If you’re looking for sexually explicit movies streaming on Paramount+, this collection of 19 films will do the trick. We all know that a Paramount+ subscription gives you a “mountain of entertainment,” but let’s not forget that a membership also opens the door for some of the most sultry, titillating, and risqué movies on the internet. If you’re trying to get in the mood or simply looking for a great psychological thriller with some hot-and-heavy moments, look no further.

Before we get started, anyone looking for “Showtime After Dark” movies and specials will have to find them themselves.

Private Parts (1997)

The Director: Betty Thomas

The Cast: Howard Stern, Paul Giamatti, Robin Quivers

Based On: Private Parts by Howard Stern

What It’s About: The life and career (up until a certain point) of Howard Stern are explored in great and sometimes exaggerated detail as the notorious shock jock goes from a struggling DJ to one of the premier names in the format.

What To Expect: Those familiar with Howard Stern’s unique personality and brand of humor will know what to expect from this outrageously funny biographical comedy. For those who don’t know about Stern, you’re in for one wild ride.

• Stream Private Parts on Paramount+.

Shakespeare In Love (1998)

The Director: John Madden

The Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Judi Dench

What It’s About: While working on his masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet, a young William Shakespeare falls madly in love with the daughter of a wealthy merchant.

What To Expect: Don’t let the ornate costumes and stuffy personalities fool you, Shakespeare in Love is a wild, raucous, and freeing good time where characters get caught up in all manner of risky situations.

• Stream Shakespeare in Love on Paramount+.

Restoration (1995)

The Director: Michael Hoffman

The Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Polly Walker, Sam Neill

Based On: Restoration by Rose Tremain

What It’s About: After being asked to marry the king’s mistress in a transactional manner, the royal doctor finds himself in an unfortunate situation from which there’s no easy escape.

What To Expect: A historical drama that gets rather hot and heavy, Restoration is a charming, sophisticated, and all-around sexy experience that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

• Stream Restoration on Paramount+.

Strange Wilderness (2008)

The Director: Fred Wolf

The Cast: Steve Zahn, Allen Covert, Jonah Hill

What It’s About: Under the threat of cancellation, the producer of a struggling nature program sets out to find Bigfoot and capture the elusive beast on camera for the first time.

What To Expect: Strange Wilderness isn’t for everyone, but this 2008 comedy is straight-up ridiculous in all the best ways. With too many outrageous moments to count, some of which are jaw-droppingly surprising, this profane, explicit, and bonkers nature comedy is wild!

• Stream Strange Wilderness on Paramount+.

Gangs Of New York (2002)

The Director: Martin Scorsese

The Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz

Based On: The Gangs of New York by Herbert Asbury

What It’s About: Years after his father was killed in a brutal gang war, an Irish immigrant returns to his childhood neighborhood in hopes of getting revenge on the ruthless figure who took everything from him.

What To Expect: Gangs of New York, like other Martin Scorsese movies, is epic in scope and scale, as well as incredibly violent. This unflinching depiction of New York City in the 1860s and the characters that called it home has a little bit of everything.

• Stream Gangs of New York on Paramount+.

Braveheart (1995)

The Director: Mel Gibson

The Cast: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Brendan Gleeson

What It’s About: Sir William Wallace puts everything on the line in his tireless fight for Scottish independence, a quest that puts him up against some of history’s most ruthless figures.

What To Expect: With a runtime of nearly three hours, Braveheart has a lot of story to tell. But when it’s not focusing on bloody battles and bitter politics, Mel Gibson’s epic spends a lot of time with the more romantic side of Wallace’s life.

• Stream Braveheart on Paramount+.

The Yards (2000)

The Director: James Gray

The Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron

What It’s About: A young man gets out of prison and tries to get his life in order, but that becomes all but impossible after taking a job with his well-connected and dangerous uncles.

What To Expect: Crime, punishment, second chances, violence, and romance are in no short supply in James Gray’s 2000 drama, The Yards.

• Stream The Yards on Paramount+.

Muriel’s Wedding (1994)

The Director: P.J. Hogan

The Cast: Toni Collette, Bill Hunter, Rachel Griffiths

What It’s About: Fed up with her family and friends constantly berating her, a young Australian woman cashes a blank check and takes herself on an epic holiday. But then comes reality.

What To Expect: One of the most off-putting “romantic comedies” you’ll find, Muriel’s Wedding is a darkly humorous, deranged, and mean-spirited movie where people do incredibly bad things.

• Stream Muriel’s Wedding on Paramount+.

The Reader (2008)

The Director: Stephen Daldry

The Cast: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross

Based On: Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink

What It’s About: Years after having a passionate yet hidden romance with an older woman, a young attorney learns that the woman is on trial for war crimes committed at a concentration camp during World War II.

What To Expect: A film that earned Kate Winslet an Academy Award for Best Actress, The Reader is a dramatic, complex, and steamy exploration of passions, crimes, and new beginnings.

• Stream The Reader on Paramount+.

The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

The Director: Martin Scorsese

The Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill

Based On: The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort

What It’s About: After failing to make it on Wall Street, an ambitious and morally bankrupt daytrader starts an empire that makes him both incredibly wealthy and public enemy number one in the eyes of the feds.

What To Expect: The Wolf of Wall Street is Martin Scorsese going balls-to-the-wall to tell the story of one of the most captivating figures in the world of white-collar crime: Jordan Belfort.

• Stream The Wolf of Wall Street on Paramount+.

A Bad Mom’s Christmas (2017)

The Director: Stephen Daldry

The Cast: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn

What It’s About: Fed up with their jobs, families, and pretty much everything life throws their way, a trio of disgruntled moms decides to take a break at the worst possible time: Christmas.

What To Expect: Much like the first film, A Bad Mom’s Christmas is an utterly ridiculous and over-the-top comedy where anything can happen.

• Stream A Bad Mom’s Christmas on Paramount+.

The To Do List (2013)

The Director: Maggie Carey

The Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Johnny Simmons, Bill Hader

What It’s About: Wanting to get some “experience” before starting college, a recent high school grad spends her summer crossing various items off a naughty “to-do” list.

What To Expect: If you’re looking for a rude and crude sex comedy that flips the genre on its head, this is for you. It has laughs, it has wild sexual encounters, and it has an over-the-top Aubrey Plaza performance like no other.

• Stream The To Do List on Paramount+.

Old School (2003)

The Director: Todd Phillips

The Cast: Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn

What It’s About: A group of thirty-somethings decides to recapture the spirit of their youth by starting… a fraternity?

What To Expect: One of the films that gave birth to the “Frat Pack,” this 2003 comedy is balls-to-the-walls crazy.

• Stream Old School on Paramount+.

American Gigolo (1980)

The Director: Paul Schrader

The Cast: Richard Gere, Lauren Hutton, Bill Duke

What It’s About: Life for a Los Angeles male escort becomes increasingly complicated after starting an affair with a politician’s wife while also being the main suspect in a high-profile murder case.

What To Expect: Written and directed by Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver), American Gigolo is an intense, stylish, and steamy crime drama that’s full of passion, excess, and violence.

• Stream American Gigolo on Paramount+.

Scary Movie (2000)

The Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans

The Cast: Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Shannon Elizabeth

What It’s About: One year after a hit-and-run accident, a group of teenagers becomes the target of a masked killer. However, it’s not as terrifying as it sounds.

What To Expect: A parody of contemporary horror films (and some all-time great slashers), Scary Movie is lewd, crude, and full of nudity. Now with Scary Movie 6 on the way, there’s never been a better time to go back and see how it all started.

• Stream Scary Movie on Paramount+.

Fatal Attraction (1987)

The Director: Adrian Lyne

The Cast: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer

Based On: Diversion by James Dearden

What It’s About: After a high-profile attorney calls off an extramarital affair, the husband and father becomes the target of the former lover.

What To Expect: Fatal Attraction is one of those movies that makes it very clear that you should never cheat on your spouse.

