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As the fall movie season gets into full swing, new movie releases in the theaters are lighting up with a fresh slate of films for the weekend of September 26th. From high-stakes horror and sweeping dramas to inspirational true stories and beloved classics, there’s something for every moviegoer. Whether you’re looking for a blockbuster experience or an indie gem, here are the new movie releases you won’t want to miss.

New Movie Releases: Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie – Rated G

Image of Gloria Estefan and Laila Lockhart Kraner in Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie (2025), Courtesy of DreamWorks Animation – © 2025 DreamWorks Animation LLC.

Get ready for the ultimate sprinkle-filled adventure with Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie! In this big-screen debut of the beloved series, Gabby (voiced by Laila Lockhart Kraner) and her Grandma Gigi (the iconic Gloria Estefan) hit the road to Cat Francisco, only for Gabby’s prized dollhouse to fall into the hands of an eccentric cat lady, Vera (Kristen Wiig). With her Gabby Cats scattered, Gabby heads on a journey in the real world to reunite her friends and save her dollhouse. It is packed with adorable characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and a star-studded cast. This magical adventure is a must-see for fans of all ages!


New Movie Releases: One Battle After Another – Rated R

Image of Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another, Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures – © Warner Bros. Pictures

Leonardo DiCapr io starring in a Paul Thomas Anderson film? This is the kind of cinematic event film nerds like me dream about! One Battle After Another is a modern-day adaptation inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, and it’s got everything: political satire, black comedy, and action-packed drama. DiCaprio plays a civil rights activist caught in a high-stakes mission to rescue his daughter, with a cast that includes Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, and Sean Penn as a chilling white nationalist leader. The trailer is packed with Anderson’s signature visual style and layered storytelling, and the $140 million budget suggests this is going to be a spectacle unlike anything he’s done before. Mark your calendars for September 26—this one’s got “instant classic” written all over it!

New Movie Releases: The Strangers: Chapter 2 – Rated R

Image of Madelaine Petsch in The Strangers: Chapter 2 (2025), Courtesy of The Strangers: Chapter 2, Lionsgate

The Strangers: Chapter 2 is back to remind us why we bolt our doors at night. This time, the masked psychopaths are more relentless than ever, hunting down Maya (Madelaine Petsch), one of their surviving victims, because apparently, they just can’t let things go. With nowhere to hide and no one to trust, Maya is thrown into another round of senseless terror as the Strangers gleefully wreak havoc on anyone in their way. It’s brutal, it’s bloody, and it’s got just enough “why are you doing this?!” energy to keep horror fans nervously munching their popcorn.

New Movie Releases: Dead of Winter – Rated R – Moderate Release

Image of Judy Greer in Dead of Winter, Courtesy of Dead of Winter, Vertical Entertainment

The Dead of Winter is what happens when you mix Emma Thompson’s undeniable brilliance with a thriller that’s trying a little too hard to be Fargo but ends up more like a snowy episode of Criminal Minds. Thompson plays a grieving widow turned ice-fishing action hero, battling kidnappers in the frozen wilderness while somehow losing her mitten, her wedding ring, and maybe a bit of the plot along the way. With Judy Greer as a Fentanyl-sucking villain and enough plot holes to sink a fishing hut, the movie is saved by Thompson’s charm and a fleece-lined coat of gumption. It’s entertaining, sure, but don’t think too hard about it—or you might fall through the narrative ice.

New Movie Releases: Bau: Artist at War (2024) Rated PG-13 – Moderate Release

Image of Josh Blacker and Emile Hirsch in Bau: Artist at War (2024), Courtesy of Bau: Artist at War, Showbiz Direct

Bau: Artist at War tells the true story of Joseph Bau, a Holocaust survivor who used his artistic talents to navigate the horrors of the concentration camps he was a prisoner in. Oh, and he didn’t just survive—he also managed to forge documents and help hundreds escape, all while finding love in the middle of literal hell. Directed by Sean McNamara, this drama leans into the inspiring and romantic, but let’s be real, if you’re not emotionally prepared to cry over a love story set against the backdrop of war, maybe bring tissues (or a towel). It’s a tale of resilience, creativity, and hope, proving that sometimes art really can save lives. Sometimes, the best new movie releases are the ones that take us back.

New Movie Releases: BFFs – Rated – NR – Limited Release

Image of Adam Rifkin and Constantine Paraskevopoulos in BFFs, Courtesy of BFFs, Seismic Releasing

BFFs is the story of Jerry, a guy who decides the best way to reconnect with his childhood buddy Henry is through escalating practical jokes—because nothing says “I missed you” like potentially ruining someone’s life. As the pranks spiral out of control, Henry’s current life teeters on the edge of chaos, with some “oops, this might actually kill someone” consequences. This new movie release is directed by Constantine Paraskevopoulos and has a comedy-crime mashup that promises laughs, tension, and a reminder that maybe not all friendships are worth rekindling.

New Movie Releases: Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp and the Biotech Revolution (Documentary) – Rated – NR Limited Release 

Image of Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp and the Biotech Revolution Movie Poster, Courtesy of Dada Films

Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp and the Biotech Revolution dives into the life of Nobel laureate Phil Sharp, who went from rural Kentucky to revolutionizing medicine with his biotech discoveries. Oh, and he did all this while battling dyslexia and threats—because apparently saving the world isn’t challenging enough. It is directed by Bill Haney and narrated by Mark Ruffalo. This documentary showcases what a vital role Sharp plays in enabling life-saving medicines and even COVID vaccines. It’s a fascinating look at how one man’s genius and determination changed the course of science, but let’s be honest—if you’re not into RNA splicing, you might need a coffee to keep up, but this could be a fantastic new movie to check out too!

Final Thoughts

Put that Netflix on pause.  Grab your popcorn and favorite snack and treat yourself to the full cinematic experience.  Every week, there are new adventures to be had.  This week, you can be a scientist or you can be on a mission to save your daughter!  Escape to the wonderful, magical world of movies.  Don’t forget to check out the movies from last week, too.  Maybe there is an adventure there you would like to explore too!  Either way… refills on the large sizes are free, so hit up a new movie release or two this weekend!

This article first appeared on Total Apex Entertainment and was syndicated with permission.

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