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 Pittsburgh 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 Penn Hills Cinema (76 Federal Dr.) and elsewhere through Sep. 6, if not longer. 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 catch it screening at the AMC Waterfront 22 (300 Waterfront Drive W.) through Sep. 1. Go here for tickets and showtimes.
Eighth Grade
Thirteen-year-old Kayla endures the tidal wave of contemporary suburban adolescence as she makes her way through the last week of middle school--the end of her thus far disastrous eighth grade year before she begins high school.
According to Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus, “Eighth Grade takes a look at its titular time period that offers a rare and resounding ring of truth.” The movie, released July 13, has a 98 percent critics score.
You can catch it playing at the The Tull Family Theater (418 Walnut St.) through Thursday, Aug. 30. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
