## Fall Movie Preview: 20 Films Generating Oscar Buzz **Report Provider:** GoldDerby **Author:** Mia McNiece **Publication Date:** September 1, 2025 This report from GoldDerby provides a comprehensive preview of 20 films slated for release in Fall 2025, highlighting those with significant potential for awards season, particularly the Oscars. The article signals the end of summer and the beginning of award season, with festival circuits in full swing. ### Key Findings and Conclusions: The fall movie season is poised to deliver a strong slate of films characterized by "thought-provoking storytelling, daring direction, and standout performances." Many of these releases are already generating considerable attention and are being positioned as potential Oscar contenders. ### Notable Films and Their Oscar Prospects: The following films are highlighted for their critical buzz, notable cast and crew, and potential awards impact: * **The Lost Bus** (September 5) * **Director:** Paul Greengrass * **Cast:** Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Levi McConaughey * **Studio:** Apple Original Films * **Synopsis:** Based on true events, this film follows a school bus driver (McConaughey) and a teacher (Ferrera) as they navigate a deadly wildfire with 22 children. McConaughey's performance, alongside his real-life son, is noted for its poignancy. * **The History of Sound** (September 12) * **Director:** Oliver Hermanus * **Cast:** Paul Mescal, Josh O'Connor * **Studio:** Mubi * **Synopsis:** A story of love and music preservation set in 1917 Boston, following a music student and his connection with another. * **One Battle After Another** (September 26) * **Director:** Paul Thomas Anderson * **Cast:** Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall * **Studio:** Warner Bros. * **Synopsis:** A reunion of ex-revolutionaries on a rescue mission. The film boasts a director with a strong Oscar nomination history and a lead actor with a remarkable streak of Oscar-nominated films. * **The Smashing Machine** (October 3) * **Director:** Benny Safdie * **Cast:** Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt * **Studio:** A24 * **Synopsis:** A biographical drama about mixed martial artist Mark Kerr's struggles with addiction. Johnson's physical transformation and performance are generating awards buzz. * **A House of Dynamite** (October 10) * **Director:** Kathryn Bigelow * **Cast:** Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Kaitlyn Dever, Anthony Ramos * **Studio:** Netflix * **Synopsis:** A thriller about national chaos caused by a missile detection, featuring a high-ranking military leader (Elba). Directed by an Oscar winner, it's expected to be a strong contender for Netflix. * **After the Hunt** (Limited October 10 / Nationwide October 17) * **Director:** Luca Guadagnino * **Cast:** Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Michael Stuhlbarg, Chloë Sevigny * **Studio:** Amazon MGM Studios * **Synopsis:** A college professor (Roberts) faces an ethical dilemma involving a student and faculty member. Despite mixed reviews at Venice, it's seen as a potential comeback for Roberts. * **If I Had Legs I'd Kick You** (October 10) * **Director:** Mary Bronstein * **Cast:** Rose Byrne, Conan O’Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Christian Slater, A$AP Rocky * **Studio:** A24 * **Synopsis:** A film about a woman navigating personal crises. Byrne's performance earned her the Silver Lion for Best Lead Performance at the Berlin International Film Festival, positioning her for a Best Actress nomination. * **Kiss of the Spider Woman** (October 10) * **Director:** Bill Condon * **Cast:** Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna * **Studio:** Lionsgate * **Synopsis:** Lopez stars as a mysterious figure in a prison drama, a role that has earned strong reviews and is considered a tailor-made showcase for Oscar season. * **Roofman** (October 10) * **Director:** Derek Cianfrance * **Cast:** Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, LaKeith Stanfield, Peter Dinklage, Juno Temple * **Studio:** Paramount * **Synopsis:** Based on true events, Tatum plays a former Army Ranger turned criminal. Tatum is receiving the TIFF Tribute Actor Award for this role. * **Frankenstein** (October 17) * **Director:** Guillermo del Toro * **Cast:** Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth * **Studio:** Netflix * **Synopsis:** Del Toro's long-awaited adaptation of the classic novel. The film received a 13-minute standing ovation at Venice and will have an Oscar-qualifying run before its Netflix release on November 7. * **Sentimental Value** (October 