Film and Television Premieres Mark September 1, 2025

Venice Film Festival Opens with World Premiere The 82nd Venice International Film Festival inaugurated its main slate today with the world premiere of “The Smashing Machine,” directed by Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Ryan Bader. The film, a dramatic portrayal of MMA legend Mark Kerr’s rise and struggles, screened at the historic Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido to critical anticipation.

Television Lineup Kicks Off Fall Season A slate of new and returning TV series debuted on broadcast and cable networks this evening:

• Lifetime launched its reality series The Chrisleys: Back to Reality at 8:00 p.m., following the tumultuous lives of the Chrisley family as they return to everyday living.
• Investigation Discovery premiered Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence at 9:00 p.m., an in-depth examination of the notorious 1990s cult case.

Streaming Platforms Unveil Premiere Content On-demand services rolled out a mix of new seasons and special presentations in the early hours of September 1:

• HBO Max at 3:01 a.m. released Barney’s World: Season 1, a new animated series aimed at preschool audiences.
• Netflix debuted Ms. Rachel: Season 2, continuing the educational adventures of its popular children’s host.
• Netflix also presented the special A Thousand Tomorrows, while Paramount+ released the feature presentation Winter Spring Summer or Fall.
• Amazon Prime Video premiered The Runarounds: Season 1, a new comedy-drama exploring the complexities of friendship in modern times.

These premieres signal a robust start to the fall entertainment calendar, offering audiences a diverse array of cinematic and televised storytelling.