A Look at the 11 New Movies Coming Out This Week: ‘Arthur the King,’ ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes,’ and More!

Curious about the new movies coming out this week? With 11 new movies, there’s something for every movie fan!

At the top of the list is Arthur the King. Dog lovers will pack the theatre for this true story, starring Mark Wahlberg as an adventure racer joined by an incredible stray dog named Arthur. Next up, Justice Smith and David Alan Grier star in the story of a secret society in the comedy The American Society of Magical Negroes.

There is also a documentary, Frida, about the groundbreaking artist Frida Kahlo. And if you’re feeling a bit romantic, there’s the rom-com Irish Wish, set in Ireland and starring Lindsey Lohan, who magically gets her wish to marry her long-lost love. 

Below is the full list of all the new movies coming out this week in theaters and streaming!

New Movies Coming Out This Week: March 11, 2024 – March 17, 2024  

Arthur the King  (2024)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: In theaters nationwide on Friday, March 15, 2024

Summary: In Arthur the King, Mikael Lindnord (Mark Wahlberg) is an adventure team racer who believes this is his last chance to win the 435-mile endurance race through the Dominican Republic. Mikael befriends a wounded stray dog named Arthur. Against the odds, Arthur joins the team in the race and becomes a valued team member.

What to Watch For: The film is based on the true story chronicled in the book Arthur – The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home by Mikael Lindnord.

Word on the Street: The film won the Truly Moving Picture Award at the 2024 Heartland Film Festival.

My Take: I love any film where the dog is one of the main characters.

The American Society of Magical Negroes  (2024)

Rating:  PG-13

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 15, 2024

Summary: The American Society of Magical Negroes takes place when Aren (Justice Smith) is recruited to join a secret group, The American Society of Magical Negroes, made up of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people feel better about themselves.

What to Watch For: This is the feature film debut for writer/director Kobi Libii, who is best known for his role as Oliver Shaw in the TV series Madam Secretary.

Word on the Street: Kobi Libii won the Directors to Watch award at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival.

My Take: One of my favorite comedic actors, David Alan Grier, plays Roger, Aren’s mentor in the Society.

Frida  (2024)

Rating: R

Release Date: Premiering on Prime Video on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Summary: The documentary Frida is about the life of dynamic and iconic artist Frida Kahlo, who led a raw and magical life, bringing joy to millions through her artwork.

What to Watch For: The film is told through Frida’s own words from diaries, essays, letters, and interviews.

Word on the Street: The film won the U.S. Documentary Editing Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

My Take: The film uses animation to bring Frida’s artwork to life. 

Irish Wish  (2024)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: Premiering on Netflix on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Summary: Irish Wish takes place when the love of Maddie’s life, Paul (Alexander Vlahos), gets engaged to her best friend. Against her better judgment, Maddie (Lindsay Lohan) goes to Ireland to be in the wedding. While in Ireland, Maddie makes a wish that she was the one marrying Paul and wakes up the following day discovering that she is now the bride-to-be. Be careful what you wish for; they might come true.

What to Watch for: Lindsay Lohan is half Irish in real life, as her father, Michael Lohan, is from Galway, Ireland.

Word on the Street: The film is directed by Janeen Damian, who directed Lindsay in the very popular 2022 Netflix Holiday movie Falling for Christmas.

My Take: Hey, I’m happy with Lindsay making these rom-coms as they seem perfect for her.

Remembering Gene Wilder  (2023)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Summary: The documentary Remembering Gen Wilder is about the legendary actor Gene Wilder, who went from the Broadway stage to starring in classic films like Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), and Silver Streak (1976).

What to Watch For: The film uses Gene Wilder’s voice to narrate his life story.

Word on the Street: The film has interviews with Alan Alda, Harry Connick Jr., Burton Gilliam, Carol Kane, Ben Mankiewicz, Eric McCormack, Mel Brooks, and Rain Pryor, the daughter of Richard Pryor.

My Take: The film has won awards at film festivals, including the Audience Award at the 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival. 

