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Judy (II) (2019)

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‘Judy’ Review : The Singer (Disaster, Legend) at Rainbow’s End

Renée Zellweger plays Judy Garland near the end of her life, when she grasped onto one more comeback and one last chance.

By Manohla Dargis

One day in 1968, the year before she died, Judy Garland watched a television interview she had done with Dick Cavett. Noticing Cavett’s fidgeting, she wondered why she made everyone so uncomfortable. Because, a friend replied, no one knew if she was going to sing “Over the Rainbow” or open her veins. “Sometimes I do both,” Garland said, “at the same time.”

In “Judy,” Renée Zellweger plays a few variations on Garland near the end of her life: worried mother, needy lover, disaster, legend. The woman who remains out of sight, though, is the sadder, scarier Judy who threw a butcher knife at one of her children and threatened to jump out a window in front of another. Even so, Zellweger is solid in a movie that derives its force from its central mythic figure and your own Yellow Brick Road memories: the Hollywood supernova with the inner-child vaudevillian named Frances Ethel Gumm, a.k.a. Baby.

One of those biopics that tries to encapsulate the sweep and substance of a life by narrowing in on ostensibly representative moments, “Judy” concentrates on Garland’s bumpy, weeks-long engagement at the Talk of the Town , a London cabaret-restaurant where patrons sometime s threw breadsticks at the faltering talent. When Garland arrived in London in late December 1968 , she was broke. She had been forced to sell her house in Los Angeles — fans and servants had been helping pay the bills — and had effectively become a vagabond, which is how Gerald Clarke describes her in his sympathetic book “Get Happy.”

When Zellweger first sweeps into the movie there’s nothing to suggest that Judy is in trouble. She looks strong, with eyes and a smile that are naturally bright rather than pharmaceutically amped. Sailing down a palatial hotel lobby with her two youngest children, Lorna (Bella Ramsey) and Joey (Lewin Lloyd), she commands the space like a genuine star, dressed in a floral pantsuit, her hair as feathered as a cockatoo’s crest . The pantsuit and her green scarf are as bright as a warning sign al: They look a lot like an outfit she was meant to wear in “Valley of the Dolls” before she was fired . (Garland didn’t want to play the film’s harridan.)

Judy tries to check in but her account is in arrears. The staff is embarrassed. She’s outraged. With no money and no place to go, she and the kids clamber into a car. They’re headed into the next sad chapter of their life — the children soon move in with dad — the night city glowing in the distance like a lighted stage. Zellweger purses her lips and Judy shakes out a few tablets. Lorna asks her mother not to go to sleep. “No, no, no,” Judy says, Zellweger dragging out the words so that they slide together, like the pills she’s about to swallow. “These are the other ones.” She pops them and we’re off to the races for good times and bad.

“Judy” is based on Peter Quilter’s play “End of the Rainbow,” which had a well-received Broadway run in 2012 and skitters between Judy ripping her heart out in a London hotel and at the theater where she will become the talk of the town. The movie, directed by Rupert Goold and written by Tom Edge, is a gentler, squarer mash note to the Great Woman that’s part maternal melodrama, part martyr story. Instructively, Judy is pawing a lover’s crotch soon after the play opens, not worrying about her children. This shift in emphasis to the Loving Mother is presumably meant to make Judy a more readily sympathetic figure who, in caring for her kids, is trying to correct the past.

Her larger story regularly surfaces in bland, unconvincing scenes of the teenage Judy (a miscast Darci Shaw) that drain attention and momentum from both the main story and Zellweger. Under contract at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the young Judy is exhausted and hungry. She’s not supposed to eat and she can’t sleep, kept awake by pills pushed by a studio that thinks she’s too fat. Every so often, the boss, Louis B. Mayer (Richard Cordery), threateningly looms over her. The real Mayer wasn’t much taller than Garland, whose mother — missing in action here — was loathsome, details that might complicate the movie’s reductive vision of power and abuse, victimization and survival, women and men.

The Judy Garland story is an oft-told tragedy of greatness devoured by fame, by the entertainment machine, the audience’s habit-forming adoration and bad personal choices. The movie adheres to that template, delivering the usual scoundrels (Finn Wittrock as a lover ), courtiers (Jessie Buckley as a minder) and facile psychology, sometimes with a #MeToo spin, most overtly in the scene of Mayer touching the young Judy’s chest. The real Garland said that Mayer groped her, but that she put an end to his harassment. She continued to speak well of him after he died and long into her own life, perhaps because people are far more complex than biopics like this one can admit.

Mostly, “Judy” offers the familiar spectacle of one star playing another. Zellweger’s performance is credible, with agitated flutters and filigreed touches, though it leans hard on Judy’s tremulous fragility, as if she were a panicked hummingbird. The take is also cautious, too comfortable; it never makes you flinch or look away. Wholly embracing Garland’s freneticism at its rawest might have registered as excessive or campy, but it would have deepened the portrait. So would Garland’s voice. Zellweger has a fine one — she sings all of Judy’s songs — but it can’t deliver the fantasy that this is one of the greatest entertainers in history.

By the late 1960s, Garland had made and lost fortunes, was addicted to drugs and had repeatedly attempted suicide and cried out for attention by threatening to do so, by cutting herself, swallowing aspirins. She overdosed so often that her daughter Liza apparently acquired a stomach pump . Of course, in the end, there was no one to help and Garland died at 47 from an accidental overdose. “Judy” tries hard to inject brightness and pleasure into this bleak picture as this lost, luminous woman grabs onto one last chance, one more man. It shows the highs and some of the lows, piles on the strained smiles and upbeat tunes, embracing the woman even as it tries to temper the despair that comes from watching someone die in slow motion.

Rated PG-13 for substance abuse. Running time: 1 hour 58 minutes.

Manohla Dargis has been the co-chief film critic since 2004. She started writing about movies professionally in 1987 while earning her M.A. in cinema studies at New York University, and her work has been anthologized in several books. More about Manohla Dargis

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Judy review – Renée Zellweger goes full rainbow in vanilla biopic

Zellweger rises to the challenge superbly in a standard-issue heartwarmer, premiering in Telluride, that sugarcoats the sadness

F or Judy Garland fans, the final station of the cross in the ordeal of her last years was a five-week booking at the Talk of the Town nightclub in London in 1969, which she desperately needed for the money. In those famous and often chaotic concerts she appeared frail, unwell, tipsy or bleary-eyed: mannerisms that she had long since semi-consciously incorporated into her live act. But they were real at some level. Also real were the many flashes of the old magic; emotional arias made more glorious for having been wrenched from her battered heart. This movie is about that troubled period: a defiant last stand in full view of her passionately supportive fans. It was Judy’s emotional Alamo in the face of parasitic husbands, spiteful press and misogynist showbiz overlords – beginning with studio chief Louis B Mayer, who ruined her childhood on the yellow brick road to stardom.

Judy is adapted by screenwriter Tom Edge from Peter Quilter’s stage play End of the Rainbow , and is directed by Rupert Goold; Renée Zellweger gives us a heartfelt, studied portrayal of Garland. Her performance and the film itself are forthright and un-camp, though careful to acknowledge the importance of Garland’s gay fanbase by adroitly creating two fictional gay superfans. It is clearly influenced by Garland’s own self-mythologising movie about her British period, I Could Go on Singing (1963), about the gutsy yet vulnerable singing star doing shows at the London Palladium.

But this is really a standard-issue biopic heartwarmer about a Hollywood star in decline and in Blighty: a bit like the recent Stan & Ollie , about Laurel and Hardy’s final British tours. We get the usual sobering biographical grace notes over the final credits, although not the traditional black-and-white photos of the real-life people, perhaps because Judy Garland is just too well known. The film sugarcoats Garland’s physical deterioration, her addictions, her wretchedness and her mortality. However, paradoxically, it’s the most relaxed and personal performance we have seen from Zellweger in a while.

She plays a resilient Judy who has taken all that life has to throw at her and (to borrow a line used in the recent Elton John film Rocketman ) she is still … well, sometimes she’s not standing, sometimes she’s actually falling over on stage. But she’s still battling on many fronts, mostly financial, living in California, divorced from her third husband, Sid Luft (Rufus Sewell), and in an acrimonious dispute with him about the children. There’s no money coming in and when the London residency is mooted, she jumps at the chance of solid earnings and a restorative blast of adoration from British admirers. But there’s no chance of taking the children with her, and so she manages loneliness with booze and pills (the film doesn’t do justice to the scale of her drug dependency). She is uneasy with her Brit promoter Bernard Delfont (Michael Gambon), but has support from exasperated assistant Rosalyn Wilder (Jessie Buckley). So the London gigs commence, interspersed with flashbacks to her unhappy childhood on the Oz set, with Darci Shaw as the young Judy. In the present day, there’s a new chance of romance with a handsome cocktail waiter called Mickey Deans (Finn Wittrock). You don’t have to be a Garlandologist to figure out if that is going to end well.

Zellweger rises resolutely to the challenge of playing Judy on stage and off: her eyes crinkle in tandem with a tremulous pout when her feelings are hurt, and sometimes when they are the opposite of hurt, although she is perhaps less convincing with the wide-eyed Garland gaze. Her walk and stance cleverly convey the sense of someone who is only in her 40s but feels older, but is rejuvenated by the electric thrill of being on stage. Yet the movie missed a trick in the way it depicted the difficult relationship with her daughter Liza Minnelli (played here by Gemma-Leah Devereux): there is one low-key meeting between them at a party in which Judy undermines Liza’s confidence, but it is underpowered. Liza herself deserves almost as much mythologising and turbocharged drama as Judy, and a mother-daughter encounter between these icons should really be a showstopper.

There was only ever really one way and one tune to end this film, and it duly arrives along with an interesting and realistic touch about the necessity of not expecting miracles. Zellweger gives us a tribute to Judy Garland’s flair and to that ethos of the show needing to go on being both a burden and driving force. Yet Garland’s terrible sadness is mostly invisible.

• Telluride film festival
• Renée Zellweger
• Judy Garland

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Common sense media reviewers.

Booze, pills, smoking in well-acted but tragic biopic.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

This is a tragic biopic that can be seen as a caut

Depicts Garland as a tragic figure who was manipul

During an argument, a man throws a glass against a

Affection/light kissing in a romantic subplot that

Infrequent use of words including "bastard," "godd

Garland's substance abuse isn't glamorized, but it

Parents need to know that Judy is a sympathetic but sad biopic about Judy Garland in the late '60s, 30 years after she became a star in The Wizard of Oz. Renée Zellweger portrays the singer as a loving but not always dependable mother who makes difficult choices in an effort to get custody of her…

Positive Messages

This is a tragic biopic that can be seen as a cautionary tale. It does stress the value of family relationships and the mother-child bond and making painful sacrifices to help those you love.

Positive Role Models

Depicts Garland as a tragic figure who was manipulated and left broken by those who sought to profit from her. She's portrayed as a loving mother who's trying to to do right by her kids while battling her demons. Her ex-husband fights for custody, but it's clear he does so for the children's well-being (it's also clear he doesn't fully trust Garland). Diverse representations include a capable female professional, a black bandleader, and a loving gay couple.

