Trailer Round-Up: Red Sonja, Wednesday: S2, Chief of War, King of the Hill: S14, Untamed, Twisted Metal: S2, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, and More
It's your weekly dose of Trailer Round-Up!
Admittedly, last week's trailer releases were a little lacking in big movie surprises. But last week saw TV getting a much-needed jolt of excitement, with a splash of unexpected peeks and promos. So, if you’re coming in thinking you missed some big movie trailers last week… don’t worry, you didn’t. But you did miss some buzzy new series teases that are well worth catching up on.
So, scroll down and catch up on some upcoming shows that we're sure will be dominating your group chats and watchlists in no time.
And as always, we want to thank our Substack subscribers for your continued support. It means the world to us—and your support keeps this whole operation rolling.
⇩ NEW MOVIE TRAILERS: 🎥
She’s got a score to settle... and steel to swing!
★ Red Sonja — Trailer
(in theaters Aug. 15th and on VOD Aug. 29th)
She’s got a sword, a grudge, and a battle-axe to grind! Red Sonja is back, baby! This time, it’s Italian actress Matilda Lutz (Revenge) stepping into the armored boots of the flame-haired warrior, and she’s bringing the heat... and some cornball cheese.
The 1985 Red Sonja film gave us a sword-swinging Brigitte Nielsen, a glorified Arnold Schwarzenegger cameo, and enough ‘80s schlock to keep your VCR machine whirring for weeks. Now, action director M.J. Bassett (Rogue, Silent Hill: Revelation) gives the fantasy icon a gritty, blood-spattered reboot.
And while expectations aren’t exactly sky-high (the bar was buried somewhere in a pile of VHS bargain bin rejects decades ago), this new Red Sonja movie doesn’t appear to be aiming high—perhaps just enough to satisfy those craving Game of Thrones knockoffs with an extra splash of B-movie bravado.
In the upcoming film, Lutz plays Sonja, an enslaved barbarian turned sword-slinging rebel on a mission to take down the tyrannical Dragan the Magnificent (played by The Umbrella Academy actor Robert Sheehan). Wallis Day (Batwoman, Krypton) joins as the darkly delightful villainess Annisia, and they’re flanked by a motley crew including Martyn Ford (House of David), Rhona Mitra (Underworld: Rise of the Lycans), Philip Winchester (Strike Back), Ben Radcliffe (Masters of the Air), Luke Pasqualino (The Musketeers), and mixed martial artist Michael Bisping, among others.
With its long, cursed development history—now-disgraced X-Men directors Bryan Singer and Brett Ratner, and even Sin City filmmaker Robert Rodriguez were all attached to a Red Sonja production at some point—this Red Sonja film somehow managed to claw its way out of development hell and onto the screen.
And it might just scratch that sword-and-sorcery itch if you’re craving B-movie fun and action-induced carnage, perhaps destined to be replayed on VOD platforms. It’s certainly not high art, but it might be a hell of a good time. But don’t hold us to that. This could just as easily end up as yet another disaster.
Red Sonja storms theaters August 15th and hits digital August 29th.
The ‘60s called...
And they want their superheroes back!
★ The Fantastic Four: First Steps — Retro Trailer: ‘Fantastivision!’
(in theaters July 25th)
With DC’s Superman soaring high, it’s Marvel’s turn at bat—and they’re swinging for the fences with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This latest trailer goes full vintage, styled like a 1960s corporate promo straight out of a GE showroom. But instead of fridges and toasters, they’re selling cosmic powers, family bonding, and superhero mayhem in glorious “Fantastivision.”
Directed by WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, this reboot introduces the MCU’s most iconic quartet in delightfully retro fashion: Pedro Pascal as brainy Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as the force-field-flinging Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as hothead Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the rock-solid Ben Grimm. Julia Garner surfs in as a new take on the Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson lends his ominous tones to Galactus, the planet-devouring big bad.
The promo promises romance, teamwork, and just the right amount of cosmic mishaps to bond a family together... whether they like it or not. It's a Marvel film with old-school flair and new-universe stakes.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps stretches into theaters next week on July 25th. Bring your popcorn... and maybe a lava lamp!
Fatherhood was never meant to be... out of this world.
★ Descendent — Trailer
(in theaters Aug. 8th)
From zombie bashing to uncanny impressions, Walking Dead actor and voice actor Ross Marquand has done it all... except perhaps headline a feature film. Until now.
In Descendent, Marquand finally takes center stage, swapping undead mayhem for cosmic dread in a slow-burn psychological thriller that’s part Close Encounters, part parental dread, and all anxiety.
Marquand stars as Sean Bruner, a loving husband and expectant father whose quiet suburban life goes sideways after a bizarre rooftop accident involving a mysterious light in the sky. Was it a hallucination? An alien abduction? Or just the ultimate stress dream brought on by diaper-related panic?
