'Back to the Future' with MSO, films to ring in the new year among new movies in Milwaukee

Note: Go here for the 2024 edition of this movie guide.

This story is updated for the week starting Dec. 29.

At the movies, the old year usually goes out with a whimper.

Think of it as a chance to catch up on the rush of movies that opened at Christmas.

Here’s what’s new — such as it is — in Milwaukee-area theaters starting Friday, as well as some of the new movies available on streaming and on demand this week.

Opening Dec. 25: ‘The Color Purple’

Short version: The boisterous Broadway musical based on Alice Walker’s novel and Steven Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation comes to the big screen with a cast including Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Ciara, Stephen Hill, Corey Hawkins, Aunjanue Ellis, H.E.R., Louis Gossett Jr. and many more.

Where you can see it: ACX Cinema/Bayshore; AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Oriental Theatre; Silverspot Cinema.

Opening Dec. 25: ‘Ferrari’

Short version: Adam Driver plays racing-car magnate Enzo Ferrari who, with his business on the brink of bankruptcy, bets everything on a 1,000-mile race across Italy in the big biopic, directed by University of Wisconsin-Madison grad Michael Mann. Penelope Cruz and Shailene Woodley co-star.

Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Silverspot Cinema.

Opening Dec. 25: ‘The Boys in the Boat’

Short version: The hardscrabble members of the 1936 University of Washington rowing team fight to win — first for survival, then for a shot at the Olympics — in this inspirational, based-on-a-true-story sports drama directed by George Clooney.

Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theaters’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Silverspot Cinema.

‘Back to the Future’ with Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra rings out 2023 with musicians accompanying a screening of the much-loved 1985 movie “Back to the Future.” There’s limited ticket availability for both screenings, at the Bradley Symphony Center: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Info: mso.org.

New Year's movies at Avalon Theater

The Avalon Theater, 2473 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., put together a creative mix of recent and classic holiday movies to ring in 2024. Showing this weekend for New Year’s: noon Dec. 30, “Two Lovers"; and noon Dec. 31, "Four Rooms." Tickets are $10. Info: avalonmke.com.

New Year's movies at Times Cinema

The Times Cinema has gone all-in for the holidays in December. This week’s offerings: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 3, "About Time"; and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 30-31 and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 4, "When Harry Met Sally … ." Tickets are $11. Info: timescinema.com.

RELATED: Times Cinema switches to a repertory-style programming format

New movies on demand

“21 Positions”: A young Spanish couple who make a living carrying out paying viewers’ fantasies online have trouble keeping the spark alive for each other. Available Dec. 29.

New movies on streaming services

“Society of the Snow”: When a rugby team’s plane crashes in the Andes, the remaining passengers are faced with some pretty tough choices to survive. This Spanish drama is on the shortlist for Oscar nominations for best international feature film, makeup and hairstyling, original score, and sound. On Netflix Jan. 4.

“Bitconned”: This documentary chronicles three young hustlers who scammed millions from investors and clients with a bogus cryptocurrency business. On Netflix Jan. 1.

Recent releases newly available on streaming services: “The Holdovers,” on Peacock Dec. 29; “It Lives Inside,” on Hulu Dec. 29; “Time Bomb Y2K,” on Max Dec. 30; “Seriously Red,” on Peacock Jan. 1; “Sons of Summer,” on Peacock Jan. 1; “Guns Down,” on Peacock Jan. 1; “Return to Seoul,” on Prime Video Jan. 1; “Danger Below Deck,” on Hulu Jan. 4.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New movies in Milwaukee: 'Back to the Future' with MSO and more