Early Digital Releases: 'Trolls World Tour' And More
Due to the new coronavirus and the closing of movie theaters nationwide, a number of films are being released early on digital platforms — which means that instead of heading to the theater, you'll have all the latest movie titles right at your very own fingertips.
Whether you're hoping to stream family-friendly flicks such as "Trolls World Tour" or you're interested in action movies such as "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," we've rounded up the most recent early digital releases that are available today on video-on-demand services.
Enjoy!
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"Trolls World Tour" (Available April 10) — Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake; directed by Walt Dohrn and David P. Smith
Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return to the "Trolls" animated franchise as a pair of unlikely friends in an enchanting universe of musical chords and harmony.
In the sequel, Poppy (Kendrick) and Branch (Timberlake) of the Pop tribe accidentally unearth five other tribes in the Troll universe — Funk, Country, Techno, Classical and Rock. That's music to Poppy and Branch's ears, right?
Well, yes — that is, until the magnificent duo discovers the master plan of Rock Trolls Queen Barb (Rachel Bloom) to rid all musical genres other than her beloved rock. With time running out, Poppy and Branch must find a way to vanquish the polarizing queen.
"The Call of the Wild" (Available March 27) — Harrison Ford, Karen Gillan; directed by Chris Sanders
Courage and determination abound in Chris Sanders' live-action directorial debut that is based on Jack London's 1903 adventure novel of the same title.
At the center of the story is a pampered St. Bernard/Scotch Shepherd pooch named Buck, who, under unforgiving circumstances, ultimately finds the spirit to prevail and become his own master in life. Along the way, Buck crosses paths with John Thornton (Harrison Ford), a grizzled, old hard-drinking prospector in search of gold in the Yukon. Together, John and Buck join forces in the wilderness.
"I Still Believe" (Available March 27) — Britt Robertson, K.J. Apa; directed by Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin
From Andrew and Jon Erwin, the sibling filmmakers of the surprise crossover hit "I Can Only Imagine," comes their follow-up film, another faith-based drama inspired by the real-life events behind a best-selling Christian pop song.
Based on a memoir by Christian singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp, "I Still Believe" is the tragic love story of the Grammy-nominated music artist (K.J. Apa) and his first wife, Melissa Henning (Britt Robertson).
"Birds of Prey" (Available Mar 24) — Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead; directed by Cathy Yan
Remember Harley Quinn, the self-proclaimed "Joker's girl" from 2016's antihero film, "Suicide Squad"? Well, Joker's girlfriend is back with her own wild story, replete with her colorful pigtails and signature baseball bat.
In this movie spinoff, Margot Robbie reprises her role as Harley — who, through narration, informs audiences of her recent breakup with the Joker. Alas! She is free and emancipated from all romantic relationships — a reference to the full original title of the movie, "Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn."
"Just Mercy" (Available March 24) — Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson; directed by Destin Daniel Cretton
Writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton delivers a fact-based courtroom drama about racial divide and tensions fueled by systemic racism and corruption within the confines of law enforcement and the judicial process.
Set in 1980s Alabama, the real-life tale focuses on the wrongful conviction of Walter McMillian, a black woodworker (Jamie Foxx) languishing on death row for the 1987 murder of an 18-year-old white woman. His case, which has a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence, will resonate with Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan), a newly minted Harvard law graduate who heads out to the racially fraught state where justice is not known to be colorblind regardless of race and income. Joining forces with a local advocate Eva Ansley (Brie Larson), Stevenson sets out to probe McMillian's case history and attempts to gather enough evidence for a new trial.
"The Gentlemen" (Available March 24) — Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Dockery; directed by Guy Ritchie
From Guy Ritchie, the writer-director of Disney's live-action "Aladdin" and the crime-comedy "Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels," comes "The Gentlemen," an action-crime film about a British drug lord trying to sell his highly profitable cannabis empire.
That kingpin is Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey), an American expat who plans to spend more time with his wife, Rosalind (Michelle Dockery), in retirement. He soon identifies a potential buyer, fellow American expat Matthew Berger (Jeremy Strong), triggering tremors of chaos in London's criminal underworld.
"The Way Back" (Available March 24) — Ben Affleck, Janina Gavankar; directed by Gavin O'Connor
In the film, Ben Affleck plays Jack Cunningham, a middle-aged man whose life is obviously in a downward spiral because of his excessive addiction to alcohol.
