In the age of streaming entertainment, it can be hard to leave the couch. But movie theaters still offer a special experience for those willing to get out of the house. Want to see what's out there? Take a look at this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Washington.
Here are the highest rated films to catch, based on critical scores sourced from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. (Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via Fandango.)
Free Solo
Follow Alex Honnold as he attempts to become the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite's 3,000 foot high El Capitan wall. With no ropes or safety gear, this would arguably be the greatest feat in rock climbing history.
Boasting a critical approval rating of 98 percent and an audience score of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Free Solo" has proven to be a critical darling since its release on Sept. 28. Per the site's overview of critic reviews, "'Free Solo' depicts athletic feats that many viewers will find beyond reason -- and grounds the attempts in passions that are all but universal."
Get a piece of the action at AMC Georgetown 14 (3111 K St. NorthW.) through Monday, Feb. 11 and Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market (550 E. Penn St. NE) through Wednesday, Feb. 13. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Miles Morales is juggling his life between being a high school student and being a spider-man. When Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk uses a super collider, others from across the Spider-Verse are transported to this dimension.
With a critical approval rating of 97 percent and an audience score of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has been a must-watch since its release on Dec. 14. The site's critical consensus notes that "'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' matches bold storytelling with striking animation for a purely enjoyable adventure with heart, humor and plenty of superhero action."
Catch it on the big screen at AMC Mazza Gallerie (5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW) through Thursday, Feb. 14, and Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14 (701 Seventh St. NW) through Wednesday, Feb. 13. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
The Favourite
In 18th century England, the close relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill is threatened by the arrival of Sarah's cousin, Abigail Hill, resulting in a bitter rivalry between the two cousins to be the Queen's favorite.
With a 94 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 62 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has become a favorite since its release on Dec. 14. The site's critical consensus indicates that "'The Favourite' sees Yorgos Lanthimos balancing a period setting against rich, timely subtext -- and getting roundly stellar performances from his well-chosen stars."
It's playing at AMC Mazza Gallerie (5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW) through Friday, Feb. 15 and AMC Georgetown 14 (3111 K St. NorthW.) through Monday, Feb. 11. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Do the Right Thing
On the hottest day of the year on a street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, everyone's hate and bigotry smolders and builds until it explodes into violence.
With a 90 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this 1989 release has proven a solid viewing choice. According to the site's overview of critic reviews, "Smart, vibrant and urgent without being didactic, 'Do the Right Thing' is one of Spike Lee's most fully realized efforts -- and one of the most important films of the 1980s."
Want to see for yourself? It's playing at Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market (550 E. Penn St. NE) on Thursday, Feb. 14. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
The Kid Who Would Be King
Alex thinks he’s just another nobody, until he stumbles upon the mythical Sword in the Stone, Excalibur. Now, he must unite his friends and enemies into a band of knights and, together with the legendary wizard Merlin, take on the wicked enchantress Morgana. With the future at stake, Alex must become the great leader he never dreamed he could be.
With a critical approval rating of 88 percent and an audience score of 68 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Kid Who Would Be King" has proven a solid option since its release. The site's critical consensus has it that "'The Kid Who Would Be King' recalls classic all-ages adventures -- and repurposes a timeless legend -- for a thoroughly enjoyable new addition to the family movie canon."
Get a piece of the action at AMC Mazza Gallerie (5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW) and Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14 (701 Seventh St. NW) through Thursday, Feb. 7. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
