There’s never been a better time to be a movie fan, especially if you love checking out your local movie theaters. From re-releases of classic titles to exciting big-budget spectacles, it seems as if there’s always something new and exciting to stare at over a bucket of popcorn. However, with the popularity of streaming among a huge influx of popular titles arriving in the coming days, how are you supposed to know what the best movies in theaters are?
Thankfully, we’re here to address those concerns. We’ve taken the time to highlight a number of prominent releases, both old and new, that are currently playing in theaters. From terrific dramas to heart-pounding action films, there’s certainly no shortage of things to see whenever you head down to your local cinema. Don’t believe us? Here are just a handful of the best movies currently playing in theaters throughout 2024. We’ll be updating this list periodically to reflect the best of the best movies as they come and go; first up are the most recent films.
Updated June 13, 2024: This collection of the best movies currently in theaters has been updated with brand-new entries.
The long-awaited follow-up to one of Pixar’s most emotionally-resonant films is finally here. Inside Out 2 picks up sometime after the original film, with Riley (Kensington Tallman) now entering her teenage years. As she starts on the first few steps to adulthood, the emotions in her head find themselves privy to a slew of new visitors — and they aren’t too keen on sharing what little space there is. Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan reprise their roles from the acclaimed first film, with director Kelsey Mann making his feature-length debut as the film’s director.
Seeing as how Inside Out was such a smash hit, it’s not a surprise that Inside Out 2 has seen positive reception based on initial reactions. Pixar’s track record with sequels is almost uniformly positive (barring Cars 2, of course), and the additions of Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, and Ayo Edebiri to the cast promises a surprising and thoughtful adventure once more. Kelsey Mann also has an incredible work history stretching all the way back to 2003, not only working on beloved television shows like Megas XLR and Sym-Bionic Titan, but also Pixar films like Luca, Turning Red, and Elemental.
Sometimes, a straightforward drama is all you need to get the waterworks going. After debuting at Sundance in 2024, Ghostlight has finally been given the greenlight to release in theaters. Co-directed by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, Ghostlight sees Keith Kupferer playing the role of Dan, a construction worker who is stuck in an emotional bind after a sudden family tragedy. However, after he inadvertently becomes entangled in a local production of Romeo and Juliet, the play may give him the respite he so desperately needs. Dolly de Leon co-stars alongside Kupferer as Rita.
While this drama establishes a series of familiar clichés for its setup, what it does with its setup is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s a refreshingly simple, intimate film that not only relies on the strengths of its performances and screenplay, but on the amount of love put into each and every scene. It’s a film that’ll tear you to pieces emotionally, but it’ll build you back up by when the brilliant finale starts.
Have you ever seen a neo-Western with bull riding? If not, you ought to give Ride a shot. C. Thomas Howell stars as a retired bull rider, one whose age and financial limits are stretched to the brink. In dire need of cash to pay for his daughter’s cancer treatments, he and his son turn to a life of robbery in order to get by. Unfortunately, even the best of plans can go terribly awry, leading a pair of determined officers to enter a dogged cat-and-mouse chase. Jake Allyn co-stars in this crime thriller, while also serving as its director.
Apart from featuring the beloved C. Thomas Howell, whose film credits extend from The Outsiders to 2024’s Reagan, Ride also features the acting talents of Annabeth Gish (Mystic Pizza, Nixon), Forrie J. Smith (Yellowstone), and Josh Plasse (The Baxters, iCarly). It’s a film that utilizes a traditional crime thriller setup while also incorporating relevant themes of financial destitution and an intriguing family dynamic spread across three generations.
Tiger Stripes is a 2023 Malay-language body horror film that was thankfully blessed with a wider international release. Amanda Nell Eu both wrote and directed this tense horror tale for her directorial debut, focusing on a young girl named Zaffan (Zafreen Zairzal). Living in the middle of a rural community, her once quiet life quickly gets turned on its head when she starts to hit adolescence. Coincidentally or not, a mysterious force wedges itself into her life around the same time, forcing Zaffan to confront a terrifying new world.
