This week’s What To Watch puts a spotlight on the DCU and some familiar “jackasses” having a last hurrah that will make fans wince but laugh with delight. In addition, holdovers like Toy Story 5 will still be a top pick for moviegoers, while those who prefer home viewing get a variety of offerings guaranteed to satisfy.
What’s Opening In Theaters?
The big opener on the theatrical front is Supergirl, the second film under the new DC Universe after last summer’s Superman, which pulled in $618.7 million worldwide. Directed by Craig Gillespie and from a screenplay by Ana Nogueira, Supergirl follows Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) as she aimlessly travels through the galaxy and parties with her dog Krypto in celebration of her 23rd birthday until a quest to save her beloved pup puts her on her path to discover her true purpose. The film also stars Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, & Jason Momoa.
This will be an interesting weekend for Supergirl. After what seemed like solid early social reactions, which saw the embargo lifted days ahead of time, the critical reaction has been much more down the middle, with a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 58 percent. The early audience score is 77 percent, which isn’t bad, but it’s not through the roof either. The response on social media also isn’t too promising, but it’s the big release this weekend in what has been a pretty solid summer movie season so far. Having seen the film myself, Milly Alcock is stellar in the titular role, and Jason Momoa’s Lobo is a highlight, but the film itself is just fine, and that might not be enough for today’s moviegoers and comic book movie fans.
Faring much better, at least on the review front, is Jackass: Best and Last, the fifth and final installment in the Jackass film franchise. Directed by Jeff Tremaine, Jackass: Best and Last is a compilation of stunts, skits, and pranks that mixes old and new footage along with never-before-seen footage. The film features original Jackass members Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Preston Lacy, Dave England, and Danger Ehren, along with Poopies, Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, and Rachel Wolfson, who were introduced in 2022’s Jackass Forever.
With a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 85 percent, it looks like this time with the gang is well worth it, even if the film isn’t full of new material and mixes in old but classic stunts and skits. Fans know what they’re getting into with this stuff, and given the fact that the series was not only popular but the films themselves, which have grossed over $560 million globally across five modestly budgeted movies. Best and Last may not top the $80 million+ global take of Jackass Forever, but it still will entice moviegoers looking for a good and painful laugh.
What To Watch At Home
Home viewing this week includes three critically acclaimed films that deserve more attention, a group of sheep solving a mystery, and the final season of an acclaimed FX series.
Tuner is now out on digital after pulling in a modest $10 million gross on a $7 million budget. Directed by Daniel Roher from a screenplay he co-wrote with Robert Ramsey, Tuner follows a piano tuner named Niki White (Leo Woodall) who has a hearing condition that gives him a high sensitivity to sound. After his mentor racks up a massive medical debt, Niki uses his skills to crack safes to pay it off but becomes involved with a criminal group in the process.
The film, which also stars, Dustin Hoffman, Havana Rose Liu, and Jean Reno, has been beloved by people who have seen it, with some calling it one of the best films of the year and a unique take on the caper sub-genre. The film is 94 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 93 percent audience score so Tuner could be the perfect movie to find its audience at home.
Another critical darling arriving on digital is I Love Boosters, a crime comedy from writer and director Boots Riley. In the film, a group of shoplifters targets a cutthroat fashion maven by stealing her clothes and selling them at a lower price. Given that this is a Boots Riley film, there is more to the movie than this simple plot synopsis, and it’s much more of a scathing yet hilarious look at capitalism that is also pretty thought-provoking.
The film was released in late May during a crowded time for movies that were given more of an opportunity to perform to the fullest, so I Love Boosters got a bit lost in the shuffle. Neon clearly had faith in the movie, but as an indie studio, it was hard for them to truly push the $20 million film. I Love Boosters only pulled in $9 million, but with Riley’s pedigree and a cast that includes Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, LaKeith Stanfield, and Demi Moore, among others, it’s a film that deserves its time to shine.
Also out on digital after a brief theatrical run is Power Ballad, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. Directed by John Carney from a screenplay he co-wrote with Peter McDonald, Power Ballad follows a wedding singer named Rick Power (Rudd) who ends up bonding with boy-band member Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas). However, when Danny uses one of Rick’s songs to support his own solo career, Rick goes all out to get the recognition he believes he richly deserves.
Power Ballad garnered some attention following its full premiere at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival back in March. Reviews were solid out of the festival, and they remained strong when it opened in theaters with a certified fresh rating of 87 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a nearly identical 85 percent audience score. Rudd and Jonas also earned top notices for their infectious charm, while the dramedy scored for showcasing the highs and lows of stardom. Another movie destined to find a new life at home.
The last item on the film front and for those seeking family entertainment at home is The Sheep Detectives, which is now streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime. Directed by Kyle Balda and from a screenplay by Craig Mazin, The Sheep Detectives is based on the 2005 novel Three Bags Full by Leonie Shawn and follows a flock of sheep who band together to solve the murder of their shepherd, portrayed by Hugh Jackman.
The Sheep Detectives quietly pulled in some money after being released in early May, grossing $126 million worldwide on a $75 million budget. While not a blockbuster, it’s more than enough for Amazon MGM, since they claim their real windfall will come from their streaming business. Reviews were stellar, with a 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics said it offers solid family entertainment that is surprisingly profound. Sounds like fun for all ages.
Lastly, the chaotic Italian beef sandwich shop comes to a close as the final season of The Bear began streaming on Hulu this week, and, at least according to reviews, it’s a return to form for the fifth and final season after stumbling in Season 4. For those unfamiliar, The Bear follows Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), an award-winning chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago to manage his family’s Italian beef sandwich shop after his older brother commits suicide. The only thing I ever had against this show is that it has been touted as a comedy series when that feels a bit like category fraud, but beyond that, it’s solidly acted and written, so it’s great to see that it’s going out on a high note.
Check back next week when we fill you in on What To Watch!
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