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 2025. 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 January 23, 2025: This collection of the best movies currently in theaters has been updated with brand-new entries.
15
Presence
January 24
Presence
- Release Date
-
January 24, 2025
- Runtime
-
85 Minutes
- Producers
-
Ken Meyer
Director Steven Soderbergh has entered the world of horror with his latest film, Presence, distributed by the fine folks at Neon. Presence was written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park), and features Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, and Chris Sullivan in its cast. The plot, at a glance, is fairly simple, focusing on an ordinary family who suspects that their new suburban home has an unwanted presence. However, knowing Soderbergh’s sense of style, you can expect something that twists your expectations around appropriately.
An Interesting Twist on a Ghost Story
While light on overt scares, Presence manages to get under your skin in a way that’s a bit more cerebral. Its short runtime compared to similar films means that it moves at a substantial pace, quickly working through the family’s past traumas and their ensuing conflicts through an unexpected perspective. It’s a film that puts a surprising twist on a familiar idea, even if its marketing paints it in a somewhat different light. Expect something pretty unconventional when you check this one out.
Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan below.
14
The Colors Within
January 24
The Colors Within
- Release Date
-
January 24, 2025
- Runtime
-
101 Minutes
- Director
-
Naoko Yamada
- Writers
-
Reiko Yoshida
Cast
-
Sayu Suzukawa
Totsuko Higurashi
-
Akari Takaishi
Kimi Sakunaga
-
-
Directed by Naoko Yamada (A Silent Voice, K-On!) and produced by Science Saru (Devilman Crybaby, Dandadan), The Colors Within looks to be an exceptional way to kick off 2025. The film follows a seemingly ordinary high school student named Totsuko (Sayu Suzukawa), who possesses the inexplicable ability to see individual people as unique colors. After a small misunderstanding leads to Totsuko joining a band with fellow students Kimi (Akari Takaishi) and Rui (Taisei Kido), the trio form brand-new relationships and deal with their personal problems via their colorful music.
Gorgeous to Look At
A visual powerhouse, no doubt due to the involvement of Science Saru, The Colors Within is an emotional tale that’s sure to hit just as hard as Naoko Yamada’s previous works. Its musical tracks are delightfully cutesy, its positive themes are accompanied well by the film’s colorful visual design, and the key moments where its visual storytelling combines with the characters’ coming-of-age moments all make for a wonderfully engrossing watch. Most anime fans will have a fantastic time seeing this film on the big screen.
13
Flight Risk
January 24
Flight Risk
- Release Date
-
January 24, 2025
- Runtime
-
91 Minutes
- Writers
-
Jared Rosenberg
Fight Risk marks the culmination of a collaboration between director Mel Gibson and lead actor Mark Wahlberg. In it, Wahlberg plays Daryl Booth, a dangerous hitman with pilot training, who finds himself in a perfect scenario. After being assigned to kill a government witness in a pending trial, Booth is able to get both the witness (Topher Grace) and an accompanying U.S. Marshal (Michelle Dockery) alone on his plane. However, things take a drastic turn when he realizes that outside forces may lead to everyone’s demise.
A Tense Mel Gibson Flick
Originally written by Jared Rosenberg way back in 2020, this tense thriller builds up to a climactic third act that deserves the big screen. Yes, it may not be the most original of films, but what it lacks in this department, it surely makes up for in its execution. It marks Mel Gibson’s first foray into contemporary thrillers as well, with all but one of his previous directorial efforts relying heavily on historical settings. You have to appreciate Mark Wahlberg’s devotion to his role, too, as it’s a far cry from what you’d usually see in his previous performances.
Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Michelle Dockery below.
12
One of Them Days
January 17
One of Them Days
- Release Date
-
January 17, 2025
- Director
-
Lawrence Lamont
- Writers
-
Syreeta Singleton
One of Them Days is a refreshing buddy comedy from the minds of director Lawrence Lamont and writer Syreeta Singleton. Dreux Jones (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) are friendly roommates who, unfortunately, are in for one of those eponymous days. After discovering that their rent money for the month has been spent without their knowledge, the two are forced into an impromptu race against time to not only avoid a potential eviction, but to maintain their lasting friendship as well. Katt Williams co-stars as Lucky.
A Fun Buddy Comedy
Featuring SZA’s acting debut, One of Them Days is a simple, if not entertaining film that contrasts wonderfully against some of the darker films released alongside it. Syreeta Singleton manages to bring her sense of humor to the big screen following her work on shows like Central Park, Insecure, and Rap Sh!t, while simultaneously marking the first R-rated female Black comedy since 2017’s Girl Trip. The chemistry between SZA and Keke Palmer is enjoyable, the supporting cast helps carry the film to its upbeat ending, and its score by Chanda Dancy helps make the story surrounding it a wonderful treat for the senses.