17) * **Director:** Joachim Trier * **Cast:** Elle Fanning, Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas * **Studio:** Neon * **Synopsis:** A drama about an aging filmmaker reconnecting with his estranged daughters. It received a 19-minute standing ovation at Cannes and ecstatic reviews. * **Blue Moon** (Limited October 17 / Nationwide October 24) * **Director:** Richard Linklater * **Cast:** Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Scott * **Studio:** Sony Pictures Classics * **Synopsis:** A film focusing on lyricist Lorenz Hart (Hawke) confronting career and personal struggles. Hawke's performance has earned him a Silver Medallion at Telluride, often a precursor to Oscar wins. * **Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere** (October 24) * **Director:** Scott Cooper * **Cast:** Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Stephen Graham * **Studio:** 20th Century Studios * **Synopsis:** A film about Bruce Springsteen's struggles with success while recording the album *Nebraska*. The performances of White as Springsteen and Strong as his producer are highly praised. * **Bugonia** (October 24) * **Director:** Yorgos Lanthimos * **Cast:** Emma Stone, Alicia Silverstone, Jesse Plemons * **Studio:** Focus Features * **Synopsis:** A story about a pharmaceutical executive targeted by a conspiracy theorist. The collaboration between Stone and Lanthimos, known for their Oscar-nominated films, makes this a strong "Oscar bait." * **Ballad of a Small Player** (October 15) * **Director:** Edward Berger * **Cast:** Colin Farrell, Tilda Swinton * **Studio:** Netflix * **Synopsis:** Farrell plays a gambler in this adaptation of Lawrence Osborne's novel, screened at Telluride. * **Nouvelle Vague** (October 31) * **Director:** Richard Linklater * **Cast:** Zoey Deutch, Guillaume Marbeck * **Studio:** Netflix * **Synopsis:** A reimagining of the making of Godard's *Breathless*, exploring filmmaking revolution and behind-the-scenes chaos. Netflix is planning a full campaign for multiple Oscar categories. * **Nuremberg** (November 7) * **Director:** James Vanderbilt * **Cast:** Rami Malek, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Richard E. Grant, Leo Woodall, John Slattery * **Studio:** Sony Pictures Classics * **Synopsis:** A historical drama about a psychiatrist evaluating Hermann Göring before the Nuremberg Trials. The pairing of Malek and Crowe is seen as a potential Oscar-winning combination. * **Train Dreams** (November 7) * **Director:** Clint Bentley * **Cast:** Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, William H. Macy * **Studio:** Netflix * **Synopsis:** Adapted from a Pulitzer Prize finalist novella, this film about a logger in early 20th-century America premiered to critical acclaim at Sundance with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes rating. * **Jay Kelly** (November 14) * **Director:** Noah Baumbach * **Cast:** George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Greta Gerwig, Emily Mortimer, Billy Crudup * **Studio:** Netflix * **Synopsis:** Clooney plays a Hollywood icon on a journey of self-discovery. The film premiered at Venice and features a creative team with multiple Oscar wins. Sandler's supporting performance is particularly noted. * **Hamnet** (November 27) * **Director:** Chloé Zhao * **Cast:** Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Joe Alwyn, Emily Watson * **Studio:** Focus Features * **Synopsis:** A fictionalized account of Shakespeare's family life, focusing on the loss of his son. With strong reviews from Telluride and powerful performances from Mescal and Buckley, it's considered a fast-track Oscar contender. ### Other Notable Films: The report also briefly mentions other films playing this fall, including: * *Christy* starring Sydney Sweeney (September 5) * *Anemone* starring Daniel Day Lewis (October 3) * *The Mastermind* starring Josh O’Connor (October 17) * *Hedda* starring Tessa Thompson (October 22) * *Die, My Love* starring Jennifer Lawrence (November 7) * *Eternity* starring Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen (November 14) * *Rental Family* starring Brendan Fraser (November 21)
Fall movie preview: From Springsteen to Shakespeare, 20 films with the most Oscar buzz this season
Read original at GoldDerby →The film festival circuit is now in full swing with Venice to Telluride to Toronto, signaling the end of summer and the beginning of award season. This year’s slate of fall releases offers a compelling mix of thought-provoking storytelling, daring direction, and standout performances, with each film aiming to make its mark on the road to the Oscars.
