Mid-November may not have a ton of Movie releases, but those few movies arriving in theaters this weekend also happen to be some of the most anticipated movies of the year.
That’s right, after months of anxious waiting, the newest addition to the MCU, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, will be hitting theaters nationwide this Friday. Not only that, but Steven Spielberg’s largely biographical new film, The Fabelmans, will also be screening — making this week a moviegoer’s ultimate fantasy.
Along with those titles, you’ll also have time to catch up on some of the best releases from the previous few months, like the terrifying new psychological horror film, Smile, the ambitious musical drama, Tár, and the hard-hitting new biographical film, Till.
Here are all the movies you can find playing at your local movie theaters starting this weekend.
Updated: November 10.
Popular New Releases
All the movies that have audiences buzzing or that fans have been eagerly awaiting for months.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
In the wake of T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) passing, the people of Wakanda reluctantly come to terms with their monarch’s death, facing the threat of invasion from the recently-reemerged civilization of Talokan.
Few celebrity tragedies measure up to the unexpected passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020. His death was a complete shock to movie fans worldwide, robbing audiences of a one-of-a-kind actor who had his entire future ahead of him.
Handling the subject of Boseman’s death in an emotional yet tasteful way, Wakanda Forever has earned significant praise amongst critics, many claiming it directly rivals the acclaim of the first Black Panther movie. Boseman’s presence in the film is sorely missed, but his fellow stars do a great job carrying the franchise forward.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
IMDb score: 7.4
The Fabelmans
For all the movies he’s made since his debut in 1974, Steven Spielberg has rarely touched upon his own background prior to becoming a successful Hollywood director. With The Fabelmans, that all changes, with Spielberg offering a moving portrait of his early life and his relationship with his parents.
Set in post-WW2 Arizona, the film follows aspiring filmmaker Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LeBelle/Mateo Zoryon Francis-DeFord) from childhood to young adulthood. As Sammy copes with a shocking family secret, he also learns how his dependence on making movies can help him cope.
One of the rare films Spielberg had a hand in writing (along with Pulitzer-winner Tony Kushner), The Fabelmans has been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, serving as an effective exploration of Spielberg’s early years and what drew him to movies in the first place.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
IMDb score: 8.3
One Piece Film: Red
Since first appearing in print back in 1997, One Piece has become one of the best and longest-running manga and anime series in the world of pop culture. Now, One Piece fans can rejoice at seeing the fifteenth latest film related to the franchise — One Piece Film: Red — arriving in theaters.
Uta is the most famous singer in the world, having amassed a massive following thanks to her beautiful voice. After hiding her face for years, the singer finally decides to reveal herself to the world in one memorable concert — eagerly attended by Monkey D. Luff and his loyal Straw Hats.
A massive box office draw in Japan, One Piece Film: Red has been very positively received by American audiences. Critics have complimented the film for its impressive animation style, as well as for its original storyline — unique enough to satisfy longtime One Piece fans and entertain those new to the franchise.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
IMDb score: 7.1
Spirited
There have been many, many, many different takes on Dickens’ immortal classic, A Christmas Carol. That being said, the newest one to arrive in theaters (and Apple TV+) this coming weekend offers a more comedic approach to Dickens’ tried and true source material.
Every Christmas Eve, the Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell) appears before troubled souls, convincing them to see the error of their ways. This Christmas Eve, however, Present begins questioning his own existence after he appears before the sarcastic Clint (Ryan Reynolds).
Billed as the first time A Christmas Carol has been told from the ghosts’ perspective, Spirited has been met with mostly mixed to positive reviews. Most critics have labeled it a decent and refreshingly modern take on Dickens’ original novella, even if they admitted it was fairly forgettable after the initial viewing.
Where to watch: In theaters/On Apple TV+
Rotten Tomatoes score: 61%
IMDb score: TBD
Prey for the Devil
Cinematic depictions of possessions are practically a genre unto themselves at this point. This Friday, horror fans will be able to see the newest arrival to this very niche subgenre in the form of Prey for the Devil.
After a worldwide rise in possessions, the church begins reopening Catholic schools to instruct priests on how to safely perform exorcisms. Breaking down barriers in regards to tradition, a young nun (Jacqueline Byers) is allowed to study in the program, and is soon confronted by the demon responsible for her own mother’s death years before.
