On the hunt for date night ideas? Take a look at this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Raleigh.
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.)
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 and an Audience Score of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Apollo 11" has proven to be a critical darling since its release on March 8.
Entertainment Weekly's Chris Nashawaty said, "The NASA mission at the heart of the must-see documentary 'Apollo 11' reminds you what it feels to be truly awestruck," while Jake Coyle of the Associated Press noted, "'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."
You can catch it at Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh (2116 New Bern Ave., Suite D) through Thursday, March 28. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
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 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
"'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," according to David Sims of the Atlantic, while USA Today's Brian Truitt said, "Peele is this generation's Hitchcock, for sure, but also a true American original with introspective themes in hand and suspense to spare."
You can catch it at Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh (2116 New Bern Ave., Suite D) and Regal North Hills Stadium 14 (4150 Main at North Hills St.) through Thursday, March 28. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Pick of the Litter
Follows a litter of puppies from the moment they're born and begin their quest to become Guide Dogs for the Blind, the ultimate canine career. Cameras follow these pups through a two-year odyssey as they train to become dogs whose ultimate responsibility is to protect their blind partners from harm.
Boasting a Tomatometer Score of 98 percent and an Audience Score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Pick of the Litter" has been a must-watch since its release in Aug. of 2018.
"'Pick of the Litter' is made with heart and reverence for man's best friend, especially those special pooches who go on to answer a higher calling," noted Adam Graham of the Detroit News, while the San Diego Reader's Scott Marks said, "By far the most joyous time you'll have at the movies all year."
Get a piece of the action at Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh (2116 New Bern Ave., Suite D) on Monday, March 25. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Howards End
A saga of class relations and changing times in an Edwardian England on the brink of modernity, the film centers on liberal Margaret Schlegel, who, along with her sister Helen, becomes involved with two couples: wealthy, conservative industrialist Henry Wilcox and his wife Ruth, and the downwardly mobile working-class Leonard Bast and his mistress Jackie.
With a Tomatometer Score of 94 percent and an Audience Score of 82 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, this 1992 release has garnered plenty of praise. The Globe and Mail's Barry Hertz said, "A can't-miss opportunity to experience some of the finest filmmaking of the 20th century," and the Los Angeles Times' Kenneth Turan noted, "What sets 'Howards End' apart is the complex emotional life of its characters."
Catch it on the big screen at Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh (2116 New Bern Ave., Suite D) on Sunday, March 24. 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 garnered plenty of praise 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.'"
It's playing at Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh (2116 New Bern Ave., Suite D) through Thursday, March 21 and Regal North Hills Stadium 14 (4150 Main at North Hills St.) through Wednesday, March 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.
