Critterz — AGC Studios’ animated feature that was produced using OpenAI’s tech — was originally scheduled to make its debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. But that’s no longer the case following OpenAI’s decision to shut Sora down back in March.
Film
Cinema isn’t just about the latest Disney/Pixar project or Star Wars spin-off. Memorable storytelling is happening all over the film industry, from Hollywood’s box-office-busting superhero smashes to small, innovative indie experiments. The Verge’s film section is here to help you sort through the latest Hollywood news and reviews, from favorite genres like sci-fi, fantasy, and horror to the independent movies that matter.

“Power under capitalism comes from capital itself, and we need to figure out how to have collective control of that.”
Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath will “develop animated series and films exclusively for Netflix, with first-look rights for live action projects,” according to a press release. Their latest film, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, debuted in April.

The new Star Wars movie isn’t strong enough to get the franchise back on track.
Following its surprisingly successful theatrical run, Markiplier’s Iron Lung adaptation is set to make its YouTube streaming debut on May 31st.
During an interview for his new animated film Tangles, at Cannes, Rogen minced no words about his feelings on AI, calling it “stupid dog shit.” But perhaps more pointedly said that, if you’re using AI to write, just “go do something else,” because you’re not a writer.


The next installment of the Sonic movie franchise just wrapped filming. It won’t land in theaters until March 2027. But to celebrate the milestone, director Jeff Fowler posted our first full look at Metal Sonic, glowing eyes and all.
The new premiere date is April 30th, 2027. Per Nintendo’s X account:
This is Miyamoto. I would like to let you know that the worldwide theatrical release date for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda has been moved up to April 30, 2027, from May 7. The team is working hard to deliver the film to everyone as soon as possible. There’s less than a year to go until release, so thank you for waiting.
It’s the second release date shift for the film.

It’s time for Josh D’Amaro to lock in.
It sure seems like Laika has another banger on its hands, at least based on the new trailer for the dark fairy tale Wildwood. The stop-motion movie hits theaters at just the right time of year, too, premiering on October 23rd.
I can still be easily sucked into a book of cross section artwork, so it’s fascinating to see the process of how the complex illustrations are made. Artist John R. Mullaney condensed the long process of creating a cross section of The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter into a timelapse that’s four minutes well spent.
Star Wars is making its long-awaited return to theaters with The Mandalorian and Grogu next week, but the galaxy far, far away still has a home on streaming. Disney announced that season 2 of Mando spinoff Ahsoka will premiere in early 2027. That’s more than three years removed from when the show debuted.
During its annual upfront presentation today, Disney announced that Avatar: Fire and Ash will stream on Disney Plus beginning June 24th.
Though HBO’s Westworld has come and gone, Deadline reports that Warner Bros. has tapped Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp to pen the script for a new Westworld movie that probably won’t have much to do with the show.
We’re only a few days out from Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe’s English language theatrical release on May 15th. But if a week is too long a wait, you can check out a sneak peek at the film right here.
Following The Academy Awards saying last week that only humans can get acting Oscars, the Golden Globes’ eligibility rules seem to have slightly more wiggle room allowing for AI to be used for acting awards.
“Performances submitted for acting categories must be primarily derived from the work of the credited performer,” according to the rules, but “the use of AI for technical or cosmetic enhancements” like de-aging “may be permissible.”


The latest trailer for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey shows the sheer scope of the film, from large-scale battles to gigantic mythological beasts. But it also hones in on the personal aspect; namely, Telemachus’ (Tom Holland) need to reunite with his father (Matt Damon). The film hits theaters in July.


A month after the Writers Guild struck a longer-term deal than normal with the studios, the Screen Actors Guild has followed suit. While it hasn’t been made official yet, the deal reportedly includes a sizable contribution to the union’s pension fund, increased streaming residuals, and new AI protections.
“Only roles credited in the film’s legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans with their consent will be considered eligible,” according to the rules for the 99th Academy Awards, which air in 2027. (Sorry, Tilly Norwood.) Screenplays eligible for writing awards must also be “human-authored.”
And if “questions arise” about use of generative AI in a film, the Academy says it can “request more information about the nature of the use and human authorship.“
[The Hollywood Reporter]
The streamer confirmed that one of its biggest upcoming films — Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, helmed by Barbie director Greta Gerwig — will release in 2027. It’ll be in theaters on February 12th and stream on April 2nd, though it’s not clear just how long the theatrical window will last.
Ahead of The Mandalorian and Grogu hitting theaters on May 22nd, Hasbro has announced a new animatronic version of Grogu packed with motors, sensors, and the ability to shuffle around on its own two feet. CNET’s Bridget Carey visited Hasbro HQ for an early look at the toy including how it simulates using the Force.
There’s an obvious joke here but I’ve used it about this game already. Twice. Anyway, the game looks great.


I know what you’re thinking, and yeah we probably don’t need another Resident Evil reboot. But the next film comes from Weapons director Zach Cregger, and its new trailer makes it look 1) extremely creepy and 2) like it’s pulling inspiration from the more recent entries in the survival horror franchise. I’m in.
Even — especially? — when it’s shaped like a frog.
tomatocactus:
They built the torment nexus from the famous sci fi novel “do not build the torment nexus”
Get the day’s best comment and more in my free newsletter, The Verge Daily.

Swift public outcry gave the movie a chance to speak for itself.

Sho Miyake has been celebrated for his quiet, careful character portraits in his home country. Now his two latest films are available stateside.


If we’re getting a Call of Duty movie, I guess it only makes sense that we get a Battlefield one as well. According to the Hollywood Reporter, EA’s shooter series is being adapted into a film with longtime Mission Impossible director Chrisopher McQuarrie at the helm, and Michael B. Jordan attached as star.


Deadline reports that WBD’s shareholders have “overwhelmingly” voted the sell the legacy studio to Paramount Skydance for $31 per share. Shareholders rejected a proposed compensation package for current CEO David Zaslav that could range from $500-800 million. But Zaslav could still wind up walking away with a lot of money because that vote was non-binding.
The latest poster for DC Studios’ upcoming Clayface movie — out October 23rd — from director James Watkins definitely leans into a kind of body horror that’s very different for the DCU. That kind of energy could be nice change of pace as the studio builds its new cinematic universe.
Update: And now we’ve got a trailer.
Though Warner Bros. tried to kill Coyote vs. Acme for the insurance money tax write-offs, Ketchup Entertainment has released the long overdue movie’s first trailer ahead of its theatrical debut on August 28th.
Ghibli’s getting a little meta with Night in the Valley of Witches — a new animated short co-directed by Goro Miyazaki and Akihiko Yamashita that is set in a fictionalized version the studio’s real world theme park. You’ll be able to see the movie at the actual theme park beginning on July 8th.
Netflix has announced the leading cast for its upcoming Gundam movie from director Jim Mickle (Sweet Tooth), and the lineup looks like… an interesting group of faces, to say the least.
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.


Most Popular
- It’s not just LG. Every TV company is spying on you
- OpenAI and Microsoft knew they were starting a ‘doom loop’ for the web
- Gemini went rogue, hacked three companies, and Google hid it
- The 2.5-hour AI-generated Odyssey movie is 2.5 hours too long
- The Apple Watch Series 12 is the start of a new wearable era



