April is here – and it’s bringing a packed lineup of films. With such a wide variety hitting theaters, there’s bound to be something worth the ticket price.
For your animation fix, check out The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. A sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), this new entry looks to bring back all the family fun and spectacle while heading into outer space. Chris Pratt (Jurassic World), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Menu), Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses) and Jack Black (School of Rock) all return as Mario, Peach, Luigi and Bowser, respectively, along with newcomer Brie Larson (Room) as the outer space Princess Rosalina. The animation looks slick, and plenty more Mario characters show up in what looks to be a perfect film to take the entire family to when it releases on April 1.
For a romantic (?) dramedy, look no further than The Drama. Starring Zendaya (Dune: Part Two) and Robert Pattison (The Batman), the plot follows a couple just days before their wedding who must deal with newly discovered information about each other. The trailer is deeply uncomfortable, with the “comedy” seemingly rooted in how painfully awkward it becomes to watch two people navigate conflict on what should be one of the happiest days of their lives.We’ll all see how weird it can get when it drops on April 3.
If you want pure action, don’t miss Normal. The story follows Ulysses, played by Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), who arrives in the town of Normal, Minnesota, to take over as temporary sheriff – where he learns quickly that the town has deep criminal ties. The cast also includes Henry Winkler (Barry) and Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) and should shape up to be a fun and suspenseful time at the theater. Odenkirk is a joy in his newfound action roles, so with any luck, he’ll make this worth viewing when it releases on April 17.
For a family drama with Scottish flair, we’ve got Glenrothan. The plot concerns Donal and Sandy, two brothers who have not seen each other in 35 years, reuniting in their native Scotland to make amends. Starring Brian Cox (Succession) and Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!), this film will also be Cox’s directorial debut at the age of 79 – showing it truly is never too late to try something new. The trailer has charm and wit in droves, and the banter will likely be exquisite when it hits theaters on April 17.
Lastly, the music biopic of the year: Michael. Telling the story of Michael Jackson from an early age to the beginning of his solo career, Michael has been mired in alleged production issues and writing changes, muddying the waters on whether this would be a sugar coated story or not. Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson will play the title role, and we’ll soon see if this is just another run of the mill biopic or something that, like its subject matter, stands the test of time. It releases on April 24.