Here are 20 titles arriving in theaters this fall that are already generating serious attention. The Lost Bus (Sept. 5) Director: Paul GreengrassCast: Matthew McConaughey, America FerreraStudio: Apple Original FilmsSynopsis: McConaughey stars as Kevin McKay, a school bus driver thrust into a terrifying race against time when the 2018 Camp Fire engulfs the town of Paradise, Calif.
With flames closing in and roads disappearing in smoke, McKay, accompanied by elementary school teacher Mary Ludwig (Ferrera), must drive 22 children through a deadly inferno in a desperate fight for survival. Inspired by true events and based on the book Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson.
McConaughey shares the screen with his real-life son, Levi McConaughey, in a poignant performance. The History of Sound (Sept. 12) Director: Oliver HermanusCast: Paul Mescal, Josh O'ConnorStudio: MubiSynopsis: In 1917, Lionel (Mescal) — a young, talented music student — meets David (O'Connor) at the Boston Conservatory, where they bond over a deep love of folk music.
Years later, Lionel receives a letter from David, leading to an impromptu journey through the backwoods of Maine to collect traditional songs. This unexpected reunion, ensuing love affair, and the music they collect and preserve, will shape the course of Lionel’s life far beyond his own awareness. One Battle After Another (Sept.
26) Director: Paul Thomas AndersonCast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina HallStudio: Warner Bros.Synopsis: When an enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a cadre of ex-revolutionaries reunites on a dangerous rescue mission to save one of their own’s kidnapped daughter. The film brings together a Oscar-worthy bunch including Anderson whose last three of five films received Best Picture nominations, and DiCaprio, whose remarkable streak includes six of his last seven films also nominated for Best Picture.
The Smashing Machine (Oct. 3) Director: Benny SafdieCast: Dwayne Johnson, Emily BluntStudio: A24Synopsis: The Smashing Machine tells the true story of Mark Kerr, a legendary mixed martial artist who rose to prominence during the early days of the UFC while privately struggling with a serious drug addiction.
To portray Kerr, Johnson underwent a dramatic physical transformation, aided by two-time Oscar-winning prosthetic makeup artist Kazu Hiro (Darkest Hour, Bombshell). The performance is already generating awards buzz, with some suggesting it could mark Johnson’s transition from box office star to serious Oscar contender.
A House of Dynamite (Oct. 10) Director: Kathryn BigelowCast: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Kaitlyn Dever, Anthony RamosStudio: NetflixSynopsis: When an unidentified missile is detected hurtling toward U.S. soil, the nation is thrust into chaos. Elba stars as a high-ranking military leader caught in the eye of the storm, as misinformation spreads and political tensions reach a breaking point.
From the Oscar-winning director of The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty and written by Noah Oppenheim (Jackie, Zero Day), A House of Dynamite is likely going to be an explosive addition to Netflix's awards slate. After the Hunt (Limited Oct. 10/Nationwide Oct. 17) Director: Luca GuadagninoCast: Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Michael Stuhlbarg, Chloë SevignyStudio: Amazon MGM StudiosSynopsis: Roberts stars as college professor Alma Olsson, who finds herself caught in a deeply personal and ethical dilemma when her star student, Maggie Price (Edebiri), accuses a fellow faculty member, Henrik “Hank” Gibson (Garfield), of misconduct.
