Though Apple is still on an award season run with “F1,” the tech monolith popped the hood on numerous new movies it will release in 2026.
At a blowout media event in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Apple Studios took over Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar to unveil footage and conversations from its forthcoming slate. Cameron Diaz, Keanu Reeves, Chris Pratt, Amy Adams, Colin Farrell and more showed to create buzz with global press and influencers.
While heavy on series, five feature titles were introduced, starting with Jonah Hill’s “Outcome.” The film will mark Hill’s third directorial effort, after 2018’s “Mid90s” and the 2022 therapy documentary “Stutz.”
Led by Reeves, Diaz and Matt Bomer, “Outcome” tells a story of sobriety and redemption through a Hollywood lens. Reeves plays Reef Hawk, a movie star who spends five years off the grid recovering from heroin addiction. As Hawk’s handlers, Bomer and Diaz learn that a mysterious and incriminating video featuring the actor may come to light. The team struggles to find out what could be on the tape, sparking an amends spree for the leading man that helps him confront old ghosts and ask for forgiveness.
It’s interesting to see Hill explore themes of isolation and public exposure. The actor-director himself has kept a low profile since 2023, when his ex-girlfriend and pro surfer Sarah Brady published private text messages that many viewed as controlling and abusive on Hill’s part.
“Outcome,” which Hill co-wrote with Ezra Woods, asks what an apology really means and who it serves. An early trailer was played for the crowd, the highlight of which was a cameo from soap queen Susan Lucci (she plays Reeves’ expletive-spewing mother). It has a “Jay Kelly” vibe, left bleaching in the Malibu sun (where much of the movie seems to be set). The film hits Apple TV globally on April 10.
Next came the briefest of looks at “The Dink,” a pickleball comedy starring Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris. Johnson, of the beloved “New Girl” ensemble, plays a tennis prodigy cut short after a run-in with Andy Roddick. To the chagrin of his dad (Harris), Johnson’s character takes up pickleball with Steenburgen as a partner. He finds a new passion and confronts old demons while enjoying, presumably, very low-impact cardio. Josh Greenbaum (“Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar”) directs, and the film hits the platform on July 24.
Arturo Castro, left, Jessica Beil, John Cena, Teyonah Parris and Sam Richardson in “Matchbox The Movie.”
Courtesy of Apple
Third up was “Matchbox The Movie,” what will be Mattel Films’ second significant outing since the unit relaunched in 2023 with box office phenomenon “Barbie.” A trailer played for the room showed off what seems to be a squeaky-clean take on “Fast and Furious.” The cutesy ensemble includes John Cena and Jessica Biel (who have surprising chemistry, and it’s so nice to see Biel back on a movie screen), Sam Richardson (“Veep”), Teyonah Parris (“The Marvels”) and Arturo Castro (“Broad City”). Skydance co-produced the project, which hits Oct. 9.
Chris Pratt touched down to reveal “The Way of the Warrior Kid,” an adaptation of Navy SEAL Jocko Willink’s nonfiction work that teaches kids about valor. Pratt plays uncle to the oft-bullied Marc (“Belfast” star Jude Hill) and helps train him in the ways of self-defense and integrity. Linda Cardellini co-stars, and McG (“Charlie’s Angels”) directs for a Nov. 20 release.
The day wrapped with a virtual message from Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, speaking from the set of Apple and Skydance’s “Mayday.”
This Cold War-era action comedy is a first for Reynolds, who is probably happy to be fighting a different kind of battle. The actor said he finally “gets to play the character in need of saving” in the pre-recorded greeting. As a Navy pilot who crashes on Russian territory, Reynolds relies on Branagh’s ex-KGB agent to help him survive and protect American interests. That hits Apple TV+ on Sept. 4.
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