• Stream Fatal Attraction on Paramount+.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

The Director: Robert Rodriguez

The Cast: George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Quentin Tarantino

What It’s About: On the run after pulling off a bank robbery, two brothers kidnap a family and their RV and hold up at a bar south of the U.S.-Mexico border, where they come face-to-face with a horde of vampires.

What To Expect: Written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Robert Rodriguez, From Dusk Till Dawn has as much sex appeal as it does horror.

• Stream From Dusk Till Dawn on Paramount+.

Strange Darling (2024)

The Director: JT Mollner

The Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Madisen Beaty

What It’s About: After a one-night stand spirals into a vicious and unpredictable game of cat-and-mouse, a young woman is forced to take shelter in the unforgiving wilderness if she’s going to survive this night from hell.

What To Expect: JT Mollner’s Strange Darling, told in a non-linear structure, is as racy as it is intense, with its wild sexual encounters and a terrifying race for survival.

• Stream Strange Darling on Paramount+.

Babylon (2022)

The Director: Damien Chazelle

The Cast: Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva

What It’s About: During Hollywood’s transition from silent films to “talkies,” actors, directors, and others associated with the industry try to survive the changing times.

What To Expect: Considering Damien Chazelle’s Babylon is set in the roaring ‘20s, it should be no surprise that this three-hour movie is filled with excess, depravity, and some of the steamiest moments of the past decade.

• Stream Babylon on Paramount+.

New sexually explicit movies will come and go from Paramount+ in the coming weeks and months, so make sure to get all caught up before these titles end up somewhere else.

When it comes to Netflix, there’s no doubt that it has its fair share of movies to watch. It is one of the best streaming services in 2024, after all.

But sometimes, all you want is to sit down and watch some of the best Christmas movies, and Netflix has plenty of those as well. Netflix not only has plenty of originals but other movies from studios too. Here are some that are available to check out right now for the season.

That Christmas

This new Netflix animated film is a must-watch for your Christmas movie marathon. That Christmas follows the story of a small-town that suffers from a blizzard on Christmas Eve and the way all the interconnecting stories come together to celebrate the big day – while Santa Claus himself even has to deal with the weather.

I personally love this film, and really want more and more people to check it out as much as possible. I was wondering why Brian Cox was cast as Santa but turns out, he was the perfect pick and brings the big jolly man to life while still adding humanity as well. The animation is fun and the story is sweet.

Stream That Christmas on Netflix.

The Princess Switch (The Trilogy)

Admittedly, when I first saw the trailer for the first film in this series, I thought it looked so silly. I thought that this was just going to be another one of those stories where a princess and the pauper switch places for a day and it’s all fine and dandy.

And to an extent, it is, but I’ll admit that Vanessa Hudgens’ charisma captures you and the Christmas aspect does make it feel a million times better than you’d expect it to be, making the Netflix Christmas universe all that more fun. With two sequels now on Netflix since Hudgens’ condition to return was met, the ultimate Christmas trilogy is now complete – unless a sequel is announced yet again.

Stream The Princess Switch On Netflix.
Stream The Princess Switch: Switched Again on Netflix.
Stream The Princess Switch 3: Romancing The Star on Netflix.

The Christmas Chronicles (And The Sequel)

Both movies in The Christmas Chronicles series follow two children who get themselves tangled up in the adventures of Santa Claus – one time during Christmas night, and the second in the North Pole.

Kurt Russell is the Santa you never thought would be great, but he is. And you’ll be impressed to find out the prep Russell did to become Santa for this movie. I mean, he is one of the coolest movie Santas.

I was captivated by his performance as the famous Mr. Claus throughout each movie, and the sweet addition of his partner Mrs. Claus, played by Goldie Hawn, made the on-screen chemistry the cutest I have ever seen. Not only is the story adorable for a Christmas movie, it really provides a refreshing look at a modern Christmas tale.

Stream The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix.
Stream The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two on Netflix.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

The Netflix original movie, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey mainly follows a young girl as she brings the magic of inventing back to her grandfather, who has long since lost his passion for it.

I swear, the music in this is just absolutely fantastic. I could write a whole entire article about this movie because I loved it so much. Not only is it a fantastic act of representation within Christmas media, having a near-full POC cast, but it’s also jolly and original.

Of course, the main plot is there – someone’s apprentice steals their master’s ideas and makes it big while the master loses it all – but it’s the way it’s told that really makes Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey stand out above the rest. And the Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story cast is by far one of the most stellar ensembles in a Netflix film ever. Besides, who wouldn’t want to cuddle with Buddy?

Stream Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix.

Klaus

A little bit of a smaller one on this list, Klaus is delightfully animated. In a world that’s dominated by 3D animation and Pixar and Disney, it’s nice to see something like Klaus rise up in the ranks.

Klaus tells the charming story of a postman who is truly the worst, so the academy he is a part of posts him up in a frozen town, where Santa Claus himself seems to be hiding out. This 2D animated beauty will surely knock your socks off with how amazing it looks, along with a story that will warm up your Christmas heart. Klaus is an absolute must-watch.

Stream Klaus on Netflix.

Hot Frosty

Have you ever wondered what it was like to date a snowman? Well, Hot Frosty answers that for you in a funny but sweet way. The rom-com follows the story of a snowman who is brought to life thanks to a widow’s kindness and how he shows her how to love again.

I know, that is the most typical Christmas mushy-gushy love storyline that I’m sure you could have ever expected. Surprisingly, Hot Frosty holds a lot of depth and goes a lot deeper than many other Christmas movies like this one, so I have to give it props. It’s a fun little film for a nice Saturday afternoon.

Stream Hot Frosty on Netflix.

A Boy Called Christmas

In this 2021 Netflix original film, A Boy Called Christmas is all about the story of Father Christmas himself, and how at first, he was only just Nikolas. He goes on a magical journey to find out who his father truly is, towards the fabled village of Elfheim, trying to discover the reality of all the stories he’s heard before.

There have been so many amazing iterations of Santa in film since the invention of movies, but I have to say, I really love A Boy Named Christmas. We rarely ever get to see Santa as a child, and we get that in this, plus a super cool adventure mixed in with some adorable creatures and lots of entertaining moments. Also, Maggie Smith is a Christmas delight.

Stream A Boy Called Christmas on Netflix.

The Noel Diary 

Starring Justin Hartley from the This Is Us cast, this romantic comedy follows the story of a young man who goes home to settle his mother’s estate, but while there, he discovers a diary that leads him on a holiday adventure unlike any other, one that changes his life forever.

This movie is probably one of the most cheesy romantic Christmas movies out there, but I really do enjoy the heck out of it. It’s fun, sweet, and everything you could need for a nice relaxing Saturday afternoon as you sit by your TV and drink hot cocoa. Justin Hartley is an entertaining leading man and it’ll certainly fill you with Christmas spirit.

Stream The Noel Diary on Netflix.

Let It Snow

When I first found out this was happening a couple of years back, I was understandably a bit excited as a John Green fan, who had read the book back in high school. Let It Snow reminds viewers of what first loves are like, and the awkwardness of high school combined with puberty – it’s a recipe for a Christmas disaster. But it’s truly the most adorable little movie you could watch.

There are three separate stories for you to follow throughout the movie, all taking place during the holiday season and filled to the brim with Christmas cheer, so you’ll never be bored, and it even includes a great LGBTQ+ storyline so everyone has someone to love.

Stream Let It Snow on Netflix.

Falling For Christmas

Falling for Christmas stars Lindsay Lohan as an heiress who loses her memory after a skiing accident. As she starts to remember who she was before, she begins to fall for the owner of the lodge she is staying at – during Christmas time, of course.

I won’t lie and say that this is the best film that Lindsay Lohan has ever done because it’s certainly not – but it is a fun time. The Falling for Christmas cast looks like they are having the time of their lives while filming and it is every bit of a Christmas cliche that you can imagine, but that’s what makes it even better. Truly, such a great pick and something I think everyone would enjoy.

