Sunday, April 12, 2026

Coachella 2026

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Saturday, April 11, 2026

Starbright (2026)

 


Starbright is a 2026 American fantasy film directed by Francesco Lucente and written by Joseph Bitonti and Olimpia Lucente. The film stars John Rhys-Davies, Diego Boneta, Alexandra Dowling, Ted Levine, Becky Ann Baker, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Tom Carey and, John Westley. The plot follows a young woman who discovers a fallen star and must protect it from dark forces that wish to exploit its power.

The film had a prolonged development; it was originally announced in 2010 with different casting before undergoing significant changes. Starbright will be released in the United States on February 27, 2026, by Ruby Max Entertainment.[1]

Plot

On a weathered farm at the edge of a fading small town, Aisling (Alexandra Dowling), a young orphan, lives with her grandparents, Bud (Ted Levine), and Teresa (Becky Ann Baker). She yearns for adventure and romance.

One night, under the shadow of an eclipse, the sky splits open and a star falls to earth landing in the field of Aisling's farm. She leaves the house to check the landing site. A tiny star rests in a crater. It sparks and glows brilliantly.

Raphael (John Rhys-Davies), not quite angel, not quite man, appears. He places the living star into a locket at Aisling’s heart. Entrusted with the star's fragile, living light, Aisling becomes his unlikely guardian.

Aisling and Raphael are forced to run from the farmhouse, pursued by three ruthless criminals, Peter (Gbenga Akinnagbe), Martin (Tom Carey), and Nick (John Westley), who witnessed the star fall and a spark that turned a lead pipe into gold.

During their escape, Aisling and Raphael are rescued by Joshua (Diego Boneta), a gallant stranger whose quiet strength helps them evade their pursuers. Together, the three embark on a perilous journey through a world where magic and life collide, discovering that the light's true power lies in awakening hope in humanity. From the darkness comes the light, and all things are possible... if you believe.

Cast

Production

Development

The project was initially announced in October 2010 as a "3D fantasy fairytale adventure." At that time, it was reported that Irish actress Sarah Bolger had been cast in the lead role, with James Earl Jones attached to play the role of the archangel Raphael.[2]

However, the film entered a lengthy period of development. When the film began production the cast had been changed, with Alexandra Dowling taking over the lead female role and John Rhys-Davies replacing James Earl Jones as Raphael.

Filming

Principal photography took place in various locations in the US, Canada and parts of Europe, utilizing both practical locations and visual effects to create the film's fantasy aesthetic. The cinematography was handled by Francesco Di Giacomo.

Release

Starbright will be released in theaters in the United States on February 27, 2026. The film is distributed by Ruby Max Entertainment.[3] Marketing for the film emphasized its "modern fable" qualities and the return of John Rhys-Davies to the high fantasy genre.

Reception

Box office

The film will begin its wide release theatrical run on February 27, 2026. Industry projections track the film for a moderate to good opening weekend.

Critical response

Early promotional material received mixed responses, with some critics praising the nostalgic 1980s fantasy tone. Collider described the trailer as "a heartfelt modern fable about courage, hope, and rediscovering the light within."[1]

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Dead Man's Wire (2025)

 


Dead Man's Wire is a 2025 American crime thriller film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Austin Kolodney, working with historical consultants Alan Berry and Mark Enochs, who together made the 2018 documentary Dead Man's Line examining the same events. The film is inspired by the 1977 hostage standoff involving Tony Kiritsis.[7] It stars Bill Skarsgård as Kiritsis, alongside an ensemble cast including Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha'la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino.

The film premiered out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2025, and was given a wide theatrical release on January 9, 2026, by Row K Entertainment.[8]

Plot

On Tuesday, February 8, 1977, in Indianapolis, Tony Kiritsis arrives for an appointment with wealthy mortgage broker M.L. Hall at the Meridian Mortgage company. Tony is instead met by M.L.'s son Richard, who reveals that M.L. has left on vacation. Tony then holds Richard at gunpoint and wires a shotgun to his neck as a dead man's switch, rigged to fire if he tries to escape or anyone interferes. He believes the Halls cheated him of potential profit after he bought land to develop and is determined to expose them. He notifies the local police that he has taken Richard prisoner then commandeers a police car. He forces Richard to drive them to Tony's home, closely followed by the authorities as well as local reporters.

