Leaves are falling, rain is pouring and the list of upcoming entertainment is growing. Here is what to watch, read, listen and see during Fall 2022.
Television
ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, SEASON TWO – This fall, students are returning, not just to CUNY schools, but also to Philadelphia’s Willard Abbott Elementary School. Abbott Elementary is in its second season, with new episodes coming out every Wednesday at 9PM on ABC. Created by Quinta Brunston, Abbott Elementary is a workplace sitcom about public school teachers in an underfunded, predominantly black school. The television show made headlines when it racked up three wins at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Watch this show if you want a laugh during your study break. Brunson and her team make viewers chuckle at life and academia’s shortcomings while allowing them to think about the little attention and funding public schools receive.
THE CROWN, SEASON FIVE – The Royals swirled headlines again when the longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, died this past September. According to Netflix, The Crown, racked up 17.6 million hours in viewership following the news of Her Highness’ passing. Season five is set to hit the streaming platform on Nov. 9.
The new season will examine the Queen’s reign during the 90s, especially her working relationships with Prime Ministers John Major and Tony Blair. Viewers can also expect to see the unwinding of Prince Charles’ and Princess Diana’s marriage, along with the aftermath of the latter’s tragic death.
With new cast members, including Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth (Vera Drake, Harry Potter), Dominic West (The Wire, The Affair) as Prince Philip and Elizabeth Debicki (Great Gatsby) as Princess Diana, The Crown is one of the most anticipated shows for this fall.
Film
MY POLICEMAN – After Don’t Worry Darling and his 15 shows at Madison Square Garden, fans of Harry Styles can expect to see more of the singer in My Policeman. The film, based on the novel of the same name, is set to appear on the big screen on Oct. 21, and on Amazon Prime for streaming on Nov. 4.
Styles, Emma Corrin (The Crown) and David Dawson (Peaky Blinders) construct the main cast.Within the plot of My Policeman, their characters play a quasi-love triangle. Styles portrays a closeted gay policeman, Tom Burgess. Burgess marries Corrin’s character, Marion Taylor, while also being in a relationship with Patrick Hazelwood, played by Dawson. Dawson himself is a part of the LBGTQ+ community and Styles has stated that he does not like to label his sexuality. Styles is often seen touting pride flags in his concerts and his non gender conforming style.
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is one of Marvel’s most anticipated films since the death of Chadwick Boseman, who played the titular role of T’Challa / Black Panther. As Marvel decided not to recast T’Challa, the new film will revolve around Wakanda and the aftermath of the king’s death.
Established actors like Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke all return to their respective roles. Wright, who plays T’Challa’s sister, Princess Shuri, is said to have a prominent role in the sequel. Fans expect Shuri to undergo more responsibilities and long to see the emotions Wright will evoke in her character. Wakanda Forever premieres on Nov. 11, 2022.
THE MENU – This article would be remiss without any mention of horror movies in the season of Halloween. The Menu, starring Anna-Taylor Joy (The Queen’s Gambit), Nicholas Holt (Skins, A Single Man) and Ralph Fiennes (The English Patient), will hit theaters on Nov. 18.
The film will explore Margot (Joy) and Tyler’s (Holt) attempt to eat at Hawthorne, a renowned restaurant owned by Chef Slowik (Fiennes). The couple is met with surprise when they unravel the dark secrets of the restaurant’s lavish tasting menu.
BONES AND ALL – Starring Timothee Chalamet and Taylor Russell, the film follows characters Lee (Chalamet) and Maren (Rusell). The two meet while on a cross-country trip and fall in love with their meeting being fueled by their shared interest: cannibalism.
Critics praise both Chalamet and Russell’s performance, as well as the overall direction and cinematography. Another plaudit is the film’s ability to fuse together different genres of film: coming-of-age, cannibalism, horror and road film.
A grotesque spin on adolescent romance, Bones and All will hit theaters Nov. 23.
Music
Is October the month for musicians? Almost initiating a 2014 Tumblr music renaissance, artists like Arctic Monkeys, The 1975 and Taylor Swift are all set to release their respective albums mid-to-late October.
BEING FUNNY IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, THE 1975 – The band’s fifth album is set for streaming on Oct. 14. The record is a vulnerable piece of prose mixed with dream-like guitar melodies, accompanied by warm orchestra.
MIDNIGHTS, TAYLOR SWIFT – The 11 time Grammy winner has famously announced all her track titles via TikToks posted, you guessed it, every midnight. Her tenth album will fittingly be released on Oct. 21 at midnight.
THE CAR, ARCTIC MONKEYS – The Arctic Monkeys’ newest album will also be released on Oct. 21. The Car will be the band’s seventh album and proves to be an extension of the “jazz lounge” musical atmosphere they have created in their previous album, Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino.
ME VS. MYSELF, A BOOGIE WIT DA HOODIE – New York native rapper, most known for “Numbers” and “Drowning,” A Boogie returns from hiatus with the release of his fourth album on Nov. 4. He revealed the album, as well as its cover art on his Twitter.
SMITHEREENS, JOJI – Joji, a 30-year-old Japanese lo-fi singer, will support his Billboard Number 10 hit “Glimpse of Us” with Smithereens on Nov. 4. Excluding singles of “Glimpse of Us” and “Yukon (Interlude),” the tracklist is yet to be revealed.
FAITH IN THE FUTURE, LOUIS TOMLINSON – The former One Direction singer is slated to release his sophomore album on Nov. 11. Tomlinson follows up his debut album, Walls, with 14 new tracks and states the project is a “coming-of-age” story for himself.
Literature
IT STARTS WITH US – This is the highly-anticipated sequel to the contemporary novel, It Ends With Us. The novel, set to be out on Oct. 18, follows the first novel’s deuteragonist Atlas Corrigan. After gaining popularity on TikTok, reports state that author Colleen Hoover has sold more copies of her books than the Bible.
THE LIGHT WE CARRY – Former First Lady, Michelle Obama, will follow up on her 2021 memoir, Becoming, with the insightful The Light We Carry. Obama aims to share her honest wisdom through “fresh stories and insightful reflections” in the uncertainty of modern times. The autobiography will be out on Nov. 15, 2022.
FRIENDS, LOVERS, AND THE BIG TERRIBLE THING – Even after the show’s end in May 2004, Friends is still one of the most popular television shows of all time. Matthew Perry, who portrayed Chandler Bing, details the ups and downs of his career in his new memoir. Slated for release on Nov. 1, Perry is openly candid on his struggles with addiction and his road to recovery.
Stage
FUNNY GIRL – A revival of the 1964 musical, Funny Girl made headlines when well-known Glee actress, Lea Michele, took over the titular role of Fanny Brice on Sept. 6. The musical is loosely based on the life of actress Fanny Brice and her notorious relationship with gambler Nicky Arnstein. Critics have nothing but support for Michelle’s rendition of Brice, and the internet of course had its plethora of thoughts shared on various social media platforms.
& JULIET, will have its first preview on Oct. 28, and officially open on Nov. 17. Based on one of the most iconic love stories, & Juliet explores what “would happen if Juliet didn’t end it over Romeo?” The comedy musical is written by David West Read, who also won an Emmy for his work in “Schitt’s Creek.”
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, is set to close on Feb. 18, 2023, marking an end to its historic 35 year run. The classic musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber has won multiple awards, including seven Tony Awards, so be sure to catch a performance at the Majestic Theater before its close.
And that’s a wrap. Make sure to take breaks during midterm season by cozying up with one of these fall shows or movies. Happy fall!