With Sarah Bolger (Mayans M.C.) as his concerned (and increasingly suspicious) wife, Descendent dives headfirst into a mind-bending swirl of paranoia, insomnia, eerie visions, and a creeping fear that something—or someone—is coming for their unborn child.
Directed by Peter Cilella and produced by genre-bending filmmaking duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (The Endless, Synchronic), this eerie tale walks the tightrope between mental breakdown and extraterrestrial horror.
One thing’s for sure: Marquand gets to flex his acting muscle in this haunting descent into patriarchal distress. Alien abduction or new dad jitters? Either way, it’s going to be a close encounter of the fatherly kind.
Descendent hits theaters August 8th.
She survived the crash. But can she survive ... the voice?
★ The Occupant — Trailer
(on VOD Sept. 1st)
Who needs monsters when the biggest threat of all is your own fears—the kind that keep you up in constant doubt. In The Occupant, Ella Balinska (from the 2019 Charlie’s Angels remake) stars as Abby, a geologist who takes a risky job in the frozen wilds of Northern Georgia—only to find herself grounded (literally) after a helicopter crash strands her in a snow-covered nightmare.
While battered and bruised and with no backup coming, Abby’s only hope comes through a crackly radio and a man named John (voiced by Deadpool’s Rob Delaney), who claims he can guide her to safety. He’s helpful, soothing... and just maybe too good to be true. As frostbite sets in and reality starts to blur, Abby must decide whether to follow his voice—or trust her own crumbling instincts.
Directed by Hugo Keijzer in his feature debut, The Occupant turns a survival story into a mind-bending trip through fear, isolation, and potential alien interference. Is it extraterrestrial contact… a mental breakdown… or worse? Falling for a trap.
The Occupant arrives on VOD September 1st.
The world saw his tics... he showed them his strength!
★ I Swear — U.K. Trailer
(in U.K. cinemas Oct. 10th)
Growing up is hard enough. But throw in undiagnosed Tourette’s in 1980s Britain, and you’ve got a coming-of-age tale that’s equal parts heartbreaking and uplifting.
I Swear tells the true story of John Davidson, a Scottish teen whose life (and condition) were thrust into the public eye when a late 1980 BBC documentary first aired his struggles with uncontrollable tics and outbursts. Fast forward to present day, and Davidson’s story is being told in this new British coming-of-age dramedy.
Robert Aramayo (The Rings of Power, Game of Thrones) stars as John, swapping fantasy armor for a tracksuit. With a razor-sharp wit and plenty of heart, he navigates a world that doesn’t yet understand what Tourette’s even is... let alone how to treat someone who has it.
From BAFTA-nominated director Kirk Jones (Waking Ned, Nanny McPhee), I Swear channels the scrappy spirit of Billy Elliot and the raw emotion of My Left Foot, and features what looks like a star-making performance from Aramayo as a young man trying to find his place in a world that sees him as different... and perhaps easier to ignore than understand.
Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, and Peter Mullan round out a stellar cast in this heartfelt story of stigma, resilience, and learning to shout back—literally and figuratively.
Opening October 10 in the U.K., I Swear promises to be a moving reminder that sometimes the loudest voices come from the most misunderstood places. No word yet on a U.S. release, but fingers crossed—it deserves one.
⇩ additional movie trailers: 🎥
★ “What We Hide” Trailer: McKenna Grace and Jojo Regina Play Sisters Keeping a Dark Secret in This New Southern Thriller About the Fallout of the Opioid Crisis — Out on VOD August 29th
When their mother dies of an overdose, two young girls go to extreme lengths to stay together in this emotional and suspenseful story of survival.
★ “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” Teaser Trailer: SpongeBob Braves the Haunted Seas in All-New Spooky, Splashy Adventure — Hitting Theaters December 19th
SpongeBob sets sail for the underworld in this high-seas quest featuring the Flying Dutchman, Bikini Bottom buddies, and a star-studded voice cast.
★ “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” Trailer: This New HBO Doc Explores the Life, Legacy, and Lyrics of the Piano Man in a Two-Part Music Portrait — Premieres July 18th and 25th on HBO and HBO Max
Featuring rare footage and deeply personal interviews, this intimate documentary unpacks the highs, lows, and timeless hits of one of music’s most enduring legends.
★ “Together” New ‘Photo Album’ Trailer: Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Marriage Turns Monstrous in Mind-Bending Horror from Neon — In Theaters July 30th
This Sundance breakout blends relationship drama with body-horror terror as a couple’s rural retreat descends into a shared supernatural nightmare.
