After my first two articles previewing September and October films, it should surprise nobody that I’m uncontrollably pumped for what’s to come to theaters in November. The entire holiday season (November and December) almost always consists of movies studios strategically release for Academy Award consideration. For the most part, that indicates a significant increase in quality at the cinema. Sure, you have your average Hollywood blockbuster peppered in between these potential Oscar contenders, but for us film geeks, the focus is on the smaller pictures. This trend begins this month, with these 9 must-see November 2016 films I’ve listed for you below (and then some honorable mentions at the end).

Opening November 4th

– Doctor Strange –

Seriously, it’s a Marvel Studios movie featuring a new origin story, starring the inexplicably magnetic and charming Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular Doctor Strange, exploring the untouched realm of magic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I have nothing else to add. You planned on seeing it anyway.

– Hacksaw Ridge –

I know, I know: Mel Gibson directed Hacksaw Ridge, and he’s an insane, reprehensible man, but this was unquestionably one of the best trailers of 2016. There were noticeable moviegoers getting choked up in every theater I witnessed this trailer. The emotion behind this unbelievable true story and the much-needed message about putting down your weapon for once sold me on this movie. If it weren’t for the stacked month of November 2016 films, this would easily be my most anticipated on this list, but then you have titles like the next movie that ruin everything for all these candidates (in a good way).

Opening November 11th

– Arrival –

We’ve written about director Denis Villenueve‘s first foray into the sci-fi genre, Arrival, a couple times here on HorrorGeekLife. You know we’re excited for it. The director has a propensity for telling complex, suspenseful stories, unconfined to any one advertised genre. This will hardly be Amy Adams‘ only must-see film of the year (the much-acclaimed Nocturnal Animals is coming in December), but this is definitely the most must-see of these November 2016 films. The hype around this picture is unstoppable.

– Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk –

I’m more than aware of the mixed reviews Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk is receiving lately. Visionary director Ang Lee attempts a new, experimental technique of capturing a story here, with only 2 theaters in the country showing his intended result of 120 frames per second, 3D, and in 4K HD resolution. That means all the complaints lodged against that technique won’t be seen by most of the audience anyway. However, I can’t defend (yet) the criticisms towards the ho-hum war plot around this feature, but I can tell you that this trailer moved me in a similar way that Hacksaw Ridge did, which makes this a movie I need to see.

– Loving –

Director Jeff Nichols already hit a home run earlier this year with Midnight Special. Now he tones down the concept and goes fully biographical for Loving, the story of an interracial couple that marries when it’s illegal for interracial couples to do so. The couple rightfully takes the United States government to court, and (spoiler alert on American history) succeeds in getting the law struck down as unconstitutional. Here to help tell this powerful, relevant story are frequent Nichols’ collaborators Joel Edgerton and Michael Shannon, along with Ruth Negga, an actress who’s having her breakout year after her success in Preacher and now here. For me, my butt was already guaranteed in a theater seat based on who’s directing, but this should be seen by all for every reason I’ve already laid out.

Opening November 18th

– The Edge of Seventeen –

Take a moment of your time to watch this hilarious red-band (that means NSFW, people, so play it safe at work) trailer. The Edge of Seventeen stars the beyond-her-years talented Hailee Steinfeld and the reliably funny Woody Harrelson. I’m always game for a solid coming-of-age movie, and critics are definitely fans of this one. This selection in my list of November 2016 films seems to capture the essence of Mean Girls or Clueless in terms of relatability, and will hopefully repeat those pictures’ successes.

– Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them –

I can’t say Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them will be a movie of substantial quality, but it will be a box office juggernaut compared to other November 2016 films and maybe the most successful. However, I arrive at confession corner: I’m a giant Harry Potter franchise fan, of both the books and the 8 films that had no right to be as good as they were. I still find it odd that a movie was made about what’s practically a magical monster dictionary, but considering you have Potter film regular David Yates directing, the feature is in good hands and certainly boasts a promising cast (even if Eddie Redmayne whispers a bit too much to not be considered generally creepy). I’ll be in the theater opening night for this fantastical adventure.

– Manchester by the Sea –

The next in my list of November 2016 films qualified for this article purely on critical hype. The trailer didn’t particularly grab me, but critics are not quieting on how brilliant Casey Affleck is here, and how much of a dramatic gut-punch Manchester by the Sea is. There’s talk of Affleck being a lock for the Best Actor Academy Award in 2017 (sorry; Oscars still so white, America), so considering the build-up to this indie darling, Manchester is absolutely a can’t-miss festival phenomenon.

Opening November 23rd

– Allied –

Your eyes don’t deceive you: Allied is slated for a Wednesday release so the studio can take full advantage of the Thanksgiving “5-day weekend” sales. Whatever reason they need for me to see Robert Zemeckis‘s latest. Zemeckis is always known for including a huge, unforgettable set piece in his pictures, so these trailers definitely have me curious what he’ll blow our minds with next. If he decided to simply narrow the story down to a spy story between a gorgeous married couple, that’s certainly commendable (as long as it pays off). This story is basically Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but with far more serious, dangerous implications. Again, this is another prime example of a director selling me on a movie where the trailer underwhelmed.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of cinematic offerings to choose from in November that didn’t quite make the must-see cut, like TrollsBleed for ThisLionMoanaMiss Sloane, and Rules Don’t Apply. Most of those examples have the critical praise to back them up, but as far as that can’t-miss quality, these 9 November 2016 films are a guarantee to deliver themes, scenes, and performances you haven’t seen anything like before. Suffice it to say: I’ll be a very busy, poor cinephile in November, and it only gets worse in December, so stay tuned!

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