10 New Movies Coming Out This Week: ‘Cocaine Bear’ and More!

There’s something for everyone with the new movies coming out this week! First up, we have a comedy about a coked-up black bear going on a rampage. Next, there is a ghost that becomes an Internet sensation. Then, there’s a true story about young people turning to Jesus in the 70s. And last, but not least, there is an Academy Award-nominated documentary.

All that and more are part of this week’s new releases! 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: February 20, 2023 – February 26, 2023

Cocaine Bear   (2023)

Rating: R

Release Date: In theatres nationwide on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Summary: In Cocaine Bear, an odd group of people, from cops to criminals, tourists, and teens, all converge in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound black bear goes on a rampage after ingesting cocaine.

What to Watch For: This is the third feature film directed by actress Elizabeth Banks. Her first two were Pitch Perfect 2 (2015) and Charlie’s Angels (2019).

Word on the Street: The film is loosely (very loosely) based on a true story.

My Take: This is the late Ray Liotta’s last film role. He passed away a week after re-recording some of his lines in post-production.

We Have a Ghost   (2023)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: Premieres on Netflix on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Summary: We Have a Ghost takes place when Kevin’s (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) family moves into a new home neighbors call ‘The House of Death.’ It turns out that a ghost haunts their new home in the attic named Ernest (David Harbour), a trapped soul from the 70s that Kevin recorded on his phone. When Kevin’s father, Frank (Anthony Mackie), attempts to cash in on Ernest, now a social media sensation, it opens an entire world of attention, including the CIA and a washed-up paranormal scientist (Tig Notaro).

What to Watch For: The film is based on a 2017 short story named ‘Ernest’ that appeared in Vice.

Word on the Street: Christopher Landon, who directed Happy Death Day (2019) and Freaky (2020), wrote and directed the film.

My Take: I can’t wait to see Jennifer Coolidge as famous TV physic.

Jesus Revolution  (2023)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: In theatres nationwide on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Summary: In Jesus Revolution, it’s the 70s and Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer) is the head of a church that is dying slowly as his congregation gets older. One day, Lonnie (Jonathan Roumie), a long-haired street preacher, comes into Chuck’s church, and his life and community are never the same.

What to Watch For: The film is based on author and pastor Greg Laurie, who led the Jesus movement in California during the 70s. The movement became so famous that Time magazine devoted a cover story to it.

Word on the Street: The film is co-directed by Brent McCorkle and Jon Erwin. Erwin directed, with his brother Andrew, the movies Mom’s Night Out (2014), and I Can Only Imagine (2018).

My Take: I enjoyed Jon Erwin’s last film he did with his brother Andrew, 2021s American Underdog, about the life of football star Kurt Warner.

A House Made of Splinters  (2022)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In select theatres and available on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, February 21, 2023.

Summary: A House Made of Splinters is a documentary about a special kind of home: an institution for children who have been removed from their homes while awaiting court custody decisions.

What to Watch For: The film was a big winner on the film festival circuit, including winning the Directing Award for Documentaries at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.

Word on the Street: The film is nominated for Best Documentary Feature at this year’s Academy Awards.

My Take: Director Simon Lereng Wilmont’s first feature film was the award-winning 2017 documentary The Distant Barking of Dogs, which follows a 10-year-old Ukrainian boy witnessing a war firsthand.

My Happy Ending   (2023)

Rating: R

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Summary: My Happy Ending is about Julia (Andie MacDowell). a world-famous actress with a big problem: stage 4 colon cancer. She finds herself in a British hospital room, hiding from the press and sharing her cancer treatment in a room with three other women. Three women that will be the only ones who can help Julia deal with the most difficult role she has ever played. Herself.

What to Watch For: The film is based on an Israeli play by Anat Gov.

Word on the Street: The cast includes Miriam Margolyes, Tom Cullen, Tamsin Greig, Rakhee Thakrar, Sally Phillips, and Lily Travers.

My Take: I have been a fan of Andie MacDowell since her role as Dale in the 1985 film St. Elmo’s Fire.

God’s Time  (2022)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Summary: In God’s Time, two best friends, Dev (Ben Groh) and Luca (Dion Costelloe), are in a recovery program with Regina (Liz Caribel). Regina lets it slip that she is going to kill her ex-boyfriend. Now, Dev and Luca set out on a mission to find Regina and stop her before she makes the mistake of her life.

What to Watch For: The film was a hit at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival.

Word on the Street: The film is the directorial debut of NYU graduate filmmaker Daniel Antebi.

My Take: Liz Caribel’s next role is in the highly anticipated HBO series The Idol, starring The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp.

Juniper  (2021)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Summary: Juniper is about Sam (George Ferrier), a young man who has been suspended from his boarding school and has been sent to look after his alcoholic grandmother (Charlotte Rampling) as a way to try to straighten him out. The time they spend together will turn their lives around, or maybe not.

What to Watch For: The film won the International Competition Award at the 2021 Bari International Film Festival.

Word on the Street: Charlotte Rampling was nominated for an Academy Award for her leading role in the 2015 film 45 Years.

My Take: This is the feature-film debut of director Matthew Saville, who recently seen in the role of Officer Mitchell in the 2022 horror film X.

Bunker  (2022)

Rating: R

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Summary: Bunker takes place during WWI, when a group of British soldiers find a mysterious door locked inside a bunker. When they open it, they become trapped in the bunker and soon discover an evil presence, slowly turning them against each other.

What to Watch For: Director Adrian Langley is best known for his award-winning 2020 horror film Butchers.

Word on the Street: The film played at the HorrorFest International Film Festival and Filmquest.

My Take: Some film critics have compared the film to The Twilight Zone TV series because of its look and storyline.

Bruiser  (2022)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: Premieres on Hulu on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Summary: In Bruiser, Darious (Jalyn Hall) is a fourteen-year-old boy who always seems angry. His parents, Malcolm (Shamier Anderson) and Monica (Shinelle Azoroh), have sent him to a private school so Darious can get the best education they can afford. The problem is that Darius doesn’t fit in with the rich kids and constantly gets beat up. Darious then meets a charismatic and muscular drifter named Porter (Trevante Rhodes), who promises to change Darious’s life. However, Porter is holding on to a secret that will shatter the world of Darious and his family.

What to Watch For: The film premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.

Word on the Street: Trevante Rhodes was nominated for a Best Supporting Performance Award at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

My Take: I have heard fantastic things about this film from fellow film critics and can’t wait to see it.

Linoleum  (2022)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Summary: Linoleum is about Cameron (Jim Gaffigan), who hosts a failing children’s science TV show. Cameron always dreamed of becoming an astronaut, and when a satellite falls from space and lands in his yard, Cameron decides to live out his dream and build a rocket ship. The problem is that Cameron is having trouble telling reality from fantasy.

What to Watch For: The cast includes Katelyn Nacon, Rhea Seehorn, Tony Shaloub, Gabriel Rush, and Michael Ian Black.

Word on the Street: The film did exceptionally well on the film festival circuit, winning the Best Narrative Feature Film at the 2022 Sun Valley Film Festival and was a nominee for the 2022 SXSW Film Festival Grand Jury Award.

My Take: I am a big fan of Jim Gaffigan, not only as a standup comedian but also as an actor. I loved his TV series The Jim Gaffigan Show.

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

Let us know below what new movies you plan to see this week!