Cincinnati/ Fun & Entertainment
Published on February 07, 2019
A throwback thriller and 3 Oscar nominees lead the best movies screening around Cincinnati this weekImage: Rebecca/TMDb

Want to see a movie, but not sure what's worthwhile? Don't miss this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Cincinnati.

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.)

Rebecca

Alfred Hitchcock's classic is the story of a young woman who marries a fascinating widower only to find out that she must live in the shadow of his former wife, Rebecca, who died mysteriously several years earlier. The young wife must come to grips with the terrible secret of her handsome, cold husband, Max De Winter. She must also deal with the jealous, obsessed Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, who will not accept her as the mistress of the house.

Boasting a critical approval rating of 100 percent and an audience score of 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this old-school film boasts plenty of accolades. According to the site's overview of critic reviews, "Hitchcock's first American film (and his only Best Picture winner), 'Rebecca' is a masterpiece of haunting atmosphere, Gothic thrills, and gripping suspense."

It's playing at Esquire 6 Theatre (320 Ludlow Ave.) only on Wednesday, Feb. 13. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

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 98 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Free Solo" has been a must-watch since its release on September 28.

Per the site's critical consensus, the Oscar nominee for Best Documentary "depicts athletic feats that many viewers will find beyond reason — and grounds the attempts in passions that are all but universal."

It's playing at Esquire 6 Theatre (320 Ludlow Ave.) through Thursday, Feb. 14. 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 an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature, a 97 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has gotten stellar reviews since its release on December 14, with a consensus 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."

It's screening at Parkland Theatre (6550 Parkland Ave.) through Friday, Feb. 8. 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 favourite.

With a 94 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 62 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has garnered plenty of praise since its release on December 14. It recently received a whopping ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress or Supporting Actress for all three main actresses.

The site's critical consensus declares, "'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 Esquire 6 Theatre (320 Ludlow Ave.) through 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 69 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Kid Who Would Be King" has been getting attention since its release . The site's critical consensus notes that the modern Arthurian fantasy flick "recalls classic all-ages adventures — and repurposes a timeless legend — for a thoroughly enjoyable new addition to the family movie canon."

Catch it on the big screen at Cinemark Oakley Station and XD (3025 Disney St.) through Thursday, Feb. 7. Click here for showtimes and tickets.