There’s never been a better time to be a movie fan, especially if you love checking out your local movie theaters. From re-releases of classic titles to exciting big-budget spectacles, it seems as if there’s always something new to stare at over a bucket of popcorn. However, with the popularity of streaming and the arrival of a huge influx of titles in the coming days, how are you supposed to know what the best movies in theaters are?
Thankfully, we’re here to address those concerns. We’ve taken the time to highlight a number of prominent releases, both old and new, that are currently playing in theaters. From terrific dramas to heart-pounding action films, there’s certainly no shortage of things to see whenever you head down to your local cinema. Don’t believe us? Here are just a handful of the best movies currently playing in theaters. We’ll be updating this list periodically to reflect the best of the best movies as they come and go; first up are the most recent films.
Updated October 3, 2025: This collection of the best movies currently in theaters has been updated with brand-new entries.
9
‘The Smashing Machine’
October 3
Dwayne Johnson delivers one of the finest performances of his stacked career in the biographical sports drama The Smashing Machine, which chronicles the personal and professional life of amateur wrestler-turned-MMA fighter Mark Kerr as he struggles with addiction and the mounting pressures that come with fame while rising to prominence in the Pride Fighting Championships. Directed by Benny Safdie, the engrossing film is based on the 2002 documentary of the same name and delves into Kerr’s career between 1997 and 2000.
Johnson Emerges as an Early Oscars Contender
The Smashing Machine reunites Johnson with his Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s girlfriend Dawn Staples. She also struggles with substance abuse and personal demons while standing by Kerr in his MMA journey. The duo’s fiery on-screen chemistry is palpable. It is one of the many reasons The Smashing Machine has been garnering widespread acclaim and early Oscar buzz, with both critics and audiences raving about Johnson’s raw and complex portrayal, as well as his astonishing transformation.
8
‘Bone Lake’
October 3
With spooky season in full swing, now is the perfect time to check out the psychological horror film Bone Lake, which follows Sage (Maddie Hasson) and Diego (Marco Pigossi) as they head off on a romantic getaway at the remote lakeside estate, only to realize they will be sharing the secluded mansion with the mysterious couple Will (Alex Roe) and Cin (Andra Nechita). What starts as a dream excursion quickly becomes a nightmare as terrifying secrets are exposed and tensions escalate amongst the two couples.
‘Bone Lake’ Winningly Infuses Horror & Humor
Director Mercedes Bryce Morgan drew inspiration from films like Funny Games, A Clockwork Orange, and Evil Dead II, infusing the story with wicked humor, blood, gore, and an erotic twist. Bone Lake took home the bronze Audience Award at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival and has been praised for its unique storytelling and for not taking itself too seriously, with Variety writing that it is “cleverly conceived and confidently executed enough to make for a fun ride, one that eventually takes the full plunge into bloody black comedy terrain.”
7
‘One Battle After Another
September 26
Hollywood’s most elite heavyweights teamed up with famed director Paul Thomas Anderson for his gripping action thriller One Battle After Another. Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn are just a few talented stars helping bring the big-screen adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland to life. In the film, DiCaprio appears as ex-revolutionary Bob Ferguson, who sets out to rescue his 16-year-old daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti) after she goes missing following the resurfacing of his sadistic nemesis Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Penn).
DiCaprio Is Back and Better Than Ever
One Battle After Another marks DiCaprio’s exciting return to the cinema since 2023’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Like most of the leading man’s movies, the thriller has garnered universal acclaim from critics and audiences alike, currently boasting a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score with a 98% Tomatometer. Anderson masterfully blends satirical humor, adventure, and familial conflict with an exhilarating storyline to create a captivating original that has been hailed as one of the finest films of the year, with many praising its insightful political and social commentary.
6
‘The Strangers: Chapter 2’
September 26
The fourth film in The Strangers horror series and the second entry in the spine-tingling new trilogy, The Strangers: Chapter 2 picks up after the shocking events of its 2024 predecessor. It once again focuses on Maya Lucas (Madelaine Petsch), who, after surviving a brutal attack by three psychopathic masked strangers that left her boyfriend dead, discovers her nightmare isn’t completely over after the killers set out to finish what they started. Hunted by the terrifying trio, Maya finds herself caught up in a chilling cat-and-mouse game that pushes her to the brink.
The Terrifying Trilogy Continues in ‘The Strangers: Chapter 2’
The Strangers: Chapter 2 was first screened at Fantastic Fest before being released in theaters. The second installment expands on the chilling premise from the confines of a home invasion setting to one that involves the local town and a foreboding forest, where Maya flees while being pursued by the killers. Although the horror flick has largely failed to impress critics (much like its predecessor), it’s anticipated to be a modest box office hit with audiences. It will help set the stage for the third and final movie in the unnerving trilogy.
