This week’s new movies include a modern epic, a survivalist thriller, and the most adorable liar to hit the big screen this year. Award season has formally begun, with one of the projected frontrunners at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards landing with an impressive critical reception. That’s not the only worthwhile new movie out this week, though.
Even beyond these titles, there’s plenty to check out this week. Horror fans can revisit a scary classic with The Strangers – Chapter 2 now that it has continued Maya’s story in theaters. Superhero adventure The Fantastic Four: First Steps and romantic dramedy Splitsville have landed on VOD, appealing to audiences looking for thrills and heartache in their new movies.
However, these are the new movies coming out this week across theatrical, VOD, and streaming releases. Among the Screen Rant New Movies team, these were some of the movies out this week that really caught our attention and that we can’t wait to revisit. Which movies are you watching this weekend? Let us know in the comments!
One Battle After Another (Theatrical)
If you love movies, One Battle After Another is a can’t-miss theatrical experience. Forget the filmmaker’s pedigree, or the early Oscars buzz, or the reviews – as a critic myself, I’ve seen people complain that they feel misled by that hype machine.
They see those hyperbolic social media reactions and high Rotten Tomatoes scores, and they end up watching something just okay. Trust me, this isn’t that. Everything you’ve heard about this movie is true. It’s a big swing in the best way, seamlessly blending a variety of tones that’ll have you both laughing and unconsciously gripping the arms of your chair.
It tackles thorny, interesting themes without skimping on the basics of plot and character. The performances are great. It’s deeply political without being in any way preachy. It’s just the real deal. If you’re at all put off by the runtime, don’t be. One Battle After Another makes nearly three hours feel like 90 minutes.
It gets things rolling quickly, and the title is indicative of the way the story strings its events together, never needing to take its foot off the gas. If you ask me, this is the best movie of 2025 – but it’s also just a damn good time at the movie theater. Take it in with a packed crowd while you can, and years from now, you can brag about having seen this during its original run.
– Alex Harrison, Senior Movie Editor
Dead Of Winter (Theatrical)
A riff on the kind of survivalist thrillers that typically star actors like Liam Neeson, Dead of Winter is a great, gritty showcase for Emma Thompson. Opposite a delightfully unhinted Judy Greer, Thompson finds herself in the Minnesota wilds trying to survive a dangerous couple.
Dead of Winter doesn’t waste time setting itself up or diving too deep into the characters, instead allowing them to reveal themselves through drastic choices and moral conflicts. It’s a lean thriller, the kind that used to dominate cable networks on Saturday afternoons – and I mean that as a compliment. Clever writing, tight direction, and solid acting keep it all entertaining.
Notably, the movie never loses sight of the emotional core at the center of Thompson’s performance. Playing a grieving widow, Thompson elevates the pulpy genre piece into a more bittersweet story than one would expect. Effective as a thriller and a pleasant surprise as a character drama, Dead of Winter is a delight on the big screen.
– Brandon Zachary, Lead Movies Writer
Eleanor The Great (Theatrical)
Whenever a famous actor steps behind the camera for a change, there’s always a certain amount of intrigue surrounding how successful they’ll be. With her first movie as director, Scarlett Johansson dives headfirst into a thorny topic and finds true heart. Eleanor the Great follows a fantastic June Squibb as a woman who lies about being a Holocaust survivor.
Yes, you read that correctly. It’s a terrible lie, but under Johansson’s steady guidance and thanks to Squibb’s endearing performance, this movie ultimately tells an impactful and relatable tale about connection and grief. I suspect Eleanor’s story will resonate with quite a few people, making it a worthy movie to check out in theaters.
– Rachel LaBonte, New Movies Editor/Reviewer
Karate Kid: Legends (Netflix)
Image via Sony Pictures
While it can’t quite match the high school drama or interpersonal beats of Cobra Kai, Karate Kid: Legends is an entertaining bridge between the film and TV branches of the franchise that leaves the audience wanting more. Bringing back characters from across the franchise, Karate Kid: Legends also paints a deeply entertaining portrait of New York City.
Clever subversions of the typical Karate Kid formula are the key here, all bolstered by an impressively confident and charming Ben Wang performance. Fans of the sports movie archetype (especially recent legacy sequels like the Creed movies) will find plenty to love in Karate Kid: Legends now that it’s on Netflix.
– Brandon Zachary, Lead Movies Writer
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