Best Movies in Theaters Right Now

There’s never been a better time to be a movie fan, especially if you love checking out your local movie theaters. From re-releases of classic titles to exciting big-budget spectacles, it seems as if there’s always something new and exciting to stare at over a bucket of popcorn. However, with the popularity of streaming among a huge influx of popular titles arriving in the coming days, how are you supposed to know what the best movies in theaters are?

Thankfully, we’re here to address those concerns. We’ve taken the time to highlight a number of prominent releases, both old and new, that are currently playing in theaters. From terrific dramas to heart-pounding action films, there’s certainly no shortage of things to see whenever you head down to your local cinema. Don’t believe us? Here are just a handful of the best movies currently playing in theaters. We’ll be updating this list periodically to reflect the best of the best movies as they come and go.

1 Immaculate

March 22

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Sydney Sweeney gave a particularly impressive performance in her latest project, and it’s a horror film at that. Immaculate sees her donning the role of Cecilia, a devout woman working at an Italian convent. However, similar to films like Sister Death and The Nun, she soon comes to discover that the convent holds terrifying secrets that should’ve never been discovered. Sweeney serves as a producer for the film in addition to playing the film’s lead, with additional performances provided by Álvaro Morte, Benedetta Porcaroli, Dora Romano, Girogio Colangeli, and Simona Tabasco.

Sydney Sweeney’s Big Horror Film

After debuting at South by Southwest, Immaculate has certainly made a big splash on the big screen. Impressive sets and stunning production design accentuate a compelling lead performance by Sweeney, making the accompanying cinematography by Elisha Christian truly pop. With Immaculate being shot in Rome, there’s an authenticity that carries Immaculate‘s plot to its horrifying conclusion, one that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll.

2 Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

March 22

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The latest from the long-running Ghostbusters franchise comes out swinging with a particularly chilling entry. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire lives up to its namesake, taking place two years after the events of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. With two generations of Ghostbusters now forced to team up against a brand-new foe, proton streams will fly as New York City is swallowed by a supernatural ice storm. Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon, and other key cast members from Afterlife reprise their roles here, with Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts returning to their legacy roles from the first two Ghostbusters films.

A Proton Pack from the Past

Aside from serving a fresh blast of warm nostalgia via the return of beloved characters like Peter Venkman and Winston Zeddemore, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire doubles down on the serious plot threads previously established in Afterlife, giving this classic film series some genuine stakes for its fifth go-around. The inclusion of Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt round out the film’s expansive cast, and under the direction of the returning Gil Kenan — who previously directed Ghostbusters: Afterlife in addition to his debut, Monster House — you can expect a supernatural adventure loaded with tense battles and goofy gags.

3 Arthur the King

March 15

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Movies with adorable dogs are usually an easy bet for positive reception. The same can be said for the affable Mark Wahlberg, who, alongside an adorable mixed-breed dog, stars in the wonderful Arthur the King. Based on the real-life story of Mikael Lindnord, Arthur the King sees Michael Light (Wahlberg) entering an elaborate on-foot race through the mountaintops of the Dominican Republic, spanning over 400 miles in length. However, as Michael endures on the grueling journey, the discovery of a friendly dog named Ukai throws a wrench into the works. Wahlberg stars alongside Simu Liu and Juliet Rylance, with famous survivalist Bear Grylls even making a cameo appearance.

A Gripping Emotional Journey (With a Dog)

It’s not the easiest thing to act alongside an adorable dog, but suffice to say, Wahlberg has belted out one of his most impressive performances in years. The film currently has a whopping 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest of any film in Wahlberg’s catalog. You could argue it’s because of the incredible true story on display here, or because of how adorable Ukai is, but Arthur the King is certainly striking a chord with audiences everywhere. It’s also worth noting that this is the second collaboration between Wahlberg and director Simon Cellan Jones in two years, with the duo previously working together for Apple TV+’s The Family Plan.

4 Club Zero

March 15

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Club Zero is the latest from Austrian director Jessica Hausner, a film that blends comedy and thrills in an eclectic story. Set in an elite private school, we follow a teacher by the name of Miss Novak (Mia Wasikowska), who is set to teach a course based around “conscious eating”. However, as the days go by, the relationship she forms with a group of five students may take a grim turn. Alongside Wasikowska, Sidse Babbet Knudsen, Elsa Zylberstein, Mathieu Demy, and more fill out the film’s cast.

A Palme d’Or Selection

Club Zero is one of a select few films that got to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, with the award being the highest prize given out by the festival as a whole. Though it may not have officially won, there’s certainly a strong argument to be made as to why it should’ve. Deadpan humor, a morbid premise, and some truly shocking moments outline a particularly bizarre but thought-provoking tale. Fans of Jessica Hausner’s work will likely flock to this movie in droves, but even if you’re unfamiliar with the director, you may want to give it a shot.

5 One Life

March 15

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One Life is an odd movie in theaters right now, not because of its content, but because of its age. After originally premiering internationally on both film festival circuits and in the United Kingdom, it finally came to the United States earlier in March. A World War II drama at its core, one based on a true story at that, One Life chronicles the real-life efforts of Sir Nicholas Winton (Anthony Hopkins), a British stockbroker who finds himself at the center of German-occupied Czechoslovakia in the late 1930s. Just before the war fully breaks out, Winton tasks himself with helping the local Jewish children successfully escape.

Anthony Hopkins Will Make You Cry

Sniffles and crumpled tissues are aplenty during viewings of One Life, with Anthony Hopkins delivering a spectacular lead performance under the direction of James Hawes. Though Hawes primarily worked in television prior to One Life, with the film being his feature-length directorial debut, his work on shows like Raised by Wolves, Black Mirror, Slow Horses, and a handful of modern Doctor Who‘s earliest episodes gave him a firm understanding of how to really dish out the waterworks. It’s a different kind of World War II film that ultimately deserves your attention.

