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What ‘Hamnet’ Taught Paul Mescal About Love in His Own Life
Paul Mescal isn’t sorry about keeping his loved ones close.
For the Normal People alum, playing William Shakespeare during a particularly difficult time in his life in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet ultimately informed how he now views the world around him.
“If the film’s taught me anything, and it’s taught me many things, it’s that you can’t be a great version of yourself without the immense support from the people around you,” Paul shared in an exclusive E! News interview in November. “As a society, we’ve become individualized and need to carve out our own path. And actually, it’s a hell of a lot more enjoyable and more exciting to do that in contact with people with a real desire to love and be loved.”
It's a message Chloé also shared at the 2026 Golden Globes Jan. 11 after winning Best Picture Drama, thanking Paul for reminding her of the importance of vulnerability.
While this lesson was certainly reiterated for Paul as he partook in filming the adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel—which explores Shakespeare writing Hamlet amid grieving the death of his son Hamnet—alongside costars Joe Alwyn and Jessie Buckley, he hasn’t strayed away from keeping his loved ones close, even in the public eye.
After all, the Oscar nominee was supported by girlfriend Gracie Abrams earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of History of Sound.
Although the couple did not walk the carpet together for the high-profile outing, they coordinated looks with the daughter of J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath sporting a grand black ballgown, while the 29-year-old wore an all-black tuxedo.
A month later, the couple went Instagram official as they attended Glastonbury Festival together. Gracie shared several posts from the weekend music event, including a video of herself sitting on top of her boyfriend’s shoulders as they enjoyed Olivia Rodrigo’s headlining set.
Marion Curtis/StarPix for Focus Features/Shutterstock
And while Paul and Gracie have both been firm about not commenting explicitly on their year-long romance, the 26-year-old previously shared she took a page out of mentor Taylor Swift’s book when it comes to sharing her personal life through song.
“I feel like all of her words are words of wisdom in every capacity ever,” Gracie admitted to E! News during the 2024 Grammys red carpet. “But honestly, I think before I even knew her personally, she taught me to write all the time and to just tell the truth in my writing. And that is something that I carry with me forever. I write every day because of that advice.”
In addition to Hamnet, keep reading for more films to add to your must-watch list…
Focus Features
Hamnet - December 12, 2025
Based on the award-winning 2020 novel by Maggie O'Farrell and directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, Hamnet tells the story of how William Shakespeare endured family tragedy to create his masterpiece, Hamlet. Starring Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, and Joe Alwyn.
Where to Watch: In select theaters on Nov. 27, expanding nationwide on Dec. 12.
20th Century Studios
Avatar: Fire and Ash - December 19, 2025
Director James Cameron delivers the third film in his blockbuster Avatar franchise, promising a darker storyline as Jake and Neytiri's family clash with the Mangkwan Clan, also known as the Ash People. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Kate Winslet,Oona Chaplin, and Michelle Yeoh.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate
The Housemaid - December 19, 2025
Based on the best-selling novel by Freida McFadden, this thriller follows a young woman (Sydney Sweeney) who accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy couple (Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar) and soon finds herself trapped in a seductive game of secrets and scandal.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Searchlight Pictures
Is This Thing On? - December 19, 2025
Directed by Bradley Cooper and starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern, this comedy-drama follows a middle-aged comedian navigating an impending divorce.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Paramount Pictures
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants - December 19, 2025
SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends set sail on a seafaring comedy-adventure, complete with ghost pirates.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Kimberley French / Netflix
Goodbye June - December 24, 2025
It’s nearly Christmas when an unexpected turn in their mother’s health thrusts four adult siblings, and their exasperating father, into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics in the face of potential loss. Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut and stars alongside Helen Mirren, Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn, and Timothy Spall.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
A24
Marty Supreme - December 25, 2025
Timothée Chalamet takes the lead in this 1950s-set sports drama about a young man with a dream of becoming a champion table-tennis player. Also starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A'zion.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Focus Features
Song Sung Blue - December 25, 2025
Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Sony Pictures
Anaconda - December 25, 2025
Jack Black and Paul Rudd star in this comedy adventure about two friends who travel to the Amazon to film a remake of their all-time favorite snake movie, and find themselves facing off against an actual giant anaconda.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Netflix
People We Meet on Vacation - January 9, 2026
Tom Blyth and Emily Bader star in the movie adaptation of Emily Henry's bestselling romance novel.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Paramount Pictures
Primate - January 9, 2026
A group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of
horror and survival.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Claire Folger/Netflix
The Rip - January 16, 2026
BFFs Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite for this action thriller about a team of Miami cops who discover millions in cash in a derelict stash house and along with it some serious trust issues. Also starring Teyana Taylor and Steven Yeun.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Sony Pictures
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple - January 16, 2026
Ralph Fiennes stars in this spin-off of the post-apocalyptic franchise, in which the inhumanity of the survivors becomes even more terrifying than the infected.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Amazon MGM Studios
Mercy - January 23, 2026
In the near future, a detective (Chris Pratt) stands on trial accused of murdering his wife. He has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced A.I. Judge (Rebecca Ferguson) he once championed, before it determines his fate.