Stream Falling for Christmas on Netflix.

Our Little Secret

Oh look, another Christmas movie starring Lindsay Lohan, who would have thought? Our Little Secret is an original Netflix film that follows a woman celebrating Christmas with her boyfriend only to discover that her ex is a part of the family festivities, so they try to keep their past a secret from everyone else.

You know, I didn’t expect to enjoy this movie as much as I did because, again, the premise is so cheesy and yes, it goes exactly how you think it will. But there’s just something so great about watching Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding as a couple won me over. They have great chemistry and are a ton of fun to watch. Kristin Chenoweth is fantastic as well.

Stream Our Little Secret on Netflix.

Single All The Way  

Have you been perpetually single during the holidays? Single All The Way is the film for you. This hilarious Christmas movie follows a young man who convinces his best friend to pretend to be his boyfriend for the holidays, but he’s surprised when his mother decides to get involved with his love life, and sets him up on a blind date, completely taking over his plans for Christmas.

This movie is such an underrated gem and I love it dearly. It’s so unbelievably cute, and the fact that its primary relationship is an LGBTQ+ one is always a plus for me in terms of representation. Not only that, but the comedy is delivered in a great way – and if that wasn’t enough, Jennifer Coolidge is in this movie, and you need to watch her.

Stream Single All The Way on Netflix.

A Bad Moms Christmas

If you’re looking for a Rated-R Christmas film, then this is the one for you. A Bad Moms Christmas follows the three moms from the first movie, Bad Moms, as they get ready for the holidays, but now, they have to deal with their own mothers coming into town for the holiday.

This movie is so silly and so funny that you can’t help but laugh. Obviously the main three stars, Mila Kunia, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn, are hilarious in their own right, but adding in Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines and Susan Sarandon as their mothers is possibly one of the best casting decisions ever. I will recommend this any time it is on Netflix.

Stream A Bad Moms Christmas on Netflix.

Several Christmas Specials (For The Kids)

If you want something that’s a little more kid-friendly than some of these – and maybe something not as long – there are several specials from children’s programming featuring Christmas that are available to watch! Here are some of my personal picks:

Spirit Riding: Free Spirit of Christmas: For forty-five minutes, a young tween and their friends need to figure out how to get home in time for Christmas when a snowstorm, and a boulder, block their pathways home.

Stream Spirit Riding: Free Spirit of Christmas on Netflix.

The Elf Story: A scout elf is given the most important mission he’ll ever have – to try and make a young boy believe in the spirit of Christmas once more.

Stream The Elf Story on Netflix.

Elf Pets: In a series of shorts featuring several pets of Santa, watch as they try to aid the jolly man in the holiday, whether that be giving people Christmas spirit or trying to deliver as many gifts as possible.

Stream Elf Pets on Netflix.

With how many Christmas movies there are just in general, Netflix will forever be one of the best places to go to find some awesome ones. Now it’s time for me to get my hot cocoa ready.

The movie Bad Moms was one of those comedies that studios love to see. Relatively inexpensive to make, only a budget of around $20 million, and a box office return approaching 10 timers that. It was no shock that a sequel was green lit quickly. Now another film in the franchise is on the way, though this one, titled Bad Moms' Moms will focus on, as the title suggests the mothers of the Bad Moms.

Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, and Cheryl Hines were introduced in A Bad Moms Christmas as the mothers of the three main characters played by Kathryn Hahn, Mila Kunis, and Kristen Bell. The characters were a hit with fans. The actresses made it clear back when the last film came out that they were interested in getting their own movie. Yesterday at CinemaCon, STX Films announced (via EW) that exactly that would be happening.

Little more than the fact that the movie will exist was announced at the industry trade show. This means we don't even have so much as a release window, much less a date. A Bad Moms Christmas came out in 2017, less than 18 months after the first film. At this point there's likely no hurry but the turn around time on a comedy isn't necessarily that long. If the movie is going into production this year we could see it hit screens next year without much problem. Even a release before the end of the year is possible if filming is starting soon.

I feel like appearances by the original Bad Moms are probably a strong possibility, though nothing in that regard was mentioned, and they likely won't be major characters in order to keep the focus on the title characters.

If nothing else, it's nice to see Bad Moms' Moms make it to the screen because Hollywood so frequently seems to forget that actors, and actresses especially, still have something to contribute when they're no longer considered "young." The characters played by Susan Sarandon, Cheryl Hines and Christine Baranski were hilarious in the last movie and they can absolutely lead their own story.

In it's own way, Bad Moms' Moms can even act as a sequel in its own right. For the most part, the three "Bad Grandmas" were basically older, amplified versions of the three Bad Moms. This movie will just show us who Katheryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, and Mila Kunis' characters are going to grow into when they become grandmothers themselves.

There are a few things in this industry that we can count on. One of them happens to be that when Pixar Animation Studios releases a new feature -- particularly around the Thanksgiving holiday -- it lands at No. 1 on the box office charts. Coco becomes the latest Pixar feature to lead the way, and it topped Justice League in its second weekend to get there.

There are two numbers to discuss regarding Coco, Lee Unkrich's exploration of the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday. For starters, the animated feature notched $49 million in its three-day haul, which is a modest run for a Pixar movie. Back in 2015, The Good Dinosaur banked $39.1M in the same time frame, though in 2004, The Incredibles was a November opening that took home $70.4 million.

But because this was the extended Thanksgiving holiday week, Coco got a head start on its weekend run, opening on Wednesday and allowing Pixar to added a few more bucks to the bottom line. For the estimated five-day haul, Coco is walking away with $71.1 million domestically. It's good enough for the fourth-highest 5-day Thanksgiving weekend opening, behind only Toy Story 2 ($80.1M), Moana ($82M) and the juggernaut that was Frozen ($93.5M) in 2013.

What of the other juggernaut on the box office chart? Eyes were on Zack Snyder's Justice League in its second weekend, to see how much of the initial audience that the DC superhero ensemble could hold on to. And the answer is an estimated 56% drop -- large, but not historic -- to equal a $40.7 million weekend. That pushes Justice League's box to $171.5 million domestically after two weeks.

Warner Bros. likely was hoping for a better performance in the States by Snyder's film, which teamed up Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), the Flash (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) for the very first time on screen. But so far, the international box office is bailing Justice League out. This weekend, it crossed the $300M mark in foreign ticket sales, so its overall cume is now at $481.3M. So far, none of the DCEU movies have been able to cross the $1 billion mark at the box, and I'm not sure if Justice League will get there.

Audiences this Thanksgiving weekend also flocked to Wonder, the heartwarming crowd-please that stars Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson in the adaptation of a story about a middle-schooler with facial deformities. Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok continues to perform well, pushing its overall cume to $277M, making it the highest-grossing Thor movie in the MCU. And Denzel Washington's legal drama Roman J. Israel Esq. rolls into the Top 10 with an expansion.

Going into the weekend, it looked like Zack Snyder's Justice League was going to be another big hit for the growing DC Extended Universe - but the numbers are rolling in, and things didn't exactly go as planned. Check out the numbers and the full Top 10 breakdown in the chart below:

For years fans have imagined Justice League being a blockbuster of epic proportion - finally bringing together some of the most iconic heroes of all time together on the big screen. Sadly, that isn't the developing narrative for this film. It had rough development, production and editing periods, received primarily negative reviews, and now has found itself under-performing at the box office. Original estimates suggested that the film would make a big splash in its first three days, with estimates suggesting somewhere in the realm of $113-115, but, as you can see, things didn't work out that way. With a total of just $96 million, its the slowest starter among all DC Extended Universe titles.