Prey for the Devil may try for genuine frights, but most critics derided it for relying too heavily on the stereotypes introduced in other, better possession movies like The Exorcist.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 19%
IMDb score: 5.1
Black Adam
Cynics will have you believe the DCEU is pretty much dead in the water at this point. And while that may sadly be true, the folks at DC still seem to have a few tricks up their sleeves, including the long-awaited superhero film, Black Adam.
After being imprisoned for the past five thousand years, a man with mythical superpowers known as Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) returns to the world, helping the Justice Society of America free the nation of Kahndaq from its oppressors.
Fans may have hoped that Black Adam would usher in a new golden era for DC, one that saw them finally rise to the MCU’s high level of popularity. Unfortunately, while the movie is certainly better than most of the DCEU’s earlier films, it’s still earned mostly mixed reviews.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%
IMDb score: 7.1
Halloween Ends
It’s difficult to say for sure whether Halloween Ends will actually be the last Halloween (just think of all the Friday the 13th movies that seemed to spell the end of the franchise). But either way, Halloween Ends seems like it might be the last one that original director John Carpenter, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Nick Castle will be attached to.
Four years after the events of Halloween Kills, Laurie (Curtis) comes to terms with her daughter’s death, attempting to move on with her life for the sake of her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak). However, when a local murder seems to hint that Michaels Myers (Castle/James Jude Courtney) has once again returned to Haddonfield, Laurie and Allyson band together one final time to battle The Shape.
Reviews for Halloween Ends have been mixed to positive. While some critics criticized the film’s generic slasher tropes (as well as remaining divided over an ending they considered perplexing), most believed it was nevertheless a satisfying conclusion to the Halloween franchise.
Where to watch: In theaters/On Peacock
Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%
IMDb score: 5
Till
What happened to Emmett Till will forever be one of the darkest chapters in our country’s bleak history. His wrongful death was nothing short of a national tragedy — as was the acquittal of the cowards who killed him. In Till, viewers examine the circumstances surrounding the 14-year-old youth’s death, the immediate response to his murder, and the effect it had on the US’s budding Civil Rights Movement.
Emmett Till (Jalyn Hall) is a young Black teenager who is brutally lynched by a group of white supremacists in Mississippi after whistling at a white woman (Haley Bennett). Seeking justice for her son’s death, Emmett’s mother Mamie (Danielle Deadwyler) becomes an influential voice for Civil Rights in America, taking on the injustice that infected the South in the 1950s.
The critical response to Till has been overwhelmingly positive. Reviewers have called the film powerful in its messaging, themes, and its exploration of Emmett’s death, with Deadwyler receiving repeated praise for her performance in the film.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
IMDb score: 7.6
Terrifier 2
Terrifier 2 is one of those rare films that not only matches the quality of the original movie it’s meant to follow — it actually surpasses it. Darker, funnier, and far more violent than the first Terrifier, Terrifier 2 is a slasher fan’s ultimate dream: a more than entertaining sequel in a genre that’s steeped with disappointing movies.
One year after the events of Terrifier, a recently resurrected Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) once again descends on Miles County to hunt a teenage girl (Lauren LaVera) and her brother (Elliott Fullam) on Halloween.
Terrifier isn’t altogether as well-known a horror franchise as Halloween or A Nightmare on Elm Street. But if they keep making movies of the same calibre as Terrifier 2, the franchise will be able to match the recognition of those slasher giants in no time.
Reviews for the film have been very positive, many calling it to a major improvement over the first film in the series.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
IMDb score: 7.5
Tár
An ambitious and awe-inspiring psychological drama, Tár is at once an acting tour de force for star Cate Blanchett, as well as an engrossing meditation on power, art, and Ahab-levels of obsession.
Lydia Tár (Blanchett) is the acclaimed classical composer and chief conductor of a celebrated German orchestra. As she prepares for her inevitable rise to career prominence, she deals with various issues in her personal and professional life, threatening her ascension in the world of high art.
The premise for Tár might seem a bit dry or pretentious, but critics have universally hailed the film for its story, themes, and the performances of its lead cast (especially Blancett). It’s been toted as both a visual and audio marvel of filmmaking, with reviewers encouraging moviegoers to see it on the biggest screen possible.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
IMDb score: 7.9
Bros
Like most other genres in film today, the romantic comedy has yet to fully represent and accurately portray the romantic relationships between members of the LGBT+ community. Fortunately, Bros offers a remedy to that, existing as a funny and touching romantic comedy on par with Trainwreck or The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
Bobby (Billy Eichner) and Aaron (Luke Macfarlane) both crave love and affection but are plagued by their own self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. Trying to overcome their inner fears, they try to start a meaningful relationship with one another.
