Looking for something new to watch this weekend? The latest wave of movie releases has something for almost everyone — from big-budget action and post-apocalyptic survival stories to bizarre horror, animated comedy and historical epics.
Some of these films are already generating plenty of buzz, while others may be flying under the radar. Here are 7 new movies worth knowing about this week.
🐺 1. The Dog Stars
Ridley Scott returns with The Dog Stars, a post-apocalyptic drama starring Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce.
Set in a world devastated by a pandemic, the story follows a lonely man living in Colorado with his dog and a survivalist companion. Everything changes when he picks up a mysterious radio transmission while flying his small plane.
The movie combines survival, mystery and drama, with Scott bringing his signature visual style to the story. While some critics have found the film slow and overly familiar, fans of atmospheric post-apocalyptic movies may still find something to appreciate.
Worth watching if you love: survival stories, dystopian worlds and Ridley Scott’s filmmaking.
🐦 2. Coyote vs. Acme
One of the most unexpected movie stories of the year is finally getting its happy ending.
Coyote vs. Acme was famously caught in a complicated release battle and was once in danger of never being seen by audiences. Now, the Looney Tunes adventure has finally reached theaters.
The story follows Wile E. Coyote after another series of Acme products fails spectacularly. Instead of simply chasing the Road Runner, he decides to take Acme Corporation to court with the help of a struggling lawyer played by Will Forte.
The combination of live action and animation gives the film a nostalgic feel while adding a surprisingly clever courtroom comedy. For Looney Tunes fans, this could be one of the most entertaining releases of the week.
Worth watching if you love: comedy, animation, nostalgia and chaotic courtroom stories.
👹 3. Buddy
What happens when a beloved children’s TV mascot turns into a terrifying killer?
That’s the bizarre idea behind Buddy, a horror-comedy centered around a murderous children’s television character.
The film comes from Casper Kelly, known for his strange and surreal comedy projects, and stars Cristin Milioti and Topher Grace, with Keegan-Michael Key providing the voice of Buddy.
The movie doesn’t hold back on its bizarre premise, combining dark comedy, horror and deliberately ridiculous imagery. If you’re looking for something completely different from the usual horror movie, Buddy could be the wildest choice of the weekend.
Worth watching if you love: weird horror, dark comedy and unconventional movies.
🧟 4. Colony
Zombie movies are nothing new — but Colony has an interesting twist.
The movie traps a group of survivors inside a sealed building during a deadly bioterrorist attack. As panic spreads, they discover that the zombies aren’t simply mindless monsters.
They’re connected through a hive mind.
When one zombie learns something new about its prey, the others can effectively gain that information too. That makes every encounter more dangerous and forces the survivors to constantly change their strategy.
The result is a fast-paced survival thriller that mixes familiar zombie elements with a fresh idea.
Worth watching if you love: zombies, survival horror and high-stakes action.
🏜️ 5. Desert Warrior
Anthony Mackie heads into the desert for Desert Warrior, a massive historical action epic backed by Saudi Arabia.
The story follows Princess Hind, who refuses to accept a future as a concubine to a ruthless emperor. After escaping into the desert, she finds herself caught in a dangerous conflict and eventually joins forces with a legendary bandit played by Mackie.
With a reported blockbuster-scale production and spectacular desert locations, the movie aims for the kind of epic action spectacle usually associated with Hollywood.
Even if you’re not familiar with the historical setting, the combination of battles, political intrigue and sweeping landscapes makes this one worth checking out.
Worth watching if you love: historical epics, action and spectacular cinematography.
🔪 6. The Whisper Man
For something darker, The Whisper Man brings together Adam Scott and Robert De Niro for a serial-killer mystery.
When a young boy disappears, his father turns to his estranged father — a retired detective who once helped capture a notorious killer connected to the case.
The setup sounds like classic psychological thriller territory, with echoes of the crime movies that dominated the 1990s.
If you’re looking for a movie filled with investigations, disappearances and dark secrets, this could be an easy weekend streaming pick.
Worth watching if you love: crime thrillers, mysteries and serial-killer stories.
🌌 7. Her Private Hell
Nicolas Winding Refn returns with Her Private Hell, a visually intense and highly unconventional film starring Sophie Thatcher and Charles Melton.
A mysterious mist has engulfed a futuristic city, while a young woman searches for her father and becomes caught up in a disturbing supernatural mystery.
The movie is reportedly much more interested in atmosphere and visual experimentation than straightforward storytelling. Expect neon-heavy cinematography, surreal imagery, violence and an unusual soundtrack.
It’s definitely not a traditional mainstream thriller — but for fans of Refn’s distinctive style, that’s precisely the appeal.
Worth watching if you love: surreal cinema, dark science fiction and experimental filmmaking.
