We’re only a few days into spring, and already this season seems so much better than winter. For evidence of this fact, just take a look at the number of fantastic movies arriving in theaters this weekend, each more noteworthy than the last.
Starting this Friday, you’ll be able to see the latest entry in the fan-favorite John Wick series, John Wick: Chapter 4, which has earned widely positive reviews so far. Additionally, you’ll be able to catch the epic collaboration between Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman in the new indie dramedy, A Good Person, this weekend as well.
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 crowd-pleasing slasher, Scream VI, the fantastic boxing drama, Creed III, and the newest addition to the DCEU, Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
Here are all the movies you can find playing at your local movie theaters starting this weekend.
Updated: March 23.
Popular New Releases
All the movies that have audiences buzzing or that fans have been eagerly awaiting for months.
John Wick: Chapter 4
If John Wick continues at this pace, it might go down as the one action franchise without any weak entries. Only managing to improve with time, John Wick: Chapter 4 is yet another exceptional installment of Keanu Reeves’ hit franchise, full of heart-stopping explosions, pulse-pounding action, and stunning acting throughout.
Seeking revenge against the High Table, John Wick (Reeves) begins systematically targeting members of the faction, all the while combating the organization's most lethal operatives.
Building the universe of John Wick further, Chapter 4 makes for a satisfying blend of action and samurai-like rules regarding combat and nobility. Critics have been incredibly enthusiastic in their reviews of the movie, calling it another enthralling sequel that matches (perhaps even surpasses) everything that came before it.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
IMDb score: 8.7
A Good Person
It’s always exciting whenever a rising star in Hollywood is paired with a veteran actor from the industry’s past. Such is the setup for A Good Person, the latest directorial result from Zach Braff which sees Florence Pugh star opposite Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman.
Years after she was involved in a car accident that claimed the life of her would-be-sister-in-law, a young woman (Florence Pugh) reconnects with the woman’s father (Morgan Freeman), both of them helping each other process their grief and move on.
Most critics have awarded A Good Person mixed to positive reviews, many praising the performances and chemistry between Pugh and Freeman, with others a bit more ambivalent about the movie’s underlying themes.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 55%
IMDb score: 7.6
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
The DCEU might be a bit of a mess right now, but with James Gunn’s ascension to the top of the company, it seems like the studio might finally be on the right path in creating an entertaining shared universe on par with Marvel. As part of this plan, the latest addition to the DCEU — Shazam! Fury of the Gods — will be arriving to theaters this weekend, the events of which will directly tie in to DC’s upcoming The Flash.
With his foster family now able to transform themselves into adult superheroes, Billy Batson (Zachary Levi/Asher Angel) and his siblings are forced to combat a looming threat in the form of the mythical daughters of Atlas.
If Shazam! Fury of the Gods is any indication of what’s to come, the DCEU looks to have a fairly promising future. While critical reviews note Fury of the Gods is a slight drop in quality compared to its predecessors, it's a markedly better movie than most DCEU movies that have come before it.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 65%
IMDb score: 7.0
Scream VI
The thing that continues to set the Scream franchise apart from other slasher series is that — unlike Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Friday the 13th, or Nightmare on Elm Street — each new Scream movie remains overwhelmingly enjoyable in its own right. As with each of the sequels that came before it, Scream VI is just one more example of this clear fact, the producers delivering yet another movie Scream fans can rejoice in.
Leaving their hometown behind, the survivors of the latest Woodsboro massacre try to start anew in New York City, only to find another serial killer under the Ghostface moniker targeting them.
Earning an assortment of positive reviews, Scream VI has been complimented for its continued ability to keep the slasher series relevant amongst today’s generational audiences. The movie’s new setting has also earned positive marks, with many calling it a refreshing change of pace from the past few entries in the Scream franchise.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%
IMDb score: 7.6
Champions
A sports comedy that sees Woody Harrelson reunite with Peter Farrelly, you say? To be fair, Champions doesn’t go for the same raunchy hilarity of the Farrelly brother’s earlier Kingpin, but it does a great job at crafting a decidedly different kind of sports comedy instead.
