Jumanji: Open World looks like a winner; the box office certainly won over the weekend and a review of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
- The game-playing cast is back for another Jumanji but has a fresh take on the body-swapping adventure story.
- Last Weekend’s Top 10 movies
- Movies opening this weekend
- Quick reviews – including Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Upcoming movie releases
FIRST LOOK:
Jumanji: Open World
I must admit, when I heard that Columbia Pictures was going back the jungle for Jumanji: Open World, I was less than excited. I mean, I have really enjoyed all the Jumanji movies, but haven’t they gone as far as they possibly could with this series? Apparently not. And it’s good thing since the new trailer looks like a lot of fun.
In Jumanji: Open World, our heroes don’t go back to a mythical jungle, the jungle comes to our world. At least that is what it says in the new press release for the film. This isn’t exactly a new concept. In the original 1995 movie, two kids played an old board game, and the jungle came alive in their house!
This time though, not only do wild animals make it into the real world, so do the game’s avatars. Meanwhile, it looks like some new characters will be brought into the console world of Jumanji leaving Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan to play three different roles. I think. It’s hard to tell. The trailer is convoluted.
It looks like the whole gang is back again for the body-swapping story. The rest of the cast includes Alex Wolff, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner, Ser’Darius Blain, Rhys Darby, Nick Jonas and Danny DeVito. But even more people are playing the game this time around. A quick glance at IMDB (and the trailer) states that Lamorne Morris, Marin Hinkle, Brittany O’Grady and Nasim Pedrad are in this thing too. AND Bebe Neuwirth’s name is listed too. She may be the link to the first movie since she played the kids’ Aunt Nora in the 1995 movie.
This is Jake Kasdan’s third time directing a Jumanji movie. He also wrote the script with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg. Jumanji: Open World opens in theaters on December 25, 2026.
WEEKEND TOP 10 MOVIES
Could the future of the multiplex be turning around? Ticket sales of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day opening weekend combined with The Odyssey’s third weekend come to nearly $435 million – the highest box office sales from the U.S. and Canada since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame which made $402 million according to The Wrap. That’s the largest total ever!
“Moviegoers across generations made this weekend one for the record books,” says Michael O’Leary, CEO and president of movie theater trade organization Cinema United. “Our industry is at its best when there is something for everyone to see on the big screen, and this year we are seeing what happens when the innovation and creativity on display in amazing movie theaters across the country and around the world is combined with a great slate of films,” O’Leary wrote in a statement.”
Is it a coincidence that both movies feature Tom Holland and Zendaya? While I’m sure that there is more in play here besides Hollywood’s new power couple, I’m sure many will be making the connection anyway.
For the Weekend of July 31-August 2, 2026*.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day / $355,000,000
- The Odyssey / $51,000,000
- Toy Story 5 / $63000,000
- Minions & Monsters / $5,800,000
- Moana / $5,300,000
- Hadestown: The Musical / $2,001,239
- The Invite / $1,244,344
- I Want Your S*x / $600,000
- Young Washington / $477,727
- Obsession / $470,000
*According to Comscore.
OPENING THIS WEEKEND
- August 7: Super Troopers 3, One Night Only
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.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the best of all the movies that came before it. It still has plenty of action (the scenes that feature “The Hand” are especially cool), but it doesn’t dominate the story or go into eyeroll territory during the climax that so many other superhero movies do.
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 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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