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  • Watch the Marvel Movies in Story Order

    Watch the Marvel Movies in Story Order

    Marvel Studios' Marvel Cinematic Universe. Photo: Marvels Studio.
    Marvel Studios’ Marvel Cinematic Universe. Photo: Marvels Studio.

    It’s fair to say that the Marvel movies, specifically the Marvel Cinematic Universe releases, have reached “cultural event” status.  And there’s a strong case to be made that the MCU is a currently a pop culture juggernaut, the likes of which we haven’t since the original ‘Star Wars‘ trilogy hit theaters for the first time.

    Now the MCU saga is continuing on TV, starting with ‘WandaVision‘ and continuing  with ‘Loki,’ ‘The Falcon and the Winter Solider,’ ‘Ms. Marvel,’ ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,’ ‘Hawkeye,’ ‘Moon Knight,’ ‘Secret Invasion‘, ‘Echo‘, ‘Agatha All Along‘, and ‘Daredevil: Born Again‘.

    Not to mention the new “Special Presentation” movies that Marvel has debuted on Disney+ including ‘Werewolf by Night‘ and ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.’

    It is a great time to watch the Marvel movies in order now and you can watch them all on Disney Plus in 4K format. You can even plan virtual Marvel movie nights with your friends using Disney+ GroupWatch feature.


    Captain America: The First Avenger

    (L to R) Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan in 'Captain America: The First Avenger'. Photo: Marvel Studios.
    (L to R) Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

    During World War II, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a sickly man from Brooklyn who’s transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Rogers must stop the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) – Adolf Hitler’s ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a mysterious device of untold powers for world domination.

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    Captain Marvel

    The story follows Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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    Iron Man

    After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.

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    The Incredible Hulk

    Scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) scours the planet for an antidote to the unbridled force of rage within him: the Hulk. But when the military masterminds who dream of exploiting his powers force him back to civilization, he finds himself coming face to face with a new, deadly foe.

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    Iron Man 2

    With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances – and confront powerful enemies.

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    Thor

    Against his father Odin’s (Anthony Hopkins) will, The Mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) – a powerful but arrogant warrior god – recklessly reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

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    The Avengers

    When an unexpected enemy emerges and threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins!

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    Iron Man 3

    When Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.

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    Thor: The Dark World

    Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos… but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

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    Captain America: The Winter Soldier

    (L to R) Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'. Photo: Marvel Studios.
    (L to R) Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson in ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

    After the cataclysmic events in New York with ‘The Avengers’, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), aka Captain America is living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon (Anthony Mackie). However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

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    Guardians of the Galaxy

    Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.

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    Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

    The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) true parentage.

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    Avengers: Age of Ultron

    When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron (James Spader) emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

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    Ant-Man

    Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Doctor Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

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    Captain America: Civil War

    Following the events of ‘Age of Ultron’, the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers, causing two factions to side with Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) or Captain America (Chris Evans), which causes an epic battle between former allies.

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    Black Widow

    Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.

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    Spider-Man: Homecoming

    Following the events of ‘Captain America: Civil War’, Peter Parker (Tom Holland), with the help of his mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York City, with fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man as a new threat, the Vulture (Michael Keaton), emerges.

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    Black Panther

    Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa / Black Panther in 2018's 'Black Panther.'
    Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’

    King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T’Challa assumes the Black Panther mantle to join with ex-girlfriend Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), the queen-mother, his princess-kid sister, members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan ‘special forces’) and an American secret agent, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.

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    Doctor Strange

    After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon (Benedict Cumberbatch) gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under her wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.

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    Thor: Ragnarok

    Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok, the destruction of his home-world and the end of Asgardian civilization, at the hands of a powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanchett).

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    Ant-Man and the Wasp

    Just when his time under house arrest is about to end, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) once again puts his freedom at risk to help Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) dive into the quantum realm and try to accomplish, against time and any chance of success, a very dangerous rescue mission.

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    Avengers: Infinity War

    As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos (Josh Brolin). A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment – the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.

