Although November is traditionally a slow season for the film market, several new films have been scheduled for release in cinemas this month, making movie fans eagerly anticipate them, much like the Lunar New Year.
For example, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Infinity Castle," which was just announced to be released on November 14, is the climax of the super popular "Demon Slayer" IP series and has already created box office miracles in many parts of the world; while Disney's big IPs like "Zootopia 2" are also full of imagination and anticipation; "Now You See Me 3" and "Predator: Killing Fields" each have their own loyal fans, so every weekend in November has a blockbuster to fill the gap.
It's worth noting that November's "smaller films" are brimming with the diverse beauty and nuances of life. The Venice Silver Lion winner *The Sun Rises* and the Cannes Special Jury Prize winner *Wild Times* offered a feast of art films at the beginning and end of the month, respectively; the Shanghai dialect film *Wonton with Vegetables*, released mid-month, vividly portrays the local life and reveals the hidden anxieties of contemporary senior citizens; and *Three Drops of Blood*, featuring breakthrough performances by Hu Ge and Wen Qi, offers insightful observations and awareness of the evils lurking in society's "hidden corners"...
From globally sweeping animated epics and magic legends returning after a nine-year hiatus, to crime narratives rooted in reality and artistic experiments deconstructing human nature, November's new releases span diverse genres including science fiction, animation, crime, and romance. They offer both the nostalgia of IP sequels and the sharp brilliance of original works. As always, if you're looking to go to the cinema, there's something for everyone.
Here are some new movie recommendations for November.
Sun at its zenith
Director: Cai Shangjun
Starring: Xin Zhilei, Zhang Songwen, Feng Shaofeng
Release date: November 7th
Synopsis: Mei Yun (Xin Zhilei), a clothing store owner, is trying to start a new life with her boyfriend Qi Feng (Feng Shaofeng), but unexpectedly reunites with her ex-boyfriend Bao Shu (Zhang Songwen), who once took the blame for her and went to jail. A hit-and-run incident seven years ago becomes an inescapable shadow for the three of them.
Highlights: Venice Film Festival Best Actress-level performance, Xin Zhilei precisely conveys the character's forbearance, struggle and despair through micro-expressions, Cai Shangjun once again portrays the personal fate under the torrent of the times, which is truly poignant.
Expectation Index: 4.5 stars
Predator: Killing Fields
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Starring: Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Kolo Amatangi
Release date: November 7th
Synopsis: Set on a distant planet in the future, the story follows Dek, a young Predator who, having failed his coming-of-age trials, is banished by his tribe and forced into the "Killing Grounds," a place feared even by top hunters. There, he unexpectedly allies with Shia, an android created by the Weyland Yugaya Corporation—Shia is only a half-body android who moves via mechanical devices but possesses extraordinary data analysis abilities. The two embark on a journey to find their "ultimate adversary," gradually uncovering the ancient secrets of the Predators hidden in this land.
Highlights: A classic Hollywood IP since the 1980s, the Predator travels to the future, its hard science fiction setting evolving with the times. It reveals for the first time the Predator's "exile system" and "bloodline inheritance," injecting a new narrative dimension into this classic IP. Created by the team behind *Alien: The Deadly Ship*, this thriller is best experienced in theaters for the full thrill.
Expectation Index: 3.5 stars
Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Girl: The Dragon Who Fears Loneliness
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Voice actors: Maria Naganawa, Mutsumi Tamura, Yuki Kuwahara, Yuki Takada
Release date: November 7th
Synopsis: The Kobayashi family faces an unprecedented challenge as war erupts between two factions in another world. Kanna's father, Chimkamui, decides to take Kanna back to that other world. "Goodbye, Kobayashi..." What will Kanna choose?
Highlights: A critically acclaimed animated film screened at the Shanghai International Film Festival. Beneath its adorable slice-of-life and fantasy adventure exterior lies Kyoto Animation's timeless, heartwarming core.
Expectation Index: 4 stars
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc (Chapter 1: Akaza Strikes Again)
Directors: Hikaru Kondo, Haruo Sotozaki
Voice actors: Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kitō, Hiro Shimono, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
Release date: November 14th
Synopsis: The Demon Slayer Corps' ultimate battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, the progenitor of demons—Tanjiro and his companions fall into Muzan's stronghold, the "Infinity Castle," during the fierce fighting. This castle, controlled by Blood Demon Art, constantly distorts and transforms, becoming a battleground for life and death. The fateful battle between Tanjiro, Giyu Tomioka (the Water Pillar), and Akaza (Upper Moon Three) unfolds. Giyu awakens his Demon Slayer Mark, Tanjiro comprehends the profound meaning of the "Transparent World," and Akaza's struggle between obsession and humanity adds further tragic tension.
Highlights: The final chapter of a top-tier Japanese manga IP, a top-notch audio-visual feast, super-exciting and captivating battles, high emotional intensity and high level of passion, Demon Slayer fans will be ecstatic, and newcomers will definitely not regret it.
