Contrary to what many anticipated, Oscar-nominated films did not deliver a box-office surge for their debut weekend. March unfolds as a crowded calendar filled with compelling options across genres and budgets, including new installments from beloved franchises (Scream VI, John Wick 4), award-winners and festival darlings (Dear Omar, Beauty and Pain, Homeland, Kings of the World), fresh works from acclaimed filmmakers like Mia Hansen-Løve and Emmanuel Mouret, and even a high-profile true-crime flavored comedy about a cocaine-fueled bear.
1) Saint Omer vs. Laurence Coly the public, by Alice Diop (March 3)
Alice Diop’s award-winning debut feature unfolds as a tight courtroom drama with sparse, potent storytelling and a deep emotional backdrop. It follows a writer who becomes entwined in the case of a woman accused of harming her baby, exploring truth, memory, and moral tension through restrained, precise filmmaking.
2) Scream VI by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (March 10)
The sixth chapter in the renowned horror saga pushes the franchise forward with the Radio Silence team pushing the boundaries of suspense. It moves the action to new venues, features Jenna Ortega at peak fame from a beloved streaming series, and reintroduces familiar faces Courteney Cox and Neve Campbell while delivering high-energy scares and sharper direction.
3) Beauty and Pain by Laura Poitras (March 10)
A powerful documentary from Laura Poitras, known for Citizen Four, with a Venice Golden Lion and an Oscar nomination highlighting the life and activism of Nan Goldin. The film centers on Goldin’s fight against the pharmaceutical establishment, weaving personal history with broader social impact.
4) Kings of the World by Laura Mora (March 17)
Laura Mora’s feature, which won the Golden Shell at San Sebastián, blends social realism with gripping adventure as a group of Medellín youths—played largely by non-professional actors—searches for the land one of them inherited, navigating dreams and harsh realities.
5) Shazam! Wrath of the Gods by David F. Sandberg (March 17)
The continued adventures of the DC Comics hero deliver bright, fast-paced action and a warm sense of humor. The new installment reunites Zachary Levi with a vibrant supporting cast including Helen Mirren, Rachel Zegler, and Lucy Liu, offering a polished, crowd-pleasing spectacle.
6) Matr Ia by Álvaro Gago (March 24)
María Vázquez leads this Galician-set drama about a young mother facing tough choices that affect family and work. Themes of care, resilience, and the spaces women inhabit in male-dominated settings anchor this intimate portrait. The film marks Gago’s return to the festival circuit after a Berlin Panorama appearance and is expected to resonate with audiences drawn to character-driven stories.
7) John Wick 4 by Chad Stahelski (March 24)
Keanu Reeves returns as one of contemporary cinema’s most enduring action icons in the fourth entry of the popular saga. Stahelski promises bigger, bolder set pieces, sharper choreography, and a spectacle-tailored to fans who crave high-octane thrills and meticulously staged stunts.
8) Diary of a Fleeting Love by Emmanuel Mouret (March 24)
Mouret himself directs and stars in a witty exploration of love’s contradictions. The film follows the entanglements between a married man and a slightly older single mother, delivering sparkling dialogue, playful misdirection, and refined performances.
9) It’s a Beautiful Morning by Mia Hansen-Løve (March 31)
Hansen-Løve continues to map emotional terrain with sensitivity and grace. Her latest centers on a mother navigating complex family dynamics and personal choices, balancing tenderness with hard-won insight, all set against intimate, character-driven storytelling.
10) Vicious Bear by Elizabeth Banks (March 31)
Cocaine Bear arrives with a mix of comedy, horror, and libertine energy. The film tracks a bear’s wild spree after a drug shipment goes awry, delivering outrageous set pieces and a meta awareness of real-world drug-trade absurdities. Behind the camera, Elizabeth Banks brings a seasoned director’s eye to the chaos.