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    Avengers: Endgame

    After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos (Josh Brolin). With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.

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    Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

    Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization and his father, Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung).

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    Spider-Man: Far From Home

    Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his friends go on a summer trip to Europe. However, they will hardly be able to rest – Peter will have to agree to help Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) uncover the mystery of creatures that cause natural disasters and destruction throughout the continent.

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    Spider-Man: No Way Home

    Tom Holland in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.' Photo: Marvel Studios.
    Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.

    Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a super-hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man. Teaming with other Multiverse Spider-Men (Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield), they must now work together to take out the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), Electro (Jamie Foxx) and other Spider-Man villains from around the multiverse.

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    Eternals

    The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants.

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    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

    Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.

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    Thor: Love and Thunder

    After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg, and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

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    Werewolf by Night

    On a dark and somber night, a secret cabal of monster hunters emerge from the shadows and gather at the foreboding Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. In a strange and macabre memorial to the leader’s life, the attendees are thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic—a hunt that will ultimately bring them face to face with a dangerous monster.

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    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

    Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.

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    The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

    On a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), the Guardians head to Earth in search of the perfect present. The special follows Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) as they set out to give Quill the best Christmas ever, after discovering that Yondu (Michael Rooker) ruined the holiday for him as a child.

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    Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3

    Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

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    Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

    (L to R) Kathryn Newton as Cassandra "Cassie" Lang and Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in Marvel Studios' 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.' Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.
    (L to R) Kathryn Newton as Cassandra “Cassie” Lang and Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.

    Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), along with with Hope’s parents Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) , and Scott’s daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), find themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible and pits them against Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors).

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    The Marvels

    (L to R) Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan, Brie Larson as Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers, and Teyonah Parris as Captain Monica Rambeau in Marvel Studios' 'The Marvels.' Photo by Laura Radford. © 2023 MARVEL.
    (L to R) Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan, Brie Larson as Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers, and Teyonah Parris as Captain Monica Rambeau in Marvel Studios’ ‘The Marvels.’ Photo by Laura Radford. © 2023 MARVEL.

    Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), aka Captain Marvel, has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe.

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    Captain America: Brave New World

    Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios' 'Captain America: Brave New World'. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.
    Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios’ ‘Captain America: Brave New World’. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.

    After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), Sam (Anthony Mackie) finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

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    Thunderbolts*’

    (L to R) Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Bob (Lewis Pullman), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)in Marvel Studios' 'Thunderbolts*'. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2025 Marvel.
    (L to R) Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Bob (Lewis Pullman), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)in Marvel Studios’ ‘Thunderbolts*’. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2025 Marvel.

    After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, seven disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.

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    The Fantastic Four: First Steps

    (L to R) Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' 'Fantastic Four: First Steps'. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 Marvel.
    (L to R) Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 Marvel.

    Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).

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    Deadpool & Wolverine

    (L to R) Hugh Jackman, Wesley Snipes, Channing Tatum, Dafne Keen, Ryan Reynolds and Jennifer Garner in 'Deadpool & Wolverine'. Photo: Marvel Studios.
    (L to R) Hugh Jackman, Wesley Snipes, Channing Tatum, Dafne Keen, Ryan Reynolds and Jennifer Garner in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ delivers the ultimate, iconic, cinematic team-up throw-down on July 26.

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    Check out our post where we also ranked all of the Marvel movies from worst to best.

  • Movie Review: ‘Salem’s Lot’

    (L to R) Alfre Woodard, John Benjamin Hickey, Makenzie Leigh, Lewis Pullman, and Jordan Preston Carter in 'Salem's Lot'. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.
    (L to R) Alfre Woodard, John Benjamin Hickey, Makenzie Leigh, Lewis Pullman, and Jordan Preston Carter in ‘Salem’s Lot’. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.

    Landing on Max on October 3rd, ‘Salem’s Lot’ is hoping to entice the Halloween movie crowd with its old-school Stephen King chills.

    Yet the movie, which has been sitting completed on a shelf at Warner Bros.’ New Line arm, struggles with its less-than-entirely fresh treatment of the genre and some predictable characters.