Violence & Scariness

During an argument, a man throws a glass against a wall. A belligerent crowd throws objects at a stage performer. A failed suicide attempt is mentioned. Yelling/confrontations. An older male boss talks about "heart" to young Judy and lingers a tad too long when he touches her chest over her heart; he's emotionally/psychologically abusive to her.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Affection/light kissing in a romantic subplot that leads to marriage.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Infrequent use of words including "bastard," "goddamn," "hell," "s--t," "shut up," "son of a bitch," "f--got," "f--king" (as an adjective). Insults.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Garland's substance abuse isn't glamorized, but it is constant: She pops pills, smokes cigarettes, constantly drinks -- especially during stressful times. The toll it takes on her physical and emotional well-being is obvious, as is the personal/professional damage it exacts. Alcohol use is also shown during social occasions.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Judy is a sympathetic but sad biopic about Judy Garland in the late '60s, 30 years after she became a star in The Wizard of Oz . Renée Zellweger portrays the singer as a loving but not always dependable mother who makes difficult choices in an effort to get custody of her children (Garland's ex-husband Sid Luft isn't portrayed as a bad guy -- his actions are clearly in the kids' best interest). Though the movie will appeal to Garland's adult admirers, it may serve as a cautionary tale for budding teen performers. The movie traces the origin of Garland's substance abuse, eating disorder, and desperation for male approval back to the abusive behavior of her MGM boss, Louis B. Mayer; he's shown treating her like a product rather than a girl in her formative years. Garland's alcoholism and pill addiction are on full display (as is period-accurate smoking), but the substance abuse is never glamorized. Strong language isn't frequent but includes one use of "f--king," plus "s--t," "bastard," and more. Garland's love life is part of the plot, but on-screen content is limited to kisses and flirting. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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• Parents say (3)
• Kids say (3)

Based on 3 parent reviews

Tragic, heartbreaking biopic has strong language and pervasive drug abuse

Kids may not be interested, what's the story.

In JUDY, with her career flagging and in desperate need of money to support her kids, Judy Garland ( Renée Zellweger ) embarks on a five-week-long, sold-out run of shows in London. She's welcomed eagerly, but will she be able to overcome her demons -- many of which are traced via flashbacks to her time filming The Wizard of Oz -- and reunite with the children she loves so much?

Is It Any Good?

Rupert Goold gives us a heartbreaking reminder that the giddy, life-is-swell, rolling-in-money lives depicted through curated photos don't tell the whole story. This is an especially powerful reminder in an age of endless entertainment platforms and social media sites that seem ready to offer quick fame and fortune. The bulk of the action in Judy takes place when Garland had less than a year left to live, but Goold flashes back to key teenage moments when things went off-kilter for her due to emotional manipulation, pill pushing by authority figures, and bullying. The story could help teen viewers understand the magnitude of how authority figures can use soft-spoken intimidation in devious, life-altering ways. If only Garland's hopeful, put-one-foot-in-front-of-the-other outlook had resulted in a different outcome, her story could have been a triumph instead of a tragedy.

Zellweger is the pot of gold at the end of Garland's rainbow. When she belts out "By Myself," it's like watching a caterpillar metamorphosize in front of your eyes: squinty, insecure Bridget Jones is gone, transformed into the gaunt but graceful doe-eyed legend. Zellweger nails Garland's speaking voice, mannerisms, and body positioning -- but it's not an imitation, it's an explanation. She pulls at her scarf, and we read just how uncomfortable she is in her own skin. When Garland performs, she's shoulders-back confident; when she rests in private conversation, her shoulders curve in, her back forms a C, and we realize it's a form of self-protection (which is necessary because literally no one else has her back). Zellwegger's Garland has a way of making others feel at ease and special, creating a warmth over the course of a short interaction. But Zellwegger also shows us that these are one-sided gifts Garland would give; she never received the authentic emotional connection she craved, except with her kids. And perhaps that's why writer Tom Edge put the entire story in the context of Garland's relationship with her children, so we could feel her inner destruction when it appears she's losing that, too.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how society treats celebrities. Why do we like to gossip about them? Do you think we need to cut them some slack? Or do some deserve criticism?

How was Garland treated by Louis B. Mayer? Who else was complicit in the psychological abuse she endured? Do you think anything would have changed if she'd had a strong parent advocate? Do you think anything like this goes on today?

How is substance abuse depicted in Judy ? Is there ever a scene where you felt drinking, smoking, or doing drugs was glamorized? How were the filmmakers deliberate about putting the use in a nonjudgmental yet negative light?

How do Garland's colleagues at Talk of the Town treat her with compassion ? How does the filmmaker make the viewer feel empathy ? What's the difference between the two?

Movie Details

• In theaters : September 27, 2019
• On DVD or streaming : December 24, 2019
• Cast : Renee Zellweger , Jessie Buckley , Finn Wittrock
• Director : Rupert Goold
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Roadside Attractions
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Music and Sing-Along
• Run time : 118 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : substance abuse, thematic content, some strong language, and smoking
• Awards : Academy Award , BAFTA , Golden Globe
• Last updated : March 26, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Directed by Rupert Goold

Judy Garland: The Legend Behind the Rainbow

Winter 1968 and showbiz legend Judy Garland arrives in Swinging London to perform a five-week sold-out run at The Talk of the Town. It is 30 years since she shot to global stardom in The Wizard of Oz, but if her voice has weakened, its dramatic intensity has only grown. As she prepares for the show, battles with management, charms musicians and reminisces with friends and adoring fans, her wit and warmth shine through. Even her dreams of love seem undimmed as she embarks on a whirlwind romance with Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband.

Renée Zellweger Jessie Buckley Finn Wittrock Rufus Sewell Michael Gambon Richard Cordery Royce Pierreson Darci Shaw Andy Nyman Daniel Cerqueira Bella Ramsey Lewin Lloyd Tom Durant-Pritchard John Dagleish Adrian Lukis Gemma-Leah Devereux Gus Barry Jodie McNee Gus Brown Matt Nalton Bentley Kalu Martin Savage Phil Dunster Gaia Weiss Lucy Russell John Mackay Natasha Powell Bradley Banton Ed Stoppard Show All… David Shields Tim Ahern Peter Forbes Arthur McBain David Rubin Anthony Shuster Alistair Cope Jack Jagodka Fenella Woolgar Brontë Lavine Emily Warner Flora Dawson Gillian Parkhouse Jennifer Davison Jenny Wickham Joelle Dyson Lucy Carter Rebecca Fennelly Sam Wingfield Robert Ryan

Director Director

Rupert Goold

Producers Producers

David Livingstone Jim Spencer Andrew Bonner

Writer Writer

Original writer original writer.

Peter Quilter

Casting Casting

Alice Searby Fiona Weir

Editor Editor

Melanie Oliver

Cinematography Cinematography

Ole Bratt Birkeland

Assistant Directors Asst. Directors

Stephen Carney Gemma Wright

Executive Producers Exec. Producers

Cameron McCracken Charles Diamond Aaron Levene Mickey Liddell Pete Shilaimon Lee Dean Laurence Myers Andrea Scarso Ellis Goodman Rose Garnett Hilary Williams

Lighting Lighting

Joe Macdonald

Camera Operators Camera Operators

Nic Milner John Ferguson

Production Design Production Design

Art direction art direction.

Tilly Scandrett James Price

Set Decoration Set Decoration

Visual effects visual effects, choreography choreography.

Lynne Page Luke Fetherston

Composer Composer

Gabriel Yared

Sound Sound

Adrian Bell Lee Herrick Robert Ireland Paul Cotterell Simon Trundle Paul Hanks Ian Waggott

Costume Design Costume Design

Jany Temime

Makeup Makeup

Jeremy Woodhead Barbara Taylor Renata Gilbert Deborah Jarvis Robb Crafer Debbi Salmon Morag Smith

Hairstyling Hairstyling

Jeremy Woodhead Natasha Ladek

BBC Film Calamity Films Pathé LD Entertainment Roadside Attractions

France UK USA

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30 aug 2019, 27 sep 2019, 04 oct 2019, 10 oct 2019, 11 oct 2019, 17 oct 2019, 24 oct 2019, 25 oct 2019, 02 jan 2020, 03 jan 2020, 09 jan 2020, 16 jan 2020, 30 jan 2020, 31 jan 2020, 13 feb 2020, 26 feb 2020, 27 feb 2020, 25 mar 2020, 27 aug 2020, 24 dec 2019, 03 feb 2020, 09 jun 2020, 09 mar 2020, 14 may 2020, 16 jun 2020, releases by country.

• Theatrical M
• Theatrical 14
• Theatrical 15+
• Theatrical 7
• Theatrical U
• Theatrical 0
• Theatrical 12A
• Theatrical T
• Theatrical 6

Russian Federation

• Theatrical 16+
• Theatrical PG13
• Theatrical 12

South Korea

• Physical 12
• Premiere Telluride
• Digital PG-13 iTunes USA
• Theatrical 12+

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Popular reviews

Review by maria ★★★ 18

BREAKING NEWS: according to tmz, renée zellweger was recently hospitalized for urgent treatment due to severe back pain caused by the burden of carrying the entire judy (2019) movie on her back we all wish her a speedy recovery...

Review by Emma 🔆 ★★★ 6

“You were the only person in that theater not on life support” - My 81 year old grandmother

Review by Matt Singer ★★ 10

Zellweger does her best. Still, I became convinced that I need a break from biopics that focus exclusively on the miserable final months of great artists, with occasional flashbacks to the “glory days” that reveal how they never were all that glorious. Also: I declare a moratorium on biographical films that end with the great hero getting a standing ovation from an adoring public that did not appreciate them in their lifetime. Please, I beg of you, no more. I cannot take it.

Review by matt lynch ★★½ 1

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."

Good advice from Garland that nobody here took.

Review by siobhan ★★★ 3

imagine judy garland comes over to your house for dinner and then u remember u can’t cook and she has to start cooking for YOU?? ........ 10/10 would happen to me

Review by nick ★★½ 4

The G in lgbt stands for judy

Review by Josh Lewis ★★ 3

It brings me no pleasure to say this because it's clear that Renée is trying very hard but literally every single thing this wants to be about (including Garland's professional downward spiral and the way she wrestled with her own experiences of abuse & history of addiction/self-destruction) was done better by the real Garland herself in A Star is Born (1954).

Review by ellie ✨ ★★★½

judy garland said gay rights

Review by Hari Nef 2

if you care about actresses see this movie

Review by john ★★½

this movie only exists to remind us that Renée Zellweger is a national treasure.

Review by 🎃🔥Mr. Like🔥🎃 ★★★

Rotten Tomatoes: 82% Metacritic Metascore: 66

Redbox Ranked 2019 Ranked

Judy Garland : "They hound people in this world. Anybody who's different. They can't stand it. Well, to hell with them."

Sometimes an entire movie boils down to a lead performance, and Judy is one of those examples. Fortunately, Renee Zellweger is more than up to the challenge. Zellweger does more than just an imitation here - sure, the ticks and mannerisms that have been copied and parodied for decades are all on display, but, the actress goes for, and largely, attains several more layers.

The script follows the "Last Days" scenario seen in so many bio-pics. The doomed character. The flashbacks. The final triumph. The various side characters who…

Review by rachel ★★★★ 2

renée zellweger deserves all the recognition and awards for her performance. ending had me in tears.

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Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, judy blume forever.

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For millions of adoring readers, Davina Pardo & Leah Wolchok ’s documentary “Judy Blume Forever” will feel like a nostalgic trip to childhood, back when they were eagerly turning the pages of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. , Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing , Superfudge,  or any of Blume’s books that have delighted fans for generations. But for a portion of the American reading population—those of us who weren’t allowed to read her work (“too grown-up” and “too secular” were the reasons it was missing from my school library in Florida) or didn’t know about it—“Judy Blume Forever” is a charming introduction to the author, her life story, and the inspirations behind a number of her books. Fan or not, this lovingly crafted tribute to the author feels as friendly and welcoming as Blume does greeting customers at her bookstore in Key West.

