10 Best Movies in Theaters This Month (2024)

From terrifying horror movies to innovative animated prequels, the theatrical window of September is packed with exciting films. 2024 has been a strong year for both original movies and franchise tentpoles--and it isn't over yet.

With movies of all age ratings and genres playing in theaters at the same time, it can be easy to lose track of each new feature. While some of the films currently in cinemas can be skipped, others that are playing right now feel like must-watch for 2024, likely igniting heated debates throughout the year.

Updated September 2, 2024 by Jordan Iacobucci: This article has been updated with new movies in theaters right now.

12 Alien: Romulus Is A Terrific Return To Form For The Alien Franchise

Release Date: August 16

Alien: Romulus is a soft reboot of the Alien franchise, following Rain Carradine, a young girl living on a mining colony with Andy, an android her father left to take care of her before he died. When a few friends recruit them for a dangerous mission, Rain and Andy find themselves on an abandoned ship, which they later learn is carrying hoards of xenomorphs.

The Alien franchise has been struggling for decades, with Ridley Scott's prequel films failing to reach the same heights as the original two movies. Even before that, the third and fourth Alien films were generally regarded as far inferior to the original two. Romulus finally leaves fans of the franchise with some level of hope that Alien could return better than ever. While the latest film follows many of the story beats of the original, it has enough new elements to leave audiences excited to see what could come next in the classic horror franchise.

Alien: Romulus

R

Sci-Fi

Horror

Alien: Romulus follows a group of space explorers who discover an uncharted planet with a dark secret. As they investigate, they are hunted by deadly xenomorphs and uncover ancient ruins revealing the planet's terrifying history. The crew must use their skills and technology to survive the relentless attacks and find a way to escape the hostile environment.

Director

Fede Alvarez

Release Date

August 16, 2024

Cast

Isabela Merced , Cailee Spaeny , David Jonsson , Archie Renaux

Writers

Fede Alvarez , Rodo Sayagues , Dan O'Bannon , Ronald Shusett

Main Genre

Horror

11 Blink Twice Marks A Promising Directorial Debut For Zoë Kravitz

Release Date: August 23, 2024

Blink Twice is a new thriller from first-time director Zoë Kravitz and starring Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, Adria Arjona, Haley Joel Osment, and more. The film follows Frida, a young waitress who is invited to join Slater King, a handsome tech mogul, on his private island. However, there she finds that not all is as it seems as people begin to go missing.

Blink Twice delivers on its chilling premise, crafting a story that makes the audience feel trapped on King's island of horrors alongside the characters. Filled with memorable twists and turns that set it apart from other similar films, Blink Twice is a strong directorial debut for Kravitz, who is better known to the world for her acting roles thus far. Hopefully, the actress-turned-director will get the chance to helm more projects in the future, especially given her strong start in this chilling thriller.

Blink Twice

R

Drama

Thriller

Director

Zoe Kravitz

Release Date

August 23, 2024

Cast

Naomi Ackie , Channing Tatum , Christian Slater , Simon Rex , Adria Arjona , Kyle MacLachlan , Haley Joel Osment , Geena Davis , Alia Shawkat , Levon Hawke , Trew Mullen , Saul Williams , Liz Caribel Sierra , Cris Costa , Julian Sedgwick

Writers

Zoe Kravitz , E.T. Feigenbaum

Runtime

102 Minutes

Main Genre

Mystery

Studio(s)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer , Free Association , FilmNation Entertainment , this is important

Distributor(s)

Amazon MGM Studios , Warner Bros. Pictures

10

9

8

7 Reagan Presents A Powerful Portrait Of A President

Release Date: August 30

Dennis Quaid stars as Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, in the new biopic from director Sean McNamara, Reagan. Based on Paul Kengor's book detailing Reagan's presidency, the film follows the story of Ronald Reagan's life, from his early life in Illinois to his acting career, and eventual rise to political power.

Although Reagan was panned by most critics, it has been a fan-favorite with audiences, who gave the movie a 98% Freshness Rating on Rotten Tomatoes, contrasted with critics' 19%. Clearly, the film has hit upon the growing divide between audiences and critics, who increasingly seem unable to understand one another in the modern age of cinema. Reagan might not be a film for every moviegoer, but it may surprise some viewers.

Reagan

Biography

Drama

History

A drama based on the life of Ronald Reagan, from his childhood to his time in the oval office.

Director

Sean McNamara

Release Date

2023-00-00

Cast

Dennis Quaid , C. Thomas Howell , Mena Suvari , Jon Voight

Writers

Howard Klausner , Jonas McCord

Main Genre

Biography

6 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Introduces A Classic Story To A New Generation

Release Date: September 6

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the long-awaited sequel to the original 1988 film, bringing back much of the same cast. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Tim Burton return to Beetlejuice with this new take on the titular character in hopes of introducing him to a new generation. Set decades after the original, the 2024 sequel follows Ryder's Lydia and her daughter Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega, who connect with Keaton's absurd titular character.

Although legacy sequels can be hit-or-miss, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is for the most part on par with the original classic film. Thanks in large part to Burton's return, the sequel feels like a proper continuation of its predecessor that both harkens back to its legacy and builds something new in the process. The cast also shines in the absurd horror-comedy, with Keaton and Ryder both soaking in the benefits of their well-deserved resurgence and Ortega standing out as a seamless addition to the cast.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Comedy

Fantasy

See Also

'The Life of Chuck' Review: Mike Flanagan Makes Stephen King’s Story Soar | TIFF 2024

Horror

This is a follow-up to the comedy Beetlejuice (1988), about a ghost who's recruited to help haunt a house.

