'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,' 'Don't Worry Darling' and 13 more must-see new movies

Movies had the summer blahs.

Yes, “Top Gun: Maverick” blasted off and never looked back on its way to becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time. But there was not the relentless parade of blockbuster after blockbuster that audiences grew used to in summers, at least before the pandemic struck.

That’s not all bad, necessarily. Is anyone really clamoring for another “Transformers” sequel? (Wait, don’t answer that.)

But fall approaches, and with it a slew of prestige movies, with some big names and some intriguing ideas. Of course this doesn’t mean they will be any good. But at least — for now — they will be. Which, after the last couple of years of the industry playing chicken with the pandemic and losing, is at least something.

Here are the 15 movies I’m most looking forward to this fall. You’ll notice the absence of “Avatar: The Way of Water.” It’s not an omission. It’s on purpose. No accounting for tastes.

As always, schedules are subject to change. Check local listings.

More: The 10 best new movies of 2022 — so far — and where to stream them

‘The Woman King’

Viola Davis stars as Gen. Nanicsa, the leader of an all-woman group of warriors in the Kingdom of Dahomey. She tries to convince King Ghezo (John Boyega) to fend off European invaders who want to colonize the kingdom. The story is intriguing, and Davis as a butt-kicking warrior is a pretty powerful incentive to see it.

How to watch: In theaters Sept. 16.

‘Blonde’

Andrew Dominik’s take on Joyce Carol Oates’ fictionalized account of Marilyn Monroe’s life has stirred some people’s pots thanks to its NC-17 rating. Settle down, folks. It stars Ana de Armas, who’s always good. That should be the attraction here. With Adrien Brody, Garrett Dillahunt and Bobby Cannavale.

How to watch: Streaming on Netflix on Sept. 23.

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‘Don’t Worry Darling’

Olivia Wilde directs Florence Pugh and Harry Styles in a thriller about a couple living in a 1950s utopian experimental community. Having seen a movie or two, we suspect not all goes well. At first that (plus Chris Pine) was enough to be intriguing. But now there’s the off-camera drama: Wilde dating Styles, Pugh supposedly unhappy and not doing any publicity for the film, all kinds of gossipy stuff. I mean, we gotta watch it now.

How to watch: In theaters Sept. 23.

‘Smile’

Never trust a trailer, but Parker Finn’s horror film gives off a real “Ringu” and “The Ring” vibe. That’s a good thing. Sosie Bacon plays a doctor who sees something traumatic — which links her to other tragedies. (Note: lack of more specifics is to prevent spoilers and keep things scary; the trailer gives away a lot.) Worth a shot.

How to watch: In theaters Sept. 30.

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‘Amsterdam’

Actors sometimes complain about working with David O. Russell, but he packs ’em in. Friends witness a murder in the 1930s and inadvertently uncover a massive, nefarious plot. And that cast? Chris Rock, John David Washington, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert De Niro, Margot Robbie, Christian Bale, Michael Shannon, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malek — dang. Oh, and Taylor Swift. If nothing else, it could be a Method-acting class.

How to watch: In theaters Oct. 7.

‘TÁR’

Todd Field’s first film since his 2006 feature “Little Children.” It stars Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tár, an intense, obsessive conductor — the first woman to serve as chief conductor of a major German orchestra. Again, never trust a trailer, but the one for this looks stunningly bizarre, in the best ways.

How to watch: In theaters Oct. 7.

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‘Till’

Chinonye Chukwu (“Clemency”) co-wrote and directs a film about Mamie Till Mobley’s search for justice after the lynching of her son in 1955 — yes, Emmett Till, whose murder and her insistence on an open casket helped kick-start the civil rights movement. Danielle Deadwyler plays Mamie, and Jalyn Hall plays Emmett.

How to watch: In theaters Oct. 14.

‘Ticket to Paradise’

Are the days of the genuine movie star over? The box office for “Top Gun: Maverick” would suggest otherwise, but other than Tom Cruise, who? George Clooney and Julia Roberts certainly were movie stars, and Oscar winners to boot. Can they be movie stars again? In Ol Parker’s comedy they play a divorced couple who go to Bali to try to prevent their daughter from getting married. Could be funny. Could be cute. Could be sad. That’s why we watch — to find out.

How to watch: In theaters Oct. 21.

‘The Fabelmans’

Steven Spielberg’s long-awaited semi-autobiographical film about growing up in Arizona. He co-wrote the film — a relative rarity for him — with Tony Kushner, who has worked with Spielberg on films like “West Side Story” and “Lincoln.” Gabriel LaBelle plays the Spielberg alter ego; Paul Dano and Michelle Williams play his parents, and Seth Rogen his beloved uncle. Lots of interest in this one. Duh.

How to watch: Limited theater release on Nov. 11, wide release on Nov. 23.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

A mix of excitement and curiosity puts this high on the list. “Black Panther” is hands down my favorite Marvel movie, and it’s not really close. Ryan Coogler built such a self-contained universe that still fit into the MCU mythos. Of course the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman means big changes. But what? No one is saying yet, but I’m eager to find out.

How to watch: In theaters Nov. 11.

‘She Said’

Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan star as Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, the two New York Times reporters who, along with The New Yorker’s Ronan Farrow, wrote stories that helped bring down Harvey Weinstein and started the #MeToo movement. Maria Schrader, who is also an actress and directed the excellent “I’m Your Man,” directs. With the great Andre Braugher as former Times executive editor Dean Baquet, a nice touch.

How to watch: In theaters Nov. 18.

‘The Menu’

Nicholas Hoult and Anya Taylor-Joy travel to a remote island for an over-the-top meal prepared by an intense chef (Ralph Fiennes) and things go … awry. (It is a horror movie, after all.) Director Mark Mylod has quite the history in TV, having directed episodes of “Game of Thrones,” “Succession” and “Shameless,” among other series. It looks unhinged. Here's hoping.

How to watch: In theaters Nov. 18.

‘Empire of Light’

Director Sam Mendes’ film is a romance starring Olivia Colman — always, every single time, great — and Michael Ward, who work in a seaside movie theater in the early 1980s. But it is also, as they say, a love letter to cinema. Movies about loving movies can be dicey but also rewarding. I’m betting this is the latter (and it also has Colin Firth and Toby Jones in the cast, so there’s that).

How to watch: In theaters Dec. 9.

‘Babylon’

Damien Chazelle’s (“La La Land”) looks at the transition from silent films to talkies. Yes, it’s been done — ever see “Singing in the Rain” or “The Artist?” But the cast is first-rate, with Diego Calva, Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Katherine Waterson, Eric Roberts and … Flea? Why not? Details are pretty hush-hush, but there’s a lot of good buzz. Intriguing, for sure.

How to watch: In theaters Dec. 25.

‘White Noise’

Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig and Don Cheadle star in Noah Baumbach’s adaptation of Don Delillo’s brilliant novel about a college professor and his family who must evacuate their small town after an industrial accident — an “airborne toxic event” (from which the indie band took its name). The anticipation is off the charts. It has to be good. Right? Fingers crossed, tightly.

How to watch: Streaming on Netflix in late 2022; date to be announced.

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. Subscribe to the weekly movies newsletter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: New movies coming fall 2022: 'Black Panther,' 'Don't Worry Darling'