Inside his apartment, Tony has booby-trapped the doors and windows with explosives, and secures Richard and the shotgun to his kitchen table. The building is evacuated and Tony makes his demands known, including an apology from M.L., as news of the standoff spreads. Letting Richard phone his wife, Tony makes a call himself to local radio DJ Fred Temple, who records him explaining how desperation drove him to take drastic action. The police allow Fred to air the recording while they formulate a plan, with Fred continuing to act as their liaison with Tony.

On Wednesday, the FBI gets involved; M.L. refuses to acknowledge Tony's grievances or apologize during a phone call with Richard and Tony. The police summon Tony's brother Jimmy. On Thursday, the authorities organize a televised press conference for Tony, ostensibly granting him immunity and forgiving his debt with millions in compensation, but prepare to kill him if necessary. With Jimmy's assurance, Tony decides to go through with the conference and reattaches Richard to the shotgun.

On live television, Tony declares himself a national hero, and forces Richard to read a statement from the company before taking over himself. Tony signs documents to guarantee his demands, convinced he has brought the Halls to justice and secured the money he feels he is owed. As Richard is released, Tony fires the shotgun in the air to prove it was loaded, before he is promptly arrested. Richard is reunited with his wife, while a furious Tony is taken away.

Months later, Tony is tried and found not guilty by reason of insanity, to the dismay of the Halls and the police, but having found some public support. Tony asserts his sanity as he leaves the courthouse. Many years later, Tony and Richard coincidentally cross paths at a bakery, wordlessly going their separate ways. An epilogue reveals that Tony was sentenced to two years in a mental institution, but served an additional eight years for refusing psychiatric treatment. Richard struggled with alcoholism in the wake of his abduction, while the company soon went bankrupt.

Cast

Production

The script was written in 2020 by Austin Kolodney. He was introduced to the true story via a podcast episode, and subsequently enlisted the help of documentarians Alan Berry and Mark Enochs (makers of the 2018 documentary Dead Man's Line on the events) to research and compile all the information of the events available.[9] In March 2024, it was reported that the film was in development with Werner Herzog and Nicolas Cage attached to direct and star in the film, respectively.[10][11]

By December 2024, Gus Van Sant was set to direct with Bill Skarsgård and Dacre Montgomery leading the cast.[12] Talking about his decision to make the film, Van Sant said: "When I read the script there were links embedded in it – you could click them and hear the real 911 calls. Tony talked so fast, like Scorsese on a cocaine bender, cracking jokes and losing his temper. I thought, 'This is an amazing character. The story had this weird barnstormer energy ... The producer said, 'We have to start shooting in Louisville in two months.' That was the most appealing thing – just hitting the road."[13] Skarsgaard was someone Van Sant had wanted to work with for a long time; while Van Sant cast Montgomery off of his viral Stranger Things audition tape.[13]

In January 2025, Colman Domingo, Myha'la, Cary Elwes, and John Robinson joined the cast.[14][15] Domingo was cast after several actors had passed on the role; he was brought into the project by the producer Cassian Elwes.[13] In February 2025, Al Pacino joined the cast.[16]

Principal photography took place in Louisville, Kentucky, in January 2025.[17][18][19] It was shot over 19 days; Pacino filmed his part in one day while Domingo shot his in two days.[20]

Release

The film had its world premiere out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2025.[21][22] It was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2025,[23][24] and screened in the special presentations section of the 61st Chicago International Film Festival on October 18, 2025.[25]

On September 9, 2025, Row K Entertainment acquired North American rights to the film as the company's inaugural release and had a limited release on January 9, expanding to a wide release on January 16, 2026.[26][27] Row K spent $5 million to purchase the film and another $5 million to market it.[28]

