Trailer Round-Up: The Smashing Machine, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, Weapons, Summer of 69, Everything’s Going to Be Great, and More
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So, you love trailers ... movie trailers, TV trailers ... you can’t get enough! Well, we’re in the same boat as you. That’s why this newsletter is tailor-made to satisfy all your trailer-watching needs. As always, we keep an eye on the big trailer releases each week, rounding them up right here for your enjoyment. Thank you for subscribing, and thank you for your continuous support!
⇩ NEW MOVIE TRAILERS: 🎥
Not all battles are fought in the ring!
The Smashing Machine — Trailer
(In theaters October 3rd)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is known for his larger-than-life persona, but in The Smashing Machine, he’s stepping into a new territory that demands him to flex his acting chops as much as his muscles. Written, directed, and produced by Benny Safdie in his first solo effort, this upcoming drama sees Johnson portraying former wrestler-turned-UFC fighter Mark Kerr, a man known for his brutality in the ring but also for his surprising tenderness off it.
This performance pushes Johnson away from his typical action-hero roles, delving into the complex and nuanced side of a professional athlete battling both physical and emotional pain. The film focuses on Kerr’s struggles inside the ring, as well as the toll of painkiller abuse during the sport’s early days. Johnson’s portrayal taps into both the strength and vulnerability of Kerr, who is as gentle as he is fierce.
Once again teaming up with Oscar-nominee Emily Blunt as Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples, this film could be Johnson’s career-redefining moment. In the vein of other gritty wrestling dramas like The Wrestler and The Iron Claw, The Smashing Machine is poised to showcase a new side of Johnson we’ve never seen before. Could an Oscar be in Johnson’s future? Viewers will have to wait to see when the film hits theaters on October 3rd.
It’s eight magicians against a global criminal network! This time, it’s going to take more than a card trick to pull it off.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t — Trailer
(In theaters November 14th)
The Now You See Me franchise is back with Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the third film in the series where the magic isn’t just in the tricks… it’s in the cast!
Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, and Isla Fisher return, but this time with a twist: the original Four Horsemen are broken up! Enter a new, younger generation of tricksters, played by Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, and Justice Smith, who are using the Horsemen name to gain fame.
Danny Atlas (Eisenberg) teams up with this trio to steal a priceless diamond from the corrupt Vanderberg family. But when things go awry, guess who swoops in to save the day? That’s right! The original Horsemen reappear out of nowhere (cue the Avengers comparisons).
With the legendary Morgan Freeman returning as Thaddeus Bradley, the stakes have never been higher for this band of illusionists. Directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Venom), Now You See Me: Now You Don’t hits theaters on November 14th.
Do you know where your children are?
Weapons — Trailer
(in theaters August 8th)
In recent years, horror movies have tapped into societal fears like never before, and Weapons, the latest thriller from Barbarian director Zach Cregger, dives deep into parental terror and the dreadful thought that their children aren’t safe in their classrooms. With themes that seems to resonate, Cregger's film asks unsettling questions: have schools become a place of fear and paranoia?
Julia Garner, coming off her Emmy-winning role in Ozark and recent appearance in the Blumhouse horror Wolf Man, stars as Justine Gandy, an elementary schoolteacher who discovers her classroom is empty one morning. It seems the 17 children in her class have vanished overnight, inexplicably leaving their bedrooms to run from their homes, as if under a strange spell or influence. As the town spirals into confusion, the blame falls on Ms. Gandy, despite her innocence, and she is left to grapple with guilt and fear — fearing not just for her career, but for her sanity as well.
Alongside Garner, the film features Josh Brolin as Archer Graff, an upset father desperate for answers, and Benedict Wong as the school principal, urging Ms. Gandy to take a leave of absence. With haunting imagery and a sense of escalating dread, Weapons promises to be more than just a scare. It’s a chilling look at fear, blame, and the unknown.
Written, directed, and produced by Zach Cregger, Weapons opens in theaters on August 8th, just in time for the back-to-school season.
Sometimes the best teachers come from the most unlikely places.
Summer of 69 — Trailer
(On Hulu May 9th)
Comic actress Jillian Bell makes her feature directorial debut with Summer of 69, an outrageously funny coming-of-age teen sex comedy where socially awkward high school senior Abby Flores (Sam Morelos) hires an exotic dancer to teach her everything she knows about sex.