11
Wolf Man
January 15
Wolf Man
- Release Date
-
January 15, 2025
- Runtime
-
103 minutes
- Director
-
Leigh Whannell
Shortly after the release of Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man back in 2020, there was an eagerness to see more of the classical Universal monster movies get a modernized reimagining. Whannell finally returned to this familiar well with 2025’s Wolf Man, taking place in a remote region of Oregon. Christopher Abbott stars as Blake, a man who takes his family to his childhood home, only to be attacked by a mysterious creature one fateful night. With the creature patrolling the exterior of the home, Blake can’t help but feel a strange force take over his body as the family tries to survive against all odds. Julia Garner and Sam Jaeger co-star alongside Christopher Abbott.
A Successful Reimagining
Despite originally being designed to fit into Universal’s defunct Dark Universe, Wolf Man manages to do for the titular lycanthrope what Whannell’s Invisible Man did for its respective villain. While more polarizing than Whannell’s Invisible Man, Wolf Man brings in plenty of entertaining body horror along with some deceptively engrossing performances from its limited cast. There’s an attempt to bring an emotional core to the monster that some may appreciate, and while this in particular drew mixed responses from critics, Christopher Abbott’s gradual shift into his beast-like form is sure to keep your attention.
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10
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
January 10
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
- Release Date
-
January 10, 2025
- Runtime
-
144 minutes
- Director
-
Christian Gudegast
- Writers
-
Christian Gudegast
A long-awaited sequel to Gerard Butler’s beloved 2018 action film has finally hit theaters. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera sees Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. reprising their roles from Den of Thieves, with writer/director Christian Gudegast reprising his role behind the scenes. In Pantera, Nicholas O’Brien (Gerard Butler) is back on the prowl in the heart of Europe, with his search for Donnie (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) leading both men into a high-profile diamond heist orchestrated by the Panther Crew. Evin Ahmad, Salvatore Esposito, Meadow Williams, and Swen Temmel co-star.
Nothing But Fun
If you loved Den of Thieves, you’re practically guaranteed to like the sequel. Even cinematographer Terry Stacey returned from the first film to work behind the camera once more, giving the action a palpable edge that’s certainly welcomed. Still, even if you haven’t seen its predecessor, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera brings you a healthy dose of fun action led by the always-enjoyable Gerard Butler. While it’s a bit more run-of-the-mill compared to what came before, there’s still a fun time to be had if you set your expectations accordingly.
Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with both Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. below.
9
Hard Truths
January 10
Hard Truths
- Release Date
-
January 10, 2025
- Runtime
-
97 minutes
- Director
-
Mike Leigh
- Writers
-
Mike Leigh
- Producers
-
Georgina Lowe
, Javier Méndez
, Gail Egan
, Mark Gooder
, Richard Kondal
, Jennifer Eriksson
, Kent Sanderson
Mike Leigh’s latest and greatest, Hard Truths, has hit the big screen. Written and directed by Leigh, this emotional drama focuses on a distraught woman named Pansy Deacon (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) living in London. Currently in a deep depression, Pansy tries to maintain her family and friend relationships, though her shifting moods only complicate such an endeavor. Michele Austin, David Webber, Tuwaine Barrett, Ani Nelson, Sophia Brown, and Jonathan Livingstone co-star.
A Gripping Mike Leigh Drama
Dubbed one of the best independent films of 2024 by the National Board of Review, Hard Truths may be a hard watch, but it’s one that’s equally rewarding. Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who previously starred in Mike Leigh’s Secrets & Lies, gave the performance of a lifetime here, earning more than six separate Best Actress wins on top of even more nominations in that category and Best Lead Performance. Likewise, Mike Leigh’s accolades are too numerous to count: a BAFTA Fellowship, seven Academy Award nominations, and more make Hard Truths yet another stunning gem in his body of work.
8
The Prosecutor
January 10
The Prosecutor
- Release Date
-
January 10, 2025
- Runtime
-
117 minutes
Even at the ripe age of 61, martial artist Donnie Yen is still dominating the big screen with his slick performances and auteur direction. This is evident with The Prosecutor, Yen’s latest directorial effort following his action-packed fantasy film, Sakra. A departure from fantasy, The Prosecutor instead returns to the familiar world of Hong Kong action thrillers. Yen plays Fok Chi-ho, a Department of Justice prosecutor and detective, who finds himself risking everything in order to clear the name of someone who’s wrongfully accused of a heinous crime. Julian Cheung, Michael Hui, Francis Ng, and MC Cheung Tin-fu co-star.
