This month, from the jump, promises exciting new films from seasoned filmmakers and newcomers, starting with the latest DC film, “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson. But that’s not all. Between SXSW taking place this month, some Sundance standouts arriving, and big-budget blockbusters, there are plenty of worthwhile picks from this month, with multiple being released each week from all over the spectrum.
The month sees the return of the Daniels with “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” along with Kogonada’s follow-up to 2017’s “Columbus,” as well as a new Pixar film, Sandra Bullock making a welcomed reentry into the genre she shines best with, and Sandra Oh leading an exciting new horror film.
“The Batman“
Robert Pattinson stars in the latest iteration of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Matt Reeves (“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes“), adaptation of the hero. “The Batman” is packed to the brim with terrific actors playing notable characters, such as Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as The Riddler, Colin Farrell as The Penguin, and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon. While we’re familiar with the cast of characters appearing, Reeves and Co., are attempting to bring a more unhinged version of the hero to light as it follows Batman into Gotham’s underworld in the wake of a sadistic killer leaving behind a trail of clues. Our critic wrote, “‘The Batman’ isn’t the bombastic blockbuster fans have come to expect. It’s a hypnotic piece of filmmaking. A vision exists. Chances are taken. Questions are asked. An effort is made to be different.”
Release Date: March 4 in theaters via Warner Bros. Pictures
“Fresh“
Sebastian Stan (“Pam & Tommy“) and Daisy Edgar-Jones (“Normal People“) star in Sundance breakout hit, “Fresh,” directed by Mimi Cave in her debut feature film and written by Lauryn Kahn. Tackling the horrors (literal and figurative) of modern dating, the film follows a young woman played by Jones who finds herself battling to survive her new boyfriend’s unusual appetites. Jonica T. Gibbs, Charlotte Le Bon, and Andrea Bang also star in the film, though much is a two-hander between Stan and Jones, with our critic noting the latter as the film’s MVP.
Release Date: March 4 on Hulu via Searchlight Pictures
“Lucy And Desi“
Following the divisive reactions to Aaron Sorkin’s “Being the Ricardos,” this month will see another exploration of the iconic couple with the documentary from director Amy Poehler’s “Lucy and Desi.” As expected, the film explores the life of Lucille Ball and her relationship with Desi Arnaz, along with her legacy and impact on Hollywood. Our critic praised the direction from Poehler, writing, “You get a sense of Poehler’s energy in the fast pace and comic timing of the film, which moves at a good, precise clip. There’s a lot of material to cover here, some of it overly familiar, but Poehler does it with pizzazz.”
Release Date: March 4 to stream via Amazon Prime Video
“After Yang“
One of the most anticipated films of the year, “After Yang” marks the follow-up feature film from director Kogonada following his 2017 film “Columbus.” Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Justin H. Min, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, and Haley Lu Richardson in this contemplative story about a father who reconnects with his wife and daughter after his daughter’s companion—an android named Yang—malfunctions. Premiering at 2021’s Cannes Film Festival, the film made an immediate impact, with our critic writing, “Poignant and poetic, ‘After Yang’ is a soulful and heartbreaking meditation on impermanence full of poignant wonder and riches of human grace.”
Release Date: March 4 in theaters and available through Showtime via A24
“Turning Red“
Following the critical success of last year’s now Oscar-nominated “Luca,” Pixar follows it up with yet another personal story about growing pains with a fantastical twist in “Turning Red.” Domee Shi, the first female filmmaker to direct a short film for Pixar with the 2018 “Bao,” is now the first to direct a feature solo, as Brenda Chapman shared directing credits on “Brave.” The film follows 13-year-old Mei Lee, torn between being her mother’s obedient daughter and the so-called “chaos of her youth.” The twist in this case that makes things all the more difficult for her is that she turns into a giant red panda when she gets too excited. The voice cast includes Sandra Oh, Rosalie Chiang, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.
Release Date: March 11 to stream via Disney+
“The Adam Project”
Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy join forces, once again, after last year’s release of “Free Guy.” In the family geared “The Adam Project,” Reynolds plays time-traveling fighter pilot Adam Reed who finds himself accidentally crash-landing in 2022 and, once there, has to team up with his 12-year-old self for a mission to save the future. Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldana, and Walker Scobell also star with a script written by Jonathan Tropper, T.S. Nowlin, Jennifer Flackett, and Mark Levin.
Release Date: March 11 via Netflix
“Umma”
Sandra Oh has a busy month ahead. Along with her voice work in “Turning Red” and the final season of “Killing Eve,” she now adds “Umma,” a horror film written and directed by filmmaker Iris K Shim (“The House of Suh.”) Oh leads the movie as Amanda whose quiet life on an American farm with her daughter is disrupted when the remains of her estranged mother arrive from Korea. Soon, Amanda becomes haunted by the fear of turning into her mother. Odeya Rush, Fivel Stewart, and Dermot Mulroney also star.