SNL cast member Chloe Fineman plays Santa Monica, the “sex coach,” who agrees to mentor Abby in exchange for payment, as Abby tries to impress her longtime high school crush.
The catch? Abby is starting from scratch, and Santa Monica has to guide her through every step, turning their unconventional lessons into a cheeky version of The Karate Kid, with “wax on, wax off” taking on a whole new meaning.
Co-written by Bell, Liz Nico, and Jules Byrne, Summer of 69 also stars Matt Cornett, Nicole Byer, Liza Koshy, Natalie Morales, and Charlie Day.
After premiering at SXSW to great reception, the film is set to stream exclusively on Hulu starting May 9th.
Survival is a family affair.
40 Acres — Trailer
(in theaters July 2nd)
Danielle Deadwyler is a force to be reckoned with in 40 Acres, a post-apocalyptic thriller where she plays Hailey Freeman, a fierce matriarch battling to protect her family from marauding outsiders. Set in a world devastated by environmental disasters, society has collapsed, leaving only chaos, war, and famine in its wake.
Hailey, a former military soldier from a long line of Black farmers, has fortified her family’s 40-acre farm, teaching her children to use tactical weapons to defend their home. When raiders attack a nearby farm, Hailey and her children prepare for a brutal showdown, following the harsh rule: “Shoot first, don’t ask questions.”
Directed by Canadian TV and music video director R. T. Thorne, 40 Acres marks his feature film debut. The film had a successful world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was praised for its fresh take on the siege thriller genre.
With a strong supporting cast including Michael Greyeyes and Kataem O’Connor, 40 Acres hits theaters on July 2nd.
Chasing dreams isn’t easy, but keeping your family together while doing it? That’s the real challenge!
Everything’s Going to Be Great — Trailer
(in theaters June 20th)
In this light-hearted family dramedy, Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston brings his signature blend of quirky fatherhood and earnest ambition to the role of Buddy Smart, an eccentric regional theater manager in the 1970s. When Buddy decides to uproot his family from Akron, Ohio, to New Jersey to manage his own theater company, he quickly learns that chasing his dream might not have been the best idea. The move brings a series of struggles for Buddy and his wife (Oscar-winner Allison Janney), along with their teenage sons, who have their own issues fitting into their new life.
As Buddy battles setbacks with his theater and faces tension with his wife, his sons, Lester (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) and Derrick (Jack Champion), try to navigate their own challenges. While Lester dreams of becoming a stage actor, Derrick is resentful about leaving his girlfriend behind.
Written by Steven Rogers (I, Tonya) and directed by Jon S. Baird (Tetris, Stan & Ollie), Everything’s Going to Be Great explores the bittersweet journey of family, dreams, and disappointments. The film, which also stars Chris Cooper and Simon Rex, will make its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival before hitting theaters on June 20th.
Healing from a traumatic past isn’t always a straight line, and recovery often blends heartache with humor.
Sorry, Baby — Trailer
(in theaters June 27th)
At Sundance this year, Sorry, Baby emerged as one of the festival’s buzziest hits. This dark comedy from rising talent Eva Victor, who wrote, directed, and stars in the film, tackles the heavy subject of recovering from sexual assault but does so with surprising humor and levity.
Victor plays Agnes, a college professor still grappling with the emotional scars of a traumatic experience three years later. As she navigates her complicated recovery, she receives support from her lifelong best friend (Naomi Ackie) and a potential new friend (Lucas Hedges), despite her attempts to keep him at arm's length.
Inspired by Victor’s own personal experiences and encouraged by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins who serves as one of the producers, Sorry, Baby offers a raw, authentic look at the journey of healing and the complexities of personal trauma. The film won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance and has since been picked up by A24 Films.
Sorry, Baby hits theaters on June 27th, and with Victor’s impressive debut, it’s clear that her future in both acting and directing is one to watch.
⇩ additional movie trailers: 🎥
“Deep Cover” Trailer: Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed Star as Three Improv Comics Going Undercover in Amazon Prime's New British Crime Comedy — Premiering June 12th on Prime Video
Three improv comedians (Dallas Howard, Bloom, Mohammed) take on a dangerous undercover mission to bust London’s most dangerous criminals in this crime comedy.
“The Unholy Trinity” Trailer: Gold, Guns, and Double-Crosses in This Wild West Showdown with Samuel L. Jackson and Pierce Brosnan — In Theaters June 13th
In this new western thriller, a young man (Brandon Lessard) seeks revenge for his father’s death, but faces deadly obstacles from a bandit (Jackson) and a lawman (Brosnan).
