Thanksgiving is finally here, and with it comes the slew of seasonal activities everyone knows and associates with the holiday. In addition to heaping plates of turkey and stuffing, people can also look forward to the arrival of several worthwhile new movies in theaters this holiday weekend.
For example, this Friday sees the theatrical debut of Ridley Scott’s new historical epic, Napoleon. Opposite Scott’s latest cinematic venture, the holiday weekend also marks the arrival of Disney’s newest movie, Wish, the Bradley Cooper-led biopic, Maestro, and the expanded release of the dark comedy thriller, Saltburn.
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 Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the latest addition to the MCU, The Marvels, and the Presley family biopic, Priscilla.
Here are all the movies you can find playing at your local movie theaters starting this weekend.
Updated: November 22.
Popular New Releases
All the movies that have audiences buzzing or that fans have been eagerly awaiting for months.
Napoleon
If there’s two genres Ridley Scott returns to time and time again, it’s historical dramas and ambitious sci-fi films. Falling into the former category is Scott’s latest movie, Napoleon, an epic study of how a low-ranking artillery officer became the most powerful man of the early 19th century.
As the French Revolution unfolds around him, the promising young officer Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix) uses his acute military knowledge to rise through the ranks of France’s government, conquering much of Europe and formally declaring himself Emperor of France in 1804.
Though accused of overly simplifying Napoleon’s life and career at the height of his powers, Napoleon has earned generally positive reviews. With specific praise going for the movie’s performances, set designs, and battle sequences, it’s another satisfying entry in Scott’s vast filmography.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%
IMDb score: N/A
Wish
Arriving just in time for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ centennial celebration, Wish utilizes a basic premise found across multiple Disney movies: the idea of one’s greatest dreams coming true. As novel a concept as it is, the finished film has left fans either immensely satisfied or grossly disappointed.
On a magical island in the Mediterranean Sea, a 17-year-old girl (Ariana DeBose) makes a shocking discovery about the island’s king (Chris Pine)–a seemingly powerful and omnipotent sorcerer who fulfills his subject’s wishes when they turn 18.
While most critics have complimented Wish for its loving homages to Disney’s history, some felt the movie failed to utilize a strong central storyline that helped differentiate itself from past Disney movies.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
IMDb score: N/A
Saltburn
After making her directorial debut with the critically well-received Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell returns with the equally lucid dark comedy thriller, Saltburn. Like Promising Young Woman before it, the movie viciously mocks conventions of the elite upper class, portraying them in the most unflattering light possible.
Attending Oxford in the early 2000s, awkward young Oliver (Barry Keoghan) befriends a fellow student (Jacob Elordi) from a privileged background, who invites Oliver to meet his wealthy, eccentric family at their glamorous estate.
Garnering mostly positive reviews, a majority of critics praised Saltburn for its sharp writing, topical themes, and performances of its main cast, with Keoghan and co-star Rosamund Pike earning a particularly rave ovation.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%
IMDb score: 7.6
Maestro
Following his directorial debut on A Star Is Born, Bradley Cooper returns to the music industry with his second directorial effort, Maestro. Focusing on the life and career of Leonard Bernstein, Cooper hands in a film full of heart and emotion, renewing audiences’ appreciation of the 20th century’s most notable composer.
Meeting by chance at a party in 1946, musical composer Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) and theatrical actor Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan) have their relationship evolve over time, resulting in three children, two successful careers, and a 25-year-long marriage.
Arriving to theaters roughly one month before its scheduled debut on Netflix, Maestro has earned consistently favorable reviews thus far. Along with its impressive shot compositions and balance between black-and-white and color film, the movie has also been commended for its two lead performances, as well as Cooper’s awe-inspiring direction.