Reception

Box office

The film grossed $154,100 from 14 theaters in its opening weekend.[29] It expanded to 1,101 theaters in its second weekend and grossed $1.23 million over the four day holiday.[30] It was considered a "soft" result.[31] In its third weekend, the film scaled back its release and only earned $181,000 from 621 theaters.[32] In its fourth weekend, the film made $10,672 from 35 theaters.[33] The film was ultimately deemed a box office disappointment, representing millions in losses.[34]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 157 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "Brilliantly offbeat and tinged with a darkly humorous edge, Dead Man's Wire is brought to life by Bill Skarsgård's fearless performance, authentic period flavor, and anti-capitalist fervor."[35] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 68 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[36]

Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood wrote that the film feels like "art imitating life both past and present" and cited Skarsgård's performance, calling it "completely convincing and dedicated".[37]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Ref.
AACTA International Awards February 6, 2026 Best Supporting Actor Dacre Montgomery Nominated [38]
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards January 10, 2026 Best Period Film Dead Man's Wire Nominated [39]
Astra Creative Arts Awards December 11, 2025 Best Stunt Coordinator Frank Blake Nominated [40]
Chicago International Film Festival October 18, 2025 Visionary Award Gus Van Sant Honored [41]
Denver Film Festival November 4, 2025 Excellence in Directing Award Honored [42]
Miami Film Festival November 3, 2025 Precious Gem Award Honored [43]
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Friday, April 10, 2026

Greenland 2: Migration (2026)

 


Greenland 2: Migration is a 2026 American post-apocalyptic film that is the sequel to the disaster film Greenland (2020), with Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin reprising their roles. The film is directed by Ric Roman Waugh and written by Chris Sparling and Mitchell LaFortune. The film also stars Roman Griffin Davis (who replaces Roger Dale Floyd), Amber Rose Revah, Gordon Alexander, Peter Polycarpou, William Abadie, and Tommie Earl Jenkins.[5]

The film was first released in Austria on January 6, 2026, and then in the United States on January 9, 2026, by Lionsgate. It received mixed reviews from critics, although there was praise for Butler's performance. The film was a box office flop, grossing $44.2 million against a $90 million budget.[6]

Plot

Five years after the Clarke interstellar comet destroyed most of Earth and civilization,[b] the planet's environment has become chaotic, as sudden electromagnetic storms can form, along with lingering radioactive fallout and earthquakes from the impact. The Garrity family survived since the disaster living in an underground bunker near the Thule Air Base in Greenland, with Allison now a leader, John a scout and engineer maintaining the community, and their now teenaged son, Nathan, who wants to be a scout. Earthquakes collapse the bunker, forcing an emergency evacuation. Most of the survivors are killed by a tsunami and the facility is destroyed.

The Garritys and Dr. Amina escape on a lifeboat with a handful of survivors, barely making it to Liverpool. The last Greenland survivors are separated when a gun battle occurs among locals trying to enter another rescue bunker. They reach London, recuperate, and continue onward toward France, believing the impact crater left by Clarke in the former Gulf of Lion and Mediterranean Sea is where humanity has begun to rebuild. Survivor network rumors say the area is heavily defended by the military, the land is farmed, and the tectonic and radiation problems have ended.

The family learns John is dying from radiation sickness due to his scouting work, and Amina is shot and killed by bandits en route to Dover. The family crosses the English Channel, now a dry windswept wasteland, and meet a French family in Calais that shelters them. At the French family's request, the Garritys take their daughter Camille with them to the crater. They reach the front lines of a raging military battle defending the crater region and are escorted behind the lines. On the way to the crater, bandits ambush their transport, and John is shot defending the group.

The family finally reach the crater, where they find fertile farmland, fresh lakes, and clear skies free of ash and energy storms, confirming worldwide rumors that the impact site had healed. The survivors rest before a safe valley. John succumbs to his wound within sight of their goal, satisfied he protected Allison and Nathan for a safe new life.

