Indie Film Release Guide: November 25th [An ONTD Original]

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This week’s round-up is a little early thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday, with films releasing all throughout the week rather than just on Friday. Each film’s release date is noted alongside where you can find it playing.

The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Columbia/Sony and Disney. All films listed will be available at their respective sources on Friday unless otherwise noted. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have already come to VOD: November 20th, November 13th, and November 6th.

Happiest Season

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Stars: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Dan Levy, Alison Brie
Writer: Clea DuVall, Mary Holland
Director: Clea DuVall
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot: Meeting your girlfriend’s family for the first time can be tough. Planning to propose at her family’s annual Christmas dinner - until you realize that they don’t even know she’s gay - is even harder. When Abby learns that Harper has kept their relationship a secret from her family, she begins to question the girlfriend she thought she knew.
What you should know: The song in the trailer is “Make You Mine This Season” by Tegan and Sara.
Where to stream: Hulu, available November 25th



The Christmas Chronicles 2

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Stars: Darby Camp, Jahzir Bruno, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn
Writer: Matt Lieberman, Chris Columbus
Director: Chris Colombus
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Plot: Kate Pierce, now a cynical teen, is unexpectedly reunited with Santa Claus when a mysterious troublemaker threatens to cancel Christmas - forever.
What you should know: This is a sequel to 2018’s The Christmas Chronicles.
Where to stream: Netflix, available November 25th

Uncle Frank

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Stars: Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, Peter Macdissi, Judy Greer
Writer/Director: Alan Ball
Genre: Drama
Plot: In 1973, when Frank Bledsoe and his 18-year-old niece Beth take a road trip from Manhattan to Creekville, South Carolina for the family patriarch's funeral, they're unexpectedly joined by Frank's lover Walid.
What you should know: The character of Frank is based in part on writer/director Alan Ball’s own father.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime, available November 25th

Superintelligence

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Stars: Melissa McCarthy, James Corden, Bobby Cannavale, Brian Tyree Henry
Writer: Steve Mallory
Director: Ben Falcone
Genre: Action, Comedy
Plot: When an all-powerful Superintelligence chooses to study average Carol Peters, the fate of the world hangs in the balance. As the A.I. decides to enslave, save or destroy humanity, it's up to Carol to prove that people are worth saving.
What you should know: Melissa McCarthy and Bobby Cannavale previously costarred in 2015’s Spy.
Where to stream: HBO Max, available November 26th

Princess of the Row

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Stars: Edi Gathegi, Tayler Buck, Martin Sheen, Ana Ortiz
Writer: A Shawn Austin, Van Maximilian Carlson
Director: Van Maximilian Carlson
Genre: Drama
Plot: The inspiring tale of a runaway foster child who will stop at nothing to live with the only family she knows: her homeless, mentally-ill veteran father who lives on the streets of LA's skid row.
What you should know: This film toured the festival circuit in 2019, gathering several nominations and wins.
Where to stream: Available VOD on November 27th

Stardust

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Stars: Johnny Flynn, Marc Maron, Jena Malone, Derek Moran
Writer: Christopher Bell, Gabriel Range
Director: Gabriel Range
Genre: Drama
Plot: In 1971, a 24-year-old fledgling David Bowie is sent to America to promote his newest record, The Man Who Sold the World. Leaving behind his pregnant wife Angie, Bowie and his band embark on a makeshift coast-to-coast promotional tour with struggling Mercury Records publicist Rob Oberman.
What you should know: The filmmakers didn’t have permission to use Bowie’s music catalog.
Where to stream: Available VOD on November 25th

Zappa

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Director: Alex Winter
Genre: Documentary
Plot: An in-depth look into the life and work of musician Frank Zappa.
What you should know: Director Alex Winter may be best known for playing Bill in the Bill and Ted films, but he’s also an experienced director.
Where to stream: Available VOD on November 27th

Lovers Rock

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Stars: Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn, Micheal Ward, Shaniqua Okwok, Kedar Williams-Stirling
Writer: Steve McQueen, Courttia Newland
Director: Steve McQueen
Genre: Drama
Plot: A single evening at a house party in 1980s West London sets the scene, developing intertwined relationships against a background of violence, romance and music.
What you should know: This is the second of five films in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology, airing on the BBC and Amazon.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime, available November 27th

Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square

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Stars: Dolly Parton, Christine Baranski, Treat Williams, Jeanine Mason
Writer: Maria S. Schlatter
Director: Debbie Allen
Genre: Family, Musical
Plot: An embittered "Scrooge" of a woman plans to sell her small town, regardless of the consequences to the people who live there.
What you should know: Features 14 original songs by Dolly Parton.
Where to stream: Netflix, available now

Last Call

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Stars: John Malkovich, Rodrigo Santoro, Rhys Ifans, Romola Garai
Writer/Director: Steven Bernstein
Genre: Drama
Plot: Dylan Thomas, the famous Welsh poet and writer, examines his life and loves in New York City.
What you should know: Writer/director wrote the film in the same Chelsea hotel where Thomas died.
Where to watch: In theaters, available November 25th

More New Releases

The Croods 2: A New Age (Trailer)
Train to Busan: Peninsula (Trailer)
Belushi (Trailer) on Showtime
Shawn Mendes: In Wonder (Trailer) on Netflix
Black Beauty (Trailer) on Disney+

New to Streaming

Hillbilly Elegy (Trailer) on Netflix

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?