Based on the 1982 novel by Alice Walker—which subsequently was made into Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation in 1985 and a Tony-winning Broadway musical in 2005—the new movie-musical version of The Color Purple will not disappoint. The film stars Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino reprising their Broadway roles, alongside Taraji P. Henson, H.E.R., and Halle Bailey in this powerful story centering the profound bonds between Black women living in the South in the early 1900s. Nothing but death could keep us from it when it arrives in theaters December 25. –Callie Watts
Sofía Vergara stars in and executive produces this limited series about Griselda Blanco, a Colombian drug lord from the 1970s through the early 2000s who became known as “the Godmother” and would go on to run one of the most profitable cocaine cartels in history. Sniff out this addictive series when it drops January 25 on Netflix. –C.W.
3. Kleenex/LiLiPUT by Marlene Marder
Even if you’ve never heard Kleenex/LiLiPUT—Zürich’s first all-girl punk group whose music hit the world in 1978—this new book expanding and further illustrating guitarist Marlene Marder’s original 1986 band diary will send readers racing to find their albums. Marder’s documentation, newly translated into English and enhanced with a treasure trove of flyers, photos, fanzines, and more, is available now at thrillingliving.com. –Lisa Butterworth
4. Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas One and All! tour
The Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, is back, celebrating her fave holiday on the road with her Merry Christmas One and All! live extravaganza. Hitting 13 stops across North America, the tour ends on December 17, so grab your jingle bells and head to mariahcarey.com now, because all you want for Christmas is these tuuuuuuuunes.
–C.W.
5. “Recent Acquisitions” at the National Portrait Gallery
Curated by Robyn Asleson for the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., “Recent Acquisitions,” features 21 new additions to the collection in a variety of mediums that exclusively represent women or were made by women. Subjects include Beyoncé, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Octavia Butler, and Greta Garbo, just to name a few. On view through October 2024. Find out more at npg.si.edu. –C.W.
6. True Detective: Night Country on Max
After a four-year hiatus, True Detective is back with a fourth season focusing on two female detectives played by Jodie Foster and Kali Reis with Issa López (Tigers Are Not Afraid) serving as showrunner, writer, and director. Set in Ennis, Alaska, during the time of year when the town experiences 24 hours of night, the detectives quickly realize the sky isn’t the only darkness descending on their town. Watch it on Max starting January 14. –C.W.
7. Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
The hive is buzzing! Queen Bey is blessing us with another tour film. Following the cultural phenomenon that was her Renaissance World Tour, which had 56 performances in 39 cities worldwide from May until October 2023, this documentary gives fans a chance to catch Beyoncé up close in all her stadium glory. Glows up in theaters December 1. –C.W.
8. Oxford Gardens by Devon Ross
You may have seen actor/model/It girl Devon Ross in last year’s excellent Irma Vep limited series on Max, but did you know she’s also a bona fide rock star? The 23-year-old was recently signed to Thurston Moore and Eva Prinz’s Daydream Library Series label, her first single, “Swim,” is a stunner, and her full-length album, Oxford Gardens, will arrive in February. Get a taste at bandcamp.com. –Laurie Henzel
9. Limón Dance Company Presents: Women’s Stories
An all-female cast from N.Y.C.’s Limón Dance Company will perform some of modern-dance pioneer José Limon’s most acclaimed works: Orfeo, Dances for Isadora, an excerpt from The Winged, and the world premiere of I Must Be Circumstanced, Hilla Ben Ari’s version of Limón’s The Moor’s Pavane, which focuses on the female characters in Othello. The production is for three nights only at New York Live Arts, December 7–9, so grab tickets now at limon.nyc. –C.W.
10. Mean Girls
We will never stop trying to make fetch happen. Which is why we are psyched that this film adaptation of the Broadway musical adaptation of the movie Mean Girls is hitting theaters on January 12! The film stars Angourie Rice as Cady Heron—the role first made famous by Lindsay Lohan—and will feature appearances by Tina Fey, Jenna Fischer, and Busy Philipps. Get you lewks ready now, because “On Wednesday, we wear pink.” –C.W.