Cast

Production

In June 2021, it was announced a sequel titled Greenland: Migration was in development. The following month, STX acquired the worldwide distribution rights for the film for $75 million at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.[7] It was put into bankruptcy protection,[8] most of the cast returned, and while Morena Baccarin was initially reluctant, she eventually agreed to return for the sequel.[9] Roman Griffin Davis replaced Roger Dale Floyd in playing Nathan Garrity.[citation needed] In May 2024, Lionsgate acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[10] Eric Freidenberg edited the film in post-production.[11]

Principal photography began on April 29, 2024, in Shinfield Studios[12] and Alton, Hampshire, United Kingdom and Iceland.[13][14] Filming concluded and wrapped in July 2024.[15]

Release

Greenland 2: Migration was first released in Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia on January 8, 2026, and was released in the United States on January 9, 2026.[16] It was originally scheduled to be released in the United States on March 28, 2025.[17] It was released in Singapore on January 8, 2026, by Encore Films.[18]

Reception

Box office

The film made $900,000 in box office previews.[19] In its opening weekend, the film made $8.4 million.[20]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 49% of 91 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "The world ends more with a whimper in Greenland 2: Migration compared to its predecessor's big bang thrills, but Gerard Butler's sturdy star power keeps this continuation reasonably compelling."[21] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 49 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[22] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B-" on an A+ to F scale.[20]

Chris Evangelista regarded the film as an "effective sequel" that "never overstays its welcome".[23] John Lui of The Straits Times gave the film four out of five stars, praising the character development and how the film "places family bonds and moral integrity over spectacle, earning its emotional beats".[18] Robert Daniels of The New York Times felt the sequel was a "notable step up" from the original, highlighting its theme that survival alone is insufficient without building a better world for the next generation. He observed that the film introduced a clearer, post-Covid message in place of the previous' pandemic undertones, and praised Gerard Butler's steady performance for bringing emotional weight to an otherwise spectacle-driven film.[24] Katie Walsh of Los Angeles Times wrote that the film presented a "proudly, even defiantly optimistic view of what comes after disaster". She also compared the film with 28 Years Later, noting their shared theme of fathers and teenage sons travelling from an island enclave to the United Kingdom years after catastrophe, though she observed that this film ultimately followed "a very predictable and straightforward path".[25]

Jocelyn Noveck of Associated Press called it "a serviceable but rather low-key, even grim affair". While she acknowledged the film's focus on "emotion and character", she felt these were not "compellingly rendered".[26] Peter Sobczynski gave the film two out of four stars, writing that the sequel lacked the human drama central to the original film.[27] Jesse Hassenger of The Guardian gave the film two out of five stars, noting how the film "walks back some of the hope that ended the first film" while exaggerating its earnest tone. He criticised the sequel for its random killing off of side characters before turning overly sentimental, calling its handling of drama heavy-handed. Although he praised Gerard Butler for his solid performance, Hassenger felt the film lapses into clichéd "good-dad" melodrama and takes itself too seriously, seeking emotional weight without genuine depth.[28]

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Greenland (2020)

 


Greenland is a 2020 American disaster film starring Gerard Butler as the father of a family who must fight for survival as a planet-destroying comet races to Earth. It is directed by Ric Roman Waugh and written by Chris Sparling. The film also stars Morena Baccarin, Roger Dale Floyd, Scott Glenn, David Denman, and Hope Davis.

Originally scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States, Greenland was delayed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was released domestically by STXfilms, through video on demand on December 18, 2020, and then to streaming on HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video. It was also released theatrically in other territories, beginning with Belgium on July 29, 2020. The film received generally positive reviews. The film grossed $52.3 million worldwide with a production budget of $35 million. A sequel, Greenland 2: Migration, was released on January 9, 2026.

Plot

Structural engineer John Garrity lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his estranged wife, Allison, and their diabetic son, Nathan. He is on the way home to watch the near-earth passing of a recently discovered interstellar comet nicknamed "Clarke", along with his family and neighbors.

