Charlotte/ Arts & Culture
Published on August 29, 2018
Catch these 3 top films before they're gone from Charlotte theatersPhoto: Mama Mia! Here We Go Again/Universal Pictures

Eager to catch that hot new release, but don't want to battle your fellow movie-goers for seats?

Waiting until the crowds dissipate can be a wise strategy, but don't wait too long: It's harder than you think to know when the film you planned to see on the big screen will leave your local theater. Factors like ticket sales and distribution contracts figure into the equation, but in general, movies can stay in theaters from a mere two weeks to many months.

If you want to take advantage of the ample seating, but don't want to miss a quality movie's big screen debut, take a look at the three movies below. They're among the highest rated "old new releases" still screening in Charlotte theaters, based on critical scores sourced from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. (Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via The Internet Movie Database.)

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Incredibles 2

Everyone's favorite family of superheroes is back in "Incredibles 2"--but this time Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is in the spotlight, leaving Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell) and Dash (voice of Huck Milner) to navigate the day-to-day heroics of "normal" life. It's a tough transition for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack's emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) must find a way to work together again--which is easier said than done, even when they're all Incredible.

In theaters since June 15, the family-focused Disney Pixar film boasts a 93 percent positive critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that the “long-awaited follow-up ... may not quite live up to the original, but comes close enough to earn its name."

It's screening at the AMC Carolina Pavilion 22 (9541 South Blvd.) through next week. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Ant-Man and the Wasp

From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink: "Ant-Man and The Wasp." In the aftermath of "Captain America: Civil War," Scott Lang (Rudd) grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he's confronted by Hope van Dyne (Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Douglas) with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past.

The film, released July 6,  offers "a lighter, brighter superhero movie powered by the effortless charisma of Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly," according to critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, where the film has a 88 percent rating.

You can watch the movie at the AMC Carolina Pavilion 22 (9541 South Blvd.) through next week. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

As the film goes back and forth in time to show how relationships forged in the past resonate in the present, James will play the role of Young Donna. Filling the roles of Young Rosie and Young Tanya are Alexa Davies (A Brilliant Young Mind) and Jessica Keenan Wynn (Broadway's Beautiful). Young Sam will be played by Jeremy Irvine (War Horse), while Young Bill is Josh Dylan (Allied) and Young Harry is Hugh Skinner (Kill Your Friends).

According to Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus, the film “doubles down on just about everything fans loved about the original.” The movie, released July 20, has a 80 percent critics score.

You can catch it playing at the Cinebarre Arboretum Stadium 11 (8008 Providence Rd.) through next week. Click here for showtimes and tickets.