CinemaCon Welcomes Day Two

 

Jeri Jacquin

As day two begins, the first studio presentation of the day comes from NEON. With a stellar year, 2025 brought such stunning films as SENTIMENTAL VALUE and SIRAT. The Studios Distribution Chief Elissa Federoff made the audience away are in 2017, NEON only had six people, and now has become a global theatrical player. She made it clear that “the theatrical experience drives every decision we make.”

The first tease from the studio comes from Adam Scott to talk about HOKUM, a horror film out in a few weeks. Scott says, “I learned at a young age that getting the sh*t scared out of me was irresistible.” We were treated to a sneak peek and, as a fan of the horror genre, I can’t wait to see the rest of the film. NEON also showed a trailer for another horror film, LEVITICUS.

I LOVE BOOSTERS is the next film from director Boots Riley. A peek with LaKeith Stanfield, Keke Palmer, and Naomi Ackie. The next film due out at Christmas is A PLACE IN HELL, starring Michelle Williams, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Andrew Scott. Williams is a lawyer defending men accused of sexual assault.

Other films coming on their slate is FJORD. HOPE is an alien film with monsters out for destruction from Na Hong-jin, starring Hwang Jung-min, Alicia Vikander, and husband Michael Fassbender. Alien invasion films are always big, but the special effects tell me this is going to be even bigger!

HOPE is an alien film from NEON with monsters out for destruction from Na Hong-jin, starring Hwang Jung-min, Alicia Vikander, and husband Michael Fassbender. Alien invasion films are always big, but the special effects tell me this is going to be even bigger! #Hope #Neon #CinemaCon2026

With a break in the studio presentations, it’s time to hit the CinemaCon Trade Show floor and see what entertainment and goodies will be coming to theatres. I love seeing what is new, what tastes so very good, and the coming popcorn buckets and kids' goods. Yes, I feel like a kid myself, wandering around and walking away with a bag of stuff that is going to end up on my desk. But, back to work.

This afternoon brings Warner Bros. to the Dolby Colosseum and, in CinemaCon style, Tom Cruise makes his stage appearance. Wanting to work with Alejandro G. Inarritu, he finally had the chance with the upcoming film DIGGER. “The movie is wild, and it’s funny,” Cruise says of the film. Inarritu says, “We know that he’s fearless, the stunts, the planes, the jumps, but I have to say, embodying this character, this is another kind of fearless. This role could possibly be the most challenging.” The film will be in theatres in October.

Mike DeLuca, co-chair with Pam Abdy of the studio, says that, for the studio, “Originality is not risky. Derivative sameness is.”  They also announced that there will be eighteen films released in 2027, as well as a new label under Warner Bros. – Clockwork. The first film will be TI AMO from Sean Baker. LORD OF THE RINGS: The Hunt for Gollum with Andy Serkis is due for release in late 2027.

J.J. Abrams has a sci-fi story of THE GREAT BEYOND with Jenna Ortega and Glen Powell. Kidman and Bulluck return as the Owen sisters for PRACTICAL MAGIC 2, and the audience is treated to the first seven minutes of DUNE: Part Three from Denis Villeneuve.

A film I know my grown sons are going to see (because they spent their early years living for the game) is MORTAL KOMBAT II. It is the return of Johnny Cage, Liu Kang, Baraka, and many more. The attitude and the battles are there and will be in theatres in May. SUPERGIRL is next up as director Craig Gillespie, Milly Alcock, and Jason Momoa come to the stage for DC Studios. The film is going to take audiences on a huge journey, visiting six planets, so we can expect to see some amazing digital visuals. Asked if Logo or Aquaman would win a fight, Momoa says they’d probably just share beers!

A horror film to hit theatres in October is a story that Peter Safran called a ‘riveting horror-thriller’ with CLAYFACE. With the tagline of Look Fear in the Face, a man who can wipe his clay face to remove features means no one is going to know who’s coming. Safran also announced that MAN OF TOMORROW begins filming soon. Another horror film, EVIL DEAD BURN, which will teach us all that sometimes it’s better not to read from the book of the dead.

Jack Black is back to announce A MINECRAFT MOVIE 2, which is going to thrill my family to no end. How about a little ghost with REMAIN, the next M. Night Shyamalan film, and I am beyond thrilled. Their 2027 releases include the OCEAN’S prequel with Margot Robbie as Danny’s mom in 1962, SHIVER with Keanu Reeves bringing sharks back in focus. Also, Sam Saimi promises audiences that EVIL DEAD WRATH is going to be “the most terrifying experience.”

That’s the best part of the CinemaCon experience, knowing what’s coming, but, like Christmas, we have to wait to truly unwrap the awesome presents, even if the trailer tease. CinemaCon and the studios are the gifts that keep on giving. Tomorrow, is Universal Studios/Focus Features and Amazon/MGM Studios, and we will be there to cover it all.