In the market for high-caliber entertainment? Check out this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Santa Ana.
Here are the highest rated films to catch, based on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer Score, which reflects the opinions of hundreds of film and television critics.
(Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via Fandango. Movie ratings and showtimes are subject to change.)
Us
Husband and wife Gabe and Adelaide Wilson take their kids to their beach house expecting to unplug and unwind with friends. But as night descends, their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some shocking visitors arrive uninvited.
Set to be released on Friday, March 22, "Us" already has a Tomatometer Score of 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The Atlantic's David Sims said, "Us is a glorious symphony of fear, to be sure, but it's also an ambitious sci-fi allegory and a pitch-black comedy of the haves and have-nots," while Brian Truitt of USA Today noted, "Peele is this generation's Hitchcock, for sure, but also a true American original with introspective themes in hand and suspense to spare."
In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at Picture Show at Main Place Mall (2800 N. Main St.) through Wednesday, Mar. 27. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Apollo 11
A look at the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon led by commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin.
Boasting a Tomatometer Score of 99 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Apollo 11" has proven to be a critical darling since its release on March 8.
"The NASA mission at the heart of the must-see documentary Apollo 11 reminds you what it feels to be truly awestruck," according to Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly, while the Associated Press's Jake Coyle said, "Apollo 11 might not tell you anything you don't already know about the moon landing. But it will make you feel it, and see it, anew."
Catch it on the big screen at Regency South Coast Village (1561 W. Sunflower Ave.) through Wednesday, Mar. 27. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Sunset Blvd.
A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.
Boasting a Tomatometer Score of 98 percent and an Audience Score of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this old-school film is a must-see.
"[Gloria Swanson] proves that in the years she has been off the screen she has lost none of her glamour, the magnetism that made her an outstanding personality of the early Hollywood days," noted Mildred Stockard of Houston Chronicle, while the Chicago Reader's Don Druker said, "A tour de force for Swanson and one of Wilder's better efforts."
It's screening at Regency South Coast Village (1561 W. Sunflower Ave.) on Wednesday, Mar. 27. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
The Favourite
England, early 18th century. 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 Tomatometer Score of 93 percent and an Audience Score of 67 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has become a favorite since its release in November of 2018. IndieWire's Cate Young said, "Yorgos Lanthimos' dryly funny historical feature is all about power, and that means literally wearing the pants in a strange time," and the New York Times's A.O. Scott noted, "Weisz and Stone are both brilliantly witty and nimble, but Colman's performance is nothing short of sublime."
You can catch it at Regency South Coast Village (1561 W. Sunflower Ave.) through Wednesday, Mar. 27. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.
With a Tomatometer Score of 91 percent and an Audience Score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" has become a favorite since its release on Feb. 22. The Atlantic's David Sims said, "So much of The Hidden World is stuffed with filler material. But in certain wordless moments, this grand final entry really sings," while Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post stated, "The movie could easily be called 'How To End Your Trilogy.'"
Want to see for yourself? It's playing at Picture Show at Main Place Mall (2800 N. Main St.) through Wednesday, Mar. 27. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Cozy up to movie night.
Life is hard, but planning the perfect movie night is anything but. Make the most of a fun and relaxing evening with these chill-out essentials:
- Enjoy today’s golden age of streaming entertainment with over 500,000 movies and TV episodes available with the Amazon Fire Stick. Fire it up →
- No movie night is complete without freshly buttered popcorn, and Cuisinart’s hot air popcorn maker is top-of-the-line. Pop and go →
- Slip into comfort with Ugg’s best-selling indoor/outdoor moccasin, complete with sheep’s wool lining. Foot heaven →
This story was created automatically using local movie data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
