Lights down, phones off, popcorn popped – it‘s showtime! As an entertainment buff and home theater set-up pro, I‘m excited to be your guide to the wonderful world of movies playing now on the big screens of Ohio. Grab your ticket and let‘s explore all the cinema wonders the Buckeye State has to offer!
Blockbusters Dominate Ohio Marquees
Like theaters across America, Ohio cineplexes shine spotlights on the major studio blockbusters right now. As of November 2022, these crowd-pleasing tentspoles lead the box office charts:
| Movie | Gross Sales | Key Info |
| Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | $367 million | Marvel sequel starring Letitia Wright |
| Black Adam | $166 million | Dwayne Johnson DC antihero film |
| Ticket to Paradise | $80 million | Rom-com with Julia Roberts & George Clooney |
Other top blockbuster offerings packing Ohio theaters include The Woman King, the long-awaited Avatar sequel The Way of Water, and creepy horror Smile. Families also have kid-friendly options like Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and DC‘s Black Adam to enjoy together.
With major budgets, star power, and non-stop action, these Hollywood blockbusters aim to thrill big crowds and rack up box office dollars – which they certainly succeed at!
The Best of Indie Cinema
Beyond the big studio releases, Ohio‘s vibrant independent theaters spotlight the festival favorites and unique gems of indie filmmaking. Buzzed-about titles on area arthouse marquees include:
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The Banshees of Inisherin – Dark comedy starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson by writer/director Martin McDonagh
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Everything Everywhere All At Once – Mind-bending sci-fi adventure with Michelle Yeoh by the Daniels
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Tár – Cate Blanchett in riveting character study of a renowned conductor by Todd Field
Additional acclaimed indies drawing art house crowds currently include director Ruben Ostlund’s satirical Triangle of Sadness and Korean auteur Park Chan-wook’s sumptuous romantic mystery Decision to Leave.
For those craving more than just mainstream fare, these independent films deliver with inspired creativity, visionary direction, and complex themes. Support your local art house theater and catch these cinematic gems before they leave theaters!
Timeless Classics on the Big Screen
Beyond first-run films, repertory cinemas and special event screenings across Ohio keep the magic of classic movies alive as well. For nostalgic film fans, nothing beats experiencing timeless titles on the big screen.
Beloved classics lighting up silver screens in November include holiday perennial It’s a Wonderful Life, Coppola’s opus The Godfather, and Gene Kelly’s joyous Singin’ in the Rain. Additional retro offerings range from Star Wars and Indiana Jones to The Shining and Groundhog Day.
The Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus also hosts regular repertory screenings and film series spotlighting specific directors or genres – an edifying choice for true cinema buffs. And many drive-ins like Blue Sky in Wadsworth supplement new releases with old favorites to watch under the stars.
These special repertory showings let audiences rediscover and newly minted fans experience classic masterpieces as intended – on the big screen with an enthralled crowd.
IMAX and Premium Formats
While most cinemas in Ohio feature traditional screens, some venues allow you to watch movies in enhanced formats:
IMAX
For larger-than-life viewing, IMAX‘s proprietary projection system coupled with immersive sound creates a truly cinematic experience. Movies formatted for IMAX like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever fill screens up to 80 feet tall and 120 feet wide!
Ohio IMAX locations include:
- AMC Easton 30 – Columbus
- Cinemark Valley View – Cleveland
- Cinemark Cincinnati
D-Box Motion Seating
D-Box locations like Cinemark Solon add moving, vibrating seats synced to the action for a 4D effect. Patrons can literally feel the car chases, explosions and more as the movie unfolds around them.
Luxury and Dine-In
For a VIP movie night, chains like CMX offer reserved luxury seating, expanded food menus, and alcoholic beverages that can be ordered right from your seat. It‘s dinner and a show!
Age Policies for R-Rated Films
With the MPAA ratings being voluntary guidance, age policies for R-rated films vary amongst theaters in Ohio. Legally, those under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian according to state law. However, individual chains and independent theaters can enforce stricter age minimums like 18 or 21 for R-rated movies at their own discretion.
For example, AMC classifies R-rated films as 17+ and requires ID for purchase. Meanwhile, local theaters like Capitol Theatre in Cleveland set admission limits at 18+ or 21+ for extra adult content.
When buying tickets, especially for more mature titles like Halloween Ends or raunchy comedy Bros, have your ID ready as proof of age. And always check reviews for guidance on appropriateness for individual younger viewers.
Streaming and On Demand Options Proliferate
While the big screen still offers an unparalleled experience for new releases, more and more movies debut simultaneously in theaters and on streaming/on demand services, especially since the pandemic shifted viewing habits.
Major studios strategically debut films across various home platforms, usually within 30-45 days after theatrical opening. Following are typical streaming windows for new releases:
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Disney+ – Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and other Disney titles
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HBO Max – Warner Bros releases like Elvis
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Netflix – For select titles like Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
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Amazon Prime/AppleTV/Vudu – On demand rentals ($5.99) and purchases ($14.99 – $19.99)
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Redbox – DVD/Blu-ray rentals starting at $2.00
Checking each service‘s newest additions makes it easy to find a just-in-theaters movie for your next movie night at home.
Ohio‘s Historic Movie Palaces
Beyond today‘s megaplexes, Ohio‘s cities still boast grand movie palaces of cinema‘s heyday for a truly time-traveling experience:
Ohio Theatre (Columbus) – Opened 1928 with lavish French Baroque architecture and massive Wurlitzer theater organ, still hosting performances today.
Variety Theatre (Cleveland) – Originally built in 1927 seating nearly 3,000. Featured both movies and vaudeville acts in an opulent setting.
Dayton Art Institute – In addition to fine art, screens indie and foreign films since 1960 in its Rike Cinema to champion film as an artform.
Little Art Theatre (Yellow Springs) – Local treasure opened in 1919 as a nickelodeon. Still screens indie films on one screen in historic, cozy setting.
Cinema Plaza (Cincinnati) – Cutting-edge quadraplex when opened in 1969. Became an indie film haven in the 1990s as part of National Amusements.
For any true cinema nerd, getting to experience a movie within the grand environs of these Ohio theaters is like stepping back into Hollywood‘s Golden Age.
So whatever movie experience you seek – blockbusters, indies, classics, luxury seating, historic venues – Ohio theaters have every option covered. Check local listings, grab some friends, and enjoy the magic of movies on the big screen! Let me know if you need any advice on upgrading your home theater set-up to compete with the cinemas too!