Before Judy Blume was a household name, she was a nervous child growing up in the shadows of a world war. Years later, after settling into her role as a young housewife, she began to write bedtime stories for her two children. Then, a publisher finally gave her a chance, and in a few years, her writing career bloomed. But “Judy Blume Forever” is more than just about the writer herself. It’s also about the social changes in this country, the gender barriers Blume broke through with her books, her struggle to be taken seriously as a professional when others sneered at her kid-friendly literature, and her ongoing fight against conservative efforts to ban books from young readers. 

Blume guides her audience through her own story with a gentle narration, recalling anecdotes both funny and tragic, memories of regret and joy, and reading excerpts from her books with a warm enthusiasm that brings these characters and moments to life—often with visual help from animator Angelique Georges and collage artists Andrew Griffin and Martin O'Neill. Pardo and Wolchok expertly use archival footage, like old ads of the era and newsreels, to transport viewers to various times in Judy Blume’s life, which is then illustrated by a treasure trove of family photos and home movies. Facing the camera head-on, Blume is a vulnerable yet powerful storyteller, unafraid to talk about the more painful moments in her story, like her father’s sudden death and her romantic setbacks, just as much as she’s eager to share about the development behind some of her books. Building on Blume’s genial presence, cinematographers Jenni Morello and Emily Topper and composer Lauren Culjack (Kotomi) bring a vibrant and playful energy to the documentary. 

Blume’s voice is the most prominent in the film, but an insightful chorus of friends, family, and fans soon joins her. Early on, childhood friends remember the schoolyard hijinks and discussions they shared with Blume that later inspired ideas for some of her books. The documentary also includes interviews with Blume’s children, Randy and Lawrence, and her husband, George Cooper, for a look at the author’s life away from her writing desk. Other fans, including writers Jacqueline Woodson, Mary H.K. Choi, Tayari Jones, Alex Gino, and celebrities like Molly Ringwald , Samantha Bee , and Lena Dunham , add further appreciation of her work and explain her enduring appeal. Finally, and most emotionally, we hear letters written to Blume from children struggling with issues who found solace in the pages of her books. Two of them, Lorrie Kim and Karen Chilstrom, are now grown-up testaments to the positive influence of her work. They found comfort in her books and began writing to Blume as youngsters, and over the years, kept the correspondence going with the writer through major life events and tough times. Blume's role in their lives is impactful and speaks to how many untold hours she spent looking after her readers of all ages. 

With 25 titles and over 80 million copies sold, there’s no shortage of Judy Blume stories to tell. In “Judy Blume Forever,” Pardo and Wolchok create a warmhearted appreciation of an American literary icon that brings up nostalgic memories, explores the power of the written word, explains the origins behind unforgettable lines, and reminds us how timely Blume’s fight against book censorship still is, especially as her current home state of Florida is on a crusade to bar children from reading not just Blume’s books, but also those of LGBTQ authors and writers of color. At one point in the documentary, Blume says, “Through the worst times of my life, I was able to write,” and it was through writing that Blume found her voice. “Judy Blume Forever” is a fitting salute to a life’s work serving generations of readers still growing up and finding their voices. 

Now playing on Prime Video.

Monica Castillo

Monica Castillo is a critic, journalist, programmer, and curator based in New York City. She is the Senior Film Programmer at the Jacob Burns Film Center and a contributor to  RogerEbert.com .

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Judy 2019: Film release date, review, cast, trailer, plot and what we know so far about the Judy Garland biopic

The much-hyped new Judy Garland biopic will hit UK cinema screens this weekend, with audiences set for a hugely moving ride.

Judy, with Renée Zellweger in the starring role, follows the entertainer's later years as she struggles with addiction and her waning star.

Set thirty years after her turn as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, the film focuses on Garland's life in London just months before her death.

Judy has already picked up praise following its US release last week, while some have even been tipping Zellweger to bag another Oscar.

With everyone talking about Judy, here's everything we know so far about the film ahead of its release.

Los Angeles Premiere of Judy - In pictures

Release date

The film is out for a limited run from today, Wednesday October 2.

It will see its full release on Friday October 4.

Who's in the cast?

Renée Zellweger stars as Garland, while Jessie Buckley plays Rosalyn Wilder, the production assistant who worked on the London shows.

The musician who became Garland's fifth and final husband, Mickey Deans, is being played by Finn Wittrock.

Rufus Sewell, who starred in ITV's Victoria, plays Garland's third husband Sid Luft, while Bella Ramsey portrays her daughter Lorna Luft.

Michael Gambon play Bernard Delfont and Gemma-Leah Devereux will play Liza Minnelli, Garland's daughter.

What does the trailer tell us?

The trailer finds Garland in the late 1960s, struggling to adjust to life with two young children, an addiction to drugs and financial woes.

Completely exhausted by fame and desperate for cash, she reluctantly leaves her children behind as she heads to London for a string of sold-out shows.

What is Judy about?

The film is loosely based on the Oliver and Tony-nominated musical End of the Rainbow Peter Quilter.

Based on real events, the film is set in 1968, with Garland living and performing in London.

Years on from the Wizard of Oz, Garland is struggling badly behind the scenes and her voice is weakening. She is staying in London with her new fiance Mickey Deans as she prepares for a five-week run of sell-out concerts at the Talk of the Town, which she hopes will boost her waning profile and, perhaps more importantly, earn her money so she can go home and see her children. These were her final months before she died of an accidental overdose.

Still, it's not all dark, with the official synopsis promising that her "wit and warmth shine through".

What have reviews said so far?

Reviews of the film have so far been fairly positive, and it has achieved a score of 84 per cent on review site Rotten Tomatoes.

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Zellweger's performance in particular has been praised as a stand-out, with many tipping her to do well when awards season comes around.

Kenneth Turan at the Los Angeles Times called it "a devastating, heart-breaking performance as a woman who made a career out of comebacks", while Rolling Stone said Zellweger "performs miracles" in baring her soul.

Stephanie Zacharek at TIME said that "Zellweger paints shadows of nuance into her portrayal of a performer who invites easy caricature".

But not all of the reviews have been as glowing. The Irish Times hailed Zellweger, but criticised the film as "nothing more than a classy teatime TV movie".

Empire meanwhile called the film's exploration of Garland's youth "simplistic, psychoanalysis that undercuts any attempts at complexity", while Richard Roeper at the Chicago Sun Times merely dismissed it is an "Oscar grab" and that it "seldom rises above tribute act".

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The 10 Best Judy Greer Movies, According to Rotten Tomatoes

Judy Greer has just played every type of character in every kind of movie, to fantastic results.

Judy Greer is arguably one of Hollywood's most underrated actresses. She's been in so many movies and TV shows over the years, always stealing scenes and delivering hilarious one-liners, yet she rarely gets the credit or accolades she deserves. As a character actress , she has a way of making a memorable impression no matter the size of the role.

While she may not always be the leading lady, she's proven herself to be an invaluable part of any ensemble. These 10 movies stand as the best: from comedy to drama to blockbusters, she brings her A-game every time.

10 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' (2018)

Rotten tomatoes score: 87%.

Judy Greer is the comedic relief and voice of reason in Ant-Man and The Wasp . As Maggie, Scott Lang’s ex-wife and the mother of his daughter Cassie, Greer provides witty banter and hilarious reactions to the absurdity surrounding her.

RELATED: From 'Always Sunny' to 'Jawbreaker': 10 Times Judy Greer Didn't Get Top Billing But Was First in Our Hearts

When Scott gets released from house arrest, he wants to reconnect with Cassie right away. But Maggie’s not having it. “We agreed to ease into visitation,” she reminds him, laying down the law like only an ex-wife can. Still, Maggie softens once she sees how much Cassie misses her dad.

9 'The Cat Returns' (2002)

Rotten tomatoes score: 88%.

Judy Greer brings her comedic talents to this quirky animated film from Studio Ghibli. In The Cat Returns , Greer voices Haru, an ordinary high school student who saves a cat from getting hit by a truck. Little does she know, the cat is actually the prince of the Cat Kingdom! As a reward, the cat king decides that Haru will marry the cat prince.

After a series of misadventures in the Cat Kingdom, Haru finally makes it back home. Although her experience was bizarre, Haru comes to appreciate how special it is to connect with others who are different from you. Overall, The Cat Returns is a wonderfully weird and heartwarming film featuring Greer at her comedic best.

8 'Our Souls at Night' (2017)

Rotten tomatoes score: 89%.

In this poignant Netflix original film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda , Judy Greer plays a supporting yet memorable role as the concerned daughter of Addie Moore (Fonda). When Addie starts a relationship with her neighbor Louis (Redford) years after the death of her husband, her daughter Margo (Greer) worries they’re moving too fast.

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Greer brings warmth, humor, and relatability to the role of Margo. As she tries to gently convince her mother that “old people dating” often doesn’t end well, you can sense the care and concern Margo has for Addie’s happiness and well-being. At the same time, Greer shows Margo’s gradual understanding and acceptance of her mother’s newfound joy with Louis. It’s a subtle yet moving performance, and Greer’s chemistry with screen legends Fonda and Redford make their family dynamic feel authentic.

7 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' (2014)

Rotten tomatoes score: 91%.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes features one of Judy Greer’s most memorable roles. In this science fiction action film, the sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Greer plays Cornelia, a female chimpanzee.

Though the human characters take center stage, Greer’s performance as Cornelia is pivotal. Her expressive eyes and subtle gestures convey a depth of emotion not often seen in CGI characters. Greer worked closely with the visual effects team to bring Cornelia to life.

6 'Grandma' (2015)

Grandma is a comedy-drama film starring Lily Tomlin as Elle, an aging poet coping with the recent death of her life partner, and Julia Garner as her granddaughter Sage. When Sage finds herself in a difficult position, she turns to her grandmother for help.

Grandma is a heartwarming intergenerational story of love, friendship, and understanding. Lily Tomlin and Julia Garner have fantastic chemistry with a witty and moving script. The film provides thoughtful commentary on relationships, choice, and the passing of time. Though the subject deals with serious issues, the overall tone is light and funny. Elle’s sarcastic quips and sage advice make for hilarious food for thought.

5 'Aporia' (2023)

Set against a backdrop of heart-wrenching drama, the newly debuted drama sci-fi film Aporia delves into the life of Sophie (Judy Greer), a woman deeply scarred by the loss of her husband Mal ( Edi Gathegi ) due to a tragic drunk-driving incident. Struggling to navigate her profound grief alongside the demands of a full-time job and the emotional turmoil of parenting her shattered teenage daughter ( Faithe Herman ), Sophie's world is further upended when Jabir ( Payman Maadi ), her husband's closest friend and a former physicist, unveils an extraordinary invention: a time-bending machine.

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This revelation propels Sophie into an intricate and poignant journey as she contemplates the seemingly impossible choice before her — the chance to reclaim her former life. Yet, with this opportunity comes a cascade of unforeseeable repercussions that could reshape her reality in ways she could never have anticipated.

4 'Adaptation' (2002)

Adaption is a mind-bending dark comedy where Greer's role shows her range and comedic talents. In the film, screenwriter Charlie Kaufman struggles to adapt Susan Orlean 's non-fiction book The Orchid Thief into a movie. Greer plays Alice, the waitress at an L.A. diner that Charlie frequents. Alice dispenses non-stop witty and sardonic zingers with impeccable comedic timing.

Alice represents the audience, saying what we're all thinking about the absurdity of Charlie's situation. Greer turns a small supporting role into a scene-stealing performance, displaying a gift for acerbic wit and humor that would become her trademark.

3 'Three Kings' (1999)

Rotten tomatoes score: 94%.