Director

Tim Burton

Release Date

September 6, 2024

Cast

Jenna Ortega , Catherine O'Hara , Willem Dafoe , Monica Bellucci , Winona Ryder , Michael Keaton

Writers

Alfred Gough , Seth Grahame-Smith , David Katzenberg , Michael McDowell , Miles Millar , Larry Wilson

Main Genre

Comedy

5

4 Speak No Evil Is An Intense Horror Film

Release Date: September 13

Speak No Evil is a horror film by director James Watkins and starring James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, and Aisling Franciosi. A remake of the Danish horror film of the same name, Speak No Evil follows a family as they make plans for a peaceful vacation in a country house. However, there they find themselves tormented by the mysterious Paddy.

Clearly taking inspiration from McAvoy's tremendous performance in 2016's Split, Speak No Evil gives the actor a chance to shine in yet another sinister role. Fans of McAvoy's work will certainly enjoy his role in this psychological horror film, which is sure to leave audiences disturbed by its horrific imagery and frightening themes.

Speak No Evil (2024)

R

Horror

Thriller

When an American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, what begins as a dream holiday soon warps into a snarled psychological nightmare.

Director

James Watkins

Release Date

September 13, 2024

Cast

James McAvoy , Mackenzie Davis , Scoot McNairy , Alix West Lefler , Aisling Franciosi

Writers

James Watkins

Runtime

110 Minutes

Main Genre

Horror

Studio(s)

Blumhouse

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

3 The Killer's Game Is An Epic Action-Thriller With A Stellar Cast

Release Date: September 13

The Killer's Game, based on Jay Bonansinga's book of the same name, follows Joe Flood, a hitman who discovers that he has a terminal illness. Not wanting to suffer through a prolonged sickness and painful death, Flood puts a hit out on himself. However, when he discovers that his diagnosis is actually a mistake, he must fight to survive against the hoards of assassins coming for his head.

Led by Dave Bautista, the cast of The Killer's Game is enough reason to be excited about the film. Sporting memorable performances from Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Ben Kingsley, and Pom Klementieff, who plays Flood's chief nemesis in the film, The Killer's Game is an action-packed thrill ride that will keep audiences entertained from beginning to end.

The Killer's Game

R

Action

Comedy

Thriller

When a top hitman is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he decides to take matters into his own hands – by taking a hit out on himself. But when the very hitmen he hired also target his pregnant ex-girlfriend, he must fend off an army of assassin colleagues and win back the love of his life before it’s too late.

Director

J.J. Perry

Release Date

September 12, 2024

Cast

Sofia Boutella , Dave Bautista , Scott Adkins , Ben Kingsley , Terry Crews , Daniel Bernhardt , George Somner , Marko Zaror

Writers

Jay Bonansinga , James Coyne , Simon Kinberg , Rand Ravich

Runtime

104 Minutes

Main Genre

Action

Studio(s)

Dogbone Entertainment , Endurance Media , K. JAM Media , Lionsgate Films , Mad Chance

2 Transformers One Tells The Origin Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

Release Date: September 20

Transformers One marks the beginning of a new era for the franchise as it steps into the medium of animation. The story takes place three billion years before the events of the first film, as the young Orion Pax and D-16 become freedom fighters. However, these brothers-in-arms soon discover that they see the world very differently and grow more distant, eventually becoming the archenemies Optimus Prime and Megatron.

The live-action Transformers movies have felt very stale for years now, making Transformers One the breath of fresh air that the franchise desperately needs. Complete with a stellar voice cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, and Keagan-Michael Key, this latest animated offering is fun, dynamic, and surprisingly tragic. While many films releasing in the Fall of 2024 are aimed at adults, Transformers One is a viewing experience that audiences of all ages can enjoy, whether they are familiar with the Transformers lore or not.

Transformers One

Animation

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

An origin story set on Cybertron, home of both the Autobots and the Decepticons. The film is said to focus on the relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron

Director

Josh Cooley

Release Date

September 13, 2024

Cast

Scarlett Johansson , Jon Hamm , Keegan-Michael Key , Chris Hemsworth , Laurence Fishburne , Brian Tyree Henry

Writers

Andrew Barrer , Steve Desmond , Gabriel Ferrari , Michael Sherman

Main Genre

Animation

1 Never Let Go Is The Harrowing Adventure Of One Family's Fight Against Evil

Release Date: September 20

Halle Berry stars in Never Let Go, a survival horror film by director Alexandre Aja and producer Shawn Levy. The film follows the plight of a mother who will do anything it takes to protect her sons from the evil being that has targeted them. However, she finds herself at a loss when one of her sons questions whether evil even exists at all, making him more vulnerable than ever. Now, they must fight to survive as the spirit comes at them with all its might.

Never Let Go sports heart-wrenching performances from Berry and the two child actors who play her sons, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins. The film is delivers high-stakes suspense and blood-curdling scares, but is truly a story about the love between one family and their struggle to stay connected in an increasingly evil environment.

Never Let Go

Horror

Thriller

A family that has been haunted by an evil spirit for years. Their safety and their surroundings come into question when one of the children questions if the evil is real.

Director

Alexandre Aja

Cast

Halle Berry , Percy Daggs IV , Anthony B. Jenkins

Writers

Kevin Coughlin , Ryan Grassby

Main Genre

Horror

Studio(s)

21 Laps Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Lionsgate Films