Alone and miserable, he chugs his first can of beer in his morning shower. During the day, he also drinks on his construction job — even if it means pouring booze into his coffee cup to get his fix. And, sadly, his self-destructive behavior continues at a local bar every night.
Then, in a sudden twist of fate, Jack gets an offer to coach a basketball team at his old high school where he was once a basketball-phenom star. The opportunity forces him to finally face his personal demons and reclaim his life.
"Bloodshot" (Available March 24) — Vin Diesel, Eiza Gonzalez; directed by David S.F. Wilson
David S.F. Wilson's feature directorial debut is a film adaptation of the Valiant Comics character named "Bloodshot," a technologically enhanced super soldier.
The opening sequence includes a rescue mission in which special-ops soldier Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel) successfully extracts a hostage in Kenya. Thereafter, he jets off to the Amalfi Coast in Italy to spend some quality time with his wife (Talulah Riley). Moments later, Ray wakes up in a lab, where he has been brought back to life by technologist Dr. Emil Harting (Guy Pearce).
With his veins filled with microscopic mechanical repair cells, Ray is now called Bloodshot, a super soldier whose body can instantly regenerate and recover from any fatal blows.
"Emma." (Available March 20) — Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Nighy; directed by Autumn de Wilde
The latest film adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved comedy about misguided matchmaking in 1800s England comes to life in this punctuated film version — that is, "Emma" with a period.
Anya Taylor-Joy portrays the titular heroine Emma Woodhouse, an affluent, haughty 20-year-old woman who has a penchant for meddling in the romantic lives of people around her. In fact, she is a self-proclaimed matchmaker, ultimately arranging marriages for everyone — but herself.
"Onward" (Available March 20) — Tom Holland, Chris Pratt; directed by Dan Scanlon
Directed and co-written by Dan Scanlon, the new film about familial love takes place in a fantastical world where magic was once a delight in the denizens' lives. Then, modern age came, rendering wizardry obsolete and redundant in all walks of life.
Enter two pointy-eared elves, the timid Ian Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland) and his goofy, older brother Barley (voiced by Chris Pratt), who are about to get the biggest surprise of their lives, when their mom (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) presents the boys with a special gift left by their late father — a magical package containing a gemstone and a spell to bring their beloved dad back for a full 24 hours.
"The Invisible Man" (Available March 20) — Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen; directed by Leigh Whannell
From Leigh Whannell, creator of the "Saw" series, comes "The Invisible Man," the latest incarnation of H.G. Wells' iconic scientist known for his invisibility, heightened narcissism and insatiable thirst to stoke fear and horror.
In the latest iteration of "The Invisible Man," Elisabeth Moss plays a married woman trapped in an abusive relationship with a wealthy, brilliant scientist (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), whose reign of terror will drive her to the brink of madness.
"Frozen II" (Available March 15) — Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel; directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck
Remember the Disney blockbuster animation that made the feverishly catchy song, "Let It Go," a household name? Well, its compelling message about sisterhood, grit, courage and friendship continues in "Frozen II," bringing together the original cast members Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff for another epic adventure into the unknown.
For moviegoers who have not yet seen the 2013 original film, fear not. You will certainly catch up in no time, as the sequel includes endearing flashbacks to "Frozen," the story of sibling sisters Elsa (Menzel) and Anna (Bell), two princesses fighting to save their Nordic realm of Arendelle from an unforgiving chill.
"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (Available March 13) — Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac; directed by J.J. Abrams
"The Rise of Skywalker" is indeed the last chapter in the nine-film "Star Wars" series, now dubbed as the Skywalker saga — a trilogy of three trilogies that began in 1977 with George Lucas' "Star Wars: A New Hope." Written and directed by J.J. Abrams (who directed "The Force Awakens"), this grand finale echoes universal themes of good versus evil, paying homage to the first films in the "Star Wars" canon, all set to the backdrop of John Williams' masterful score.
As Abrams' storytelling transports audiences across an action-packed adventure, the late Carrie Fisher resurfaces from archived footage as General Leia Organa, leader of the Resistance movement. Joining her in the crusade is the next generation of brave freedom fighters: scavenger-turned-Jedi-in-training Rey (Daisy Ridley), the swashbuckling Resistance pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), former First Order stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega), the legendary Wookiee warrior Chewie (Joonas Suotamo) and the droid C-3PO (Anthony Daniels).
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This article originally appeared on the Hollywood Patch