In this action-packed war drama, Judy Greer plays Cathy Daitch, a newspaper reporter following a group of U.S. soldiers at the end of the Gulf War. Led by Major Archie Gates ( George Clooney ), the soldiers go on a rogue mission to steal gold bullion that belonged to Kuwait but end up on an unexpected journey.

This film is a hidden gem in Greer’s filmography. Though her role is minor, she holds her own in scenes with Clooney and the rest of the ensemble cast. Her wit and charisma shine through, even in a small part. The story itself is a poignant look at the moral complexities of war and the humanity in all of us.

2 'War for the Planet of the Apes' (2017)

In this moving sequel , Judy Greer returns as Cornelia, the wife of Caesar, leader of the apes. While Caesar is on a quest for revenge against humans who threaten their tribe, Cornelia stays behind to help lead the apes in his absence. Though her role is more limited in this film, Greer’s performance helps bring heart and depth to the apes’ story.

When danger looms, Cornelia bravely helps the apes defend their home and people. Greer can convey a range of emotions through her character’s expressions and interactions, even though Cornelia has no spoken dialogue. This is a testament to Greer’s skilled and nuanced performance using only physicality and ape vocalizations.

1 'Hollywood Stargirl' (2022)

Rotten tomatoes score: 100%.

Hollywood Stargirl , a Disney sequel, follows Stargirl Caraway ( Grace VanderWaal ), known for her magical kindness and silver voice. Leaving Mica, Arizona, with her mother, Ana (Judy Greer), a movie costume designer, Stargirl ventures into a world of music and dreams in Los Angeles.

There, she connects with eclectic characters, including aspiring filmmakers Evan ( Elijah Richardson ) and Terrell ( Tyrel Jackson Williams ), neighbor Mr. Mitchell ( Judd Hirsch ), and admired musician Roxanne Martel ( Uma Thurman ). Stargirl's journey unfolds against the backdrop of newfound possibilities and her encounter with musical inspiration, showcasing the essence of transformation and connection.

KEEP READING: 'Hollywood Stargirl' Trailer Reveals Stargirl Making Her Way in LA

Judy Garland’s 11 Best Movies, According to Rotten Tomatoes

With many great films ranging from The Wizard of Oz to A Star is Born, in addition to her singing career, few stars have shared Judy Garland's talent.

Throughout the Golden Age of Hollywood, there were many stars that had immense crossover appeal throughout films, music, and many other art forms. One of the most famous of these ceaselessly talented performers was Judy Garland , who began acting in major Hollywood films when she was just a teenager. She made her feature film debut at the age of 14 in the 1936 film Pig Skin Parade , a comedy musical centered around collegiate American football. It was just two years later that she would play the part of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz , the most famous role of her career.

Although her career was cut short by her tragic death in 1969, when she was just 47 years old, Garland delivered an extensive career both as an actress and a singer. In 1962, she became the first woman to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, and many of her films and records are still internationally beloved. With only a few exceptions, Garland’s filmography is considered to be of immense quality, and it can be difficult to determine which of her movies and performances are the best of the best. With that in mind, we’ve combed through her catalog on Rotten Tomatoes and pulled out the 11 films that have received the highest critical ratings on the site.

11 A Star is Born (1954) – 98%

A Star is Born is one of those stories that has been adapted time and time again on film, most recently with the 2018 film starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper . The first remake, following the original 1937 film, was the Garland-led adaptation from 1954. Arguably the most famous and beloved version of the film, 1954’s A Star is Born was directed by George Cukor ( Little Women , The Philadelphia Story ) and it starred Garland opposite James Mason.

The film also earned Garland her first Academy Award nomination for Best Lead Actress. It is widely considered to be one of Garland’s best films, which is why it’s surprising to see it land this low on the list. However, the film holds a 98% approval score based on 44 reviews. So, it being at the bottom of this list has less to do with A Star is Born ’s negative qualities than it does with the immense heights of Garland’s entire career.

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10 The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The wizard of oz.

Next on the list is the most well-known films of Garland’s career, 1939’s The Wizard of Oz . While Garland had acted in numerous films prior to this, The Wizard of Oz was the movie that shot her into super-stardom. Not only was it a defining moment for Garland as an actress, but it also as a singer as well. While there were many famous songs to come from the soundtrack to The Wizard of Oz , far above them all was Garland’s performance of “Over the Rainbow,” written by Yip Harburg. Garland also received an Honorary Oscar as a “screen juvenile” for her work in the film. The Wizard of Oz holds a 98% approval rating, though we’ve placed it above A Star is Born because it has 167 reviews counted, nearly four times those of the previous entry.

Stream on Max

9 Summer Stock (1950) – 100%

The next nine films on this list, including this entry, hold perfect critic ratings of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The review aggregator site isn’t a perfect metric, which is why many of these films have landed above A Star is Born and The Wizard of Oz . For example, Summer Stock holds its pristine score based on just five gathered reviews. That small pool of ratings makes it much easier to hold a spotless record, especially compared to the 167 reviews of The Wizard of Oz . However, that doesn’t mean that Summer Stock isn’t deserving of a spot on this list. The 1950 musical stars Garland alongside the legendary Gene Kelly . As a duo, they starred together in a handful of movies, but Summer Stock marked the final crossover of the two stars on film.

8 Till the Clouds Roll By (1946) – 100%

Next on the list is 1946’s Till the Clouds Roll By , which earns its spot with a 100% score based on six reviews. However, this film is not nearly as beloved as some others on the list. Its audience score is notably worse, with a 48% based on over 500 user ratings. Garland is part of a massive ensemble cast for the film, which includes other major stars like Frank Sinatra, Angela Lansbury, Robert Walker, Lucille Bremer, June Allyson and many others. The film is a musical that operates as a fictionalized biopic of the Broadway composer Jerome Kern.

The film wasn’t a particularly well received at the time, nor was it a massive box office success, but there has been some degree of reconsideration over the years. The film has since entered the public domain and is easy to stream pretty much anywhere online on sites such as YouTube.

Stream on Prime Video

20 Biggest Movie Stars of the 1940s

7 broadway melody of 1938 (1937) – 100%.

The only film on this list to precede Garland’s work in The Wizard of Oz , 1937’s Broadway Melody of 1938 was the film that really put the young actress on the map. It was the third entry in the Broadway Melody series , after the first two were released in 1929 and 1936, respectively. While Garland had a supporting role in the film, her performance of the song “You Made Me Love You” became a massive hit. Many film historians even specifically attribute Garland’s casting in The Wizard of Oz to her sudden success in Broadway Melody of 1938 . Like Till the Clouds Roll By , the film earns its perfect rating based on just six reviews, but its audience score is a more favorable 61%, which is why it lands higher on the list.

6 Girl Crazy (1943) – 100%

Also with just six reviews determining its perfect critic rating – though with an even higher 74% audience score – is 1943’s Girl Crazy , which teamed Garland up with the famous comedian Mickey Rooney . The two had worked together before, on films such as Babes in Arms and Strike Up the Band , and they would collaborate on over ten films throughout Garland’s career. Girl Crazy was an adaptation of the stage musical of the same name, which debuted in 1930. In an interesting twist, the Girl Crazy film was originally envisioned as the fifth film in the Broadway Melody series, which would’ve starred Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell, though it eventually abandoned that approach.

Stream on TCM

5 I Could Go On Singing (1963) – 100%

Garland’s last film before her passing in 1969 came in 1963 with I Could Go On Singing . Directed by Ronald Neame, the film co-starred Garland alongside Dirk Bogarde and Jack Klugman. Its story follows an internationally beloved singer as she attempts to reconnect with an ex-lover and their child. The film received decently strong reviews, though it was by no means the biggest hit of the year. Today, the film holds a perfect critic score based on seven reviews.

4 The Harvey Girls (1946) – 100%

In 1946, prior to the release of Till the Clouds Roll By , Garland starred in The Harvey Girls , a musical based on the novel of the same name from 1942. The film was widely received very well, with particular praise directed toward Garland for her work in the starring role. Today, it holds a 100% rating based on 12 counted reviews. The ensemble cast included other notable names, such as Angela Lansbury, John Hodiak, and Ray Bolger, though much of the marketing was focused solely around Garland. The film was nominated for a few Academy Awards, and it even won the award for Best Original Song for “On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe,” an ensemble track that featured Garland, Bolger, and several others.

3 For Me and My Gal (1942) – 100%

Another famous musical of Garland’s career was 1942’s For Me and My Gal , which was loosely based on the true story of two comedian lovers after one of them is drafted into the First World War. While Garland starred in the film, For Me and My Gal is primarily known as the feature film debut of Gene Kelly , who co-starred alongside Garland. The film was one of the biggest hits of 1942, and it simultaneously saw Garland transitioning out of the teenage roles she’d be typecast in, as well as the meteoric arrival of Kelly into the Hollywood film canon. Like The Harvey Girls , For Me and My Gal holds a 100% score based on 12 reviews, though its audience score is just barely higher, with an 83% as compared to an 82%.

Best Judy Garland Movies, Ranked

2 the clock (1945) – 100%.

In 1945, Garland starred alongside Robert Walker in The Clock , a romance directed by Vincente Minnelli. The film holds a special place in Garland’s catalog, as it not only marks the first instance of her starring in a dramatic role, but it was also the first major film of hers that did not feature her singing. The film was a solid box office success, and it was a hit with audiences and critics as well. Garland was praised for her performance, which further established her as a star who could do essentially anything in the entertainment industry. Today, the film holds a 100% score based on 15 reviews.

1 Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Finally, the highest-rated film of Garland’s on Rotten Tomatoes is 1944’s Meet Me in St. Louis . This film is of rare esteem, because not only does it hold a 100% rating, it is also Certified Fresh, meaning that there are enough gathered reviews to really justify that perfect score. In the case of Meet Me in St. Louis , the film has a Certified Fresh 100% approval rating based on 81 reviews. Also directed by Vincente Minnelli, Meet Me in St. Louis was a musical that starred Garland alongside Mary Astor, Margaret O’Brien, Lucille Bremer, and many others.

The film was a massive hit at the box office, and it went on to receive four Academy Award nominations, with O’Brien receiving an Honorary Oscar for her work as a “screen juvenile,” just five years after Garland also received the award for The Wizard of Oz .

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5 best new to Hulu movies that are 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes

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Hulu may be known for its TV shows, but that doesn't mean its new movie selection shouldn't be overlooked. While you could just jump straight to our list of the  best movies on Hulu , we thought you'd also be interested in what the world of reputable critics think about the latest movies on one of the best streaming services .

Leading the pack this month are some enduring classics that launched careers for some of the biggest names in Hollywood like Tom Hanks' "Big" and the " Die Hard " series. Also on offer is the disturbing psychological horror "Birth/Rebirth," which takes a twisted modern take on "Frankenstein," Wes Anderson's quirky and autumnal "Fantastic Mr. Fox," and a treat for all you anime fans out there with "Jujutsu Kaisen Zero."

We've separated the wheat from the chaff by consulting the review aggregation site  Rotten Tomatoes  to include only the most positively reviewed films new to Hulu. With that in mind, it's time to grab some popcorn and get ready to curl up on the couch and start watching. Here are the five best movies new to Hulu this month.

'Birth/Rebirth' (2023)

This psychological horror from writer-director Laura Moss is a chilling take on Frankenstein, using a familiar framework to tease at some of our most fundamental fears."Birth/Rebirth" follows two women with contrasting perspectives on life and death whose worlds collide when tragedy strikes.

