A Look at the 8 New Movies Coming Out This Week: ‘Kung Fu Panda 4,’ ‘Ricky Stanicky,’ and More!

Curious about the new movies coming out this week? There’s something for everyone this go around, starting with the long-awaited animated sequel Kung Fu Panda 4, starring Jack Black. And if that’s not your speed, the comedy Ricky Stanicky, starring Zac Efron and John Cena, is premiering on Prime Video!

Also, this week is the premiere of Damsel, the Netflix adventure film starring Millie Bobby Brown, and the horror film Imaginary, which is about an imaginary best friend who is out for revenge. 

Added to the mix is a drama, Love Lies Bleeding, that stars Kristen Stewart and a documentary about fashion maverick John Galliano in High & Low: John Galliano.

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

New Movies Coming Out This Week: March 4, 2024, – March 10, 2024  

Kung Fu Panda 4   (2024)

Rating: PG

Release Date: In theaters nationwide on Friday, March 8, 2024. 

Summary: In Kung Fu Panda 4, Po (voiced by Jack Black) has been picked to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace, meaning he must find a new Dragon Warrior. Meanwhile, a wicked sorceress plans to re-summon all the master villains that Po had vanquished in the past and get her revenge.

What to Watch For: The outstanding voice cast includes Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, Ian McShane, and Ke Huy Quan.

Word on the Street: This is a sequel to the 2016 film Kung Fu Panda 3.

My Take: I still think Awkwafina should have been nominated for an Oscar for her role as Billi in the 2019 film The Farewell.

Ricky Stanicky   (2024)

Rating: R

Release Date: Premiering on Prime Video on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Summary: Ricky Stanicky is about three best friends who, when they were kids, invented the imaginary Ricky Stanicky as a handy alibi to get them out of trouble. Now, as adults, the three (Zac Efron, Andrew Santino, and Jermaine Fowler) continue using the nonexistent Ricky anytime they need to get out of immature behavior. Unfortunately, their friends and spouses have grown suspicious of Ricky and demand to meet him. So, the three hire a washed-up actor (John Cena) to play the part of Ricky. What could go wrong?

What to Watch For: The film is directed by two-time Academy Award winner Peter Farrelly (Green Book (2019)).

Word on the Street: Jim Carrey and Nicolas Cage were considered for the part of Ricky before the studio went with Cena.

My Take: John Cena has come a long way since his wrestling days when he made feature films like The Marine (2006) and 12 Rounds (2009) for the WWE.

Imaginary   (2024)  

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Summary: In Imaginary, Jessica (DeWanda Wise) has returned to her childhood home with her daughters. Jessica is shocked when she discovers that the imaginary friend she left behind is very real. And it’s targeting Jessica’s youngest daughter because he is unhappy that she abandoned him so long ago.

What to Watch For: Director Jeff Wadlow has cited the 1982 film Poltergeist as an enormous influence on Imaginary and how the film makes you care and root for the family.

Word on the Street: The film produced by the Blumhouse studio, known for its horror films like Five Nights at Freddy’s and M3GAN.

My Take: One of my favorite actors, Betty Buckley (Carrie (1976), Split (2016)), is in the film as a character who tries to help Jessica combat the imaginary evil friend.

Damsel   (2024)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: Premiering on Netflix on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Summary: Damsel occurs when Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown), a young noblewoman has agreed to marry a handsome prince. Elodie discovers that the marriage has only happened so that she can be sacrificed to repay an ancient debt. Elodie is now trapped in a deep cave with a dragon bent on killing her. She will need all her strength and wits to survive and get out to get her revenge.

What to Watch For: Millie Bobby Brown is one of the film’s executive producers.

Word on the Street: The film’s director, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, is best known for directing the 2008 film 28 Weeks Later. Fresnadillo was nominated for an Oscar for his live action short film Linked in 1997.

My Take: I have enjoyed the Enola Holmes films that Millie Bobby Brown has made for Netflix. So I look forward to seeing this film.

Love Lies Bleeding   (2024)

Rating: R

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Summary: Love Lives Bleeding is about Lou (Kristen Stewart), a gym manager in her small town where her father, Lou Sr. (Ed Harris), runs the town with an iron hand. Into Lou’s gym walks Jackie (Kate O’Brian), a bodybuilder who takes Lou’s breath away. It’s a meeting that will change their lives forever. In fact, someone may die.

What to Watch For: The film was nominated for Best Feature Film at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival.

Word on the Street: Kate O’Brian, like her character in the film, used to be a competitive bodybuilder.

My Take: Director/co-writer Rose Glass’s first film was the award-winning 2019 movie Saint Maude.

Cabrini   (2024)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Summary: Cabrini is the story of Francesca Cabrini (Cristiana Dell’Anna), who has arrived in New York City in 1889 from Italy and is shocked by the crime, disease, and the multitude of homeless, impoverished children that fill the streets. Cabrini sets out on a mission to find a place to house as many homeless and orphaned children as possible. Against the odds and using her faith and entrepreneurial spirit, she will change the world, one child at a time.

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

Word on the Street: Cristiana Dell’Anna is best known for her roles in The King of Laughter (2021) and Toscana (2022).

My Take: I am a big fan of John Lithgow, who plays the Mayor of NYC in the film, as a powerful man who wants to stop Cabrini from building her orphanage.

Accidental Texan   (2023)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Summary: Accidental Texan takes place when, after being fired from a film, actor Erwin (Rudy Pankow) finds himself stranded in the middle of West Texas, where he is taken under the wing of a nearly bankrupt oil driller named Merle (Thomas Haden Church). The two set off on a wild adventure to outwit a corrupt oil company to give them enough time to strike pay-dirt and save Merle’s business.

What to Watch For: The film won the Audience Award at the 2023 Dallas International Film Festival.

Word on the Street: Rudy Pankow is best known for his role as JJ Maybank on the TV series Outer Banks.

My Take: I still fondly remember Thomas Haden Church as the dim-witted mechanic Lowell on the TV series Wings.

High & Low – John Galliano   (2023)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In theaters on Friday, March 8, 2024. 

Summary: High & Low – John Galliano is a documentary on the rapid rise and fall from grace of controversial fashion designer John Galliano.

What to Watch For: Interviewed for the film are Penelope Cruz, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Anna Wintour, and Hamish Bowles.

Word on the Street: The film is directed by Kevin Macdonald, who won the 2000 Best Documentary Feature for his film One Day in September.

My Take: Macdonald directed the outstanding 2013 documentary Marley on the life of Bob Marley.

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

Below, let us know what new movies you plan to see this week!