Sci Fi Movies This Week: Weekly column tracking what is coming in the current week in the way of sci fi, fantasy, and horror releases as well as news and updates on genre films, streaming and theatrical.
Sci Fi Movie News of Note
In the reboots that we don’t need category, Michael Crichton’s Westworld could be returning to the big screen. According Deadline, David Koepp–who previously adapted Chrichton’s Jurassic Park back in 1993 and most recently wrote the script for Jurassic World: Rebirth–is looking to do an updated version of the 1973 sci fi classic. That took place in a theme park populated by androids, bringing to life three different historical eras: Western World, Medieval World, and Roman World. But when the androids malfunction, the lives of the park guests are put in jeopardy. The original film starred Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, James Brolin, and Majel Barrett, and was followed by the sequel Futureworld in 1976 a well as the short-lived 1980 TV series Beyond Westworld. The new version will come from Warner Bros., and no director is set at this point. Westworld was rebooted in 2016 with the TV series from Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, and that ran for four seasons, considered by many to be a sci fi TV classic. Whether Koepp’s version will be a direct reboot of the 1973 film is uncertain at this point. This one has not shown up in the Production Weekly listings yet, so it is in pre-production at this point, and there is always the possibility it could get stuck in Development Hell.
Rumors have been circulating that a sequel to the Tom Cruise sci fi film Edge of Tomorrow is in the works, and an entry even showed up for that in the September 25, 2025 Production Weekly list. But Collider has put a damper on that, claiming that they have learned nothing is currently in active development. Word is that Warner Bros. would like to produce a sequel at some point, but nothing is on the schedule and Cruise has not been attached to any future development at this point.
Australian director Jennifer Kent (The Badabook) is starting on her next film which will be the dystopian thriller The Girl Who Was Plugged In and will star Sophie Thatcher (Companion) in dual lead roles. Deadline gives the following description for the property:
Thatcher plays disfigured, suicidal young protagonist P Burke who is hired by a mega tech corporation to virtually operate a beautiful but brainless ‘flesh body’ called Delphi, grown in a lab with the sole purpose of influencing the masses and selling products. As Delphi’s star rises, P Burke becomes enthralled by her and descends into a tech psychosis with disastrous consequences.
The film is based on 1973 novella of the same name by James Tiptree Jr., and it is set to start shooting in November 2026.
Sci Fi Movie Premieres
There are no sci fi/fantasy movies hitting the theaters this weekend, and nothing of note coming to streaming. The Summer Blockbuster Season will have its next major release on Friday May 22nd when The Mandalorian and Grogu brings the Star Wars franchise back to the big screen, and you can see our full Summer preview at this link. Also, after an extended run in the theaters, James Cameron’s third Avatar film–Fire and Ash–will be getting its streaming premiere in June. That film will be available on Disney+ on June 24th and it will be released on home video on May 19th. You can see a full rundown of all the current and upcoming sci fi and fantasy movies at this link.
Sci Fi Box Office
After the disappointing start for Animal Farm to kick off the Summer Blockbuster Season (more on that at this link), Mortal Kombat II was the next genre entry to step up and show what it could do, and it had somewhat better success. That one premiered at Number 2 in the Box Office chart (behind early juggernaut The Devil Wears Prada 2), and it pulled in $38.5 million in domestic receipts. At over $65 million globally so far vs. a budget of $80 million, it is looking like it should do well in its theatrical run. (More Box Office results at this link.)
New on Home Video
Mercy: In the near future, a detective (Chris Pratt) stands on trial accused of murdering his wife. He has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced A.I. Judge (Rebecca Ferguson) he once championed, before it determines his fate.
Cast and Crew: Chris Pratt (Actor), Rebecca Ferguson (Actor), Timur Bekmambetov (Director)
Now Available: 4K UHD | Blu-ray | DVD | VOD
More new releases at this link.
Recent Trailers
Wildwood (In Theaters, October 23rd): From the makers of Coraline, Wildwood is a sweeping, darkly magical adventure about a young girl who ventures into a dangerous hidden forest to rescue her brother – an odyssey shaped by love, power, and the courage to confront the unknown. Based on the bestselling novel by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis.
Directed by: Travis Knight
Starring: Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Richard E. Grant, Awkwafina
Be sure to follow our Sci Fi Movie Schedule page to keep up with all the upcoming genre releases.