Dr. Rose Caspser (Marin Ireland) is a hospital pathologist who prefers the company of cadavers to people and conducts gruesome experiments with biological material she smuggles home from work. When that biological material includes the recently deceased five-year-old daughter of her co-worker, maternity nurse Celie Morales (Judy Reyes), Rose has to confront the kind of family relationships she’s spent her life keeping at arm's length. When Celie uncovers Rose's latest experiment — her own daughter reanimated — the two polar opposite women unite to keep her alive, going to brutal lengths to further their obsessions, both scientific and maternal.

Genre: Horror/mystery and sci-fi/thriller Rotten Tomatoes score: 96% Stream it on Hulu starting May 17

'Big' (1988)

As a 12-year-old kid, Josh Baskin (David Moscow) is striking out left and right, like being too short to ride the Super Loops at an amusement park and getting embarrassed in front of a girl he liked. But his luck changes when he finds a fortune-teller machine housing a mannequin called Zoltar, he wishes to be "big." Someone was never told "be careful what you wish for," as he soon wakes up to find that he's now an adult portrayed by Tom Hanks.

That premise, if we're honest, should not really work. However, Hanks brings "big" Josh to life with such whimsy and childlike enthusiasm that you can't help but root for him. Rather than laughing at the absurdity, you fall in love with the character. As Josh navigates his new "big" life, he quickly realizes that being a grown-up isn't all fun and games—he's not emotionally ready for the challenges it brings.

Genre:  Comedy Rotten Tomatoes score:  98% Stream it now on  Hulu

'Fantastic Mr. Fox' (2009)

With the endlessly creative vision of Wes Anderson, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is a quirky delight for both kids and adults. The film, which is based on the children's novel by Roald Dahl of the same name, uses a stop-motion animated art style from the same crew that animated Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride" to craft a cozy and autumnal atmosphere that, if nothing else, is worth rewatching for the vibes.

George Clooney stars as Mr. Fox, an enterprising fox who makes a career out of filching food from three local farmers. It’s like stealing candy from a baby — that is, until the farmers retaliate, and Mr. Fox and his friends are forced to up their game, concocting a plan to burrow into each of their respective warehouses.

Genre: Comedy/Adventure Rotten Tomatoes score: 93% Stream it now on Hulu

'Die Hard' (1988)

To say "Die Hard" changed action cinema would be an understatement. Before "Die Hard," action heroes were more akin to indestructible superheroes with large muscles and even bigger weapons. However, Bruce Willis played John McClane as a foul-mouthed, believable New York City detective who took his fair share of punches. He's a victim of circumstance but never superhuman, creating a sense of tension that carries through the film. And if you're looking to binge the series, you can now watch all five "Die Hard" movies on Hulu.

In the OG "Die Hard," McClane travels across the country to his estranged wife’s company holiday party with the hopes of repairing their relationship. Unfortunately, Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) and his group of terrorists had other plans for the party, trading in their eggnog for machine guns. Hans is after bearer bonds worth $700 million locked away in the building's vault and holds the party guests as hostages. Despite the detailed and precise plan, Hans could have never prepared for McClane, who does everything to disrupt the heist.

Genre: Action, mystery, thriller Rotten Tomatoes score: 94% Stream it now on Hulu

'Jujutsu Kaisen Zero' (2022)

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, "Jujutsu Kaisen's" first film has a little something for everyone. "Jujutsu Kaisen Zero" is set roughly one year before the events of the show in the same world where humans emanate Cursed Energy that can spawn eldritch creatures known as Curses or Cursed Spirits.

As in the series, "Jujutsu Kaisen Zero" walks a new recruit through the induction process at Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School, a school to train Jujutsu Sorcerers — people who can harness their Cursed Energy to fight evil spirits. But unlike the extroverted and energetic Yuji, "Zero's" protagonist Yuta Okkotsu is a timid and gloomy kid often targeted by bullies. He discovers he's haunted by the spirit of his childhood friend Rika, who died in a traffic accident, when she uses Cursed Energy to gravely injure his bullies. The movie follows his journey to control his powers and fight back against one of the show's main villains, Suguru Geto.

Genre: Fantasy, action, anime Rotten Tomatoes score: 98% Stream it now on Hulu

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Jessica alba's new netflix movie can rival an 89% rt hit for 2024's best john wick replacement.

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30 Best Movies Like John Wick

Bill skarsgård's 2024 action movie with 71% rt audience score gets vod release date, what happened to frodo after lord of the rings: return of the king.

• Trigger Warning has the potential to be the top action movie of 2024, rivaling Monkey Man with gritty action sequences and a vengeful plot.
• Jessica Alba's character, a special forces commando, is set to bring intense combat scenes reminiscent of the John Wick franchise.
• While Alba's film may face tough competition and high expectations, it still aims to fill the void left by the absence of new John Wick content.

Jessica Alba's new Netflix film looks like it could be the perfect rival for an 89% Rotten Tomatoes hit in the quest to become 2024's John Wick replacement. The actress' upcoming movie, Trigger Warning , has a great chance of becoming this year's John Wick alternative , but the film already has some stiff competition. With the Ballerina spinoff officially being delayed until June 2025 , the John Wick franchise now has no content releasing in 2024, opening the door for other films to fill this void. This gives Trigger Warning a great chance at succeeding and becoming 2024's top action movie.

The film will follow Jessica Alba's Parker returning to her hometown and attempting to find the truth about her father's sudden death. Alba's character is a special forces commando, meaning Trigger Warning will contain plenty of action and violence as seen in the trailer. The close-quarter fight sequences and vengeful plot are reminiscent of the John Wick franchise and make Trigger Warning a suitable alternative during the action series' hiatus. However, while Trigger Warning could emerge as one of 2024's best action flicks, it will have to surpass a critically acclaimed smash hit with an incredible Rotten Tomatoes score.

Jessica Alba's Trigger Warning Can Rival Monkey Man As 2024's Best John Wick Replacement

Trigger warning looks like it will match monkey man's gritty action.

While Monkey Man looks to be 2024's best John Wick replacement , Trigger Warning can still rival it. The upcoming Netflix film has a similar plot to the first John Wick film, and if it can get the best out of Alba and her action skills, it has the potential to be a huge hit for the streaming platform. Alba's film looks like it has the same dark and gritty elements that made Monkey Man so successful while offering plenty of entertaining combat sequences in the process. The simplistic premise should also help Trigger Warning avoid being overcomplicated like other action flops.

Trigger Warning will be released on Netflix on June 21, 2024.

Monkey Man is currently leading the charge in terms of replacing John Wick , as it was constantly compared to Keanu Reeves' franchise during the build-up to its release. Alongside its critical success, Monkey Man also made a decent box office profit, confirming that Dev Patel's passion project was a certified hit. This will make it a lot tougher for Trigger Warning to run away as the year's top action movie, but if it can deliver on the trailer's potential and offer the same compelling fight scenes as Monkey Man , it stands a chance at competing.

Why Trigger Warning Is Unlikely To Beat Monkey Man's Rotten Tomatoes Score

Monkey man's stellar reviews make it difficult for any action film to better it in 2024.

With an 89% Tomatometer rating and an 84% audience score, Monkey Man is one of the top-performing action films of 2024 and this gives Trigger Warning a high bar to try and clear.

Even if Trigger Warning manages to receive strong reviews, it is unlikely to beat Monkey Man 's Rotten Tomatoes score. With an 89% Tomatometer rating and an 84% audience score, Monkey Man is one of the top-performing action films of 2024 and this gives Trigger Warning a high bar to try and clear. Monkey Man 's similarities to John Wick definitely helped the film thrive and it is clear that Dev Patel's movie took a lot of inspiration from the franchise. This helped the movie refine its action and tell a compelling story that has led to so much success.

Trigger Warning may still perform well, but it will have to be exceptional to exceed these reviews, and Alba's Rotten Tomatoes track record isn't ideal for the film. There is already pressure on Trigger Warning to redeem Jessica Alba's Killers Anonymous which has a 0% Tomatometer score, and her other action movies haven't performed much better. While this is a slightly worrying sign for Trigger Warning , Alba's newest film looks a lot better than some of her past failures ; however, surpassing Monkey Man 's reviews looks close to impossible, especially when considering Alba's Rotten Tomatoes history.

Trigger Warning & Monkey Man Prove John Wick Is Still Influencing The Action Genre

John wick's signature style seems to have influenced both trigger warning & monkey man.

With Trigger Warning and Monkey Man both having plenty of aspects resembling John Wick , it is clear the action series is still having a massive influence on the genre. John Wick has become the perfect example of what works for modern action movies, and Monkey Man 's performance is proof that the gun-fu format is a winning formula when done right. Although John Wick may not be the most charismatic action hero, his combat skills and honorable motivations make him so exciting to watch, and Monkey Man 's The Kid falls into a similar category, proving John Wick has redefined the genre.

The best movies like John Wick are the ones that–like John Wick the character and John Wick the film–go above and beyond what action fans expect.

Although Trigger Warning is still to debut, its fight sequences and vengeful plot seem to have taken plenty of inspiration from John Wick as well, once again proving that the franchise has become pivotal to modern action films. Other movies like Nobody and Atomic Blonde also adopted the John Wick style of action as it creates a grittier and more realistic plot despite how resilient the protagonists are. Despite John Wick not having any projects in 2024, it is still inspiring this year's action films , and Trigger Warning appears to be the latest movie trying to replicate the franchise's success.

Trigger Warning (2024)

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The Most Anticipated Movies of 2025

There's plenty of superheroic action, blockbuster thrills, and family-friendly fare, but also some noteworthy indies and potential gems to look forward to..

TAGGED AS: movies

As movie theater prices continue to increase (let’s not even talk about those concessions), we know it can be tough to figure out which movies to spend your hard-earned money on. With that in mind, here’s a handy calendar of some of the most noteworthy titles coming in 2025 so you can budget and plan accordingly.

• Recommended: The Most Anticipated Movies of 2024
• Recommended: The Best Movies of 2024

Mickey 17 (2025)

South Korean director Bong Joon-ho follows up his Academy Award-winning film Parasite with this adaptation of the sci-fi novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton. Robert Pattinson stars as a disposable employee — one whose body is regenerated with previous memories intact every time he dies — on a mission to colonize a distant world.

(Photo by Eli Adé/©Marvel)

Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

Sam Wilson, the superhero formerly known as The Falcon, took on Cap’s mantle in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier , and now he’s ready for the big screen. Tim Blake Nelson, who played the character who becomes the Marvel villain known as The Leader, will reprise the role first teased in The Incredible Hulk and seemingly forgotten about until now. Harrison Ford will also star, stepping into the role of Thaddeus Ross following the death of William Hurt.

The Smurfs Movie (2025) Release Date: February 14, 2025 Director: Chris Miller Starring: Rihanna, Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, Dan Levy, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Kurt Russell, John Goodman

The Smurfs are returning to the big screen, this time in musical format. One of several Smurf-inspired feature films in development, this particular renewal of the blue creatures will star Rihanna as the voice of Smurfette. Rihanna is also a producer on the film and announced at CinemaCon 2023 that she will write and perform new original songs for the project. In April of 2024, a vast ensemble cast was announced, including Nick Offerman, Octavia Spencer, Kurt Russell, and more.

(Photo by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Snow White (2025)

Although critics haven’t been kind to most of Disney’s live-action remakes of their classic animated films, they’ve been a hit with moviegoers at the box office, which might explain why Snow White is getting the same treatment some 87 years after the original 1937 cartoon came out. West Side Story’ s Rachel Zegler stars as Snow White, with Wonder Woman’ s Gal Gadot playing the Evil Queen, while  The Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb at the helm and a script co-written by Gerta Gerwig.

