The 12 best films in theaters right now

The final weeks of 2024 are bringing films of different genres and for all tastes, and these, along with some of November's most popular releases, are now showing in cinemas. After 2023 was full of surprises and big hits, 2024 continued that streak with more surprise hits and long-awaited films. 2024 saw some big hits on the big screen from different genres like action comedy The fallen guythe drama Challengershorror with Late at night with the devil and Long legsand the action movie Furiousand more could join the list this month.

December began with the disaster horror comedy year 2000Nick Frost's horror comedy To escapeSony's Spider-Man Universe Kraven the hunterand a new animation Lord of the Rings film. Joining that and more this week is the return of Sonic the Hedgehog, a prequel to The Lion Kinga historical drama starring Adrien Brody, Pedro Almodóvar's latest film, Gia Coppola's drama starring Pamela Anderson and Luca Guadagnino's latest project.

12

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was released on December 20, 2024

Sonic the Hedgehog is back in his third live-action/CGI adventure. Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows Sonic, Tails and Knuckles as they face a new adversary: ​​Shadow the Hedgehog. To face this new threat, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles team up with an unlikely ally: none other than Dr. Robotnik, all so they can stop Shadow and protect the planet. Fans of Sonic the Hedgehog can rest assured that his big-screen adventures will continue, as a fourth film has been confirmed.

You can read Screen Rant Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review here.

11

Mufasa: The Lion King

Mufasa: The Lion King is released on December 20, 2024

The latest in Disney's list of live-action/CGI remakes, sequels, and prequels is Mufasa: The Lion King. Directed by Barry Jenkins and brought to life in the same photorealistic style as the 2019 remake of The Lion King, Mufasa go back in time as Rakifi tells it Mufasa's origin story. Situated in the Pride Lands of Tanzania, Mufasa sees the title character, who is an orphan, befriending the young Prince Taka. Mufasa is adopted by Taka's family and they become very close, like brothers, but their story together takes a turn.

You can read Screen Rant Mufasa: The Lion King review here.

10

The Brutalist

The Brutalist was released on December 20, 2024

The Brutalist is an epic historical drama co-written and directed by Brady Corbet. The Brutalist tells the story of Lászlo Tóth, a Hungarian Jewish architect who, after surviving the Holocaust, moves to America to rebuild your life and career. Tóth settles in Pennsylvania and struggles to achieve the “American Dream” until he meets wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren. Together, they embark on an ambitious project that takes them to monumental heights and devastating lows.

9

The room next door

The Room Next Door was released on December 20, 2024

The room next door is a Spanish drama film directed by Pedro Almodóvar and based on the 2020 novel What are you going throughby Sigrid Nuñez. The room next door follows Ingrid and Martha, who were close friends in their youth when they worked together at the same magazine. Their different career paths and other life circumstances led them to separate, but after years of being out of contact, they find themselves again in an extreme but strangely sweet situationas Martha may not live for long.

You can read Screen Rant The room next door review here.

8

The Last Showgirl

The Last Showgirl was released on December 13, 2024

The Last Showgirl is a drama film directed by Gia Coppola. The Last Showgirl is the story of Shelly, an experienced dancer who, after 30 years, is faced with the new challenge of planning his future when his show ends abruptly. The Last Showgirl premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and is currently nominated for a Golden Globe in the categories of Best Original Song and Best Actress in a Film – Drama (Pamela Anderson).

You can read Screen Rant The Last Showgirl review here.

7

Queer

Queer was released on December 13, 2024

Queer is a period romantic drama directed by Luca Guadagnino and based on the 1985 novel of the same name by William S. Burroughs. Queer follows Lee, a queer American expat living in 1950s Mexico Citywhere he spends his time bar hopping and indulging in sexual activities with younger men. One day, he meets fellow expatriate Gene, a younger man and soldier with whom he begins a relationship, but it's not exactly what Lee would have liked.

You can read Screen Rant Queer review here.

6

Kraven the Hunter

Kraven the Hunter was released on December 13, 2024

The latest entry in Sony's Spider-Man universe is Kraven the Hunterdirected by JC Chandor. Kraven the Hunter tells the story of Sergey Kravinoff, a hunter with a complex relationship with his cruel father. His troubled past sets Sergey on the path of revenge and motivates him to become the greatest and most feared hunter, but he won't hunt animals. Kraven the Hunter is the sixth film in Sony's Spider-Man universe, shortly after Venom: The Last Dance.

You can read Screen Rant Kraven the Hunter review here.

5

Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim

Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim is released on December 13, 2024

The Lord of the RingThe franchise continues to expand, and this time it's with the anime film The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, The War of the Rohirrim and set 183 years before Peter Jackson The Lord of the Rings trilogyand tells the story of the legendary king of Rohan, Helm Hammerhand. When their kingdom is attacked by an army of Dunlendings led by Wulf, Hammerhand and his family do their best to defend it. Meanwhile, his daughter, Héra, leads the resistance against the enemy.

You can read Screen Rant The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim review here.

4

Y2K

Y2K was released on December 6, 2024

Y2K is a comedy-disaster film directed by Kyle Mooney in his directorial debut and is based on the year 2000 problem, better known as Y2K. The film follows loser friends Eli and Danny, who crash a high school party on New Year's Eve 1999. There, Eli grows closer to his crush, Laura, but the night takes a turn at midnight. A bug causes all technology to come to life and turn against humanity, unleashing chaos and destruction everywhere.

You can read Screen Rant Y2K review here.

3

Moana 2

Moana was released on November 27, 2024

Moana is back with a new adventure on land and sea. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Hason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, Moana 2 takes place three years after the first film and sees Moana receiving an unexpected call from her discovering ancestors. Moana forms her own crew and reunites with the demigod Maui and together they all head to the distant seas of Oceania to break the curse of the god Nalo and the hidden island of Motufetu.

You can read Screen Rant Moana 2 review here.

2

Gladiator II

Gladiator II was released on November 22, 2024

Ridley Scott Gladiator finally got a sequel and has Scott back as director. Set 20 years after the events of the first film, Gladiator II follows Lúcio Vero, grandson of Marco Aurélio and son of Lucilla and Máximo. Lucius lives with his family in Numidia, but when Roman soldiers led by General Marcus Acacius invade the city, Lucius' wife is killed and he is forced into slavery. Inspired by his father, Lucius fights as a gladiator under the teachings of the former slave Macrinus, who plans to overthrow the emperors Caracalla and Geta.

You can read Screen Rant Gladiator II review here.

1

Evil

Wicked was released on November 22, 2024

The musical Evil has finally made the leap from stage to the big screen. Directed by Jon M. Chu, Evil tells the story of Elphaba, who has been misunderstood her entire life because of her green skin. While attending Shiz University, Elphaba forms a deep friendship with Glindaa fellow student who craves popularity. When Elphaba and Glinda encounter the Wizard of Oz, their relationship comes to a crossroads as they begin to follow different paths. The sequence, Wicked Part Twowill be released on November 21, 2025.

You can read Screen Rant Evil review here.