Reviews for Bros have been extremely positive so far, critics praising the film’s incorporation of gay individuals and the movie’s hilarious script. It’s not only a great movie, but an important one as well — hopefully setting a standard for representation in modern romance films for the future.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
IMDb score: 6.4
Smile
Who would’ve thought one of the scariest images you could conjure up would simply be a person smiling? Drawing on that fear for our benefit, the filmmakers behind Smile create a genuinely terrifying horror film with a surprisingly poignant message hidden beneath its abundance of scares.
Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) witnesses a strange event involving a patient who commits suicide in front of her. As time draws on, Rose begins seeing disturbing hallucinations, all of which involve normal people taking on a disturbing grin — a phenomena which somehow seems related to her past traumatic experiences.
Smile has achieved significantly positive reviews from critics, earning favorable comparisons to other psychological horror hits like It Follows, The Invisible Man, and The Ring. While its plethora of horror conventions (including a large quantity of jumpscares) have been the subject of criticism, it's still been called an effective and original horror movie that explores some deep emotional issues.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
IMDb score: 6.6
Ticket to Paradise
George Clooney and Julia Roberts are two of the foremost stars of Hollywood’s recent past. Coming to prominence in the ‘90s, both stars became two of the most bankable actors of their day. While their golden years might behind them, the two still have plenty to offer in their lead performances, as seen with their recent collaboration, Ticket to Paradise.
David (George Clooney) and Georgia (Julia Roberts) are the divorced parents of Lily (Kaitlyn Dever) who travel to Bali to attend Lily’s wedding. Finding the groom be a man Lily has only just met, David and Georgia agree to put aside their differences, working together to prevent the wedding from taking place in anyway they can.
Clooney and Roberts have always had undeniable onscreen chemistry, and Ticket to Paradise is just further proof of this fact. While the movie may not have been quite as well-received as their previous outings together, it’s still a largely enjoyable romantic comedy.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 60%
IMDb score: 6.4
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
A movie that perfectly captures the whimsical tone and spirit of its source material, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is an effortlessly fun, lighthearted exploration of friendship that underscores the importance of never judging a book by its cover (that age old lesson we teach to all children).
When his family moves to New York City, young Josh (Winslow Fegley) struggles to find ways to fit in. All that changes, however, when he meets the anthropomorphic alligator (voiced by Shawn Mendes) living in the attic of his new home, bonding with the reptile and becoming mutual best friends.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel with its somewhat formulaic approach to the family film. However, critics have positively noted the lighthearted tone of the script, praising it for expanding upon the original story by Bernard Waber. Fans of similarly-premised films like Stuart Little and Paddington won’t want to miss this one.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%
IMDb score: TBD
Don’t Worry Darling
A movie steeped in all kinds of backstage issues and controversies, Don’t Worry Darling marks actor-filmmaker Olivia Wilde’s second directorial effort after Booksmart.
Alice (Florence Pugh) and her husband Jack (Harry Styles) are a happily married couple living in a 1950s experimental community established by the mysterious company Jack works for. As Jack’s commitment to the company grows, Alice begins to spend more time investigating the secrets surrounding the organization, leading to some sinister revelations.
Real-life drama surrounding the film aside, Don’t Worry Darling’s ambitiousness and scope waver under Wilde’s direction. Reviews for the film have been almost entirely mixed to negative, with Pugh’s performance and the movie’s production design being named two of the movie’s few saving graces.
Where to watch: In theaters/on VOD & HBO Max
Rotten Tomatoes score: 32%
IMDb score: 5.8
Pearl
Earlier this year, director Ti West redefined the slasher genre with his deconstructivist ‘70s-set horror film, X. Now, West returns to the main antagonist of his earlier, universally praised movie, providing an origin story that’s every bit as eerie and hard to stomach as X was months ago.
In the late 1910s’, a young Pearl (Mia Goth) grudgingly tends to her responsibilities on her overbearing parents’ farm. Dreaming of one day escaping the farm and striking out on her own as a successful actress, she decides to take fate into her own hands.
