9 New Movies Coming Out This Week: ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ and More!

Wondering what the new movies coming out this week are? We’ve reached award season, and a bunch of what’s releasing this week is sure to qualify!

The long-awaited animated Pinocchio film from Guillermo del Toro, the Brendan Fraser starring film that everyone is talking about, a film about the love of movies from Sam Mendes, and a father/daughter drama that is making waves at film festivals.

Here is the full rundown of new movies coming out this week in theatres, as well as those releasing on the major streaming platforms.

New Movies Coming Out This Week: December 5, 2022 – December 11, 2022

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio  (2022)

Rating: PG

Release Date: In select theatres now and premieres on Netflix on Friday, December 9, 2022.

Summary: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio takes place when Geppetto (voiced by David Bradley), mourning the loss of his only son, makes a boy puppet named Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) that magically comes to life. Pinocchio, with the help from his father and his friend, the talking Cricket (Ewan McGregor), must learn what it is to be a boy in the real world. (Check out our editor’s review of the movie here)

What to Watch For: The film won the Best Animated Feature from the Atlanta Film Critics Circle.

Word on the Street: The voice cast includes Ron Perlman, Finn Wolfhard, Tilda Swinton, John Turturro, Cate Blanchett, and Christoph Waltz.

My Take: This is the first animated film directed by two-time Academy Award winner Guillermo del Toro.

The Whale  (2022)

Rating: R

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, December 9, 2022.

Summary: In The Whale, a reclusive English teacher (Brendan Fraser) attempts to reconnect with his long-estranged teenage daughter (Sadie Sink).

What to Watch For: The film has been a massive hit at film festivals worldwide. The film won four awards at the 2022 Venice Film Festival, and the audience gave Brendan Fraser a lengthy standing ovation.

Word on the Street: Critics have praised the performance of Sadie Sink, best known for her role as Max Mayfield in the hit TV show Stranger Things.

My Take: I am a big fan of filmmaker Darren Aronofsky’s 2008 film The Wrestler, which starred Mickey Rourke.

Empire of Light  (2022)

Rating: R

Release Date: In theatres nationwide on Friday, December 9, 2022.

Summary: Empire of Light is about Hilary (Olivia Colman), a troubled woman who is having an affair with the married boss (Colin Firth), who owns the movie theatre she manages. When a new worker is hired, Stephen (Michael Ward), Hilary’s life is changed, and they quickly form a bond that will alter their lives forever.

What to Watch For: The film is from Sam Mendes, known for his movies American Beauty (1999), Skyfall (2012), and 1917 (2019).

Word on the Street: Though this is Sam Mendes’s ninth film as a director, this is the first film he has directed from a screenplay written by himself.

My Take: I think Olivia Colman is one of our greatest actors working today, and I will see any film she appears in.

Aftersun  (2022)

Rating: R

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, December 9, 2022.

Summary: In Aftersun, a young girl named Sophie (Frankie Corio) spends a holiday with her father, Calum (Paul Mescal). It’s a time when both want to desperately connect but can’t find common ground.

What to Watch For: Director Charlotte Wells auditioned over 800 girls for the role of Sophie before selecting newcomer Frankie Corio.

Word on the Street: The film has won over twenty awards, including seven at the 2022 British Independent Film Awards.

My Take: I have heard fantastic things about this film from other film critics and look forward to seeing it.

Something From Tiffany’s  (2022)

Rating: PG

Release Date: Premieres on Amazon Prime on Friday, December 9, 2022.

Summary: Something From Tiffany’s is about Rachel (Zoey Deutch), who isn’t happy with how her life is going. But that’s all about to change. Rachel’s life is turned upside down with an engagement ring that was meant for someone else is given to her by mistake as a Christmas gift. Was it a mistake or fate?

What to Watch For: Kendrick Sampson, known for his role as Caleb in the TV series How to Get Away with Murder, plays the man whose ring is given to the wrong woman.

Word on the Street: The film is from Reese Witherspoon’s production company and is based on a novel by bestselling author Melissa Hill.

My Take: I have been a fan of Zoey Deutch since she was on the TV series Ringer.

Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again   (2022)

Rating: PG

Release Date: Premieres on Disney+ on Friday, December 9, 2022.

Summary: Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again takes place when Larry (voiced by Zachary Levi) is about to go on vacation, but before he goes, he must hire a new guard for the overnight shift at the museum. He reluctantly hires his high school son, Nick (Joshua Bassett), with one instruction. Do not open the basement door!

What to Watch For: This is an animated addition to the long-running film franchise.

Word on the Street: Director of the film, Matt Danner, won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program for the TV series Muppet Babies.

My Take: I love that Zachary Levi also voices the role of a caveman who looks like his character, Larry.

Matilda the Musical  (2022)

Rating: PG

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, December 9, 2022, and on Netflix, Christmas Day.

Summary: In Matilda the Musical, Matilda (Alisha Weir) is attending a new school and dares to take on the dastardly evil Miss Trunchbull (Emma Thompson).

What to Watch For: This is a film adaptation of the Tony and Oliver award-winning musical.

Word on the Street: The film is based on the book by Roald Dahl, who also created Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach.

My Take: I wanted to see the musical on Broadway, so this will be on my list to see.

To the End  (2022)

Rating: R

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, December 9, 2022.

Summary: The documentary To the End follows four women over three years fighting for a Green New Deal and hoping to ignite a historic shift in climate politics.

What to Watch For: The film is directed by Rachel Lears, who blew everyone away with her award-winning 2019 film Knock Down the House.

Word on the Street: One of the stars of Knock Down the House, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is also featured in this film.

My Take: I am always up for a good documentary.

Memories of My Father  (2020)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, December 9, 2022, and On Demand, December 13, 2022.

Summary: Memories of My Father takes place when a man looks back at his life with his father, a university professor who stood up against the government, fighting oppression and social inequality. The fight cost his father his life.

What to Watch For: The film is based on true events.

Word on the Street: The movie is Columbia’s official submission for the Academy Awards.

My Take: I am a fan of filmmaker Fernando Trueba’s 2010 animated film Chico & Rita.

Which New Movies Coming Out This Week Are You Excited To Watch?

Let us know below what movies you are planning to see this week!