The 10 Best Movies in Theaters Right Now (2024)

November is bringing movies from different genres and for viewers of all ages as well as some of this year's most anticipated titles, and some of these, along with some of October's most popular releases, are now playing in theaters. 2023 was a big year for cinema, and the streak continues in 2024. This year has seen some big hits on the big screen from different genres, such as the action-comedy The Fall Guy, the drama Challengers, horror with Late Night With The Devil and Longlegs, and the action movie Furiosa, to name a few.

November started strong with Robert Zemeckis' Here, the horror movie Heretic, and the drama Small Things Like These, along with Christmas movies like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Now joining this and some October movies is the long-awaited film adaptation of a beloved musical and the also long-awaited sequel to one of Ridley Scott's most acclaimed works.

10 Gladiator II

Gladiator II was released on November 22, 2024

8/10

Gladiator II

R

Director

Ridley Scott

Release Date

November 22, 2024

Cast

Paul Mescal , Pedro Pascal , Denzel Washington , Connie Nielsen , Joseph Quinn , Fred Hechinger , Derek Jacobi , May Calamawy , Peter Mensah , Matt Lucas , Alexander Karim , Tim McInnerny , Lee Charles , Chidi Ajufo , Alfie Tempest , Riana Duce , Chi Lewis Parry , Paul Candelent , Hadrian Howard , Alexander Simkin , Mikhail Basmadjian , Matthew Charlery-Smith , Maxime Durand , Lior Raz

prequel(s)

Gladiator

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator has finally gotten a sequel, and it has Scott back as director. Set 20 years after the events of the first movie, Gladiator II follows Lucius Verus, grandson of Marcus Aurelius and son of Lucilla and Maximus. Lucius lives with his family in Numidia, but when the Roman soldiers led by General Marcus Acacius invade the town, Lucius’ wife is killed and he’s forced into slavery. Inspired by his father, Lucius fights as a gladiator under the teaching of former slave Macrinus, who plans to overthrow emperors Caracalla and Geta.

You can read Screen Rant’s Gladiator II review here.

9 Wicked

Wicked was released on November 22, 2024

9/10

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Wicked

PG

Director

Jon M. Chu

Release Date

November 22, 2024

Cast

Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd

Runtime

160 Minutes

The musical Wicked has finally made the jump from the stage to the big screen. Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, who has been misunderstood her whole life due to her green skin. While attending Shiz University, Elphaba forms a profound friendship with Glinda, a fellow student who longs for popularity. When Elphaba and Glinda encounter the Wizard of Oz, their relationship reaches a crossroads as they begin to take different paths. The sequel, Wicked Part Two, will be released on November 21, 2025.

You can read Screen Rant’s Wicked review here.

8 Red One

Red One was released on November 15, 2024

3/10

Red One

PG-13

Director

Jake Kasdan

Cast

Dwayne Johnson , Chris Evans , J.K. Simmons , Lucy Liu , Kiernan Shipka , Bonnie Hunt , Kristofer Hivju , Nick Kroll , Wesley Kimmel , Mary Elizabeth Ellis , Wyatt Hunt , Lanz Duffy , Marc Evan Jackson , Ashleigh Domangue , Cody Easterbrook , Jon Rudnitsky , Morla Gorrondona , Jenna Kanell , Rod Maxwell , Fedor Steer , Octavia Grace , Matthew Zuk , Cora Kass , Ahmad Ghafouri , Jeff Chase

Runtime

123 Minutes

Red One is an action comedy Christmas movie directed by Jake Kasdan. Red One takes the audience to the North Pole, where, on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus is kidnapped. Head of security Callum Drift is determined to find him, but he’s forced to team up with hacker Jack O’Malley, who’s on Santa’s Naughty List. Together, Callum and Jack go on an unbelievable adventure where they come across other characters Jack once thought were only myths, and they are shocked when they learn who’s behind Santa’s kidnapping and where he’s being kept captive.

You can read Screen Rant’s Red One review here.

7 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was released on November 8, 2024

4/10

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

PG

Director

Dallas Jenkins

Release Date

November 8, 2024

Cast

Judy Greer , Pete Holmes , Molly Belle Wright , Lauren Graham , Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez , Kynlee Heiman , Matthew Lamb , Beatrice Schneider , Ewan Wood , Essek Moore , Mason D Nelligan , Lorelei Olivia Mote , Danielle Hoetmer , Kirk B.R. Woller , Elizabeth Tabish , Vanessa Benavente , Wyatt Dewar , Nolan Grantham , Isla Verlot , Lauren Cochrane , Daina Leitold , Jenni Burke , Stephanie Sy , Tom Young

Runtime

114 Minutes

Christmas movies are kicking off this year in theaters with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Directed by Dallas Jenkins and based on the 1972 novel of the same name by Barbara Robinson, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows the Herdmans, six juvenile delinquent siblings who find themselves taking part in the local church pageant during the holidays. The Herdmans are ready to unleash chaos at the pageant, but to their surprise, they will end up teaching the community the true meaning of Christmas.

You can read Screen Rant’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever review here.

6 Heretic

Heretic was released on November 8, 2024

8/10

Heretic

R

Director

Scott Beck , Bryan Woods

Release Date

November 8, 2024

Cast

Hugh Grant , Sophie Thatcher , Chloe East , Topher Grace , Elle Young

Runtime

110 Minutes

Heretic is a horror thriller directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Heretic follows Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton, missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One day, the Sisters arrive at the home of the reclusive Englishman Mr. Reed, who they try to convert. However, their mission soon turns into a nightmare as Mr. Reed turns out to be a far more dangerous man than the Sisters could have ever imagined.