While there are surely many factors that contribute to Justice League's not-so-hot performance, it's hard to not pin some of it on the buzz of both the project itself and the larger franchise. There is no question that Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman earned DC and Warner Bros. a hell of a lot of good will when it was released this past summer, but Justice League has sadly been a questionable entity for a while now - and not just because of the aforementioned behind-the-scenes issues/hurdles. Following Zack Snyder's divisive Man of Steel in 2013, neither Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice nor David Ayer's Suicide Squad got the response that was was desired when they came out in 2016, and there are surely many people who had those titles in mind when they were deciding whether or not they wanted Justice League to be a part of their weekend plans. And not only have the professional critics dinged it, but it also carries an average "B+" rating on CinemaScore (for comparison, Man of Steel got an "A-," Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice got a "B," Suicide Squad got a "B+," and Wonder Woman got an "A.")

The mention of CinemaScore is a perfect segue into the conversation about Stephen Chbosky's Wonder, which was Justice League's biggest competition in wide release this weekend. Obviously nobody expected it to open at number one, but the film nearly doubled what prognosticators thought the family drama was going to pull in over the last three days, and walked away with an impressive "A+" rating from audiences. The movie is based on popular source material, namely the novel of the same name by author R.J. Palacio, which already gave it a built in audience, but it also inspired critics to hail it as the best wide-release of the newcomers this week - highlighting its ability to succeed as a sweet drama that never gets too saccharine or cloying.

Both Justice League and Wonder both proved to be far too much competition for The Star - which entered theaters this weekend courtesy of Sony Pictures Animation. The Bible-inspired feature tells the story of the birth of Jesus from the perspective of a goofy donkey, and while it tried to both stir up some holiday spirit and attract the religious crowd, it looks like it managed to do neither. The movie was made for only $20 million, which means that it ultimately should be able to squeeze out a profit in the long run, but $10 million still isn't exactly a fantastic start.

Speaking of holidays, next week we'll be jumping into Thanksgiving, which is always a big time for the movies (thanks to the fact that it is a perfect way to spend time with family and not say a single word, and then provides topic for shared discussion afterwards!) To help celebrate Turkey Day we will have the latest from Pixar, the animated Coco; the limited release of a serious Oscar contender in Joe Wright's Darkest Hour; and the expansion of the latest from Denzel Washington, Dan Gilroy's Roman J. Israel, Esq. Check back in next week to see how it all shakes out!

If there's one new comedy franchise that has some serious legs, it's Bad Moms. The first film was met with critical acclaim and made a ton of money last year, and a holiday themed sequel is just a few days away (in addition to the Bad Dads spinoff that is in development). A Bad Moms Christmas brings back the three titular Moms, who decide to do Christmas their own way this year, rather than the stress and craziness that's usually expected of them. But a wrench get thrown into their plan when each of their respective mothers showed up for the Holiday, and bring a new set of issues and hijinks. One of the newcomers is none other than Susan Sarandon, who plays the mother of Carla (Kathryn Hahn). But what inspired the Oscar winning actress to join the wild sequel?

We recently had the chance to ask Susan Sarandon just that. At the recent press junket for A Bad Moms Christmas in Chicago, she opened up about what inspired her to get involved in the budding franchise.

It turns out that Kathryn Hahn was at least partly responsible for scooping up Susan Sarandon to play Carla's mother. Sarandon's apparent love for Hahn's sense of humor also seems to be translating into A Bad Moms Christmas. The duo plays the most unconventional characters in the ensemble, with foul-mouthed jokes and a penchant for stealing groceries.

But Susan Sarandon's involvement in A Bad Moms Christmas is also explained by how fun the franchise is for both the audience and cast. Both Bad Moms movies manage to find the crudeness and shock humor in relatable themes like parenthood and family. Additionally, the franchise seems to be a place for improvisation, in addition to the hilarious lines that are on the page. Sarandon wanted to have some fun, and playing Carla's mother sounds like just that, especially alongside other Bad Grandmas Christine Baranski and Cheryl Hines.

You can check out my conversation with Susan Sarandon about A Bad Moms Christmas below.

A Bad Moms Christmas is in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2018 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.

At one point during A Bad Moms Christmas, one of the moms comments on repeatedly giving the same gift to her son over and over because he doesn't seem to notice. He opens it in an excited frenzy and marvels at the fact that Santa has once again given him another (read: the same) baseball glove. There's an irony to that sequence, as Jon Lucas and Scott Moore's yuletide-themed sequel very much repackages what worked in the original. That said, the film keeps the laughs coming at a brisk pace, so it's hard not to sit there and take it in with a dumb smile on your face.

Picking up several months after the events of the first Bad Moms, we find Amy (Mila Kunis), Carla (Kathryn Hahn), and Kiki (Kristen Bell) all coming to an abrupt realization about Christmas: they want nothing to do with it this year. However, their quest to take the stressful holiday back for moms is abruptly cut short when Amy's mom (Christine Baranski), Carla's mom (Susan Sarandon), and Kiki's mom (Cheryl Hines) all show up on their respective daughters' doorsteps for the holidays. As the stress of the holiday begins to mount, formalities soon start to melt away as the ladies of Bad Moms are forced to contend with the pressure imposed by their own bad moms.

From the moment A Bad Moms Christmas starts, it's clear that it has no intention of reinventing the wheel. If you enjoyed the original Bad Moms, and you're looking to spend more time with these characters in a more festive environment, then A Bad Moms Christmas will likely work for you. It plays to most of the same beats as the first film, and while it never delves into The Hangover Part II realm in terms of retreading old material, it's also clear that the film isn't trying to win over a brand new fanbase.

So, A Bad Moms Christmas definitely doesn't win points for originality, as it is clear that much of the framework of the plot has been cribbed from holiday classics like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Jingle All the Way, and A Christmas Story. In fact, the story itself is mostly a recycled and repurposed framework of predictable tentpole moments filled in with a series of unnecessary (but predominately entertaining) hijinks that build to a (mostly earned) emotional catharsis. Of course, a movie like this is more about character moments than raw narrative, so it's really all about how Amy, Carla, and Kiki spend their time together.

That is important to note because even at the film's relatively lean one hour and forty-four-minute runtime, it still feels like quite a bit of A Bad Moms Christmas could've been trimmed. The movie is too long, and much of that has to do with a series of bits (not to mention several montages) that go on far longer than necessary. This is yet another one of those R-rated comedies in which you can tell that the filmmakers got a lot of talented improvisers in a room together and let them riff. It's certainly funny, but there's almost too much material in place to tell a streamlined story.

With that in mind, from a purely comedic standpoint, the strongest element of this movie is Kathryn Hahn's Carla. Whether she is drunkenly charging through a crowded shopping mall in a quest to defy convention and have fun during the holiday season, or flirting with the impossibly attractive Ty Swindell (Justin Hartley) during a waxing session, Hahn can oscillate between purely manic energy and quiet, deadpan delivery in the blink of an eye. Couple that with the fact that she can deliver some somber moments as a single mom trying to keep her head above water, and it becomes genuinely astonishing to think that Hahn has not headlined many mainstream comedies on her own.

With that said, the introduction of the new moms is a generally effective set-up that could arguably give the Bad Moms brand increased longevity for years to come. By design, each of the new moms feels like an extension of the younger heroine (Baranski is a cold, type-A control freak; Sarandon is an unreliable, nomadic rocker; and Hines is perpetually sweet and entirely co-dependent) without feeling like direct carbon copies. From a casting perspective, it is incredibly successful, as each of these actresses seems ideally suited to that particular archetype. However, while they do get some solid laughs in most of their scenes, the film also has some trouble balancing an ensemble of leads that's twice as big as the last film's.

This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the new bad moms do not spend much time on-screen together for the bulk of the film. The conflict between Amy and her mom is the core of the movie, but it often feels like there are three distinct half-hour episodes of Christmas-themed television playing out simultaneously, and the female leads from each of these series periodically get together for drinks to discuss what's been happening at their respective houses. That lack of cohesion can sometimes bog A Bad Moms Christmas down, but it obviously won't be enough to kill the film if you're already in love with these characters.

