9 New Movies Coming Out This Week: ‘Blue Beetle,’ ‘Strays,’ and More!

Curious what the new movies coming out this week are? First up, we have the long-awaited DC film, where an ancient alien relic picks an unlikely college graduate to become a crime-fighting exoskeleton superhero. Plus, we get an R-rated comedy about a bunch of wise-cracking dogs out for revenge.

Additionally, we get a documentary about a famous Elvis TV special. There’s also a comedy about two teens who try to fool alien overlords. And lastly, an animated film about an ego-driven monkey who wants to make his mark battling demons.

Check out all the new movies coming out this week in theaters and on streaming below!

New Movies Coming Out This Week: August 14, 2023 – August 20, 2023

Blue Beetle  (2023)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: In theatres nationwide on Friday, August 18, 2023.

Summary: In Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) is picked by an alien relic as its symbiotic host, giving Jamie a suit of armor capable of extraordinary but unpredictable powers. Jaime is about, no matter if he wants it or not, to become the superhero Blue Beetle.

What to Watch For: DC Studios head James Gunn has said that the film was originally a part of the ‘DC Extended Universe’ but is now a stand-alone film. There are plans to use Xolo Maridueña and his Blue Beetle character in future DC films.

Word on the Street: Xolo Maridueña is best known for his role as Miguel Diaz in the TV series Cobra Kai.

My Take: The Blue Beetle character originates from the late 30s comic books, but this version of the superhero started in 2006.

Strays  (2023)

Rating: R

Release Date: In theatres nationwide on Friday, August 18, 2023.

Summary: Strays is about Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell), a dog whose owner (Will Forte) has abandoned him in the city. A pack of stray dogs led by Bug (Jamie Foxx adopts Reggie) and they are off to find Reggie’s owner and get revenge.

What to Watch For: The voice cast includes Isla Fisher as Maggie, the Australian Shepherd, and Randall Park as Hunter, a Great Dane therapy dog.

Word on the Street: Apparently, Dennis Quaid (Interspace, Far From Heaven) plays himself in the film.

My Take: Be warned, this is the first live-action movie with talking animals rated R.

Landscape with Invisible Hand   (2023)

Rating: R

Release Date: In theatres on Friday, August 18, 2023.

Summary: Landscape with Invisible Hand is set in the future, where aliens have invaded and taken over Earth. The alien’s bureaucratic rule and advanced technology have left most of the Earth impoverished and unemployed. Two teenagers (Asante Blackk and Kylie Rogers) hatch a plan to ensure their family’s futures, but it’s risky and involves them being in love, even if they aren’t.

What to Watch For: The film is based on the novel of the same name by award-winning author M.T. Anderson.

Word on the Street: The film premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

My Take: This is the third feature film from filmmaker Cory Finley (Thoroughbreds (2017), Bad Education (2019)).

Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback   (2023)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: Premiering on the Paramount+ website on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

Summary: Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback is about Elvis, who in 1968 was considered a has-been and a sellout, overshadowed by The Beatles and other rock acts. He needed a vehicle for his comeback, and Steve Binder was hired to produce a TV special to put Elvis back on the map. Conflicts with Elvis’s manager, Col. Tom Parker, and a highly doubtful Elvis made this an almost impossible task. However, it was Elvis, after all.

What to Watch For: The film is premiering one day before the 46th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death.

Word on the Street: The special was viewed by almost half the TV-watching audience in the U.S. and put Elvis back on the map.

My Take: The film is told from the perspective of Steve Binder and those who attended the special’s taping.

The Monkey King  (2023)

Rating: PG

Release Date: Premiering on the Netflix Platform on Friday, August 18, 2023.

Summary: The Monkey King (voiced by Jimmy O. Yang) believes that he is destined for greatness. Challenged to defeat 100 demons, he sets out to take on demons, dragons, gods, and his greatest adversary of all, his ego.

What to Watch For: The voice cast includes Stephanie Hsu, BD Wong, Hoon Lee, Bowen Yang, Jodi Long, Jo Koy, and Ron Yuan.

Word on the Street: The film was selected as the closing film at the 22nd New York Asian Film Festival and features an all-Asian cast.

My Take: The film is produced by Stephen Chow, known for his movies Shaolin Soccer (2001) and Kung Fu Hustle (2004).

Back on the Strip  (2023)

Rating: R

Release Date: In theatres on Friday, August 18, 2023.

Summary: Back on the Strip is about Merlin (Spence Moore II), who dreams of being a famous magician. He moves to Vegas only to be hired as the frontman of a revival of a notorious male stripper crew, The Chocolate Chips. Now old and out-of-shape, the Chips, led by retired stripper Luther (Wesley Snipes), put aside their former conflicts to strip once again to save the hotel they made famous so long ago.

What to Watch For: The cast includes J.B. Smoove, Tiffany Haddish, Colleen Camp, Faizon Love, Bill Bellamy, Gary Owen, and Raigan Harris.

Word on the Street: Spence Moore II is hot off of two TV shows, A.P. Bio and All American.

My Take: I would love to be Tiffany Haddish’s agent, as she seems to be in every other film released this year.

The Adults   (2023)

Rating: R

Release Date: In theatres on Friday, August 18, 2023.

Summary: In The Adults, Eric’s (Michael Cera) plan was to return to his hometown for just a short time. However, it’s becoming a bit longer between trying to mend his relationship with his two sisters (Hannah Gross and Sophia Lillis) and leaving his mark as the best poker player in town.

What to Watch For: The film was nominated for awards at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival and the Las Palmas Film Festival.

Word on the Street: Filmmaker Dustin Guy Defa is best known for his award-winning short film Person to Person (2014), which was then turned into a feature film in 2017 that also starred Michael Cera.

My Take: I loved Sophia Lewis as Beverly Marsh in It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019).

Afire   (2023)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, August 18, 2023.

Summary: Afire is about Leon (Thomas Schubert), a novelist who will share a work retreat house on an Island with his artist friend Felix (Langston Uibel). When they arrive, they learn they are sharing the house with Nadja (Paula Beer), who is dating a local lifeguard. As a forest fire threatens their house, Leon tries to finish his latest novel, but Nadja becomes a distraction he cannot ignore.

What to Watch For: The film has been a hit on the international film festival circuit, winning the Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival.

Word on the Street: This is the second of filmmaker Christian Petzold’s planned quartet, whose theme is the elements. The first was the multi-award-winning 2020 film Undine.

My Take: Paula Beer was brilliant in Undine, so I can’t wait to see this film.

Puppy Love   (2023)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: Premiering on Amazon Freevee

Summary: Puppy Love takes place after one of the worst dates ever, Nicole (Lucy Hale) and Max (Grant Gustin) vow to lose each other’s number. One big problem, their dogs met, and puppies are on the way. Can two opposites get along long enough to raise a few puppies together?

What to Watch For: BuzzFeed’s viral series Puppyhood inspired the film.

Word on the Street:  The cast includes Jane Seymour, Michael Hitchcock, and Nore Davis.

My Take: Hey, a rom-com with Lucy Hale and puppies? Count me in!

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!