Tiger Stripes is a film that benefits from understanding the context it was made in. While some may find that its scares are a bit more understated compared to other films in theaters at the moment, those who can resonate with its specific setting and themes will find themselves enthralled by the story it has to offer. That said, it’s no slouch when it comes to critical acclaim. It won the Critics’ Week Grand Prize at the 2023 Cannes Critics’ Week, and it would later go on to be Malaysia’s selection for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards.
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In one of the most surprising box office hits of the summer, Bad Boys: Ride or Die manages to not only present itself as an engaging action film, but a fantastic return to one of the most familiar cop duos in cinema. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reprise their roles as Mike Lowrey and Miles Burnett, respectively, as their latest mission puts them in the middle of a tense conspiracy. As they attempt to clear the name of the late Conrad Howard, they’ll find themselves coming face to face with danger once more. Co-directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah return after previously directing Bad Boys for Life in 2020, with Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, and Jacob Scipio reprising their roles as well.
Sure, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are as good as they ever were, and their chemistry is just as entertaining as it was back in 1995. But while the Bad Boys franchise keeps chugging on, it manages to find new ways to exceed expectations. The cinematography is easily one of the best aspects of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, with cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert working his magic once more after the previous Bad Boys film. Similarly, the score by prolific composer Lorne Balfe, whose prominent credits include Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Rango, accompanies the action in a way that’s both fun and appropriate.
Director Tony Goldwyn brought us a heartwarming dramedy starring one of the most memorable actors from Boardwalk Empire, Bobby Cannavale. Ezra sees Cannavale playing the role of Max Brandel, a struggling comedian who is currently living with his father, Stan (Robert De Niro). As he tries to make ends meet, he attempts to raise his autistic son, Ezra, with the help of his ex-wife, Jenna. However, a sudden incident sparks Max to take action, leading him and Ezra on an unexpected journey. Rose Byrne and Tony Goldwyn co-star alongside Cannavale in the main cast.
While some twists and turns throughout Ezra may surprise you, the film ultimately has a positive core that shines through its fun performances. Everyone in the cast is acting their hearts out, from the engaging leads to the supporting cast comprised of Rainn Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg, Vera Farmiga, and more. If you want a simple emotional drama to tug on your heartstrings, Ezra is an easy recommendation.
Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Bobby Cannavale below.
Acclaimed actor Viggo Mortensen has returned to the big screen once more, only this time, he’s also in the director’s chair. Mortensen’s directorial debut, The Dead Don’t Hurt, sees him playing the role of Holger Olsen, an immigrant whose budding relationship with Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) is complicated by the onset of the American Civil War. Solly McLeod, Garret Dillahunt, Nadia Litz, and W. Earl Brown co-star alongside Mortensen and Krieps, with Mortensen also penning the film’s screenplay.
If the idea of Viggo Mortensen both directing and starring in his own Western wasn’t enough to spur your interest, there are plenty of other things to enjoy here as well. For starters, this is as close to an auteur project we’ll get from Mortensen so far, as he’s also responsible for composing the film’s score. Initial impressions at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival, where The Dead Don’t Hurt debuted, were positive overall, citing the film’s careful balance of romance and revenge as one of its strongest points. Instead of being propelled by constant gun violence, The Dead Don’t Hurt instead relies on its strong characters and their meaningful relationships to tell this powerful Western story.
Be sure to watch our exclusive interview with Viggo Mortensen and Vicky Krieps below.
Young Woman and the Sea tells the story of Gertrude Ederle, an American swimming champion, who first won a gold medal at the 1924 Olympic Games. In 1926, Ederle became the first woman to swim 21 miles across the English Channel.
Though it was originally set for an exclusive Disney+ release, Young Woman and the Sea is now heading to theaters after positive test screenings. This biographical drama sees Daisy Ridley starring as Gertrude Ederle, a competitive swimmer who aims to tackle one of the greatest challenges on Earth: swimming across all 21 miles of the English Channel by herself. Christopher Eccleston, after his stint in the British drama series Dodger, plays one of Gertrude’s professional trainers. Glenn Fleshler, Stephen Graham, and Tilda Cobham-Hervey are also attached to the principal cast.