For more trailers, check out our latest ☰ “Trailer Blitz” post, covering a range of new indie and foreign movies coming out soon, click the link below:
⇩ NEW TELEVISION TRAILERS: 📺
Monsters? Easy. Autograph requests? Pure nightmare
★ Wednesday: Season 2 — Trailer
(on Netflix Aug. 6th Part 1 and Sept. 3rd, Part 2)
In Wednesday: Season 2, everyone’s favorite gothic teen detective returns to Nevermore Academy with a new problem: she’s famous! Jenna Ortega is back in pigtails and pitch-perfect deadpan as Wednesday Addams, now the reluctant poster child of the school she barely tolerates. And while her school chums adore her, Wednesday would rather be dissecting corpses than signing autographs.
But it’s not all moody glares and murder puns. Trouble's brewing again, and this time, it’s personal! Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers), Wednesday’s sunny-spirited werewolf roommate, may be next on the killer’s list. Cue fresh premonitions, cryptic visions, and Wednesday trying very hard not to admit she cares.
The Addams family gets more screen time too, with Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Morticia stepping in to help with her daughter’s premonition powers, Luis Guzmán’s Gomez sharpening his dad jokes, and Isaac Ordonez’s Pugsley now enrolled at a freshmen at Nevermore Academy. Plus, welcome Joanna Lumley as Grandmama (fab and possibly fatal), Steve Buscemi as the new principal, and a guest turn by OG Fester himself, Christopher Lloyd.
With director Tim Burton back at the helm, Wednesday promises even more dark whimsy and twisted fun. The new season drops in two parts: Wednesday, August 6th and Wednesday, September 3rd; only on Netflix.
Before Hawai‘i was united, it was fought over by warriors.
★ Chief of War — Trailer
(on Apple TV+ Aug. 1st)
Jason Momoa trades pixels for power plays in Chief of War, a new Apple original series that blends historical heft with full-blown warrior fury. After cracking jokes in A Minecraft Movie, Momoa returns to what he does best: charging into battle, hair flowing, and history echoing behind every roar and grunt.
Set in late 18th-century Hawai‘i, this sweeping epic follows Momoa as Kaʻiana, a real-life Native Hawaiian chief whose defiance, alliances, and battles helped shape the islands’ unification. But this isn’t just a clash of kingdoms... it’s a collision of cultures, betrayal, and legacy, all told through the lens of the people who lived it.
Co-created by Momoa and his longtime collaborator and friend Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, and featuring direction from Pachinko’s Justin Chon (plus Momoa himself helming the finale), Chief of War looks to be a passionate, ground-shaking reclamation of Pacific history. Add in a powerhouse Polynesian cast—Temuera Morrison, Luciane Buchanan, Cliff Curtis, and more—and a Hans Zimmer score to boot? Yeah, this one’s packing serious mana.
Get ready for volcanic battles, blood-soaked alliances, and a legacy that demands to be seen. Chief of War premieres with two episodes on Friday, August 1st, only on Apple TV+.
The more things change, the more Hank stays the same!
★ King of the Hill: Season 14 — Trailer
(on Hulu/Disney+ Aug. 4th)
Fifteen years after the neighborhood went quiet, King of the Hill is firing up the ol’ propane grill once more. And yep! That sweet hum of suburban dad logic is finally returning to our screens after nearly a decade and half.
Hank Hill (voiced again by Mike Judge) is back in action for Season 14, older, slightly wiser, and still deeply confused by modern life. After a stint overseas selling propane in Saudi Arabia (because, of course), Hank and Peggy return to Arlen, Texas as newly retirees, just in time to reconnect with Dale, Bill, and Boomhauer—and discover that not even Texas is immune to the strange ways of the 21st century.
Meanwhile, Bobby’s all grown up and making his way as a chef in Dallas, while trying to earn his dad’s respect one awkward cookout at a time.
With creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels back at the helm, and a returning voice cast including Pamela Adlon (as Bobby) and Kathy Najimy (as Peggy), this 10-episode revival doesn’t just bank on nostalgia... it brings heart, hilarity, and a little Texan grit into a whole new decade.
King of the Hill returns Monday, August 4th on Hulu and Disney+.
Nature doesn’t keep secrets... but killers do.
★ Untamed — Trailer
(on Netflix July 17th)
National parks may look like paradise. But in Untamed, they’re hiding something much darker.
This six-episode Netflix murder-mystery limited series trades squad cars for trail maps and brings true-crime tension to the breathtaking, unforgiving wilderness of Yosemite.
Eric Bana stars as Kyle Turner, a grizzled park detective tasked with investigating the suspicious death of a woman found at the base of a remote cliff. With only a handful of rangers patrolling an area the size of Rhode Island, Turner soon uncovers a chilling pattern: more bodies, more secrets, and one killer using the vast backcountry as the perfect cover.
Lily Santiago also stars as a rookie ranger learning the ropes, while Sam Neill and Rosemarie DeWitt round out the cast.