Needing to fulfill some community service requirements, a hot-headed minor league basketball coach (Harrelson) agrees to head a team with intellectual disabilities, leading them in competition at the Special Olympics.
Focusing on some emotional undercurrents advocating for sportsmanship and friendship, Champions is a far cry from the lowbrow standards set in Kingpin. Although the finished film has earned mixed to positive reviews, most critics praised it for its talented cast of players, including Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson, Cheech Marin, and the assortment of relatively new actors who make up the basketball team.
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%
IMDb score: 7.1
Moving On
Just as their previous film, 80 for Brady, begins to wind down its theatrical run, comedic legends Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda are set to return this weekend with their latest collaborative effort, Moving On.
After years of estrangement from one another, two friends (Tomlin and Fonda) reunite to exact revenge against a mutual acquaintance’s mean-spirited husband (Malcolm McDowell).
Boasting all the spunk of their earlier years, Moving On once again proves that Tomlin and Fonda have what it takes to make people laugh on a consistent basis. Many critics have criticized the film for its notably thin plot, but those same reviewers have pointed out that Tomlin and Fonda’s chemistry managed to elevate the entire movie.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
IMDb score: 6.4
Inside
Willem Dafoe is one of the bravest actors working today. No matter the film he appears in, he’s capable of completely immersing himself in each role he’s assigned — whether he’s portraying an iconic villain of Spider-Man or illustrating the effects of gradual insanity in movies like The Lighthouse or Inside.
Nemo (Dafoe) is a professional thief who specializes in stealing art. Trapped inside a New York high-rise apartment after a job goes wrong, he struggles to find ways to survive — as well as retaining his sanity in the ensuing isolation.
A one-of-a-kind illustration of Dafoe's immense talents, Inside has earned mostly positive reviews from critics, many of whom have praised Dafoe’s believable and naturalistic performance, proving once again why he’s the accomplished and respected actor he’s rightfully seen as.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%
IMDb score: 6.6
Other Movies of Note
Notable films that will likely continue playing for only a few more weeks.
65
Can you remember the last dinosaur movie that wasn’t Jurassic World? Thankfully, 65 is just that — a sci-fi action movie that attempts to break the Jurassic World series’ fierce hold on the dinosaur subgenre.
Crash-landing on Earth 65 million years in the past, a pilot (Adam Driver) and his young companion (Ariana Greenblatt) trek across the prehistoric landscape, facing a slew of hostile dinosaurs and monsters as they try to survive.
Equal parts Planet of the Apes as it is Jurassic Park, 65 punctuates its exciting action with some added horror elements. Unfortunately, as is the case with the last few Jurassic World movies, the resulting film has led to a somewhat mixed reception. Most critics have praised Driver’s characteristically strong acting while dismissing the film for its weaker plot.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
IMDb score: 5.7
Creed III
There was a trend among the Rocky movies of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the series growing increasingly kitschy and cartoonish with each new installment (that is, until the hyper realism of 2006’s Rocky Balboa, which returned to the grounded nature of the first two movies). Thankfully, Creed III maintains this hard-edged approach to the latest Rocky/Creed films, delivering yet another wonderful addition to the franchise.
After his estranged friend (Jonathan Majors) resurfaces after a lengthy stint in prison, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) faces a formidable threat with a deep personal connection to his past.
Moving beyond the story established by Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky, Creed III marks a new era for its lead character. Now free to headline his own story, Jordan is unequivocally stellar in his role as Creed, clashing brilliantly with a scene-stealing Jonathan Majors (fresh off his widespread success with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania).
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
IMDb score: 7.5
Cocaine Bear
Eagerly awaited for months by hungry fans, the deliberately-goofy natural horror comedy, Cocaine Bear, finally arrives in theaters this weekend. The last film of the late great Ray Liotta, it’s an enjoyably harebrained B-movie that the Goodfellas actor would’ve almost certainly been proud of.
