The movies to see this fall: ‘Creed 2,’ ‘A Star is Born,’ ‘First Man’ and more

A look at some of the top movies to hit theaters this fall.

Bradley Cooper, left, and Lady Gaga in a scene from the latest reboot of the film 'A Star is Born.'Read moreWarner Bros.

Published Sep. 12, 2018, 5:00 a.m. ET

Locals looking for escapism at the movies this fall may have to settle for more of a staycation, given the amount of Philadelphia-related content on the schedule.

There's Kevin Hart's comedy Night School (Sept. 28), there's the shot-in-Philadelphia continuation of the Rocky saga Creed 2 (Nov. 21), and there's the movie everyone's already going gaga over – A Star is Born (Oct. 5).

It stars Rydal native and conspicuous Eagles fan Bradley Cooper. It's directed by Bradley Cooper. Several of the songs are written and performed by Bradley Cooper. No word on whether Cooper will also serve as usher, projectionist, and concessionaire.

He plays on-the-wane singing star Jackson Maine, nurturing the career of a promising singer (Lady Gaga) as he falls in love with her and tries to kick addiction. There is already speculation that four-time Oscar nominee Cooper will be nominated in multiple categories, front-running in what is typically the time of year when Oscar movies are released.

Here are the opening dates for some of the notable movies on the fall schedule, with the disclaimer that all dates are subject to change.

Blaze (Sept 21). Ethan Hawke directs this biopic, popular at Sundance, about the life of Outlaw Country artist Blaze Foley (Ben Dickey). Costarring Alia Shawkat, Sam Rockwell, and Steve Zahn.

Night School (Sept. 28). Malcolm Lee (Girls Trip) directs Kevin Hart in this comedy about a man who needs his GED, and who enrolls in an unconventional night school class run by Tiffany Haddish.

A Star Is Born (Oct. 5). The latest version of the classic showbiz weeper, with Bradley Cooper as a troubled singer on the decline and Lady Gaga as the protege he falls for. The leads sing their own original material, as well as tunes cowritten by stars like Jason Isbell.

Venom (Oct. 5). Tom Hardy plays the shape-shifting Marvel character, a disreputable reporter whose nose for news gets a rather fearsome upgrade when his body is invaded by an alien DNA that turns him into a beast. With Riz Ahmed.

First Man (Oct. 12). Damien Chazelle (La La Land) reteams with Ryan Gosling for a movie about Neil Armstrong, the astronaut's dangerous missions, and their effect on his family. Claire Foy plays Armstrong's wife.

The Old Man and the Gun (Oct. 12). Robert Redford, in what he says is his final role, plays an incorrigible outlaw who robbed many banks, was arrested many times, and escaped many times. The cast includes Sissy Spacek, Casey Affleck, Danny Glover, and Tom Waits.

Halloween (Oct. 19). This Halloween reboot brings back Jamie Lee Curtis, reprising her role as Laurie Strode, preparing to confront the terrifying figure she encountered decades earlier. Directed by David Gordon Green.

The Hate U Give (Oct. 19). Based on the YA novel about a teen (Amandla Stenberg) who sees a black friend killed by police and who is caught between the different reactions in her neighborhood and at her private school.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (Nov. 2). Disney's expanded take on the original E.T.A. Hoffmann story, starring MacKenzie Foy as a young woman transported into a magical realm of gingerbread men and dancing mice. With Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and Keira Knightley.

Widows (Nov. 16). A woman (Viola Davis) loses her husband (Liam Neeson), then her bearings, when she learns he was living a double life and left a tab of $2 million. With two other women (Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debecki), she devises a plan to come up with the money by hook or by crook. Directed by Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave).

Instant Family (Nov. 16). Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) set out to foster one kid and find themselves with a family of three — including a teenager (Isabela Moner). Inspired by the experiences of writer-director Sean Anders (Daddy's Home).

Creed 2 (Nov. 21). Michael B. Jordan returns as the son of Apollo Creed in this sequel facing off against the son (Florian Munteanu) of the Soviet fighter (Dolph Lundgren) who killed his dad. With Tessa Thompson and Sylvester Stallone.

Mary Queen of Scots (Dec. 7). The deadly struggle for the English throne between Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie) and Mary Stuart (Saoirse Ronan) recast as a drama about women navigating hostile male power structures.