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 film you hoped 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 Phoenix 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.)
Gully Boy
A coming-of-age story based on the lives of street rappers in Mumbai.
Boasting a Tomatometer Score of 100 percent and an Audience Score of 87 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Gully Boy" has been a must-watch since its release on Feb. 14. Variety's Jay Weissberg said, "A mainstream rap musical served up with generous helpings of deftly written hip-hop lyrics and an appealing, largely well-woven narrative starring Ranveer Singh in all his charms," while Deborah Young of the Hollywood Reporter noted, "Zoya Akhtar directs with flair and passion and, aided by explosive performances from a right-on cast, triumphs over the familiarity of the star-is-born storyline."
"Gully Boy" is down to just a few showtimes left in Phoenix theaters — a big hint that it could be leaving local theaters soon. It's playing at AMC Arizona Center 24 (565 N. Third St.) through Wednesday, March 20. 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 Tomatometer Score of 97 percent and an Audience Score of 87 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has gotten stellar reviews since its release in December of 2018. "This film manages the delicate feat of embracing its source material while also satirizing it," according to Lawrence Ware of the New York Times, while the Atlantic's David Sims said, "The latest entry in a fully saturated genre that somehow, through sheer creative gumption, does something new."
"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" is now only playing at one theater in Phoenix, so now's the time to make your move. Catch it on the big screen at AMC Arizona Center 24 (565 N. Third St.) 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 well worth a watch. "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 four theaters in Phoenix, which could mean it'll be leaving local theaters soon. Catch it on the big screen at AMC Arizona Center 24 (565 N. Third St.) through Wednesday, March 20; AMC Dine-In Esplanade 14 (2515 E. Camelback Road) through Thursday, March 20; Harkins Norterra 14 (2550 W. Happy Valley Road) through Thursday, March 21; and AMC Ahwatukee 24 (4915 E. Ray Road) through Wednesday, March 20. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Happy Death Day 2U
Collegian Tree Gelbman wakes up in horror to learn that she's stuck in a parallel universe. Her boyfriend Carter is now with someone else, and her friends and fellow students seem to be completely different versions of themselves. When Tree discovers that Carter's roommate has been altering time, she finds herself once again the target of a masked killer. When the psychopath starts to go after her inner circle, Tree soon realizes that she must die over and over again to save everyone.
With a Tomatometer Score of 67 percent and an Audience Score of 66 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Happy Death Day 2U" is well worth a watch. The Atlantic's David Sims said, "Along the lines of other recent inexpensive genre efforts that behave more like franchise blockbusters by building out their lore and doubling down on their nerdiness," and Salon.com's Matthew Rozsa said, "It is instead that rarity — a sequel that is both better than the original and manages to retroactively improve that movie."
"Happy Death Day 2U" is now only playing at one theater in Phoenix, so catch it now or risk missing it on the big screen. Want to see for yourself? It's playing at AMC Arizona Center 24 (565 N. Third St.) 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.
