Sample a smorgasbord of screen treats
You can have it all this Thanksgiving, where the knife’s out to carve the turkey and a new “Knives Out” movie is on the big screen. ⬤ Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc in the detective’s new case, Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell take to the skies in a period war drama, Steven Spielberg shares his life story and Timothée Chalamet eats some people. And that’s not even counting the new stuff coming to streaming and on-demand platforms. ⬤ So do you need a film this long holiday weekend? We got you, fam. Here’s a guide to satisfying every cinematic taste after you fill your stomach:
If you live for clever whodunits: ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’
A tech billionaire (Edward Norton) invites his longtime crew (including Janelle Monáe, Dave Bautista and Kate Hudson) for a murder mystery getaway on his absurdly posh private Greek island. Craig’s Southern sleuth also inexplicably shows up, a dead body hits the floor and the game is afoot for director Rian Johnson’s fun and twisty sequel.
Where to watch: In theaters Wednesday (and on Netflix Dec. 23)
If you need a good history lesson: ‘Devotion’
Based on a true story, the earnest film doesn’t have “Top Gun” theatrics but does offer an important message. Majors plays Jesse Brown, who faced prejudice as the Navy’s first Black aviator but found an important wingman in white pilot Tom Hudner (Powell) outside of the cockpit as well as when heading into battle during the Korean War.
Where to watch: In theaters Wednesday
If you love old-school pulp adventure: ‘Strange World’
Disney’s in a throwback mood with this animated film offering sci-fi action and an environmental message. A farmer (Jake Gyllenhaal) grows a crop that powers his community but when it becomes infected, he travels with his teen son to a hidden underground world and runs into his long-lost macho explorer dad (Dennis Quaid).
Where to watch: In theaters Wednesday
If you don’t mind some fine young cannibalism: ‘Bones and All’
Set in the 1980s, the horror-tinged romance stars Taylor Russell as a teen girl who is left by her dad and goes searching for her mom – oh, and she also has a taste for human flesh. She meets a fellow “eater” (Chalamet) and various other oddballs on a bloody, engaging road trip that’d be twice as good if it was about 30% less weird.
Where to watch: In theaters Wednesday
If you’re a Spielberg superfan: ‘The Fabelmans’
The director successfully dips into his childhood in the semi-autobiographical drama. In the 1950s and ’60s, young Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle) becomes enamored with filmmaking, navigates family troubles between his parents (Paul Dano and Michelle Williams) and finds romance and antisemitism in high school.
Where to watch: In New York and Los Angeles theaters now, nationwide Wednesday
If you adore harrowing family dramas: ‘The Swimmers’
In war-torn Syria, swimming sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini (real-life siblings Nathalie and Manal Issa) want to escape to Germany for Nathalie’s Olympic dreams but face increasingly dangerous situations as refugees. The film, based on a true story, works best as an escape thriller before veering to a more conventional underdog sports narrative.
Where to watch: On Netflix Wednesday
If you dig unlikely feel-good flicks: ‘Good Night Oppy’
The documentary is a crowd-pleasing testament to human ingenuity that rocks a real-life “WALL-E” vibe. Twin rovers are sent to Mars for a 90-day mission, but one proves to be a real survivor, staying up on the red planet for 15 years.
Where to watch: On Amazon Prime Video Wednesday
If your kids are down for family sports movies: ‘Fantasy Football’
Sure, it’s an advertisement for the NFL, but it’s not horrible. A fumble-prone running back (Omari Hardwick) is riding the Falcons’ bench, but his daughter (Marsai Martin) levels him up and turns him into a superstar.
Where to watch: On Paramount+ Friday
Also on streaming
“The Woman King,” the historical action epic starring Viola Davis, is now available on Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon and Google Play.
And on demand is “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,” featuring Shawn Mendes.