8 sci-fi and fantasy shows and movies to watch this November

As a cinephile who’s seen more movies than I can count and spent countless hours poring over film reviews, I must say November is shaping up to be quite the month for movie lovers!

2024 is packed with science fiction and fantasy delights as we approach the end of the year, offering a tantalizing taste before the arrival of a new one. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the most exciting movies and TV shows to watch out for in November, focusing on the unusual, the magical, and the fantastical:

Arcane season 2: November 9 (Netflix)

In November, the concluding season of Netflix’s Emmy-winning animated series “Arcane” will premiere, offering even more enchantment, violence, and shocking plot twists than its predecessor. Although the show is inspired by the video game “League of Legends,” don’t be misled; “Arcane” boasts a narrative that rivals anything in the genre. The show mainly focuses on two sisters, Vi (portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell), who are uprooted from their simple beginnings and thrust into a destructive class conflict, ultimately leading them to face each other. Even if you’re not acquainted with the game, this show is still highly enjoyable, demonstrating its exceptional quality.

In a three-part series spanning the entire month of November, the intriguing story unfolds on specific dates. The initial part is released on November 9, followed by the second part on November 16, and concluding with the third part on November 23. Throughout this captivating journey, you’ll be joining Vi, Jinx, and other combatants as they engage in intense battles to decide the fate of Piltover and Zaun.

Cobra Kai season 6, part two: November 15 (Netflix)

You may be asking why a show about groups of plucky teenagers who devote their lives to martial arts so they can travel the world and earn ultimate glory is on a list of sci-fi and fantasy series. Or maybe that description answered your question. Cobra Kai may not technically be a sci-fi or fantasy show, but it’s got as many plot twists as Game of Thrones, as many fight scenes as The Matrix, and as many whirling camera arcs as also The Matrix. It’s a globe-trotting melodrama with kicking. Why do you resist?

Currently, Cobra Kai is in the heart of its last and sixth season. The initial five episodes were released in July, with another five set for release on November 15th, and the remaining ones will follow suit next year. Greetings from Barcelona!

Silo season 2: November 15 (Apple TV+)

The popular sci-fi series on Apple TV+ titled Silo will be making a comeback in November. This series, based on Hugh Howie’s book series of the same name, follows the lives of the last 10,000 people on Earth who reside in an enormous underground shelter called the Silo. They’ve been living there for so long that they can’t recall the details about how the world met its end or why the surface is now uninhabitable. This mystery leaves room for exploring hidden truths.

In the initial season of the series, the character Juliette Nichols (played by Rebecca Ferguson), a newly appointed sheriff, uncovered the truth bit by bit. However, her discoveries only led to more puzzles. It appears that there are additional underground facilities existing somewhere, inhabited by individuals of unknown nature. Spending one’s entire life underground can lead to some peculiar and unpredictable behaviors.

On November 15, you can find “Silo” streaming once a week on Apple TV+. The series concludes with its final episode in January of 2025.

Dune: Prophecy: November 17 (HBO/Max)

The “Dune” films have proven successful for Warner Bros. Discovery on the big screen. They’re now venturing into television with a prequel series slated for HBO and Max. Titled “Dune: Prophecy“, this series is set millennia before the events of “Dune” and explores the early days of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, a secretive group of women who wield immense influence in the galaxy. Boasting an impressive cast, Emily Watson and Olivia Williams portray Valya and Tula Harkonnen respectively, Travis Fimmel from “Vikings” takes on the enigmatic soldier Desmond Hart, and Mark Strong assumes the role of the emperor ruling the entire universe.

Similar to films, Dune: Prophecy is expected to deliver a weighty and thoughtful science fiction experience. Its debut episode will air on November 17 as the first installment in a series of six episodes.

Outlander season 7, part two: November 22 (Starz)

Starz’s time-traveling love story, Outlander, is nearing its conclusion! Previously, Claire and Jamie Fraser were traveling to Scotland, Jamie’s homeland, to resolve outstanding matters and avoid the impending Revolutionary War in the American colonies. However, as with many episodes of this show, these lovers will once again be separated, adding to the challenges they’ve already faced together.

Additionally, prepare for some intriguing time-warp adventures; note that Jamie is a local of the 18th century, while Claire traveled from the 20th century to stay there. Despite having relatives in the future, both characters will embark on separate voyages of their own.

The second part of the seventh season of Outlander is coming up, and following that, only one more season remains until Starz wraps up the entire series.

Gladiator II: November 22

I’ve found myself gravitating towards movies this month, not because I’m growing tired of TV series, but simply due to how the calendar arranges itself chronologically. Speaking of movies, I recently came across “Gladiator II,” a follow-up to the Academy Award-winning film “Gladiator” that was released back in 2000. It’s been two decades since the events depicted in the original film, where our protagonist Maximus met his demise. In this sequel, we find Maximus’ son Lucius (Paul Mescal) stepping into the gladiatorial arena of ancient Rome, seeking inspiration from his father to stand tall amidst adversity.

Just as with the original movie, “Gladiator II” is also helmed by Ridley Scott. Notable actors such as Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn are part of the ensemble. Prepare for an expansive historical saga gracing the big screen on November 22nd.

Wicked: November 22

Similar to how the film “Gladiator” was initially released in the early 2000s and is now returning to screens after almost a quarter-century, the musical adaptation of “Wicked,” based on “The Wizard of Oz,” originally premiered on Broadway during that time. This production provides a fresh perspective on the well-known story by focusing on the Wicked Witch of the West, known as Elphaba, and her close friend Glinda, more commonly recognized as the Good Witch of the North.

Fans of musicals adore the film “Wicked”, and Universal has spared no effort to make it exceptional. Notably, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who are both superb vocalists, have been cast as Elphaba and Glinda respectively, ensuring that there will be no tuning issues for viewers.

As a movie enthusiast, let me share some insights: You might find it surprising that this is only part of a two-part film adaptation based on the musical. If you’re planning to watch the whole tale unfold in one sitting, I regret to say that you may leave the cinema feeling unsatisfied. The concluding chapter, titled “Wicked Part Two”, will be released next year, wrapping up the story beautifully.

Moana 2: November 27

In the initial “Moana” film, our Polynesian heroine Moana embarked on her long-desired journey across the globe, sailing the seas as she had always imagined. However, she’s now returned, and things are not as straightforward as they seem. The sequel includes melodious tunes, enigmatic islands, the reappearance of The Rock as the god-like Maui, anthropomorphic animals, and even human-like coconuts – yes, you heard it right! This grand Disney animated production is a delightful spectacle for children of all ages and will be gracing theaters on November 27.

This collection doesn’t cover every detail, but if you’re in the mood for some humorous animated content, “Invincible Fight Girl” debuts on Adult Swim on November 2 and might be the action-adventure pro wrestling show you’ve been waiting for. It’s also worth noting that “Yellowstone,” one of the most-watched TV shows, is back for the second half of its fifth and final season on November 10. At times, this western drama can get so dramatic and over-the-top that it borders on fantasy.

So there’s a good amount to choose from this month! Enjoy.

2024-10-30 17:41

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