Alto Knights (2025)

Robert De Niro plays a dual role in this Barry Levinson film as two notorious Italian American mob bosses: Vito Genovese and Frank Castello. The pair run two separate crime families that inevitably collide as the power-hungry crime bosses fight for dominance in mid-20th century New York. The film was the first project greenlit by Warner Bros.’ new film group chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy.

Minecraft (2025) Release Date: April 4, 2025 Director: Jared Hess Starring: Jason Momoa, Jennifer Coolidge, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, Matt Berry, Sebastian Eugene Hansen

The hit video game Minecraft is being transformed into a live-action movie. Plot details are still being kept under wraps, but since the world-building, survival-mode video game has never really been about the story, the possibilities for the film are endless. Jason Momoa and Jennifer Coolidge will star in the film, though we’re not sure yet about the details of their characters. Characters we do know of include Steve (Jack Black), Dawn (Danielle Brooks), and Henry (Sebastian Eugene Hansen).

(Photo by ©Marvel Studios)

Thunderbolts (2025)

Marvel’s second offering of 2025 pulls from several previous MCU titles, as supervillains-turned-heroes story features Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylendko), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, played by Harrison Ford, who will make his debut as the character in Captain America: Brave New World .

M3GAN 2.0 (2025)

Director Gerard Johnstone of M3GAN is slated to return behind the camera for the sci-fi horror film’s sequel. Although plot details are still being kept under wraps, producer James Wan hinted that M3GAN 2.0 will pick up from the end of the first film and explore the consequences of what happens when AI robots connect to devices in people’s homes. Allison Williams and Violet McGraw are confirmed to star as Gemma and Cady again.

(Photo by Christian Black/©Paramount Pictures)

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two (2025)

Tom Cruise is back in action as Ethan Hunt in what was originally supposed to be Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part Two (the official title hasn’t yet been revealed). After Hunt retrieved both keys at the end of Dead Reckoning , the new film will focus on his mission to find the lost Sevastopol submarine while stopping the Entity, an AI program. Haley Atwell (Grace), Simon Pegg (Benji), Vanessa Kirby (Alanna), Ving Rhames (Luther), Pom Klementieff (Paris), and Esai Morales (Gabriel) are slated to return for the eighth installment in the franchise. New additions to the cast include Hannah Waddingham, Holt McCallany, Nick Offerman, Janet McTeer, and Lucy Tulugarjuk.

Untitled Karate Kid Movie (2025) Release Date: May 30, 2025 Director: Jonathan Entwhistle Starring: Jackie Chan, Ming-Na Wen, Joshua Jackson, Ralph Macchio

The popular Netflix series Cobra Kai has helped keep the iconic ‘80s martial arts franchise alive and kicking in the popular consciousness, and in 2024 Sony will head back to the IP dojo with a new installment. Originally thought to be unconnected to the original films or the Netflix show, a casting call announcement revealed that Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan would star alongside each other in the new film as their characters Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han. Few other details have been revealed, except that Ming-Na Wen and Joshua Jackson are among the co-stars.

Ballerina (2025)

The first spin-off film of the John Wick universe stars Ana de Armas as one of the female assassins trained by the Ruska Roma, the criminal organization headed by Anjelica Huston’s “Director” and glimpsed in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum . Details are thin so far, but we know it will be another revenge tale, and we know that it will be set specifically between the events of Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 , so Keanu Reeves and his Continental cohort will also appear.

(Photo by ©Disney/Pixar)

Elio (2025)

Announced in 2022, Pixar’s 28th feature film (following 2023’s Elemental ) will focus on an 11-year-old boy (named Elio, of course) who is inadvertently beamed up into space and is mistaken to be an ambassador for Earth on another planet. It will be the directorial debut for Adrian Molina, who previously worked on Pixar films like Coco , Toy Story 4 , and Luca .

How to Train Your Dragon (2025) Release Date: June 13, 2025 Director: Dean DeBlois Starring: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerad Butler, Ruth Codd

Dean DeBlois, creator of the animated  How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, is bringing Hiccup, Astrid, Toothless, and friends to life in a live-action reimagining. The original film was a coming-of-age story that follows young Hiccup from childhood to adulthood, but the plot of the live-action adaptation will focus in on Hiccup’s first meeting with Toothless, a friendly dragon he can’t bear to kill, even if it means breaking tradition in his village of Berk, home of Vikings and dragon slayers.

28 Years Later (2025)

After releasing one of the zombie genre’s most iconic films in 28 Days Later and then handing the reins to Juan Carlos Fresnadillo for its sequel, 28 Weeks Later , Danny Boyle returns to the director’s chair to direct the third film in the series. Boyle also co-wrote  28 Years Later with original scribe Alex Garland — even more reason to get excited for this one — and has assembled a cast that includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes.

(Photo by ©Universal Pictures)

The Black Phone 2 (2025) Release Date: June 27, 2025 Director: Scott Derrickson Starring: Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, Miguel Mora

The original cast of the hit 2022 horror thriller film The Black Phone will star again in the sequel. The plot is still under wraps, but the first movie tells the story of Finney Shaw (Mason Thames), a young boy abducted by the “Raggedy Man” (Ethan Hawke), a sinister serial killer. Locked in a soundproof basement, Finney discovers an old, disconnected telephone that allows him to communicate with the spirits of Raggedy Man’s previous victims. Finney must rely on their guidance to outsmart his captor and escape before becoming the next victim. The Black Phone 2 is the ninth feature collaboration between Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum, who is producing the film, and Hawke.

Superman (2025)

DC Studios CEO James Gunn is directing, writing, and producing the latest reboot of Superman , bringing it into the new generation of a connected DC Cinematic Universe. The film will not be an origin story, but will focus on Lois Lane and Clark Kent. To the dismay of many Superman fans, Henry Cavill will not be returning to play the superhero — instead, David Corenswet will take on the role, playing a younger, more optimistic Superman to counter Cavill’s grittier rendition.

The Fantastic Four (2025)

The Fantastic Four are coming back for a third time, 20 years after the initial theatrical debut of Marvel’s First Family and 10 years after the ill-fated reboot. This iteration joins the MCU as part of the Multiverse Saga, skipping the team’s origin story and setting up future crossover events, potentially into the next Avengers movie. Not much else is known about the film, except the main cast: Pedro Pascal plays Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby plays Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn plays Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays Ben Grimm, while  WandaVision and  Monarch: Legacy of Monsters director Matt Shakman takes the helm.

Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Movie (2025) Release Date: August 8, 2025 Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Wood Harris, Alana Haim, Chase Infiniti

Directed, written, and produced by Paul Thomas Anderson, this untitled film will be his 10th narrative feature and the first to be released in IMAX. Not much else is known besides its all-star cast. Since Anderson’s breakout feature Boogie Nights , he has collected 11 total Oscar nominations as a producer, writer, and director, but he’s never won, and who knows, perhaps this will be the title that brings home the hardware.

Animal Friends (2025)

We don’t know much about the plot of this film, but we do know that it’s directed by Peter Atencio ( Keanu , The Machine ) and it’s a live-action/animated hybrid starring the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Aubrey Plaza, and Jason Momoa, among others. There are also presumably going to be animated animals involved, but we don’t yet know who will appear as themselves in the film, and who will be voicing animated characters.

The Bride! (2025) Release Date: October 3, 2025 Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal Starring: Christian Bale, Jesse Buckley, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, Penelope Cruz

A new Frankenstein film is being brought to life, this time through a female lens. In this remake by Maggie Gyllenhaal of 1935’s Bride of Frankenstein , a murdered young woman in 1930s Chicago is reborn again at the hands of Frankenstein (Christian Bale) and Dr. Euphronius. The Bride becomes not only Frankenstein’s romantic companion, but the subject of police scrutiny and the leader of a radical social movement.

(Photo by Leah Gallo/©Disney Enterprises)

TRON: Ares (2025)

What happens when the lines are blurred between the grid and the real world? In this new installment of the iconic sci-fi series, Ares (Jared Leto) plays a highly sophisticated A.I. computer program that crosses over into the human world on a dangerous mission. Though many plot details are still unknown, the setting seems to focus mostly on the real world rather than the grid that fans remember from Tron and Tron: Legacy . Though the cast is mostly comprised of new characters, it has been announced that Jeff Bridges will appear in the film, though we don’t know if he will be portraying Kevin Flynn or Clu.

Mortal Kombat 2 (2025) Release Date: October 24, 2025 Director: Simon McQuoid Starring: Hiroyuki Sanada, Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Karl Urban, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks

The 2021 reboot of the video game adaptation Mortal Kombat wasn’t a huge hit with critics, but it earned enough of a following that it has now spawned a sequel. Lewis Tan (Cole Young), Jessica McNamee (Sonya), Mehcad Brooks (Jax), and Shogun co-stars Hiroyuki Sanada (Scorpion) and Tadanobu Asano (Raiden) all return to reprise their roles from the first film, while Karl Urban joins the cast as Johnny Cage.

Blade (2025)

This Blade reboot wraps up the MCU’s 2025 theatrical slate, bringing the Daywalker back — without Wesley Snipes. Mahershala Ali will play the superhero in the new rendition, marking a total revamp (pun unintended) of the franchise. Ali’s voice as Eric Brooks has already made an appearance in the post-credits scene of 2021’s Eternals , hinting a possible connection between the two films.

Wicked: Part Two (2025) Release Date: November 26, 2025 Director: John M. Chu Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Keala Settle

Fans of the classic The Wizard of Oz and the hit Broadway musical spinoff Wicked won’t have to wait long for the conclusion of its film adaptation. Closely following the 2024 theatrical release of Wicked: Part One , Part Two wraps up the story that follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as she navigates her identity as the “Wicked Witch of the West” while facing Glinda (Ariana Grande), the Good Witch of the North. According to producer Marc Platt, splitting the film into two parts allowed for the inclusion of the entire musical soundtrack.

Zootopia 2 (2025) Release Date: November 26, 2025 Director: Byron Howard, Rich Moore Starring: Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Rolando Davila-Beltran

The sequel to Zootopia follows young rabbit and cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and con-artist fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) as they navigate a big city and take down Dawn Bellwether. The Disney animation is long-awaited, coming nearly a decade after the original film grossed more than $1 billion at the box office and won the 2016 Oscar for Best Animated Film.

(Photo by ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Avatar 3 (2025)

The third film of the Avatar franchise brings audiences back to Pandora and the Na’vi, this time with new biomes and new clans. The “Ash People” will represent fire and depict Na’vi who are not as kind as those we’ve seen before. New additions to the cast include Michelle Yeoh, playing human scientist Dr. Karina Mogue, and Oona Chaplin, playing the villain Na’vi Varang. Avatar 3 follows on the heels of the box office juggernaut Avatar: The Way of Water , and the first act of the fourth film has also already been shot.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (2025) Release Date: December 19, 2025 Director: Derek Drymon Starring: Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Brian Doyle-Murray, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Mr. Lawrence, Carolyn Lawrence

SpongeBob SquarePants and friends are coming back to the big screen. The fourth movie centers on SpongeBob’s adventures in the deep sea, facing the ghost of the Flying Dutchman. The original SpongeBob SquarePants TV series has been running since 1999 and is currently in its 14th season.

Dirty Dancing 2 (2025) Release Date: Summer, 2025 Director: Jonathan Levine Starring: Jennifer Grey

After almost 40 years, Dirty Dancing is finally getting a sequel. Although details about the plot, title, and release date are still up in the air, we know Jennifer Grey is returning as Baby Houseman, and Lionsgate is working to include as many original cast members as possible. This film will honor the late Patrick Swayze, not by recasting his character Johnny Castle, but rather by incorporating Johnny into the story.

Thumbnail images by ©Marvel Studios, Geoffrey Short/©Universal Pictures, @jamesgunn

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Chris Pratt's The Garfield Movie lands soft Rotten Tomatoes score after first reviews

Mondays, eh?

