Weapons, directed by Zach Cregger and produced by New Line Cinema, is scheduled for release later this year. The film marks Cregger’s follow-up to Barbarian and features a psychological horror narrative set in the fictional town of Maybrook.

The plot centres around the simultaneous disappearance of 17 children from a single classroom at 2:17 a.m. The town is left to unravel the cause, as questions emerge about the nature of the event and those involved. Julia Garner plays Mrs. Gandy, the teacher of the missing children. Josh Brolin portrays Archer Graff, a parent who begins to investigate the case. The cast also includes Benedict Wong as the school principal, along with Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Amy Madigan, and Cary Christopher.

The film’s narrative incorporates multiple storylines and tonal shifts, with a structure compared to Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia. A companion promotional website, maybrookmissing.net, contains supplemental material referencing Cregger’s previous film Barbarian, suggesting a shared universe, though this remains unconfirmed.

Weapons was the subject of a high-profile industry bidding war in 2023. Warner Bros. ultimately secured the project for approximately $38 million, surpassing a competing bid from Universal backed by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. Reports later linked Peele’s decision to part ways with two longtime managers to the outcome of the auction, though no formal reason was provided.

The film’s release was originally scheduled for January 2026. However, following favourable responses in early test screenings, Warner Bros. advanced the release date.

Weapons is now set to release in cinemas and IMAX on 8 August 2025.