Where to Watch: In theaters
A24
The Moment - January 30, 2026
Charli XCX stars in this mockumentary about a rising pop star navigating the complexities of fame and industry pressure while preparing for her arena tour debut. Featuring Kylie Jenner, Alexander Skarsgard, Rachel Sennott, and Rosanna Arquette.
Where to Watch: In select theaters
20th Century Studios
Send Help - January 30, 2026
Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien star in this dark comedy about two office colleagues who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after they are the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Sony Picture Animation
GOAT - February 13, 2026
From the studio behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse comes this animated comedy set in an all-animal world that follows Will, a small goat who gets the chance to play roarball - a dangerous, full-contact game dominated by the fiercest foes. Featuring Stephen Curry, Gabrielle Union, and Caleb McLaughlin.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
Wuthering Heights - February 14, 2026
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi step into the iconic roles of Catherine and Heathcliff in Saltburn director Emerald Fennell's new adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel.
Where to Watch: In theaters
A24
How To Make a Killing - February 20, 2026
Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, blue-collar Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Paramount Pictures
Scream 7 - February 27, 2026
Neve Campbell returns to the Scream franchise as iconic final girl Sidney Prescott, this time to protect her own family from a new Ghostface killer. Also starring Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mckenna Grace, and plenty of surprise cameos.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
The Bride! - March 6, 2026
In writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal's new take on the classic 1935 Bride of Frankenstein film, a lonely Frankenstein (Christian Bale) travels to 1930s Chicago to ask a groundbreaking scientist to create a companion (Jessie Buckley) for him. Also starring Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Penelope Cruz.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Disney/Pixar
Hoppers - March 6, 2026
Pixar’s all-new feature film introduces Mabel, an animal lover who uses new technology to “hop” human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals!
Where to Watch: In theaters
Amazon MGM Studios
Project Hail Mary - March 20, 2026
Based on Andy Weir's (The Martian) best-selling novel, this sci-fi adventure stars Ryan Gosling as a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship light years from home and, as his memory returns, begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Paramount Pictures
Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft - The Tour (Live in 3D) - March 20, 2026
Captured during Billie's sold-out world tour and co-directed by James Cameron, this immersive 3D film brings an innovative new concert experience to the big screen.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Searchlight Pictures
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come - March 27, 2026
The hit 2019 horror-comedy returns to find final girl Grace facing the next level of the nightmarish game. Starring a killer cast including Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, and Elijah Wood.
Where to Watch: In theaters
A24
The Drama - April 3, 2026
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star as a happily engaged couple who are put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Universal Pictures
You, Me & Tuscany - April 10, 2026
Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page star in this rom-com set against the beautiful vineyards of Italy.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Kevin Mazur/Lionsgate
Michael - April 24, 2026
Jaafar Jackson portrays his uncle, Michael Jackson, in this biopic about the "King of Pop".
Where to Watch: In theaters
20th Century Studios
The Devil Wears Prada 2 - May 1, 2026
Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to their iconic roles and the offices of Runway Magazine in this eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon. Also starring Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley and Kenneth Branagh.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
Mortal Kombat II - May 15, 2026
The latest installment in the video game franchise (following 2021's Mortal Kombat reboot) sees the fan favorite champions pitted against one another in the battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn. Starring Karl Urban, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tati Gabrielle, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, and more.
Where to Watch: In theaters
This story was originally published Nov. 26, 2025.
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