While at the supermarket, John receives an automated DHS message announcing that he and his family have been selected for emergency sheltering. He returns home just as a comet fragment is seen entering the atmosphere on live TV. Previously expected to land in the ocean near Bermuda, the fragment instead strikes Tampa, vaporizing the city along with most of the state. John then receives a call with instructions to head to Robins Air Force Base for an evacuation flight, as Clarke is on a direct collision course to Earth and the impact will cause an extinction-level event in two days. John, Allison, and Nathan pack up and drive away.

The way to the base is clogged by heavy traffic, so the Garritys abandon their car and continue on foot. Nathan's insulin is accidentally left behind in the car. As they reach the base, John realizes it is missing and goes back to retrieve it. Meanwhile, Nathan's medical condition is discovered, disqualifying him for sheltering, and Allison stays with him. John returns and boards a plane, but quickly jumps off upon realizing Allison and Nathan were left behind.

As John exits the base, a panicked mob breaks in, destroying several evacuation planes when gunfire ignites spilled jet fuel. Returning to their car, John finds Allison's note saying they are going to her father's home in Lexington. After getting medical supplies, Allison and Nathan hitch a ride with Ralph and Judy Vento, only for Ralph to kidnap Nathan to use him and the wristbands to board a flight.

John hitch-hikes a ride on a truck full of people heading towards Canada, planning to get off in Lexington. A passenger named Colin tells him they are headed to Osgoode, Ontario, where private planes are flying to Greenland, believed to be the military evacuation site. Another man attempts to steal John's wristband, causing the truck to crash, killing Colin. John is forced to kill the other man in self-defense.

At another air force base, the Ventos attempt to pose as Nathan's parents, but are arrested when Nathan reveals he's not their child. Allison and Nathan are reunited shortly after at a nearby FEMA camp in Knoxville.

The following morning, John learns that the largest fragment will hit in approximately 24 hours. Stealing a car, John reaches his father-in-law, Dale's, house, and Nathan and Allison arrive shortly after. The family learn about a complex of underground bunkers near Thule Air Base in Greenland, confirming that is where the evacuees are being sent. Dale chooses to stay behind, bidding farewell to his daughter's family.

John, Allison, and Nathan proceed in Dale's truck. While making steady progress to Osgoode, the family learns over the radio that Clarke's largest fragment, which is 9 miles (14 km) wide, will hit Western Europe and obliterate it. They arrive at the Osgoode airport just in time to board the last flight out. As they reach Greenland, a comet fragment strikes, causing the plane to crash-land. The Garritys and the rest of the passengers flag down a military truck and enter the bunker complex just as the largest fragment enters the atmosphere and hits Earth, devastating civilization along with the world.

Nine months later, the bunker makes radio contact with other survivors around the world. The Garritys and other occupants exit the shelter, as reports come in that the atmosphere is finally clearing, giving the survivors the chance to bring Earth back onto its feet.

Cast

Production

Development

In May 2018, Chris Evans joined the cast of the film, with Neill Blomkamp directing from a screenplay by Chris Sparling.[3] In February 2019, it was announced Blomkamp would no longer direct the film.[4] That same month, Ric Roman Waugh joined the project as director, with Gerard Butler being added to the cast of the film, replacing Blomkamp and Evans respectively, with Butler producing under his G-Base banner.[5] In June 2019, Morena Baccarin joined the cast of the film.[6] In July 2019, Scott Glenn, Andrew Bachelor and Roger Dale Floyd also joined,[7] as did David Denman, in August.[8]

Filming

Principal photography began in June 2019 and wrapped up on August 16 of the same year in Atlanta.[9]

Music

Greenland (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Film score by
David Buckley
ReleasedSeptember 25, 2020
Length55:14
LabelVarese Sarabande

David Buckley, who previously worked with Waugh on Angel Has Fallen, composed the film's score.[10]