Snack Shack  (2024)

Rating: R

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Summary: Snack Shack takes place in the summer of 1991, when two best friends, A.J. (Conor Sherry) and Moose (Gabriel Labelle), get the chance to run the swimming pool snack shack. The small town pool and the two best friends will never be the same.

What to Watch For: Mika Abdalla plays Brooke, a lifeguard at the pool, that could cause some friction between A.J. and Moose. Abdalla is best known for her role as McKeyla McAlister in the Emmy-nominated Netflix series Project MC2.

Word on the Street: The movie is from filmmaker Adam Rehmeier. He is best known for his award-winning 2020 film Dinner in America.

My Take: After seeing the trailer for the film, the R rating looks to be well rewarded.

One Life  (2023)

Rating: PG

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Summary: One Life is the story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a young London broker, who, in the months leading up to World War II, almost single-handedly rescued over six hundred children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia.

What to Watch For: The film is based on a true story, which is famous because Nicky was honored at a surprise BBC television show, when most of the audience was made up of the surviving children, now adults. 

Word on the Street: The cast includes Lena Olin, Johnny Flynn (who plays the young Nicky Winton), Helena Bonham Carter, and Anthony Hopkins, who plays Nicky fifty years after his heroics in WWII.

My Take: I hear the film was a massive success at the 2024 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

Club Zero  (2023)

Rating:  N/A

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Summary: In Club Zero, Miss Novak (Mia Wasikowska) is a new teacher at an exclusive private school, where she is about to teach a course called conscious eating. Miss Novak forms a strong bond with five students, a relationship that eventually takes a very dangerous turn.

What to Watch For: The film was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

Word on the Street: The movie is from filmmaker Jessica Hausner, known for her award-winning films Little Joe (2019), Lourdes (2011), and Lovely Rita (2001).

My Take: I love that Mia Wasikowska keeps taking these incredibly interesting roles.

French Girl  (2024)

Rating: R

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Summary: French Girl is about Gordon (Zach Braff), a high school teacher from Brooklyn, who loves Sophie (Evelyne Brochu), a chef. Sophie gets invited to her hometown of Quebec City, where she is tested to become part of the staff of a Michelin 3-star restaurant run by super-chef Ruby (Vanessa Hudgens). The only problem is that Ruby is Sophie’s former girlfriend,. And Gordon is convinced that Ruby wants his girlfriend back.

What to Watch For: The film’s writers/directors, James A. Wood and Nicolas Wright, are both from Quebec and want to make a film to be a love letter to their hometown.

Word on the Street: The film was shot on location in Quebec.

My Take: One of my favorite character actors, William Fichtner, plays Gordon’s best friend back in Brooklyn and is always there to give advice.

Knox Goes Away  (2023)

Rating: R

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Summary: In Knox Goes Away, John Knox (Michael Keaton) is a career contract killer who is good at his job. He is diagnosed with a rare form of dementia and will lose his memory in weeks. Now, his long-estranged adult son has shown up at his doorstep in deep trouble and needs Knox’s help.

What to Watch For: This is Michael Keaton’s second directorial work. His first was the 2008 crime thriller, Merry Gentleman.

Word on the Street: The cast includes Al Pacino, Marcia Gay Harden, James Marsden, Ray McKinnon, Joanna Kulig, and Dennis Dugan.

My Take: The film is written by Gregory Poirier, known for his screenplays of National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007), Gossip (2000), and Rosewood (1997)

Uproar  (2023)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Summary: Uproar is about Josh (Julian Dennison), a seventeen-year-old who is just trying to keep his head down and survive high school as an Aboriginal native surrounded by white kids in his New Zealand hometown. Talked into taking drama from one of his teachers (Rhys Darby), his life opens up, and he is suddenly aware that the world needs his views and presence.

What to Watch For: Julian Dennison is known for his roles as Ricky Baker in the 2016 film Hunt for the Wilderpeople and as Firefist in the 2018 film Deadpool 2. 

Word on the Street: The film was shot on location in New Zealand.

My Take: The always fabulous Minnie Driver plays Josh’s mom.

Which New Movies Coming Out This Week Are You Excited to Watch?

Below, let us know what new movies you plan to see this week!