After a shipment of cocaine is jettisoned over Knoxville, Tennessee, a curious black bear samples the product. Unfortunately for the local residents, the drug ultimately causes the bear to aggressively lash out in a cocaine-induced murderous frenzy.
Very loosely based on a true story, Cocaine Bear has been met with overwhelmingly warm reviews from moviegoers and critics, several of whom complimented it for its shifting genres and kitschy plot elements.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
IMDb score: 8
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
The thirty-first (!) and most recent film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania kicks off Phase Five of the MCU, setting up new conflicts and establishing new characters that will play key roles in future Marvel projects.
After being mistakenly pulled into the Quantum Realm, Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), the Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), and their families explore this new miniscule dimension, coming into contact with an extradimensional warlord (Jonathan Majors) bent on conquering every known universe.
As integral as Quantumania is in helping the MCU grow in new, critical directions, the movie itself has earned disappointing reviews thus far. Critics have pointed out the movie lacks the same charm and comedic elements as the first two Ant-Man movies, although many have praised Majors’ performance as Marvel’s latest major antagonist, Kang the Conqueror.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%
IMDb score: 6.6
Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre
Since his 2019 action epic, The Gentlemen, Guy Ritchie has been on a prolific hot streak, cranking out a number of action comedies on a semi-regular basis, the latest of which — Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre — arrives in theaters this weekend.
When a wealthy arms dealer (Hugh Grant) plans on selling a powerful new weapon, a topnotch team of spies are assembled to stop him.
Led by Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Bugzy Malone, and Cary Elwes, Operation Fortune has been released to fairly warm reviews thus far. Many critics who have seen it have said that — while the movie does tend to rely on some age-old action conventions — its star-studded cast and playful humor is more than enough to satisfy viewers.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 60%
IMDb score: 6.7
Jesus Revolution
As you might be able to guess from the title and/or plotline, Jesus Revolution was made for a very specific demographic (namely, Christians and Catholics). With that in mind, the movie may not exactly connect with most audience members, appealing more directly to those who hold staunch religious beliefs.
In 1960s California, a traditional pastor (Kelsey Grammar) opens the doors of his church to the younger generation, hoping to appeal to the then-popular hippie movement to increase church attendance.
Based on Chuck Smith and Greg Laurie’s involvement in the Jesus movement of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Jesus Revolution has earned mostly mixed reviews. While several critics called it one of the better faith-focused movies out there, it’s also been called too sentimental for its own good, exploring its subject matter without any real depth or nuance.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%
IMDb score: N/A
80 for Brady
The Super Bowl season is upon us, the final showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs set for February 12 in Glendale, Arizona. To coincide with this year's match-up is the sports comedy 80 for Brady, starring some of the most beloved leading ladies from Hollywood’s comedic past.
Planning to finally meet their idol Tom Brady, four elderly friends (Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field) travel to the 2017 Super Bowl, where the New England Patriots are set to play the Atlanta Falcons.
Marginally well-received by critics, 80 for Brady’s leading ladies are the ones most worthy of praise in this film. Opposite notable NFL stars, comedians, and media personalities like Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Patton Oswalt, and Billy Porter, the foursome still manage to hold their own on-screen, exhibiting the same personality and flair that made them the irresistible comics they were decades ago.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%
IMDb score: 6
Emily
As with a lot of writers, most people are far more familiar with Emily Brontë’s work than they are with her biographical background. With Emily, though, director Frances O’Connor turns her attention towards Brontë as a person, exploring how Brontë’s personal experiences shaped some of her most popular works.
Nearing the end of her life, enigmatic writer Emily Brontë (Emma Mackey) tells her sister Charlotte (Alexandra Dowling) the inspiration behind her most famous novel, Wuthering Heights.
Reviews for Emily have been overwhelmingly positive thus far. Overall, critics have praised the film for weaving in elements of Brontë’s life and the social stigma she suffered from her writings at the time, as well as Emma Mackey’s deft leading performance.
