Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Angel kicked off the CinemaCon 2026 proceedings. After coming onto the scene in 2023 with Sound of Freedom, 2025 saw them become the #8 movie distributor and they hope for greater success in 2026.
Directed by Andy Serkis, Animal Farm: A Cautionary Tail is an animated retelling of George Orwell’s classic story that hits theaters on May 1. The trailer shows the story updated to modern times, moving away from Stalinism and dealing with capitalism, maybe. It was clear who Glenn Close’s character was, but she clearly appeals to Napoleon (Seth Rogen). The cast also features Woody Harrelson, Gaten Matarazzo, Jim Parsons, Kathleen Turner, Kieran Culkin, Steve Buscemi, Laverne Cox, and Iman Vellani.
Out in October is a remake of Angel and the Badman with Zachary Levi starring in the John Wayne role as outlaw Quirt Evans who staggers onto a rancher’s land with a bullet in his back. Penny, the rancher’s daughter, offers him a chance at something he’s never had: a life beyond violence. However, the past doesn’t forgive. Neal McDonough and Tommy Lee Jones also co-star.
On September 11, Runner, the thrilling action comedy, stars Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson as a pair transporting a liver to save the life of a young girl but a cartel also interested in the organ, which is worth $1 million on the black market.
Out August, 14, The Brink of War tells a Cold-War story of the Reykjavik Summit between President Ronald Reagan (Jeff Daniels) and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev (Jared Harris) discuss their nuclear arsenals.
Two films got brief mentions. Drummer Boy, a musical by King and Country set during the American Revolutionary War about two brothers who end up on opposite sides of the battlefield, which is out November 6. Set for Thanksgiving, Hershey stars Finn Wittrock and Alexandra Daddario as a couple that started a chocolate empire.
The presentation closed out with two holiday-related titles. Coming for Christmas, Zero A.D. Is the epic biblical story of how Mary bears every sacrifice to save Jesus from King Herrod’s men, some of whom question his orders. Out July 3, Young Washington is an untold story of the America’s future first President trying to become a member of the British army and leading a battle against French soldiers.
