Let’s be honest. Summer’s slate of films didn’t prove super exciting. Fortunately, fall offers more potential. From fantasy films to Oscar bait, here are ten of the season’s most promising.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (top photo)

J.K. Rowling turns to screenwriting for the first time with the first film in a spinoff trilogy to the Harry Potter series. Back in 1926, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arrives at the Magical Congress of the United States of America for an important meeting. With him is a briefcase that contains a number of dangerous creatures. When the creatures escape, Newt is pursued by the American wizards.

Opens nationwide Nov. 18

 

The Accountant

Ben Affleck stars as Christian Wolff, a mathematics savant who works as a forensic accountant for criminal organizations. When a Treasury agent (J.K. Simmons) begins to pursue him, Christian takes on a legitimate client, but as he begins to investigate a multimillion-dollar discrepancy, bodies begin to pile up.

Opens nationwide Oct. 14

 

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk

The latest film from Oscar-winning director Ang Lee centers around Billy Lynn (Joe Alwyn), a member of the Bravo Squad in Iraq. After surviving a brutal fight, Lynn and other survivors of the skirmish return to the U.S. as war heroes. The government sends them on a “Victory Tour” to promote support for the war. Then comes the news that the soldiers have not been relieved of their duty and, following the tour, they are set to return to Iraq.

Opens nationwide Nov. 11

 

Desierto

The new thriller from Jonás Cuarón (Gravity) follows a group of Mexican migrant workers who are looking for a better life as they plan to cross the U.S. border. The men and women suddenly find themselves in a fight to stay alive when a vigilante with a rifle begins to chase them across the desert.

Opens nationwide Oct. 14

 

Doctor Strange

The Marvel Cinematic Universe goes into some new dimensions with their latest film. When Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), the world’s top neurosurgeon, is injured in a car accident, his career is ruined. He sets out on a journey of healing, where he encounters the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), who begins to train him in the mystic arts.

Opens nationwide Nov. 4

 

The Girl on the Train

Looking for a good literary adaptation in the vein of Gone Girl? Look no further. Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt), an alcoholic divorcée, takes the train to work every day. During her commute, she fantasizes about a young couple that lives down the street from her ex-husband (Justin Theroux). One morning, though, she sees something shocking and finds herself involved in a mystery that will change the lives of everyone involved.

Opens nationwide Oct. 7

 

Loving

In 1958, Richard (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred Loving (Ruth Negga) were arrested and sentenced to prison in Virginia because their marriage violated Virginia’s anti-miscegenation laws. After leaving Virginia for Washington, DC, the couple sued the state, eventually leading to the landmark Supreme Court case of Loving v. Virginia.

Opens nationwide Nov. 4

 

Manchester by the Sea

Anyone who follows the Oscar race should have this film on their radar. After his brother suddenly dies, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is made the legal guardian of his nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). Lee returns to his hometown, where he’s forced to come to terms with both his ex-wife Randi (Michelle Williams) and the community at large.

Opens in limited release Nov. 18

 

Moana

The directors of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, two of Disney’s biggest musicals, are teaming up with Lin-Manuel Miranda, the man behind the biggest Broadway musical in years – Hamilton – for their latest adventure. Set in the South Pacific, Moana follows a young girl named Moana (Auli’i Cravalho), a young navigator who sets sail for an ancient island with the help of her hero, the demi-god Maui (Dwayne Johnson).

Opens nationwide Nov. 23

 

Nocturnal Animals

Out fashion designer Tom Ford, who made a splash with his directorial debut A Single Man back in 2009, finally follows that film up with this adaptation of the book Tony and Susan. Susan Morrow (Amy Adams) is haunted by a novel her ex-husband has written, which she interprets as a veiled threat of revenge.

Opens nationwide Nov. 18