What to watch this weekend: Wes Anderson, John Wick, Stephen King lead diverse box office lineup

It’s a big weekend for movie theaters, with three films debuting at the box office—all wildly different from each other. One adaptation, one original, and one sequel. Here’s what to look out for in terms of the best new shows and movies to watch this weekend.

What and how to watch

In theaters: The Phoenician Scheme

Director Wes Anderson (“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Royal Tenenbaums”) brings along all of his friends and his gimmicks–eccentric characters, deadpan delivery, camera movements that move like a stage play–into his latest film, “The Phoenician Scheme.”

The movie is about Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio Del Toro) and his daughter evading and escaping scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins once their estate becomes vulnerable. Big casts are becoming more and more common, but no big cast compares to a Wes Anderson cast. The names of notable actors in the film would fill up the rest of this entire piece.

Is it as edgy as his earliest work? No. Is it as heartfelt as his prime work from 10, 15 years ago? No. Is it among the best in his filmography? Also no, but Wes Anderson is incapable of making a bad film.

In theaters: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

The complete 180-degree turn of a Wes Anderson film is a sleek and savory cinematic action film that takes place in the world of John Wick. Keanu Reeves departs from the lead role in favor of Ana De Armas, who teased her action movie skills in a brief sequence in the last Bond movie.

A spin-off set between the events of Chapters 3 and 4, “Ballerina” follows Eve as she undergoes the first steps of her training as an assassin for the Ruska Roma crime syndicate. De Armas absolutely crushes in this, and could easily be the premier female action star if she wanted to be. Cliches aside, “Ballerina” continues the tradition of gorgeously photographed action sequences seen in the later John Wick films.

In theaters: The Life of Chuck

A hard-to-market film based on a hard-to-describe novella written by Stephen King, “The Life of Chuck” tells the story of Charles Krantz’ life through three chapters. Each chapter takes place at a distinct moment in his life, with the audience deciphering existence’s puzzle each step of the way.

Director Mike Flanagan (“The Haunting of Hill House,” “Midnight Mass”) sets demons and paranormal activity aside in favor of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, striking a sentimental note with grace in a surprisingly successful film.

Kind in nature and tone, and overflowing with whimsy, it’ll pack a punch for those who wish to let it in.

On Apple TV+: Stick

“Happy Gilmore 2” is coming to Netflix soon this summer, but not before Owen Wilson takes a swing at his own golf story, an 8-episode miniseries about an over-the-hill golfer looking to redeem his career after a derailing public meltdown.

Operating at the same tempo as another Apple TV show, “Your Friends & Neighbors,” while also being dubbed as “Ted Lasso” for golf, Wilson anchors a perfect summer show. Owen Wilson nails it in a very Owen Wilson performance as a has-been, washed-up ex-pro.

From its inspirations, it clearly treads familiar territory, but there’s just something about pristine golf courses basking on your TV during a stretch of some unbelievably nice weather.

The first three episodes were released on June 4.

On Netflix: The Hitchcock Collection

Netflix debuted its recently acquired “Hitchcock Collection” on its streaming platform June 1. “Vertigo” (1958), “Rear Window” (1954), “Frenzy” (1972), “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1956), “Family Plot” (1976), and “The Birds” (1963) are just some of the classic titles included in the collection, joining “Psycho” (1960), which was already streaming on Netflix.

For those who love Hitchcock, or movie enthusiasts who want to explore the worlds created by “The Master of Suspense,” use this weekend to get your fill of classic cinema.

Rent digitally: Sinners

Lastly, for those who didn’t experience director Ryan Coogler’s kinetic “Sinners” in theaters—the third-highest-grossing film in the U.S. this year—now’s your chance to see what all the hype is about. Do you think it’s the best movie of the year so far in 2025?

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