Weapons (2026 film) explained

Weapons is an upcoming American epic horror film written, directed, and co-produced by Zach Cregger. It stars Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, Austin Abrams, Amy Madigan, and June Diane Raphael.

The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on January 16, 2026.

Premise

The film revolves around multi-related plots marked by the disappearance of school kids in the middle of the night, police corruption, generational trauma, witchcraft, blood rituals, and religious abuse in a small Florida community.

Cast

• Josh Brolin
• Julia Garner
• Alden Ehrenreich
• Benedict Wong
• Amy Madigan
• Austin Abrams
• Cary Christopher
• June Diane Raphael
• Clayton Farris

Production

On January 22, 2023, Zach Cregger's spec script for Weapons (his next film after the critically acclaimed and profitable Barbarian) entered the market and prompted a bidding war between Netflix, New Line Cinema, TriStar Pictures, and Universal Pictures.^{[1] [2]} New Line secured the rights within 24 hours after offering $38million to cover the budget and talent, with Cregger receiving $10million for his part as writer, director, and producer and final cut privilege (pending test screening reactions to the film) in addition to a guaranteed theatrical release. Jordan Peele, whose company Monkeypaw Productions participated in the bidding war in conjunction with Universal, parted ways with longtime managers Joel Zadak and Peter Principato, the latter of whom was also Cregger's manager, after losing the auction.^[3]

In May 2023, Pedro Pascal and Renate Reinsve were cast to star in the film.^{[4] [5]} In February 2024, Pascal exited the project, due to his commitments to (2025), with Josh Brolin entering talks to replace him.^[6] In April, Julia Garner and Alden Ehrenreich joined the cast of the film, with Brolin confirmed to join as well.^{[7] [8]} In May, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, and June Diane Raphael were announced to have joined the cast.^{[9] [10]} Principal photography began in Atlanta by May 2024 and wrapped in July.^{[7] [11]}

Release

Weapons is scheduled to be released in the United States on January 16, 2026.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: New Line Wins Intense Auction for Weapons, the New Movie From Barbarian Filmmaker Zach Cregger. Kit. Borys. January 25, 2023. The Hollywood Reporter. March 9, 2023.
2. Web site: New Line Lands Hot Package Weapons; Barbarians Zach Cregger To Helm His Script. Fleming Jr. Mike. January 25, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. March 9, 2023.
3. Web site: New Line Lands Hot Package Weapons; Barbarians Zach Cregger To Helm His Script. January 25, 2023. Mike Jr.. Fleming. Deadline Hollywood. October 17, 2024.
4. Web site: Pedro Pascal to Star in Weapons, the New Movie From Barbarian Filmmaker Zach Cregger (Exclusive). Kit. Borys. May 9, 2023. The Hollywood Reporter. May 9, 2023.
5. Web site: Kit . Borys . Renate Reinsve, Star of The Worst Person in the World, Joins Pedro Pascal in Weapons . . May 22, 2023 . May 22, 2023.
6. Web site: Josh Brolin in Talks to Star in Zach Cregger's Horror Thriller Weapons (Exclusive). Kit. Borys. February 21, 2024. The Hollywood Reporter. February 21, 2024.
7. Web site: Julia Garner Joins Josh Brolin in Zach Cregger's Horror Thriller Weapons. Kit. Borys. April 24, 2024. The Hollywood Reporter. April 24, 2024.
8. Web site: Alden Ehrenreich Joins New Line Horror Thriller Weapons From Zach Cregger. Grobar. Matt. April 29, 2024. Deadline Hollywood. April 29, 2024.
9. Web site: Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan, Austin Abrams & Cary Christopher Round Out Cast Of New Line's Weapons. Deadline Hollywood. Matt. Grobar. 2 May 2024. 2 May 2024.
10. Web site: Grobar . Matt . 2024-05-17 . June Diane Raphael Joins New Line's Weapons . 2024-05-29 . . en-US.
11. Web site: Josh Brolin Joins Daniel Craig in Knives Out 3 (Exclusive). Kit. Borys. June 3, 2024. the actor is presently in production on Weapons. The Hollywood Reporter. June 3, 2024.
12. Web site: D'Alessandro. Anthony. May 14, 2024. Warner Bros. Dates 'Mortal Kombat 2' & 'Companion' For 2025; Zach Cregger's 'Weapons' For 2026. May 15, 2024. Deadline Hollywood.