    Related Article: J.J. Abrams Will Produce and may Direct Stephen King Film Billy Summers

    Does ‘Salem’s Lot’ get its teeth into you?

    John Benjamin Hickey in 'Salem's Lot'. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.
    John Benjamin Hickey in ‘Salem’s Lot’. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.

    It says something when a film by a writer who has been partly responsible for some of the biggest recent horror hits can’t secure a solid theatrical release. Admittedly, we live in an age where studios and other companies are seemingly quick to banish anything to their streaming services in hopes of propping up their flagging subscriber counts.

    Yet the move also does cause you to worry about the quality of the movie itself –– even with Gary Dauberman, who worked on ‘It’, that film’s sequel and several of the ‘Conjuring’ universe entries (including directing ‘Annabelle Comes Home’) –– at the helm, the result is something caught between two stools.

    Script and Direction

    'Salem's Lot'. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.
    ‘Salem’s Lot’. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.

    Dauberman certainly has the credits and drawing from one of Stephen King’s other classic novels might be cause to think this one is a slam dunk. And yet… ‘Salem’s Lot’ has some big issues in both tone and plotting.

    While the movie certainly boasts an impressively retro style (it evokes the 1970s setting very well, with song choices, art direction and cinematography all doing their job on that front), the throwback nature of the plotting is a problem. This is a movie that feels, even though it runs close to two hours, like chunks have been chopped out of it, characters knowing information you’re not sure how they gleaned, and plot developments skipping ahead with key connective tissue missing.

    Filmmakers place value in “show, don’t tell,” but here the occasionally extra moment of “tell” would not have gone amiss. Vampire lore is apparently something everyone is well versed in, but there’s little reason to suspect why.

    The style also extends to the effects work, and while some imagery, such as crosses that seem to glow with angelic light when they come into contact with vampires is cool, it’s also distracting in places. Dauberman seemingly has a handle on what makes King’s stories creepy to begin with but falls down when it comes to more climactic moments.

    Performances

    With Lewis Pullman scoring a well-earned starring role, the film also features some good work from respected character performers, though one or two from the cast let the side down.

    Lewis Pullman as Ben Mears

    Lewis Pullman in 'Salem's Lot'. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.
    Lewis Pullman in ‘Salem’s Lot’. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.

    Pullman has been a supporting actor for years, waiting in the wings for lead roles. Mears offers him one (though the movie was shot in 2021, so he’s been waiting longer than planned), the King stand-in who anchors the movie.

    Mears is a troubled yet likeable type, with an easy charm that Pullman can handle with grace and attitude, the everyman archetype coming naturally to him. And the role puts the actor through the wringer, having to deal with the growing supernatural threat. A large part of what works about ‘Salem’s Lot’ hangs firmly on his shoulders.

    Makenzie Leigh as Susan Norton

    Makenzie Leigh in 'Salem's Lot'. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.
    Makenzie Leigh in ‘Salem’s Lot’. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.

    Leigh manages to infuse what could be a relatively standard love interest with some spirit. A wannabe realtor stuck working as the secretary for a scummy local agent, she quickly bonds with Ben. And when they are drawn into the mystery of what’s happening around time, Leigh makes her paranoia and fear believable.

    Bill Camp as Matthew Burke

    (L to R) Jordan Preston Carter and Bill Camp in 'Salem's Lot'. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.
    (L to R) Jordan Preston Carter and Bill Camp in ‘Salem’s Lot’. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.

    Camp is an actor I appreciate in pretty much everything –– he brings a grumpy gravitas wherever he goes. Here, as local teacher Matt Burke, he’s allowed to more than just sit at desks and deliver speeches; and he grasps the opportunity with both hands.

    Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody

    Alfre Woodard in 'Salem's Lot'. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.
    Alfre Woodard in ‘Salem’s Lot’. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.

    Woodard, just as accomplished as Camp, doesn’t get as fair a shake, though her doctor certainly has a few moments that stand out, her foul-mouthed reactions to vampires rising from the dead as entertaining as her calm medical demeanor.