“Fear Street: Prom Queen” Trailer: A Masked Killer Crashes Shadyside High’s 1988 Prom in This Fourth R. L. Stine Installment Starring India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Ariana Greenblatt, Chris Klein, and Lili Taylor – Premieres on Netflix May 23rd
A masked killer threatens Shadyside High’s Prom Queen contenders in this chilling slasher installment of the R. L. Stine film series.
“Paradise Records” Trailer: Rapper Logic Makes His Film Debut, Writing, Directing, and Starring as a Record Store Owner in This Kevin Smith-Produced Slacker Comedy – World Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival June 6th
Logic stars in, writes, and directs this throwback slacker comedy, filled with quirky characters, weed-fueled antics, and record store tunes.
“Hot Milk” Trailer: Emma Mackey Stars as a Fed-up Caregiver Plotting to Escape Her Domineering Wheelchair-Bound Mother (Fiona Shaw) in This British Thriller with Vicky Krieps – In Theaters June 27th
Mackey stars as Sofia, a young woman torn between caring for her disabled mother and seeking freedom, in this darkly charged drama.
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: 📺
Fast cars, ruthless mobsters, a slick getaway driver, and Keith Mother-F-ing David! This 70’s throwback might just be your new favorite show.
Duster — Trailer
(on MAX May 15th)
Get ready for a blast from the past with Duster, a grindhouse-style throwback packed with muscle cars, mobsters, and explosive action. Josh Holloway reunites with Lost co-creator J.J. Abrams in this high-octane series, playing Jim, a slick getaway driver who works for notorious drug kingpin Ezra Saxton (Keith David). With his cherry-red 1970s Plymouth Duster, Jim is nearly impossible to catch—until FBI agent Nina (Rachel Hilson) offers him a deal he can’t refuse. When she ties Saxton to the death of Jim’s brother, an unlikely alliance forms as they set out to take down the ruthless mob boss.
The series is filled with pulpy '70s swagger, featuring Holloway as the smooth, reluctant hero and David as the chilling Saxton. Duster also features Evan Jones as a brutal enforcer, Billy the Bloodhound, and an ensemble cast with Sydney Elisabeth, Camille Guaty, and more.
Duster premieres on MAX on May 15th.
When tragedy strikes, who better to turn to than family? Unless, of course, they only bring more chaos.
The Better Sister — Trailer
(on Prime Video May 29th)
In The Better Sister, two estranged sisters, played by Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks, must navigate a whirlwind of family secrets and a murder investigation that threatens to tear them apart. Based on the novel by Alafair Burke, the eight-episode series follows Chloe Taylor (Biel), a successful New York executive who returns home to find her husband’s bloodied body, sparking a media frenzy.
As the investigation unfolds, Chloe’s world unravels further when her estranged sister Nicky (Banks) arrives, disclosing tense family dynamics, including Nicky being the biological mother of Chloe’s teenage son, Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan). The drama soon intensifies when Ethan becomes the prime suspect in his father’s murder, forcing Chloe to grapple with her grief, her son’s potential guilt, and her sister’s erratic behavior.
With a strong supporting cast including Kim Dickens, Gloria Reuben, and Matthew Modine, The Better Sister promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Directed by Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya, Pam & Tommy) and executive produced by showrunners Olivia Milch and Regina Corrado, the series premieres on Prime Video on May 29th.
Wellness meets danger in the Austrian Alps …Relaxation has never looked so unsettling.
Nine Perfect Strangers: Season 2 — Trailer
(on Hulu May 21st)
Nine Perfect Strangers returns for a thrilling new season, continuing its formula of high-stakes drama set in an exclusive wellness retreat. This time, the luxurious Tranquillum House is nestled in the snow-capped Austrian Alps, offering guests a weeklong emotional reset that promises to be anything but relaxing.
Nicole Kidman returns as Masha Dmitrichenko, the enigmatic Russian wellness guru who runs the retreat, guiding a new cast of troubled strangers on their transformative journey. The new guests (played by Mark Strong, Henry Golding, Christine Baranski, Dolly de Leon, and others) will undergo a health reset that may challenge more than just their bodies.
Created by David E. Kelley, with Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel as the inspiration, Nine Perfect Strangers promises another season of tension, secrets, and mystery, where wellness and danger blur into one. Season 2 premieres on Hulu on May 21st with a two-episode launch, followed by weekly episodes.