Expectation Index: 5 stars
Now You See Me 3
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Seth Graham-Smith, Gavin James, Michael Leslie, Eric Singer, Ed Solomon
Release date: November 14th
Synopsis: Nine years later, the original Four Horsemen return, joining forces with three up-and-coming magicians to tackle the most difficult task in history—stealing the "Stardust Diamond" hidden beneath the Arctic ice. This grand magic show, spanning Paris, Shanghai, and the Arctic, not only incorporates traditional Chinese magic tricks like "disappearing a person" and "ancient magic tricks," but also subtly depicts a battle between good and evil against the mysterious organization "Sky Eye." Behind every magic trick lies a twist of fate.
Highlights: The "disappearing buildings" on the Bund in Shanghai and the "teleportation of famous paintings" at the Louvre Museum in Paris are upgraded magical spectacles that blend with local culture. The original cast returns, and all the classic characters make an appearance, bringing back a strong sense of nostalgia.
Expectation Index: 3.5 stars
Three Drops of Blood
Director: Kang Bo
Starring: Hu Ge, Wen Qi, Yan Ni, Song Jia
Release date: November 15th
Synopsis: "Reindeer," a man whose morality is ambiguous; Li Qi, a pregnant woman; and Ice Pop, a mute boy, all three pretend to be a family. A dark chain of family-run human trafficking gradually comes to light.
Highlights: Hu Ge's character "turns to the dark side," Wen Qi, Yan Ni, and Song Jia deliver powerful performances, the film delves deeply into realistic issues, and even within the cold crime story lies a touch of human warmth.
Expectation Index: 4 stars
Vegetable and meat wontons
Director: Wu Tiange
Starring: Zhou Yemang, Pan Hong, Mao Shanyu, Chen Guoqing, Wang Lin, Xu Xiang
Release date: November 15th
Synopsis: Retired engineer Lao Wang (Zhou Yemang) is worried about his son, who is in his early thirties and still single. With the encouragement of his wife Su Juan (Pan Hong), the restless Lao Wang heads to the matchmaking corner in People's Park, determined to find a wife for his son himself. There, he meets a group of like-minded people, each with their own stories: Lao Jin (Chen Guoqing), a helpful matchmaker with his own hidden worries; the elegant and independent Lin Meiqin (Mao Shanyu); and the outspoken and fiery A Fang (Wang Lin). Originally just trying to find a wife for his son, he unexpectedly gets caught up in a whirlpool of emotions while helping others find partners and listening to their stories.
Highlights: A "silver-haired version of 'The Myth of Love'", featuring a top-tier cast speaking entirely in Shanghainese, bringing to life the everyday life of Shanghai.
Expectation Index: 4 stars
Wild Age
Director: Bi Gan
Starring: Jackson Yee, Shu Qi
Release date: November 22
Synopsis: The film is structured in six chapters, each corresponding to one of the six sensory elements: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and thought. It tells the story of Chen Feng (Jackson Yee), a sound engineer who, while searching for his missing girlfriend (Shu Qi), becomes caught in a mental journey that transcends reality and illusion. Through the remnants left behind by his girlfriend—faded film reels, rusty perfume, and an unfinished recipe—he reconstructs his memories across different sensory dimensions, ultimately finding peace with himself in the labyrinth of his mind.
Highlights: The ever-changing Jackson Yee travels through Bi Gan's poetic imagery, paying homage to the art of film.
Expectation Index: 5 stars
The Hidden Mountains and Rivers
Director: Guo Xufeng
Starring: Chen Qigang, Gautier Capuçon, Maxime Vengerov
Release date: November 25th
Synopsis: *The Hermit's Rivers and Mountains* chronicles the artistic and life-long pursuit of Chen Qigang, a Chinese composer living in France. This music documentary film uses Chen Qigang's reclusive life in Lishui, Zhejiang, China, and interviews as its foundation, following his musical works and rehearsals in various countries around the world in recent years. Presented in a near-prose-poem style, it intertwines Chen Qigang's life experiences with his musical works. Viewers can experience the charm of Chen Qigang's music through music and images, and also immerse themselves in the musician's honest and free expression of thought, gaining an understanding of the secrets of art.
Highlights: The artistic lives of top contemporary Chinese musicians, their rich personalities, and their captivating music.
Expectation Index: 4 stars
Zootopia 2
Directors: Gerald Bush, Baron Howard
Voice actors: Chi Kuan-lin (Judy Hopps), Chang Chen (Nick Fox), Da Peng (Gary the Blue Viper), Fei Xiang (Ma Feiyang), Jin Chen (Tau Bao), Wang Anyu (Bobbo).
Release date: November 26
Synopsis: After a 12-year hiatus, Zootopia faces a new crisis—the city's core energy source, the Harmony Crystal, has been mysteriously stolen, causing abnormal fluctuations in the "nature" of all the animals. Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, the golden duo, team up again and unexpectedly meet the mysterious blue viper Gary. They venture into uncharted territories, from the misty swamps of the rainforest to the floating casinos of the desert, uncovering a shocking secret about the origins of Zootopia behind the crystal's theft.
Highlights: The world-building is significantly expanded, refreshing the imagination with its new setting; the core themes are deepened, with adorable animals adding a philosophical exploration of "nature versus rules" to the classic theme of "breaking prejudice." It offers both adventure suitable for children and realistic metaphors that adults can understand. And after watching the movie, you'll have even more reasons to go to Disneyland!
Expectation Index: 5 stars
