Buffalo Movies: 20th Buffalo International Film Festival plus new films opening this weekend. Film Focus is your guide to movies in Buffalo

(Above: Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison in The Social Reckoning (2026). Image via IMDB).

By M. Faust

OPENING THIS WEEK:

20^th BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Eight days of new movies, parties and tributes at various local venues. Read more about it here. Hallwalls, Market Aracade, North Park

9 TO 5 (1980, PG) Dolly Parton’s first film was this comedy in which she co-stars with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as secretaries who remake the company where they work after accidentally kidnapping their male chauvinist boss (Dabney Coleman). Directed by Colin Higgins (The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas). Dipson Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

THE BEAST (R) Samuel L. Jackson as an American president who must commander his well-armed limo against an insurrectionist militia. With Joel Kinnaman, Colin Morgan, and Guy Burnet. Directed by Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2). Dipson Capitol, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

COMRADE KALYAN (NR) In this Telugu language action comedy, a rural theater own keeps his business going by appealing to the tastes of the Maoist guerrillas who dominate the area. Starring Radhika Sarathkumar, Mahima Nambiar, and Upendra Limaye. Directed by Janaki Ram Marella and Janakiram Marella. Regal Elmwood

MATLOUB AAELEYAN (NR) Different sources give varying information about this Egyptian film. It seems to be a comedy, but aside from that you’re on your own. Regal Elmwood

MONSTER MIA (NR) A human girl is forced to attend a school for monsters in this European computer animated family film. Directed by Verena Fels. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Walden Galleria

NEVER AFTER DARK (NR) In this Japanese horror-fantasy, a wandering psychic who guides dead souls into the next world is confronted by a spirit that does not wish to leave. Staring Moeka Hoshi, Tae Kimura, and Kento Kaku. Directed by Dave Boyle (Man from Reno). Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST (NR) Chinese comedy-drama about a chef in an unnamed Middle Eastern country who turns his restaurant into a haven for orphans when war breaks out. Starring Shen Teng and Jiang Qiming. Directed by Wen Muye. Regal Transit

OTHER MOMMY (R) From Blumhouse, another horror movie featuring a grotesquely grinning monster. Thought that had been played out by now. Starring Jessica Chastain, Jay Duplass, and Karen Allen. Directed by Rob Savage (The Boogeyman). AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Capitol, Dipson Flix, Dunkirk Multiplex, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Spotlight Theater of Warsaw, Transit Drive-In (Fri-Sat only)

PAN’S LABYRINTH (R) A young girl’s imagination leads her through the dangers of life in the early days of Franco’s fascist Spain in this 20^th anniversary re-release of Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece merging fantasy and political allegory. Starring Sergi López, Ariadna Gil, Ivana Baquero, Maribel Verdú and Doug Jones. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

THE SIXTY-YEAR MISSION: HOW STAR TREK CHANGED TELEVISION AND THE WORLD (NR) Documentary with a self-explanatory title. I love when they do my work for me. Directed by Mark A. Altman. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit (Fri-Sun only)

THE SOCIAL RECKONING (R) Adam Sorkin’s follow-up to The Social Network, focusing on revelations that Facebook ignored evidence that its product was harmful to its users. Starring Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Bill Burr, Betty Gilpin, and Billy Magnussen. AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Amherst, Dipson Capitol, Dipson Flix, Dunkirk Multiplex, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

NOW PLAYING:

AVENGERS ENDGAME: ENCORE (NR) Re-release of the 2019 MCU movie with two minutes of new footage. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Josh Brolin. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. AMC Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Walden Galleria

COYOTE VS. ACME (PG) Rescued from the limbo of being abandoned by its studio for a tax write-off, a live action/animation combination in which Wile E. Coyote sues the company that sold him endless gadgets that did not help him catch the Road Runner. Starring Will Forte, Lana Condor, John Cena, Tone Bell, and Luis Guzmán. Directed by Dave Green (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows). Regal Quaker

