After two long, agonizing months of no superhero movies being released, we finally have another one hitting theaters! This time around, we’re revisiting the world of DC, something we haven’t done since … uh, all the way back in June, with The Flash. But if that one didn’t strike your fancy, maybe Blue Beetle will work better for you. If we’re to go off of the initial reactions coming out of screenings, then it seems as though we’re in great hands this time around. Not only that, but apparently Blue Beetle is the first character in James Gunn’s newly revamped DCU, so this movie has a lot riding on its shoulders. Aside from superheroes, we also have dogs coming to the big screen this weekend. Strays follows a stray dog named Reggie (Will Ferrell) and his furry friends as they make their journey to get revenge on Reggie’s former owner (Will Forte). The film has a pretty stacked cast, with the likes of Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, and Randall Park filling the ranks.

A few smaller releases are also available to watch this weekend. On Netflix, there’s The Monkey King, an animated retelling of the 16th Century Chinese novel Journey to the West, starring a pretty great voice cast itself, including Jimmy O. Yang, Stephanie Hsu, and BD Wong. We’ve also got a Frankenstein reimagining hitting theaters titled Birth/Rebirth, starring Marin Ireland and Judy Reyes. Then, over on TV, there’s The Winter King, a new Arthurian legend retelling hitting MGM+ that stars Iain de Caestecker, Jordan Alexandra, and Stuart Campbell.

Here’s a closer look at five exciting titles to check out this weekend!

Blue Beetle

Where to Watch: In movie theaters starting Friday

To put it nicely, the DC cinematic unvierse has been in an interesting place these last few years. Black Adam, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and The Flash all bombed at the box office and were raked over the coals by both audience and critics. Though it seems as though everyone might be out on these movies until Superman: Legacy hits theaters in 2025, the exception might prove to be Blue Beetle. This character is said to be the first in the new DCU line of movies, so before Supes returns to potentially rope everyone into DC’s corner, Blue Beetle has a chance to become everyone’s new favorite. The film follows Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña), a recent college grad who becomes the host of The Scarab, a piece of ancient alien biotech armor, leading him to become the Blue Beetle. DC’s latest is directed by Ángel Manuel Soto and stars Maridueña, Adrianna Barraza, Damián Alcázar, George Lopez, and Susan Sarandon.

Collider’s Ross Bonaime found the movie to have a lot of promise, stating, “Blue Beetle might not be a unique take on the superhero origin story, but Soto and Dunnet-Alcocer do prove that a smaller scale, lighter approach within the DC Universe can work. The character of Blue Beetle might not have the name recognition of Superman or Batman, but especially with this origin out of the way, this seems like a character with promise in whatever direction James Gunn and Peter Safran take DC.”

Strays

Where to Watch: In movie theaters starting Friday

With movies like No Hard Feelings and Theater Camp, this summer has seen the slow return of comedies trickling back into theaters. Considering the genre is so set on giving people a fun time — and the fact that they’re cheap to produce — you’d think we’d be getting theatrical comedies all the time. If this is a world you want to live in, then show up for Strays this weekend. The movie is directed by Josh Greenbaum, director of the cult comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, and along with its hefty cast and fun premise, it also promises a pretty hard R rating. Raunchy jokes in a movie about cute little animals? It’ll be weird for sure, but it also looks like a pretty good time at the movies. If you’re upset about the few comedies that come out these days, then go support Strays this weekend.

The Monkey King

Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix starting Friday

While this summer has been good to comedies, it’s been great to animated movies. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and Nimona have all been beloved by critics and audiences alike. This weekend, get ready to add another movie to that list with The Monkey King. The film is directed by Anthony Stacchi and follows the Monkey King (Jimmy O. Yang) as he gears up to battle the Dragon King (Bowen Yang). While Journey to the West has been retold countless times, this new version looks more than worthwhile, boasting a massive voice cast, fun animation style, great action, and some pretty solid jokes to fill out an easy, 92-minute runtime. How could you go wrong with that?

Collider’s Arezou Amin thought that The Monkey King was a blast, saying, “Between the strong message and relatable character journey at the heart, as well as the absolutely stunning animation that makes up the film, we are truly living in an unprecedented era for the medium. It is a joy to get the chance to experience new stories from a wider range of storytellers who just want the chance to share art that matters to them. Studios should not be afraid to try new things and new styles, especially when passion means it pays off this spectacularly.”

Birth/Rebirth

Where to Watch: In movie theaters starting Friday

October is slowly getting closer and closer, but you don’t have to wait until then to start watching horror movies! This weekend, we have Birth/Rebirth, the latest from IFC, so you know it’ll be a good time. The film follows Rose (Marin Ireland), a pathologist with a fascination with bringing the dead back to life, who is given the task of bringing a 6-year-old girl back to life after her sudden, tragic passing. The film pulls inspiration from Mary Shelley’s horror-defining novel Frankenstein and seems to bear similar consequences for a cast of characters in search of reanimating the dead. The movie is directed by Laura Moss and stars Ireland, Judy Reyes, and A.J. Lilster.

Collider’s Chase Hutchinson found the movie terrifying, saying, “For those who look out for the horror gems from the festival, Birth/Rebirth proves that it is as good a place to start as any as it tears through flesh and blood to get right to its brutal, beating heart.”

The Winter King

Where to Watch: Episode 1 of Season 1 streaming on MGM+ starting Sunday

Like Journey to the West, the Arthurian legends have been retold more times than anyone can count, but if you can find an interesting new angle to tell these stories from, then they’re fully welcome. Well, this weekend, it seems as though that’s exactly what The Winter King will be doing. This show tells the tale of a former warrior, Derfel Cadarn (Stuart Campbell), who has now taken on the life of a monk, following him as he recounts King Arthur’s (Iain de Caestecker) shady, possibly illegitimate rise to the throne and the King’s banishing from England after becoming a warlord. Those that haven’t actually read any Arthurian legends or watched movies based on them might think that they sound boring, but if you’re yet to interact with these old tales, then dive into The Winter King. Arthurian legends rock, and are way more embedded into pop culture than you might realize. This series is created by Kate Brooke, Ed Whitmore, and Bernard Cornwell.

Collider’s Maggie Lovitt thought the series had a great kickoff, stating, “Whether you are a fan of Arthurian legends or looking for the next great historical epic, The Winter King is a must-watch. If the novel is any indication — and it’s clear that it is — the back half of the series is set to deliver incredible performances and heart-pumping plots.”

Other New Releases
Movies

Landscape with Invisible Hand

Mutt

Television

Solar Opposites Season 4 (8/14/23, Hulu)

Killing It Season 2 (8/17/23, Peacock)

Harlan Coben’s Shelter (8/18/23, Prime Video)