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
IMDb score: 7.0
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
It’s been almost a decade since we’ve last seen the chaotic landscape of Panem, the dystopian setting of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling Y.A. series, The Hunger Games. Now, eight years after the release of Mockingjay – Part 2, Collins’ series returns with its latest installment, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Sixty years before Katniss Everdeen’s rebellion, the 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) is forced to mentor the District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) ahead of the 10th Hunger Games tournament. As they prepare for the competition, the two begin developing romantic feelings for each other, even as Snow plots ways to retain his family’s wealth and high social standing.
An ambitious prequel to the Jennifer Lawrence-led Hunger Games series, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes has earned largely mixed reviews from critics. Remaining true to Collins’ original novel, most critics felt the movie too bloated and overstuffed, failing to garner the same high praise as the franchise’s earlier installments.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 59%
IMDb score: N/A
Thanksgiving
In 2007, horror director Eli Roth crafted a humorous fake trailer for a Thanksgiving-themed slasher for Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s exploitation film, Grindhouse. Sixteen years later, Roth expands this brief trailer into a feature-length film, delighting audiences with the over-the-top horror movie, Thanksgiving.
After an unfortunate accident at a local Black Friday event, a vengeful serial killer masquerading as a pilgrim arrives in Plymouth, Massachusetts, dishing out just deserts to the town’s populace.
Early reviews for Thanksgiving have been overarchingly positive, with critics praising its homage to ‘80s-era slashers and its intelligent dissection of mass consumer culture. Smart, funny, and hilariously kitschy, it’s a bloody good time of a film.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
IMDb score: 7.7
Trolls Band Together
The third addition to the cinematic Trolls universe, Trolls Band Together is yet another worthwhile outing for the Trolls series, making endless use of its vibrant animation, light-hearted characters, and buoyant musical numbers that viewers will be humming all day long.
Roughly a month after their previous adventure, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) helps her boyfriend Branch (Justin Timberlake) reunite with the boy band he formed with his brothers when they were children.
Achieving the same mixed to positive reviews as its predecessors, critics have complimented Trolls Band Together for its amusing style of animation and addictive musical score. Despite its favorable reviews, critics also admitted that they felt the movie’s content and humor might be geared more towards children than a more universal audience of viewers.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 61%
IMDb score: 5.9
Next Goal Wins
Taika Waititi has been a very busy man lately. A prolific actor and director, the current star of Our Flag Means Death returns to the big screen for his latest directorial foray, Next Goal Wins, a sports comedy that follows the American Samoan soccer team’s quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
Dismissed from his duties at the Under-20 United States men's soccer team, Dutch coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) reluctantly agrees to sign with the atrocious American Samoan soccer team.
As celebrated as most of Waititi’s previous films have been in the past, Next Goal Wins has failed to garner a favorable response from critics. Receiving mixed to negative reviews thus far, most critics felt the movie’s humor, story, and performances lackluster, featuring little of the same wit that made Jojo Rabbit or Thor: Ragnarok so enjoyable in the first place.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 45%
IMDb score: 6.5
The Marvels
The 33rd entry in the extensive Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Marvels continues the narrative journeys of Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan from their previous appearances in the MCU.
When their powers become entangled, Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and the teenage superhero Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) are forced to ban together to protect the universe from a Kree warlord (Zawe Ashton).
Like the other recent additions to the MCU, The Marvels has earned decent if unremarkable reviews, especially when compared to its earlier phases. While the camaraderie between the three main leads has been applauded, critics felt the movie contained little in the way of an original story, rehashing the same basic narrative as the dozens of other superhero films before it.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 61%
IMDb score: N/A
Journey to Bethlehem
A musical focused on the Biblical birth of Jesus Christ is probably the last thing anybody would expect to see green-lit into production. But like Broadway musicals centered around rapping Founding Fathers, the unorthodox approach works well for presenting an age-old story in a wholly new light–something that best describes the religious musical, Journey to Bethlehem.
A short time after marrying her husband Joseph (Milo Manheim), the virgin Mary (Fiona Palomo) is told by an otherworldly angel (Lecrae) that she will give birth to the Christian savior of mankind: Jesus Christ.
