THERE'S plenty on offer at the cinema this week, with four major films hitting the big screen.

After picking up two Golden Globe Awards earlier this month, The Shape of Water finally premieres here in Australia.

The unusual film follows a lonely woman who forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature being held in a secret government facility.

The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert director Stephan Elliott returns with his semi-autobiographical film Swinging Safari. Set in the 1970s, it reunites Guy Pearce and Kylie Minogue on screen for the first time since Neighbours.

Also out this week are Liam Neeson's latest action flick The Commuter and the final instalment of the Maze Runner franchise. 

Here are this week's highlights of the big screen and why you should see them:

The Shape of Water (MA 15+)

An other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda discover a secret classified experiment.

Why you should see it: There's a surprisingly tender love story at the core of this monster movie, which is deservedly getting plenty of awards attention in Hollywood. Read the review.

Swinging Safari (M)

A teenager comes of age in a small Australian town during the 1970s when a 200-ton blue whale gets washed up on a local beach.

Why you should see it: While it may not have the pathos of Priscilla, director Stephan Elliott's '70s beach romp is good fun and boasts a great cast. If you're old enough to remember the decade, then Swinging Safari will give you a serious case of nostalgia. Read the review.

The Commuter (M)

A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.

Why you should see it: Despite saying he's done making action films, Liam Neeson is back in this B-grade thriller - his fourth film with director Jaume Collet-Serra. Read the review.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure (M)

Thomas leads his group of escaped Gladers on their final and most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends, they must break into the legendary Last City, a WCKD-controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the deadliest maze of all. Anyone who makes it out alive will get answers to the questions the Gladers have been asking since they first arrived in the maze.

Why you should see it: Fans of this dystopian teen drama will be keen to find out some answers themselves in this finale to the Maze Runner saga, which has made an action star out of Dylan O'Brien.

Continuing

Darkest Hour (PG)

During the early days of World War II, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds.

Why you should see it: Golden Globe winner Gary Oldman is electrifying as Churchill. He may not be the first actor to portray the larger-than-life figure (following Brian Cox in last year's Churchill) but he's certainly one of the best. Read the review.

The Post (M)

This thrilling drama chronicles the unlikely partnership between The Washington Post's Katharine Graham, the first female publisher of a major American newspaper, and editor Ben Bradlee, as they race to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned three decades and four U.S. Presidents. The two must overcome their differences as they risk their careers to help bring long-buried truths to light.

Why you should see it: Director Steven Spielberg and stars Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks are a screen dream team, bringing to life a story that is more timely than ever. Read the review.

The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature (G)

Following the events of the first film, Surly and his friends must stop Oakton City's mayor from destroying their home to make way for a dysfunctional amusement park.

Why you should see it: This film may be an improvement over its predecessor, but it's still only enough to keep the little ones entertained. It's silly, but the jokes will wear thin on parents.

All The Money in the World (MA 15+)

The story of the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother to convince his billionaire grandfather Jean Paul Getty to pay the ransom.

Why you should see it:  This is an absorbing story, made even more so by the fact that it's based on real life. Christopher Plummer gives a particularly powerful performance. Read the review.

Pitch Perfect 3 (M)

Following their win at the world championship, the now separated Bellas reunite for one last singing competition at an overseas USO tour, but face a group who uses both instruments and voices.

Why you should see it: Yes, PP3 is predictable and more of the same. But if you've ever craved to hear Aviici mixed with The Cranberries, then you'll also be pleasantly surprised. Read the review.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (MA 15+)

After months have passed without a culprit in her daughter's murder case, Mildred Hayes makes a bold move, painting three signs leading into her town with a controversial message directed at William Willoughby, the town's revered chief of police.

Why you should see it: Enjoyable, funny, sad, charming and at times moving, Three Billboards is a look at ordinary people dealing with life as best they can. Read the review.

The Greatest Showman (PG)

Inspired by the legend and ambitions of America's original pop-culture impresario, P.T. Barnum, comes an inspirational rags-to-riches tale of a brash dreamer who rose from nothing to prove that anything you can envision is possible and that everyone, no matter how invisible, has a stupendous story worthy of a world-class spectacle.

Why you should see it: Hugh Jackman is perfectly suited to this musical drama - as supported by his recent Golden Globe nomination - which celebrates the birth of show business. Read the review.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG)

Four high school students discover an old video game console and are drawn into the game's jungle setting, becoming the adult avatars they chose. What they discover is that you don't just play Jumanji - you must survive it.

Why you should see it: While they may not be able to evoke the magic of the late Robin Williams, the new Jumanji crew deliver some solid laughs and an entertaining, widely appealing adventure. Read the review.

