To me, March at the movies has always felt like the opening act for the summer blockbuster season. The big studios are stretching at the starting line and releasing their family-friendly titles for the spring break crowd.
It’s a hell of a time to go to the movies.
Between the 2019 SXSW Film Festival, the “spring break” lineup, and the media machine that is Netflix, you’ve got plenty of options. Here’s what’s coming up in March.
“Captain Marvel”
Director(s): Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Gemma Chan, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jude Law
Official Synopsis: Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.
Why watch it: You know what I’m gonna say…
ALL ABOARD THE MARVEL HYPE TRAIN!! WOO-WOO!!!!
Goddamn, does this film look cool. We’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Carol Danvers (played by Brie Larson) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The “Avengers” films have set the stage and, based on the trailer, she looks ready to kick some ass.
The film has already seen a bit of controversy as a concentrated troll campaign has sought to attack the film’s rating on popular review sites like Rotten Tomatoes, prematurely. Sorry, Trolls, I don’t think this bad bitch is going down that easy. Can’t wait!
Need a MCU refresher? Read my “Avengers: Infinity War” review.
“Captain Marvel” is out in theatres on March 8.
“Us”
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Anna Diop
Official Synopsis: A family’s serenity turns to chaos when a group of doppelgängers begin to terrorize them.
Why watch it: As if the concept and the execution of the trailer aren’t enough to get your butt into a seat, the star power alone is sure to blow your face off. Helmed by Jordan Peele, it’s clear we’re looking at that same vein of greatness that conceived “Get Out.”
With Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke leading the cast, the appeal is instant. What I love most about this trailer is that I’m not sure what the hell is going on, all I know is that I am thoroughly intrigued and terrorized.
After “Get Out,” Jordan Peele has set a precedent for interesting, beautifully crafted, and truly horrifying work. “Us” appears to be continuing the tradition.
“Us” is set to premiere at SXSW on March 8, with a wide release in theaters on March 22.
“Five Feet Apart”
Director: Justin Baldoni
Starring: Haley Lu Richardson, Cole Sprouse, Claire Forlani, Moises Arias
Official Synopsis: A pair of teenagers with life-threatening illnesses meet in a hospital and fall in love.
Why watch it: The love for sappy teen romance movies never get old, even if we do. “Five Feet Apart” is the “Walk to Remember” or “The Fault in our Stars” sap-filled movie for a new generation. Look, it’s probably predictable, but we’re going to eat up the not-so-original story of two doomed lovers journey and probably cry a bit. Also, we’re excited to see “Jane the Virgin’s” Baldoni direct his first feature film! Bravo!
“Five Feet Apart” hits theatres on March 14!
“The Aftermath”
Director: James Kent
Starring: Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgård, Jason Clarke
Official Synopsis: Post World War II, a British colonel and his wife are assigned to live in Hamburg during the post-war reconstruction, but tensions arise with the German who previously owned the house.
Why watch it: We love a good period piece especially one starring Knightley! Throw in Skarsgård and Clarke in a romantic triangle along with post-World War II tensions well, you have our attention. This is going to be a steamy thriller for March!
“The Aftermath” hits theatres on March 15.
“Finding Steve McQueen”
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Starring: Travis Fimmel, Rachael Taylor, William Fichtner, Forest Whitaker
Official Synopsis: In 1972, a gang of close-knit thieves from Youngstown, Ohio attempt to steal $30 million in illegal contributions and blackmail money from President Richard Nixon’s secret fund.
Why watch it: If you’re looking for some original fun, “Finding Steve McQueen” is a gem amongst the major Hollywood studio projects. We’re so excited to see Fimmel as a leading man post his “Vikings” TV role. Taylor fits nice alongside Fimmel given what we’ve seen in her role in Netflix’s “Jessica Jones.” And of course, you can’t go wrong with character actor, Fichtner and Whitaker who will bring their A-game!
Give “Finding Steve McQueen” a go in theatres on March 15!
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette”
Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Judy Greer, and Kristen Wiig
Official Synopsis: After her anxiety-ridden mother disappears, 15-year-old Bee does everything she can to track her down, discovering her troubled past in the process.
Why watch it: “Where’d You’d Go Bernadette” is based on the beloved 2012 comedy novel by Maria Semple. Goddamn, this trailer is just so charming. The cast is charming (and packed with talent, honestly). The air of it is charming. And the mystery in the trailer seems so light and palatable. You can’t help but be sucked in. And we can’t help but be proud of Austin’s own Linklater spearheading the movie!
“Where’d You’d Go, Bernadette?” hits theatres on March 22.
“The Beach Bum”
Director: Harmony Korine
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Zac Efron, and Jonah Hill
Official Synopsis: A rebellious stoner named Moondog lives life by his own rules.
Why watch it: It really seems that McConaughey is in his element, with this one. I usually balk at blatant typecasting but this just seems like such a good fit. I’m getting vague “Big Lebowski” vibes and all the colorful, decadence typical of the NEON catalog of films.
This film could be about anything or it could be about nothing and I would still be stoked to see it. Come for the cast, stay for the vibes.
“The Beach Bum” will have its world premiere on March 9 at SXSW 2019, with a theatrical wide release on March 29.
“Dumbo”
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Eva Green, Colin Farrell, and Michael Keaton
Official Synopsis: A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.
Why watch it: This trailer takes two things that I’m generally skeptical of, Disney live action remakes and what I call “new wave” Tim Burton, and combines them in the one environment where the two actually might work.
The talent is stacked in this cast and, of course, we’ve got that signature Burton quirk to the production design of this dark, but magical circus. If we’re able to stave off the overload of weirdness that tends to creep into Burton’s recent work, we’re looking at something haunting and beautiful. That “Baby Mine” cover alone is worth melting for.
“Dumbo” hits theatres on March 29.
“The Highwaymen”
Director: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson, and Kathy Bates
Official Synopsis: A pair of police officers come out of retirement to catch the infamous outlaws Bonnie & Clyde.
Why watch it: Netflix is really churning ’em out, lately. Harrelson and Costner make the perfect duo for these rough and ready Texas Rangers. It’s a story that has action and suspense built into the foundation and the trailer promises on that (and a bit of humor, as well).
I’ve got a soft spot for crime drama and for the time period, so “The Highwaymen” is at the very top of my To Watch list!
“The Highwaymen” hits Netflix on March 29.
Which of these titles are you looking forward to? Any that we missed? Let us know!
Featured image credit: Claudette Barius/Universal Pictures
Caitlin is a lean, mean writing machine based in Austin, TX. Her love of film began when she was shown “Rosemary’s Baby” way too early in life. Bylines include The Financial Diet and Film Inquiry. Caitlin is a member of the Online Association of Female Film Critics and the Women Film Critics Circle.