Described by West as a “demented Disney film,” Pearl is a wholly unorthodox slasher that has already earned consistently high praise from critics, many of them calling it a pleasant and inventive addition to X’s cinematic universe.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
IMDb score: 7.4
The Woman King
It’s interesting to note that all the best and most original action movies are the ones that come out of nowhere. Like Mad Max: Fury Road before it, The Woman King is one more example of this strange phenomenon — an incredible action movie with an even script, great performances, and jaw-dropping action sequences.
As Europeans encroach on their land, the West African kingdom of Dahomey prepares to protect themselves via a force of unstoppable female warriors known as the Agojie (led by Viola Davis’s General Nanisca).
The Woman King has been called a “crowd-pleasing epic” by The Hollywood Reporter, and has received praise for its marvelous action sequences and Davis’s performance — which many are already calling one of the best in her career.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
IMDb score:
Other Movies of Note
Notable films that will likely continue playing for only a few more weeks.
Amsterdam
With its stacked cast, Amsterdam immediately brings to mind other star-studded ensemble pieces from the decades prior. While it would seem that a movie with as massive a cast as Amsterdam’s is destined for success, though, the finished product shows that not even the most talented actors can elevate an already weak script.
Heavily based on the Business Plot (a 1933 conspiracy to launch a coup against then-president FDR), three eccentric best friends (Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie) find themselves at the center of a murder investigation revolving around a deceased US senator.
Amsterdam may try to recapture the magic of director David O. Russell’s previous ensemble films like I Heart Huckabees and American Hustle, but it falls flat in so many places. While the cast and production design are commendable, the loosely-plotted story failed to engage critics, leaving it with mixed to negative reviews.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 30%
IMDb score: 5.8
See How They Run
Whodunits are a cherished, if unsung, genre of film that’s been seeing a slight resurgence in recent years thanks to Rian Johnson’s Benoit Blanc films and the new buddy comedy film, See How They Run.
Set in dark and dreary London in the 1950s, a self-entitled Hollywood director (Adrien Brody) working on his latest project is found murdered. Hot on the killer’s trail is morose police inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) and the overly-ambitious Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan).
With its heavy basis in Agatha Christie parlor mysteries, See How They Run has earned mostly positive reviews from critics, many of whom noted the film’s tight plot, pacing, and humorous tone as some of its foremost strongest qualities.
Where to watch: In theaters/On VOD & HBO Max
Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%
IMDb score: 6.8
Moonage Daydream
Love him or hate him (although it’s impossible to do the latter), nobody changed the music industry in the same way as David Bowie. He’s one of the most influential musicians of all time, a man who wore what felt like a thousand different faces and embodied several radically difficult personas in his career, each more unique than the last.
In Moonage Daydream, viewers are taken on a journey of sci-fi proportions through Bowie’s lengthy career, from his earliest days as fledgling artist David Jones to his career heights as one of the mainstay musical attractions in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
A documentary that utilizes a ton of unused footage from Bowie’s life backstage touring all over the globe, Moonage Daydream is an absolute must-watch for music buffs or avid viewers of musical documentaries.
It also does much to strip all the pomp and circumstance of Bowie’s theatrical presentation, focusing instead on the man behind Ziggy Stardust or the Thin White Duke: bold, complicated, and — like his music — near impossible to entirely know.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
IMDb score: 8.1
Bullet Train
The biggest new arrival to cinemas, Bullet Train is a fast-paced action comedy that features a plethora of big-name stars, all of them facing off onboard a high-speed train traveling through Japan.
Ladybug (Brad Pitt) is a skilled but perpetually unlucky assassin who hopes his next mission will go more smoothly than any of his last. Sent to recover a mysterious briefcase on a bullet train enroute from Tokyo to Kyoto, the unfortunate Ladybug finds himself in the middle of his most dangerous assignment yet.
Featuring appearances from notable talents like Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, and Benito A Martínez Ocasio (AKA Bad Bunny), Bullet Train is an entertaining enough action movie, although not much else.
Reviews for the film have been mostly mixed, with some positively commenting on the film’s cast and action sequences, and others noting the movie does little to set itself apart from most other action films out there.
