Before he became Llewyn Davis, actor Oscar Isaac was the guy you saw constantly bringing it in secondary roles in high-profile projects, each career move taking him that much closer to the one perfect role that would make him a star. He worked twice with Ridley Scott with Body of Lies and Robin Hood, got to show off his sweet dance moves in Sucker Punch, shot a few guns in The Bourne Legacy, and brought uncommon empathy to his doomed ex-con character in Drive.
And as great as the Llewyn Davis character is on paper, being written by the Coen brothers after all, it was Isaac’s wry, sad, funny, and even mysterious performance that brought the folk singer to cinematic life. 2015 was A Most Violent Year for Isaac, but also a very good one, as that movie released, along with The Two Faces of January, word-of-mouth sci-fi smash Ex Machina, and the juggernaut that was Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens.
Recently, he was in The Card Counter and Dune. Now, we’re taking a walk back now with ranking all of Oscar Isaac’s movies by Tomatometer! —Alex Vo
Critics Consensus: Packed with action and populated by both familiar faces and fresh blood, The Force Awakens successfully recalls the series' former glory while injecting it with renewed energy.
Synopsis: Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren [More]
Critics Consensus: With its hyper-stylized blend of violence, music, and striking imagery, Drive represents a fully realized vision of arthouse action.
Synopsis: Driver is a skilled Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Though he projects an icy exterior, [More]
Critics Consensus:Ex Machina leans heavier on ideas than effects, but it's still a visually polished piece of work -- and an uncommonly engaging sci-fi feature.
Synopsis: Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) a programmer at a huge Internet company, wins a contest that enables him to spend a [More]
Critics Consensus:Star Wars: The Last Jedi honors the saga's rich legacy while adding some surprising twists -- and delivering all the emotion-rich action fans could hope for.
Synopsis: Luke Skywalker's peaceful and solitary existence gets upended when he encounters Rey, a young woman who shows strong signs of [More]
Critics Consensus: Gritty, gripping, and weighted with thought-provoking heft, A Most Violent Year represents another strong entry in writer-director J.C. Chandor's impressive filmography.
Synopsis: In 1981 New York, a fuel supplier (Oscar Isaac) tries to adhere to his own moral compass amid the rampant [More]
Critics Consensus:Annihilation backs up its sci-fi visual wonders and visceral genre thrills with an impressively ambitious -- and surprisingly strange -- exploration of challenging themes that should leave audiences pondering long after the end credits roll.
Synopsis: Lena, a biologist and former soldier, joins a mission to uncover what happened to her husband inside Area X -- [More]
Critics Consensus: Led by Oscar Isaac's gripping performance, The Card Counter adds another weighty chapter to Paul Schrader's long inquiry into man's moral responsibility.
Synopsis: Redemption is the long game in Paul Schrader's THE CARD COUNTER. Told with Schrader's trademark cinematic intensity, the revenge thriller [More]
Critics Consensus:Dune occasionally struggles with its unwieldy source material, but those issues are largely overshadowed by the scope and ambition of this visually thrilling adaptation.
Synopsis: Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to a [More]
Critics Consensus: With striking visuals, complex characters, and Hitchcockian plot twists, The Two Faces of January offers a pleasantly pungent treat for fans of romantic thrillers.
Synopsis: After he kills a detective, a con artist (Viggo Mortensen) and his wife (Kirsten Dunst) must trust a potentially dangerous [More]
Critics Consensus: Led by mesmerizing work from Willem Dafoe in the central role, At Eternity's Gate intriguingly imagines Vincent Van Gogh's troubled final days.
Synopsis: Famed but tormented artist Vincent van Gogh spends his final years in Arles, France, painting masterworks of the natural world [More]
Critics Consensus: An outstanding cast and ambitious story help Triple Frontier overcome an uneven narrative -- and elevate the end result above a crowded field of grim and gritty heist thrillers.
Synopsis: Former Special Forces operatives reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. For the [More]
Critics Consensus:Operation Finale is well-intentioned, well-acted, and overall entertaining, even if the depth and complexity of the real-life events depicted can get a little lost in their dramatization.
Synopsis: Fifteen years after the end of World War II, a team of top-secret Israeli agents travels to Argentina to track [More]
Critics Consensus: A sweet ensemble comedy about a high school reunion, 10 Years is well cast but unfortunately predictable and short on three dimensional characters.
Synopsis: Former high-school friends (Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Justin Long) meet again after a decade and discover that the passage of [More]
Critics Consensus: It isn't quite as compelling as the earlier trilogy, but The Bourne Legacy proves the franchise has stories left to tell -- and benefits from Jeremy Renner's magnetic work in the starring role.
Synopsis: When the actions of Jason Bourne spark a fire that threatens to burn down decades of research across a number [More]
Critics Consensus: Noble goals and a gripping performance from Rachel Weisz can't save Agora from its muddled script, uneven acting, and choppy editing.
Synopsis: In the 4th century A.D., astronomer and philosopher Hypatia (Rachel Weisz) teaches her scientific beliefs to a class of male [More]
Critics Consensus:Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker suffers from a frustrating lack of imagination, but concludes this beloved saga with fan-focused devotion.
Synopsis: When it's discovered that the evil Emperor Palpatine did not die at the hands of Darth Vader, the rebels must [More]
Critics Consensus:The Promise wastes an outstanding cast and powerful real-life story on a love triangle that frustratingly fails to engage.
Synopsis: Brilliant medical student Michael (Oscar Isaac) meets beautiful dance instructor Ana (Charlotte Le Bon) in late 1914. Their shared Armenian [More]
Critics Consensus: Overloaded action and a cliched villain take the focus away from otherwise strong performers and resonant themes, making X-Men: Apocalypse a middling chapter of the venerable superhero franchise.
Synopsis: Worshiped as a god since the dawn of civilization, the immortal Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac) becomes the first and most powerful [More]
Critics Consensus:The Addams Family's starry voice cast and eye-catching animation aren't enough to outweigh its saccharine handling of the delightfully dark source material.
Synopsis: Members of the mysterious and spooky Addams family -- Gomez, Morticia, Pugsley, Wednesday, Uncle Fester and Grandma -- are readily [More]
Critics Consensus: Ridley Scott's revisionist take on this oft-told tale offers some fine acting and a few gripping action sequences, but it's missing the thrill of adventure that made Robin Hood a legend in the first place.
Synopsis: After the death of Richard the Lion-Hearted, a skilled archer named Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe) travels to Nottingham, where villagers [More]
Critics Consensus: Although it benefits from a strong cast, In Secret's stars can't totally compensate for the movie's sodden pacing and overly familiar story.
Synopsis: A woman (Elizabeth Olsen) and her lover (Oscar Isaac) conspire to murder her mild-mannered husband (Tom Felton), but overwhelming guilt [More]
Critics Consensus:The Nativity Story is a dull retelling of a well-worn tale with the look and feel of a high-school production.
Synopsis: Betrothed to much-older Joseph (Oscar Isaac), Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) must remain a maiden for one year, but she subsequently receives [More]
Critics Consensus: Despite the best efforts of its talented leads, Won't Back Down fails to lend sufficient dramatic heft or sophistication to the hot-button issue of education reform.
Synopsis: Jamie Fitzpatrick (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and Nona Alberts (Viola Davis) are two women from opposites sides of the social and economic [More]
Critics Consensus:Mojave has no shortage of talent on either side of the camera; unfortunately, it amounts to little more than a frustrating missed opportunity.
Synopsis: A down-and-out artist (Garrett Hedlund) has a dangerous and shocking encounter with an evil drifter (Oscar Isaac) in the desert, [More]
Critics Consensus: A disappointing misfire for director George Clooney, Suburbicon attempts to juggle social satire, racial commentary, and murder mystery -- and ends up making a mess of all three.
Synopsis: Suburbicon is a peaceful, idyllic, suburban community with affordable homes and manicured lawns -- the perfect place to raise a [More]
Critics Consensus: It's technically impressive and loaded with eye-catching images, but without characters or a plot to support them, all of Sucker Punch's visual thrills are for naught.
Synopsis: Locked away, a young woman named Babydoll (Emily Browning) retreats to a fantasy world where she is free to go [More]
Critics Consensus: Quirky to a fault, Big Gold Brick tries and fails to use visual tricks and a crowded narrative to hide its fundamental lack of purpose.
Synopsis: Big Gold Brick recounts the story of fledgling writer Samuel Liston and his experiences with Floyd Deveraux, the enigmatic middle-aged [More]
Critics Consensus: It has laudable aspirations, but For Greater Glory ultimately fails to fulfill its goals due to an overstuffed script, thinly written characters, and an overly simplified dramatization of historical events.
Synopsis: In late 1920s Mexico, retired Gen. Gorostieta (Andy Garcia) and his wife (Eva Longoria) watch their country degenerate into violent [More]
Critics Consensus: A mawkish melodrama that means less the more it tries to say, Life Itself suggests writer-director Dan Fogelman's talents are best suited to television.
Synopsis: College sweethearts Will and Abby fall in love, get married and prepare to bring their first child into the world. [More]
Critics Consensus:W.E. exhibits director Madonna's keen eye for striking style, but this shallow biopic is too enamored with aesthetics to offer any insight into its subject.
Synopsis: Dissatisfied with the way her own life is playing out, New York-based Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) becomes obsessed with the [More]
Natalie Portman followed up her breakthrough debut as the lil’ assassin in Leon: The Professional with three more Certified Fresh films: Heat, Beautiful Girls, and Everyone Says I Love You. Science-fiction projects gave her first brushes with Rotten ratings (Mars Attacks!) but also global stardom (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace), giving her the clout to work with the biggest name directors; people like Wes Anderson (The Darjeeling Limited), Milos Forman (Goya’s Ghosts), Wong Kar-Wai (My Blueberry Nights), and Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), the last of which nabbed her the Best Actress Oscar.
Portman has also increasingly worked directly behind the camera in recent years, first with her own directed segment in New York, I Love You, and then the feature-length A Tale of Love and Darkness. That came after Portman was absent from the screen a few years following mildly compelling if safe turns in two Thor movies. But she’s back in a revamped starring role with Thor: Love and Thunder, directed by Taika Waititi. Now, let’s look at all of Natalie Portman’s movies with Tomatometers, ranked! —Alex Vo
Critics Consensus:Jackie offers an alluring peek into a beloved American public figure's private world -- and an enthralling starring performance from Natalie Portman in the bargain.
Synopsis: After her husband's assassination, Jackie Kennedy's (Natalie Portman) world is completely shattered. Traumatized and reeling with grief, over the course [More]
Critics Consensus:Annihilation backs up its sci-fi visual wonders and visceral genre thrills with an impressively ambitious -- and surprisingly strange -- exploration of challenging themes that should leave audiences pondering long after the end credits roll.
Synopsis: Lena, a biologist and former soldier, joins a mission to uncover what happened to her husband inside Area X -- [More]
Critics Consensus: Though Al Pacino and Robert De Niro share but a handful of screen minutes together, Heat is an engrossing crime drama that draws compelling performances from its stars -- and confirms Michael Mann's mastery of the genre.
Synopsis: Master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is trying to control the rogue actions of one of his men, while [More]
Critics Consensus: Delivering a quirky spin on familiar twentysomething tropes -- with a cannily-placed soundtrack -- Garden State has enough charm to mark a winning debut for first-time director Zach Braff.
Synopsis: After many years away, television bit part actor Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) returns to his small home town in New [More]
Critics Consensus:Paris Je T'aime is uneven, but there are more than enough delightful moments in this omnibus tribute to the City of Lights to tip the scale in its favor.
Synopsis: A collection has 18 vignettes set in Paris. In "Bastille," a man (Sergio Castellitto) considers leaving his wife (Miranda Richardson) [More]
Critics Consensus: Bracingly intense, passionate, and wildly melodramatic, Black Swan glides on Darren Aronofsky's bold direction -- and a bravura performance from Natalie Portman.
Synopsis: Nina (Natalie Portman) is a ballerina whose passion for the dance rules every facet of her life. When the company's [More]
Critics Consensus: With Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, George Lucas brings his second Star Wars trilogy to a suitably thrilling and often poignant -- if still a bit uneven -- conclusion.
Synopsis: It has been three years since the Clone Wars began. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Jedi Knight Anakin [More]
Critics Consensus: A warm, thoughtful dramedy about male insecurity, Beautiful Girls is buoyed by an excellent cast - particularly Natalie Portman in a stunning early role.
Synopsis: An all-star cast sparks this captivating comedy about a group of old friends whose 10-year high school reunion creates some [More]
Critics Consensus: Visually stunning and thought-provoking, V For Vendetta's political pronouncements may rile some, but its story and impressive set pieces will nevertheless entertain.
Synopsis: Following world war, London is a police state occupied by a fascist government, and a vigilante known only as V [More]
Critics Consensus: Pivoting on the unusual relationship between seasoned hitman and his 12-year-old apprentice -- a breakout turn by young Natalie Portman -- Luc Besson's Léon is a stylish and oddly affecting thriller.
Synopsis: Mathilda (Natalie Portman) is only 12 years old, but is already familiar with the dark side of life: her abusive [More]
Critics Consensus:A Tale of Love and Darkness suggests greater things for debuting writer-director Natalie Portman -- even if its reach slightly exceeds her creative grasp.