Harry's back for more small-town shenanigans. This time, the mission is to get his alien energy back!
Resident Alien: Season 4 — Trailer
(on SYFY/USA Network on June 6th)
Resident Alien is back for Season 4, and with Alan Tudyk leading the charge as Harry Vanderspeigle, an alien masquerading as a small-town medical examiner, it’s sure to bring even more laughs. As Harry, a cold-hearted space alien sent to Earth to annihilate humanity, slowly becomes attached to the town and its quirky residents, the series continues to blend sci-fi with comedy in the most unexpected ways.
Based on the Dark Horse comic by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, the show follows Harry’s journey as he befriends his co-worker Asta (Sara Tomko) and becomes the town’s beloved doctor, all while still seeing humans as stupid creatures and ugly species. Season 4 will continue to explore Harry’s awkward attempts at fitting into human society, all while navigating his alien mission.
Created by Family Guy vet Chris Sheridan, Resident Alien features a fantastic ensemble cast including Corey Reynolds, Elizabeth Bowen, and Alice Wetterlund, with Tudyk's hilarious performance being the heart of the show. If you’re new to Resident Alien, all three seasons are currently streaming on Peacock and Netflix.
Season 4 premieres on June 6th on SYFY and USA Network.
⇩ additional TV trailers: 📺
“The Gilded Age: Season 3” Teaser Trailer: Carrie Coon Returns for Some More High-Society Scheming – Premiering June 22nd on HBO/MAX
The Russell family ramps up their pursuit of power and wealth through marriage and manipulation in the latest season of HBO’s period drama.
“Revival” Trailer: The Dead Return to Rural Wisconsin in This New Supernatural Horror Series Based on the Image Comic, Starring Wynonna Earp’s Melanie Scrofano – Premiering June 12th on SYFY
Set in a small town where the dead return home with terrifying consequences, this series follows a local officer trying to survive in a world of fear and mystery.
“Hell Motel” Trailer: Ten True-Crime Junkies Become the Targets of a Copycat Serial Killer in This New Horror Series – Premiering June 17th on Shudder
Ten true-crime influencers explore the site of an infamous murder, only to become targets of a copycat killer in this chilling limited series, featuring Eric McCormack.
“Bad Thoughts” Trailer: Comic Tom Segura’s New Twisted Sketch Comedy Series Hits Netflix with Dark Humor and Unhinged Characters — Premiering May 13th on Netflix
Segura creates and stars in a new Netflix series filled with outrageous sketches, featuring a cast of bizarre characters and off-the-wall scenarios.
“Overcompensating” Trailer: Social Media Star Benito Skinner Brings Viral Charm to This Wild College Sex Comedy — All Episodes Streaming May 15th on Prime Video
Skinner leads a raunchy college adventure as a closeted ex-football star teaming up with an awkward misfit.
⇩ Extras: ⏩
The Last of Us Actor Gabriel Luna Talks About His Surprise Friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Then Makes a Hilarious FaceTime Call During His Seth Meyers Interview
To be perfectly honest, actor Gabriel Luna wasn’t someone we were quite familiar with before watching the hit HBO series The Last of Us. Now, with Season 2 hitting its stride, Gabriel Luna is not only an actor we’ve come to recognize but also one we're fervently anticipating to see more of. And after watching his interview with late-night talk show host Seth Meyers, Gabriel Luna just might be one of the most thoughtful and genuine dudes in Hollywood right now.
But you don't have to take our word for it, take the word of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who, it turns out, is not only close friends with Luna (after both playing Terminators in the film series) but also a type of friend who makes sure to pick up his FaceTime calls every time. Watch this funny Arnold cameo in Luna’s Seth Meyers talk show appearance. It’s as endearing as it is hilarious!
Happy May the 4th! Meet the Owner of Rancho Obi-Wan, the World’s Largest Star Wars Museum.
So, we’d be remiss not to mention May the 4th. Check out this Associated Press interview where they spoke with Anne Neumann, the President & CEO of Rancho Obi-Wan, the world’s largest Star Wars museum of movie memorabilia and toy collections. Anne gives a brief tour of the impressive collection while sharing her thoughts on the annual fan-made holiday that celebrates all things Star Wars. Her insights are sure to make your May the 4th even more special. Check out the video, below.