Moviegoers in the Washington, D.C. area are in for a treat this week, as the highly anticipated crime thriller Crime 101 is set for a free early screening at the Regal Majestic on February 10, 2026, at 7:00pm. The event offers fans a chance to see the film before its official theatrical release on February 13, 2026. With a star-studded cast led by Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and Halle Berry, the buzz around this film is palpable—and for good reason.
Written and directed by Bart Layton, Crime 101 is adapted from Don Winslow’s novella of the same name. According to Boxoffice Pro, Layton’s adaptation brings a gritty, sun-bleached Los Angeles to life, centering on a series of high-stakes heists that have both captivated and confounded the city’s law enforcement. Chris Hemsworth takes on the role of Mike Davis, a clever jewel thief whose exploits along the iconic 101 Freeway have made him something of a legend in criminal circles.
But this isn’t just another cops-and-robbers story. As Hemsworth’s character eyes what he hopes will be the score of a lifetime, his path unexpectedly crosses with Sharon, an insurance broker played by Halle Berry. Sharon, facing her own personal crossroads, finds herself drawn into Mike’s world. The two are forced to collaborate, each driven by motivations that blur the line between right and wrong. Meanwhile, Mark Ruffalo portrays Detective Lou Lubesnick, a relentless investigator convinced he’s finally cracked the code to Mike’s pattern of heists. As the detective closes in, the tension ratchets up, setting the stage for a classic cat-and-mouse showdown.
According to the event announcement, "As the multimillion-dollar heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are forced to confront the cost of their choices—and the realization that there’s no turning back." The film promises not only action and suspense but also an exploration of character and consequence, making it much more than your typical heist flick.
The early screening at Regal Majestic is open to the public, but as with most advance showings, seating is first come, first served. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure they get a seat. For those who can’t make the preview, the nationwide release is just a few days later, on February 13. The excitement around the film is amplified by its impressive cast and the reputation of its creative team. Bart Layton, known for his previous work blending documentary and narrative styles, brings a distinctive touch to the genre. The source material, Don Winslow’s novella, is celebrated for its tight plotting and vivid sense of place—qualities Layton appears eager to translate to the screen.
Boxoffice Pro notes that Crime 101 is one of February’s most anticipated releases, positioned to help energize a domestic box office that, while stable, has been hungry for fresh, high-profile content. January’s box office performance was steady but unremarkable, buoyed by holdovers from late 2025 and a handful of modest genre hits. With Crime 101 leading the charge, February’s film slate is expected to inject some much-needed excitement into theaters.
Comparisons are already being made to Mercy, another Amazon MGM Studios release, which opened with $10.8 million and reached a domestic total of $20.1 million as of early February 2026. Industry watchers expect Crime 101 to follow a similar trajectory but possibly exceed it, given its larger ensemble cast and more action-driven storyline. As Boxoffice Pro puts it, the film “boasts a large starry cast and a more action-oriented storyline,” which could translate to stronger box office returns.
Of course, Crime 101 won’t be the only film vying for audience attention this month. The February release calendar is packed with diverse offerings, from the animated sports comedy GOAT to Emerald Fennell’s provocative new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, and the faith-based sequel I Can Only Imagine 2. Horror fans, meanwhile, are eagerly awaiting Scream 7, which brings back legacy characters and introduces new twists to the iconic franchise. Still, among these contenders, Crime 101 stands out for its blend of star power, suspense, and character-driven storytelling.
For Chris Hemsworth, the role of Mike Davis marks a departure from his usual action-hero persona, allowing him to explore a more nuanced, morally ambiguous character. Halle Berry, as Sharon, brings depth and vulnerability to a woman caught between desperation and opportunity. Mark Ruffalo’s Detective Lubesnick, meanwhile, is described as relentless—someone who’s spent years chasing shadows and is now closer than ever to catching his quarry. The dynamic between these three leads is expected to be one of the film’s main draws.
Fans of Don Winslow’s work will no doubt be curious to see how Layton adapts the novella’s tightly wound plot and richly drawn characters. The decision to set the story in Los Angeles, with its iconic 101 Freeway as both backdrop and metaphor, adds an extra layer of atmosphere. The city’s sun-baked grit and sprawling highways serve as the perfect stage for a story about pursuit, escape, and the high cost of ambition.
Industry analysts are watching closely to see how Crime 101 performs, especially given the current appetite for original, mid-budget thrillers. January’s box office saw surprise hits like Primate and Iron Lung, both of which exceeded expectations and demonstrated that audiences are willing to turn out for compelling stories, even outside the usual blockbuster franchises. With its pedigree, cast, and promising premise, Crime 101 could be the film that finally breaks the winter box office holding pattern.
So, for those in the D.C. area, the chance to catch Crime 101 early is not to be missed. For everyone else, the wait won’t be long. As the film’s release date approaches, all eyes will be on the 101 Freeway—and the trio at the heart of this high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Whether Crime 101 becomes the breakout hit of early 2026 remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: it’s already got people talking.