San Antonio, October 8, 2025
News Summary
This fall, Texas is spotlighted in the film industry as local actors appear in several high-profile movies, including Academy Award contenders. The community also welcomes a new ‘Free Blockbuster’ initiative in San Antonio, allowing residents to exchange films. Notable releases feature Garrett Wareing, Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, and more, showcasing the state’s rich talent. With the holiday season approaching, both cinematic and local film exchange activities are gathering attention.
San Antonio — Local and statewide film activity is concentrated this fall and holiday season as Texas actors appear in a string of high-profile releases and a community-based film exchange opens in the city.
Fall marks the arrival of cooler mornings, pumpkin spice lattes, oversized Halloween decorations, and highly anticipated movie releases in San Antonio. Texas actors will be prominently featured in several films, some of which are contenders for Academy Awards, showcasing local talent.
Key film releases featuring Texas actors
Garrett Wareing, a College Station native, stars as Billy Stebbins in “The Long Walk,” a Stephen King adaptation currently in theaters. This film is part of the early fall slate and is already playing in local theaters, adding to the season’s lineup of new releases.
Matthew McConaughey, from Uvalde, plays school bus driver Kevin McKay in “The Lost Bus,” focused on the 2018 Camp Fire and now available on Apple TV+. That movie joins several streaming and theatrical releases that feature Texas-born performers in major roles this season.
“The Rivals of Amziah King,” featuring McConaughey, is a crime drama with positive reviews from South By Southwest but lacks a current release date. The film’s early reception at festivals has generated attention while a public release schedule remains pending.
Woody Harrelson, from Midland, will appear in two films over the holiday season: “Now You See Me 3,” releasing Nov. 14, and “Ella McCay,” set to release on Dec. 12. Both titles add to a slate that mixes franchise sequels with new projects for familiar faces from Texas.
Ethan Hawke, born in Austin, will be featured in “The Black Phone 2,” a horror film releasing Oct. 17, and “Blue Moon,” a drama releasing Oct. 24. These back-to-back October releases underscore the busy fall schedule for actors connected to Texas.
Richard Linklater’s film “Nouvelle Vague” is set to release on Oct. 31, chronicling the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s “Breathless.” This film from a prominent Texas-based director arrives at the end of October and adds a local filmmaking voice to the season’s offerings.
Owen Wilson returns with “Focker-In-Law,” part of the family comedy series, releasing during Thanksgiving week, and later lends his voice in “Charlie the Wonderdog” set for early 2026. The Thanksgiving-week release aims for family audiences while the early 2026 title extends the actor’s presence into next year.
“Bugonia,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Dallas native Jesse Plemons, explores a satirical plot involving an alien-themed abduction and is expected to draw Oscars interest. The film carries awards-season expectations and features a Texas-born lead in a project with international talent.
Glen Powell from Austin collaborates with Edgar Wright for a reboot of “The Running Man,” set to release in theaters on Nov. 7. That release date places the title in early November among a cluster of studio premieres.
Local community initiative: Free Blockbuster in San Antonio
The “Free Blockbuster” movement brings a free movie swap shop to San Antonio, allowing community members to exchange DVDs and VHS tapes. The local Free Blockbuster seeks to provide free public access to physical media and to encourage film-sharing among residents.
The San Antonio Free Blockbuster opened at My Weekend World Events Center on Aug. 15 and includes classic film titles for public access. The physical location houses donated discs and tapes and serves as a swap hub for neighbors and visitors.
The Free Blockbuster operates Tuesday – Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Hours are set to accommodate weekday evening visits and weekend browsing.
The shop seeks to promote sharing films and keeping physical media alive while alleviating the myth of scarcity in entertainment. The program frames its work as community-minded preservation and reuse rather than commercial retail.
In October, the store emphasizes Halloween-themed films, sharing a curated selection of horror movies. Seasonal curation is intended to encourage local participation and to highlight genre selections during the lead-up to Halloween.
Context and outlook
The combination of notable film releases and a local film-exchange initiative reflects both statewide talent visibility and neighborhood-level engagement with movies. Several of the listed films arrive between mid-October and mid-December, a period that traditionally includes awards-season positioning and family-oriented holiday releases. The San Antonio Free Blockbuster complements the theatrical and streaming activity by offering residents physical access to a rotating selection of titles.