Where to watch: In theaters for a limited time/On VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
IMDb score: 6.9
A Man Called Otto
A Man Called Otto seems like the type of movie that would’ve done great during the holiday season. Possessing many of the same life lessons and themes presented in such timeless stories as A Christmas Carol and The Grinch, it’s an ideal movie for the Christmas season. While it failed to meet an earlier release, it’s still a decent enough movie to watch before New Year's, full of plenty of life lessons to take with you into 2023.
Forced into retirement and still grieving from the loss of his wife, a grumpy older man suffering from chronic depression (Hanks) gets a new lease on life when he meets his energetic, upbeat neighbors.
Critics have remained mostly indifferent to A Man Called Otto, criticizing it for its unfunny jokes, its pandering style, and its largely confusing nature (the movie’s too dark to be a comedy and too light to be a drama). However, as per usual, Hanks’ performance has garnered mostly positive marks, critics feeling the movie coasts easily on his inspired lead role.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 69%
IMDb score: 7.3
Avatar: The Way of Water
It’s been over a decade since we last saw a James Cameron film, the director having delivered one of the biggest critical and financial sci-fi epics in history with 2009’s Avatar. Having diligently worked on a sequel to his pop culture phenomenon for the past 13 years, Cameron finally returns this Christmas with the anxiously-awaited sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water.
Over 10 years after the events of Avatar, Jake (Sam Worthington) lives a peaceful life with his family among the Na’vi. Unfortunately, the idyllic existence of his people is once again threatened by the human colonizers who have returned to Pandora.
As you might expect, Avatar: The Way of Water has already been hailed as a cinematic masterpiece in terms of its visuals alone. As was the case with the first movie, critics have commented that watching it truly makes it feel that you’ve traveled to a distant world, inhabited by vivid flora and breathtaking fauna. It might have taken a long time for Cameron to deliver — but deliver he most assuredly did.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
IMDb score: 8.3
The Whale
Like Keanu Reeves, Brendan Fraser can do no wrong. An unbelievably humble and likable actor, Fraser’s been beset by both personal and professional issues that have severely hindered his career. But 2022 marks the return of this superior actor, with Fraser managing to delight audiences in No Sudden Move and his most recent psychological drama, The Whale.
Facing mounting health issues, a reclusive English teacher (Fraser) tries reaching out and forming a connection to his estranged daughter (Stranger Things‘ Sadie Sink).
The Whale has been hailed as Fraser’s finest performance yet, launching what looks to be a successful, long-awaited comeback for the former action star. Most of the film’s positive reception has revolved around Fraser, with similar praise going to Sink and co-star Hong Chau.
Where to watch: In theaters for a limited time
Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%
IMDb score: 8.2
Women Talking
Based on Miriam Toews’ best-selling novel, Women Talking is as engaging an arthouse drama film as it gets. An effortlessly impressive adaptation, the movie retains all of the philosophical and personal questions that made Toews’ book a bestseller in the first place, combined with the performances of an amazing cast.
When they discover that the men in their colony have been drugging and sexually assaulting female members of their community, a group of Mennonite women discuss whether they should run, fight, or stay before the men return.
Evaluating questions of faith, loyalty, and female’s role in conservatively religious communities, Women Talking is an intelligent and poignant film that asks audiences some fundamentally important questions. Critical reviews have been extremely favorable, many calling it a touching film loaded with great acting (especially from Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy, Frances McDormand, and Ben Whishaw).
Where to watch: In theaters for a limited time
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
IMDb score: 7.8
Comedy
For movie fans who love to laugh.
The Lost King
British comedies tend not to be for everyone, with most Americans usually associating it with a dry wit and sarcastic tone. Yet every once in a while, an enduring British comedy capable of delighting American audiences makes its way across the pond, as happens to be the case with The Lost King.
Facing insurmountable obstacles at work and in her personal life, a woman suffering chronic fatigue (Sally Hawkins) gains an enthusiastic interest in the life of Richard III, slowly becoming obsessed with finding his missing remains.
