John Cena takes a break from doing TV commercials for Experian Boost, Hefty trash bags and Takis to star in the Mattel toy-theme adventure comedy Matchbox the Movie. But this family faire looks more like Fast and Furious rather than Cars. Who is this movie really for? Also – Disclosure Day drops out of the Top 10, Young Washington hangs on and the top 3 movies last weekend are the same from the week before.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
- John Cena and his friends play with life-sized toy cars in Matchbox the Movie
- Last Weekend’s Top 10 movies (the top 3 are the same)
- Movies opening this weekend
- Quick reviews – including The Odyssey
- Upcoming movie releases
FIRST LOOK:
Matchbox the Movie
To quote my young son when he wanted to see the first Transformers movie, “Transformers is rated PG-13? Why? You don’t have to be 13 to play with the toy.” Out of the mouth of babes. After we watched the movie for a preview screening, we were glad to have him wait a few years before watching the movie based on a Mattel toy.
Well, the toymaker is at it again with Matchbox the Movie coming to Apple TV this October. The trailer looks goofy, but honestly, I’ll probably watch it anyway. Based on the little metal toy cars that were first created in 1953, this comedy/action movie looks like it was not made for kids, but rather adults who grew up with the toy. But really, what car-loving kid wouldn’t want to watch this?
Described by Skydance Media and Mattel Films, “Matchbox The Movie is an action-packed, globetrotting adventure about a group of friends since childhood who have their lives upended when undercover CIA agent Sean (John Cena), their long-absent former leader, returns to their small town and unwittingly gets them embroiled in a frantic international pursuit to save the world.”
In addition to John Cena, the movie also stars Jessica Biel, Arturo Castro, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, Danai Gurira, Golshifteh Farahani, Corey Stoll and Bill Camp.
So Many Questions
What is it with Mattel and Hasbro who continue to get involved in moviemaking but forget who their target demo is? The movie is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence/action, and language. Are parents really okay with that? How many will turn the movie on for their kids and then walk away?
Before watching the trailer, I couldn’t think of any reason why this movie has a PG rating, but I get it now. Other than Disney and Pixar, nobody seems to know how to make a toy-based movie palatable for adults and still appropriate for kids. (Maybe Barbie is – I still haven’t seen that movie to know.) I think with a little more brainstorming, Mattel could have come up with something … better. I think there is a reason why the movie is skipping the movie houses and going straight to Apple TV.
The script for Matchbox was written by David Coggeshall, known mostly for writing scripts for horror movies such as The Deliverance (2024), Orphan: First Kill (2022) and The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia (2013). He has written the scripts for Skydance Media’s The Family Plan (2023) and The Family Plan 2 (2025), which is a step in the right direction. And those movies are probably more geared towards parents with teens anyway.
Former stuntman Sam Hargrave directs Matchbox. He’s known for Netflix’s Extraction 1, 2 and the upcoming 3.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just judging the toy by the packaging. Watch the trailer below and let me know what you think. Maybe the proposed movie about Hot Wheels will be better.
Matchbox The Movie premiers globally on Apple TV on October 9, 2026.
WEEKEND TOP 10 MOVIES
For the Weekend of July 24-26, 2026*.
- The Odyssey / $87,000,000
- Moana / $10,500,000
- Toy Story 5 / $10,000,000
- Hadestown: The Musical / $9,692,712
- Minions & Monsters / $9,600,000
- The Invite / $2,636,270
- Evil Dead Burn / $2,610,000
- Young Washington / $1,991,286
- Motor City / $1,625,000
- Obsession / $1,500,000
*According to Comscore.
OPENING THIS WEEKEND
- July 31: Spider-Man: Brand New Day
RECENT MOVIE REVIEWS
The Odyssey
The Odyssey is an action/adventure film, this is true, but it is also emotional theater. There is a feeling of dread from the first moment the movie begins. The dread doesn’t let up until just before the credits roll. It is as enjoyable as it is sobering.
Michael
If I had to come up with only one word to describe this biopic it would be “sad”. The story isn’t all bleak, but Michael Jackson spent his whole life looking for happiness and I doubt that he ever found it.
The Sheep Detectives
This is an adult story that children are welcomed to join in. Much like a classic animated Disney tale, The Sheep Detectives is truly a story that all ages will enjoy.
Supergirl
Parents wanting to take their little girls to see Supergirl to enjoy some “girl power” should think again. Maybe the next one, but in this PG-13 film, Kara is hardly a role model. Not only that, but Supergirl is quite violent and intense.
Read more movie reviews >>>
UPCOMING RELEASES
- August 7: Super Troopers 3, One Night Only
- August 14: The End of Oak Street, Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie
- August 21: Mutiny, Spa Weekend
- August 28: The Dog Stars, Finding Emily, Coyote vs. Acme
- September 4: How to Rob a Bank, By Any Means, Onslaught, Mayday
- September 11: Practical Magic 2
- September 25: Forgotten Island, Heart of the Beast
- October 2: Verity, Digger
- October 9: Other Mommy, Matchbox the Movie, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother
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