Turn on the Bat-Signal, because there's a new Dark Knight in town.
This weekend, Robert Pattinson makes his debut as Batman in a highly anticipated big-screen superhero tale, with some friends along for the Batmobile ride: Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as the Riddler and Colin Farrell as Penguin. Farrell actually has a double feature this weekend, also starring in a futuristic sci-fi tale that debuted at Sundance Film Festival in January. Two other movies from the fest hit streaming: a modern dating horror flick starring Sebastian Stan, plus director Amy Poehler's documentary about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Here's a guide to new movies that'll satisfy every cinematic taste, plus some noteworthy theatrical films making their debut on streaming services and on-demand platforms:
Review: Robert Pattinson embodies a broody, brawny Dark Knight for a new era in 'The Batman'
If you live for all things Robert Pattinson (or dig the Dark Knight): 'The Batman'
With blockbuster bombast and a bunch of real-world inspiration, director Matt Reeves' dive into comic-book lore is an excellent one, with Pattinson impressively donning the cape and cowl as both tortured hero and clever detective. There have been better Batmen, but this is one of the best big-screen takes on Gotham City ever, with the Caped Crusader meeting new but familiar faces, hunting a serial killer and learning unsavory truths about his crime-ridden hometown and his beloved parents.
Where to watch: In theaters
'It was terrifying': 'The Batman' star Robert Pattinson embraces a superhero who's 'a mess'
If you think your love life is a horror show: 'Fresh'
There are major "American Psycho" vibes – plus a smidge of "Hannibal" – in director Mimi Cave's debut, which has a solid premise but doesn't do enough with its pitch-dark sense of humor. Daisy Edgar-Jones ("Normal People") is pretty much done with online dating when she has a grocery store meet-cute with a handsome vegetarian doctor (Stan). A romantic getaway turns into a fight for survival – and the reveal of the doc's super-creepy side hustle.
Where to watch:Hulu
If you grew up on old-school sitcoms: 'Lucy and Desi'
An insightful companion piece to Aaron Sorkin's "Being the Ricardos," Poehler's documentary takes on the lives of the 1950s "I Love Lucy" power couple, charting Ball's and Arnaz's formative early lives to them coming together as husband and wife as well as a creative force in Hollywood. Weaving in old interviews, the film fascinatingly takes a look at how their influential work both drove them apart but also kept them bonded, even after their wedded bliss ended.
Where to watch:Amazon Prime
'Lucy and Desi': Amy Poehler discovered a 'very sexy power couple' at the heart of 'I Love Lucy'
If you enjoy sci-fi that tugs at the heart: 'After Yang'
First off, the dance-happy opening is a truly joyful sight to behold. Starting with humor before filling your heart, director Kogonada's introspective and soulful film explores loss and what it means to be human. Jake (Farrell) is a tea shop owner in the future seeking to fix his Chinese daughter's lifelike companion android (Justin H. Min), and he discovers this busted automated family member is much more than a simple machine.
Where to watch: In theaters and on Showtime
If you crave a feminist thriller: 'Huda’s Salon'
With strong political commentary and a tight, no-filler plot, Hany Abu-Assad's tense film centers on Reem (Maisa Abd Elhadi), who goes to a West Bank hair salon with her baby. After being drugged and blackmailed by the salon owner (Manal Awad) – an undercover spy – Reem becomes dangerously caught between Israeli secret service and Palestinian resistance. It's a well-done morality tale about women trapped by patriarchal societies that'll wrack your nerves till the uneasy ending.
Where to watch: In theaters and on Apple TV, Google Play
If you're a fan of female-centered action vehicles: 'Asking for It'
Kiersey Clemons plays a small-town waitress who, after being raped, falls in with a group (including Alexandra Shipp and Vanessa Hudgens) of women vigilantes and sexual assault survivors. They set their sights on taking down a men's rights activist (an incredibly smarmy Ezra Miller) and his followers, though run afoul of a ruthless police chief (David Patrick Kelly). While the mashup of 1970s-era grit with #MeToo themes doesn't completely coalesce, there's still plenty of cathartic justice to be had.
Where to watch: In theaters and on Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play
Also on streaming
After debuting in theaters in December, Steven Spielberg's Oscar-nominated "West Side Story," starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler and Screen Actors Guild Award winner Ariana DeBose, is now meeting audiences in multiple places: It's streaming on Disney+, HBO Max and on-demand platforms.
Japanese drama and fellow best picture nominee "Drive My Car" – a favorite for the best international film Academy Award – is also on HBO Max, as well as on demand.
Need a third contender to complete your Oscar binge? Paul Thomas Anderson's 1970s coming-of-age drama "Licorice Pizza" – up for best picture, director and original screenplay – has finally hit Apple TV and other on-demand platforms.
But if your tastes tend toward scary rather than artsy fare, the fifth and latest installment of the "Scream" franchise is now haunting on demand.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The Batman,' 'Lucy and Desi' doc: New films streaming, in theaters
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