Out in cinemas this week, the lazy feline of the title enjoys an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father Vic, who takes him and best friend Odie on a high-stakes heist.

At the time of writing, the movie has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 56%.

Related: Garfield trailer debuts Chris Pratt's take on the iconic character

The animated movie also features vocals from Samuel L Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Nicholas Hoult and Snoop Dogg. But reviewers think it seems to be missing the whole point of the iconic cat.

Below is a selection of those indifferent opinions from the press.

The Hollywood Reporter

"The rudimentary animation does the film no favours, nor does the lead vocal turn by Pratt, who strangely has become one of Hollywood's go-to animation stars with Onward , The Lego Movie and its sequel and The Super Mario Bros . Movie . His colourless vocal work here pales in comparison with his predecessors Bill Murray, who voiced the character in the two live-action movies, and Lorenzo Music, who played it brilliantly for so many years on television. The strange result is a Garfield without attitude."

"What's surprising about The Garfield Movie is that although it's based on a pretty cynical comic strip, its highlights are all sentimental. The flashbacks to Garfield's kittenhood are shameless gut punches of maudlin cutesiness, but eventually they tear down one's defences. Garfield's relationship with his father earns real sympathy by the end. What the film lacks in hilarious jokes — there's only a few (watch out for the used catapult salesman) — it makes up for with good nature."

Related: Chris Pratt's Garfield movie casts another Marvel star

"The hectic plot may keep younger minds from wandering. Long before the film reaches its action-packed, train-based climax, however, adults will be questioning if its three writers have so much as seen an actual Garfield comic strip, given how removed their work feels from its activity-averse inspiration."

"The lasagna-obsessed feline with a near-pathological aversion to Mondays, who first came into popular consciousness in the late '70s as a comic strip, is a diluted version of himself in The Garfield Movie .

"Not only is his suave apathy mostly replaced by an excessive excitedness with only sporadic glimpses of his endearingly negative qualities, but this Garfield jumps off trains, stages a heist, and is subjected to trite physical comedy by way of numerous predictable action sequences. The ordeal mimics a rehashed plot from the dull The Secret Life of Pets franchise with Garfield forcefully plugged in."

The Garfield Movie is released in cinemas on May 24.

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Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy , NME and Yahoo Entertainment . 

In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.

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Movies in Theaters (2024)

The 46 Best Movies on HBO Max Right Now (May 2024)

Another streaming service means another vast library of titles to sift through to find what you want to watch. Max is the streaming service from WarnerMedia, hosting not just titles from the pay cable channel HBO, but a bevy of films from the Warner Bros. library and other studios. There’s a great selection of classics, fairly new releases, quirky indies, and yes, superhero movies. The studio behind The Dark Knight and Man of Steel has a solid number of DC films available to stream. But if you’re daunted by all the good movies on Max to choose from, we’ve got your back. Below, we’ve put together a curated list of the absolute best movies on Max. Films that will be well worth your time, with our writers making the case for why each film is special.

So check out our list of the best movies on Max streaming below. And for more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Max , best drama movies on Max , and best horror movies on Max .

Editor's note: This article was updated May 2024 to include Dune: Part Two and War for the Planet of the Apes.

'Dune: Part Two' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 92% | imdb: 8.7/10, dune: part two.

Release Date March 1, 2024

Director Denis Villeneuve

Cast Zendaya, Stellan Skarsgrd, Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem

Runtime 166 minutes

Genres Drama, Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure

Denis Villeneuve ’s Dune: Part Two is the second act of the filmmaker’s adaptation of the 1965 Frank Herbert novel Dune , an epic story of science fiction. The film boasts an ensemble cast led by Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, who unites with Arrakis’ Fremen people against House Harkonnen. Zendaya , Josh Brolin , and more reprise their roles from the first film, 2021’s Dune: Part One , with the movie also introducing Austin Butler , Florence Pugh , Christopher Walken , Léa Seydoux , and Souheila Yacoub to its sprawling ensemble. Villeneuve directed and produced the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts . Dune: Part Two has received great praise from critics and fans — even more so than the first film — and is one of the highest-grossing films of 2024. A visual spectacle in every frame, the movie is a stunning piece of cinematic storytelling that’s everything a sci-fi fan could ask for. The film also improves on its predecessor in terms of character development and emotional depth, and with a sequel already in development, based on 1969’s Dune Messiah , this burgeoning franchise shows no signs of slowing down.

Watch on Max

'War for the Planet of the Apes' (2017)

Rotten tomatoes: 94% | imdb: 7.4/10, war for the planet of the apes.

Release Date July 14, 2017

Director Matt Reeves

Cast Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn

Runtime 140 Minutes

Genres Action, Science Fiction

The third installment in the Planet of the Apes reboot franchise, War for the Planet of the Apes was directed by Matt Reeves , who also co-wrote the script alongside Mark Bomback . A sequel to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes , the film presents the final act in the epic story of intelligent ape Caesar (played by the talented Andy Serkis ), picking up two years after the events of the previous film with the war between apes and humans at its peak. War for the Planet of the Apes has garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning praise for its compelling narrative, outstanding performances, impressive visual effects, cinematography, and evocative music by Michael Giacchino . The film has achieved massive box office success and received numerous accolades, including Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Special Visual Effects. Exploring themes of grief, loss, and what truly makes us human through the unique lens of its interspecies conflict, War for the Planet of the Apes is a well-crafted, emotionally rich piece of cinematic storytelling.

'Turtles All the Way Down' (2024)

Rotten tomatoes: 89% | imdb: 6.8/10, turtles all the way down.

Director Hannah Marks

Cast Hannah Marks, Isabela Merced, J. Smith-Cameron, Judy Reyes

Genres Drama, Romance

Adapted from the 2017 John Green novel of the same name, Turtles All the Way Down is a romantic drama that follows a teenager with obsessive-compulsive disorder who struggles with anxiety and intrusive thoughts while navigating romance and investigating the mysterious disappearance of a billionaire. Directed by Hannah Marks and written by Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker , the movie stars Isabela Merced in the lead role, appearing alongside Cree , Felix Mallard , Maliq Johnson , Poorna Jagannathan , and more. Turtles All the Way Down has received largely positive reviews from critics, with praise for Merced’s performance and the film’s depiction of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The source material is a very popular book with legions of fans, who have also been quite happy with the adaptation. While primarily targeted towards teen and tween audiences, Turtles All the Way Down is an engaging film with great performances and a well-written protagonist that’s sure to strike a chord with audiences of all ages.

'Black Swan' (2010)

Rotten tomatoes: 84% | imdb: 8.0/10.

Release Date December 3, 2010

Cast Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, Mila Kunis, Benjamin Millepied, Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel

Runtime 110

Genres Psychological, Horror

Directed by Darren Aronofsky , Black Swan is a psychological horror film starring Natalie Portman as a ballerina who finds herself spiraling into madness as she competes for the coveted lead in a production of Swan Lake . The film’s screenplay was written by Andres Heinz , Mark Heyman , and John McLaughlin . Besides Portman in the lead role, the movie also stars Vincent Cassel , Mila Kunis , Barbara Hershey , and Winona Ryder . Black Swan premiered at the 2010 Venice International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim for its direction and performances. Shortly after, the film arrived in theaters and became a major global success as well, bringing in over $300 million on a budget of just $13 million. Natalie Portman delivers an Oscar-winning performance as a troubled artist on the brink of insanity — arguably one of the best of her career. Aronofsky’s masterful direction blends reality and illusion into a heady, surreal mix, which further highlights Portman’s performance and takes the viewer on a troubling, enthralling journey to the darkest corners of the human mind.

'The Zone of Interest' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 78% | imdb: 7.5/10, the zone of interest.

Release Date December 15, 2023

Director Jonathan Glazer

Cast Max Beck, Freya Kreutzkam, Sandra Hller, Christian Friedel

Runtime 105 minutes

Genres Drama, History, War

Read Our Review Jonathan Glazer ’s The Zone of Interest is a much-acclaimed historical drama that focuses on the family of an Auschwitz commandant who lives next to the concentration camp. While inspired by Martin Amis ’s 2014 novel of the same name, the film actually looks at the real-life people who inspired the book instead of being a direct book-to-screen adaptation. The movie stars Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller and premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prix and receiving praise for its direction, script, cinematography, sound design, and atmosphere. The movie won Oscars for Best International Feature and Best Sound and was nominated in three other categories. Hailed as one of the best films of 2023, The Zone of Interest presents a dispassionate look at the ordinary people who were part of extraordinary cruelty. With this brilliant movie, Glazer juxtaposes the mundane life of a family with the heinousness of the Holocaust, creating a film that is devastatingly real.

'Priscilla' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 84% imdb: 6.5/10.

Release Date November 3, 2023

Director Sofia Coppola

Cast Ari Cohen, Jorja Cadence, Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi

Runtime 113 minutes

Genres Biography, Drama, Music

Based on Priscilla Presley ’s 1985 memoir Elvis and Me , Sofia Coppola ’s Priscilla stars Cailee Spaeny in the title role alongside Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley . Coppola wrote and directed the film, which presents the untold story of the Presleys’ marriage and relationship through the eyes of Priscilla. A critical success, Priscilla is an intimate film about female youth and the toxicity of fame. Rather than be just another Elvis story, the movie focuses instead on Priscilla’s life and her growth as a person over the course of their many years together. The heartfelt narrative is further elevated by stellar performances by the two leads, who capture a tenderness and humanity that audiences don’t generally associate with such larger-than-life celebrities. Spaeny’s performance, in particular, is fascinating and earned the actor a Best Actress nomination at the Golden Globe Awards. It’s not much of a crowd-pleaser, but Priscilla has an emotional depth that looks beyond the rock-and-roll glamor of stardom.

'Dune' (2021)

Rotten tomatoes: 83% | imdb: 8.0/10.

Release Date October 22, 2021

Cast Josh Brolin, David Dastmalchian, Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya Coleman, Jason Momoa

Runtime 155 Minutes

Genres Sci-Fi, Adventure

Adapted from Frank Herbert 's classic science fiction novel, Denis Villeneuve ‘s Dune is a sci-fi adventure drama that focuses on the conflict between two influential families on an alien planet. The movie features an ensemble cast that features Timothée Chalamet , Zendaya , Rebecca Ferguson , and Oscar Isaac . Highly successful at the box office and generally well-received by critics, Dune is an expansive work of worldbuilding, the likes of which are few and far between. It’s well-acted and well-written, but the visual spectacle of the film is what truly blows you away. The movie is truly cinematic in scale and ambition, presenting a beautiful and absorptive world that’s both strange and familiar. The film received a sequel in 2024, Dune: Part Two , which may be even better, but Dune remains a colossal work of science fiction cinema that should be required viewing for all lovers of cinema.

'Barbie' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 88% | imdb: 6.8/10.

Release Date July 21, 2023

Director Greta Gerwig

Cast Helen Mirren, Margot Robbie, Ariana Greenblatt, Simu Liu, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera

Runtime 114 minutes

Genres Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy

Greta Gerwig ’s Barbie is a surprisingly existential adaptation of Mattel’s eponymous fashion doll line. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling star as Barbie and Ken, who leave Barbieland and journey to the real world on a quest for self-discovery. The movie also features a stacked supporting cast that includes America Ferrera , Kate McKinnon , Issa Rae , and Michael Cera . With her Barbie movie, Gerwig takes the ultra-commercial entity and gives it a deeply thoughtful indie-movie-esque adaptation. That incongruity is precisely what has made Barbie such a celebrated film. Credit is also due to the stellar cast that balances comedy and real emotion to create relatable, three-dimensional characters. Witty and insightful, this Barbie broke records and wormed her way into hearts around the world, and we could all stand to learn from what she has to say.