Synopsis: Influenced by his mother's (Natalie Portman) stories and poetry readings, young Amos Oz (Amir Tessler) grows up in 1940s Jerusalem [More]
Critics Consensus: In some ways, Thor: Love and Thunder feels like Ragnarok redux -- but overall, it offers enough fast-paced fun to make this a worthy addition to the MCU.
Synopsis: "Thor: Love and Thunder" finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he's ever faced -- a quest for [More]
Critics Consensus: It may not be the finest film to come from the Marvel Universe, but Thor: The Dark World still offers plenty of the humor and high-stakes action that fans have come to expect.
Synopsis: In ancient times, the gods of Asgard fought and won a war against an evil race known as the Dark [More]
Critics Consensus:Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones benefits from an increased emphasis on thrilling action, although it's undercut by ponderous plot points and underdeveloped characters.
Synopsis: Set ten years after the events of "The Phantom Menace," the Republic continues to be mired in strife and chaos. [More]
Critics Consensus: It plays more like a traditional melodrama than the Susanne Bier film that inspired it, but Jim Sheridan's Brothers benefits from rock-solid performances by its three leads.
Synopsis: Siblings Sam (Tobey Maguire) and Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal) are as far apart as brothers can be; while Sam serves [More]
Critics Consensus: The strong chemistry between Susan Sarandon and Natalie Portman as a mother and daughter trying to make a fresh start in L.A. helps to elevate Anywhere But Here above its occasional forays into melodrama.
Synopsis: In this adaptation of the Mona Simpson novel, single mother Adele August (Susan Sarandon) is bad with money, and even [More]
Critics Consensus: Intriguing albeit flawed, Vox Lux probes the allures and pitfalls of modern celebrity with intelligence, visual style, and an assured Natalie Portman performance.
Synopsis: Celeste is a 13-year-old music prodigy who survives a horrific school shooting in Staten Island, N.Y., in 1999. Her talent [More]
Critics Consensus: Tim Burton's alien invasion spoof faithfully recreates the wooden characters and schlocky story of cheesy '50s sci-fi and Ed Wood movies -- perhaps a little too faithfully for audiences.
Synopsis: A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial [More]
Critics Consensus: It has a dark sense of humor and a refreshing lack of sentimentality, but like its title character, Hesher isn't really interested in going anywhere.
Synopsis: An anarchist (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) shakes things up after moving -- uninvited -- into the garage of a troubled youth (Devin [More]
Critics Consensus: Burdened by exposition and populated with stock characters, The Phantom Menace gets the Star Wars prequels off to a bumpy -- albeit visually dazzling -- start.
Synopsis: Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful [More]
Critics Consensus: It benefits from the presence of Natalie Portman and director Ivan Reitman's steady hand, but No Strings Attached doesn't have the courage or conviction to follow through on its ribald premise.
Synopsis: Lifelong friends Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher) take their relationship to the next level by having sex. Afraid [More]
Critics Consensus:Knight of Cups finds Terrence Malick delving deeper into the painterly visual milieu he's explored in recent efforts, but even hardcore fans may struggle with the diminishing narrative returns.
Synopsis: A Los Angeles screenwriter (Christian Bale) indulges his wild side with a stripper (Teresa Palmer), a model (Freida Pinto) and [More]
Critics Consensus: As visually sumptuous as it is narratively spartan, Terrence Malick's Song to Song echoes elements of the writer-director's recent work -- for better and for worse.
Synopsis: Set against the Austin, Texas, music scene, two entangled couples -- struggling songwriters Faye (Rooney Mara) and BV (Ryan Gosling), [More]
Critics Consensus: Though it features some extravagant and entertaining moments, The Other Boleyn Girl feels more like a soap opera than historical drama.
Synopsis: King Henry VIII (Eric Bana) lacks an heir. Seeing this as an opportunity for personal gain, the Duke of Norfolk [More]
Critics Consensus:Jane Got a Gun flounders between campy Western and hard-hitting revisionist take on the genre, leaving Natalie Portman's committed performance stranded in the dust.
Synopsis: Panic strikes Jane Hammond (Natalie Portman) when her outlaw husband John returns to their farm with bullet wounds. Expecting the [More]
Critics Consensus:Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium's title is much more fun that the film itself, as the colorful visuals and talented players can't make up for a bland story.
Synopsis: Magic flows freely through the walls and toys within the Wonder Emporium. But when Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman), the store's [More]
Critics Consensus: Natalie Portman and Lisa Kudrow deliver fine performances in The Other Woman, but they're muted by Don Roos' clumsy direction and cluttered, melodramatic script.
Synopsis: A woman (Natalie Portman) tries to mend her relationship with her stepson and deal with her husband's jealous ex-wife (Lisa [More]
Critics Consensus: Big budgets and costumes in service of scatalogical jokes may seem funny on paper, but in execution this is a highly monotonous romp that registers only occasional laughs.
Synopsis: Prince Thadeous (Danny McBride) has always lived his life in the shadow of his brother, the heir apparent, Prince Fabious [More]
Critics Consensus: The symbolism in this cinematic metaphor on conflicts in the Middle East becomes so overbearing that it's hard to care about the characters or their plight.
Synopsis: Three women, an American (Natalie Portman), an Israeli (Hanna Laslo) and a Palestinian (Hiam Abbass), all become traveling companions in [More]
Critics Consensus:The Death and Life of John F. Donovan finds writer-director Xavier Dolan flailing at profundity with a technically assured drama that never makes sense of its own ideas.
Synopsis: A young actor reminisces about a dead American TV star and the correspondence they shared. [More]
Critics Consensus:The Summoning (Planetarium) looks out on a constellation of potentially brilliant ideas, but proves fatally unable to find its focus.
Synopsis: Two sisters who are thought to be able to communicate with ghosts meet a visionary producer while performing in Paris. [More]
There’s only one place where you can get clones, time travel, simulated realities, irradiated and irritated giant lizards, and space fights and beyond. (Maybe not all at once, but we can dream.) Anything’s possible in this creative nebula known as science fiction, and with its long and historic association with cinema, we present our choices of the greatest science-fiction movies ever: The 150 Essential Sci-Fi Movies!
As they do with horror, filmmakers use science fiction to reflect our aspirations, terrors, and issues of the times. Through genre lens, we can consider our impact on the environment (Godzilla, WALL-E), technology gone berserk (The Terminator, Ex Machina), identity (Blade Runner, The Matrix), and societal breakdowns (Children of Men, A Clockwork Orange). We might even check-in on the current state of the human condition (Gattaca, Her).
Or, maybe we just want to see giant ants wreak havoc across the neighborhood. There may not be a lot of subtext in a big monster movie like Them!, or even crowd-pleasing masterpieces like Star Wars or Back to the Future, but they speak to the one thing that attracts us to movies in the first place: escapism. Science-fiction movies are our tickets to planets far-away (Star Trek, Avatar, Starship Troopers), or a quick hop to a local joint in the solar system (The Martian, Total Recall). They take us just above the atmosphere (Gravity), deep down to the bottom of the ocean (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Abyss), and into the human body (Fantastic Voyage). Limited only 2020by imagination, sci-fi inspires wonder, awe, terror, and hope for alternative mindsets and better futures.
Sci-fi spreads across subgenres, all represented here: the monster movie (Cloverfield), space opera (Serenity), cyberpunk (Ghost in the Shell), and post-apocalyptic (Mad Max: Fury Road) and more. Or it can fuse onto traditional genres like drama (Donnie Darko, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), comedy (Repo Man, Idiocracy), and action (Predator, Demoliton Man). Wherever the destination, these movies — each with at least 20 reviews — were selected because of their unique, fun, and possibly even mind-blowing spins on reality.
It’s time to strap in and cue the Theremin for some of the best science-fiction films created: Time to launch the 150 Essential Sci-Fi Movies! (Alex Vo)
Critics Consensus: A frantic and occasional funny adaptation of Douglas Adams' novel. However, it may have those unfamiliar with the source material scratching their heads.
Synopsis: Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) is trying to prevent his house from being bulldozed when his friend Ford Prefect (Mos Def) [More]
Critics Consensus:The Endless benefits from its grounded approach to an increasingly bizarre story, elevated by believable performances by filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.
Synopsis: Two brothers receive a cryptic video message inspiring them to revisit the UFO death cult they escaped a decade earlier. [More]
Critics Consensus:Timecrimes is a low-budget thriller that's well-crafted and loaded with dark humor and bizarre twists.
Synopsis: Nacho Vigalondo's time-travel thriller opens with Hector spying on a beautiful woman undressing in the woods near his property. Investigating, [More]
Critics Consensus:Ad Astra takes a visually thrilling journey through the vast reaches of space while charting an ambitious course for the heart of the bond between parent and child.
Synopsis: Thirty years ago, Clifford McBride led a voyage into deep space, but the ship and crew were never heard from [More]
Critics Consensus:High Life is as visually arresting as it is challenging, confounding, and ultimately rewarding - which is to say it's everything film fans expect from director Claire Denis.
Synopsis: Monte and his baby daughter are the last survivors of a damned and dangerous mission to the outer reaches of [More]
Critics Consensus: A case study in less-is-more filmmaking, Coherence serves as a compelling low-budget calling card for debuting writer-director James Ward Byrkit.
Synopsis: Eight friends at a dinner party experience a troubling chain of events due to the malevolent influence of a passing [More]
Critics Consensus:Rocky Horror Picture Show brings its quirky characters in tight, but it's the narrative thrust that really drives audiences insane and keeps 'em doing the time warp again.
Synopsis: In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, [More]
Critics Consensus:Midnight Special's intriguing mysteries may not resolve themselves to every viewer's liking, but the journey is ambitious, entertaining, and terrifically acted.
Synopsis: The government and a group of religious extremists pursue a man (Michael Shannon) and his son (Jaeden Lieberher), a young [More]
Critics Consensus: Its central metaphor is a bit too on the nose, but Wizards is an otherwise psychedelic, freaky trip into an alternate version of our world.
Synopsis: After the death of his mother, the evil mutant wizard Blackwolf (Steve Gravers) discovers some long-lost military technologies. Full of [More]
Critics Consensus:Annihilation backs up its sci-fi visual wonders and visceral genre thrills with an impressively ambitious -- and surprisingly strange -- exploration of challenging themes that should leave audiences pondering long after the end credits roll.
Synopsis: Lena, a biologist and former soldier, joins a mission to uncover what happened to her husband inside Area X -- [More]
Critics Consensus:Contact elucidates stirring scientific concepts and theological inquiry at the expense of satisfying storytelling, making for a brainy blockbuster that engages with its ideas, if not its characters.
Synopsis: In this Zemeckis-directed adaptation of the Carl Sagan novel, Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) races to interpret a possible message [More]
Critics Consensus:The Congress rises on the strength of Robin Wright's powerful performance, with enough ambitious storytelling and technical thrills to overcome its somewhat messy structure.
Synopsis: An aging actress agrees to preserve her digital likeness for a studio to use in any future films it likes. [More]
Critics Consensus: Bolstered by impressive special effects and a charming performance from its young star, Flight of the Navigator holds up as a solidly entertaining bit of family-friendly sci-fi.
Synopsis: This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale, [More]
Critics Consensus: Remixing Roger Corman's B-movie by way of the Off-Broadway musical, Little Shop of Horrors offers camp, horror and catchy tunes in equal measure -- plus some inspired cameos by the likes of Steve Martin and Bill Murray.
Synopsis: Meek flower shop assistant Seymour (Rick Moranis) pines for co-worker Audrey (Ellen Greene). During a total eclipse, he discovers an [More]
Critics Consensus:Alita: Battle Angel's story struggles to keep up with its special effects, but fans of futuristic sci-fi action may still find themselves more than sufficiently entertained.
Synopsis: Set several centuries in the future, the abandoned Alita is found in the scrapyard of Iron City by Ido, a [More]
Critics Consensus:Ready Player One is a sweetly nostalgic thrill ride that neatly encapsulates Spielberg's strengths while adding another solidly engrossing adventure to his filmography.
Synopsis: In 2045, the creator of a virtual reality universe promises his fortune to the first person to discover a digital [More]
Critics Consensus: The epitome of so-bad-it's-good cinema, Plan 9 From Outer Space is an unintentionally hilarious sci-fi "thriller" from anti-genius Ed Wood that is justly celebrated for its staggering ineptitude.
Synopsis: Residents of California's San Fernando Valley are under attack by flying saucers from outer space. The aliens, led by Eros [More]
Critics Consensus: Its dystopia vision is presented with striking brutality and visual splendor, but Rollerball is often undermined by shallow characterizations and a script that delivers social critique without much conviction.
Synopsis: The year is 2018 in a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries. A violent futuristic game known as Rollerball [More]
Critics Consensus: It doesn't fulfill the potential of its ambitious themes, butSilent Running stands as a decidedly unique type of sci-fi journey marked by intimate character work and a melancholic mood.
