Arts & Entertainment

Movies Out This Weekend: 'Justice League,' 'Wonder' And More

Can Batman and Wonder Woman save the world from destruction? Plus, pull out the box of tissues for "Mudbound" and Julia Roberts' "Wonder."

With big names like Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck, Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington and Carey Mulligan in movies this weekend, you can expect to see some lines at the box office.

In "Justice League," the world's greatest superheroes (think: Batman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman) team up to try and save the world from evil. Meanwhile, "Wonder" stars Jacob Tremblay as a different type of hero: a 10-year-old boy with a facial deformity who shows his fellow students that it's a person's heart -- and not their looks -- that makes them beautiful.

And who needs Thanksgiving when you can go full steam ahead to Christmas? Just kidding. We definitely still want Thanksgiving — but you don't want to miss "The Star," a fun animated film that tells the nativity story through the eyes of adorable animals.

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See what other films are hitting theaters this weekend, and find out what to see and what to skip:


Movies Out This Weekend

Find out what's happening in Hollywoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.


“Justice League” — Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck, directed by Zack Snyder


The world is in grave danger as it faces the wrath of a looming powerful enemy. Determined to safeguard humanity at any cost, Batman (Ben Affleck) — along with his newfound ally Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) — enlists the help of other super humans: Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and Flash (Ezra Miller). Together, they will form a league of superheroes, called “Justice League.”

Zack Snyder’s superhero film is fueled by convincing performances despite a poorly written screenplay. Plus, Amy Adams and Henry Cavill as Lois Lane and Superman give the movie a memorable beating heart. How, exactly? Sorry, we'll never tell you -- we hate movie spoilers.

See it. “Justice League” is delightfully dramatic — and undoubtedly superior to “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”


Watch Celebrity Extra: Go behind the scenes on set with the stars of "Justice League"


 (L-R) Dee Rees, Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Mary J. Blige, and Jason Mitchell at 'Mudbound' Special Screening at Chateau Marmont on November 8 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Netflix)
(L-R) Dee Rees, Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Mary J. Blige, and Jason Mitchell at 'Mudbound' Special Screening at Chateau Marmont on November 8 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Netflix)

“Mudbound” — Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Mary J. Blige, directed by Dee Rees


A film adaptation of Hillary Jordan’s best-selling novel, Dee Rees’ “Mudbound” is a poignant story about people navigating simmering racial tensions and prejudice in the 1940s rural American South.

Set in the Mississippi Delta during World War II, the period piece is a multi-layered story told from different points of view, all linked by the common thread of discrimination. Laura McAllan (Carey Mulligan) faces sexism after moving from city life in Memphis to a rural cotton farm. Meanwhile, her brother-in-law (Garrett Hedlund) battles addiction after returning home from war. Also home from combat is Army veteran Ronsel Jackson (Jason Mitchell), the son of a black tenant farmer who finds his celebrated war hero status waning in the face of local racism.

See it. The searing Netflix-produced drama is electrifying.


Actors Jacob Tremblay (L) and Owen Wilson attend the Premiere of Liongate's 'Wonder' at the Regency Village Theatre on November 14 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Actors Jacob Tremblay (L) and Owen Wilson attend the Premiere of 'Wonder' at the Regency Village Theatre on November 14 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for Lionsgate)

“Wonder” — Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, directed by Stephen Chbosky


Jacob Tremblay stars as August “Auggie” Pullman, a 10-year-old boy born with a facial deformity, in Stephen Chbosky’s "Wonder," adapted from R.J. Palacio’s best-selling novel. In the movie, Auggie attends public school for the first time after being homeschooled for years. As he braves his new world, Auggie shows that it’s humanity and compassion that define us all and not our physical differences. Tremblay is dazzling as he captures Auggie’s pain, agony and zest for life, while Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson are magnificent in their roles as his protective parents.

See it. But just remember to bring a pack of tissues. “Wonder” will leave no tear ducts dry.


Zachary Levi and Gina Rodriguez attend "The Star" world premiere at the Regency Village Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA on Nov 12. (Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures)
Zachary Levi and Gina Rodriguez attend "The Star" world premiere at the Regency Village Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA on Nov 12. (Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures)

“The Star” — Steven Yeun, Keegan-Michael Key, Aidy Bryant, directed by Timothy Reckart


The animated movie tells the story of the first Christmas, but with an interesting twist. You see, it's told through the eyes of a brave donkey, Bo (Steven Yeun), along with his new set of pals: Ruth the sheep (Aidy Bryant), three camels (Oprah Winfrey, Tracy Morgan and Tyler Perry), and his confidante, Dave the dove (Keegan-Michael Key). Together, the all-star cast makes this Christmas story incredibly enchanting.

See it. Notwithstanding a disappointing musical score, this retelling of the nativity story is totally uplifting.


 Eric Charbonneau/Columbia Pictures)
A conversation with Denzel Washington and Dan Gilroy following a screening of “Roman J. Israel, ESQ” at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sep 10. (Photo Credit: Eric Charbonneau/Columbia Pictures)

“Roman J. Israel, ESQ” — Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, directed by Dan Gilroy


In the sophomore feature from Dan Gilroy (who also directed “Nightcrawler”), Denzel Washington stars as the titular character — an idealistic civil-rights lawyer. He begins to stray from his convictions and morals when he starts collaborating with a high-priced attorney (Colin Farell) after a series of life-altering events. Disappointingly, the film can’t be saved even by Washington’s larger-than-life performance.

Skip it. The movie meanders, and by the end, the whole narrative is a little too pat to be convincing.


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Top Photo: (L-R) Actors Jason Momoa, Henry Cavill, Ezra Miller, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, and Ben Affleck attend the premiere of 'Justice League' at the Dolby Theatre on November 13 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Warner Bros)

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