As critics have been quick to acknowledge, Journey to Bethlehem was purposefully made with a direct audience in mind, said demographic being Christians and Catholic viewers ready to embrace the religious undertones of Christmas. Even then, though, Journey to Bethlehem does a fantastic job making its story approachable for all audience members, relying on a rich soundtrack and buoyant dance numbers.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
IMDb score: N/A
The Holdovers
Throughout his career, director Alexander Payne has consistently churned out some of the best movies of the century so far, including dark comedies like Nebraska, Sideways, About Schmidt, and The Descendants. With The Holdovers, Payne returns to the layered films of his early career, balancing laugh-out-loud humor with some poignant studies of hopelessly flawed characters.
At the prestigious Barton Academy in the early 1970s, an authoritative history teacher (Paul Giamatti) is tasked with chaperoning four students unable to return home for the holiday.
With critics hailing the movie as a return to form for Payne, The Holdovers has been met with universal acclaim from viewers. Along with the praise heaped upon the principal cast (Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph), reviewers have also commended The Holdovers for its blend of comedy and drama–a standout feature found in most of Payne’s earliest films.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
IMDb score: 8.3
Other Movies of Note
Notable films that will likely continue playing for only a few more weeks.
Priscilla
The 2020s are proving to be a great time for Elvis fans. Fresh off the release of Baz Luhrmann’s epic biopic Elvis last year, the King returns in Sofia Coppola’s gripping biographical romance film, Priscilla, based on Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir, Elvis and Me.
Meeting the iconic rockstar Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi) by chance at a party, teenager Priscilla Beaulieu (Cailee Spaeny) is shocked to find how tender, romantic, and open Elvis is in his private life, leading to an intense, often turbulent relationship between the two.
In contrast to most other biopics centered around Presley’s life and career, Priscilla offers a more sincere look at Elvis as a person, rather than as a larger-than-life figure in the music industry. Earning incredibly positive reviews from critics, it’s been hailed as one of the most touching films centered around Elvis to date, due in large part to its focus on Priscilla and her relationship to Presley.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
IMDb score: 6.7
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
Taylor Swift’s record-setting, international Eras Tour is still going strong, covering a total of 146 shows that Swift plans to wrap up by November 23, 2024. While it might be difficult securing the absurdly-priced tickets for her shows, viewers can at least experience what Swift’s concerts are like with the recent film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.
Jamming out in front of thousands of Californians, The Eras Tour interweaves footage from three different Taylor Swift concerts in Inglewood, featuring a larger-than-life, cinematic rendition of Swift’s performance in front of an adoring crowd.
Already the highest-earning concert film in history, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour has been met with widespread acclaim from critics and diehard Swift fans alike. Though it’s nothing quite like seeing an actual performance of Swift in-person, the theatrical presentation of the film does a great job capturing Swift’s charismatic performance on the stage.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
IMDb score: 9.2
Killers of the Flower Moon
Thanks to pandemic-related delays, Killers of the Flower Moon has been a long time coming, with Scorsese extensively working on the movie for almost five years. Unsurprisingly, the director’s hard work on the project has paid off in spades, Killers of the Flower Moon drawing an immediate positive response from everyone fortunate enough to see it.
In 1920s Oklahoma, the Indigenous members of the Osage Nation become targets in a large-scale murder plot after lucrative oil deposits are found on their land.
Ranking as one of the finest films Scorsese has ever directed, Killers of the Flower Moon has been met with widespread positive reception from critics and audience members. With its lengthy runtime, ensemble cast, and meticulous recreation of early 20th century America, it’s a detailed study of America’s strained relationship with Native Americans, shining a light on a little-known episode in American history.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
IMDb score: 8.6
The Exorcist: Believer
After breathing new life into the Halloween franchise, director David Gordon Green sets his sights on another age-old classic in the horror genre: 1973’s The Exorcist. Providing a direct sequel to William Friedkin’s legendary supernatural horror film, Green does his best to crank out a macabre continuation of the series, only to be met with a disappointing response from viewers.