DIGGER (R) The weirdly ageless Tom Cruise gets into old age drag to portray a rich industrialist trying to prevent a world-shattering disaster that he caused. With Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman). AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Amherst, Dipson Capitol, Dipson Flix, Dunkirk Multiplex, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Spotlight Theater of Warsaw, Transit Drive-In (Fri-Sat only)

DRISHYAM – THE CONCLUSION (NR) Hindi language sequel that apparently has a story unrelated to parts 1 and 2. And that’s all the info I have. Starring Ajay Devgn, Jaideep Ahlawat, Tabu, and Shriya Saran, Directed by Abhishek Pathak. Regal Elmwood

FORGOTTEN ISLAND (PG) From DreamWorks Animation, a fantasy based on Philippine mythology about two friends trapped on an island that will slowly consumer their memories. With the voices of H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, and Jenny Slate. Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Capitol, Dipson Flix, Dunkirk Multiplex, Joylan, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Spotlight Theater of Warsaw

HEART OF THE BEAST (PG-13) Brad Pitt as a retired Army Special Forces veteran who must travel across 58 miles of Alaskan wilderness to safety with his dog after a plane crash. With J. K. Simmons. Directed by David Ayer (End of Watch). AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Capitol, Dipson Flix, Dunkirk Multiplex, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER (PG-13) Horror sequel, number six if you’re counting. Starring Amelia Eve, Brandon Perea, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, and Lin Shaye. Directed by Jacob Chase (Bad Boy). Transit Drive-In (Fri-Sat only)

OBSESSION (R) In a new variant on the classic story The Monkey’s Paw, a nerd is granted his wish for his childhood crush to become madly in love with him. Starring Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, and Cooper Tomlinson. Directed by Curry Barker (Milk & Serial). Transit Drive-In (Fri-Sat only)

THE ODYSSEY (R) Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of the Greek epic detailing the return voyage of King Odysseus after the Trojan War. Starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. Regal Transit

PRACTICAL MAGIC 2 (PG-13) Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, and Stockard Channing return in this sequel to the 1998 film. Directed by Susanne Bier (In a Better World). Dipson Flix, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Transit Drive-In (Fri-Sat only)

PRIMETIME (R) Robert Pattison as Chris Hansen, host of the 2000s reality crime show “To Catch a Predator”. With Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, and Bokeem Woodbine. Directed by Lance Oppenheim. AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Amherst, Hamburg Palace, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive-In (Fri-Sat only)

RESIDENT EVIL (R) Second reboot of the zombie video game. Starring Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser. Directed by Zach Cregger (Weapons). AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Capitol, Dipson Flix, Dunkirk Multiplex, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive-In (Fri-Sat only)

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY (PG-13) Tom Holland’s fourth appearance as the perennial Marvel comics superhero. With Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, and Marisa Tomei. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

VERITY (R) Best known for comedies like Wet Hot American Summer, director Michael Showalter moves into psychological horror for this story of a writer hired to ghost write the uncompleted novel of a famous author. Starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett. AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Amherst, Dipson Capitol, Dipson Flix, Dunkirk Multiplex, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Spotlight Theater of Warsaw, Transit Drive-In (Fri-Sat only)

ETC.

CANDYMAN (1992, R) Grad students investigating urban legends come across a murderous spirit haunting Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing project. Starring Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Kasi Lemmons, Xander Berkeley, and Vanessa Williams. Directed by Bernard Rose (Paperhouse). Transit Drive-In (Fri-Sat only)

DRAG ME TO HELL (2009) Sam Raimi’s return to low-budget horror after a decade of Spider-Man was this tale of a bank officer who is cursed by a woman whose mortgage she cancelled. Starring Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Dileep Rao, David Paymer Sun only – see individual theaters for show times. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER (1986, NR) Disturbing, gritty low-budget feature loosely based on the life of Henry Lee Lucas. If you’re looking for a fun scary movie for Halloween, this isn’t it. Starring Michael Rooker, Tom Towles, and Tracy Arnold. Directed by John McNaughton (The Harvest). Weds only – see individual theaters for show times. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS (1994, R) The stories of H. P. Lovecraft inspired this John Carpenter film about an insurance investigator (Sam Neil) who starts to feel he is going insane while looking for a missing author. With Julie Carmen, Jürgen Prochnow, David Warner, and Charlton Heston. Fri only – see individual theaters for show times. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

