With 2024 in the rearview mirror, the time has come to look forward to a new year at the theaters and on our respective home theaters. For reasons I can’t fathom, this month is top-heavy with action thrillers and low on the usual number of romantic comedies (expect lots of those in February). You never know, there might be a surprise here and there; such is the joy of stumbling across an unexpected gem.
Here are just a few of the titles coming out next month. Please note: All opening dates are subject to change.
Jan. 7
‘Good Side of Bad’
Lexi Simonsen (C) stars in "Good Side of Bad." Freestyle Digital Media
In my opinion, this is the most promising title of the month. A troubled teen (Lexi Simonsen) is headed down a dead-end road, and her much older siblings (Jules Bruff and Alex Quijano) and formerly absentee mother (Tess Harper) attempt to get her to see the light. (Freestyle Digital Media)
Jan. 10
‘Den of Thieves 2: Pantera’
A direct sequel to the 2018 original, “Pantera” reunites writer-director Christian Gudegast with leads Gerard Butler (as good guy Big Nick) and O’Shea Jackson Jr. (as bad guy Donnie) in what looks like a standard-issue, pyrotechnic-laden action-adventure thriller. (Lionsgate)
‘Every Little Thing’
Terry Masear, in a scene from "Every Little Thing." Kino Lorber
The latest effort from filmmaker Sally Aitken (“Family Confidential,” “Streets of Your Town”) is an intimate documentary profiling Los Angeles resident Terry Masear, a woman dedicated to rescuing injured hummingbirds. (Kino Lorber)
The recently “unretired” Cameron Diaz teams with Jamie Foxx in this action comedy where they play CIA agents whose personal information has been compromised. As it is co-written and directed by Seth Gordon (“Horrible Bosses,” “Identity Thief”) it could be a big winner or a total bust. (Netflix)
‘Alarum’
Looking a bit like “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” Scott Eastwood and Willa Fitzgerald star as romantically linked secret ops who could also be double agents, who get caught in the middle of a war between two other agents (Sylvester Stallone and Mike Colter). So many agents, so little time. (Lionsgate)
Jan. 24
‘Flight Risk’
Mark Wahlberg as Daryl in "Flight Risk." Lionsgate
Originally scheduled for release this past October, this claustrophobic action thriller directed by Mel Gibson stars Mark Wahlberg as an assassin posing as an airplane pilot charged with taking out a government witness (Topher Grace), who is being escorted by a F.B.I. agent (Michelle Dockery). (Lionsgate)
‘Brave the Dark’
"Brave the Dark," starring Nicholas Hamilton as Nathan Williams, is Angel Studios's 2025 opener. Joseph Gidjunis
The first Angel Studios release of the year is a holdover from October 2023. From director Damian Harris, it is a fact-based story of a homeless and directionless Pennsylvania teen (Nicholas Hamilton) headed down the wrong path. Attempting to save him is one of his teachers (the director’s brother Jared Harris). The trailer looks like a grittier take on “Good Will Hunting.” (Angel)
‘Love Me’
In this high-concept live-action, postapocalyptic art house drama, Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun voice a buoy and a satellite who, at some point, take on human form. It is the first feature effort from brothers Sam and Andy Zuchero, and a trailer for the movie has yet to be released. The early critical score on Rotten Tomatoes (47 percent) indicates it’s a “love-it-or-hate-it” type of deal. (Bleecker Street)
Jan. 30
Will Ferrell plans for his daughter's wedding, while Reese Witherspoon plans for her sister's in "You're Cordially Invited." Amazon MGM Studios
‘You’re Cordially Invited’
The lone romantic comedy of the month, “You’re Cordially Invited” stars Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell who play amateur wedding planners who unknowingly book nuptials for their respective family members on the same day at the same venue. Based on the trailer, it doesn’t look like it makes a lot of sense and the “R” rating might be a turn-off to the target female, romcom demographic. (Amazon Prime)
Jan. 31
‘Valiant One’
This action drama is set in North Korea during a fictional conflict helmed by first-time writer-director-producer Steve Barnett. It has an unknown cast but looks interesting. (Briarcliff Entertainment)
What to Watch For
As is the case with most features released in January, it is best advised for one to keep their expectations in check. January and February are the traditional dumping ground months for movies studios deem not good enough for summer popcorn fare or fall awards consideration. It’s also likely some of these titles will not be screened for critics prior to release.
On the upside, the first two months of the year see the wider release of a number of prestige titles that played only in selected theaters in major cities in December. Of everything on this list, I’m most looking forward to “Good Side of Bad,” “Every Little Thing,” and “Flight Risk.”
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Michael Clark
Author
Originally from the nation's capital, Michael Clark has provided film content to over 30 print and online media outlets. He co-founded the Atlanta Film Critics Circle in 2017 and is a weekly contributor to the Shannon Burke Show on FloridaManRadio.com. Since 1995, Clark has written over 5,000 movie reviews and film-related articles. He favors dark comedy, thrillers, and documentaries.
