he made rebuilding his life in America, escaping war and being separated from his wife.

The Film is an unfiltered look at the relationship between art and its consumers, and extremes of compromise in committing to one’s artistic vision.

The Film showcases a brilliant ensemble including a ferocious Guy Pearce as Tóth’s patron, Felicity Jones as Tóth‘s wife Erzsebet and Alessandro Nivola as Tóth’s cousin.

THE BRUTALIST opens in theatres Christmas Day in Toronto and everywhere January 2025.

Highlights from the night:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Elevation Pictures)

Goodbye, You.

Today, Netflix announced that Joe Goldberg will officially be returning in 2025 for his killer finale.

In the epic fifth and final season, Joe Goldberg returns to New York to enjoy his happily ever after… until his perfect life is threatened by the ghosts of his past and his own dark desires.

Showrunners/Executive Producers/Writers: Michael Foley and Justin Lo
Executive Producers: Greg Berlanti, Sera Gamble, Penn Badgley, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Leslie Morgenstein, Gina Girolamo, Marcos Siega, Neil Reynolds
Studio: Warner Bros. Television
Cast: Penn Badgley, Charlotte Richie, Madeline Brewer, Anna Camp and Griffin Matthews

We kindly ask that you please link back to netflix.com/you in your coverage.

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/YouNetflix
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/younetflix

How very exciting! A new Teaser Trailer dropped at 9 AM ET for eagerly-awaited SUPERMAN! Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release July 11, 2025.

About the Film:

“Superman,” DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theatres worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures. In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.

DC Studios heads Peter Safran and Gunn are producing the film, which Gunn directs from his own screenplay, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

The film stars David Corenswet (“Twisters,” “Hollywood”) in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” movies, “Juror #2”) as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi (“For All Mankind”), Anthony Carrigan (“Barry,” “Gotham”), Nathan Fillion (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “The Suicide Squad”), Isabela Merced (“Alien Romulus”), Skyler Gisondo (“Licorice Pizza,” “Booksmart”), Sara Sampaio (“At Midnight”), María Gabriela de Faría (“The Moodys”), Wendell Pierce (“Selma,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”), Alan Tudyk (“Andor”), Pruitt Taylor Vince (“Bird Box”) and Neva Howell (“Greedy People”).

“Superman” is executive produced by Nikolas Korda, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars Winther. Behind the camera, Gunn is joined by frequent collaborators, including director of photography Henry Braham, production designer Beth Mickle, costume designer Judianna Makovsky and composer John Murphy, along with editors Craig Alpert (“Deadpool 2,” “Blue Beetle”), Jason Ballantine (the “IT” films, “The Flash”) and William Hoy (“The Batman”).

“Superman” will be in theatres and IMAX nationwide on July 11, 2025, and internationally beginning 9 July 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Hollywood Suite rings in 2025 with a killer collection of films and TV premiering exclusively on the service this January. With season two of Irish mob drama Kin, the ghost hunter comedy Don’t F**k With Ghosts, killer jeans (literally) slasher film Slaxx, and an apocalyptic premiere of a new episode of the Hollywood Suite original documentary series Cinema A to Z, the new year will kick off with some scary good times. These titles and hundreds more will be available on Hollywood Suite On Demand beginning January 1, 2025, with the first episode of season two of Kin available on January 4, 2025.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring a creepy collection of Canadian films to our platform and start the new year championing homegrown talent,” said Suzanne Marshall, Hollywood Suite Programming Manager. “We are also thrilled to be back with a new episode of Cinema A to Z, with our favourite experts delving into world-ending films that are sure to delight cinephiles and genre fans alike.”

The award-winning Irish crime drama Kin (2021), returns with the exclusive Canadian broadcast premiere of the second season on January 4 at 9pm ET. Starring Charlie Cox (Daredevil), the new season sees the Kinsella family thriving in the wake of a death when a new threat rears its head from within – in the shape of a ruthless, bullying, agent of chaos. Viewers can catch up on season one on Hollywood Suite On Demand now.

Hollywood Suite’s Cinema A to Z is back with a new episode premiering on January 1 at 9pm ET. Cinema A to Z: The Apocalypse brings together Hollywood Suite’s favourite movie experts to talk the end of the world with movies ranging from the first nuclear apocalypse on film with Five (1951), to the eerie aliens of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) and the totally wild and unexpected apocalypses from Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery in Knowing (2009) and Zardoz (1974).