'The Player' (1992)

Rotten tomatoes: 97% | imdb: 7.5/10, the player (1992).

Release Date April 10, 1992

Director Robert Altman

Cast Brion James, Greta Scacchi, Cynthia Stevenson, Whoopi Goldberg, Tim Robbins, Peter Gallagher, Fred Ward

Runtime 124 minutes

Genres Satire, Comedy

Written by Michael Tolkin and directed by Robert Altman , The Player is a hilarious satire about Hollywood. Starring incredible talents like Tim Robbins and Whoopi Goldberg , The Player also features a whopping 65 A-list cameos. That's right — there are 65 celebrity cameos in this movie. A film about filmmaking, The Player cleverly pokes fun at the industry with an outlandish plot about a movie exec who receives death threats from a screenwriter whose script was overlooked. Highlighted by biting humor and self-deprecation, The Player charms dark comedy lovers, earning several Oscar nominations and, ironically, even winning Best Adapted Screenplay. - Yael Tygiel

'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' (1964)

Rotten tomatoes: 97% | imdb: 7.8/10, the umbrellas of cherbourg.

Release Date December 16, 1964

Director Jacques Demy

Cast Marc Michel, Anne Vernon, Nino Castelnuovo, Catherine Deneuve

Runtime 91 minutes

Genres Drama, Romance, Musical

Written and directed by Jacques Demy , The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a gorgeous musical romance where the entire film’s dialogue is sung. Even casual conversations are shared through music by Michel Legrand . Starring Catherine Deneuve , Anne Vernon , Nino Castelnuovo , and Marc Michel , Umbrellas of Cherbourg follows a young couple (Deneuve and Castelnuovo) attempting to find their way back to each other after being separated by circumstance.

Aside from award nominations and being an obvious influence on the 2016 musical La La Land and Greta Gerwig’ s Barbie , The Umbrellas of Cherbourg itself is a stunning musical masterpiece expressed through a clever format and unforgettable French songs.

'La Strada' (1954)

Rotten tomatoes: 97% | imdb: 8.0/10.

Release Date September 6, 1954

Director Federico Fellini

Cast Anthony Quinn, Richard Basehart

Runtime 1 hr 48 min

Genres Drama

La Strada stars the dazzling Giulietta Masina as a young woman sent to live with a brutish street performer ( Anthony Quinn ), joining his traveling act as a clown, as well as his wife. The often uncomfortable yet absolutely unforgettable parable from director Federico Fellini explores themes of identity, strength, and compassion through fantastic acting and harsh scenes, co-written by Fellini, Tullio Pinelli , and Ennio Flaiano .

La Strada ’s initial release on the festival circuit garnered immense criticism and controversial reactions, setting a foundation for Fellini's creative flair in his subsequent films. Highlighted by Quinn’s charisma and Masina’s wide-eyed naivety, La Strada devastatingly captures the audience's attention. - Yael Tygiel

'Judas and the Black Messiah' (2021)

Rotten tomatoes: 97% | imdb: 7.4/10, judas and the black messiah.

Release Date February 12, 2021

Director Shaka King

Cast LaKeith Stanfield, Martin Sheen, Ashton Sanders, Dominique Fishback, Daniel Kaluuya, Jesse Plemons

Runtime 126

Genres Biography, History

Directed by Shaka King , Judas and the Black Messiah is a powerful film. Inspired by a true story, it shines a light on an important part of American history. This biographical crime drama co-stars Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, and LaKeith Stanfield as William O'Neal, a reluctant FBI informant tasked with infiltrating the party in late-1960s Chicago. Judas and the Black Messiah also features Jesse Plemons and Dominique Fishback.

Judas and the Black Messiah not only earned a handful of Oscar nominations for the film, but Kaluuya won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, competing against co-star Stanfield. While the acting, soundtrack, and production are truly stellar, the harsh realities of revolution exposed in the film are triumphant and moving. - Yael Tygiel

'8 1/2' (1963)

Release Date May 29, 1963

Cast Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimee, Marcello Mastroianni

Runtime 2 hr 18 min

Genres Drama, Comedy

Directed by Federico Fellini , who co-wrote the film with Ennio Flaiano , Tullio Pinelli , and Brunello Rondi , 8 1/2 delightfully blends comedy, drama, and avant-garde surrealism. An Italian film about movie making, 8 1/2 f ocuses on a frustrated filmmaker attempting to direct his epic sci-fi movie. Starring Marcello Mastroianni as the harried director who finds himself withdrawing into his own mind, electing to live in memories and fantasies rather than reality, 8 1/2 imaginatively explores the creative mind in honest and dream-like ways.

A classic film that utilizes clever practical effects to explore dreamscapes, 8 1/2 gorgeously touches sensuality, the plight of artists, and both internal and external pressure when pursuing greatness. 8 1/2 has earned awards and critical praise, but the film’s respect from modern visionaries like Guillermo del Toro is an endorsement on its own. - Yael Tygiel

'Bicycle Thieves' (1948)

Rotten tomatoes: 99% | imdb: 8.3/10, bicycle thieves.

Release Date November 24, 1948

Director Vittorio De Sica

Runtime 89 minutes

Vittorio De Sica directs Bicycle Thieves , an Italian neorealist film starring Lamberto Maggiorani as a desperate father in post-World War II Rome. Bicycle Thieves co-stars Enzo Staiola as the man’s plucky son, who joins him on his journey to recover his stolen bicycle, a necessity for employment and to keep his family afloat. Writer Cesare Zavattini adapted Luigi Bartolini ’s novel for the screen, allowing for grounded performances and torrid emotional turmoil to be showcased above all else.

With a depressing setting and heavy plot, Bicycle Thieves is, at its core, a powerful film about desperation and resilience, expressed through a heart-wrenching story. Although set in a particular time and place, it is devastatingly relatable regardless of history and location. - Yael Tygiel

'The 400 Blows' (1959)

Rotten tomatoes: 99% | imdb: 8.1/10, the 400 blows.

Release Date May 4, 1959

Director Francois Truffaut

Cast Claire Maurier, Albert Remy, Jean-Pierre Laud

Runtime 1 hr 39 min

Serving as the directorial debut of François Truffaut , who co-wrote the film with Marcel Moussy , The 400 Blows is a French coming-of-age drama about a rebellious pre-teen boy in Paris who turns to petty crime and delinquency when neglected. Starring Jean-Pierre Léaud , Albert Rémy , and Claire Maurier , The 400 Blows is considered a defining film of French New Wave filmmaking.

While many films explore adolescence and coming-of-age stories are a dime a dozen, The 400 Blows beautifully and sympathetically offers a raw perspective at a transitional time period with an honest reflection on the sometimes heartbreaking realities of growing up. - Yael Tygiel

'Stalker' (1979)

Rotten tomatoes: 100% | imdb: 8.1/10.

Release Date May 25, 1979

Director Andrei Tarkovsky

Cast Alexander Kaidanovsky

Runtime 162 minutes

Genres Drama, Sci-Fi

A mesmerizing sci-fi masterpiece from director Andrei Tarkovsky , Stalker was written by Arkady Strugatsky and Boris Strugatsky and based on their trippy 1972 novel Roadside Picnic . The film stars Aleksandr Kajdanovsky as the illegal guide journeying across a postapocalyptic landscape where the laws of physics seem irrelevant, bringing a writer ( Anatoliy Solonitsyn ) and scientist ( Nikolay Grinko ) to a mythical place believed to grant wishes.

Stalker explores a variety of existential themes through haunting scenes and stunning shots, which slowly draw in audiences to dive into complex philosophical conundrums. With a unique approach to narrative, sound design, and humanity, Stalker ’s influence expands beyond cinema by inspiring the evolution of the annual festival known as Burning Man. - Yael Tygiel

'Wages of Fear' (1953)

Rotten tomatoes: 100% | imdb: 8.2/10, wages of fear.

Release Date April 22, 1953

Director Henri-Georges Clouzot

Cast Yves Montand, Folco Lulli, Charles Vanel

Runtime 2 hr 33 min

Genres Thriller

Wages of Fear is an intense existential thriller from director Henri-Georges Clouzot . Adapted from Georges Arnaud ’s 1950 novel and starring Yves Montand , Charles Vanel , Peter van Eyck , and Véra Clouzot , Wages of Fear follows four European men in a South American jungle who are hired by an American oil company to transport nitroglycerine. Through gritty shots and spine-tingling extended suspense sequences, Wages of Fear includes countless scenes that will leave viewers holding their breath.

Wages of Fear continues to captivate audiences, particularly with its balance of biting satire and heart-pumping intensity. It comes as no surprise that Netflix is currently in the process of remaking the French movie. - Yael Tygiel

'Stagecoach' (1939)

Rotten tomatoes: 100% | imdb: 7.8/10.

Release Date March 2, 1939

Director John Ford

Cast Andy Devine, John Carradine, John Wayne

Runtime 1 hr 36 min

Genres Western

Considered John Wayne ’s legendary breakout role, Stagecoach is an exciting Western that follows a group of strangers traveling via stagecoach through Apache territory. Based on Ernest Haycox ’s short story The Stage to Lordsburg , Stagecoach was directed by John Ford ( The Grapes of Wrath ) and features an ensemble cast alongside Wayne, including Claire Trevor , Andy Devine , and John Carradine ( The Ten Commandments ).

Earning two Academy Awards as well as a slew more nominations, Stagecoach has been adapted for radio, as well as remade quite a few times. Although a fun ride, the historical inaccuracies and blatant prejudices portrayed in the movie, particularly pertaining to indigenous cultures, are undeniable and should not be overlooked. - Yael Tygiel

'Tokyo Story' (1972)

Tokyo story (1953).

Release Date March 13, 1972

Director Yasujir Ozu

Cast Setsuko Hara, S Yamamura, Chieko Higashiyama, Chish Ry

Runtime 136 minutes

Yasujirō Ozu ’s Tokyo Story is a gorgeous drama that follows a retired couple on their journey to visit their grown children in the Japanese capital. Starring ChishÅ« RyÅ« and Chieko Higashiyama , Tokyo Story is a slow burn as it cleverly weaves a story through dialogue, with many key scenes not being shown on screen. Highlighted by a unique use of camera angles, Tokyo Story leans into the generational tale with a rich emotional complexity.

While the technical aspect of Tokyo Story is captivating, the true draw is the generational story, focusing on themes of Westernization. While this film is specifically about a traditional Japanese family as they recover from World War II, these types of shifts within societies are relatable to a multitude of cultures around globe. - Yael Tygiel

'Battleship Potemkin' (1925)

Rotten tomatoes: 100% | imdb: 7.9/10, battleship potemkin.

Release Date December 21, 1925

Cast Grigori Aleksandrov, Aleksandr Antonov

Runtime 1 hr 17 min

Battleship Potemkin is a truly unique film from writer-director Sergei Eisenstein . A silent film that unfolds over five separately titled acts, Battleship Potemkin focuses on the 1905 naval mutiny of an Imperial Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet’s battleship. Battleship Potemkin features a collection of non-actors, including Aleksandr Antonov, Vladimir Barksy, and Grigori Aleksandrov , as Eisenstein opted for specific looks and vibes over identifiable movie stars.

Bringing history to the screen, Battleship Potemkin cleverly shares the gruesome realities of revolution, resulting in just over an hour of cinematic brilliance. Over the years, Battleship Potemkin has been praised for its clever montage editing techniques, which earned the film a place within the top ranks of many "best films" lists. - Yael Tygiel