New year holidays bring a flurry of weekly releases. A few days ahead of the usual schedule, new films arrive this Wednesday, ranging from Aquaman to documentaries like Samsara, Beyoncé on tour, and an animated family feature Migration. It’s a month of diverse cinema, offering reviews and fresh perspectives for movie lovers across North America.
Aquaman Returns to the Seas
James Wan revives the DC universe with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Aquaman is played by Jason Momoa, joined by Amber Heard and Nicole Kidman, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Affleck in supporting roles. Black Manta, portrayed by Abdul-Mateen II, remains determined to avenge his father’s death and pits himself against the ocean king once again. He wields the legendary Black Trident, a weapon that unleashes an ancient, malevolent force.
After Chocolate, Binoche Returns to the Kitchen in Low Fire
Directing award winner Tran Anh Hung returns to the screen with a culinary romance set in 1885. Juliette Binoche fronts the story as a French chef whose life intertwines with that of a renowned gourmet played by Benoît Magimel, who hopes to propose. The film showcases French cuisine through a choreography of sound, texture, and gesture, guided by the expertise of the world’s top chef Pierre Gagnaire, who orchestrates a remarkable feast of flavor and craft.
Lois Patiño Seeks Peace of Mind with Samsara
Experimental filmmaker Lois Patiño crafts a meditative cinema rooted in Buddhist ideas. Samsara follows a young apprentice who recites the Bardo Thödol to an elder woman, a sacred text intended to guide the dying through the afterlife. The old woman’s passing becomes a doorway to a deep, sensory journey into the soul, inviting viewers to consider rebirth and the moments between lives. The journey culminates in a symbolic rebirth involving a coastal town near Tanzania.
Spanish Comedy Celebrating Life How Much Do I Have Left
A group of doctors with steady lives face the shock of a shortened prognosis for one member. Confronted with time dwindling, the friends scramble to maximize remaining moments while shaping the futures they’ll share. The ensemble includes Kira Miró, Salva Reina, Antonio Pagudo, and Eva Ugarte, under the direction of Carolina Bassecourt and from the script by Marta Buchaca, based on her theater work of the same name.
Documentary Spotlight: Beyoncé and the Renaissance Tour
Building on the spotlight that followed the Beyoncé journey, a new documentary delves into the artist’s work as a creator and producer on the Renaissance World Tour. The film chronicles her artistry across 56 shows in 39 cities and 12 countries during 2023, highlighting the impact of her creative leadership. The journey captivated audiences from Stockholm to Kansas City, with millions drawn into the experience.
Migration: An Upside-Down Journey from Super Mario Bros. Studios
From the studio behind hit animated franchises like Super Mario Bros. and Sing!, a new family adventure arrives. The film follows a family of ducks ready to entertain audiences this holiday season. It invites viewers to face fears, embrace new adventures, and explore the world beyond their pond as the Mallard family encounters a migratory flock that signals a path toward distant Jamaica via New York.
Femme: A Queer Thriller of Seduction and Revenge
The life of Jules, a transgender performer, is upended after a brutal act of homophobia. Reunited with his attacker, Preston, at a gay sauna, Jules finds a chance for revenge. Directors Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping probe the ties between two opposing figures as they wrestle with inner demons in a story that questions homophobia, transphobia, personal growth, and redemption through an erotically charged arc of revenge.
Michel Gondry Returns with The Book of Solutions
Michel Gondry, a cult director known for earlier works, returns with a semi-autobiographical comedy about the pains and delights of creation. The plot follows Marc, an eccentric filmmaker who clashes with producers, escapes to a small town to finish a project, and compiles a practical guide to solving creative problems while navigating a strange chaos that threatens the film’s completion.
Tender Heavies: A Story of Friendship and Music
Juanjo Sáez revisits his childhood to tell a tale of friendship, adolescence, and heavy metal. The animated series adaptation follows the two friends, Juanjo and Miquel, as they navigate life in Barcelona in 1991. The film captures the ethos of youth, music, and belonging as their world unfolds with honesty and energy.
Reading these new releases gives audiences a vivid cross-section of contemporary cinema—from epic superhero adventures to intimate character studies, from experimental documentaries to buoyant comedies. Each title promises a unique lens on storytelling, performance, and design, inviting viewers to choose adventures that resonate with their mood and curiosity. Attribution: festival reviews and studio notes provide context for the selections in this overview.