THERE'S plenty on offer at the cinema this week, with four major films hitting the big screen.

After picking up two Golden Globe Awards earlier this month, The Shape of Water finally premieres here in Australia.

The unusual film follows a lonely woman who forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature being held in a secret government facility.

The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert director Stephan Elliott returns with his semi-autobiographical film Swinging Safari. Set in the 1970s, it reunites Guy Pearce and Kylie Minogue on screen for the first time since Neighbours.

Also out this week are Liam Neeson's latest action flick The Commuter and the final instalment of the Maze Runner franchise. 

Here are this week's highlights of the big screen and why you should see them:

The Shape of Water (MA 15+)

An other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda discover a secret classified experiment.

Why you should see it: There's a surprisingly tender love story at the core of this monster movie, which is deservedly getting plenty of awards attention in Hollywood. Read the review.

Swinging Safari (M)

A teenager comes of age in a small Australian town during the 1970s when a 200-ton blue whale gets washed up on a local beach.

Why you should see it: While it may not have the pathos of Priscilla, director Stephan Elliott's '70s beach romp is good fun and boasts a great cast. If you're old enough to remember the decade, then Swinging Safari will give you a serious case of nostalgia. Read the review.

The Commuter (M)

A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.

Why you should see it: Despite saying he's done making action films, Liam Neeson is back in this B-grade thriller - his fourth film with director Jaume Collet-Serra. Read the review.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure (M)

Thomas leads his group of escaped Gladers on their final and most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends, they must break into the legendary Last City, a WCKD-controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the deadliest maze of all. Anyone who makes it out alive will get answers to the questions the Gladers have been asking since they first arrived in the maze.

Why you should see it: Fans of this dystopian teen drama will be keen to find out some answers themselves in this finale to the Maze Runner saga, which has made an action star out of Dylan O'Brien.

Continuing

Darkest Hour (PG)

During the early days of World War II, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds.

Why you should see it: Golden Globe winner Gary Oldman is electrifying as Churchill. He may not be the first actor to portray the larger-than-life figure (following Brian Cox in last year's Churchill) but he's certainly one of the best. Read the review.

The Post (M)

This thrilling drama chronicles the unlikely partnership between The Washington Post's Katharine Graham, the first female publisher of a major American newspaper, and editor Ben Bradlee, as they race to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned three decades and four U.S. Presidents. The two must overcome their differences as they risk their careers to help bring long-buried truths to light.

Why you should see it: Director Steven Spielberg and stars Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks are a screen dream team, bringing to life a story that is more timely than ever. Read the review.

The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature (G)

Following the events of the first film, Surly and his friends must stop Oakton City's mayor from destroying their home to make way for a dysfunctional amusement park.

Why you should see it: This film may be an improvement over its predecessor, but it's still only enough to keep the little ones entertained. It's silly, but the jokes will wear thin on parents.

All The Money in the World (MA 15+)

The story of the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother to convince his billionaire grandfather Jean Paul Getty to pay the ransom.

Why you should see it:  This is an absorbing story, made even more so by the fact that it's based on real life. Christopher Plummer gives a particularly powerful performance. Read the review.

Pitch Perfect 3 (M)

Following their win at the world championship, the now separated Bellas reunite for one last singing competition at an overseas USO tour, but face a group who uses both instruments and voices.

Why you should see it: Yes, PP3 is predictable and more of the same. But if you've ever craved to hear Aviici mixed with The Cranberries, then you'll also be pleasantly surprised. Read the review.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (MA 15+)

After months have passed without a culprit in her daughter's murder case, Mildred Hayes makes a bold move, painting three signs leading into her town with a controversial message directed at William Willoughby, the town's revered chief of police.

Why you should see it: Enjoyable, funny, sad, charming and at times moving, Three Billboards is a look at ordinary people dealing with life as best they can. Read the review.

The Greatest Showman (PG)

Inspired by the legend and ambitions of America's original pop-culture impresario, P.T. Barnum, comes an inspirational rags-to-riches tale of a brash dreamer who rose from nothing to prove that anything you can envision is possible and that everyone, no matter how invisible, has a stupendous story worthy of a world-class spectacle.

Why you should see it: Hugh Jackman is perfectly suited to this musical drama - as supported by his recent Golden Globe nomination - which celebrates the birth of show business. Read the review.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG)

Four high school students discover an old video game console and are drawn into the game's jungle setting, becoming the adult avatars they chose. What they discover is that you don't just play Jumanji - you must survive it.

Why you should see it: While they may not be able to evoke the magic of the late Robin Williams, the new Jumanji crew deliver some solid laughs and an entertaining, widely appealing adventure. Read the review.