After Barbie’s success, studios quickly began grabbing the rights to make more movies about nostalgic childhood toys, like Polly Pocket, My Little Pony, and Hot Wheels. As it turns out, Hot Wheels, which is being directed by John M. Chu, has a little competition in the die-cast car feature film, er, lane. During Apple TV’s press day, they announced Matchbox the Movie, starring John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, and Teyonah Parris, will drop on October 9. The full cast list, plot, and a handful of pictures were also revealed.
Mattel’s Matchbox the Movie will rev its engines on Apple TV on October 9, 2026.
The premiere date, as well as first-look images, were revealed Tuesday during the Apple TV press day for the Skydance Media movie, which stars John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris and Arturo Castro.
Sam Hargrave directed the feature take of the classic automobile toy. Pic is an action-packed, globetrotting adventure about a group of friends since childhood who have their lives upended when undercover CIA agent Sean (Cena), their long-absent former leader, returns to their small town and unwittingly gets them embroiled in a frantic international pursuit to save the world.
The movie also stars Corey Stoll, Bill Camp, Danai Gurira and Golshifteh Faranhani among others.
Hargrave is also an EP. David Coggeshall penned the script. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger produce for Skydance alongside Robbie Brenner and Ynon Kreiz through Mattel Films as well as Jules Daly. Patrick Newall and Elizabeth Bassin serve as executive producers.
I think this is going to be a fun PG-13 movie, but I’m side-eyeing that plot. It kinda sounds a little bit like the Mater plot in Cars 2, right? I bet it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The cast looks fun, too. I personally think that John Cena is great at both action and comedy, and we know from Fast X that he looks good driving fast cars. I can also easily see Biel having fun doing another action movie role. Richardson was hilarious as Edwin Akufo is Ted Lasso. Plus, I loved The Afterparty and was bummed when it got canceled. I have to ask, though, is Jack Black busy? How did a movie like this get made without him being cast?
A movie based on Matchbox cars does not surprise me in the least. Cena starring in this movie is also a no-brainer. What I find shocking is that Matchbox The Movie is only apparently only streaming on Apple TV and not doing any sort of theatrical run. Even if it’s cheesy and/or terrible, this is the kind of movie that could definitely draw teens, tweens, and dumb action-adventure movie fans out to see it in theaters.
Photos courtesy Apple TV press, Getty Images
I enjoyed Matchbox when I was a kid I guess I’ll have to wait for a coming attraction.
I wonder if they’re bypassing the theatrical release for audience members like me. I was planning to cancel my subscription on Apple TV soon but may consider waiting until after seeing this movie.