If you missed out on catching the hottest new releases right when they came out, you're in luck: those same movies may still be in theaters, albeit with more open seats and shorter popcorn lines.
It's not always easy to determine when the new release 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 anywhere from a mere two weeks to many months.
Read on for the highest-rated "old" new releases still screening in Santa Monica theaters, 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.)
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 Tomatometer Score of 99 percent and an Audience Score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Free Solo" has been a must-watch since its release in September of 2018. Salon.com's Melanie McFarland said, "The visuals are stunning, offering head-spinning views with the comfort of total safety," while John Doyle of the Globe and Mail noted, "Free Solo...is a jaw-dropper, both in what is documented and its visual impact."
"Free Solo" is now only playing at two theaters in and around Santa Monica, which means it may not be screening for much longer. It's playing at ArcLight Santa Monica (395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 330) through Wednesday, March 20. 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 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has become a favorite since its release in December of 2018. "'Yorgos Lanthimos' dryly funny historical feature is all about power, and that means literally wearing the pants in a strange time," according to Cate Young of indieWire, while the New York Times's A.O. Scott said, "Weisz and Stone are both brilliantly witty and nimble, but Colman's performance is nothing short of sublime."
"The Favourite" is now only playing at three theaters in and around Santa Monica, so catch it now or risk missing it on the big screen. Catch it on the big screen at ArcLight Santa Monica (395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 330) through Wednesday, March 20. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Isn't It Romantic
For a long time, Natalie, an Australian architect living in New York City, had always believed that what she had seen in rom-coms is all fantasy. But after thwarting a mugger at a subway station only to be knocked out while fleeing, Natalie wakes up and discovers that her life has suddenly become her worst nightmare—a romantic comedy—and she is the leading lady.
With a Tomatometer Score of 70 percent and an Audience Score of 51 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Isn't It Romantic" is worth watching. "Unlike other movies where women bang their heads, this one's got a brain," noted Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post, while New York Magazine/Vulture's Bilge Ebiri said, "It's the Inception of rom-coms. Sort of."
"Isn't It Romantic" is now only playing at one theater in Santa Monica — which may signal that it's on its way out. You can catch it at AMC Broadway 4 (1441 Third St., Promenade) through Wednesday, March 20. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bass guitarist John Deacon take the music world by storm when they form the rock 'n' roll band Queen in 1970. Hit songs become instant classics. When Mercury's increasingly wild lifestyle starts to spiral out of control, Queen soon faces its greatest challenge yet – finding a way to keep the band together amid the success and excess.
With a Tomatometer Score of 61 percent and an Audience Score of 87 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is deserving of your time. NPR's Bob Mondello said, "As for Freddie Mercury, is this his real life? Is this just fantasy - not sure that really matters either. When Malek's strutting like a peacock, this movie is a decently amusing escape from reality," and the New Yorker's Richard Brody said, "Malek does an impressive job of re-creating Mercury's moves onstage, but the core of the performance is Malek's intensely thoughtful, insight-rich channelling of Mercury's hurt, his alienation and isolation even at the height of his fame."
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is now only playing at five theaters in and around Santa Monica, so you may want to act fast. Want to see for yourself? It's playing at ArcLight Santa Monica (395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 330) through Wednesday, March 20. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Alita: Battle Angel
When Alita awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido, a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past.
With a Tomatometer Score of 60 percent and an Audience Score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Alita: Battle Angel" is also worth seeing. Slate's Sam Adams said, "It's goofy as hell and borderline inexcusable at times, but it's also kind of glorious", while Tony Baker of Tony Baker Comedy said, "When the action would kick off you could really see the choreography. You could see the movements being executed, you could see what's being done...Alita could really fight."
"Alita: Battle Angel" is now only playing at one theater in Santa Monica — a big hint that it could be leaving local theaters soon. It's playing at AMC Broadway 4 (1441 Third St., Promenade) through Wednesday, March 20. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
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.
