The summer movie season is for all intents and purposes at an end and most of the year’s biggest releases are already behind us. The fall season is generally a much different beast, as the focus turns to prestige dramas and awards contenders rather than mega-budget blockbusters. Of course, anyone who’s even remotely aware of the 2015 release schedule knows that there is much more than Oscar bait in store for the back end of the year. In fact, if the following 10 films are anything to go by (and there are many more to be excited about beyond the ones we’ve highlighted here), Fall 2015 could be one of the best movie release seasons in years. Grab some popcorn because you’re going to be spending a lot of time at the theater in the coming months!
10. Black Mass (September 18th)
It’s been difficult to take Johnny Depp seriously as an actor for quite some time now, as he has fallen into a pattern of repeating the same flamboyant shtick ever since he struck gold with the Jack Sparrow character in Pirates of the Caribbean back in 2003. Judging by the film’s promotional material, Black Mass looks like a return to form for Depp, who is channeling the Academy Award-nominated actor that he is for the role of notorious Boston crime boss Whitey Bulger. In addition to a scenery-chewing performance from Depp, the film is in capable hands in the form of director Scott Cooper, whose previous major efforts include Crazy Heart and Out of the Furnace. Those films, while flawed, signaled Cooper as a talented director to keep an eye on and Black Mass could very well turn out to be his finest picture yet.