Typically, any film that gets bumped up to a theatrical release instead of heading straight to streaming has something going for it. In the case of Young Woman and the Sea, however, there’s something really special here. This thrilling true story showcases Daisy Ridley’s talent in a compelling lead role following her performances in Sometimes I Think About Dying and The Marsh King’s Daughter, with some even drawing parallels to Annette Bening in Netflix’s Nyad. Director Joachim Rønning, after previously directing films like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Maleficient: Mistress of Evil, is also bolstered by the involvement of producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Top Gun: Maverick) and writer Jeff Nathanson (Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal).
Be sure to watch our exclusive interview with Joachim Rønning below.
Slasher films are as plentiful as they are varied, but one in particular has drawn more than just a few pairs of eyeballs. In a Violent Nature, which originally debuted at Sundance prior to being acquired by IFC Films, tells a story we’re all too familiar with by this point. After a group of teens disturbs the remains of a burnt fire tower, a masked killer rises from his grave to seek vengeance. However, instead of irreverent violence and plotting, we’re treated to a slow, ambient chase almost entirely from the perspective of the killer.
In what will likely be one of the most experimental horror films of the year alongside I Saw the TV Glow, In a Violent Nature is sure to be a polarizing, but intriguing watch. It’s a slasher that places you firmly in the villain’s shoes, but instead of analyzing their motives or reasoning behind the violence, you’re instead given a methodical, grotesque hunt throughout the wilderness. It’s slow and steady, but in a way that seemingly boils down the genre to its most basic parts, allowing chilling ambiance and palpable dread to take center stage. You won’t find self-aware gags or even a dramatic score here. What you will find, however, are some incredible practical effects.
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The long awaited prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road is finally here, and though its box office performance is sadly mirroring that of its predecessor, it’s still a thrilling watch. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga sees Anya Taylor-Joy playing the titular role of Furiosa (formerly played by Charlize Theron), a young woman who roams the Australian post-apocalypse in captivity as she crafts a careful revenge plot. Co-starring alongside Taylor-Joy is Chris Hemsworth, who plays the role of Dementus, the boisterous leader of the Biker Horde. George Miller returned to direct this prequel, in addition to co-writing the script with Nico Lathouris.
While nothing could ever top the spectacle found in Mad Max: Fury Road, it wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest that Furiosa comes pretty close. Despite spending several years in development hell, Furiosa looks incredible. This is partially due to the returning talents of Jenny Beavan and Colin Gibson, who each won Academy Awards for their respective contributions to Fury Road‘s production. Simon Duggan (Hacksaw Ridge,The Great Gatsby) also does an impeccable job as the film’s cinematographer, capturing the action and an incredibly-intense performance by Anya Taylor-Joy in all their respective glory.
Garfield has been a staple of American pop culture for decades now, and though we’ve already received two films featuring the character throughout the 2000s — with Bill Murray voicing him, even — an animated film has brought him to the big screen once again. The Garfield Movie follows what happens when Garfield (Chris Pratt) and Odie (Harvey Guillén) are mysteriously taken from their owner, Jon Arbuckle (Nicholas Hoult). The duo end up in a sprawling adventure that involves Garfield’s biological father, a vengeful Persian cat, and a dangerous milk heist.
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Those who are knowledgeable in the world of animation will likely recognize the director attached to The Garfield Movie. Mark Dindal, known for his prolific contributions to Disney’s animated filmography, brings a similar level of passion and interest to The Garfield Movie. Likewise, the film’s animation studio, DNEG Animation, previously produced the beloved animated films Ron’s Gone Wrong and Nimona, with the latter earning a Best Animated Feature nomination at the Academy Awards. As for The Garfield Movie itself, it’s an interesting reinterpretation of a classic comic character for the modern day.
Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Chris Pratt below.
Pamela Adlon (King of the Hill), after a lengthy and prestigious career in the world of voice acting, has finally directed her very own feature-length film. Unsurprisingly, it’s been a genuine hit. Babes sees Ilana Glazer both starring and co-writing in a mature comedy film centered around a one-night stand. More specifically, it’s about the ensuing pregnancy from said one-night stand. Now left with a child on the way, Eden (Ilana Glazer) seeks guidance from her best friend, a mother named Dawn (Michelle Buteau), as they count down the days until the baby is born.
