It’s popcorn movie time at South African cinemas this week, with two new releases (a reboot and a sequel) providing some light-hearted escapism. Find out more about both of these blockbusters below.


It’s a case of Haunted Mansion, take two. This is Disney’s second attempt to base a movie on their classic theme park ride, following the 2003 Eddie Murphy-led film. As before, Haunted Mansion offers a family-friendly mix of comedy and supernatural chills, though this time paired with an all-new story. Single mom Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) hires a tour guide (LaKeith Stanfield), a psychic (Tiffany Haddish), a priest (Owen Wilson), and a historian (Danny DeVito) to help exorcise her new New Orleans home after discovering it’s stuffed with ghosts.

Read our full review of the new star-packed and surprisingly heartfelt Haunted Mansion here.


It’s the sequel that you probably never expected. Five years after the original oceanic actioner The Meg, Meg 2: The Trench is here. Along with some other returning faces from the original, star Jason Statham is back as expert diver Jonas Taylor, joining forces with action icon Wu Jing as the pair probe the deepest depths of the ocean on a daring research mission. Their explorations trigger a high-stakes battle for survival. Free Fire’s Ben Wheatley is in the director’s chair this time, promising more over-the-top, well, everything, than before. Amplifying things further, Meg 2: The Trench will also be releasing in 3D.

Here’s our full-length review of Meg 2: The Trench.