From The Revenant writer Mark L. Smith and co-showrunner Elle Smith (The Marsh King's Daughter), Untamed proves that the wildest thing in the woods might not be a bear... but a man with a kill list!
The hunt begins when Untamed premieres this week, starting Thursday, July 17th on Netflix.
This isn’t a race... it’s a full-throttle bloodbath!
★ Twisted Metal: Season 2 — Trailer
(on Peacock July 31st)
Twisted Metal is back, and this time, the pedal’s all the way down to hell!
Anthony Mackie returns as John Doe, your favorite amnesiac delivery driver in a bullet-riddled mail truck, now upgraded with more allies, more enemies, and more wreckage than your average demolition derby. Alongside Stephanie Beatriz’s Quiet, John’s thrown headfirst into the no-holds-barred Twisted Metal tournament, ruled by the sinister, smooth-talking Calypso (Anthony Carrigan).
The roads are deadly, the rules are gone, and the competition includes returning nightmares like the clown masked assassin Sweet Tooth (performed by wrestler Samoa Joe and voiced by Will Arnett) and new faces with even nastier agendas—including John’s long-lost sister, Dollface (Tiana Okoye), who’s packing a serious grudge and a mask to match.
Created by the chaotic minds behind Deadpool, Zombieland (writers Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick) and Cobra Kai (Michael Jonathan Smith) and based on Sony PlayStation’s video game franchise, this Peacock original cranks up the engine for another season of blood, betrayal, and black comedy. It’s violent, it’s ridiculous ... and yeah, it’s twisted.
Twisted Metal Season 2 smashes onto Peacock Thursday, July 31st.
Eternal love apparently runs in the family.
★ Outlander: Blood of My Blood — Trailer
(on STARZ Aug. 8th)
Outlander: Blood of My Blood dives deep into the Fraser and Beauchamp family trees, exploring the epic love stories that paved the way for Jamie and Claire’s iconic relationship. This prequel to the beloved STARZ series splits its time between 18th-century Scotland and WWI-era England. Because one era of doomed, passionate romance clearly wasn’t enough.
Jamie Roy and Harriet Slater star as Jamie’s parents, Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie, while Jeremy Irvine and Hermione Corfield portray Claire’s parents, Henry Beauchamp and Julia Moriston, who find each other amid the chaos of the Great War. Each couple must battle their own time’s rules, expectations, and societal barriers—all while fate works overtime to keep them together.
Executive produced by Outlander executive producer Ronald D. Moore and showrun by Matthew B. Roberts, Blood of My Blood promises more sweeping vistas, aching glances, and heart-pounding drama than you can shake a dagger at. And yes... there will be kilts. So many kilts.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood premieres Friday, August 8th on STARZ.
⇩ additional TV trailers: 📺
★ “Sausage Party: Foodtopia: Season 2” Trailer: Seth Rogen’s Frank Frankfurter Faces a Snack-Run Empire in New Season of Raunchy Animated Comedy Series — Premiering August 13th on Prime Video
Utopia gets messier (and meatier) as sentient snacks discover a city ruled by food—where the humans serve, and the sauces conspire.
★ “The Hunting Wives” Trailer: Brittany Snow Gets Caught in Malin Akerman’s Web of Wealth, Lust, and Murder in This New Sultry Southern Series Based on May Cobb’s Best-Seller — Premiering July 21st on Netflix
Big secrets, bigger scandals—East Texas high society turns lethal when one woman’s search for excitement leads to a deadly game of temptation and betrayal.
★ “Acapulco: Season 4” Trailer: Eugenio Derbez Returns for One Last Sun-Soaked Summer in Final Season of Apple’s Feel-Good Bilingual Comedy — Premiering July 23rd on Apple TV+
With the resort’s future on the line, past and present collide in this heartfelt final season of laughter, love, and luxury on the Mexican coast.
★ “Unforgivable” Trailer: Bobby Schofield and Anna Friel Confront the Scars of the Past in BBC’s Haunting New Redemption Drama Miniseries from BAFTA-winner Jimmy McGovern — Premieres July 24th on BBC Two in the U.K.
A searing tale of reckoning and regret, this gripping miniseries explores whether healing is possible when the wounds are too deep to forget.
⇩ Extras: ⏩
✱ Filmmaker Ari Aster and Comedian Bill Hader Talk Eddington, Filmmaking, and Movie Obsessions!
With his latest film Eddington hitting theaters this week, filmmaker Ari Aster recently sat down with comedian Bill Hader for a conversation about his movie on the latest episode of the A24 Podcast. But because they’re such good friends, the discussion quickly veered into deeper territory—their shared love of cinema, the films that shaped their lives, and the moments that made them want to devote themselves to this strange, beautiful business.
If you want to hear a couple of friends—who happen to be filmmakers in their own right—have a fun, light-hearted convo as they geek out over movies, then this is a must-see. Watch below.