Donnie Yen Brings the Pain
If you’re a fan of action movies, even the dullest of Donnie Yen films have their shining moments. The Prosecutor looks to be a film that can be more easily enjoyed by international audiences compared to something like Sakra, thankfully. It’s straightforward, fairly short, and maintains the intriguing plot development of Yen’s previous film in a modern setting. Is the action good? Well, that goes without saying. While some of the film’s more emotional moments are undercut by the intense action, those who enjoy Donnie Yen’s style and brutal choreography will surely find plenty to enjoy with The Prosecutor.
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7
The Last Showgirl
January 10
The Last Showgirl
- Release Date
-
January 10, 2025
- Runtime
-
89 Minutes
- Director
-
Gia Coppola
- Writers
-
Kate Gersten
- Producers
-
Alex Orlovsky
, Natalie Farrey
, Robert Schwartzman
, Josh Peters
, Nick Darmstaedter
, Kara Durrett
After a limited release in late 2024, The Last Showgirl is coming to theaters nationwide in January 2025. Directed by Gia Coppola and starring Pamela Anderson, The Last Showgirl is an apt title. It follows a prolific showgirl who’s treated to a shocking revelation. After her career of 30 years is brought to an abrupt end, Shelly Gardner (Pamela Anderson) is left to figure out where her life will go next once she’s out of the spotlight. Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, Billie Lourd, and Jason Schwartzman co-star.
Pamela Anderson’s Best Performance
After earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama, you can bet that Pamela Anderson gave The Last Showgirl her all. Easily one of the actor’s best performances in years, let alone in her entire career, this dramatic showcase doubles as a fantastic outing for director Gia Coppola as well. The film’s score and impressive individual songs even saw incredible acclaim on top of this, with some considering their exclusion from the Academy Awards’ shortlist as a particularly heinous snub. Still, don’t let this dissuade you from giving The Last Showgirl the time of day.
Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Kiernan Shipka and Brenda Song below.
6
The Damned
January 3
The Damned
- Release Date
-
June 6, 2024
- Runtime
-
89 minutes
- Director
-
Thordur Palsson
- Writers
-
Jamie Hannigan
- Producers
-
Conor Barry
, Tim Headington
, John Keville
, Nate Kamiya
, Emilie Jouffroy
, Dave Bishop
, Kamilla Kristiane Hodol
, Theresa Steele Page
, George Hamilton
From director Thordur Palsson comes a film that’s sure to leave you at the edge of your seat. The Damned takes place in 19th-century Iceland, where a widow, Eva (Odessa Young), is faced with a difficult series of choices to make. Living in an isolated fishing outpost, and with daily supplies dwindling to a trickle, Eva is tasked with satisfying the outpost’s needs while tending to a freshly shipwrecked crew a short distance away. Joe Cole, Lewis Gribben, Siobhan Finneran, Francis Magee, Rory McCann, and Turlough Convery co-star.
A Chilling Thriller
You can practically feel the cold and misery ooze from the screen in The Damned. Beautiful scenic cinematography contrasts against bleak performances and a genuinely chilling atmosphere that accompanies every unsettling twist and turn. Odessa Young is especially convincing in the lead role, having previously starred in Assassination Nation and 2022’s The Staircase. Likewise, Joe Cole really brings the intensity here, having previously done so in the acclaimed 2015 horror film Green Room.
5
Better Man
December 25
Better Man
- Release Date
-
December 25, 2024
- Runtime
-
135 Minutes
At a glance, Better Man is your run-of-the-mill musical biography film, this time focusing on acclaimed British pop singer Robbie Williams. There’s just one thing we haven’t mentioned yet. In this film, Robbie Williams is depicted as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee. Based on Williams’ own perception of himself, Better Man follows Williams’ life story through the eyes of Jonno Davies, with Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, and Kate Mulvany co-starring. Michael Gracey is in the director’s chair here as well, having previously directed The Greatest Showman in 2017.
A Better Music Biography
Yes, there’s more to this movie than a chimpanzee version of Robbie Williams. Beyond just featuring Williams’ impressive library of music and singing voice, this gripping and emotional story is sure to leave a mark on any fan of his music. His family life in particular is a notable highlight, with Williams’ balance of fame and the pain that comes with it being given plenty of focus. We could certainly use more risk-taking endeavors like this when it comes to biography films.