Premiering January 3 at 9pm ET, is Canadian horror comedy Don’t F**k With Ghosts (2024) from writers, producers and stars Adam Rodness (Hemlock Grove, Shazam!) and Stu Stone (Donnie Darko, Faking A Murderer) and executive produced by Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Productions. Shot in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the film follows a filmmaking duo who are convinced they need to capitalize on the next paranormal phenomenon by attempting to prove that ghosts are real. The film will premiere alongside a night of programming curated by Adam and Stu, which will include their other titles Vandits (2022) and Faking A Murderer (2020).

Deadly, demonic denim is in style for 2025 with Montreal-born director Elza Kephart’s Slaxx (2020), premiering January 14 at 9pm ET. When a possessed pair of jeans begins to kill the staff of a trendy clothing store, it is up to an idealistic young sales clerk to stop its bloody rampage. Filmed in the remote North Shore region of Québec, the film stars Montreal native Romane Denis (The G).

With 21 film premieres, exciting exclusives and returning fan favourites, Hollywood Suite is starting the year off with a bang! Special programming includes a showcase celebrating the work of animator and special effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen with Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers (1956) and Jason and The Argonauts (1963).

Find more sci-fi and horror highlights below:

King Kong (1933)

Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958)

Fantastic Voyage (1966)

The Omega Man (1971)

Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1974)

The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)

Logan’s Run (1976)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Videodrome (1983)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Ghostbusters (1984)

D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

Critters (1986)

The Fly (1986)

Beetlejuice (1988)

Critters II: The Main Course (1988)

Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)

Ghostbusters II (1989)

The Abyss (1989)

Total Recall (1990)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

The Witches (1990)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

Interview With The Vampire (1994)

Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)

Men in Black (1997)

Bride of Chucky (1998)

Donnie Darko (2001)

The Mummy Returns (2001)

Blade II (2002)

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005)

30 Days of Night (2007)

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Daybreakers (2010)

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Godzilla (2014)

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

VVS Films release DEATH OF A UNICORN, coming Spring 2025! Today we get a new Trailer.

Cast: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant.

Synopsis: A father (Paul Rudd) and daughter (Jenna Ortega) accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss (Richard E. Grant) seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

Paramount+ released December 23rd as the global premiere date for QUEEN WOO, the brand-new period drama series from South Korea, which will be available exclusively on the service in Canada, the U.S., U.K., Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France.

The series is licensed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
It’s the Goguryeo era of imperial rule in Korea, and the heirless King Go-guk-cheon (Ji Chang-wook) is dead. Without a son to inherit the king’s throne, the five tribes across the land fiercely battle for power. It falls on the newly-widowed Queen Woo (Jeon Jong-seo) to establish a new king—and ensure her people’s survival—by marrying one of the king’s power-hungry brothers in the next 24 hours. If the five tribes hear of the king’s death, a similar fate awaits Queen Woo. Can she find the right suitor in time to prevent the collapse of the Goguryeo Kingdom?

QUEEN WOO is directed by Jung Se-kyo (“Oh! My Gran”) and written by Lee Byoung-hak (“The Royal Tailor”). Julie Choi, Ha Yong-soo, Ken Oh, John Yoo, Kwon Oh-hyun and Song Eun-ju serve as Executive Producers. The series is produced by CJ ENM Studios, Andmarq and Compass Pictures.

Series credit line: ⓒ 2024 Tving Co.,Ltd All Rights Reserved

Ron Dias’ MORNINGSIDE quietly filmed here in the east end and we were so intrigued. Thrilled to see thia new Trailer!! In theatres February 21, 2025.

Synopsis:

When gentrification threatens to tear apart a tight-knit Toronto community, the lives of seven unforgettable characters collide at Scarborough’s Morningside community Centre. Watch as award-winning director Ron Dias brings together an all-star Canadian cast in this powerful story about fighting for home. Starring: Fefe Dobson (Two-time Juno Award Winner) Kiana Madeira (Fear Street Trilogy) Lovell Adams-Gray (Power Book II: Ghost) Alex Mallari Jr. (Ginny & Georgia) Oluniké Adeliyi (The Porter) Brandon McKnight (The Flash) Joanne Jansen (Shadowhunters)

(Photo/video credit: The Impact Series)

Robbie Williams’ Musical Biopic BETTER MAN is soon before us. Here is a new Featurette about the idea behind this original Musical! And also checkout FORBIDDEN ROAD, an original song from the upcoming film. BETTER MAN IS IN SELECT THEATRES ON DECEMBER 25, 2024 AND NATIONWIDE ON JANUARY 10, 2025

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.

