In the wake of The Odyssey, no major studios have elected to open a film wide this weekend, and considering its success, that was probably a smart idea. However, there are plenty of smaller films that are releasing this weekend if you’ve already gone on the journey with Matt Damon or are looking for a story with a slightly smaller scope.The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Five” - Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Pictures, and Columbia Pictures. Note that some of the movies listed are in their first week or two of limited release in the USA, so it may take them a few more weeks (or months) to show up in your local arthouse theater or on VOD. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have just opened near you: July 17th, July 10th, and July 3rd.Her Private HellStars: Sophie Thatcher, Charles Melton, Havana Rose Liu, Dougray ScottWriter: Esti Giordani, Nicolas Winding RefnDirector: Nicolas Winding RefnGenre: Drama, Sc-Fi, ThrillerPlot: When a mysterious mist engulfs a futuristic metropolis, unleashing a deadly and elusive entity, a troubled young woman searches for her father. Her quest collides with an American GI on a harrowing odyssey to rescue his daughter from Hell.What you should know: Premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.Where to watch: In theatersThe DinkStars: Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen, Aaron Chen, Ed HarrisWriter: Sean ClementsDirector: Josh GreenbaumGenre: ComedyPlot: A washed-up tennis pro tries to save a club by reluctantly playing pickleball to earn his father's respect.What you should know: Sean Clements, the writer of the film, is one of the hosts of the long-running comedy podcast 'Hollywood Handbook.'Where to watch: Apple TV+Sheep in the BoxStars: Haruka Ayase, Daigo Yamamoto, Rimu Kuwaki, Nana SeinoWriter/Director: Hirokazu Kore-edaGenre: Drama, Fantasy, Sci-FiPlot: Set in the near future, Otone Komoto works as an architect. She is married to Kensuke Komoto, who runs a construction company. The married couple decide to welcome a humanoid robot into their home as their son.What you should know: Premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.Where to watch: In theatersMotor CityStars: Alan Ritchson, Ben Foster, Shailene Woodley, Lionel BoyceWriter: Chad St. JohnDirector: Potsy PonciroliGenre: Action, Crime, DramaPlot: In 1970s Detroit, John Miller falls for a local gangster's girl. In retaliation, the gangster enacts a frame job to send the innocent man to prison. Life ruined, Miller plots a revenge campaign against the man who took his girl away.What you should know: Filmed partially in Detroit, Michigan.Where to watch: In theatersPinocchio: UnstrungStars: Robert Englund, Richard Brake, Cameron Bell, Jessica BalmerWriter/Director: Rhys Frake-WaterfieldGenre: HorrorPlot: A dark coming-of-age reimagining of Pinocchio, this unsettling tale follows the iconic puppet's disturbing journey toward becoming real.What you should know: The second horror film based on The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi since Pinocchio's Revenge (1996) 30 years earlier.Where to watch: In theaters72 HoursStars: Kevin Hart, Michael Mando, Marcello Hernández, Ben MarshallWriter: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, Kevin Burrows, Matt MidlerDirector: Tim StoryGenre: ComedyPlot: A 40-year-old executive ends up at a three-day bachelor party with twenty-somethings after being mistakenly included in their chat group.What you should know: Filmed in Miami, FL and New Jersey.Where to watch: NetflixManhunter: The Final Cut (1986)Stars: William Petersen, Brian Cox, Kim Greist, Tom NoonanWriter: Thomas Harris, Michael MannDirector: Michael MannGenre: Drama, ThrillerPlot: Former FBI profiler Will Graham returns to service to pursue a deranged serial killer dubbed "the Tooth Fairy" by the media.What you should know: This is the 40th anniversary re-release of a new cut of the film, as well as a 4K restoration.Where to watch: In theatersA Sad and Beautiful WorldStars: Mounia Akl, Hasan Akil, Julia Kassar, Camille SalamehWriter: Cyril Aris, Bane FakihDirector: Cyril ArisGenre: Comedy, Drama, RomancePlot: Across three decades, Nino and Yasmina are bound by a magnetic relationship. Torn between love and survival, they must decide whether to build a family in Lebanon, or leave their home amid the country's unfolding tragedies.What you should know: Official submission of Lebanon for the Best International Feature Film category of the 2026 Academy Awards.Where to watch: In theatersThe Piano (1993) Re-releaseStars: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna PaquinWriter/Director: Jane CampionGenre: Drama, RomancePlot: In the mid-19th century a mute woman is sent to New Zealand along with her young daughter and prized piano for an arranged marriage to a farmer, but is soon lusted after by a farm worker.What you should know: The film was nominated for eight Oscars and won three - Holly Hunter, for Best Actress in a Leading Role; Anna Paquin, for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and Jane Campion, for Best Screenplay.Where to watch: In theatersHadestown: The MusicalStars: Reeve Carney, Eva Noblezada, André De Shields, Amber Gray, Patrick PageWriter: Anaïs MitchellDirector: Brett SullivanGenre: MusicalPlot: A musical juxtaposition of the Orpheus/Eurydice and Hades/Persephone myths that examines the way real life can impact our quest for a perfect world.What you should know: The 2019 musical is still running in NYC and London, and is also touring.Where to watch: In theatersMore New ReleasesAvatar Aang: The Last Airbender (Trailer) In theaters, and on Paramount+Due West (Trailer) on July 28thCruel Hands (Trailer)New to StreamingStar Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (Trailer) on Disney+Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (Trailer) on HuluMasters of the Universe (Trailer) on Prime VideoPressure (Trailer) on PeacockSource 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?