The last weekend in August is not typically a big one for the box office, and this year, it’s also Labor Day weekend, which also isn’t big unless a studio decides to drop a blockbuster. There are no tentpoles dropping this weekend, but there are a couple of high profile smaller releases making their debuts. Sony’s Caught Stealing and Searchlight’s The Roses, both of which feature major stars in the lead roles, will certainly pick up some viewers, but Weapons seems likely to win out the weekend once again.
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Five” - Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Pictures, and Columbia Pictures. Note that some of the movies listed are in their first week or two of limited release in the USA, so it may take them a few more weeks (or months) to show up in your local arthouse theater or on VOD. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have just opened near you: August 22nd, August 15th, and August 8th.
The Roses
Stars: Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate McKinnon, Andy Samberg
Writer: Warren Adler, Tony MacNamara
Director: Jay Roach
Genre: Comedy
Plot: A tinderbox of competition and resentments underneath the façade of a picture-perfect couple is ignited when the husband's professional dreams come crashing down.
What you should know: Remake of 1989’s The War of the Roses.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Toxic Avenger Unrated
Stars: Peter Dinklage, Elijah Wood, Kevin Bacon, Taylour Paige
Writer: Macon Blair, Lloyd Kaufman, Joe Ritter
Director: Macon Blair
Genre: Horror, Action, Comedy
Plot: A horrible toxic accident transforms downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze into a new evolution of hero: The Toxic Avenger.
What you should know: The film was screened at festivals in 2023, and a teaser trailer was released that year, but the producers failed to secure a distributor for some time due to the film's violent content.
Where to watch: In theaters
Love, Brooklyn
Stars: André Holland, Nicole Beharie, Roy Wood Jr., DeWanda Wise
Writer: Paul Zimmerman
Director: Rachael Holder
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: Three longtime Brooklynites navigate careers, love, loss, and friendship against the rapidly changing landscape of their beloved city.
What you should know: Premiered at Sundance 2025.
Where to watch: In theaters
A Little Prayer
Stars: David Strathairn, Jane Levy, Will Pullen, Celia Weston
Writer/Director: Angus MacLachlan
Genre: Drama
Plot: A man tries to protect his daughter-in-law when he finds out that his son is having an affair.
What you should know: Writer and director Angus MacLachlan previously wrote and directed 2017’s Abundant Acreage Available.
Where to watch: In theaters
Griffin in Summer
Stars: Everett Blunck, Owen Teague, Melanie Lynskey, Abby Ryder Fortson
Writer/Director: Nicholas Colia
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Fourteen-year-old Griffin Nafly is the most ambitious playwright of his generation. But once he meets handsome twenty-five-year-old handyman Brad, his life (and play) will never be the same.
What you should know: Won several awards at Tribeca 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Motel Destino
Stars: Iago Xavier, Nataly Rocha, Fábio Assunção, Renan Capivara
Writer: Wislan Esmeraldo, Karim Aïnouz, Mauricio Zacharias
Director: Karim Aïnouz
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: Under the burning sky on a roadside on the coast of Ceará, Motel Destino is the scene of dangerous games of desire, power and violence. One night, the arrival of young Heraldo definitively transforms the daily life of the place.
What you should know: Premiered at Cannes 2024.
Where to watch: In select theaters in NYC and LA
Stranger Eyes
Stars: Chien-Ho Wu, Kang-sheng Lee, Anicca Panna, Vera Chen
Writer/Director: Siew Hua Yeo
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: A man obsessively searches for his missing daughter after receiving disturbing videos exposing his secrets, leading to a chilling confrontation with the voyeur.
What you should know: Played in competition at the 2024 Venice Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass
Stars: Tadeusz Janiszewski, Allison Bell, Andrzej Klak, Wioletta Kopanska
Writer: Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay, Bruno Schulz
Director: Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay
Genre: Animation, Drama
Plot: A ghostly train journey on a forgotten branch line transports a man visiting his dying father in a sanatorium to the edge of a mythic forest.
What you should know: It’s in Polish.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Short Game
Stars: Ben Krieger, Mackenzie Astin, Katherine Cunningham, Owen Himfar
Writer: Larry Boatwright, E. Joren Christensen, Florrie Laurence
Director: Frank Sanza
Genre: Drama
Plot: On the brink of his greatest victory, a high school golfer is forced to make a life-altering decision, finally realizing his own personal dream or standing by his autistic brother.
What you should know: This is Frank Sanza’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Thursday Murder Club
Stars: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie
Writer: Katy Brand, Suzanne Heathcote
Director: Chris Columbus
Genre: Comedy, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: Four irrepressible retirees spend their time solving cold case murders for fun, but their casual sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Richard Osman, a British television presenter, novelist, and former Taskmaster contestant.
Where to watch: Netflix
More New Releases
Caught Stealing (Trailer) from Sony
Jaws (Trailer) Re-release
American Sweatshop (Trailer)
Sign ‘o’ the Times (Trailer) IMAX Re-release
New to Streaming
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish (Trailer)
Hell of a Summer (Trailer) on Hulu
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?
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