While not great, A Bad Moms Christmas is an above-average comedy sequel/ heartfelt Christmas story kept afloat the charm of the returning leads and their family dynamics. It's undeniably one of the more fun raunchy comedies of the last few years (particularly one of the more fun Christmas-themed raunchy comedies), but like the moms who populate this ever-expanding universe, it's far from perfect, and not trying to be.

Last year, Bad Moms became one of the most unexpected comedic box office sensations in recent memory. Building off of that success, the story of the overworked and underappreciated matriarchs will get the sequel treatment with tomorrow's release of A Bad Moms Christmas, but what about the possibility of a trilogy? Now it seems that it could happen, but it will depend on the success or failure of this new film. In a recent interview, Bad Moms producer Suzanne Todd addressed the possibility of a third installment and said:

For all of the fanfare and enthusiasm that the Bad Moms brand has managed to garner over the course of the last year, showbusiness is still a business. The first film found out-of-nowhere success debuting in the summer, but with movies like Justice League and Thor: Ragnarok (among many others) standing as huge draws for families this season, a threequel will definitely depend on how well A Bad Moms Christmas can perform.

Also worth noting in Suzanne Todd's comments to EW is the fact that A Bad Moms Christmas could smoothly segue (from a storytelling perspective) into a threequel if the franchise proves financially viable. We already know that the Christmas-themed sequel will see the introduction of Christine Baranski, Susan Sarandon, and Cheryl Hines as the mothers of the original bad mothers, so a "jumping off point" could easily involve keeping them around for even more hijinks once the Christmas season has come to an end. There's a plan in place for this to happen; it just needs to make enough money to warrant it.

Of course, the ladies in front of the camera have already made a point to express their own interest in coming back for a third installment. When CinemaBlend asked about other actresses who could join the Bad Moms crew, Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis threw out possible names like Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (just to name a few). It's a franchise that can accommodate pretty much any actress with strong comedic chops, so the possibilities seem pretty limitless.

Want a closer look at A Bad Moms Christmas? Check out an NSFW red band trailer for the upcoming R-rated comedy below!

For now, fans can look forward to A Bad Moms Christmas -- which opens in theaters tomorrow, November 1. Looking ahead to the next year, make sure to keep a close eye on CinemaBlend's 2017 movie premiere guide and 2018 movie premiere guide for more up-to-date information on everything coming to the big screen!

While still very much in its infancy, the Bad Moms franchise seems to be showing no signs of slowing. After the original 2016 film made buckets of money at the box office and was met with critical acclaim, the producers and directors soon began working on a sequel, and are developing a spinoff, Bad Dads, as well. A Bad Moms Christmas highlights all of the stress that comes with making the yuletide gay as a mother, while also expanding the universe by including the trio's own mothers, aka the Bad Grandmas. And with more sequels likely in the future, who could join the leading ladies as a fourth mom? CinemaBlend recently asked Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn and Mila Kunis just that, and their answers might surprise you.

It looks like there is no shortage of women ready to join the posse in a future Bad Moms sequel. The only problem is that the majority of them aren't even actresses.

When asked who could join the titular group of Bad Moms, Mila Kunis went for the top tier of female celebrities. From politicians like Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama to singers like Beyonce, Kunis was all too eager to drop some names into the ether for potential fourth moms. Although something tells me that HRC and Obama wouldn't be too keen on some of the film's language (or basically anything that Kathryn Hahn's character Carla does).

Eventually both Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell managed to focus on actual actresses, and list a few more plausible choices for a fourth mom. But they went for the highest tier of potential cast members, including Oscar winners Julianne Moore, Kate Winslet, and the always hilarious Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The latter is a particularly genius choice, as Dreyfuss would definitely be able to keep up with the comedy chops of the other ladies. And while she's currently in the midst of a battle against breast cancer, maybe the timing will work out and Selina Meyer will be able to get in on the fun.

You can watch my conversation with the Bad Moms below. Spoiler alert: they're as delightful as you'd think.

The original Bad Moms actually did have a handful of addition mothers, the biggest of which was Christina Applegate's Gwendolyn James and her two cronies (Jada Pinkett Smith and Annie Mumolo). Unfortunately that trio isn't set to appear in A Bad Moms Christmas, opening the door for new characters in a future sequel.

A Bad Moms Christmas will arrive in theaters November 1st. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.

If there's one new comedy franchise that appears to have some serious legs, it's Bad Moms. The first film debuted in 2016 to critical acclaim and strong box office performance, and the budding property doesn't look like its slowing down anytime soon. This holiday season brings us A Bad Moms Christmas, a sequel that features the titular trio of moms attempting to make the yuletide gay and survive their own mothers. If the second film is as successful as the first, fans should expect plenty of Bad holidays in the future. We had the chance to ask the moms which holiday should be the next sequel, and things got... out of hand.

We recently had the privilege to speak with the Bad Moms Christmas cast at their press junket in Chicago. It's there where we asked the cast which holidays they'd like to tackle next, and actress Kristen Bell got very inspired. But rather than talking about the franchise's future, Bell went on a pretty epic rant about the dangers of firecrackers and fireworks during the Fourth of July holidays. Her problem: the loud noises are likely giving small animals heart attacks. You have to see the rant to believe it, check it out.

I mean, how can you not love her? While Kristen Bell might have gone on a bit of a tangent about the 4th of July, you can't say that she wasn't at least hilarious as she did it.

Kristen Bell has already gotten the reputation for being a bit of an animal lover, and it looks like this includes small animals like chipmunks and squirrels during national holidays. She's previously gone viral for her immeasurable love for sloths. Bell adores the slow little guys so much that she'll burst into tears just from having a conversation with them. This was famously exploited by both her husband Dax Shepard and Ellen DeGeneres, who shared a home video when Bell got news that a sloth would be visiting her home. Spoiler alert: she cried a lot.

All jokes aside, it really does look like the Bad Moms franchise could go anywhere. A Bad Moms Christmas upped the game by including another generation of moms, played by the fantastic trio of Christine Baranski, Susan Sarandon, and Cheryl Hines.

If the sequel makes as much money as the first (which has significantly less built-in fans), then it would make sense for the films to tackle other mom-centric holidays. A Bad Mother's Day seems like an obvious choice, as we can see how the characters' respective families chose to honor and pamper their matriarchs. And knowing the characters that have already been established, it probably wouldn't be all that relaxing of a Mother's Day. Another great choice might be something like Thanksgiving, which presents a different set of stressors for busy moms who want to host the perfect holiday.

The Bad Moms brand is also being expanded to fathers, as Bad Dads is currently in development. It's unclear if that potential film would include any of the cast members from the original films, or if a new set of parents will be introduced in the potential spinoff.

A Bad Moms Christmas arrives in theaters on November 1. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.

There's a message hidden deep inside of every film. Some of them are more obvious than others, some are much more resonant, but there's always something that a film's writers, producers, and director want their audience to go home with. Even though it is packed with raucous humor, this year's A Bad Moms Christmas is no different. Earlier this year, we had the fine fortune of visiting the set of A Bad Moms Christmas in Atlanta, Georgia, and its writing and directing team of Jon Lucas and Scott Moore opened up about what they want audiences to take away from the comedy. Jon Lucas at first explained,

Scott Moore didn't just echo his writing and directing partner's remarks, but he also insisted that plenty of sons and daughters spend way too long focusing on the negatives of their relationships with their parents, too, which can get in the way of truly bonding with them. Whatever your age. Moore told us:

Of course, both Jon Lucas and Scott Moore were quick to notice that it might sound quite odd that The Hangover scribes and the writers and directors behind Bad Moms were so insistent that their impending comedy is so rich with moral and meaning. Which provoked Jon Lucas to joke,

Audiences don't have too much longer to wait and see what A Bad Moms Christmas actually teaches them. You can get a tease of what's in store in the film by watching the latest A Bad Moms Christmas trailer below.

