A Look at the 8 New Movies Coming Out This Week: ‘Poor Things,’ ‘The Boy and The Heron,’ and More!

It’s just about time for award season, and a few of the films releasing this week should be in the mix! Are you curious about what the new movies are coming out this week? We’ve got you covered!

We have the talk of the Venice Film Festival with the film Poor Things starring Emma Stone. Animation fans can’t wait for Hayao Miyazaki’s film The Boy and The Heron, which may be the legendary animator’s last film.

Adding to the mix is the drama Leave the World Behind, starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali. Plus, there are two animated Christmas movies in Merry Little Batman and Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever!

Below is the complete list of all the new movies coming out this week in theaters and streaming!

New Movies Coming Out This Week: December 4, 2023 – December 10, 2023

Poor Things  (2023)

Rating: R

Release Date: Limited Release on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Summary: In Poor Things, Bella (Emma Stone) is brought back to life by a brilliant but unorthodox scientist (Willem Dafoe). Bella is eager to learn and is whisked off to discover life by Duncan (Mark Ruffalo), a lawyer who only wants Bella for himself. Free from the prejudices of the times, Bella is about to discover her place in the world and her purpose.

What to Watch For: The film won the Golden Lion Award for Best Film at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.

Word on the Street: The movie is from filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, known for his award-winning films Dogtooth (2009), The Lobster (2015), and The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017).

My Take: I find it interesting that screenwriter Tony McNamara used the films Belle de Jour (1967) and Young Frankenstein (1974) as references for the film’s tone.

The Boy and The Heron  (2023)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: IMAX exclusive early previews on December 4, 2023, and in theatres nationwide on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Summary: The Boy and The Heron is about a young boy named Mahito who loses his mother in a fire and is haunted by her memory. His father has remarried and moved to a new house in the countryside. Mahito keeps hearing his mother call his name, and he sets out to find her in an abandoned and magical tower that will take him to a world he never knew existed.

What to Watch For: The incredibly impressive voice cast for the English version of the film includes Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh, Mark Hamill, Willem Dafoe, Gemma Chan, Dave Bautista, Karen Fukuhara, and Christian Bale.

Word on the Street: It was first thought that this would be the last film of legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises). However, Studio Ghibli stated Miyazaki has started thinking about creating a new film.

My Take: Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle is one of my favorite animated films of all time.

Leave The World Behind  (2023)

Rating: R

Release Date: Premiering on Netflix on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Summary: In Leave the World Behind, a wife (Julia Roberts) books her husband (Ethan Hawke) and their two kids a getaway to a luxurious rental home. This dream vacation takes an ominous turn when a massive cyberattack knocks out their services just as two strangers (Mahershala Ali and Myha’la Herrold) show up at their doorstep, stating that the house is theirs.

What to Watch For: The movie is from filmmaker Sam Esmail, known for his Emmy-nominated TV series Mr. Robot.

Word on the Street: The film opened the 2023 AFI Fest in Los Angeles.

My Take: The film is based on the novel of the same name by Rumaan Alam, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sam Esmail.

Merry Little Batman   (2023)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: Premiering on Amazon Prime on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Summary: The animated film Merry Little Batman takes place when Batman (voiced by Luke Wilson) is called away by the Justice League, leaving his son Damian (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) alone in stately Wayne manor. While Batman is away, the Joker (voiced by David Hornsby) decides it’s a perfect time to steal Christmas. With Batman away, Damian puts on his own Batsuit and is determined to defeat evil and save Christmas!

What to Watch For: The film is from Mike Roth, the Emmy-winning producer/writer of the TV series Regular Show.

Word on the Street: Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump scored the music for the film.

My Take: I love that Academy Award-nominated James Cromwell is the voice of Batman’s trusty butler Alfred.

Raging Grace  (2023)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Summary: Raging Grace is about an undocumented Filipina immigrant, Joy (Max Eigenmann), who lands a job as a live-in care worker for a wealthy old man (David Hayman) who is terminal. This is just the break that Joy needs to provide a better life for herself and her daughter. However, she soon discovers a dark secret that threatens to destroy everything she’s strived for and holds dear.

What to Watch For: The film won two awards at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival, including the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature.

Word on the Street: Max Eigenmann is a Filipino actress known for award-winning work on the films Ned’s Project (2017) and Verdict (2019).

My Take: I heard the film was a big hit at the 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival.

We Live Here: The Midwest  (2023)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: Premiering on Hulu on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.

Summary: The documentary We Live Here: The Midwest highlights the individual experiences of LGBTQI+ families who faced with discriminatory laws and rising hostility, try to live their lives in the heart of the country, a place that they dearly love.

What to Watch For: One of the stories the film follows is about Minnesota Representative and queer mother Heather Keeler, who uses her political know-how to bring LGBTQI+ rights to the forefront despite ongoing death threats.

Word on the Street: The film was highlighted by Forbes as one of the ’10 Can’t Miss Documentaries on Cable, Streaming and Online This Fall.’

My Take: I can’t wait to see this important documentary. 

Fast Charlie  (2023)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In theatres on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Summary: Fast Charlie is about Charlie (Pierce Brosnan), a hitman and fixer who was worked for the past twenty years for Stan (James Caan). When Stan is killed, Charlie enlists the ex (Morena Baccarin) of the man who killed Stan to hunt him down and get revenge for his friend and boss.

What to Watch For: This is the last film that James Caan made before he passed away.

Word on the Street: The film is based on the novel Gun Monkeys by Victor Gischler.

My Take: The film is directed by Phillip Noyce, known for his movies, Patriot Games (1992), Clear and Present Danger (1994) and The Bone Collector (1999). 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever  (2023)

Rating: PG

Release Date: Premiering on Disney+ on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Summary: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is about Greg, who is about to have a vacation that will be a little rough. It’s almost Christmas, and he is stuck in his house with his family because of a massive snowstorm. What kind of trouble can Greg get into with all that snow? Turns out a lot.

What to Watch For: This is an adaptation of the sixth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and the third film to be animated.

Word on the Street: While new voices have been added to the cast, Hunter Dillion, Erica Cerra, and Chris Diamantopoulos will reprise their roles as Rodrick, Susan, and Frank in the film.

My Take: These takes on the Jeff Kinney book series are always fun to watch.

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!