new in theaters

THE KING'S DAUGHTER: In this historical fantasy based on a Vonda McIntyre novel, Louis XIV (Pierce Brosnan) steals a mermaid's life force in his effort to become immortal. With Kaya Scodelario and Bingbing Fan. Sean McNamara (Soul Surfer) directed. (90 min, PG. Capitol, Essex, Star)

THE TIGER RISING: A boy's discovery of a caged tiger in the woods changes his life in this family film based on Kate DiCamillo's book, starring Dennis Quaid, Katharine McPhee and Queen Latifah. Ray Giarratana directed. (102 min, PG. Capitol)

currently playing

THE 355 ★★ Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz and Bingbing Fan are among the super-spies fighting terrorists in this action flick directed by Simon Kinberg (Dark Phoenix). (122 min, PG-13. Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Roxy)

AMERICAN UNDERDOG ★★1/2 This sports biopic tells the story of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi). With Anna Paquin. Andrew and Jon Erwin (I Can Only Imagine) directed. (112 min, PG. Big Picture, Majestic)

BELLE ★★★★ A shy high schooler (voiced by Kaho Nakamura) escapes into a virtual world where she is a star in this animated adventure from writer-director Mamoru Hosoda (Mirai). (121 min, PG. Roxy, Savoy)

C'MON C'MON ★★★★ Joaquin Phoenix plays a traveling radio journalist who finds himself becoming his young nephew's guardian in this indie drama from writer-director Mike Mills (20th Century Women). (108 min, R. Big Picture)

DRIVE MY CAR ★★★★1/2 A widowed actor (Hidetoshi Nishijima) in the midst of a production of Uncle Vanya develops an unusual relationship with his young chauffeur in this Golden Globe-winning drama from director Ryusuke Hamaguchi. (179 min, NR. Savoy; reviewed 1/19)

ENCANTO ★★★★ A young girl living in a charmed Colombian enclave sets out to discover her own magical powers in the latest Disney animation, cowritten by Lin-Manuel Miranda. (99 min, PG. Majestic)

A HERO ★★★★ In the latest from Iranian director Asghar Farhadi (A Separation), which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, a man (Amir Jadidi) imprisoned for debt has two days to reason with his creditor. (127 min, PG-13. Roxy)

THE KING'S MAN ★★ In this prequel to the Kingsman action-comedy series, Ralph Fiennes plays a spy who organizes a team to defeat an evil cabal. With Gemma Arterton and Rhys Ifans. Matthew Vaughn again directed. (131 min, R. Essex, Majestic)

LICORICE PIZZA ★★★★1/2 A teenager (Cooper Hoffman) pursues a woman (Alana Haim) 10 years his senior in this acclaimed coming-of-age comedy from Paul Thomas Anderson, set in 1973 Los Angeles. With Sean Penn and Tom Waits. (133 min, R. Roxy, Savoy; reviewed 1/12)

THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS ★★★ The reality-bending action franchise gets a new entry, again starring Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss. Lana Wachowski directed; novelist David Mitchell coscripted. (148 min, R. Bijou, Majestic)

RED ROCKET ★★★★ A former porn star and current scammer (Simon Rex) returns to his small Texas hometown and starts making trouble in this acclaimed comedy-drama from director Sean Baker (The Florida Project). (130 min, R. Savoy)

SCREAM ★★★ Rather than a remake, this is a fourth sequel to Wes Craven's slasher classic, set 25 years after the original and featuring returning stars such as Neve Campbell alongside newcomers such as Melissa Barrera. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Ready or Not) directed. (114 min, R. Bijou, Essex, Majestic, Paramount, Roxy, Star, Stowe)

SING 2 ★★1/2 Show biz-loving critters return in this sequel to the animated hit, featuring the voices of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon and Bono. Garth Jennings directed. (112 min, PG. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Star)

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME ★★★1/2 Peter Parker (Tom Holland) seeks the help of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) in the latest installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Jon Watts returns as director. (148 min, PG-13. Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Paramount, Roxy, Star, Stowe)

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH ★★★★1/2 Joel Coen wrote and directed this Shakespeare adaptation starring Denzel Washington as the all-too-ambitious Scotsman and Frances McDormand as his wife. (105 min, R. Essex, Savoy)

WEST SIDE STORY ★★★★1/2 Steven Spielberg directed this new adaptation of the Leonard Bernstein musical in which two young people from opposite sides of a gang war fall in love. (156 min, PG-13. Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Roxy)

older films and special screenings

HOUSE OF GUCCI (Playhouse)

RUTH STONE'S VAST LIBRARY OF THE FEMALE MIND (Savoy)

TCM BIG SCREEN CLASSICS PRESENTS CASABLANCA 80TH ANNIVERSARY (Essex, Sun only)

open theaters

(* = upcoming schedule for theater was not available at press time)

• *BIG PICTURE THEATER: 48 Carroll Rd., Waitsfield, 496-8994, bigpicturetheater.info
• *BIJOU CINEPLEX 4: 107 Portland St., Morrisville, 888-3293, bijou4.com
• CAPITOL SHOWPLACE: 93 State St., Montpelier, 229-0343, fgbtheaters.com
• ESSEX CINEMAS & T-REX THEATER: 21 Essex Way, Suite 300, Essex, 879-6543, essexcinemas.com
• *MAJESTIC 10: 190 Boxwood St., Williston, 878-2010, majestic10.com
• MARQUIS THEATER: 65 Main St., Middlebury, 388-4841, middleburymarquis.com
• *MERRILL'S ROXY CINEMAS: 222 College St., Burlington, 864-3456, merrilltheatres.net
• PARAMOUNT TWIN CINEMA: 241 N. Main St., Barre, 479-9621, fgbtheaters.com
• PLAYHOUSE MOVIE THEATRE: 11 S. Main St., Randolph, 728-4012, playhouseflicks.com
• SAVOY THEATER: 26 Main St., Montpelier, 229-0598, savoytheater.com
• STAR THEATRE: 17 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, 748-9511, stjaytheatre.com
• *STOWE CINEMA 3PLEX: 454 Mountain Rd., Stowe, 253-4678, stowecinema.com