Synopsis: After the end of all botanical life on Earth, ecologist Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern) maintains a greenhouse on a space [More]
Critics Consensus: Steven Spielberg's adaptation of War of the Worlds delivers on the thrill and paranoia of H.G. Wells' classic novel while impressively updating the action and effects for modern audiences.
Synopsis: Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie [More]
Critics Consensus: A remarkable technical achievement, Metropolis' eye-popping visuals more than compensate for its relatively routine story.
Synopsis: Visually stunning Japanese anime interpretation of Fritz Lang's classic film, also based on Osamu Tezuka's outstanding 1945 illustrations. A Japanese [More]
Critics Consensus:Godzilla Resurgence offers a refreshingly low-fi -- and altogether entertaining -- return to the monster's classic creature-feature roots.
Synopsis: Something has surfaced in Tokyo Bay. As the Prime Minister of Japan pleads with the public to remain calm, a [More]
Critics Consensus: Though it may be short on dazzling special effects, The Search for Spock is still a strong Star Trek installment, thanks to affecting performances by its iconic cast.
Synopsis: Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) has defeated his archenemy but at great cost. His friend Spock has apparently been [More]
Critics Consensus:Rogue One draws deep on Star Wars mythology while breaking new narrative and aesthetic ground -- and suggesting a bright blockbuster future for the franchise.
Synopsis: Former scientist Galen Erso lives on a farm with his wife and young daughter, Jyn. His peaceful existence comes crashing [More]
Critics Consensus:The Fountain -- a movie about metaphysics, universal patterns, Biblical symbolism, and boundless love spread across one thousand years -- is visually rich but suffers from its own unfocused ambitions.
Synopsis: A man (Hugh Jackman) travels through time on a quest for immortality and to save the woman (Rachel Weisz) he [More]
Critics Consensus: In spite of its chortle-worthy premise and dated special effects, The Blob remains a prime example of how satisfying cheesy B-movie monster thrills can be.
Synopsis: A drive-in favorite, this sci-fi classic follows teenagers Steve (Steven McQueen) and his best girl, Jane (Aneta Corseaut), as they [More]
Critics Consensus: Eerily prescient in its presentation of a dystopian future, Things to Come's special effects may be somewhat dated, but its potent ideas haven't aged at all.
Synopsis: It's Christmas 1940, and Everytown resident John Cabal (Raymond Massey) fears that war is imminent. When it breaks out, the [More]
Critics Consensus:Cube sometimes struggles with where to take its intriguing premise, but gripping pace and an impressive intelligence make it hard to turn away.
Synopsis: Without remembering how they got there, several strangers awaken in a prison of cubic cells, some of them booby-trapped. There's [More]
Critics Consensus:Strange Days struggles to make the most of its futuristic premise, but what's left remains a well-directed, reasonably enjoyable sci-fi fantasy.
Synopsis: Former policeman Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes) has moved into a more lucrative trade: the illegal sale of virtual reality-like recordings [More]
Critics Consensus: It's sexist, juvenile, and dated, but Heavy Metal makes up for its flaws with eye-popping animation and a classic, smartly used soundtrack.
Synopsis: Adventures from deep space to futuristic New York, and beyond. Each world and story is dominated by the presence of [More]
Critics Consensus: A curious, not always seamless, amalgamation of Kubrick's chilly bleakness and Spielberg's warm-hearted optimism, A.I. is, in a word, fascinating.
Synopsis: A robotic boy, the first programmed to love, David (Haley Joel Osment) is adopted as a test case by a [More]
Synopsis: After meteors enter Earth's atmosphere, blinding much of the planet's population in the process, plantlike creatures known as Triffids emerge [More]
Synopsis: After Dr. Bronson (Hayden Rorke) discovers Zyra, a new planet, fellow astronomer Dr. Hendron (Larry Keating) checks Bronson's data and [More]
Critics Consensus: Danny Boyle continues his descent into mind-twisting sci-fi madness, taking us along for the ride. Sunshine fulfills the dual requisite necessary to become classic sci-fi: dazzling visuals with intelligent action.
Synopsis: In the not-too-distant future, Earth's dying sun spells the end for humanity. In a last-ditch effort to save the planet, [More]
Critics Consensus: A loopy 2001 satire, Dark Star may not be the most consistent sci-fi comedy, but its portrayal of human eccentricity is a welcome addition to the genre.
Synopsis: A satiric look at the problems experienced by a crew of bumbling astronauts on a mission to destroy rogue planets. [More]
Critics Consensus: Director Alejandro Amenábar tackles some heady issues with finesse and clarity in Open Your Eyes, a gripping exploration of existentialism and the human spirit.
Synopsis: Handsome 25-year-old Cesar (Eduardo Noriega) had it all -- a successful career, expensive cars, a swank bachelor's pad, and an [More]
Critics Consensus: A nostalgic ode to kids' movies of yesteryear, Turbo Kid eyes the past through an entertaining -- albeit surprisingly gory -- postmodern lens.
Synopsis: In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, an orphaned teen (Munro Chambers) must battle a ruthless warlord (Michael Ironside) to save the girl [More]
Critics Consensus: George Lucas' feature debut presents a spare, bleak, dystopian future, and features evocatively minimal set design and creepy sound effects.
Synopsis: In the future, mankind lives in vast underground cities and free will is outlawed by means of mandatory medication that [More]
Critics Consensus: Effortlessly mixing scares, laughs, and social commentary, Attack the Block is a thrilling, briskly-paced sci-fi yarn with a distinctly British flavor.
Synopsis: South London teenagers (John Boyega, Alex Esmail, Leeon Jones) defend their neighborhood from malevolent extraterrestrials. [More]
Critics Consensus: Like its augmented protagonist, Upgrade's old-fashioned innards get a high-tech boost -- one made even more powerful thanks to sharp humor and a solidly well-told story.
Synopsis: A brutal mugging leaves Grey Trace paralyzed in the hospital and his beloved wife dead. A billionaire inventor soon offers [More]
Critics Consensus: While fans of the series will surely appreciate it, First Contact is exciting, engaging, and visually appealing enough to entertain Star Trek novices.
Synopsis: The Enterprise and its crew follow a Borg ship through a time warp to prevent the Borg from taking over [More]
Critics Consensus: Madcap and heartfelt, Edgar Wright's apocalypse comedy The World's End benefits from the typically hilarious Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, with a plethora of supporting players.
Synopsis: Gary King (Simon Pegg) is an immature 40-year-old who's dying to take another stab at an epic pub-crawl that he [More]
Critics Consensus: Employing gritty camerawork and evocative sound effects, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a powerful remake that expands upon themes and ideas only lightly explored in the original.
Synopsis: This remake of the classic horror film is set in San Francisco. Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) assumes that when a [More]
Critics Consensus: As populace pleasing as it is intellectually satisfying, The Host combines scares, laughs, and satire into a riveting, monster movie.
Synopsis: Careless American military personnel dump chemicals into South Korea's Han River. Several years later, a creature emerges from the tainted [More]
Critics Consensus:A Quiet Place artfully plays on elemental fears with a ruthlessly intelligent creature feature that's as original as it is scary -- and establishes director John Krasinski as a rising talent.
Synopsis: If they hear you, they hunt you. A family must live in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by [More]
Critics Consensus: Packed with action and populated by both familiar faces and fresh blood, The Force Awakens successfully recalls the series' former glory while injecting it with renewed energy.
Synopsis: Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren [More]
Critics Consensus: Visually inventive and gleefully over the top, Luc Besson's The Fifth Element is a fantastic piece of pop sci-fi that never takes itself too seriously.
Synopsis: The Earth is about to be destroyed by a huge ball of fire racing toward the planet. Cornelius, an old [More]
Critics Consensus: Visually stunning and thought-provoking, V For Vendetta's political pronouncements may rile some, but its story and impressive set pieces will nevertheless entertain.
Synopsis: Following world war, London is a police state occupied by a fascist government, and a vigilante known only as V [More]
Critics Consensus: Fueled by bombastic violence and impressive special effects, rooted in self-satire and deadpan humor, Dredd 3D does a remarkable job of capturing its source material's gritty spirit.
Synopsis: Mega City One is a vast, violent metropolis where felons rule the streets. The only law lies with cops called [More]
Critics Consensus: Featuring director John Sayles trademark humanity and an expressive performance from Joe Morton, The Brother from Another Planet is an observant, dryly comic sci-fi gem.
Synopsis: The Brother (Joe Morton) is an alien and escaped slave on the run from his home planet. After he lands [More]
Critics Consensus: Its message may prove elusive for some, but with absorbing imagery and a mesmerizing performance from Scarlett Johansson, Under the Skin is a haunting viewing experience.
Synopsis: Disguising herself as a human female, an extraterrestrial (Scarlett Johansson) drives around Scotland and tries to lure unsuspecting men into [More]
Critics Consensus: Filled with stunning imagery, The Man Who Fell to Earth is a calm, meditative film that profoundly explores our culture's values and desires.
Synopsis: Thomas Jerome Newton (David Bowie) is an alien who has come to Earth in search of water to save his [More]
Critics Consensus: David Cronenberg combines his trademark affinity for gore and horror with strongly developed characters, making The Fly a surprisingly affecting tragedy.
Synopsis: When scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) completes his teleportation device, he decides to test its abilities on himself. Unbeknownst to [More]
Critics Consensus: A sort of Blair Witch Project crossed with Godzilla, Cloverfield is economically paced, stylistically clever, and filled with scares.
Synopsis: As a group of New Yorkers (Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman) enjoy a going-away party, little do they know [More]
Critics Consensus: Thanks to a smart script, spectacular set pieces, and charismatic performances from its leads, Men in Black is an entirely satisfying summer blockbuster hit.
Synopsis: Working for a highly funded yet unofficial government agency, Kay and Jay are the Men in Black, providers of immigration [More]
Critics Consensus: While not as dramatically strong as it is technologically, TRON is a visually stunning piece of science fiction that represents a landmark work in the history of computer animation.
Synopsis: When talented computer engineer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) finds out that Ed Dillinger (David Warner), an executive at his company, [More]
Critics Consensus:Bumblebee proves it's possible to bring fun and a sense of wonder back to a bloated blockbuster franchise -- and sets up its own slate of sequels in the bargain.
Synopsis: On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee the Autobot seeks refuge in a junkyard in a small California beach [More]
Critics Consensus: Richard Kelly's debut feature Donnie Darko is a daring, original vision, packed with jarring ideas and intelligence and featuring a remarkable performance from Jake Gyllenhaal as the troubled title character.
Synopsis: In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take [More]
Critics Consensus: It may sport more style than substance, but Pacific Rim is a solid modern creature feature bolstered by fantastical imagery and an irresistible sense of fun.
Synopsis: Long ago, legions of monstrous creatures called Kaiju arose from the sea, bringing with them all-consuming war. To fight the [More]
Critics Consensus: Fahrenheit 451 is an intriguing film that suffuses Truffaut's trademark wit and black humor with the intelligence and morality of Ray Bradbury's novel.
Synopsis: Adaptation of the Ray Bradbury novel about a future society that has banned all reading material and the job of [More]
Critics Consensus: A better-than-average sci-fi shoot-em-up with a satirical undercurrent, Demolition Man is bolstered by strong performances by Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, and Sandra Bullock.
Synopsis: With innocent victims caught in the crossfire in Los Angeles' intensifying war on crime, both cop John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) [More]
Critics Consensus: A faithful adaptation of Philip K. Dick's novel, A Scanner Darkly takes the viewer on a visual and mind-blowing journey into the author's conception of a drug-addled and politically unstable world.
Synopsis: In the near future, as America virtually loses the war on drugs, Robert Arctor, a narcotics cop in Orange County, [More]
Critics Consensus: Finding the human story amidst the action, director Duncan Jones and charming Jake Gyllenhaal craft a smart, satisfying sci-fi thriller.
Synopsis: Helicopter pilot Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) is part of a top-secret military operation that enables him to experience the last [More]
Critics Consensus: The utterly gorgeous special effects frequently overshadow the fact that The Abyss is also a totally gripping, claustrophobic thriller, complete with an interesting crew of characters.
Synopsis: Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio are formerly married petroleum engineers who still have some issues to work out. They [More]
Critics Consensus: Led by Rupert Wyatt's stylish direction, some impressive special effects, and a mesmerizing performance by Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes breathes unlikely new life into a long-running franchise.
Synopsis: Will Rodman (James Franco), a scientist in San Francisco, is experimenting with a drug that he hopes will cure his [More]
Critics Consensus: Extraordinarily daring for a Hollywood film, Altered States attacks the viewer with its inventive, aggressive mix of muddled sound effects and visual pyrotechnics.
Synopsis: Respected scientist and psychology professor Edward Jessup (William Hurt) decides to combine his experiments in sensory deprivation tanks with powerful [More]
Critics Consensus: Fun genre fare with uncommon intelligence, Predestination serves as a better-than-average sci-fi adventure -- and offers a starmaking turn from Sarah Snook.
Synopsis: A temporal agent (Ethan Hawke) embarks on a final time-traveling assignment to prevent an elusive criminal from launching an attack [More]
Critics Consensus: Featuring dazzling, disorienting cinematography from the great James Wong Howe and a strong lead performance by Rock Hudson, Seconds is a compellingly paranoid take on the legend of Faust.