While the film drew mixed reviews and sparked some controversy following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, it still garnered a warm reception overall and is being touted as a potential awards-season comeback for Roberts. If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (Oct. 10) Director: Mary BronsteinCast: Rose Byrne, Conan O’Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Christian Slater, A$AP RockyStudio: A24Synopsis: With her life crashing down around her, Linda (Byrne) attempts to navigate her child's mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist.
The film won Byrne the Silver Lion for Best Lead Performance at the Berlin International Film Festival, and early critical acclaim has positioned her as a potential Best Actress contender. Kiss of the Spider Woman (Oct. 10) Director: Bill CondonCast: Jennifer Lopez, Diego LunaStudio: LionsgateSynopsis: The Oscar-winning director's film adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman casts Lopez as Aurora, the mysterious figure conjured up by a political prisoner in a Latin American jail.
The role was originally played by Chita Rivera on Broadway for which she earned a Tony Award. The new Spider Woman earned strong reviews on the festival circuit and awards Lopez a showcase role tailor-made for Oscar season. Roofman (Oct. 10) Director: Derek CianfranceCast: Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, LaKeith Stanfield, Peter Dinklage, Juno TempleStudio: ParamountSynopsis: Based on incredible true events, Tatum stars as a former Army Ranger who turns to a life of crime, robbing McDonald’s by cutting through their roofs, earning the nickname "Roofman."
After a daring escape from prison, he vanishes into a new life, hiding out in a toy store. Tatum is being honored with the TIFF Tribute Actor Award for the role at the Toronto International Film Festival. Frankenstein (Oct. 17) Director: Guillermo del ToroCast: Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia GothStudio: NetflixSynopsis: A passion project for the Oscar-winning director who has been talking about making this movie for nearly two decades, publicly declaring the Mary Shelley novel to be his favorite book.
This adaptation of the gothic horror classic, stars Isaac as the titular scientist and Elordi as the monster. The film, which received a 13-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, will get an Oscar qualifying theatrical run on Oct. 17 and then arrive on Netflix on Nov. 7. Sentimental Value (Oct.
17) Director: Joachim TrierCast: Elle Fanning, Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter LilleaasStudio: NeonSynopsis: The film centers around an aging filmmaker (Skarsgård), who reconnects with his estranged daughters — Nora, (Reinsve), an actress, and Anges (Lilleaas), an academic — following the death of their mother.
After years of struggle, Gustav has a new script he wants Nora to read, a movie about his mother, who died by suicide. When Nora refuses the part, Gustav turns to an American actress (Fanning) to fill the role. The drama received a 19-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival and has earned ecstatic reviews.
Blue Moon (Limited Oct. 17/Nationwide Oct. 24) Director: Richard LinklaterCast: Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew ScottStudio: Sony Pictures ClassicsSynopsis: On the eve of the grand opening of a new Broadway show by legendary composer Richard Rodgers, lyricist Lorenz Hart (Hawke) confronts a career in decline and a crumbling personal life, all unraveling during one emotionally charged night with friends and memories.
After four Academy Award nominations, many critics believe this could be Hawke's breakthrough year. He recently received a Silver Medallion at the Telluride Film Festival for the role, an honor that has often preceded future Oscar wins for past recipients. Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (Oct.
24) Director: Scott CooperCast: Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Stephen GrahamStudio: 20th Century StudiosSynopsis: On the cusp of global superstardom, Springsteen struggles to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past as he records the album Nebraska in the early 1980s. White plays the Boss and Strong is his producer Jon Landau and both performances are already said to be awards-worthy and blessed by Springsteen himself.
The film premiered at Telluride and received a warm reception for audiences and critics. Bugonia (Oct. 24) Director: Yorgos LanthimosCast: Emma Stone, Alicia Silverstone, Jesse PlemonsStudio: Focus FeaturesSynopsis: The story centers around a pharmaceutical executive (Stone) who gets targeted by an obsessive conspiracy theorist (Plemons) who is convinced she's an alien in disguise bent on destroying Earth.