You can read Screen Rant’s Heretic review here.

5 Here

Here was released on November 1, 2024

3/10

Here

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Release Date

November 1, 2024

Cast

Tom Hanks , Robin Wright , Paul Bettany , Kelly Reilly , Albie Salter , Michelle Dockery , Gwilym Lee , Nicholas Pinnock , Nikki Amuka-Bird , Cache Vanderpuye , Keith Bartlett , Daniel Betts , Leslie Zemeckis , Alfie Todd , Ellis Grunsell , Zsa Zsa Zemeckis , Teddy Russell , Finn Guegan , Callum Macreadie , Lauren McQueen , Grace Lyra , Jemima Macintyre , Billie Gadsdon , Beau Gadsdon , Harry Marcus , Diego Scott , Logan Challis , Albie Mander , Eloísa Ferreira , Eliza Daley , Elodie Crapper , Faith Delaney

Runtime

104 Minutes

Here is a drama movie directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on Richard McGuire’s 2014 graphic novel of the same name. Here goes for an unconventional visual style and uses a camera fixed on the same spot to tell the events of this specific place through the years – from the past (very, very in the past) to well into the future. Here reunites Zemeckis with his most famous frequent collaborator, Tom Hanks, as well as Robin Wright.

4 Venom: The Last Dance

Venom: The Last Dance was released on October 25, 2024

7/10

Venom: The Last Dance

PG-13

Director

Kelly Marcel

Release Date

October 25, 2024

Cast

Tom Hardy , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Juno Temple , Rhys Ifans , Stephen Graham , Peggy Lu , Clark Backo , Alanna Ubach , Cristo Fernández , Jared Abrahamson , Hala Finley , Dash McCloud , Andy Serkis , Reid Scott , Jack Brady , Ivo Nandi , Jake Allyn , Otis Winston , Jacob Tomuri , Brooke Carter , Fflyn Edwards , Elijah Cook , Norma Butikofer , Elizabeth Cook , Angie Hsu , Martin McDougall

Runtime

110 Minutes

prequel(s)

Venom , Venom: Let There Be Carnage

The first trilogy in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is coming to an end with Venom: The Last Dance. Directed by Kelly Marcel, Venom: The Last Dance reunites the audience with Eddie Brock and the symbiote Venom, who, after the events of Let There Be Carnage, are now on the run, hunted by both of their worlds. On top of that, Knull, creator of the symbiotes, makes an appearance, forcing Eddie and Venom to make a devastating decision that will bring their chaotic but fun and loving story to an end.

You can read Screen Rant's Venom: The Last Dance review here.

3 Conclave

Conclave was released on October 25, 2024

9/10

Conclave

PG

Director

Edward Berger

Release Date

October 25, 2024

Cast

Ralph Fiennes , Stanley Tucci , John Lithgow , Isabella Rossellini , Lucian Msamati , Carlos Diehz , Sergio Castellitto , Brian F. O'Byrne , Merab Ninidze , Jacek Koman , Rony Kramer , Joseph Mydell

Runtime

120 Minutes

Conclave is a mystery-thriller movie directed by Edward Berger and based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. Conclave follows Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, who is in charge of organizing the election of the successor to the deceased pope. In the process, Cardinal Lawrence discovers the former pope had a secret concerning one or more of his possible successors that must now be uncovered. Conclave premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival in August 2024.

You can read Screen Rant's Conclave review here.

2 Smile 2

Smile 2 was released on October 18, 2024

5/10

Smile 2

Director

Parker Finn

Release Date

October 18, 2024

Cast

Kyle Gallner , Naomi Scott , Lukas Gage , Rosemarie DeWitt , Dylan Gelula , Peter Jacobson , Raul Castillo , Miles Gutierrez-Riley

prequel(s)

Smile

The sequel to Parker Finn’s psychological supernatural horror movie Smile has arrived. Also written and directed by Parker Finn, Smile 2 centers on Skye Riley, a famous pop star preparing for a new world tour. After witnessing the suicide of an old acquaintance, the Smile curse is passed onto her, and so Skye begins to experience a series of increasingly disturbing events. These force Skye to confront the demons of her past as a last attempt to regain control of her life before it’s too late.

You can read Screen Rant’s Smile 2 review here.

1 Anora

Anora was released on October 18, 2024

9/10

Anora

Director

Sean Baker

Release Date

October 18, 2024

Cast

Mikey Madison , Mark Eydelshteyn , Karren Karagulian , Yuriy Borisov , Vache Tovmasyan , Ivy Wolk , Luna Sofía Miranda , Ross Brodar , Lindsey Normington , Darya Ekamasova , Emily Weider , Alena Gurevich , Masha Zhak , Paul Weissman , Charlton Lamar , Aleksey Serebryakov , Ella Rubin , Vincent Radwinsky , Michael Sergio , Brittney Rodriguez , Sophia Carnabuci , Anton Bitter , Zoë Vnak

Runtime

139 Minutes

Anora is a comedy-drama written and directed by Sean Baker. Anora tells the story of the title character, also known as Ani, a young Uzbek-American stripper from New York City. Thanks to her conversational skills in Russian, her boss gives her Russian-speaking clients, and one day, she meets Ivan, the son of a Russian oligarch. Ani and Ivan fall in love and elope, but what seemed to be the perfect love story for them quickly takes a turn when Ivan’s parents arrive and threaten to force an annulment.

You can read Screen Rant’s Anora review here.