6 Snack Shack

March 15

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A delightful coming-of-age comedy, Snack Shack tells the story of two friends caught in a classic romantic rivalry. Set in the early 1990s, the film follows a pair of teenage employees — A.J. (Conor Sherry) and Moose (Gabriel LaBelle) — working in the eponymous snack shack at their local community pool. Unfortunately, their lucrative operation goes topsy-turvy when Brooke (Mika Abdalla), the pool’s newest lifeguard, moves in next door to A.J. With both teens quickly becoming infatuated with Brooke, will their friendship (and the snack shack) survive?

A 90s Throwback

Similar to how The Holdovers brought us back to the 1970s, Snack Shack recaptures a similar atmosphere found in the early 1990s, eschewing established comedic actors for the sake of bringing new stars to light. Needless to say, it worked out, with both Sherry and LaBelle providing ample personality in this touching coming-of-age story. Though it may fall into familiar plot beats, Snack Shack does so with unabashed sincerity, which brings plenty of raunchy laughs inbetween the more emotional moments.

7 American Dreamer (2024)

March 8

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Originally debuting on the film festival circuit in 2022, American Dreamer features an all-star cast tackling a darkly comedic tale. Peter Dinklage of Game of Thrones fame plays the role of Phil, an Economics professor who hatches a morally dubious plan. Though he attempts to buy the home of a lonely widower for pennies on the dollar, he may come to find that this ambitious goal isn’t so easy to accomplish. Shirley MacLaine co-stars as Astrid, the aforementioned widow, with additional performances provided by Kimberly Quinn, Danny Glover, and Michelle Mylett.

Black Comedy and Big Dreams

Taking inspiration from a real-life story, American Dreamer admittedly saw mixed reception from general audiences due to its pacing and complex character dynamics. Still, the weight of its individual performances will likely cancel out these faults, with both Dinklage and MacLaine sharing an impressive screen presence both together and separate from each other. Combined with some impressive production values, including cinematography provided by Nicolas Bolduc (Enemy), you have a dark comedy that’s well worth seeing.

8 Kung Fu Panda 4

March 8

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Jack Black has certainly mellowed out in his later years, though the same kind of lovable energy he’s become associated with can be found in spades in Kung Fu Panda 4. The exciting fourth entry in DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda franchise sees the lovable Dragon Warrior panda, Po (Black), maturing into a leadership role in the Valley of Peace. However, amid his search for a Dragon Warrior successor, a mysterious new villain will reopen old wounds from the past. Awkwafina, Bryan Cranston, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, and James Hong are just a smattering of the talented voice actors on offer here, with director Mike Mitchell having previously directed Shrek Forever After and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.

An Amicable Fourth Film

Even at its worst, the Kung Fu Panda franchise remains as one of DreamWorks’ most visually-appealing and creative entities to date. That’s not to suggest that Kung Fu Panda 4 is somehow undeserving of its impressive box office performance, however. Loaded with returning characters from previous films, the film marks a high point of character growth for its lead protagonist, as well as one of the studio’s most impressive animation showcases so far. Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that Jack Black, along with Kyle Gass of Tenacious D, contributed yet another fantastic song to the world of cinema in the film’s credits: a shortened cover of Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time.”

9 Love Lies Bleeding

March 8

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A24 films always turn heads, with Love Lies Bleeding promising to be one of the studio’s most unconventional stories yet. A down-on-her-luck gym manager, Lou (Kristen Stewart), finds herself falling in love with Jackie (Katy O’Brian), one of the gym’s latest patrons. Unfortunately, their blossoming romance soon runs red with blood as the two are eventually caught in the web of a criminal family. Rose Glass, who rose to prominence for directing Saint Maud, returns to the director’s chair for this exciting thriller, with additional performances provided by Ed Harris, Dave Franco, Jena Malone, and Anna Baryshnikov.

Guns, Muscles, and Romance

Beyond its stylized promotional materials, Love Lies Bleeding is a film whose individual parts combine into an incredible whole. Gorgeous cinematography by Ben Fordesman (who also worked on Saint Maud) accentuates the brilliant performances of both Stewart and O’Brian, with the supporting cast giving it their all in-between. Dave Franco in particular excels in the role of JJ. All of this is brought together with some of the most visually-striking scenes of the year, crossing pulpy violence with an exceptional amount of freshness.

10 Dune: Part II

March 1

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Dune: Part II is the long-awaited follow-up to 2021’s Dune — and given how Dune: Part II has eclipsed its predecessor in terms of box office returns already, it was hotly anticipated. A direct continuation from the events of the first film, Part II picks up with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) teaming up with the Freman population of Arrakis, all in an effort to battle House Harkonnen following the destruction of House Atreides. Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, and more all form an incredible ensemble cast, with more than a handful of surprise additions that we won’t spoil for you here. Denis Villeneuve returned to direct this exciting follow-up to one of the most beloved modern sci-fi films to date.

The Highest-Grossing Film of 2024 So Far

As of writing, Dune: Part II is currently the single highest-grossing film of 2024. If that’s not a testament to how impressive the newer Dune adaptations have been, both in terms of quality filmmaking and adherence to the source material, we don’t know what is. Chalamet dazzles once more as Paul Atreides, Hans Zimmer provides an impeccable score, and cinematographer Greig Fraser returns to frame this stellar sci-fi world once more after doing an impressive job in 2021’s Dune. It’s a bona fide phenomenon. Although, the less said about its infamous popcorn vessel, the better.