Release

In March 2019, STX Entertainment acquired distribution rights to the film.[11] It was originally scheduled to be theatrically released on June 12, 2020, but was delayed to July 30, 2020, and then August 14, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] Its domestic release was again delayed on July 24, moving to September 25, 2020. The film's release schedule includes Belgium (July 29), France (August 5), and Scandinavia (August 12). On September 14, it was announced the film's American release has been delayed again, this time to sometime later in 2020.[13]

On September 30, the studio announced the film would be skipping theaters and going to be available to buy via video on demand on October 13, before being made available to rent on October 27.[14] The following day, the studio announced the film had its U.S. pay TV and streaming rights sold to HBO for $20–30 million, who would release it in early 2021 and have it stream on HBO Max and Amazon Prime for the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia releases.[15] It was later reported the VOD release date had been pushed to December 18.[16] The studio spent an estimated $10 million promoting the film domestically.[17]

Greenland was released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on March 31, 2026.[18]

Reception

Box office and VoD

Greenland was first released in Belgium, making $73,112 from 55 theaters on its opening weekend.[19] On its first day of release in France, the film made $255,000 with 31,000 tickets sold, 61% ahead of Butler's Olympus Has Fallen (2013) despite fewer theaters and tight COVID-19 restrictions. Overall, it debuted to $1.09 million in the country, with a 10-day international total of $1.3 million.[20][21] In its third weekend of international release, the film finished first in nine countries and made a total of $2.82 million.[22][23] In November the film opened in China and Mexico, debuting to $3.4 million and $882,000, respectively; the running global total was $43.1 million.[24]

Upon the film's VOD release in the United States, it was the second-most rented on FandangoNow, and third on Apple TV and Google Play.[25] The film remained near the top of rental charts into February, finishing first at both Google Play and Apple TV.[26][27][28] In February 24, IndieWire estimated the film had already netted STX Films $60–80 million in profit, including around $32 million from two million PVOD rentals.[17]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 78% based on 160 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The website's critics consensus says that Greenland "show[s] audiences an improbably entertaining time".[29] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 64 out of 100 based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[30]

Writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, Richard Roeper gave the film three out of four stars, saying, "Unlike the typical, effects-laden, comet-threatens-the-planet B-movie, Greenland is more in the vein of Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds, with the scenes of chaos and destruction serving as the backdrop for the story of one family's desperate quest for survival — even when circumstances have ripped them apart."[31] Writing for IndieWire, David Ehrlich gave the film a grade of B and said, "By eschewing spectacle and focusing on the human scale of a crisis, Greenland becomes the rare disaster movie that feels realistic."[32]

Katie Walsh of the Los Angeles Times wrote that "[the film is] not just plausible but recognizable. There's very little otherworldly about this cinematic apocalypse. These are the people, places and, yes, behaviors we know all too well".[33]

Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter said "The gritty verisimilitude that the star and director Ric Roman Waugh bring to the table goes a long way in making this B-level blockbuster a timely and guilty pleasure".[34] Chris Hewitt of the Star Tribune called it "capably done".[35]

According to Matthew Monagle of The Austin Chronicle, "Greenland might be a B-movie at heart, but in keeping at least one toe on the ground at all times, the filmmakers craft something that punches well above its weight class".[36]

Among the negative reviews, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of The A.V. Club compared Greenland to Roland Emmerich's films,[37] while Owen Gleiberman of Variety wrote "A thriller isn't supposed to be a cakewalk; if it were, it wouldn't thrill".[38]

Sequel

Main article: Greenland 2: Migration

In June 2021, it was announced a sequel titled Greenland 2: Migration was in development, and will reportedly center on the Garritys' journey across a frozen European wasteland to find a new home.[39] The following month, STX acquired the worldwide distribution rights for the film at 2021 Cannes Film Festival for $75 million, and agreed to give the sequel a $65 million budget.[40] In April 2024, it was announced that filming was scheduled to start in the UK the same month. Greenland 2: Migration was released on January 9, 2026.

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