A Bad Mom Christmas will be released on November 1, and we will have plenty of more coverage as the comedy nears. In the meantime, head on over to our 2017 Movie Release Calendar to see what other films are due to open between now and the end of the year.

The sixteen month gap between the release of Bad Moms and its impending sequel A Bad Moms Christmas means that the writing and directing team of Jon Lucas and Scott Moore had little to no time to try and come up with an idea for the sequel.

But rather than resting on their laurels and simply rehashing what made the original comedy so popular, while hardly altering the plot, those involved in the creation of the film were adamant that A Bad Moms Christmas would stand on its own. This was a point that A Bad Moms Christmas' leading trifecta of actresses -- Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, and Kathryn Hahn -- underlined when we visited the set of the comedy in Atlanta earlier this year. After being asked how they made sure that A Bad Moms Christmas avoided repeating the original, both Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis insisted that the addition of Susan Sarandon, Cheryl Hines, and Christine Baranski changed the whole dynamic.

Scott Moore and Jon Lucas quickly echoed these sentiments, insisting that they have felt just as cheated and been just as peeved as other moviegoers when they've watched a sequel that just lazily rehashed the first film. But while Jon Lucas admitted that there were plenty of obstacles they had to look out for, he opined that having the terrific charisma and chemistry of their three leading actresses always gave them an advantage.

We'll finally be able to see if A Bad Moms Christmas can actually build upon its surprisingly successful original, while also avoiding the trappings that Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Scott Moore, and Jon Lucas were all clearly aware of, when it is released on November 1.

After grossing $184 million at the box office last summer, it was little surprise when a Bad Moms sequel was greenlighted. Bad Moms Christmas isn't just going to give the film a festive tinge but it is actually going to introduce us to a whole host of new characters, primarily Amy, Kiki, and Carla's very own mothers. We now know exactly who is going to be playing these women, too, and the film has knocked it out of the park with its casting because Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, and Susan Sarandon have all been added to its cast.

STXfilms have confirmed that Christine Baranski will play the mother of Mila Kunis' Amy, Cheryl Hines will be mother to Kristen Bell's Kiki, while, most tantalising of all, Susan Sarandon will be the mother of Kathryn Hahn's Carla Dunkler. The latest press release regarding Bad Moms Christmas not only celebrated the fact that production has now begun on the film in Atlanta, Georgia, but it also revealed that Amy, Kiki, and Carla each receive a holiday visit from their own mothers, which is obviously going to lead to increased hijinks.

Bad Moms proved to be one of the surprise hits of the summer. Released towards the end of July, it provided a welcome relief to the cavalcade of blockbusters that had been populating cinemas around that time. While it was roundly acknowledged that the film didn't quite get the full potential out its cast, it was agreed that Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn made a superb comedic trifecta, which is something that Bad Moms Christmas will hopeful take more advantage of. The addition of Susan Sarandon to the cast makes that seem more and more likely, too, as the 70-year-old actress has more than proven her own comedic worth over the years, most recently in the criminally overlooked comedy The Meddler from 2015.

The decision to add Christine Baranski and Cheryl Hines to the cast is just as impressive, too, as between them they boast the likes of The Big Bang Theory, The Birdcage, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Good Wife, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, Son Of Zorn, and Wilson as credits. But considering just how much Kathryn Hahn stole the original film, and just how delightful Susan Sarandon is onscreen, it's their combined presence that has made me take immediate further interest in Bad Moms Christmas.

It's not just Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, and Cheryl Hines that have joined Bad Moms Christmas, as Peter Gallagher and This is Us'Justin Hartley have also been added to the cast, while Jay Hernandez, David Walton, and Wanda Sykes are each returning, as are the original writer and directing team of Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. The crew is going to be hard at work over the next few months, because Bad Moms Christmas will hit cinemas on November 3 of this year. Take a look at what else is coming with our full schedule.

When it arrived in theaters last summer, Bad Moms most definitely lived up to both its title and its rating -- featuring stars Mila Kunis, Katheryn Hahn, and Kristen Bell very distinctly raising a middle finger to the stereotypical image of a suburban mom. It's a trend that fans should most definitely expect with the upcoming sequel, Bad Mom's Christmas, as this morning Kunis confirmed to me that audiences should be prepared for some full frontal nudity:

I caught up with Mila Kunis and got to talk a bit about Bad Mom's Christmas earlier today at CinemaCon -- the annual convention for theater owners held in Las Vegas. While she was walking the press line during the studio presentation for STX Entertainment, I asked her how the movie would fit into the tradition of dark Christmas comedies -- and she certainly makes it sound like they're not messing around when it comes to the R-rating.

Bad Moms wound up being a surprisingly huge hit when it was released last summer (bringing in an impressive $179 million worldwide on a $20 million reported budget), so it really came as a surprise to nobody that a sequel wound up getting the green light super fast. Back in December it was officially announced that Amy, Carla, and Kiki would be returning for a special holiday adventure, and while it's coming together very quickly, there are high expectations for what writer/directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore will deliver.

Interestingly, the film also offers up an interesting new experience for Mila Kunis, as Bad Mom's Christmas will actually be her first big screen sequel. What's more, it wound up being a process that she really appreciated, as her experience playing Amy in the 2016 film allowed her to contribute in a more significant way to the development of the follow-up story. She explained,

You can watch Mila Kunis talk all about her work on Bad Mom's Christmas in the video below:

With Bad Mom's Christmas sporting an end-of-the-year release date, it may be a few months before the first trailer for the comedy arrives online, but we will most certainly have it for you as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, stay tuned for more updates about the sequel, and look for it in theaters on November 3rd.

Franchises are the bread and butter of the Hollywood landscape. When an idea works on the silver screen, you can almost always count on the film industry to follow up on that idea. After all, there's always more story to tell in any given movie universe. This mentality has turned sequels into a thriving business, and 2017 will see an insane number of them debuts in theaters.

To help you make sense of it all, we have compiled a comprehensive list of every major franchise that is currently slated to receive a sequel over the course of the next year. It's a hefty list, so make sure to go through it carefully and get your movie going calendars thoroughly filled out. Now let's get the ball rolling with the first of 2017's many sequels...

Underworld

Underworld: Blood Wars - January 6, 2017

The very first sequel to kick off 2017 will take the form of Underworld: Blood Wars. The fifth installment in the long-running vampire franchise, Blood Wars sees Kate Beckinsale return as the deadly Selene to do battle with vicious Lycan warriors as well as her fellow vampires. The Underworld franchise has developed a cult following over the course of the last decade, and we expect Blood Wars to deliver all of the black leather and action that fans have come to expect.

xXx

xXx: The Return of Xander Cage - January 20, 2017

Whether you're prepared for it or not, you're definitely going to enter the Xander Zone once again when xXx: The Return of Xander Cage debuts on January 20. Vin Diesel's return to the extreme sports/espionage hybrid franchise is over a decade in the making, so we expect him to bring his A-game as the dirty, dangerous, tattooed, and uncivilized criminal-turned-spy. The film's marketing campaign has been nothing but self-aware campiness and excellent action, so we're completely on board with the self-proclaimed "Bond killer" franchise making a glorious return to the silver screen.

Resident Evil

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter - January 27, 2017

All bets are off when Alice returns to the Hive to face off against The Red Queen, Alexander Isaacs, and an army of undead freaks looking to tear her limb from limb. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter has taken any and every opportunity to remind us that this is the last Resident Evil film. With that in mind, we have a distinct feeling that we will see Milla Jovovich and Paul W.S. Anderson put everything they have got into this film to send the series out with a major bang. We expect nothing less from Hollywood's longest-running video game franchise.

The Ring

Rings - February 3, 2017

After a 12-year absence from the silver screen, The Ring franchise will return and send the demonic (and downright eery) Samara to haunt all of our dreams. If you're a fan of the first two films, then you will be pleased to learn that Rings will follow a very similar structure: you watch a cursed video, and seven days later she comes for you. The main difference this time around? Rings goes even further into The Ring mythology and explores a mysterious video hidden within the main video. Creepy stuff, right?

Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades Darker - February 10, 2017

The person who came up with the idea of releasing Fifty Shades of Grey just before Valentines Day probably earned a nice promotion and a hefty pay raise, because the film was an absolute smash when it debuted in 2015. Building off of that idea, it should come as no surprise that the next installment in Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele's torrid sex affair will endeavor to capture the same magic this year. Fifty Shades Darker appears to live up to its name, as the sequel honestly looks darker, and more intense -- while remaining as steamy as ever.

John Wick

John Wick: Chapter 2 - February 10, 2017

Yeah, we're thinking he's back. Keanu Reeves made a huge (and bloody) splash on the silver screen in 2014 when John Wick made his grand debut. Between its immersive world, endlessly stylish characters, and absolutely badass fight sequences, the first movie proved that even the most standard revenge stories could continue to wow us. With that in mind, John Wick: Chapter 2 will continue this assassin's journey into the night as he travels to Rome to honor a debt owed to a former colleague. Expect more guns, more carnage, and a lot more fun.

Trainspotting

T2: Trainspotting - March 3, 2017

The fact that Trainspotting will receive a sequel in 2017 is unquestionably one of the most unexpected developments of the year, but it also happens to be one of the most welcome developments, as well. A reunion in every sense of the word, T2: Trainspotting will follow Ewan McGregor's Mark Renton as he returns home for the first time in 20 years. With Danny Boyle back behind the camera, Ewen Bremner and Robert Carlyle returning in front of it, all eyes are on T2 to completely recapture the magic of the original.

Fast & Furious

The Fate Of The Furious - April 14, 2017

The Fast & Furious franchise has an enormous trial ahead of itself with the upcoming release of The Fate of the Furious; it must prove that it can legitimately move on from the death of Paul Walker and tell a story completely free of Brian O'Connor. Based upon everything that we have seen from the film, our hopes are high. Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) has gone rogue, Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) has been locked up, and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) is apparently a good guy now. Throw in some insane vehicular action, and you have the action movie to beat in 2017.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - May 5, 2017

You would be hard-pressed to find a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that isn't excited for the upcoming release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Honestly, I don't even think such a thing exists. The sequel takes pretty much everything we loved about the original (intense sci-fi action, offbeat humor, and a delightful throwback soundtrack) and cranks all of those qualities up to eleven. Oh, and did we mention that they now have a Baby Groot? Because they have a Baby Groot, and he is adorable.

Alien

Alien: Covenant - May 19, 2017

It pretty much goes without saying that Ridley Scott disappointed Alien fans when Prometheus hit theaters in 2011. The film's rewrites were painfully obvious within its story, and the film was marred by a series of unlikeable characters making unlikeable decisions. That said, Alien: Covenant looks like a step in the proper direction, as the series appears to have once again embraced its horror roots. If the film is a fraction as scary as the trailer, then we're in for a treat. Even in space, they will still manage to hear us scream.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales - May 26, 2017

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has seen better days. In the years since The Curse of the Black Pearl (the first, and easily the best of the franchise) debuted in cinemas, the series has been an example of diminishing returns. However, after a long hiatus, it appears that Pirates of the Caribbean is about to return stronger than ever with Dead Men Tell No Tales. The franchise seems to have once again embraced the creepiness of the original by bringing in the endlessly talented Javier Bardem as the villainous Captain Salazar, and Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow appears to have been relegated to a more peripheral role in the film -- where he works better as a character.

Cars

Cars 3 - June 16, 2017

Out of all the sequels present on this list, none seems like a bigger reinvention of an existing formula more than Cars 3. While the Cars films are considered some of the weaker entries in the Pixar universe, Cars 3's marketing campaign has seemingly promised something far darker and more mature than anything we have seen from this series before. In the midst of Pixar's current hot streak -- particularly with films like Inside Out and Finding Dory -- we may soon have the quintessential Cars movie on our hands. Honestly, that's something we weren't sure that we would ever see.

Transformers

Transformers: The Last Knight - June 23, 2017

To say that Michael Bay appears to be swinging for the fences with Transformers: The Last Knight would be the understatement of the century. Not only will the film feature the return of our favorite shape-shifting robots, but it will also include flashback sequences involving an alternate history in which Hitler successfully invaded England, as well as King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable. There appears to be a sincere intention to flesh out the mythology of the Autobots in previously unseen ways, and it definitely seems to be working so far. Bring on the carnage, Mr. Bay!

Despicable Me

Despicable Me 3 - June 30, 2017

After giving the Minions some time to shine in their own (admittedly mediocre) movie, Gru (Steve Carell) has once again returned to the center stage (where he belongs) for a third installment in the Despicable Me franchise. Even in the series' third outing, there's still quite a bit to get excited about; as a stark contrast to Gru's 1960s-esque sensibilities, the film will pit him against Trey Parker's Balthazar Bratt -- a villain inspired by the even more outlandish spy tropes of the 1980s. With those awesome elements in the mix, we have a feeling that Despicable Me 3 will be a very fun for the whole family.

Planet Of The Apes

War For The Planet Of The Apes - July 14, 2017

The newly rebooted Planet of the Apes series has seriously been playing the long game since Rise of the Planet of the Apes debuted in 2011. Although the reinvigorated series started out on completely fresh ground with only tenuous connections to the original franchise, each successive film appears to bring us closer and closer to the iconic sci-fi world that we all know and love. We are quite literally watching evolution take place on the silver screen. That trend will continue this summer with War for the Planet of the Apes, which will pit Andy Serkis' mo-cap Caesar against a grizzled human general (Woody Harrelson) in the last ditch battle to determine the dominate species on earth.

Kingsman

Kingsman: The Golden Circle - October 6, 2017

Nobody expected Kingsman: The Secret Service to achieve the kind of success that it experienced when it debuted in 2015, but Matthew Vaughn took the spy genre and gave it the complete Kick-Ass treatment. The film was a smash hit -- turning Taron Egerton into one of Hollywood's biggest and best up-and-comers overnight -- and all eyes are on Kingsman: The Golden Circle to outdo the original in every way. Egerton himself has already guaranteed more of everything we loved in the first film, and the casting of talented performers like Julianne Moore and Channing Tatum to round out the sequel's cast promise nothing but good things. Now it's just a matter of figuring out how they plan to bring back Colin Firth's Harry Hart.

Blade Runner

Blade Runner 2049 - October 6, 2017

Considering the legacy of Ridley Scott's original sci-fi noir thriller, expectations were already high for Blade Runner 2049 -- then the trailer dropped. Not only does Denis Villeneuve's upcoming sequel look like a beautifully shot and expertly crafted piece of modern cinema, but it will seemingly also honor the legacy of the original by giving us a strong sense of closure on Deckard's (Harrison Ford) storyline. Ryan Gosling looks like the perfect actor to inherit the series, and we couldn't be more excited to see what the follow-up has in store.

Insidious

Insidious: Chapter 4 - October 20, 2017

The horror genre has experienced an enormous resurgence in quality over the course of the last few years, and there's a strong case to be made that James Wan's Insidious franchise paved the way for that renaissance. One could easily argue that there would be no It Follows, The Conjuring, or Lights Out without this series. Insidious has thus far delivered three frightening films, and all eyes are on Insidious: Chapter 4 to give another terrifying look into the demonic astral plane. Horror franchises often have a tough time maintaining their quality after their first installment, but Insidious has managed to pull it off.

Saw

Saw: Legacy - October 27, 2017

That's right, folks. The quintessential "torture porn" franchise will return to theaters just in time for Halloween in 2017. We don't currently have too much information regarding the actual plot of Saw: Legacy (which makes sense, given the twists and turns in each of the franchise's films) but we can rest easy knowing that there will likely be plenty of bodily dismemberment and gallons of blood splashing across the screen when the film finally makes its grand debut. Would you like to play a game?