With a script co-authored by both Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz, Babes is an all-around fantastic comedy film. Those who grew to love Ilana Glazer for her work in Broad City will find plenty of familiar beats here, combining over-the-top gags with modest storytelling in a combination that’s sure to entertain. Its raunchiness isn’t to be underestimated, but it adds to the surprisingly authentic relationship shared between both Eden and Dawn. If you enjoy grosser comedy with legitimate heart, Babes is an easy recommendation.
Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Pamela Adlon below.
Ryan Reynolds co-stars with Cailey Fleming in a heartfelt animated comedy that’s sure to please the whole family. IF, short for “imaginary friend,” follows a pair of unlikely friends as they discover a particularly miraculous ability: they’re able to see imaginary friends. With this newfound ability, Bea (Fleming) and Cal (Ryan Reynolds) attempt to guide lost imaginary friends back to their original creators.
While you’d be forgiven for writing IF off as yet another family-friendly comedy, you’ll be surprised at the tremendous cast and crew involved with the film’s production. For starters, John Krasinski of A Quiet Place fame is directing here on top of writing the screenplay, while also voicing one of the titular creatures. Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Matt Damon, Bill Hader, and more lend their voices to a plethora of colorful characters throughout. Of course, the affable Ryan Reynolds is also engaging whenever he shares the screen with Cailey Fleming. It’s a surprising departure from Krasinski’s previous films, but one we’d like to see more of in the future.
Rebooting The Strangers — as a trilogy, no less — was a bizarre-sounding idea at first. But, given the financial success of The Strangers: Chapter 1, there’s some hope that the following films will be a net positive for this modest horror franchise. A reboot of the original Strangers films, The Strangers: Chapter 1 sees Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez co-starring as a loving couple who go out on a road trip to celebrate their recent anniversary. Unfortunately, after making an impromptu stop at an Airbnb, the duo are tormented by a trio of masked strangers.
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Director Renny Harlin (The Long Kiss Goodnight, Deep Blue Sea) shot all three Strangers films consecutively, meaning that this exciting first chapter is just the start of what’s to come. While you can find some callbacks to previous Strangers films, Chapter 1‘s biggest highlight has to be Madelaine Petsch, who does an amicable job of distancing herself from Liv Tyler’s performance in the original 2008 film. Coming off of her prominent role in Riverdale, it’s nice to see that she has the potential to become a prominent scream queen in the future.
Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with director Renny Harlin below.
The latest in the long-running Planet of the Apes franchise was so successful, it all but guaranteed yet another trilogy of films in the near future. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes place several centuries after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes, with Owen Teague playing the lead role of Noa. Being a fledgling chimpanzee, Noa is caught in the middle of a sprawling adventure that leads to them eventually discovering a young human named Mae (Freya Allan). Their ensuing journey may be the only thing that can assure the mutual fates of both humans and apes alike.
Beyond its impressive box office numbers, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes marks yet another evolution for the surrounding franchise. It’s another visual powerhouse, but it also incorporates a slower, more deliberate form of pacing that focuses on its individual characters and the new setting they inhabit. Most importantly, it offers a reversal of the established dynamics found in previous films. With apes now at the helm, there’s an additional layer of depth when it comes to the film’s themes of coexistence and societal progress. Plus, Kevin Durand does a fantastic job as the film’s main antagonist, Proximus Caesar.
Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Owen Teague and Freya Allen below.
The latest film by Jane Schoenbrun, who previously directed We’re All Going to the World’s Fair in 2021, brings with it a similar sense of surreal style. I Saw the TV Glow sees Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine co-starring as a pair of friends who bond over their mutual fascination with a strange late-night television show. However, what the two don’t realize is that their beloved show may open the door to a reality that neither of them ever expected.
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I Saw the TV Glow is a film whose bizarre presentation lends itself to some weighty themes. It’s a film that doesn’t fall neatly into one genre, and while horror is the most prominent of those featured, it acts as a vessel for compelling drama and colorful cinematography to take place. Its budget is small, but it utilizes this restriction for some genuinely experimental and engaging storytelling. Some critics even drew comparisons between Schoenbrun’s direction here to that of David Lynch.
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