Practical note
Local audiences can check theater schedules and streaming platforms for availability, and the San Antonio Free Blockbuster has defined hours at My Weekend World Events Center for in-person visits.
FAQ
Q: What marks the start of the season in San Antonio?
A: Fall marks the arrival of cooler mornings, pumpkin spice lattes, oversized Halloween decorations, and highly anticipated movie releases in San Antonio.
Q: Are Texas actors prominent in current releases?
A: Texas actors will be prominently featured in several films, some of which are contenders for Academy Awards, showcasing local talent.
Q: Which film stars Garrett Wareing?
A: Garrett Wareing, a College Station native, stars as Billy Stebbins in “The Long Walk,” a Stephen King adaptation currently in theaters.
Q: What is Matthew McConaughey’s recent role?
A: Matthew McConaughey, from Uvalde, plays school bus driver Kevin McKay in “The Lost Bus,” focused on the 2018 Camp Fire and now available on Apple TV+.
Q: What is the status of “The Rivals of Amziah King”?
A: “The Rivals of Amziah King,” featuring McConaughey, is a crime drama with positive reviews from South By Southwest but lacks a current release date.
Q: Which films feature Woody Harrelson this season?
A: Woody Harrelson, from Midland, will appear in two films over the holiday season: “Now You See Me 3,” releasing Nov. 14, and “Ella McCay,” set to release on Dec. 12.
Q: What are Ethan Hawke’s upcoming films?
A: Ethan Hawke, born in Austin, will be featured in “The Black Phone 2,” a horror film releasing Oct. 17, and “Blue Moon,” a drama releasing Oct. 24.
Q: When is “Nouvelle Vague” releasing?
A: Richard Linklater’s film “Nouvelle Vague” is set to release on Oct. 31, chronicling the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s “Breathless.”
Q: What releases involve Owen Wilson?
A: Owen Wilson returns with “Focker-In-Law,” part of the family comedy series, releasing during Thanksgiving week, and later lends his voice in “Charlie the Wonderdog” set for early 2026.
Q: What is “Bugonia” about and who stars?
A: “Bugonia,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Dallas native Jesse Plemons, explores a satirical plot involving an alien-themed abduction and is expected to draw Oscars interest.
Q: When does “The Running Man” reboot arrive?
A: Glen Powell from Austin collaborates with Edgar Wright for a reboot of “The Running Man,” set to release in theaters on Nov. 7.
Q: What is the Free Blockbuster in San Antonio?
A: The “Free Blockbuster” movement brings a free movie swap shop to San Antonio, allowing community members to exchange DVDs and VHS tapes.
Q: When did the San Antonio Free Blockbuster open?
A: The San Antonio Free Blockbuster opened at My Weekend World Events Center on Aug. 15 and includes classic film titles for public access.
Q: What are the Free Blockbuster hours?
A: The Free Blockbuster operates Tuesday – Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Q: What is the goal of the Free Blockbuster shop?
A: The shop seeks to promote sharing films and keeping physical media alive while alleviating the myth of scarcity in entertainment.
Q: What does the store highlight in October?
A: In October, the store emphasizes Halloween-themed films, sharing a curated selection of horror movies.
Film release and local access summary
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Notable Texas actors | Garrett Wareing, Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Ethan Hawke, Jesse Plemons, Glen Powell, Owen Wilson |
| Key release dates | Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Thanksgiving week, Dec. 12, early 2026 |
| Local film access | San Antonio Free Blockbuster at My Weekend World Events Center, opened Aug. 15; set hours for public visits |
| Season focus | Holiday and Halloween-themed programming; awards-season contenders among releases |
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Additional Resources
- San Antonio Express News: Free Blockbuster Movie Swap
- Wikipedia: Film in Texas
- KNUE: Free Blockbuster San Antonio
- Google Search: San Antonio movies
- Stacker: Movies and TV Shows Casting in San Antonio
- Google Scholar: San Antonio film industry
- News 4 San Antonio: Tom Cruise’s Surprise Visit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Film
- KDH News: Movies and TV Shows Casting in San Antonio
- Google News: San Antonio movies 2023
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