Where to watch: In theaters/On VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: 58%
IMDb score: 7.5
Barbarian
Haunted house movies are a staple of horror, having been featured in everything from popular horror movies like Poltergeist to ‘70s exploitation films like The Amityville Horror. The newest entry to the distinct subgenre offers a more modern inversion of the haunted house trope, exploring what it would be like to spend the night at a sinister Airbnb rental house.
Tess (Georgina Campbell) is a young woman who arrives in Detroit for a job interview. Renting an Airbnb for the night, Tess is initially surprised to find the house double-booked and that a peculiar man (Bill Skarsgård) is already there occupying it. Against her better judgment, she decides to spend the night anyway, leading to a night of horrifying discoveries.
Reviews for Barbarian have been generally enthusiastic thus far, praise being allocated towards the movie’s suspense, unpredictability, and originality in updating the haunted house subgenre.
Where to watch: In theaters/On HBO Max
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
IMDb score: 7.4
DC League of Super-Pets
The fifth and most recent collaboration between Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart comes with the animated superhero comedy, DC League of Super-Pets.
After the heroes of the Justice League are captured by Lex Luthor (Marc Maron) and his hairless guinea pig ally, Lulu (Kate McKinnon), Superman’s dog, Krypto (Johnson) assembles a team of super-powered animals to rescue the League and save the world.
It’s a silly concept to be sure, but thanks to the comedic partnership between Hart and Johnson and a great cast of vocal performers (from SNL alumni like Vanessa Brayer and McKinnon to big-name celebrities like John Krasinski and Keanu Reeves), it’s a movie that soars above expectations.
Most critics have similarly commented that the movie isn’t the greatest thing out in theaters right now, but still delivers a fun outing for the entire family, offering a more lighthearted take on DC’s roster of superheroes.
Where to watch: In theaters/On VOD & HBO Max
Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%
IMDb score: 7.9
Minions: The Rise of Gru
The fifth installment in the Despicable Me series and a sequel to the 2015 Minions prequel film, Minions: The Rise of Gru chronicles Gru’s (voiced by Steve Carell) early years. An aspiring villain in the making, the 12-year-old Gru tries his best to impress his longtime idols in the Vicious 6 — a group of world-famous supervillains — in the hopes of becoming their newest member.
After unintentionally making himself an enemy of the Vicious 6, though, Gru finds himself having to battle his former heroes, surviving with the help of his loyal Minions and the elderly, exiled leader of the Vicious 6 (Alan Arkin) who takes the boy under his wing.
Early reviews for the film have been mixed to positive, with many deeming Carell’s return to the franchise a welcome surprise after his brief cameo at the end of Minions. Critics also said that, while the film may not fully resonate with adults as other family-friendly films, it’s bound to entertain its younger audience members.
Where to watch: In theaters/On Peacock & VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
IMDb score: 7.3
Top Gun: Maverick
A sequel over 30 years in the making, Top Gun: Maverick sees Tom Cruise return to one of his most famous roles as Maverick, an action-addicted, ace pilot in the US Navy. When Maverick is reassigned to instruct the new generation of TOP GUN pilots — including the son of his deceased best friend (Miles Teller) — he has to deal with the ghosts of his past and the idea that his life of excitement may be coming to an end.
One of those rare sequels that surpasses the quality of the original, Top Gun: Maverick has earned overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. A massive financial success, it’s been called one of the best movies of the year so far, with many also proclaiming it one of the best films in Cruise’s career to date.
Where to watch: In theaters/on VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
IMDb score: 8.6
Comedy
For movie fans who love to laugh.
The Banshees of Inisherin
Fourteen years after their previous collaboration on 2008’s In Bruges, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and director Martin McDonagh once again pair up for McDonagh’s long-gestating dark comedy, The Banshees of Inisherin.
On a remote island off the coast of Ireland, Pádraic (Farrell) and Colm (Gleeson) are two best friends whose relationship comes to a standstill when Colm impulsively decides to break off all ties with Pádraic.
A film as wickedly funny as McDonagh’s previous projects (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), The Banshees of Inisherin earned rave reviews upon its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
IMDb score: 8.3
Triangle of Sadness
The winner of this year’s prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Triangle of Sadness is an absurdist and comedic look at wealth, class divisions, and social privilege in a unique and poignant way.
In the middle of a dangerous storm, a luxurious private cruise filled with uber-rich, elitist passengers find themselves shipwrecked on a deserted island. While there, the power dynamic among the survivors shifts, favoring the ship’s more able-bodied crew than the upper-class vacationers.