    Pilou Asbæk as Richard Straker

    Pilou Asbaek in 'Salem's Lot'. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.
    Pilou Asbaek in ‘Salem’s Lot’. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.

    Asbæk gives good villain, though here he’s mostly the manservant to the actual threat newly moved to town. Still, for what he gets to do, he’s certainly watchable, even if he’s introduced in slightly clumsy, ‘Dracula’-referencing fashion (as much King’s issue as it is Dauberman’s.)

    Supporting cast

    A few other performances pop –– Spencer Treat Clark is good as local handyman/grave digger Mike Ryerson, who becomes one of the early victims of the vampiric plague that begins to sweep the town. John Benjamin Hickey does well as Father Callahan, the local priest who also happens to be the town drunk. And Alexander Ward, though his role is limited to playing the main vamp, Kurt Barlow, is solid as the creature causing the chaos.

    If there are weaker links among the cast, it’s in some of the other supporting players, who rarely break out of the stereotypical roles they’re handed. Though credit to Jordan Preston Carter as Mark Petrie, who gives the most memorable performance from the town’s kids.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Alfre Woodard, John Benjamin Hickey, Makenzie Leigh, Lewis Pullman, and Jordan Preston Carter in 'Salem's Lot'. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.
    (L to R) Alfre Woodard, John Benjamin Hickey, Makenzie Leigh, Lewis Pullman, and Jordan Preston Carter in ‘Salem’s Lot’. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.

    Dauberman certainly deserved better than to have his movie sit in limbo and then get shunted straight to Max. ‘Salem’s Lot’ is far from perfect, but it’s an entirely watchable adaptation of King’s novel, and might well have rustled up some business were in released in cinemas.

    ‘Salem’s Lot’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the plot of ‘Salem’s Lot’?

    Author Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem’s Lot, still haunted by a family tragedy.

    He’s hit town in search of inspiration for his next book only to discover the place where he grew up is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Salem’s Lot’?

    • Lewis Pullman as Ben Mears
    • Makenzie Leigh as Susan Norton
    • Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody
    • William Sadler as Parkins Gillespie
    • Bill Camp as Matthew Burke
    • Pilou Asbæk as Richard Straker
    • John Benjamin Hickey as Father Callahan
    • Jordan Preston Carter as Mark Petrie
    • Spencer Treat Clark as Mike Ryerson
    • Nicholas Crovetti as Danny Glick
    • Cade Woodward as Ralph Glick
    • Alexander Ward as Kurt Barlow
    'Salem's Lot' premieres October 3rd on Max. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.
    ‘Salem’s Lot’ premieres October 3rd on Max. Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema/Max.

    Other Steven King Movies:

    Buy Stephen King Movies On Amazon

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  • What to Watch this Week: ‘Godzilla vs. Kong,’ ‘The Unholy,’ ‘Concrete Cowboy,’ & more

    What to Watch this Week: ‘Godzilla vs. Kong,’ ‘The Unholy,’ ‘Concrete Cowboy,’ & more

    If you’re curious as to what new movie this week might be best for you, Moviefone is here to help you find it and watch it. This week’s selection of movies features freaky ghosts, freaky monsters, and all kinds of grieving. Here are the movies we’re suggesting this week:

    Godzilla vs. Kong (In Theaters and on HBO Max)

    A scene from 'Godzilla vs. Kong'
    A scene from ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’

    For what feels like ages, fans have been watching Kong and Godzilla’s solo movies and waiting ever-so-patiently for the inevitable matchup. Now, the prehistoric predators are reunited, complete with the Monarch corporation watching their every move. Questions arose in the previous films about whether these big guys were friend or foe of the humans, and as they face off, none of it matters because they’re FIGHTING YOU GUYS FOR REAL OH MY GOD DID YOU SEE THAT?!

