A Look at the 9 New Movies Coming Out This Week: ‘Heretic,’ ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’ and More!

This week, we have a wide range of new movies coming out, including a few that could be winners come award season! From chilling thrillers to heartwarming family fare, there’s something to pique the interest of every film fan!

The first is the horror/thriller Heretic by the writers of A Quiet Place. This tense tale follows two young Mormon missionaries who find themselves trapped in the home of a deranged man, played by Hugh Grant.

Next is the holiday-themed comedy The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, based on the beloved book, starring Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, and Lauren Graham. It’s a family-friendly romp that will get you in the festive spirit!

We’ve also got the post-apocalyptic adventure Elevation starring Anthony Mackie, the acclaimed drama The Piano Lesson based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, and the anime spinoff Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom. And that’s just to name a few!

So grab your popcorn, settle in, below is the complete list of all the new movies coming out this week in theaters and streaming!

New Movies Coming Out This Week: November 4 – 10, 2024

Heretic  (2024)

Rating:  R 

Release Date:  In theaters nationwide on Friday, November 8, 2024. 

Summary: In Heretic, two young Mormon women (Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher) have been spreading the word of God door to door without much success. They knock on Mr. Reed’s (Hugh Grant) door, and he welcomes them in, eager to hear what they have to say. The two girls soon learn that they are captive in the house and are to play a game of cat-and-mouse in the home of a madman.

What to Watch For:  The writers/directors of the film, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, wrote A Quiet Place (2018) with John Krasinski. 

Word on the Street: The film is currently at over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, with over 55 film critic reviews.

My Take: Hugh Grant wrote a full biography of his character in Heretic to understand better why Mr. Reed became the monster he is in the film. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever  (2024)

Rating:  PG

Release Date:  In theaters on Friday, November 8, 2024. 

Summary: In The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Grace (Judy Greer) has been given the reigns of the annual Christmas Pageant. One problem: the Herman kids, the terrors of the neighborhood, are determined to be included in this year’s pageant. Wherever the Herman kids go, mayhem and trouble always follow. Will Christmas survive?

What to Watch For: The film is based on the book of the same name by Barbara Robinson.

Word on the Street: The film is from Dallas Jenkins, the award-winning director of the TV program The Chosen, and the 2007 film Midnight Clear.

My Take: I have been told that there is a surprise during the movie’s credits.

Elevation  (2024)

Rating:  N/A

Release Date:  In theaters on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Summary: Elevation occurs in the post-apocalyptic Rocky Mountains, where people are safe above an elevation of 9,000 feet from monstrous creatures that have taken over the planet. A single father (Anthony Mackie) will have to venture below the safe elevation to bring back life-saving medical supplies for his son.

What to Watch For: Anthony Mackie is best known for his role in the Marvel films as Sam Wilson/Falcon. Next year, he will star in Captain America: Brave New World, taking over the name/shield from Steve Rogers (Chris Evans).

Word on the Street: The film was shot on location in and around Boulder, Colorado. 

My Take: A favorite actor of mine, Morena Baccarin, plays a woman who joins up with Mackie’s character to save the boy. Baccarin is known for her role as Vanessa in the Deadpool film series.

The Piano Lesson  (2024)

Rating:  PG-13

Release Date:  In select theaters on Friday, November 8, 2024, and the Netflix platform on Friday, November 22, 2024. 

Summary: The Piano Lesson focuses on the Charles family in 1936 Pittsburgh during the Depression and their conflict over what to do with a treasured heirloom piano, a legacy of their enslaved ancestors. 

What to Watch For: The is an adaptation of playwright August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

Word on the Street: The film has been a massive hit on the film festival circuit, winning awards at the Hamptons International Film Festival and the Mill Valley Film Festival. 

My Take: Malcolm Washington, the son of Denzel Washington, directs the film. Malcolm’s brother, John David Washington, plays Boy Willie in the film.

Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom  (2024)

Rating:  N/A

Release Date:  In theaters on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Summary: In Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom, Momonga, now known as the Sorcerer King Ains Ooal Gown, rallies the Sorcerer Kingdom and its undead army to join the fight alongside the Sacred Kingdom and the Slane Theocracy hoping to defeat the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth.

What to Watch For:  The film is a spinoff of the popular TV series Overlord.

Word on the Street: The movie has already grossed over 5.5 million dollars worldwide.

My Take: The director of the film, Naoyuki Itô, directed 45 of the episodes of the TV series Overlord.

Bird  (2024)

Rating:  R

Release Date:  In theaters on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Summary: Bird is about 12-year-old Bailey (Nykiya Adams), who lives with her half-brother Hunter (Jason Buda) and her father, Bug (Barry Keoghan). Bug is about to get married, and Bailey is worried that his new wife and her child will take what little time Bug has for her and Hunter. Then Bailey meets Bird (Franz Rogowski), and her life is turned upside down. 

What to Watch For:  Writer/director of the film, Andrea Arnold, was nominated for two awards at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Word on the Street: Barry Keoghan dropped out of Gladiator II to star in this film.

My Take: Franz Rogowski was amazing as Tomas in the 2023 film Passages.

Small Things Like These  (2024)

Rating:  PG-13

Release Date:    In theaters on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Summary: Small Things Like These takes place in Ireland in 1985, where Bill (Cillian Murphy), a local coal distributor, lives with his wife and five children. While delivering coal, he sees a sight that will change his life: a young woman is screaming while being dragged against her will by two nuns and another woman into the church of the convent he is delivering to.

What to Watch For: Emily Watson won the Silver Berlin Bear Award for Best Supporting Performance as Sister Mary at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival. 

Word on the Street: The film was shot on location in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland.

My Take: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are the producers of the film.

The Last Rifleman  (2023)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date:  In theaters on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Summary: The Last Rifleman is about Artie Crawford (Pierce Brosnan), a World War II veteran who has just lost his wife while living in a care home in Northern Ireland. Artie decides to escape his care home and embarks on a journey to France to pay his final respects on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landing. 

What to Watch For: The film is based on a true story.

Word on the Street: The Last Rifleman will be the last film role for the late John Amos.

My Take: The man the film is based on, Bernard Jordan, made his escape/trip when he was 89.

Weekend in Taipei  (2024)

Rating:  R

Release Date:  In theaters on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Summary: Weekend in Taipei takes place when a federal agent (Luke Evans) and his former lover (Gwei Lun-Mei) cross paths once again, unaware that their meeting will have dangerous and deadly consequences. 

What to Watch For:  Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Leon: The Professional) co-wrote the script with director George Huang.

Word on the Street: Most of the film was shot on location in Taipei.

My Take: Luke Evans starred in a TV series that I loved, The Alienist. 

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.