5
‘Eleanor the Great’
September 26
Silver screen staple Scarlett Johansson is showcasing her skills behind the camera and is making her directorial debut with the drama Eleanor the Great. The film features the charming June Squibb as Eleanor Morgenstein, a 94-year-old Floridian woman who forms an unlikely bond with a 19-year-old student (Erin Kellyman) after the death of her best friend and longtime companion. Yearning for a new adventure and looking for support, Eleanor relocates to New York City to live with her family and finds herself navigating her profound grief and loneliness.
Johansson Dazzles Cannes with Her Directorial Debut
Johansson had first become inspired to direct after working alongside Robert Redford in his 1998 Western drama, The Horse Whisperer, at the age of 12. The actress officially signed on to helm the character-driven film in September 2023. When Eleanor the Great premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, the thought-provoking picture received a five-minute standing ovation from the crowd, where it participated for both the Un Certain Regard Award and Camera d’Or. Squibb’s poignant performance is already generating major buzz and has been named by Variety as a major contender for the 2025 Best Actress Oscar.
4
‘Him’
September 19
From Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions comes the sports horror movie Him, which stars Tyriq Withers as the gifted football star Cameron Cade, whose path to fame and fortune suffers a major setback after he is injured by an obsessed fan. Just when it looks like his dreams of making it big are about to disappear forever, Cameron is invited by his beloved idol and legendary quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans) to train at his private compound, where his second chance at success takes a sinister and dangerous turn.
An Unhinged Wayans Commands the Screen in ‘Him’
The script for Him was voted onto the black list of best unproduced screenplays of 2022, and it is the latest project from Peele’s esteemed production company (which helped create hits like Get Out and Us). Julia Fox appears as Isaiah’s social media influencer wife, while comedian Jim Jefferies portrays the famed athlete’s doctor, making for a delightfully unique ensemble full of eccentric characters and portrayals. Though initial reaction for Him appears to be less-than-glowing, critics are all in agreement that Wayans’ commitment to his unhinged role truly elevates the edgy horror flick.
3
‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’
September 12
The beloved historical drama franchise Downton Abbey has captivatedaudiences all around the world since its sensational debut in 2010, and now fans are preparing to say goodbye once again to the aristocratic Crawley clan and their colorful staff with Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the third and final installment in the juggernaut series. In the engrossing film, Mary (Michelle Dockery) finds herself caught up in a public scandal that could lead to social disgrace while her family members face financial uncertainty that causes them all to ponder major changes in their lives.
The Cast of ‘Downton Abbey’ Bids Farewell to Fans
Most of the original cast members from the show reprised their respective roles for the bittersweet film, with familiar faces like Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, and Laura Carmichael all returning to wander the sprawling grounds of the iconic estate and to bid adieu to devoted viewers. Both fans and critics have been raving about The Grand Finale and feel it serves as a fitting send-off to the cherished characters and immersive world, with Time Out calling it “a touching but low-key ending that gathers all your faves together for a last supper. In true Downton style, it goes out not with a bang but with a duck.”
2
‘The Long Walk’
September 12
Hollywood just can’t help itself when it comes to adapting the “King of Horror” himself, Stephen King’s many electrifying bestsellers, and his white-knuckle thriller, The Long Walk, is his latest novel getting the silver screen treatment. In the survival flick, a group of teenage boys in dystopian America are forced to participate in the grueling titular contest that involves them maintaining a speed of at least three miles per hour or risk being executed. Participants are known as “Walkers,” and if they are the last one standing at the end of the contest, they will win whatever they desire.
‘The Long Walk’ Captures the Brutality & Terror of the Novel
The Long Walk features the talents of stars like Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, and Garrett Wareing, with cinema icon Mark Hamill taking on the role of the merciless dictator, The Mayor, who oversees the terrifying contest. An adaptation of the brutal King classic nearly came to fruition back in 1988 with George A. Romero attached to direct, but development of the project stalled over the next few decades until Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games franchise) signed on to bring the heart-racing novel to life. The wait seems to have paid off, as The Long Walk is already garnering massive praise from critics and fans and currently holds a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score.
1
‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’
September 5
After terrifying audiences all around the world for more than a decade, The Conjuring: Last Rites will mark the end of an era for the chilling universe as the film serves as the ninth and (supposedly) final installment in the horror franchise’s first phase. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are back as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they take on their most disturbing case yet, the haunting of Jack and Janet Smurl, who realize their dream Pennsylvania home has a demon infestation.
‘The Conjuring’ Goes Out With a Chilling Bang
The Conjuring universe has raked in $2.2 billion worldwide and is the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time, with fans flocking to see what new hair-raising evil the Warrens will face off against in each installment. The on-screen chemistry between Wilson and Farmiga, as well as series creator James Wan’s spine-tingling visual effects and nightmare-worthy demons, helped make the movies a knockout with audiences. It sure seems as though Last Rites is helping the franchise go out with a major bang, as fans have already awarded it a solid 78% Rotten Tomatoes score.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
