Top 5 movies playing Florida theaters and streaming this week: July 7-13

After kicking off this year's summer movie season with "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," Marvel debuts its latest superhero blockbuster "Thor: Love and Thunder" on the big screen this week. While not many other new releases will dare to challenge the box-office might of Marvel, there are a few counterprogramming options including the drama "The Forgiven," expanding theatrically. And streaming service options include an acclaimed animated movie heading to Netflix. Here are this week's highlights.

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1. 'Thor: Love and Thunder'

The newest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie stars Chris Hemsworth reprising his role as the titular Avenger, with Natalie Portman returning as Jane Foster, Christian Bale and Russell Crowe joining the cast respectively as Gorr the God Butcher and Zeus, and Thor's MCU-mates the Guardians of the Galaxy making an appearance. Also returning is director, co-writer and co-star Taika Waititi, whose 2017 film "Thor: Ragnarok" is one of the more entertaining MCU movies, with this sequel hopefully joining those ranks.

Where to watch: Theaters on Friday

2. 'The Forgiven'

John Michael McDonagh, the brother of Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated filmmaker-playwright Martin McDonagh, helms this adaptation of the 2012 novel about a couple (recent Oscar winner Jessica Chastain and Ralph Fiennes) who, while driving to a friend's party in Morocco, run over and kill a young local. McDonagh has built a solid filmography with movies such as "The Guard" and "Calvary," and "The Forgiven" earned positive reviews at its Toronto International Film Festival premiere last year.

Where to watch: Limited release in theaters including Burns Court Cinemas

3. 'The Sea Beast'

Chris Williams, who's co-directed Best Animated Feature Oscar-winning/nominated films such as "Big Hero 6" and "Moana," makes his solo directorial feature debut with this movie following a young girl (voiced by Zaris-Angel Hator) who stows away on the same ship as a sea monster hunter (voiced by "The Boys" star Karl Urban.) "The Sea Beast" premiered at this year's Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where it earned strong reviews, suggesting Williams may be competing at the Oscars again soon.

Where to watch: Netflix on Friday

4. 'Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel'

The documentary documents New York's Chelsea Hotel, home over the years to artists such as Patti Smith and Dylan Thomas (and immortalized in song by Leonard Cohen), and its modern-day residents as the building undergoes renovations to reopen to the public. Featuring legendary director Martin Scorsese as one of its executive producers, "Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel" screened at film fests such as Berlin International Film Festival and Tribeca Festival prior to its at-home release.

Where to watch: Video on demand on Friday

5. 'The Only'

This documentary follows National Soccer Hall of Fame-inducted retired goalkeeper Briana Scurry, who won two Olympic gold medals and whose penalty save helped the U.S. win the 1999 Women's World Cup. Along with detailing those career highlights, as well as some of her personal battles, "The Only" examines the trailblazing legacy of Scurry, who is not only a Black woman (the first to be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame), but also openly gay.

Where to watch: Paramount+ on Tuesday

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best movies playing Florida theaters near me and streaming this week