Paramount Pictures and Sina Studios and Facing East Entertainment Present

A Lost Bandits / Footloose Production

In Association with Azure Centrum / Partizan Films / Rocket Science / RPW Productions / VicScreen

A Michael Gracey Film

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Zhe Chen, Robbie Williams, Markus Barmettler, Philip Lee, Li-Wei Chu, Michael Loney, Thorsten Schumacher, Lars Sylvest, Mark Williams, Gregory Jankilevitsch, Klaudia Smieja, David Ravel, Domenic Benvenuto, Gianni Benvenuto, Zoran Stojkovic, Dean Hood, David Conley, Daniel Fluri, Adrian Grabe, Andres Kernen, Slava Vladimirov, Jared Underwood, Andrew Robinson

PRODUCED BY

Paul Currie, p.g.a., Michael Gracey, p.g.a., Coco Xiaolu Ma, Jules Daly, Craig McMahon

WRITTEN BY

Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael Gracey

DIRECTED BY

Michael Gracey

STARRING

Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvany, Frazer Hadfield, Tom Budge, Anthony Hayes

MAISON 4:3 and Metafilms are pleased to highlight that the film UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, directed by Matthew Rankin, has just taken an important step in the race for the Oscar for Best International Film by being selected in the shortlist of nominees. Having celebrated its world premiere at the Quinzaine des Cinéastes in Cannes last May, where it was awarded the Chantal Akerman prize, UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE has been selected for 90 film festivals across the globe, winning 15 awards to date. The film was honoured at the Toronto International Film Festival as Best Canadian Discovery and the Bright Horizons Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival. UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE has been sold in more than 30 countries and will be released in theatres across Canada beginning January 24, 2025, in Matthew’s hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The film stars the filmmaker himself, as well as Mani Soleymanlou (MY BROTHER’S WIFE, BEFORE THE CRASH), Danielle Fichaud (ALINE), Pirouz Nemati (ANOTHER WORD FOR LEARNING) and newcomers Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi and Sobhan Javadi, for the first time on screen.

Somewhere between Tehran and Winnipeg. Negin and Nazgol find a sum of money frozen in the winter ice and try to get it out. Massoud leads a group of confused tourists through increasingly more absurd monuments and historic sites in Winnipeg. Matthew quits his job at the Québec government and embarks upon a mysterious journey to visit his mother. Time, geography and personal identities crossfade, interweave and collide into a surreal comedy of disorientation.

Co-written by Matthew Rankin, Pirouz Nemati, and Ila Firouzabadi, UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE is Matthew Rankin’s second feature film following the acclaimed TWENTIETH CENTURY, which won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2020 Berlinale. Shot in French and Persian in Montréal and in Winnipeg, the film is produced by Sylvain Corbeil for Metafilms with the participation of Telefilm Canada, SODEC and provincial tax credits from Québec and Manitoba. International sales are handled by BFF. Oscilloscope Laboratories distributes in the United States.

UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE is distributed in Canada by Maison 4:3 and will be released theatrically on January 24, 2025, in Winnipeg, with other major cities to open in the weeks following. The Toronto Film Critics Association will announce the winner of the Rogers Canadian Film Award in a gala event on February 24, 2025.

ABOUT MAISON 4:3

Maison 4:3 is a film distribution company founded in 2014. A boutique distributor, the company leverages its experience and knowledge of the independent film space to implement launch strategies and support for filmmakers at all stages of development and release. Maison 4:3 is passionate about deeply human projects that are both meaningful and unique.

ABOUT METAFILMS

Metafilms is a production house based in Montreal founded in 2003 to offer young, unique authors the means to express their vision of cinema and the world. To date, Metafilms has produced 23 feature-length, 28 short and medium-length films, as well as 7 music videos. All the films have been widely distributed in prestigious international festivals (Cannes, Berlin, Locarno, Sundance, Toronto, San Sebastian, Rotterdam, Karlovy Vary, etc.), acclaimed (Jury Prize at Cannes for MOMMY, (Silver Bear at the Berlinale for VIC + FLO SAW A BEAR), (Best Canadian Feature Film at TIFF for FÉLIX AND MEIRA), (Jury’s coup de coeur prize at Cannes for LA FEMME DE MY BROTHER), (Canada’s choice for the 2024 Oscars for ROJEK), (César for Best Foreign Film for SIMPLE LIKE SYLVAIN) with sales all over the world. Very recently, Metafilms has been developing an emerging creators program with Rosalie Chicoine Perreault and Catherine Boily.