PET SEMATARY (1989, R) Steven King wrote the screenplay for this adaptation of his novel about a cemetery where the dead can return to life. Starring Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby, and Fred Gwynne. Directed by Mary Lambert (Mega Python vs. Gatoroid.). Sat only – see individual theaters for show times. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

PSYCHO II (1983, R) Anthony Perkins returns to his most famous role as Norman Bates is suspected of a new string of murders after he is released from 22 years in an insane asylum. With Vera Miles, Robert Loggia, and Meg Tilly. Thurs only – see individual theaters for show times. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2003, R) Nasty remake of the seventies drive-in classic Starring Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker, R. Lee Ermey and Andrew Bryniarski. Tues only – see individual theaters for show times. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

THE THING (1982, R)—John Carpenter’s remake of the 1950s horror thriller in which the crew at an Antarctic research station uncover a long-frozen alien being. Some of Rob Bottin’s creature effects haven’t dated well, but otherwise Carpenter amps up the story’s paranoia to ferocious levels. The cast includes Kurt Russell, Keith David, Wilford Brimley, T. K. Carter, David Clennon, Richard Dysart, Richard Masur and Donald Moffat. Mon only – see individual theaters for show times. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

TRICK ‘R TREAT (2007, R) Anthology of five short horror stories. Starring Dylan Baker, Rochelle Aytes, Anna Paquin, and Brian Cox. Directed by Michael Dougherty (Krampus). Transit Drive-In (Fri-Sat only)

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THEATER LOCATIONS AND WEBSITES

AMC Maple Ridge, 4276 Maple Road, Amherst https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/buffalo/amc-maple-ridge-8

Angola Theatre, 72 N. Main St., Angola, NY https://angolatheatre.com/

Aurora Theater, 673 Main Street, East Aurora https://theauroratheatre.com/

Dipson Amherst, 3500 Main Street, Buffalo. www.dipsontheatres.com

Dipson Capitol Theater, 720 Builders Way, Niagara Falls www.dipsontheatres.com

Dipson Flix, 4901 Transit Road, Depew www.dipsontheatres.com

Dunkirk Multiplex, 10520 Bennett Road, Dunkirk https://www.dunkirkmultiplex.com/

Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center Cinema, 431 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo https://www.hallwalls.org/

Hamburg Palace, 31 Buffalo Street, Hamburg www.hamburgpalace.com

Joylan, 11 W. Main Street, Springville https://joylantheater.com/

North Park, 1428 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo https://northparktheatre.org/

Market Arcade, 639 Main St., Buffalo https://www.btmcinemas.com/our-locations/g0fz6-scene-one-market-arcade-cinemas/

Regal Elmwood, 2001 Elmwood Avenue., Buffalo https://www.regmovies.com/

Regal Quaker Crossing, 3450 Amelia Drive, Orchard Park https://www.regmovies.com/

Regal Transit, 6707 Transit Road. Williamsville https://www.regmovies.com/

Regal Walden Galleria, Galleria Mall, Cheektowaga https://www.regmovies.com/

Riviera Theater, 67 Webster Street, North Tonawanda https://rivieratheatre.org/

The Screening Room, www.screeningroom.net 

Spotlight Theater of Warsaw, 23 S Main Street, Warsaw https://www.spotlighttheater.com/movie-theater/warsaw

Squeaky Wheel, Tri-Main Center, 2495 Main Street, Suite 310, Buffalo https://squeaky.org/

Transit Drive-In Theatre, 6655 S. Transit Road, Lockport https://www.transitdrivein.com