Synopsis: Banker Arthur Hamilton (John Randolph) gets a call one day from a friend he thought was dead. It turns out [More]
Critics Consensus: While admittedly melodramatic and uneven in spots, Soylent Green ultimately succeeds with its dark, plausible vision of a dystopian future.
Synopsis: In a densely overpopulated, starving New York City of the future, NYPD detective Robert Thorn (Charlton Heston) investigates the murder [More]
Critics Consensus: One of Disney's finest live-action adventures, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea brings Jules Verne's classic sci-fi tale to vivid life, and features an awesome giant squid.
Synopsis: In 1866, Professor Pierre M. Aronnax (Paul Lukas) and his assistant Conseil (Peter Lorre), stranded in San Francisco by reports [More]
Critics Consensus: Thrilling and superbly acted, The Hunger Games captures the dramatic violence, raw emotion, and ambitious scope of its source novel.
Synopsis: In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by forcing them [More]
Critics Consensus: It might be more impressive on a technical level than as a piece of storytelling, but Avatar reaffirms James Cameron's singular gift for imaginative, absorbing filmmaking.
Synopsis: James Cameron's Academy Award®-winning 2009 epic adventure "Avatar", returns to theaters September 23 in stunning 4K High Dynamic Range. On [More]
Critics Consensus: Thought-provoking and visceral, Steven Spielberg successfully combines high concept ideas and high octane action in this fast and febrile sci-fi thriller.
Synopsis: Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, "Minority Report" is an action-detective thriller set in [More]
Critics Consensus: While Alphaville is by no means a conventional sci-fi film, Jean-Luc Godard creates a witty, noir-ish future all his own.
Synopsis: Government agent Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine) is dispatched on a secret mission to Alphaville, a dystopian metropolis in a distant [More]
Critics Consensus: One of the best creature features of the early atomic age, Them! features effectively menacing special effects and avoids the self-parody that would taint later monster movies.
Synopsis: While investigating a series of mysterious deaths, Sergeant Ben Peterson (James Whitmore) finds a young girl (Sandy Descher) who is [More]
Critics Consensus: Visually audacious, disorienting, and just plain weird, Videodrome's musings on technology, entertainment, and politics still feel fresh today.
Synopsis: As the president of a trashy TV channel, Max Renn (James Woods) is desperate for new programming to attract viewers. [More]
Critics Consensus:Snowpiercer offers an audaciously ambitious action spectacular for filmgoers numb to effects-driven blockbusters.
Synopsis: A post-apocalyptic ice age forces humanity's last survivors aboard a globe-spanning supertrain. One man (Chris Evans) will risk everything to [More]
Critics Consensus: One of the best political allegories of the 1950s, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is an efficient, chilling blend of sci-fi and horror.
Synopsis: In Santa Mira, California, Dr. Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) is baffled when all his patients come to him with the [More]
Critics Consensus: Planet of the Apes raises thought-provoking questions about our culture without letting social commentary get in the way of the drama and action.
Synopsis: Complex sociological themes run through this science-fiction classic about three astronauts marooned on a futuristic planet where apes rule and [More]
Critics Consensus:Star Trek reignites a classic franchise with action, humor, a strong story, and brilliant visuals, and will please traditional Trekkies and new fans alike.
Synopsis: Aboard the USS Enterprise, the most-sophisticated starship ever built, a novice crew embarks on its maiden voyage. Their path takes [More]
Critics Consensus: Featuring an atmospherically grimy futuristic metropolis, Escape from New York is a strange, entertaining jumble of thrilling action and oddball weirdness.
Synopsis: In 1997, a major war between the United States and the Soviet Union is concluding, and the entire island of [More]
Critics Consensus: Though it's dated in spots, The War of the Worlds retains an unnerving power, updating H.G. Wells' classic sci-fi tale to the Cold War era and featuring some of the best special effects of any 1950s film.
Synopsis: Scientist Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) and Sylvia Van Buren (Ann Robinson) are the first to arrive at the site of [More]
Critics Consensus: Visually stunning and narratively satisfying, Blade Runner 2049 deepens and expands its predecessor's story while standing as an impressive filmmaking achievement in its own right.
Synopsis: Officer K (Ryan Gosling), a new blade runner for the Los Angeles Police Department, unearths a long-buried secret that has [More]
Critics Consensus: The special effects may be a bit dated today, but Fantastic Voyage still holds up well as an imaginative journey into the human body.
Synopsis: The brilliant scientist Jan Benes (Jean Del Val) develops a way to shrink humans, and other objects, for brief periods [More]
Critics Consensus: Sweet, soulful, and smart, Spike Jonze's Her uses its just-barely-sci-fi scenario to impart wryly funny wisdom about the state of modern human relationships.
Synopsis: A sensitive and soulful man earns a living by writing personal letters for other people. Left heartbroken after his marriage [More]
Critics Consensus: The endearing Iron Giant tackles ambitious topics and complex human relationships with a steady hand and beautifully animated direction from Brad Bird.
Synopsis: In this animated adaptation of Ted Hughes' Cold War fable, a giant alien robot (Vin Diesel) crash-lands near the small [More]
Critics Consensus: Fantastic Planet is an animated epic that is by turns surreal and lovely, fantastic and graceful.
Synopsis: This animated tale follows the relationship between the small human-like Oms and their much larger blue-skinned oppressors, the Draags, who [More]
Critics Consensus: Boosted by Sam Rockwell's intense performance, Moon is a compelling work of science-fiction, and a promising debut from director Duncan Jones.
Synopsis: Astronaut Sam Bell's (Sam Rockwell) three-year shift at a lunar mine is finally coming to an end, and he's looking [More]
Critics Consensus: Smart, thrilling, and surprisingly funny, The Martian offers a faithful adaptation of the bestselling book that brings out the best in leading man Matt Damon and director Ridley Scott.
Synopsis: When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney, presumed dead after a fierce storm. With [More]
Critics Consensus:Interstellar represents more of the thrilling, thought-provoking, and visually resplendent filmmaking moviegoers have come to expect from writer-director Christopher Nolan, even if its intellectual reach somewhat exceeds its grasp.
Synopsis: In Earth's future, a global crop blight and second Dust Bowl are slowly rendering the planet uninhabitable. Professor Brand (Michael [More]
Critics Consensus: Propelled by Charlie Kaufman's smart, imaginative script and Michel Gondry's equally daring directorial touch, Eternal Sunshine is a twisty yet heartfelt look at relationships and heartache.
Synopsis: After a painful breakup, Clementine (Kate Winslet) undergoes a procedure to erase memories of her former boyfriend Joel (Jim Carrey) [More]
Critics Consensus: As thought-provoking as it is thrilling, Looper delivers an uncommonly smart, bravely original blend of futuristic sci-fi and good old-fashioned action.
Synopsis: In a future society, time-travel exists, but it's only available to those with the means to pay for it on [More]
Critics Consensus:Close Encounters of the Third Kind is deeply humane sci-fi exploring male obsession, cosmic mysticism, and music.
Synopsis: Science fiction adventure about a group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) witnesses an [More]
Critics Consensus:Arrival delivers a must-see experience for fans of thinking person's sci-fi that anchors its heady themes with genuinely affecting emotion and a terrific performance from Amy Adams.
Synopsis: Linguistics professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams) leads an elite team of investigators when gigantic spaceships touch down in 12 locations [More]
Critics Consensus:Ex Machina leans heavier on ideas than effects, but it's still a visually polished piece of work -- and an uncommonly engaging sci-fi feature.
Synopsis: Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) a programmer at a huge Internet company, wins a contest that enables him to spend a [More]
Critics Consensus:Wall-E's stellar visuals testify once again to Pixar's ingenuity, while its charming star will captivate younger viewers -- and its timely story offers thought-provoking subtext.
Synopsis: WALL-E, short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying [More]
Critics Consensus: Playing as both an exciting sci-fi adventure and a remarkable portrait of childhood, Steven Spielberg's touching tale of a homesick alien remains a piece of movie magic for young and old.
Synopsis: After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott [More]
Critics Consensus: Shakespeare gets the deluxe space treatment in Forbidden Planet, an adaptation of The Tempest with impressive sets and seamless special effects.
Synopsis: In this sci-fi classic, a spacecraft travels to the distant planet Altair IV to discover the fate of a group [More]
Critics Consensus: The plot's a bit of a jumble, but excellent performances and mind-blowing plot twists make 12 Monkeys a kooky, effective experience.
Synopsis: Traveling back in time isn't simple, as James Cole (Bruce Willis) learns the hard way. Imprisoned in the 2030s, James [More]
Critics Consensus:Jurassic Park is a spectacle of special effects and life-like animatronics, with some of Spielberg's best sequences of sustained awe and sheer terror since Jaws.
Synopsis: In Steven Spielberg's massive blockbuster, paleontologists Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff [More]
Critics Consensus: Dense, obtuse, but stimulating, Primer is a film for viewers ready for a cerebral challenge.
Synopsis: Intellectual engineers Aaron (Shane Carruth) and Abe (David Sullivan) build and sell error-checking technology with the help of their friends [More]
Critics Consensus: Intelligent and scientifically provocative, Gattaca is an absorbing sci fi drama that poses important interesting ethical questions about the nature of science.
Synopsis: Vincent Freeman has always fantasized about traveling into outer space, but is grounded by his status as a genetically inferior [More]
Critics Consensus: A stunning feat of modern animation, Ghost in the Shell offers a thoughtful, complex treat for anime fans, as well as a perfect introduction for viewers new to the medium.
Synopsis: In this Japanese animation, cyborg federal agent Maj. Motoko Kusanagi (Mimi Woods) trails "The Puppet Master" (Abe Lasser), who illegally [More]
Critics Consensus: Brazil, Terry Gilliam's visionary Orwellian fantasy, is an audacious dark comedy, filled with strange, imaginative visuals.
Synopsis: Low-level bureaucrat Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) escapes the monotony of his day-to-day life through a recurring daydream of himself as [More]
Critics Consensus: Considered by many fans to be the best of the Star Trek movies, The Wrath of Khan features a strong plot, increased tension, and a sharp supporting performance from Ricardo Montalban.
Synopsis: As Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Capt. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) monitor trainees at Starfleet Academy, another vessel from [More]
Critics Consensus: Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic.
Synopsis: Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth -- not to conquer or give aid, but -- to find refuge from [More]
Critics Consensus: While over-the-top and gory, Robocop is also a surprisingly smart sci-fi flick that uses ultraviolence to disguise its satire of American culture.
Synopsis: In a violent, near-apocalyptic Detroit, evil corporation Omni Consumer Products wins a contract from the city government to privatize the [More]
Critics Consensus:Akira is strikingly bloody and violent, but its phenomenal animation and sheer kinetic energy helped set the standard for modern anime.
Synopsis: In 1988 the Japanese government drops an atomic bomb on Tokyo after ESP experiments on children go awry. In 2019, [More]
Critics Consensus:Children of Men works on every level: as a violent chase thriller, a fantastical cautionary tale, and a sophisticated human drama about societies struggling to live.
Synopsis: When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and the last child born has perished, a disillusioned bureaucrat (Clive Owen) becomes the [More]
Critics Consensus: With its impressive action sequences, taut economic direction, and relentlessly fast pace, it's clear why The Terminator continues to be an influence on sci-fi and action flicks.
Synopsis: Disguised as a human, a cyborg assassin known as a Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) travels from 2029 to 1984 to kill [More]
Critics Consensus: Gripping, well-acted, funny, and clever, Edge of Tomorrow offers entertaining proof that Tom Cruise is still more than capable of shouldering the weight of a blockbuster action thriller.
Synopsis: When Earth falls under attack from invincible aliens, no military unit in the world is able to beat them. Maj. [More]
Critics Consensus: While Alien was a marvel of slow-building, atmospheric tension, Aliens packs a much more visceral punch, and features a typically strong performance from Sigourney Weaver.
Synopsis: After floating in space for 57 years, Lt. Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) shuttle is found by a deep space salvage team. [More]
Critics Consensus: Dark, sinister, but ultimately even more involving than A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back defies viewer expectations and takes the series to heightened emotional levels.
Synopsis: The adventure continues in this "Star Wars" sequel. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) [More]
Critics Consensus: Grimmer and more terrifying than the 1950s take, John Carpenter's The Thing is a tense sci-fi thriller rife with compelling tension and some remarkable make-up effects.
Synopsis: In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed at their base camp by a helicopter shooting at [More]
Critics Consensus:T2 features thrilling action sequences and eye-popping visual effects, but what takes this sci-fi action landmark to the next level is the depth of the human (and cyborg) characters.
Synopsis: In this sequel set eleven years after "The Terminator," young John Connor (Edward Furlong), the key to civilization's victory over [More]
Critics Consensus: Thanks to the Wachowskis' imaginative vision, The Matrix is a smartly crafted combination of spectacular action and groundbreaking special effects.
Synopsis: Neo believes that Morpheus, an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question -- [More]
Critics Consensus: A legendarily expansive and ambitious start to the sci-fi saga, George Lucas opened our eyes to the possibilities of blockbuster filmmaking and things have never been the same.