One part Lord of the Flies, one part HBO’s White Lotus, Triangle of Sadness is a brutally frank satire for the modern age. Like director Ruben Östlund’s previous film, The Square, it’s smart, terse, and illuminates the socioeconomic divides between the average person and the super-wealthy.
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%
IMDb score: 7.8
Drama
For those looking for something a little more emotional.
Armageddon Time
Three years after his ambitious sci-fi film, Ad Astra, director James Gray returns with the touching period drama, Armageddon Time.
After getting caught smoking marijuana with his best friend, younger teenager Paul (Michael Banks Repeta) is enrolled in a private school run by Maryanne Trump (Jessica Chastain). There, he begins to face hostility owing to his Jewish heritage.
Like all of Gray’s films, Armageddon Time has been extremely well-received, with critics commending it for its warmth, writing, direction, and powerful performance. Along with the talented younger cast, the movie also makes clever use of several established stars, like Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong, and Anthony Hopkins.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%
IMDb score: 6.9
Call Jane
Call Jane is a movie that tackles one of the most controversial subjects in America right now: abortions. Fiercely political in its pro-choice advocacy, it is nevertheless a sensitive and telling portrait of womens’ struggles in one of the more oppressive decades in US history.
In the 1960s, Joy (Elizabeth Banks) is a traditional-minded American who is shocked to learn that the arrival of her second baby could endanger her life. With no options left, she eventually contacts the Janes, an underground group who help pregnant women receive abortions.
Headlined by Banks, Sigourney Weaver, Chris Messina, and Kate Mara, Call Jane isn’t necessarily geared towards everyone in today’s sociopolitical climate. However, it still handles its subject in a tasteful and humanizing way, looking at the issue from every angle imaginable.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%
IMDb score: 7.1
Aftersun
There’s a reason A24 is practically synonymous with the indie film industry in this day and age. Time and time again, they’ve released films that are narratively complex and emotionally gripping, with A24’s newest film, Aftersun, no exception.
Sophie (Celia Rowlson-Hall) is a young woman who looks back at a childhood trip to Turkey she took with her father (Paul Mescal). As she wades through memory and fantasy, she comes to terms with the man her father actually was rather than the idolized version of him she kept in her head for the past few decades.
Aftersun may not have received a ton of critical attention so far, but critics who have seen the movie have commended it for its raw emotion, themes, and performances. It’s been nominated or received awards at various indie film festivals since its premiere, and is no doubt another huge win for A24.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97
IMDb score: 7.5
Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
It’s been a few years since Alejandro González Iñárritu’s previous Oscar-nominated film, The Revenant. This weekend, though, the director returns with Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, a dark comedy epic that sees Iñárritu return to his native roots.
Silverio Gama (Daniel Giménez Cacho) is a celebrated Mexican documentarian and journalist in the midst of a personal crisis. Having won a prestigious prize for his work, Gama returns to his country, confronting the reality of his memories and grappling with the cost of his success, as well as the effect it’s had on his family.
Opening to mixed reception from most critics, Bardo lacks the same bite as Iñárritu’s previous work on The Revenant, Birdman, Babel, or Biutiful. Though touchingly personal, it’s been labeled “self-indulgent” by more than a few critics.
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
IMDb score: 7.4
Fun for All Ages
Movies that are perfect for the entire family.
Railway Children
A sequel to the 1970 family film, The Railway Children, based on E. Nesbit’s novel of the same name, Railway Children offers a tender portrait of young children learning to deal with the stresses of war in their own way.
Set in 1944, as Germany’s bombings on England worsen, a group of children are evacuated from London to the Yorkshire countryside, soon finding a young Black American soldier (KJ Aikens) trying to escape the systemic racism of the US military.
Evaluating the darker sides of its historical setting in such a way that is understandable to younger viewers without fully distressing them, Railway Children has earned mostly positive reviews. The film has earned particularly strong marks for the performances of its young cast members and the lessons the film imparts to its audience members.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
IMDb score: 5.4
Mystery
For movie fans who love a good mystery.
Missing
There are so many movies constantly being released across the globe, it’s hard to keep track of what to watch and what to skip. Every once in a while, though, a movie so memorably crafted comes along that it practically demands to be seen by as many people as possible. Missing is one such film.