4
Nosferatu
December 25
Nosferatu
- Release Date
-
December 25, 2024
- Runtime
-
132 Minutes
Robert Eggers’ latest film has finally hit theaters, veering away from his original works in favor of a direct remake. Luckily, his choice of film to remake is one that fits his style beautifully. Nosferatu, written and directed by Eggers, tells the story of Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), a real estate agent dealing with a mysterious new client. After searching for a home for Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), Thomas soon discovers that Orlok may be a vampire, one with a particular obsession with Thomas’ wife. Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Willem Dafoe co-star.
Robert Eggers Did It Again
Boasting the numerous staples found in Robert Eggers’ previous films — including incredible production design, fantastic costumes, superb makeup, and delightful performances — Nosferatu succeeds both as an original tale and as an elevation of the 1922 film. By embracing the gothic atmosphere found in F. W. Murnau’s iconic horror film, Nosferatu not only delivers a beautiful horror story, but it clearly shows the years and years of effort Eggers had put into the project. Having originally been planned as Eggers’ second film, it certainly could’ve turned out a lot worse. Bill Skarsgård also pulls off an impressive performance as the titular vampire, made all the more imposing by cinematographer Jarin Blaschke’s efforts behind the camera.
3
A Complete Unknown
December 25
The music of Bob Dylan is still as fresh as ever, with director James Mangold aiming to bring Dylan’s early years to the big screen. A Complete Unknown, co-written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, sees Timothée Chalamet seamlessly slipping into the role of a young Bob Dylan, following his early success with folk music up until his memorable performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, and Scoot McNairy co-star, with Chalamet singing around 40 separate songs from Bob Dylan’s discography throughout.
Timothée Chalamet Becomes Bob Dylan
It cannot be overstated how much Timotheé Chalamet slips into his role here. Aside from being a spitting image of Bob Dylan, his performance and inflections in the role closely match those of the real-life Dylan, even somewhat matching the latter’s energy on a wonderful rendition of “Like a Rolling Stone.” While the film may not dive too deep into Dylan as a character, it’s a fantastic encapsulation of a specific period in his life. Fans of Dylan’s music and casual audiences alike are sure to have a fun time.
Be sure to check out our interview with director James Mangold below.
16:16
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2
The Fire Inside
December 25
The Fire Inside
- Release Date
-
December 25, 2024
- Runtime
-
109 minutes
- Director
-
Rachel Morrison
- Producers
-
Lyn Lucibello
, Barry Jenkins
, Drea Cooper
, Zackary Canepari
, Elishia Holmes
Cast
-
Ryan Destiny
Claressa Shields
-
Jazmin Headley
Young Claressa
-
Kylee D. Allen
Young Claressa (Running)
-
Rachel Morrison, the first-ever woman to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography, made her directorial debut with The Fire Inside. A sports biography at its core, The Fire Inside tells the story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields — a professional boxer — as she trains for her eventual performance in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Barry Jenkins, who previously won Best Picture for his work on Moonlight, penned the film’s screenplay. Ryan Destiny stars as Claressa Shields, with Brian Tyree Henry, Oluniké Adeliyi, and De’Adre Aziza co-starring.
More Than Just a Sports Story
The Fire Inside isn’t an ordinary biographical sports drama. For as common as these films are, this one in particular has some pretty strong backing behind the scenes. Beyond Barry Jenkins and the strengths of its two leads, Morrison’s cinematography experience allows her to really get into the head of Claressa via the camera, with editor Harry Yoon (Beef, Minari) stitching the film’s shots together into an effective whole. Claressa Shields herself even gave the film plenty of praise. Given the film’s impressive ranking on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s safe to say that this gripping story is worth experiencing for yourself.
For an exclusive interview with Brian Tyree Henry and Ryan Destiny, be sure to check out our video below.
1
Babygirl
December 25
Babygirl
- Release Date
-
December 25, 2024
- Runtime
-
114 Minutes
- Director
-
Halina Reijn
- Writers
-
Halina Reijn
Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson co-star in Babygirl, an erotic thriller that’s sure to entertain. Written and directed by Halina Reijn, Babygirl is an intense examination of power dynamics facilitated through a cutthroat office environment, as CEO Romy Mathis (Nicole Kidman) finds herself falling for a young intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson), against her best judgment. Sophie Wilde and Antonio Benderas co-star.
A Gripping Thriller
Given that A24 picked this film up for a theatrical release, you can expect something really special. Babygirl‘s praise has been pointed at its leading duo in particular, with Kidman and Dickinson sharing a volatile chemistry with refreshingly-rough cinematography. While some critics were polarized by the film’s intensity, it’s nonetheless a gripping tale of emotional vulnerability, appearing on several “best of 2024” lists by a plethora of entertainment publications.