With Steve Coogan, Mark Addy, and Harry Lloyd filling out the remainder of the main cast, The Lost King is a thoughtful and largely factual exploration of how Richard III’s remains were found, and the efforts of Philippa Langley to locate them in the first place. Critics were quick to commend Hawkins for her masterful performance, deeming her the movie’s standout feature.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
IMDb score: 6.6
Wildflower
Fans of CODA will likely find plenty of similarities between the 2021 Academy Award Best Picture winner and this similarly-styled indie dramedy, based on the director's short documentary of the same name. In both cases, each film focuses on teenage heroines prematurely thrust into adulthood, facing a personal crisis of whether to strike out on their own or continue helping their families.
With the end of high school on the horizon, a senior (Kiernan Shipka) must decide whether to go away to college or stay at home and continue to care for her intellectually disabled parents (Dash Mihok and Samantha Hyde).
Despite its brilliant cast (Shipka, Mihok, Hyde, Charlie Plummer, Jean Smart, and Alexandra D'Addario), most critics felt Wildflower failed to bring anything new to the teen drama, nor did it handle its intimate discussions about family and intellectual disabilities as well as it might’ve.
Where to watch: In theaters for a limited time
Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%
IMDb score: N/A
Linoleum
Jim Gaffigan is primarily known for his stand-up comedy shows, but anyone who’s had the pleasure of seeing him in a movie or TV series are perfectly aware how funny he is as an actor as well. Showing off Gaffigan’s diverse dramatic range is Linoleum, an amazing sci-fi comedy drama that’ll leave you both laughing and quietly reflecting on the movie’s content.
For his entire adult life, down-on-his-luck children’s show host Cameron (Gaffigan) has been coming with excuses not to pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut. After a rocket lands in his backyard, he finally tries to live up to his destiny, rebuilding the rocket with the help of his loved ones.
Such a simple description fails to do justice to the brilliance of Linoleum. Taking a shaky-sounding premise and making it both grounded and relatable, the filmmakers behind Lineolum do a great job conveying a heartfelt narrative, as does Gaffigan.
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
IMDb score: 7.5
Fun For All Ages
Movies that are perfect for the entire family.
The Amazing Maurice
Having been released in the UK some months ago, the British animated film The Amazing Maurice finally arrives in American theaters this weekend. Adapted from the late great Terry Pratchett’s children’s book and utilizing a great cast, the movie has proven just as effortlessly fun to watch as Prachett’s original book was to read.
Maurice (Hugh Laurie) is a street-savvy ginger cat who partners with a group of rats to pull off an ambitious con. Upon meeting the book-smart Malicia (Emilia Clarke), though, Maurice’s plans are put on indefinite hold, forcing them to solve a mystery behind an entire town’s disappearance.
A modern take on the Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Amazing Maurice combines an impressive cast (Laurie, Clarke, Himesh Patel, David Thewlis, and David Tennant) with Pratchett’s original storyline. The resulting film has been largely well received by critics, who noted its imagination, inventiveness, and constant playfulness.
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%
IMDb score: 6.3
Drama
For those looking for something a little more emotional.
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
Popular Re-Releases
Iconic movies that are headed for the big screen for a limited time.
My Neighbor Totoro
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the anime classic My Neighbor Totoro returns for a brief run in theaters throughout the final two weeks of March. A landmark of Japanese animation, My Neighbor Totoro is debatably the best anime movie of all time — and certainly one of the most popular films ever released by industry giant, Studio Ghibli.
Moving to the countryside to be near their ailing mother, two young sisters encounter several otherworldly creatures who dwell in the nearby woods.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing a Studio Ghibli film in theaters, do yourself a favor and reserve your ticket now. Over the course of an hour and a half, you’ll be transported to magical realms filled with fantastic creatures, stunning visuals, and unexpectedly nuanced storylines — all of which can be found here in Studio Ghibli’s most iconic movie.
Where to watch: In theaters for a limited time/On HBO Max
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
IMDb score: 8.1
Grab your tickets ahead of time and skip the lines at the theater.
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
Richard Chachowski is a freelance writer based in New Jersey. He loves reading, his dog Tootsie, and pretty much every movie to ever exist (especially Star Wars).