Synopsis: The Imperial Forces -- under orders from cruel Darth Vader (David Prowse) -- hold Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hostage, in [More]
Critics Consensus: Misunderstood when it first hit theaters, the influence of Ridley Scott's mysterious, neo-noir Blade Runner has deepened with time. A visually remarkable, achingly human sci-fi masterpiece.
Synopsis: Deckard (Harrison Ford) is forced by the police Boss (M. Emmet Walsh) to continue his old job as Replicant Hunter. [More]
Critics Consensus: One of the most influential of all sci-fi films -- and one of the most controversial -- Stanley Kubrick's 2001 is a delicate, poetic meditation on the ingenuity -- and folly -- of mankind.
Synopsis: An imposing black structure provides a connection between the past and the future in this enigmatic adaptation of a short [More]
For some, staying home right now can mean curling up with a loved one on the couch for a date-night flick or gathering the whole family together for movie night. For many others, it can mean flying solo – long days and nights of streaming by yourself. We’re here to help with some movie suggestions we think are tailor-made for that latter experience.
Just like going to the movie theater alone can be a singularly joyous “treat yo self” excursion, solo home-viewing can be a great experience too – if you choose the right film. There are movies out there that actually benefit from being watched alone: It might be that they require a level of concentration and focus that distracting friends and loved ones just won’t allow you, or that the maximum scare factor is best felt when you are completely isolated – just like the babysitter being stalked on screen. It might just be that the movie has the kind of awkward/titillating sexy bits that make watching it with a first date – or, let’s say, mom – not exactly ideal. Watch it alone – no judgment, no nervous giggles.
To help those solo-fliers get through the next little while, the RT team pulled together a list of movies perfect for watching alone for all of those reasons – and a bunch that are just guaranteed to put you in an awesome mood the moment they start. Which might be the best reason of all.
What’s your favorite movie to watch by yourself? Let us know in the comments.
Click on each movie’s title to find out more, including where to stream, rent, or buy.
BECAUSE THE MOVIE REQUIRES YOUR ABSOLUTE CONCENTRATION…
Critics Consensus: Charlie Kaufman's ambitious directorial debut occasionally strains to connect, but ultimately provides fascinating insight into a writer's mind.
Synopsis: Life is looking pretty bleak for theater director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman). His wife and daughter have left him, [More]
Critics Consensus: An epic gangster drama that earns its extended runtime, The Irishman finds Martin Scorsese revisiting familiar themes to poignant, funny, and profound effect.
Synopsis: In the 1950s, truck driver Frank Sheeran gets involved with Russell Bufalino and his Pennsylvania crime family. As Sheeran climbs [More]
Critics Consensus: Propelled by Charlie Kaufman's smart, imaginative script and Michel Gondry's equally daring directorial touch, Eternal Sunshine is a twisty yet heartfelt look at relationships and heartache.
Synopsis: After a painful breakup, Clementine (Kate Winslet) undergoes a procedure to erase memories of her former boyfriend Joel (Jim Carrey) [More]
Critics Consensus:Annihilation backs up its sci-fi visual wonders and visceral genre thrills with an impressively ambitious -- and surprisingly strange -- exploration of challenging themes that should leave audiences pondering long after the end credits roll.
Synopsis: Lena, a biologist and former soldier, joins a mission to uncover what happened to her husband inside Area X -- [More]
Critics Consensus: An eruption of feeling that's as overwhelming as it is overwrought, Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia reaches a feverish crescendo and sustains it thanks to its fearlessly committed ensemble.
Synopsis: On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous [More]
Critics Consensus: The plot's a bit of a jumble, but excellent performances and mind-blowing plot twists make 12 Monkeys a kooky, effective experience.
Synopsis: Traveling back in time isn't simple, as James Cole (Bruce Willis) learns the hard way. Imprisoned in the 2030s, James [More]
Critics Consensus: A quiet, dialogue-driven thriller that delivers with scene after scene of gut-wrenching anxiety. David Fincher also spends more time illustrating nuances of his characters and recreating the mood of the '70s than he does on gory details of murder.
Synopsis: In the late 1960s and 1970s, fear grips the city of San Francisco as a serial killer called Zodiac stalks [More]
Critics Consensus:Silence ends Martin Scorsese's decades-long creative quest with a thoughtful, emotionally resonant look at spirituality and human nature that stands among the director's finest works.
Synopsis: Two 17th-century Portuguese missionaries, Father Sebastian Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Father Francisco Garupe (Adam Driver), embark on a perilous journey [More]
Critics Consensus: Its greatness is blunted by its length and one-sided point of view, but the film's weaknesses are overpowered by Michael Cimino's sympathetic direction and a series of heartbreaking performances from Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Christopher Walken.
Synopsis: In 1968, Michael (Robert De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken) and Steven (John Savage), lifelong friends from a working-class Pennsylvania steel [More]
Critics Consensus: An urgent, brilliantly layered look at timely social themes, Parasite finds writer-director Bong Joon Ho in near-total command of his craft.
Synopsis: Greed and class discrimination threaten the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan. [More]
Critics Consensus: The ending could use a little work but this is otherwise another sterling example of David Fincher's iron grip on atmosphere and storytelling.
Synopsis: Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) is a successful banker who keeps mostly to himself. When his estranged brother Conrad (Sean [More]
Critics Consensus:Inherent Vice may prove frustrating for viewers who demand absolute coherence, but it does justice to its acclaimed source material -- and should satisfy fans of director P.T. Anderson.
Synopsis: In a California beach community, private detective Larry "Doc" Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) tends to work his cases through a smoky [More]
Critics Consensus:Burning patiently lures audiences into a slow-burning character study that ultimately rewards the viewer's patience -- and subverts many of their expectations.
Synopsis: Jong-soo runs into Hae-mi, a girl who once lived in his neighborhood, and she asks him to watch her cat [More]
Critics Consensus: Terrence Malick's singularly deliberate style may prove unrewarding for some, but for patient viewers, Tree of Life is an emotional as well as visual treat.
Synopsis: In this highly philosophical film by acclaimed director Terrence Malick, young Jack (Hunter McCracken) is one of three brothers growing [More]
Critics Consensus: Full of twists and turns, The Prestige is a dazzling period piece that never stops challenging the audience.
Synopsis: An illusion gone horribly wrong pits two 19th-century magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman), against each [More]
Critics Consensus: Its message may prove elusive for some, but with absorbing imagery and a mesmerizing performance from Scarlett Johansson, Under the Skin is a haunting viewing experience.
Synopsis: Disguising herself as a human female, an extraterrestrial (Scarlett Johansson) drives around Scotland and tries to lure unsuspecting men into [More]
Critics Consensus: Intelligent and scientifically provocative, Gattaca is an absorbing sci fi drama that poses important interesting ethical questions about the nature of science.
Synopsis: Vincent Freeman has always fantasized about traveling into outer space, but is grounded by his status as a genetically inferior [More]
Critics Consensus: Benigni's earnest charm, when not overstepping its bounds into the unnecessarily treacly, offers the possibility of hope in the face of unflinching horror.
Synopsis: A gentle Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a pretty schoolteacher, and wins her over with [More]
Critics Consensus:Pan's Labyrinth is Alice in Wonderland for grown-ups, with the horrors of both reality and fantasy blended together into an extraordinary, spellbinding fable.
Synopsis: In 1944 Spain young Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) and her ailing mother (Ariadna Gil) arrive at the post of her mother's [More]
Critics Consensus: Not all great soundtracks make good movies, and Beaches lacks the wind beneath its wings.
Synopsis: Hillary (Barbara Hershey) and CC (Bette Midler) meet as children vacationing in Atlantic City, N.J., and remain friends throughout the [More]
Critics Consensus:Steel Magnolias has jokes and characters to spare, which makes it more dangerous (and effective) when it goes for the full melodrama by the end.
Synopsis: M'Lynn (Sally Field) is the mother of bride-to-be Shelby Eatenton (Julia Roberts), and as friend Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton) fixes [More]
Critics Consensus: Solid work from Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon isn't enough to save Stepmom from a story whose manipulations dilute the effectiveness of a potentially affecting drama.
Synopsis: Three years after divorcing Jackie (Susan Sarandon), the mother of his children, Luke Harrison (Ed Harris) decides to take the [More]
Critics Consensus: It might have been better served by a filmmaker with a deeper connection to the source material, but The Color Purple remains a worthy, well-acted adaptation of Alice Walker's classic novel.
Synopsis: An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), an African-American woman living in the South [More]
Critics Consensus: A classic tearjerker, Terms of Endearment isn't shy about reaching for the heartstrings -- but is so well-acted and smartly scripted that it's almost impossible to resist.
Synopsis: Widow Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter, Emma (Debra Winger), have a strong bond, but Emma marries teacher Flap [More]
Critics Consensus: Wise, funny, and heartbreaking without resorting to exploitation, The Fault In Our Stars does right by its bestselling source material.
Synopsis: Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a 16-year-old cancer patient, meets and falls in love with Gus Waters (Ansel Elgort), a [More]
Critics Consensus:My Girl has a mostly sweet story and a pair of appealing young leads, but it's largely undone by its aggressively tearjerking ending.
Synopsis: Tomboy Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky) has good reason to be morbid: her mother died giving birth to her, and her [More]
Critics Consensus:Selena occasionally struggles to tell its subject's story with depth or perspective, but those flaws are rendered largely irrelevant by Jennifer Lopez in the title role.
Synopsis: In this biographical drama, Selena Quintanilla (Jennifer Lopez) is born into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas. Her father, Abraham [More]
Critics Consensus: An exciting, funny, and poignant adventure, Up offers an impeccably crafted story told with wit and arranged with depth, as well as yet another visual Pixar treat.
Synopsis: Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner), a 78-year-old balloon salesman, is about to fulfill a lifelong dream. Tying thousands of balloons to [More]
Critics Consensus: Playing as both an exciting sci-fi adventure and a remarkable portrait of childhood, Steven Spielberg's touching tale of a homesick alien remains a piece of movie magic for young and old.
Synopsis: After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott [More]
Critics Consensus: In Stories We Tell, Sarah Polley plays with the documentary format to explore the nature of memory and storytelling, crafting a thoughtful, compelling narrative that unfolds like a mystery.
Synopsis: Through a series of revealing interviews, filmmaker Sarah Polley investigates the truth about her family history. [More]
Critics Consensus:Old Yeller is an exemplary coming of age tale, packing an emotional wallop through smart pacing and a keen understanding of the elemental bonding between humanity and their furry best friends.
Synopsis: While Jim Coates (Fess Parker) is off on a cattle drive, his wife, Katie (Dorothy McGuire), and sons, Travis (Tommy [More]
Critics Consensus: Warm, whimsical, and poignant, the immaculately framed and beautifully acted Moonrise Kingdom presents writer/director Wes Anderson at his idiosyncratic best.
Synopsis: The year is 1965, and the residents of New Penzance, an island off the coast of New England, inhabit a [More]
Critics Consensus:The Goonies is an energetic, sometimes noisy mix of Spielbergian sentiment and funhouse tricks that will appeal to kids and nostalgic adults alike.
Synopsis: When two brothers find out they might lose their house they are desperate to find a way to keep their [More]
Critics Consensus: A delightfully postmodern fairy tale, The Princess Bride is a deft, intelligent mix of swashbuckling, romance, and comedy that takes an age-old damsel-in-distress story and makes it fresh.
Synopsis: A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a [More]
Critics Consensus: Mike Nichols wrangles agreeably amusing performances from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane in this fun, if not quite essential, remake of the French comedy La Cage aux Folles.
Synopsis: In Miami Beach, a gay couple pretend to be man and wife when a son's future father-in-law and family visit. [More]
Critics Consensus: A funny and clever reshaping of Emma, Clueless offers a soft satire that pokes as much fun at teen films as it does at the Beverly Hills glitterati.
Synopsis: Shallow, rich and socially successful Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school's pecking scale. [More]
Critics Consensus: It handles its potentially prickly subject matter with kid gloves, but Intouchables gets by thanks to its strong cast and some remarkably sensitive direction.
Synopsis: An unlikely friendship develops between a wealthy quadriplegic (François Cluzet) and his caretaker (Omar Sy), just released from prison. [More]
Critics Consensus: Though it benefits from the comic charms of its two leads, Tommy Boy too often feels like a familiar sketch stretched thin.
Synopsis: After his beloved father (Brian Dennehy) dies, dimwitted Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley) inherits a near-bankrupt automobile parts factory in Sandusky, [More]
Critics Consensus:Little Miss Sunshine succeeds thanks to a strong ensemble cast that includes Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, and Abigail Breslin, as well as a delightfully funny script.
Synopsis: The Hoover family -- a man (Greg Kinnear), his wife (Toni Collette), an uncle (Steve Carell), a brother (Paul Dano) [More]
Critics Consensus: This jukebox musical is full of fluffy fun but rough singing voices and a campy tone might not make you feel like "You Can Dance" the whole 90 minutes.
Synopsis: Donna (Meryl Streep), an independent hotelier in the Greek islands, is preparing for her daughter's wedding with the help of [More]
Critics Consensus:Step Brothers indulges in a cheerfully relentless immaturity that will quickly turn off viewers unamused by Ferrell and Reilly -- and delight those who find their antics hilarious.