    Watch It If: You just want to watch an old-fashioned monster slug fest where some people talk occasionally. Also, if you feel comfortable enjoying this in a theater, it is definitely a big screen experience.
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    The Unholy (In Theaters)

    Jeffrey Dean Morgan in 'The Unholy'
    Jeffrey Dean Morgan in ‘The Unholy’

    Jeffrey Dean Morgan (‘The Walking Dead’) is a broke-down journalist who fell from grace for pushing fake news. But wouldn’t ya know, while on assignment to cook up a cheap hacky ghost story, he stumbles on a real one. Alice (played by newcomer Cricket Brown) is a hearing impaired teen living with her priest uncle (William Sadler). She is drawn to the twisted, lone tree on their property and claims to have heard the voice of The Virgin Mary. She begins healing Mary’s believers…but the question remains, who are they really praying to?

    Watch It If: You need some Morgan without Lucille, his ‘Walking Dead’ barbwire bat, and if you want to see Cary Elwes in priest robes. Which, trust me, you totally do.
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    Concrete Cowboy (Netflix)

    Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin in 'Concrete Cowboy'
    Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin in ‘Concrete Cowboy’

    In Philadelphia, there is an organization called The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club that invites young people in the neighborhood to care for horses and learn responsibility and harmony with nature. In this drama, Harp (Idris Elba) is one of the adults doing great things in the neighborhood with the organization, but clashing with his own son Cole (Caleb McLaughlin of ‘Stranger Things’). Will the two men learn the same kind of harmony with each other?

    Watch It If:
    You’d like to learn more about an amazing real-life organization you’ve never heard of (but should), and if father-son dramas get you right in the chest.
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    Shiva Baby (In select theaters and VOD)

    Rachel Sennott in 'Shiva Baby'
    Rachel Sennott in ‘Shiva Baby’

    Rachel Sennott plays Danielle, a complicated modern young woman. When she attends a Jewish funeral with her parents, she runs into not only her sugar daddy, but also her gorgeous Barbie doll-esque ex-girlfriend. It seems as though with each conversation, the situation gets deliciously more complicated and hilarious. You know, on top of the mourning.

    Watch It If: You’ve ever felt trapped at a family function, desperately wanting to pay your respects and leave with a couple of hors d’oeuvres in your pocket.
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    This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection (VOD)

    Mary Twala in 'This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection'
    Mary Twala in ‘This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection’

    Lesotho, a South African country, declared independence 55 years ago and presented this film as its first-ever Oscar entry this year. It features an 80-year-old widow named Mantoa (Mary Twala, in her last film before her death) whose village is being resettled by the government, so they can flood the land and bring water to the landlocked nation. In a series of vivid images showing both Mantoa’s real life and her dreams, the film shares a mother’s rage and pain over the death of her son, and how far she will go to be buried with her family. As she feels ready to shuffle off this mortal coil, she has nothing left to lose.

    Watch It If: You’re hungry for gorgeous cinematography and rich colors, as well as a performance from an actor you’re sure to remember for a long time coming.
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  • Watch the most excellent new trailer for ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music’

    Watch the most excellent new trailer for ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music’

    The latest trailer for ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music’ has just been released, and it gives us more of a glimpse of what we’ll see in the film. Aside from new footage of stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, this trailer shows us a little more of William Sadler reprising his role as Death, and we also see Kristen Schaal telling the Wyld Stallyns what they need to do to save the world (similar to the late George Carlin as Rufus).

    Here’s how the official synopsis describes the film:

    The stakes are higher than ever for the time-traveling exploits of William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. and Theodore “Ted” Logan. Yet to fulfill their rock and roll destiny, the now middle aged best friends set out on a new adventure when a visitor from the future warns them that only their song can save life as we know it. Along the way, they will be helped by their daughters, a new batch of historical figures, and a few music legends – to seek the song that will set their world right and bring harmony in the universe.

    The movie is directed by Dean Parisot (Galaxy Quest) and the writers of the first two ‘Bill & Ted’ films, Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon, have written this latest adventure.

    ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music’ will be available in theaters and on demand September 1, 2020.

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