Learning that their two young daughters (Lidya Jewett and Olivia Marcum) have been possessed by an inhuman entity, three concerned parents reach out to the only person who has dealt with demonic possession before: retired actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn).
In contrast to the critical success of 2018’s Halloween, The Exorcist: Believer has earned mostly negative reviews from critics, most of whom have voiced disappointment over the movie’s conventional plot and predictable scares.
Where to watch: In theaters/On VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: 23%
IMDb score: 5.6
Saw X
Given the Saw films’ high level of violence, it’s understandable that some viewers might not find the Saw series very enticing to watch. As gruesome as it often is, though, the Saw franchise nevertheless has built a healthy stream of sequels and spin-offs over the years, the latest being Saw X.
Set in between the events of Saw and Saw II, Saw X follows franchise antagonist John Kramer (Tobin Bell) as he travels to Mexico, seeking treatment for his debilitating health issues. Learning that the entire treatment center is a front for con artists, Kramer abducts the fraudulent mental professionals, subjecting them to intense physical and psychological torture.
Compared to its predecessors, Saw X has grossed fairly warm reviews thus far, with some critics even feeling it measured up to the original 2004 Saw. In particular, said critics had appreciative words for the movie’s even balance between gore and a cohesive story audiences could follow (in contrast to the virtually non-existent plot of the earlier Saw sequels).
Where to watch: In theaters/On VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
IMDb score: 7.7
The Creator
It’s been six long years since we’ve seen Gareth Edwards in action, the director’s last film having been the incredibly well-received Star Wars film, Rogue One. After half a decade away of inactivity, the filmmaker returns with his rapturous sci-fi outing, The Creator.
As humanity wages war against an artificial intelligence network in the distant future, a Special Forces operative (John David Washington) is ordered to assassinate the A.I.’s creator, discovering all too late the founder is a young child (Madeleine Yuna Voyles).
Drawing inspiration from The Terminator, Akira, and Blade Runner, Edwards’ well-rounded work on The Creator has led to it receiving abundantly warm praise from critics. Though some felt the story unoriginal and derivative, standout attention has been paid to the movie’s impressive visuals and equally memorable performances.
Where to watch: In theaters/On VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%
IMDb score: 7.2
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie
Continuing its tight grasp over the children’s television genre, the popular superhero multimedia series known as The PAW Patrol returns with its latest outing, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie. Though perhaps not as singularly inspired as the first movie in the series, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie contains enough lighthearted humor to entertain most viewers, regardless of their age.
After gaining superpowers from a mysterious meteorite that crashed in Adventure City, the PAW Patrol have their skills put to the test when the evil Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo) attempts to steal their powers for himself.
Drawing warm reviews from most critics, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie has been complimented for its ability to sustain viewers of every age group through its diverse humor and pleasing visuals (even if hasn’t been as altogether well-received as PAW Patrol: The Movie).
Where to watch:In theaters/On Paramount+ and VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
IMDb score: 5.5
Horror
For movie fans looking for a good scare.
It’s a Wonderful Knife
The beginning of November marks the start of the holiday season, and with it comes the tide of Christmas-themed movies airing on television and streaming services across the globe. Of course, the arrival of Christmas also means the return of holiday horror movies, such as the latest horror comedy, It’s a Wonderful Knife.
One year after stopping a masked killer in her hometown, a self-sacrificing woman (Jane Widdop) wishes she didn’t exist. When her wish is fulfilled, she realizes how important her existence is, with her entire town living in abject fear of the killer’s reign.
A humorous cross between It’s a Wonderful Life and Happy Death Day, It’s a Wonderful Knife has earned mixed to positive reviews from critics, many of whom cited its comedy, originality, and slasher motifs as the movie’s strongest characteristics.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 61%
IMDb score: 5.5
Those are the movies out now.
Grab your tickets ahead of time and skip the lines at the theater.