Synopsis: Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) and Dale Doback (John C. Reilly) have one thing in common: they are both lazy, unemployed [More]
Critics Consensus: Though unabashedly juvenile and silly, Airplane! is nevertheless an uproarious spoof comedy full of quotable lines and slapstick gags that endure to this day.
Synopsis: This spoof comedy takes shots at the slew of disaster movies that were released in the 70s. When the passengers [More]
Critics Consensus: With a talented cast turned loose on a loaded premise -- and a sharp script loaded with dark comedy and unexpected twists -- Game Night might be more fun than the real thing.
Synopsis: Max and Annie's weekly game night gets kicked up a notch when Max's brother Brooks arranges a murder mystery party [More]
Critics Consensus: Earnest without being didactic and uplifting without stooping to sentimentality, Pride is a joyous crowd-pleaser that genuinely works.
Synopsis: Realizing that they share common foes in Margaret Thatcher, the police and the conservative press, London-based gays and lesbians lend [More]
Critics Consensus: The brilliant minds behind Shaun of the Dead successfully take a shot at the buddy cop genre with Hot Fuzz. The result is a bitingly satiric and hugely entertaining parody.
Synopsis: As a former London constable, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) finds if difficult to adapt to his new assignment in the [More]
Critics Consensus: Undisciplined, scatological, profoundly silly, and often utterly groan-worthy, Robin Hood: Men in Tights still has an amiable, anything-goes goofiness that has made it a cult favorite.
Synopsis: Crusading nobleman Robin of Loxley (Cary Elwes) escapes from prison in Jerusalem and returns home to find that the evil [More]
Critics Consensus:Sing Street is a feel-good musical with huge heart and irresistible optimism, and its charming cast and hummable tunes help to elevate its familiar plotting.
Synopsis: In 1985, a Dublin teenager (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) forms a rock 'n' roll band to win the heart of an aspiring [More]
Critics Consensus: Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, Big is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy.
Synopsis: At a carnival, young Josh Baskin wishes he was big, only to wake up the next morning and discover his [More]
Critics Consensus: With a terrific cast and a surfeit of visual razzle dazzle, Crazy Rich Asians takes a satisfying step forward for screen representation while deftly drawing inspiration from the classic -- and still effective -- rom-com formula.
Synopsis: Rachel Chu is happy to accompany her longtime boyfriend, Nick, to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. She's also surprised [More]
Critics Consensus:Magic Mike XXL has enough narrative thrust and beefy charm to deliver another helping of well-oiled entertainment, even if this sequel isn't quite as pleasurable as its predecessor.
Synopsis: It's been three years since Mike Lane's (Channing Tatum) retirement from stripping, but the former dancer misses the excitement and [More]
Critics Consensus: Unevenly echoing the work of Alfred Hitchcock, Basic Instinct contains a star-making performance from Sharon Stone but is ultimately undone by its problematic, overly lurid plot.
Synopsis: The mysterious Catherine Tramell, a beautiful crime novelist, becomes a suspect when she is linked to the brutal death of [More]
Critics Consensus: Led by a triumvirate of terrific performances, Alfonso Cuarón's free-spirited road trip through Mexico is a sexy and wistful hymn to the fleetingness of youth.
Synopsis: The lives of Julio and Tenoch, like those of 17-year old boys everywhere, are ruled by raging hormones, intense friendships, [More]
Critics Consensus: Grounded in strong characters, bold themes, and subtle storytelling, Boogie Nights is a groundbreaking film both for director P.T. Anderson and star Mark Wahlberg.
Synopsis: In the San Fernando Valley in 1977, teenage busboy Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg) gets discovered by porn director Jack Horner [More]
Critics Consensus:Bound's more titillating elements attracted attention, but it's the stylish direction, solid performances, and entertaining neo-noir caper plot that make it worth a watch.
Synopsis: Sparks fly when Violet (Jennifer Tilly) sets eyes on Corky (Gina Gershon) in an elevator. Violet is the girlfriend of [More]
Critics Consensus: A sensual thriller with two engaging performers demanding our undivided attention.
Synopsis: When uptight British writer Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling) has difficulty with her new detective novel, her publisher, John Bosload (Charles [More]
Critics Consensus: David Lynch's dreamlike and mysterious Mulholland Drive is a twisty neo-noir with an unconventional structure that features a mesmerizing performance from Naomi Watts as a woman on the dark fringes of Hollywood.
Synopsis: A dark-haired woman (Laura Elena Harring) is left amnesiac after a car crash. She wanders the streets of Los Angeles [More]
Critics Consensus: Made from classic noir ingredients and flavored with a heaping helping of steamy modern spice, Body Heat more than lives up to its evocative title.
Synopsis: Shyster lawyer Ned Racine (William Hurt) begins a passionate affair with Matty Walker (Kathleen Turner), wife of a wealthy Florida [More]
Critics Consensus: Boasting stellar performances by Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, Shame is a powerful plunge into the mania of addiction affliction.
Synopsis: Successful and handsome New Yorker Brandon (Michael Fassbender) seems to live an ordinary life, but he hides a terrible secret [More]
Critics Consensus: While creatively better endowed than its print counterpart, Fifty Shades of Grey is a less than satisfying experience on the screen.
Synopsis: When college senior Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) steps in for her sick roommate to interview prominent businessman Christian Grey (Jamie [More]
Critics Consensus:Fear has an appealing young cast, but their efforts aren't enough to consistently distract from an increasingly overblown - and illogical - teen stalker story.
Synopsis: When 16-year-old Nicole Walker (Reese Witherspoon) meets 23-year-old David McCall (Mark Wahlberg) at a Seattle nightclub, she falls in love. [More]
Critics Consensus:A Quiet Place artfully plays on elemental fears with a ruthlessly intelligent creature feature that's as original as it is scary -- and establishes director John Krasinski as a rising talent.
Synopsis: If they hear you, they hunt you. A family must live in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by [More]
Critics Consensus:The Strangers has a handful of genuinely scary moments, but they're not enough to elevate the end results above standard slasher fare.
Synopsis: Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) are expecting a relaxing weekend at a family vacation home, but their stay [More]
Critics Consensus: More tasteful than recent slasher flicks, but Dead Silence is undone by boring characters, bland dialogue, and an unnecessary and obvious twist ending.
Synopsis: After his wife meets a grisly end, Jamie Ashen (Ryan Kwanten) returns to their creepy hometown of Ravens Fair to [More]
Critics Consensus: Though its underlying themes are familiar, House of the Devil effectively sheds the loud and gory cliches of contemporary horror to deliver a tense, slowly building throwback to the fright flicks of decades past.
Synopsis: Desperate to make some money so she can move into a new apartment, college student Samantha Hughes (Jocelin Donahue) takes [More]
Critics Consensus:Don't Breathe smartly twists its sturdy premise to offer a satisfyingly tense, chilling addition to the home invasion genre that's all the more effective for its simplicity.
Synopsis: Rocky (Jane Levy), Alex and Money are three Detroit thieves who get their kicks by breaking into the houses of [More]
Critics Consensus: Though it deviates from Stephen King's novel, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is a chilling, often baroque journey into madness -- exemplified by an unforgettable turn from Jack Nicholson.
Synopsis: Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer's block. [More]
Critics Consensus: Nail-bitingly tense and brilliantly acted, Wait Until Dark is a compact thriller that makes the most of its fiendishly clever premise.
Synopsis: After a flight back home, Sam Hendrix (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) returns with a doll he innocently acquired along the way. [More]
Critics Consensus: Well-crafted and gleefully creepy, The Conjuring ratchets up dread through a series of effective old-school scares.
Synopsis: In 1970, paranormal investigators and demonologists Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed (Patrick Wilson) Warren are summoned to the home of [More]
Critics Consensus:It Comes at Night makes lethally effective use of its bare-bones trappings while proving once again that what's left unseen can be just as horrifying as anything on the screen.
Synopsis: After a mysterious apocalypse leaves the world with few survivors, two families are forced to share a home in an [More]
Critics Consensus: Deeply unnerving and surprisingly poignant, The Orphanage is an atmospheric, beautifully crafted haunted house horror film that earns scares with a minimum of blood.
Synopsis: Laura (Belén Rueda) has happy memories of her childhood in an orphanage. She convinces her husband to buy the place [More]
Thumbnail image: Everett Collection, Paramount Pictures, Focus Features
Box office king Black Panther became the first film since all-time champ Star Wars: The Force Awakens to hold the number one spot for four consecutive weeks. The Marvel sensation also shattered the $1 billion global mark thanks to continued success around the world and its opening in its final market of China which was sensational.
In North America, Panther declined by only 38% to an estimated $41.1M boosting the domestic haul to $562M. This was the third highest gross of all-time for any movie in its fourth weekend trailing just Avatarand Force Awakens. By comparison, The Avengers grossed $36.7M Friday-to-Sunday in its fourth weekend which was helped by the Memorial Day holiday. The T’Challa hit is now running 9.5% ahead of Avengers after the first 24 days of release.
It also jumped up two spots on the all-time domestic blockbusters chart leaping over Rogue One and The Dark Knight in the process and is now the number two super hero movie ever behind just Avengers which it is likely to surpass as well. A North American final in the $650M range may occur.
Overseas the pressure was on for Black Panther to deliver in its last market of China, and boy did it. The Wakanda smash debuted to a stunning $66.5M there this weekend which was the fourth largest opening ever for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Overall, international territories added an estimated $100M to the total which climbed to $516.6M putting the global box office at $1.08 billion with more to come. Globally, Black Panther will soon pass Captain America: Civil War which is the film which first introduced the character. And if this durable run keeps going, it is possible that the $1.4 billion final of Avengers: Age of Ultron will be challenged.
Opening in second place was the next big-budget adventure on Disney’s slate, the fantasy kidpic A Wrinkle in Time which bowed to an estimated $33.3M from 3,980 locations for a solid $8,371 average. Reviews were mixed for the PG-rated film but starpower from Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling helped bring in audiences.
The performance was even with the $33M debut of the studio’s Tomorrowland from 2015 which also was an effects-driven fantasy aimed at families and boasting Hollywood star wattage, George Clooney in that case. That film faded fast and was seen as an expensive flop for the Mouse House. Its $190M production budget was at least 50% bigger than Wrinkle‘s so the new Oprah movie starts off its run in a better financial position.
Still, more was hoped for from this pricey project filled with stars, based on a beloved book, and backed with a formidable marketing push. Disney’s recent March offerings coming from the fairy tale type genre include Cinderella($67.9M debut), Oz the Great and Powerful($79.1M) and of course last year’s megahit Beauty and the Beast($174.8M). On the other hand, Wrinkle did open better than the $26.9M of 2016’s Johnny Depp sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass which cost one pretty penny for Disney. Studio data showed that the audience was 57% female and 57% over 25 and the film earned a decent B grade from CinemaScore.
This weekend saw a rare case when the top two films in the country were both directed by African-American filmmakers. Ryan Coogler did Black Pantherwhile Ava Duvernay helmed Wrinkle. Last spring also saw big grosses from black directors with F. Gary Gray doing The Fate of the Furious and Jordan Peele giving moviegoers one of the year’s most profitable films, Get Out.
The new horror entry Strangers: Prey at Night enjoyed a decent start opening in third place with an estimated $10.5M this weekend. The Aviron release averaged a respectable $4,253 from 2,464 locations. Reviews were not so good for the R-rated film but young adults responded to the frights which have been hard to find as Hollywood has not unleashed many scary movies so far in 2018.
Jennifer Lawrence witnessed a 52% decline during the second weekend of release of her latest action movie Red Sparrow. The Fox title did an estimated $8.2M and boosted its cume to $31.1M. The comedy Game Nightheld up well again sliding by only 24% to an estimated $7.9M pushing the sum to $45M for Warner Bros.
Dropping 32% in its fifth round was the kidpic Peter Rabbit with an estimated $6.8M giving Sony $93.5M to date. The Bruce Willis action remake Death Wish fell 49% in its sophomore session to an estimated $6.6M giving MGM $23.9M to date.
Paramount’s sci-fi entry Annihilationdropped 44% in its third frame to an estimated $3.2M lifting the total to $26.1M. The critically panned action title The Hurricane Heist from Entertainment Studios was mostly ignored by moviegoers debuting to an estimated $3.2M from 2,402 theaters for a dismal $1,311 average. Jumanji did another $2.8M, according to estimates, slipping 38% and putting Sony at $397.3M.
The crime comedy Gringo from Amazon debuted just below the top ten to an estimated $2.6M from 2,404 locations for a poor $1,082 average. Reviews for the R-rated film starring David Oyelowo and Charlize Theron were more on the negative side and consumer excitement never really took off.
The top ten films grossed an estimated $123.4M this weekend which was down 17% from last year when Kong: Skull Islandopened at number one with $61M; but up 4% from 2016 when Zootopiaheld onto the top spot with $51.3M.