Release Date: March 18 in theaters via Sony Pictures Releasing
“The Outfit“
Mark Rylance leads a sprawling cast that includes Johnny Flynn, Zoey Deutch, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Dylan O’Brien in the debut film from “The Imitation Game” scribe Graham Moore. Moore steps behind the camera for “The Outfit,” a period-setting piece that follows Leonard, an English tailor who used to craft suits on London’s world-famous Savile Row and whose place of operation now acts as a dropbox for gang members to do their business in Chicago. The crime-thriller drama, which premiered at the 2022 Berlin International Film Festival, is relatively self-contained, with the majority of the action taking place within the confines of Leonard’s workplace. Moore is also credited for writing the screenplay.
Release Date: March 18 in theaters via Focus Features
“Alice“
Another film that had its premiere at this year’s Sundance, “Alice” stars Keke Palmer as the titular character. Palmer plays a young enslaved woman who yearns for freedom on a Georgia plantation which, once escaping, realizes the year is 1973. She meets a political activist who helps her confront the lies and manipulations that had kept her enslaved. Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Krystin Ver Linden, the film also stars Common (who also wrote the music,) Jonny Lee Miller, and Gaius Charles. Our critic praised Palmer’s performance.
Release Date: March 18 in theaters via Roadside Attractions
“Deep Water“
Ben Affleck and Ana De Armas star in “Deep Water,” an adaptation of the 1957 novel of the same name from author Patricia Highsmith. Directed by Adrian Lyne (“Fatal Attraction“) and written by Zach Helm and “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson, the film follows a well-off husband and his wife with who he has an agreement that allows her to have affairs to avoid a divorce. Following the disappearance of her lovers, he becomes the prime suspect in the case. The cast also stars Jacob Elordi, Rachel Blanchard, and Finn Wittrock.
Release Date: March 18 on Hulu via 20th Century Studios
“X”
Following her turn in the latest addition to the “Scream“ franchise, up-and-comer Jenny Ortega continues to showcase her Scream Queen abilities in the upcoming horror film “X.” Directed by Ti West (“In a Valley of Violence,” “The Sacrament“), the story is set in 1979 and follows a group of young filmmakers who set out to make an adult film in rural Texas. Still, it soon turns into a fight for their lives when their host catches them in the act. Mia Goth, Brittany Snow, and Martin Henderson also star. West is also credited with writing and editing the film.
Release Date: March 18 in theaters via A24
“Windfall“
Director Charlie McDowell has directed some of the more understated science fiction films of the last decade, with work such as “The One I Love” and “The Discovery.” In “Windfall,” he reunites with Jason Segel alongside Jesse Plemmons and Lily Collins for another self-contained character study. Following a man who breaks into a tech billionaire’s empty vacation home, his plans soon go sideways when the mogul and his wife arrive for a last-minute getaway. Segel is also credited on the script alongside McDowell and Justin Lader.
Release Date: March 18 via Netflix
“The Lost City“
Aaron and Adam Nee direct Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum in this throwback adventure caper written by Seth Gordon. Bullock stars as Loretta Sage, a reclusive author who has written about exotic places in her popular adventure novels despite having never been there. The stories always feature the handsome cover model, Alan, played by Tatum, and while touring to promote her new book, she is kidnapped, and Alan decides to prove he can be a hero in real life. Daniel Radcliffe plays the film’s antagonist while Brad Pitt, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Bowen Yang also star.
Release Date: March 23 in theaters via Paramount Pictures
“Everything Everywhere All At Once“
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert return following their critically acclaimed 2016 screwball dark comedy “Swiss Army Man,” with a film that looks to equally push the boundaries of narrative structure. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” stars the incredible Michelle Yeoh as a woman who is swept up into an insane adventure where she alone can save the world by exploring other universes connecting with the lives she could have led. Jamie Lee Curtis, Jenny Slate, and Ke Huy Quan also star. The film will make its premiere at the 2022 SXSW film festival.
Release Date: March 25 in theaters via A24
“Nitram“
“Nitram” made waves at last year’s Cannes Film Festival with leading man Caleb Landry Jones winning the Best Actor prize. Justin Kurzel (“True History of the Kelly Gang“) directs this biographical, psychological drama about a young man’s relationship with a reclusive heiress, which, once it ends, leads to the man’s anger and loneliness culminating in a shocking display of violent nihilism. Essie Davis, Sean Keenan, and Judy Davis also star in the film, with our critics singling out the work of Davis and Landry in particular. Our critic called the film “deftly made and phenomenally acted, ‘Nitram’ isn’t a stumble—far from it, it’s an emotional sucker punch.”
Release Date: March 30 in theaters via Madman Films