The 5 movies that won SXSW
By Sandy C.
Dozens of films and events premiered at SXSW this year, these are our top 5!
From a raunchy comedy no one thought much of to a surprise appearance from a beloved actor, SXSW 2018 had a lot in store for us. And whether you attended the festival this year or simply kept an eye on Twitter for the latest news, you can probably already guess which top five movies blew everyone away. And while the festival is far from over, its movie portion has wrapped up!
Here are five to look out for…
Blockers
One of the biggest surprises to come from this year’s SXSW is the positive reaction to the upcoming comedy, Blockers, starring John Cena, Leslie Mann, Kathryn Newton, and others. From the trailer (which you can check out above), it looks like a dumb movie with slapstick humor, but it turns out it’s actually a hilarious dumb movie with slapstick humor. The crowd at the festival loved it, and critics were quick to jump on Twitter to share how much they enjoyed it. Blockers is in theaters April 6.
#Blockers just destroyed at #SXSW - wild raunchy teen sex comedy with lots of big laughs, adorable moments, and John Cena bare ass. The trailers do not do this one justice - really fun time. pic.twitter.com/5ql8jZBK6P
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) March 11, 2018
I’ve seen TRAINWRECK SPY and many many many more comedies debut in this theater and #Blockers blows them allllllll away. #SXSW
— Joanna Robinson (@jowrotethis) March 11, 2018
So far the *ecstatic* response to #BLOCKERS is the biggest surprise I'm hearing out of #SXSW
— Bob Chipman 😁 bobchipman.bsky.social (@the_moviebob) March 11, 2018
A Quiet Place
John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place kicked of SXSW and the premiere was anything but quiet! As audiences left the theater, they couldn’t wait to share their thoughts. Almost a week later, it’s all fans are thinking about. The movie is in theaters April 6, and stars John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Noah Jupe, and Millicent Simmonds.
Critics rave about @johnkrasinski and Emily Blunt's #AQuietPlace which premiered last night at #SXSW https://t.co/qOHXlhOvZm
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) March 10, 2018
DAMN! #AQuietPlace is John Krasinski’s best film as a director. So brilliantly intense and one of those films that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time, literally. Just catching my breathe now#SXSW pic.twitter.com/KTlrigxtfz
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) March 10, 2018
#AQuietPlace: Wow. Opening night at #SXSW brought it *hard.* Thrilling, tremendous sound design and genuinely frightening. What could have been a “gimmick” flick strikes fear and tugs the heartstrings. Survival horror with the right influences.
— Matt Donato (@DoNatoBomb) March 10, 2018
The Director and the Jedi
Despite the mixed reviews Star Wars: The Last Jedi received, fans and critics raced to the SXSW event for The Director and the Jedi, a documentary that follows Rian Johnson as the director of the new Star Wars trilogy. Mark Hamill’s surprise appearance blew the audience away.
@HamillHimself doing the red carpet for The Director and the Jedi this morning. I almost broke down in tears and just blamed it on the allergies #SXSW #BGNSXSW pic.twitter.com/A5tlrMMF8I
— MerMaid Marian (@kynthepen) March 12, 2018
THE DIRECTOR AND THE JEDI is both joyous and heartbreaking. I adore watching them piece together movies of this size, especially #StarWars movies. They documented so many terrific moments - the bts of the @HamillHimself & Carrie Fisher scene was beautiful#sxsw pic.twitter.com/aVd90lkx1r
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) March 12, 2018
This Is Us
In true This Is Us fashion, the second season concluded in a big way — with a big screening of their final episode followed by a Q&A with fans the following day.
#thisisus Panel! I so LOVE this show! Found out it was originally going to be a movie... #SXSW pic.twitter.com/lLv7cFMppS
— Maribel Mendoza (@maribel_here) March 13, 2018
“I’ve had a handle of friends who have had a drinking problem, and I can only imagine what it’s like admitting this to a child. You’re their hero. You’re the strength. You’re the kids everything.” @MiloVentimiglia on playing Jack on #ThisIsUs #SXSW
— Cassie Lee (@cassan_druh) March 13, 2018
Last minute spoilers, anyone? #ThisIsUs #SXSW https://t.co/Chso8b4mbD
— This Is Us Crying (@thisisuscrying) March 13, 2018
Ready Player One
Whether you read the book or not, everyone is waiting for the premiere of Ready Player One. However, fans have had their fears the movie will not be what they are hoping it is. Those fears were put to rest after the movie debuted at the film festival to great responses from both critics and fans.
#ReadyPlayerOne is classic Steven Spielberg. It’s got the references, the ferocious effects and the great ‘80s soundtrack, sure, but also the charm, the heart, the humor and a fantastic Alan Silvestri score. I loved it & so did this #SXSW crowd. Be excited for it! pic.twitter.com/xwPOGwXDxd
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) March 12, 2018
#ReadyPlayerOne was incredible! Seriously shocked. It's unbelievable how much I LOVED it. This movie is going to be HUGE. Every gamer/geek should see it. Satisfying on every level. Getting to hear from Spielberg himself was truly an unforgettable experience. #SXSW pic.twitter.com/6WlpRT36iH
— eric 💤 (@ericmangun) March 12, 2018
We've entered #ReadyPlayerOne at #SXSW pic.twitter.com/OHSVwmnjzB
— VRScout (@VRScout) March 9, 2018
What movies that premiered at SXSW are you most looking forward to checking out in theaters?