Movies

The sequel to 2021’s *The Black Phone* had a great opening weekend, despite it being a generally slow time for movie releases. *The Black Phone 2* was a success for Blumhouse Productions, launching the spooky season with $26.5 million in North American ticket sales. The film has already earned back its $30 million production cost, and with $15.5 million earned internationally, its worldwide total currently stands at $42 million.

Over the last decade, we’ve seen a trend of revisiting classic movie franchises with new sequels – think recent films like *Mad Max*, *Halloween*, and *Ghostbusters*. Here’s a look at 10 of those long-awaited sequels that are coming soon.

Now that *Peacemaker* Season 2 has finished airing, the next DC Universe project will be *Lanterns*. It’s expected to arrive on HBO in the spring, before the *Supergirl* movie comes out on June 26, 2026. The series will focus on the stories of John Stewart (played by Aaron Pierre) and Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler), but details about the plot are still mostly a secret.

A Marvel Studios rumor account, Cosmic Marvel, reports that Charlie Cox, known for playing Daredevil, was questioned about a possible role in the upcoming *Avengers: Secret Wars* movie. According to the account, during an interview with *ComicBook.com*, Cox was asked if he would be appearing alongside Ben Affleck. Cox reportedly responded, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Gloria Estefan is marking five decades as a musician, a career highlighted by eight Grammy Awards, over 100 million albums sold, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. However, she recently surprised many by announcing that actress Rachel Zegler will portray her in a new biographical film.

According to BoxOfficeTheory’s projections, *Zootopia 2* is expected to earn between $115 and $130 million during its opening weekend. This estimate covers only the traditional Friday-to-Sunday period. Because the film opens on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, the total opening numbers will likely be higher. The first *Zootopia* film debuted with $75 million in March 2016 and ultimately earned $341 million in the U.S. and $1 billion globally.

Jennifer Lopez became famous for starring in a string of popular romantic comedies during the 2000s, and her latest film could signal a comeback for the actress. The movie, available on Netflix, was written specifically for Lopez by Brett Goldstein and Joe Kelly, the writers behind *Ted Lasso*. Lopez has hinted to fans that this project might be a bit more grown-up and playful than her previous romantic comedies. She shared this information on *Watch What Happens Live*.

ABC Film Challenge – Horror – S

The show *Emergence* aired for one season between 2019 and 2020. It followed a complex story involving artificial intelligence, wealthy and secretive figures, conspiracy theories, and hidden explanations for strange events. Despite positive reviews from both critics and viewers, the show was canceled after just one season, leaving viewers with unanswered questions and just as the plot was really getting interesting. *Emergence* wasn’t a typical science fiction show; it explored the possibilities of AI well before AI became a mainstream topic with tools like ChatGPT.

Popular anime series like *Psycho-Pass* and *Tower of God* often stumble not because of weak stories, but because of how those stories are brought to life. Issues like excessive action ruining emotional scenes, rushed plots skipping over character growth, or changes in the animation studio can all contribute to a decline in quality. These shows often begin strongly, build a dedicated fanbase, and then disappoint after just one lackluster season.