Bad Moms

A Bad Moms Christmas - November 3, 2017

The Bad Moms franchise is one of those simple and broad ideas that come with seemingly endless potential. The first film proved to be an unexpected hit with audiences, and as such there now seems to be a concerted effort in motion to play up the "Bad" brand -- there's even a Bad Dads movie in development. This particularly enticing project will see a reunion between Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn in A Bad Moms Christmas this November, and I think we can all agree that it's going to be a hilarious and raunchy ride.

Thor

Thor: Ragnarok - November 3, 2017

It has become a well-established fact that the Thor franchise is one of the weaker elements of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but director Taika Waititi seems intent on changing that with the upcoming release of Thor: Ragnarok. The threequel will take everything that we think we know about the Asgardian badass and completely turn it on its head by sending him into space to team up with The Incredible Hulk. With Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie and Jeff Goldblum's Grandmaster rounding out the cast, we can rest easy knowing that this will be one of the weirdest (and most fun) superhero movies of the coming year.

Star Wars

Star Wars Episode VIII - December 15, 2017

Sure, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story may have given us some seriously impressive action and drama in the galaxy far, far away this year, but we're still no closer to getting any answers for The Force Awakens' most pressing questions. There's a strong case to be made that Episode VIII is arguably the most highly anticipated movie on this entire list, and we're beyond excited to see what Rian Johnson does with our favorite sci-fi fantasy universe when it finally returns to see the next step in the drama of the Skywalker family.

Pitch Perfect

Pitch Perfect 3 - December 22, 2017

That's right acapella fans; 2017's wide variety of sequels will be rounded out by the return of the Barden Bellas when Pitch Perfect 3 finally debuts on December 22. Despite the fact that the film's release is less than a year away, we still have very few concrete details to work with. However, we do know that Elizabeth Banks has stepped down as the film's director to focus on her producing duties and that Trish Sie has replaced her behind the camera.

"Cinematic Universe" Installments

In addition to all of the direct sequels slated to hit theaters over the course of 2017, a number of cinematic universes will receive new installments as well.

These include Hugh Jackman's final Wolverine adventure in Logan (March 3); Diana Prince's first solo adventure in Wonder Woman (June 2); Spider-Man's Marvel homecoming in the aptly titled Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7); and the first ever DC team-up with Zack Snyder's Justice League (November 17).

If you're a fan of comic book movies (which we guess you are) then each and every one of these films should have you excited.

Good mothers are always appreciated, but earlier this year, a select group of fictional bad mothers made for humorous entertainment. Bad Moms, starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn, was one of the most commercially successful comedy movies of 2016, taking nearly $180 million worldwide off a $20 million budget. Although its critical reaction was mixed, that financial performance was enough to impress STX Entertainment, as they've officially announced a Bad Moms sequel is on the way, only this time, there will be a holiday theme.

With only two days to ago until Christmas, it was revealed earlier today that A Bad Moms Christmas is being fast-tracked for release on November 3, 2017. The sequel will see the trio of ladies having to "deal with the stresses of the most wonderful time of year as their own mothers visit for the holidays." Duo Jon Lucas and Scott Moore returned to write the script and direct the upcoming flick, while Suzanne Todd is attached to produce and Bill Block will executive produce.

To commemorate the announcement, Kristen Bell posted the below festive video on her Twitter page, letting her fans know that come next November, these "bad bitches" will have the backs of all the bad moms out there.

After Bad Moms performed so commercially well in July, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore said in October they were prioritizing getting Bad Moms 2 off the ground. Two months later, they've accomplished their goal. It's somewhat surprising, though, that it will hit theaters so soon, as only a year and a half will have passed since the first movie. Clearly principal photography will begin soon, if it hasn't kicked off already. The only other movie that's currently scheduled to open on that November 3 weekend is Thor: Ragnarok, Marvel third big blockbuster of 2017. However, since these are two radically different kinds of movies, A Bad Moms Christmas shouldn't have any trouble drawing in its preferred audience.

Bad Moms starred Mila Kunis' Amy Mitchell, Kristen Bell's Kiki and Kathryn Hahn's Carla Dunkler as three mothers who were stressed from their personal lives and decided to go out on an all-nighter. Needless to say, shenanigans ensued that night and in the days afterwards. Now that Christmastime is the new setting, one can only imagine what sort of antics these ladies will get into while their own mothers are in town, especially since the holidays are notorious for family feuds.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on A Bad Moms Christmas as they come in. There is also a spinoff film called Bad Dads that's in development. In the meantime, let us know what you think of the sequel coming soon or who you'd like to see play their mothers.

Jon Lucas and Scott Moore's Bad Moms was a surprise hit this summer. Produced for an estimated $20 million, the raunchy ensemble comedy connected with its target audience of exhausted moms to the tune of $179 million, globally. A sequel seems inevitable, even though the first bit of official news to come out of the studio was Bad Dads, a spinoff concept that doesn't sound like it includes stars Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn or Kristen Bell at all.

Fans of Bad Moms were upset -- understandably. They want to see Bad Moms 2, with these ladies at center stage. So when I hopped on the phone with Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, I asked them where they're at with a traditional Bad Moms sequel, and they confirmed to me that they want it as soon as possible, and even before Bad Dads. They said:

That's good news. While we don't doubt that a dude-themed Bad Dads could work -- potentially as well as the initial Bad Moms -- a big part of the reason why strong word-of-mouth fueled this summer comedy is because audiences loved the dynamic between the rebellious Mila Kunis, the bawdy Kathryn Hahn, and the buttoned-up and repressed Kristen Bell. They don't want to see that trio shelved in favor of three guys. They want to see where this trio (and hopefully lead antagonist Christina Applegate) can and will go next.

Bad Moms is making its way to home video on November 1. And hopefully it won't be too long before we can sign on the dotted line on Bad Moms 2, but it's great hearing that Jon Lucas and Scott Moore already are working behind the scenes to make that sequel happen.

It didn't have superheroes. It wasn't a sequel. And Disney didn't distribute it. And yet, despite all of that, the R-rated comedy Bad Moms still managed to connect with a massive audience this summer, making it one of the season's quietest hits and powering STX Entertainment to a surprise win. We don't encourage gambling. But if we WERE to wager, we'd guess that Bad Moms 2 will be announced very quickly. Allow me to explain why.

As was reported by THR, the hit comedy Bad Moms -- which stars Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell and Christina Applegate as exactly what the title implies -- raced across the $100 million mark this weekend, becoming the only R-rated comedy released this year to pull off such a feat. Bad Moms has now become the top grossing film for STX Entertainment (a new kid on the Hollywood block, for sure), and is turning a ridiculous profit. The reported budget for Bad Moms is $20 million. BoxOfficeMojo has the comedy's global gross at $141 million and counting.

Where does the idea of Bad Moms 2 stem from? It's a simple deduction from the data shared by BoxOfficeMojo. A scan of the top R-rated movies of all time prove that the comedies mentioned either will produce a sequel (Deadpool), did produce a sequel (Beverly Hills Cop, The Hangover), or ARE a sequel themselves (The Hangover Part II). Slipping outside of the Top 10 R-rated movies, you do start to find examples of successful comedies that stopped at one, from Wedding Crashers to There's Something About Mary. But there are also examples like 22 Jump Street to continue the belief that Bad Moms 2 will become a reality.

And why not? Bad Moms became a powerful "date night" movie for groups of women who needed an escape. Hollywood spends so much of its time catering to the young male demographic, yet, dialing up content that's geared toward a strong female audience only makes sense when it overperforms in such a way. Also, Bad Moms was better than expected. Our own Greg Wakeman said that the bawdy comedy was "at its enjoyable best when the women dismiss their responsibilities and crudely embrace the dark side." The red-band trailer showed that off.

What do you think? If they made Bad Moms 2, would you want to spend more time with these characters? Or should the ladies try something different, learning the lessons of The Hangover trilogy? Weigh in below.