Following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) finds himself facing increasingly mounting debt. After he goes missing trying to find a local serial killer for the reward money, his daughter embarks on a journey to find him.
Though not without a few hiccups, almost every critic who has seen Missing has shared some positive opinions about the movie. Most have described it a crafty, well-made serial killer film, deeming it an impressive debut for director Shinzo Katayama.
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
IMDb score: 7.2
Decision To Leave
Director Park Chan-wook’s movies aren’t for everyone, but for the past 30 years, the respected South Korean filmmaker has cultivated a steady following of fans for his unwaveringly brutal, darkly comic films. Like his best movies (Oldboy, Lady Vengeance, and The Handmaiden), Decision to Leave is just one illustration of how phenomenal a director Park is.
Detective Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) is sent to investigate the mysterious and apparently accidental death of a man who fell from a mountain peak. Trying to find out if the man was pushed or whether he truly did slip, Hae-jun begins to develop romantic feelings for his main suspect: the man’s widow (Tang Wei).
Most of the reviews for Decision to Leave have been positive, although most critics felt the movie didn’t match the same quality as some of Park’s earlier films. However, those same critics lauded the film for its complexity, darkness, and ability to blend multiple genres into one cohesive film (including mystery, thriller, neonoir, and romance).
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
IMDb score: 7.3
Romance
For those looking for stories of love and heartbreak.
My Policeman
Harry Styles has been on a proverbial roll lately in both his musical career and acting ventures. As the musician currently lights up the stage with his Love On Tour, he’s also appeared in several noteworthy movies, the newest being My Policeman.
In the 1950s, closeted policeman Tom (Styles) marries the kindly schoolteacher Marion (Emma Corrin), all the while secretly engaging in a passionate affair with museum curator, Patrick (David Dawson).
Most of the reviews for My Policeman have been mixed thus far, notable criticism aimed at Styles’ performance, the movie’s admittedly weaker script, and uninspired direction. One of the few aspects about the film that did receive praise was Dawson’s performance as Styles’ onscreen lover.
Where to watch: In limited theaters/On Prime Video
Rotten Tomatoes score: 45%
IMDb score:
The Good House
To bring a fall comparison to mind, finding the best romantic comedies is kind of like looking for the best apple in a display case: sometimes the harder you look, the better the apple. Such an analogy can accurately be applied to The Good House, an underappreciated romantic comedy about older individuals trying to find true love and happiness in their autumn years.
Hildy Good (Sigourney Weaver) is a prickly New England realtor struggling to overcome her monetary debts. Needing a big sale, her life becomes even more complicated when she rekindles a romance with an old flame from her past (Kevin Kline).
From its focus on elderly characters, The Good House instantly invites comparisons to the equally enjoyable Something’s Gotta Give. But with Weaver and Kline both delivering impressive performances, The Good House still stands on its own as a fittingly quirky and off-kilter romantic comedy.
Where to watch: In theaters/On VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
IMDb score: 7.2
Documentary
For viewers who want to learn more about the world.
Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams
From Luca Guadagnino (the director of Call Me By Your Name and Suspiria) comes this loving homage to influential fashion designer Salvatore Ferragamo, who specialized in designing women’s shoes.
Yes, okay, a documentary about a women’s shoemaker doesn’t sound all that exciting compared to the other movies currently playing in theaters. But Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams is an incredibly engrossing look at the life and career of Ferragamo, who designed shoes for everyone from Eva Peron to Marilyn Monroe.
Reviews for the film have been mixed to positive, but it’s a documentary that shows how one can find art in the most amazing of places — where one person sees a shoe, another person can see a canvas.
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%
IMDb score: 6
Our Current Favorites
Movies we highly recommend seeing in theaters while you still can.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) is a middle-aged Chinese-American laundromat owner struggling to find happiness in life and to connect with her estranged family — including her husband (Ke Huy Quan) and daughter (Stephanie Hsu). While being audited by the IRS, she soon finds herself swept up into an otherworldly adventure upon discovering she’s the only person able to save existence from a multiversal threat.
The fact that Everything Everywhere All At Once is still playing in theaters despite its March release date is a testament to how truly great a film it is. It’s a dazzling exploration of family and finding meaning in one’s life, as well as a hodgepodge of different genres, ranging from science fiction and martial arts to fantasy and dark comedy.
Where to watch: In theaters/on VOD & DVD
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
IMDb score: 8.3
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
