After a winter spent in lockdown, most of us are probably extremely keen to start making plans for long and happy summer chock full of lazy days at the beach, BBQ’s with mates, and taking a much-needed break from work.
Of course, Australia is known for being the best place to be in those summer months but it’s no secret the heat can be a real challenge. Luckily, HOYTS cinemas are showing a range of must-see titles all summer long so you can escape the humidity with a blockbuster and a choc top (or three, no judgement).
Even if you can’t get enough of those searing summer days, we definitely recommend you go and check a couple of these films because there is something on for everyone.
Here’s a taste of what’s showing in December and January at HOYTS Cinemas.
Drama
House of Gucci
In what could be one of the most talked-about films of 2021, House of Gucci centres around Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), the ex-wife of Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), who plotted to kill her husband, the grandson of renowned fashion designer Guccio Gucci.
Reggiani ultimately served 16 years in prison for the crime of orchestrating the assassination of her ex.
The story takes place over three decades and explores the themes of love, betrayal, decadence, revenge, and murder while examining what a name means, what it’s worth, and how far a family will go for control.
Release date: 1 Jan 2022
Buy tickets and look up showtimes here.
King Richard
Will Smith takes on the role of Richard Williams, “an undeterred father instrumental in raising two of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of all time, who will end up changing the sport of tennis forever.”
Those two gifted athletes, of course, are Venus and Serena Williams who will be played by Saniyaa Sidney and Demi Singleton respectively.
Driven by a clear vision of their future and using unconventional methods, Richard has a plan that will take Venus and Serena Williams from the streets of Compton, California to the global stage as legendary icons. The profoundly moving film shows the power of family, perseverance and unwavering belief as a means to achieve the impossible and impact the world.
Release date: 13 Jan 2022
Buy tickets and look up showtimes here.
Family
Encanto
Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto.
The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.
The film features all-new songs by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, so you know you’ll want to download the soundtrack too.
Release date: 2 Dec 2021
Buy tickets and look up showtimes here.
The Addams Family 2
Everyone’s favourite spooky family is back in the animated comedy sequel, The Addams Family 2. In this all new movie we find Morticia and Gomez distraught that their children are growing up, skipping family dinners, and totally consumed with “scream time.” To reclaim their bond they decide to cram Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester and the crew into their haunted camper and hit the road for one last miserable family vacation.
Their adventure across America takes them out of their element and into hilarious run-ins with their iconic cousin, It, as well as many new kooky characters. What could possibly go wrong?
This one features a seriously star-studded cast that includes Oscar Isaac, Chloë Grace Moretz, Bill Hader, Nick Kroll, Charlize Theron, Bette Midler, Snoop Dogg, Wallace Shawn, Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton and will be loved by kids and adults alike.
Release date: 6 Jan 2022
Buy tickets and look up showtimes here.
Action
Dune
Based on Frank Herbert’s best-selling sci-fi novel, Dune is set in a fictional space empire far in the future and focuses on Atreides who, after his father is killed, is entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve the blockbuster from pulling in USD $41 million in ticket sales in its first weekend, and nearly USD $225 million globally and has already been greenlit for a second instalment.
The film stars Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.
Release date: 2 Dec 2021
Buy tickets and look up showtimes here.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
The gang is back, and we cannot wait to follow along with them as they head off on their next adventure. The synopsis of Spider-Man: No Way Home has been a heavily guarded secret, but what we do know is that Peter Parker (Tom Holland) will — you guessed it — be far away from home.
For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, the friendly neighbourhood superhero will be unmasked, and will no longer be able to separate his role as a Super Hero from his everyday life.
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Zendaya as MJ, and Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan, the latest instalment in the franchise cannot be missed, especially as the trailer confirms that the plot will span the multiverse and see Holland go head to head with villains from past Spider-Man cinematic franchises, including Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus, Jamie Foxx’s Electro, and Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin.
Release date: 16 Dec 2021
Buy tickets and look up showtimes here.
The Matrix: Resurrections
The anticipated follow-up to the Matrix trilogy was originally slated for 2022, but Warner Bros. decided to move the premiere up to December 2021, thrilling fans of the first three films.
So far, no solid plot details have been released for the film, which was originally announced in 2019, however, Reeves did tell Digital Spy in 2020 that the movie has a “beautiful script that is a love story”, adding: “It’s another version of a kind of, call to wake up. It entertains… It has some great action. All will be revealed.”
In addition to returning stars Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Jada Pinkett Smith, famous faces such as Priyanka Chopra Jonas will also be appearing.
Rounding out the cast are Christina Ricci along with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff, Jessica Henwick, Telma Hopkins, Eréndira Ibarra, Toby Onwumere, Max Riemelt and Brian J. Smith.
Buy tickets and look up showtimes here.
Morbius
Morbius, the upcoming instalment in the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters, is set for release in theatres at the beginning of 2022 with the tantalising synopsis reading; “Dangerously ill with a rare blood disorder and determined to save others suffering his same fate, Dr Morbius attempts a desperate gamble. While at first, it seems to be a radical success, a darkness inside him is unleashed. Will good override evil – or will Morbius succumb to his mysterious new urges?”
Jared Leto stars with Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris, Al Madrigal and Tyrese Gibson also in the cast.
“He’s brilliant, he’s strong, he’s got some unique powers, but his powers seem to be out of his control,” Leto told Variety. “I played Morbius at his most frail, and his most monstrous.”
Release date: 20 Jan 2022
Buy tickets and look up showtimes here.
Horror
Scream
Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott, Courteney Cox is back as Gale Weathers and David Arquette is Deputy Dewey Riley once more in the fifth Scream film, which is sure to see a whole bunch of new characters meet their bloody end thanks to the new Ghostface killer who is on the loose.
In the new slasher flick, the aforementioned original characters explain to the traumatised newcomers that Ghostface always targets people related to the original cast. As Sidney says as she prepares to take the bloodthirsty killer on once more: “I’ve been through this…a lot.”
Jack Quaid, Melissa Barrera, Dylan Minnette, Mason Gooding, Kyle Gallner, Sonia Ammar, Mikey Madison, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Reggie Conquest make up the new additions to the cast so it will be interesting to see how many of them make it out alive.
Release date: 13 Jan 2022
Buy tickets and look up showtimes here.
The movies are back, bigger and better than ever. Don’t miss a single second this summer at HOYTS where movies are made for the big screen. Book now at HOYTS.COM.AU
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