Based on Stone and Lanthimos' track record, Bugoinia screams Oscar bait. The duo's past collaborations include The Favourite, which scored 10 Oscar nominations and one win, and Poor Things, which racked up 11 nominations and four wins, including one for Stone. Ballad of a Small Player (Oct. 15) Director: Edward BergerCast: Colin Farrell, Tilda SwintonStudio: NetflixSynopsis: Farrell plays a gambler burdened with debts and a questionable past — trying to avoid a private investigator (Swinton) and being tempted by a casino employee (Fala Chen).
The film, which screened at Telluride is adapted from a novel by Lawrence Osborne, debuts in theaters on Oct. 15 and on Netflix on Oct. 29. Nouvelle Vague (Oct. 31) Director: Richard LinklaterCast: Zoey Deutch, Guillaume MarbeckStudio: NetflixSynopsis: Nouvelle Vague is a reimagining of the 1959 shoot of Breathless, Godard’s debut and a cornerstone of modern cinema.
The film dives into the artistic revolutionary choices and the chaos behind the scenes and takes viewers to the streets of Paris in 1959 and examines the relationships among a generation of filmmakers on the cusp of global influence. With jump cuts, handheld cameras, voiceovers and a referential tone, Nouvelle Vague invites viewers into the birth of a revolution in filmmaking.
Netflix is planning a full campaign, including pushes for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, as well as for its stars Deutch and Marbeck. Nuremberg (Nov. 7) Director: James VanderbiltCast: Rami Malek, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Richard E. Grant, Leo Woodall, John SlatteryStudio: Sony Pictures ClassicsSynopsis: In the gripping historical drama psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Malek) is assigned the task of evaluating Hermann Göring (Crowe), one of the highest-ranking Nazi officials, ahead of the landmark Nuremberg Trials.
The pairing of Malek and Crowe could be an Oscar-winning combination as they tackle a defining moment in history. Train Dreams (Nov. 7) Director: Clint BentleyCast: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, William H. Macy Studio: NetflixSynopsis: The film follows Robert Grainier (Edgerton), a logger and railroad worker navigating life in the forests of the Pacific Northwest during early 20th-century America.
It is adapted from Denis Johnson’s Pulitzer Prize finalist novella of the same name. It premiered to critical acclaim at Sundance and currently holds a 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Bentley cowrote the screenplay with Greg Kwedar, marking their first collaboration since the Oscar-nominated Sing Sing.
Jay Kelly (Nov. 14) Director: Noah BaumbachCast: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Greta Gerwig, Emily Mortimer, Billy CrudupStudio: NetflixSynopsis: Clooney stars as a legendary Hollywood icon at a crossroads in his career, embarking on a soul-searching journey across Europe with his loyal, long-time manager, played by Sandler.
With a prestigious premiere at the Venice Film Festival and a creative team boasting multiple Oscar nominees and winners, Jay Kelly is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most highly anticipated films of the year. Early buzz suggests a standout performance from Sandler in a deeply nuanced, supporting dramatic role.
Hamnet (Nov. 27) Director: Chloé ZhaoCast: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Joe Alwyn, Emily Watson Studio: Focus FeaturesSynopsis: With glowing reviews out of the Telluride Film Festival, strong performances by Mescal as Shakespeare and Buckley as his wife, this film seems on the fast-track to the Oscars.
A fictionalized, imagining of the life of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes, focusing on the heartbreak of losing their son Hamnet — a loss that inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Blending history and imagination, the film explores love, grief, and artistic creation. Also playing this fall: Christy starring Sydney Sweeney, directed by David Michôd (Sept.
5) Anemone starring Daniel Day Lewis, directed by Ronan Day-Lewis (Oct. 3) The Mastermind starring Josh O’Connor, directed by Kelly Reichardt (Oct. 17) Hedda starring Tessa Thompson, directed by Nia DaCosta (Oct. 22) Die, My Love starring Jennifer Lawrence, directed by Lynne Ramsay (Nov. 7) Eternity starring Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, directed by David Freyne (Nov.
14) Rental Family starring Brendan Fraser, directed by Hikari (Nov. 21)
