November is a big month for fans of science fiction and fantasy franchises. With the latest installment of Marvel superheroes in Eternals and the next Disney musical Encanto on their way -- alongside the much-delayed Ghostbusters sequel and a live-action telling of beloved video game franchise Resident Evil -- the month is packed to the brim with big names and big budgets.
But November isn't just for big features from blockbuster studios; this month also sees the release of some science fiction and fantasy stories that may be smaller in scale but look just as fun in scope. The live-action version of Resident Evil: Raccoon City brings the fan-favorite video game series to life, and Finch follows one man's post-apocalyptic journey. The Kickstarted Sk8r Grrl and the pandemic-filmed Outlier showcase different flavors of the genres that are sure to pull fans in as well. Here are the science fiction and fantasy movies to watch out for in theaters and streaming this November.
Outlier
A thriller with a tinge of science fiction, Outlier follows Olivia as she escapes an abusive relationship with the help of a kind stranger. After spending time with the stranger and watching him engage in a secretive, technological project, Olivia realizes she may have found herself in another dangerous position. She must find a way through her trauma and uncover the stranger’s secrets. Shot during the pandemic with a tiny crew, Outlier offers a down-to-earth view of the dangers of some scientists.
Directed by Nate Strayer and starring Jessica Denton, Thomas Cheslek and Logan Fleisher, Outlier releases Nov. 2.
Eternals
The latest entry into Marvel’s stream of superhero successes, Eternals follows a race of immortal beings that have been protecting the Earth from the evil Deviants. Taking place after the emergence of Avengers: Endgame, Eternals introduces a new group of superpowered beings, drawing from cross-cultural mythology, to fit in with the established Avengers and the new Shang-Chi. Probably the most anticipated movie of November, Eternals is essential viewing for fans of the superhero genre.
Directed by Chloé Zhao, Eternals stars Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh, Don Lee and Kit Harrington. The movie comes to theaters Nov. 5.
Finch
Finch tells the story of a post-apocalyptic Earth as one man tries to survive the aftermath of a solar flare. Along the way, he teams up with a dog and builds a robot to flesh out his team, and together the rag-tag-found family must find a way to survive or escape this new world. Finch gives off vibes of The Martian, telling the story of a lone man science-ing his way out of everything from food shortage to tornadoes. The difference with Finch -- and the gimmick the movie really hangs its hat on -- is the found family angle and how much viewers are willing to watch Tom Hanks hang out for long stretches of time with non-human friends again.
Directed by Miguel Sapochnik, Finch stars Tom Hanks, Caleb Landry Jones, Samira Wiley, Laura Harrier and Skeet Ulrich. Apple TV+ will begin streaming Finch on Nov. 5.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
The much-anticipated Ghostbusters sequel, Ghostbusters: Afterlife follows the grandchildren of original Ghostbuster Egon Spengler. After moving to a dilapidated Oklahoma farmhouse, the grandchildren learn of their family’s legacy and become aware of supernatural occurrences. The family must solve the mystery of their past and suit up once again as Ghostbusters to take down the new paranormal menace.
After its release was delayed for more than a year due to the ongoing pandemic, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is one of the most highly-anticipated November releases. While early reviews have not all been glowing, and the 2016 reboot shows that fans do not always have the franchise’s back, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a must-watch.
Directed by Jason Reitman, Ghostbusters: Afterlife stars Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace and Paul Rudd and releases in theaters Nov. 19.
Sk8r Grrl
Little information about Sk8r Grrl is available, but its premise is the exact kind of wild and cool to provide the perfect counterpart to a month of Marvel and Disney. A band of skater girls must protect New York City from a coven of witches with their own newfound magical powers. Oh, and the evil coven they’re fighting against aren’t just any witches — they’re reptilians. Funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign, Sk8r Grrl sounds like the fresh take on sci-fi/fantasy that November needs.
Directed and written by Rae Phoenix, Sk8r Grrl stars Ximena Balmori, Michael Holman, Marli Renée, Paulina Singer, Deborah Rodriguez, Tatsumi Romano, Gloria Jean Pirtle, Chica, Sabrina Olivia, Uma York and Raedawn Phoenix, and releases Nov. 22.
Encanto
The latest Disney musical, Encanto tells the story of a Colombian family with magical powers -- except for Mirabel. As the family’s magical powers come under attack, Mirabel must journey to save her family and find her place along the way. With an all-star cast and music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Encanto is sure to provide the soundtrack of the coming months. And with Disney’s musical track record, the film is sure to be stunning.
Directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Charise Castro Smith, Encanto stars the voices of Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, María Cecilia Botero, Diane Guerrero, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda and Wilmer Valderrama and arrives in theaters Nov. 24.
Resident Evil: Raccoon City
Though it's past Halloween, there's still room for some horror in late-fall sci-fi/fantasy. Resident Evil: Raccoon City is a zombie survival horror movie based on the wildly popular Resident Evil video game franchise. But while the movie is first and foremost a horror story, the zombies of the franchise are the results of a bioweapon -- an un-deadly virus whose infection turns the world into zombies. Outwitting this science-gone-wrong in a fight for survival based on a video game makes Resident Evil: Raccoon City a must-watch for players and fans.
Written and directed by Johannes Roberts, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City stars Kaya Scodelario, Hannah John-Kamen, Robbie Amell, Tom Hopper, Avan Jogia, Donal Logue and Neal McDonough. The movie will be released in theaters Nov. 24.