Maybe we’re just still drunk on Frances McDormand’s rousing Oscar speech, but we’ve noticed something about 2018: There is an incredible number of awesome female heroes hitting screens. Some have already left their mark — see Black Panther‘s Dora Milaje — and a ton more are set to make an impact from this month through summer blockbuster season and right up to Christmas. We’ve got more women suiting up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the Wasp and our first look at Captain Marvel. And women getting their hands on the kind of action roles that used to go mostly to the boys, going to battle in movies like Predator and Annihilation. And we’ve got Bryce Dallas Howard finally kicking those damn heels aside. These female heroes are smart, courageous, and they kick serious ass. We can’t wait to see them at the movies.
She may not fly or wear a cape but Meryl Streep’s Katharine Graham is a kind of journalistic superhero in Spielberg’s The Post. Facing off against backward-looking suits (blam!) and patronizing advisers (kapow!), her decision to publish the Pentagon Papers stories is a move for the history books. Literally. Meryl hasn’t looked this tough battling bad guys since The River Wild.
OK, so the 26% Rotten movie that Mary found herself in was a bit of a letdown, especially after trailers that promised serious badassness and one of the coolest posters we’ve seen in a while. It was ultimately more drama than action flick. But Taraji P. Henson’s hitwoman still managed to throw down thrillingly, and the actress showed a steeliness and charisma that has us crossing our fingers for a (much better and more action-packed) sequel.
There were few bright spots in this hyped-up Netflix fizzer, and one of them was Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Hamilton. In a better film, this tough, quick-thinking space-traveler might have been a new generation’s Ripley, or at least landed somewhere on par with Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s gutsy Michelle from 10 Cloverfield Lane. If only she’d been given something to fight against other than the laws of logic.
These king protectors are already the year’s fiercest on-screen fighters and are going to seriously own the cosplay circuit come summer. Danai Gurira out-Michonnes herself as the general, Okoye, and demonstrates amazing wig-as-weaponry skills, while Florence Kasumba adds to her comic-book icon credentials (that’s her as one of Wonder Woman’s Amazons over in the DC Universe). After their reception in Black Panther, we can just hear the Infinity Wareditors hard at work cutting in more Okoye screen time.
We could have included any of the women who bravely head into the Shimmer, a world in which… let’s avoid any spoilers and just say weird s— happens. But it’s Lena who is our focus throughout the critically lauded sci-fi flick, and the person who comes equipped with military training (helpful when Portman is called upon to fire weapons that are almost as big as she is). Add this to a long list of action-icon roles for the Oscar-winning actress, which kicked off when she was just a tween in Léon.
From Mockingjay to Sparrow. Jennifer Lawrence reteamed with directed Frances Lawrence, who helmed her last three outings as Katniss Everdeen, to play this ballerina-turned spy. While the movie didn’t, erm, catch fire (it’s currently Rotten at 49%), critics and audiences singled out Lawrence for giving cinema another formidable, don’t-even-try-to-eff-with-me female lead.
The critics may be split on Ava DuVernay’s ambitious family fantasy flick — responses range from “beautiful and gripping” to “stiff” — but almost everyone who’s weighed in so far has said that Storm Reid soars as Meg Murry, the little girl whose search for her father centers the movie. Reid gives a star-making performance as the smart, resourceful, time-traveling teen who seems set to inspire a slew of moviegoers this March.
Lara Croft has been one of the defining female action heroines of our time — first in video games, then on screen. This time she’s on a mission to unlock the mystery of her long-lost father, and she comes in the form of Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander. No word on how the film stacks up against earlier efforts to bring Croft to the big screen, but trailers and clips suggest plenty of kicking, jumping, and raiding of tombs.
(Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Marie Claire and Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for GQ)
Released March 23
With the original Pacific Rim, Guillermo del Toro gave us a female action star to root for in Rinko Kikuchi’s Mako Mori, who could monster-bash with the best of them. With the sequel, we get at least two women suiting up to fight the Kaiju threat. Spaeny, who plays a scrappy Rey-like character, is new to our screens, while some might recognize Arjona from the second season of True Detective.
Even some mega fans of Ernest Cline’s book admit that Parzival’s fixation on Art3mis, along with her overall character arc, has… let’s just say, some issues. But we’re putting our bets on some tweaks having been made to make this champion gunter more than just gamer boy’s trophy. And with the talented Olivia Cooke donning the OASIS headset, we’re making that bet a big one.
The notorious RBG finally gets a documentary. The film, directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen, was a breakout at Sundance this year, and traces the 84-year-old Supreme Court Justice’s decades-long career fighting injustice with a weapon as tough as any slab of vibranium: that incredible RBG mind.
“You broke into the wrong house,” says Gabrielle Union’s Shaun Russell in the trailer for Breaking In — and she’s not playing. Russell is a mom of two kids forced to fight back after a band of men break into the (very) high-tech house she’s staying in and take her children hostage. Cue the weaponized wine stem! Think Kevin McCallister meets Sarah Connor and you get the idea.
The Merc with a Mouth’s much-loved frenemy made her comic-book debut in X-Force #8, though she had appeared (in a form assumed by Copycat) earlier. Confusing? Kinda, but don’t stress: All you need to know is that she has a very cool power, is played by Atlanta’s scene-stealing Zazie Beetz, and the publicity image of her lying on a Deadpool rug is already iconic.
Not a whole lot is known about Emilia Clarke’s Qi’Ra, but if she follows in the footsteps of recent British brunettes in Star Wars movies, it’s a safe bet she knows her way around a blaster. We do know that she grew up with Han, a detail that Clarke — who’s racked up action cred playing both Sarah Connor and Daenerys Targaryen — revealed to Entertainment Weekly. “If you have got a really glamorous lady in a really sordid environment, you kind of know that maybe the glamor is hiding a few rough roads,” she added.
To go by the first trailer for Incredibles 2, Helen Parr has stepped well away from the kitchen. That’s her riding a train and chasing down a baddie on a motorbike while Mr. Elastigirl — sorry, Mr. Incredible — is stuck at home looking after a multitalented Jack-Jack.
Those heels that had everyone up in arms three years ago? They’ve been fed to raptors. Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire Dearing returns for round two on Isla Nublar firing rifles, riding jeeps, and — crucially — wearing a sensible pair of boots.
Wings and blasters: Evangeline Lilly’s Wasp is not just a partner to Ant-Man, she’s an upgrade. And if the trailer is anything to go by, she might have the movie’s best scene (riding on a knife’s edge is a singular talent). The Wasp and Ant-Man face off against a female villain this time, with Hannah John-Kamen playing Ghost.
Olivia Munn, who was criminally underused in X-Men: Apocalypse, plays a scientist in director Shane Black’s Predator reboot, but that doesn’t mean she won’t be getting in on the alien-fighting action. The actress toldMen’s Fitness that Bracket “knows how to use a weapon… I didn’t want her to be a soldier, but there’s no reason why she wouldn’t know how. Shane and I were on the same page about that immediately.”
The original scream queen — or, if you’re a purist, the daughter of the woman who rightly holds that title — returns to face her knife-wielding brother one more time. This new Halloween movie ignores all of the sequels, including the one in which Laurie was killed. Judy Greer will join Curtis as Karen Strode, presumably the daughter of slasherdom’s ultimate final girl. No doubt she’s inherited mom’s wire-hanger skills.
Fans of the X-Men comics and animated series will finally get what they’ve been waiting for: a treatment of the Dark Phoenix saga that doesn’t take a dump over all of their hopes and expectations. At least, that’s what we’re hoping for as Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner steps into the role of Jean Grey and her destructive alter-ego, Dark Phoenix.
So, she doesn’t kick ass so much as she she kicks common colds, but we’re still pumped to see the return of the magical nanny to the big screen. Some of Emily Blunt’s best work — including the Certified Fresh Sicario, Looper, and Edge of Tomorrow— has made her something of a latter-day Linda Hamilton, and we think she might bring a bit of steel, along with sugar, to the role.
With all eyes on the Academy Awards, Hollywood was ruled once again by the runaway blockbuster sensation Black Panther which amassed an estimated $65.7M in its third frame making more than the next seven films combined. That was the third biggest gross of all-time for any film in its third weekend of release behind only Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($90.2M) and Avatar($68.5M) which both got help from the potent New Year’s holiday at those times. The decline for T’Challa this weekend was only 41%.
Panther watched its domestic cume crush the half-billion mark after only 17 days of release as the total soared to a stunning $501.1M. That ties it with Jurassic World for third fastest ever to break $500M. The Last Jedidid it in 16 days this past December while Force Awakens needed just ten days. It should be noted that the two Star Wars films played during the lucrative Christmas holiday season while Jurassic World was in late June when most schools were closing for summer vacations. Black Panther has had some school breaks, but played in a more standard time of year when box office sales are historically slower.
On the all-time domestic blockbuster chart, the Wakanda hit has risen to number ten and is currently sandwiched in between fellow Disney titles Beauty and the Beast and Finding Dory. In fact, seven of the top eleven blockbusters are from the Mouse House which is already planning out its box office dominance over the years ahead with an impressive calendar of titles it just announced leading into 2023. These include ten untitled Marvel films which most certainly would include one, if not two Black Panther sequels.
Black Panther has now had smaller declines on the second and third weekends than Avengers did in May 2012 and the road ahead continues to look bright. By Saturday it will surpass the $533.3M of The Dark Knight and it now stands a great chance of also passing the $623.4M of Avengers to become the highest grossing super hero movie of all-time in North America. The box office run and fan love for this film have exceeded all industry expectations and a domestic final in the $630-640M range is possible putting it at number five all-time.
International markets are also rocking for Panther with this weekend contributing an estimated $56.2M pushing the overseas cume to $396.6M and the global haul to $897.7M. The Marvel sensation will smash the $400M international and $900M worldwide marks on Monday. Top markets continue to be the U.K. at $49.1M and South Korea at $41.4M. Russia just went nationwide this past week, Japan opened well this weekend, and the final market of China opens this coming Friday where it is expected to be a big player. The last MCU film Thor: Ragnarok just did $112M there during the November-December period, although it opened day and date with the U.S. Worldwide, Black Panther looks to be on a trajectory to reach more than $1.25 billion at the global box office.
Two new star-driven, gritty action films opened this weekend fighting for the number two spot and Jennifer Lawrence’s espionage vehicle Red Sparrow came out ahead debuting to an estimated $17M from 3,056 locations for a good $5,563 average. Reviews were mixed and audiences were ok on the R-rated film with the CinemaScore grade being a B. The performance was almost even with Charlize Theron’s Atomic Blonde which bowed to $18.3M last July with a nearly identical average. Demo data indicated that the audience was 53% female, 79% over 25, and 60% white.
Bruce Willis saw a decent start for his new action offering Death Wish which bowed to an estimated $13M from 2,847 theaters for a $4,575 average. The R-rated revenge tale was clobbered by film critics, but paying audiences were much more pleased as the MGM release earned a good B+ grade from CinemaScore. Willis has been absent from the big screen for some time with his last major action film being the ensemble pic Sin City: A Dame to Kill For in 2014 and his last time anchoring a non-sequel being Looper in 2012. Studio data showed that the crowd was 57% male, 53% over 35, and 57% white. Death Wish opened much like Liam Neeson’s recent action film The Commuter which debuted to $13.7M in January.
The R-rated comedy Game Night held up well in its second weekend dropping 37% to an estimated $10.7M giving Warner Bros. $33.5M to date. With no new kids competition, Sony’s family comedy Peter Rabbitfell only 22% to an estimated $10M lifting the total to $84M on its way past the century mark.
Paramount’s sci-fi pic Annihilation grossed an estimated $5.7M, off 49%, for a sum of $20.6M. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle kept up the great legs taking in an estimated $4.5M in its eleventh consecutive weekend in the top ten. Off a mere 20%, the Sony blockbuster has amassed $393.2M from North America and a giant $928.9M worldwide.
Suffering the worst decline in the top ten was Fifty Shades Freed which fell 54% to an estimated $3.3M with $95.6M overall for Universal. Global is now $346.2M. Like Jumanji, The Greatest Showman has been a major crowdpleaser since Christmas and also spent its eleventh straight frame in the top ten. The Fox hit took in an estimated $2.7M, off just 22%, for a $164.6M cume putting the worldwide tally at a big $375.8M. Rounding out the top ten was Orion’s Every Day with an estimated $1.6M, down 48%, and only $5.3M thus far.
The top ten films grossed an estimated $134.1M this weekend which was down 20% from last year when Loganopened at number one with $88.4M; and down 6% from 2016 when Zootopiadebuted in the top spot with $75.1M.
All Hail the King! Continuing its historic run, the new face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe easily took first place this weekend while three newcomers opened to so-so results.
Generating the second biggest second weekend in history, Black Panther took in an estimated $108M, bringing its domestic total to a whopping $400M. Only Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($149M) had a better second weekend. After only 10 days, the new King of Wakanda and his powerful team have outgrossed almost all other Marvel films, and by the end of the day tomorrow will be third behind only the two superteam Avengers films. By the end of next weekend only the original Avengers film will be ahead of it and even that will likely not withstand the power of the Panther. Compared to The Avengers after the first 10 days, Black Panther is running 7% ahead and showing no signs of slowing down. At this pace Black Panther could easily hit $650M. Internationally, the film picked up an estimated $83.8M this weekend, bringing its total overseas to $304M and making for a worldwide total of $704M with the lucrative Chinese market still to open in a couple of weeks.
