Warner Bros. has made significant changes to its upcoming film slate, adjusting the release dates of several major projects. Among the most notable shifts is The Bride!, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s unique steampunk take on Frankenstein’s Bride, which has been pushed from September 2025 to March 6, 2026. This delay strategically distances the film from Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, set to premiere on Netflix in November 2025. But The Bride! isn’t the only movie affected by the latest schedule reshuffle.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another Moves to Awards Season
Originally slated for August 8, 2025, Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, now officially titled One Battle After Another, will instead hit theaters on September 26, 2025. The shift not only removes the film from the crowded summer box office but also places it in a prime spot ahead of awards season. Anderson’s films, known for their artistic depth and critical acclaim, tend to perform well in this timeframe (Phantom Thread, There Will Be Blood).
Another interesting factor in the delay? Warner Bros. is reportedly working to equip U.S. theaters with VistaVision projection systems to match Anderson’s visual ambitions for the film. With a cast featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor, expectations are high for the auteur’s latest project.
Zach Cregger’s Weapons Gets an Earlier Release Date
In contrast to the delays, Warner Bros. is giving Zach Cregger’s new horror film, Weapons an earlier release. Initially set for January 2026, the multi-narrative horror epic starring Josh Brolin and Julia Garner will now arrive on August 8, 2025 — the original date for One Battle After Another. The decision suggests Warner Bros. has strong confidence in the film, which is expected to make a big impression at CinemaCon later this month.
Anne Hathaway’s Mystery Film Flowervale Street Moves to 2026
Another project getting a schedule shift is David Robert Mitchell’s Flowervale Street, produced by J.J. Abrams. The film, starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, was previously set for March 2026 but has now been moved to August 14, 2026. Little is known about the plot beyond its 1980s suburban setting and eerie supernatural elements, but the delay suggests Warner Bros. is positioning it for a late-summer theatrical push.
The Frankenstein Rivalry: Hollywood’s New Obsession?
While scheduling conflicts and market positioning are common reasons for release date changes, the two Frankenstein films releasing within months of each other indicate a growing Hollywood trend. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein offer vastly different takes on Mary Shelley’s classic tale, yet both showcase the industry’s renewed fascination with reimagining literary monsters.
This isn’t the first time Hollywood has doubled down on similar projects (Armageddon vs. Deep Impact, The Prestige vs. The Illusionist), but the competition between The Bride! and Frankenstein could create a defining cinematic moment for the classic horror story.
With these shifts, Warner Bros. is fine-tuning its release schedule, balancing commercial strategy with creative ambition. Whether these moves will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — 2025 and 2026 are shaping up to be thrilling years for cinephiles.