Yes, there were other films still in the marketplace, even if Black Panther outgrossed all of them combined. Again. Debuting in second place was the R-rated Warner comedy Game Night which made an estimated $16.6M from 3,488 theaters for a per screen average of $4,759. A solid B+ from CinemaScore and largely good reviews is a good sign the movie won’t drop precipitously over the upcoming weeks. Peter Rabbit held on nicely in its third weekend, slipping 28.3% to an estimated $12.5M, bringing its total up to $71.3M.
Opening in fourth was the female-led sci-fi actioner Annihilation which took in an estimated $11M from 2,012 theaters for a per screen average of $5,467. Audiences either did not like, or were confused by, the film as it garnered a very poor C grade on CinemaScore, while critics were very bullish on the latest from writer/director Alex Garland. The final chapter in the steamy romance trilogy, Fifty Shades Freed continued its rapid decline falling 60% in its third weekend to an estimated $6.9M, bringing its total to $89.5M. The first two films in the series were sitting at $147M and $103M respectively at the same point in their runs.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle continued its tremendous run falling only 28.8% from last weekend, picking up another $5.65M, according to estimates, bringing its total up to an amazing $387.3M. Clint Eastwood’s latest The 15:17 to Paris has not fared particularly well as it fell another 52.5% in its third weekend to an estimated $3.6M, bringing its total up to $32.2M.
The not-so-little film that could, The Greatest Showman once again had a great hold, falling 32.5% in its 10th weekend to an estimated $3.4M, bringing its total up to $160.7M, remarkable considering it opened to only $8.8M. The last debut in the top 10, Every Day, opened at number nine to an estimated $3.1M from 1,667 theaters for a per screen average of only $1,862. Audiences liked what they saw, giving the film a solid B+ rating on CinemaScore, but critics were not nearly as kind. Rounding out the top 10 was the animated Early Man which fell 46.7% in its second weekend to an estimated $1.7M, bringing its total up to only $6.8M. Look for a finale in the $10M range.
The top ten films grossed an estimated $172.5M over the weekend which was up 66% from last year when Get Out debuted to $33.4M; and up 89% from 2016 when Deadpool held on to the top spot with $56.5M.
What if two of the guys who wrote Horrible Bosses were turned loose on David Fincher’s The Game? The answer — or something like it — might lie in Game Night, in which a married couple (Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams) find their weekly get-together with friends turned upside down when Bateman’s brother (Kyle Chandler) adds a murder mystery twist that soon seems all too real. It’s a solid setup for the type of pitch-black lunacy that co-directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein are known for, and although they’re not responsible for the script — that honor goes to former Disney writer Mark Perez — critics say the end result is still a comedy that just about lives up to its loaded premise, thanks in no small part to the efforts of a well-chosen cast. Whether you’re a fan of the people involved or simply in the mood for some laughs with a slightly nasty edge, Game Night looks like a winner.
In this week’s cinematic equivalent of “unstoppable force meets immovable object,” author Jeff VanderMeer’s allegedly unfilmable sci-fi bestseller Annihilation meets acclaimed young director Alex Garland — and the winner turns out to be the audience. Critics say that this horror-tinged science fiction drama may not be the most faithful adaptation of the book, but it distills its core themes into a thoughtful, unapologetically challenging experience that leavens its weightier ingredients with genre thrills, outstanding performances from an ensemble cast, and a refreshing willingness to get weird. Expect the unexpected from Annihilation — and if the box office is kind, expect some sequels too, since VanderMeer’s book has a couple of follow-ups already on store shelves.
At this point, a filmgoer could definitely be forgiven for assuming that if you’ve seen one young adult romance, you’ve seen ’em all. There are exceptions, however, and despite what its rather generic title and fresh-scrubbed marketing materials might suggest, Every Day definitely adds a wrinkle to the genre. An adaptation of the David Levithan novel, this Michael Sucsy-directed drama follows the budding love between 16-year-old Rhiannon (Angourie Rice) and A — a literal wandering soul who inhabits a different body (ahem) every day. As a way of exploring gender fluidity — and the setup for a film whose cast is refreshingly diverse — it has a lot of potential. But while a number of critics have responded to the end result, the overall reception is turning out to be somewhat lukewarm. It’s still early for Every Day, with just a handful of reviews posted, and if you or your fellow filmgoers of choice are part of the target audience for this type of story, then you may still want to investigate. On the whole, however, this looks like something of a missed opportunity.
Also Opening This Week In Limited Release
November (2017)93%
, a black-and-white sci-fi romance set in 19th century Estonia, is at 100 percent.
El mar la mar (2017)100%
, a documentary taking audiences on a journey through the desert at the border between the United States and Mexico, is at 100 percent.
Are We Not Cats (2016)91%
, an unorthodox love story about the relationship between a pair of people who eat their own hair, is at 86 percent.
Child actors are notorious for fizzling out once their prepubescent charms disappear during adolescence, or once they discover the various vices of the adult world, and it seems to be the rare case when a young starlet can overcome these hurdles and transition successfully into a career of grownup roles. Natalie Portman is one such success story: after making her debut as a 12-year-old in Luc Besson’s Leon: The Professional, Portman gradually took on more adult roles until she was playing everything from Anne Boleyn to an emotionally manipulative stripper. This week, she stars in the sci-fi thriller Annihilation, and we’re taking the opportunity to take a look back at Ms. Portman’s extensive filmography. It’s time for Total Recall!
Use the arrows to rank the movies, or click here to see them ranked by Tomatometer!
Last week, you discovered under-the-radar movies Rotten Tomatoes staff enjoyed. Today, we select movies we’re looking forward to in 2018! Next week, find out which of these movies we’re looking forward to being remade in 2038.
Early Man:
It’s been 13(!) years since the last feature from Nick Park, creator of Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run. The stop-motion master’s new film is an adventure set during prehistoric times, when woolly mammoths, big-teethed rabbits, and humans with British accents co-existed.
Black Panther:
Writer/director Ryan Coogler aims to give us another emotionally, socially, and culturally charged film, albeit this time through a hotly anticipated superhero blockbuster. From the trailer, Coogler’s Black Panther looks to be beautifully crafted, wonderfully acted and unapologetically black. Wakanda forever!
Annihilation: Alex Garland’s follow-up to Ex Machina. In a flipped take on Tarkovsky’s Stalker, four women enter a environmental disaster zone in search of a missing husband, played by Oscar Isaac. The expedition team includes Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson.
A Wrinkle in Time: With A Wrinkle in Time, Ava Duvernay — writer, director, creator, and all around feminist hero — will be attempting a visually stunning, big budget, Oprah-starring, inclusive version of a favorite childhood story.
Isle of Dogs:
After whackbatting it out of the park with Fantastic Mr. Fox, Wes Anderson returns to stop-motion animation with a tale of a Japanese boy who arrives on a junkyard heap island looking for his lost dog.
Ready Player One:
Leave it to Steven Spielberg to adapt the Spielbergiest story ever. Ready Player One is set far in the future, where humans have abandoned the decaying Earth for a virtual world where every major figure of ’80s pop culture lives on.
Rampage:
Because we’ve got to hang our hopes on something every year to potentially break the video game movie curse. Might as well as be this monkey-fighting adaptation of the 1986 Midway arcade game, starring Dwayne Johnson (who helped make Jumanji a surprise holiday hit) and directed by Brad Peyton (proven with large-scale destruction in San Andreas).
Avengers: Infinity War:
The culmination of the most ambitious 10-year moviemaking scheme in cinema history. The Avengers and The Guardians of the Galaxy (and Spider-Man) team up to fight Thanos, who don’t need no helmet to feel like a complete despot.
Slender Man:
Director Sylvain White (I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, The Losers) directs the morbid tale of the tall, skinny, gloomy guy with no face based on the viral Creepypasta. The story’s bizarre power also spawned the real life children’s attempted murder case, as documented in Beware the Slenderman. This new version of the fictional story’s written by David Birke (Elle, 13 Sins).
Ocean’s 8:
Sandra Bullock leads an all-female reboot of Steven Soderbergh’s hit Ocean’s heist trilogy. Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, and Awkwafina round out the titular eight who plan a grand Met Gala theft. Gary Ross (The Hunger Games) takes over directing duties.
The Incredibles 2:
A sequel to Pixar’s 2004 animated The Incredibles, the new film will also be written and directed by Brad Bird. Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, and Sarah Vowell return to voice their roles as superhero family Helen, Bob, and Violet Parr, with Huck Milner taking over as Dash. Samuel L. Jackson again voices Lucius Best (superhero Frozone), while John Ratzenberger is villain The Underminer.
Sicario 2: Soldado:
Director Denis Villeneuve and DP Roger Deakins may not be returning, but the script is from Sicario‘s Taylor Sheridan, and Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin are back as CIA’s most unlikely effective duo. Del Toro looks to be the real focus of the story once more, who seems to have no shortage of past scores to settle.
The Predator:
Every movie Shane Black has directed we’ve marked Certified Fresh, certainly a positive factor when approaching the notorious Predator movies. The franchise has seen only spurts of competence since 1987, so we’ll see if the eclectic cast Shane (who played the bespectacled Hawkins in the first) has put together can live up to the original.
Captive State:
With Rise of the Planet of the Apes, director Rupert Wyatt pitched viewers into a world in crisis — and he’s up to his old tricks with Captive State, which focuses on the residents of a Chicago neighborhood in alien-occupied America, a decade after the invasion. And if his rich premise isn’t enough to hook you, Wyatt’s lined up quite the cast: John Goodman, Vera Farmiga, and Moonlight vet Ashton Sanders are just a few of the noteworthy names in this picture’s eclectic ensemble.
The Little Stranger:
Lenny Abrahamson directs Lucinda Coxon’s haunting script about a 1947 country doctor who enlists to care for a patient at his housemaid mother’s former place of employment and begins unravelling horror and mystery as his own life becomes a mangled crisscross with those living there. This one oughta bring some summer chills.
The House with a Clock in its Walls:
The fact that someone is adapting John Bellairs and his fastidious brand of YA horror is enough to make it on this list. The film is being directed by Eli Roth, and stars Cate Blanchett and Jack Black, who helped spearhead Goosebumps onto the big screen. Daddy’s Home‘s Owen Vaccaro leads as the fussy Lewis Barnavelt.
Boy Erased:
With widespread reports of gay conversion therapy, Boy Erased will present the true story of a young preacher’s son and his experience undergoing the controversial practice. The movie’s adapted from a memoir by Garrard Conley, and will star Nicole Kidman, Lucas Hedges, and Russell Crowe. Joel Edgerton — who also stars — is helming and also wrote the screenplay.
Venom:
Spider-Man spin-off finds Tom Hardy, who played Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, crossing the DC-Marvel divide to play Eddie Brock. The disgraced journalist hosts an alien symbiote that, in the comics, is at different times antagonist and antihero. Michelle Williams ( All the Money in the World) is set to appear as love interest Anne Weying, while Riz Ahmed (The Night Of) is Dr. Carlton Drake.
Widows:
After their husbands are killed in a botched robbery, four women – Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez, and Cynthia Erivo – band together to finish the job. Steve McQueen follows up his Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave with this adaptation of the popular 80s British TV series, featuring a script co-written by Gone Girl‘s Gillian Flynn. Our one wish for this intriguing project? A heist sequence to rival the legendary scene in Rififi.Aquaman:
Jason Momoa ( Justice League) returns as DC superhero Aquaman (aka Arthur Curry), leader of the undersea kingdom of Atlantis, who can control the ocean, communicate with sea creatures, and swim at supersonic speeds. Amber Heard plays Atlantean Queen Mera, while Patrick Wilson is Aquaman’s ambitious half-brother Orm and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is enemy mercenary Black Manta. Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman, and Dolph Lundgren also appear.
Summer of ’84:
Turbo Kid was a bloody fountain of DIY creativity (if not actual filmmaking competence), so we’re ready for more from the triple directorial team of François Simard, Anouk Whissell and Yoann-Karl Whissell. In our post-Stranger Things world, the time is right for a movie about four teenagers who set out to solve a serial killer mystery in mid-’80s suburbia.
Psychokinesis:
The director of Train to Busan takes on the superhero genre with Psychokinesis, a black comedy about a father who recieves special powers and proceeds to mess it up while assisting his daughter and society at large.
Suspiria:
While the idea of remaking Dario Argento’s Suspiria would typically make any horror fan recoil, director Luca Guadagnino’s forthcoming take on the 1977 classic has fantastic potential. Guadagnino’s lush, sensual filmmaking style ( Call Me by Your Name,A Bigger Splash) implies that his version may well match the original film’s dazzling visuals and operatic build in terror. Meanwhile, the lineup of leading ladies rivals the cast of Ocean’s 8, and include Dakota Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Tilda Swinton as the sinister Madame Blanc.
The Public:
It only took 32 years after The Breakfast Club, but Emilio Estevez is back at the library! Along with writing and directing, Estevez plays a librarian who becomes an unwitting social leader when the homeless stage an Occupy-style sit-in during a deadly winter storm.
93%
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