New this Week: ‘Cinderella,’ Imagine Dragons, Selena Gomez

This combination of photos shows promotional art for the Hulu original series "Only Murders in the Building," premiering Aug. 31, left, the Amazon original movie "Cinderella" premiering Sept. 3, center, and the Netflix film "Worth," premiering Sept. 3. (Hulu/Amazon/Netflix via AP)
This combination of photos shows promotional art for the Hulu original series "Only Murders in the Building," premiering Aug. 31, left, the Amazon original movie "Cinderella" premiering Sept. 3, center, and the Netflix film "Worth," premiering Sept. 3. (Hulu/Amazon/Netflix via AP)
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New this Week: ‘Cinderella,’ Imagine Dragons, Selena Gomez

This combination of photos shows promotional art for the Hulu original series "Only Murders in the Building," premiering Aug. 31, left, the Amazon original movie "Cinderella" premiering Sept. 3, center, and the Netflix film "Worth," premiering Sept. 3. (Hulu/Amazon/Netflix via AP)
This combination of photos shows promotional art for the Hulu original series "Only Murders in the Building," premiering Aug. 31, left, the Amazon original movie "Cinderella" premiering Sept. 3, center, and the Netflix film "Worth," premiering Sept. 3. (Hulu/Amazon/Netflix via AP)

The Associated Press’ journalists prepared a collection of entertainment arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.

MOVIES

— Michael Keaton leads the new Netflix film “Worth,” available starting Sept. 3, about the lawyer tasked with putting a dollar value lives of those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks. Based on a true story, Keaton’s character is forced to reevaluate his priorities after meeting a widower played by Stanley Tucci. The cast also includes Amy Ryan and Tate Donovan. Also on Netflix starting Sept. 1 are “Blade Runner: The Final Cut,” “Clear and Present Danger,” “Labyrinth” and “Mars Attacks!”

— “Pose” star Billy Porter plays a non-binary Fairy Godparent named Fab G in the latest version of “Cinderella,” streaming Sept. 3 on Amazon Prime Video. Pop star Camilla Cabello stars as the glass slipper-loser and Idina Menzel plays the Stepmother. Naturally, both are providing original songs for the soundtrack. It’s a stacked cast, too, with Minnie Driver as the Queen, Pierce Brosnan as the King, and James Corden and John Mulaney as the mice/footmen. And it was written and directed by Kay Cannon, who wrote the “Pitch Perfect” movies. Also on Prime, “Apollo 13,” “Sleepless in Seattle” “The Last of the Mohicans” and “The Social Network” are available starting Sept. 1.

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— The Criterion Channel is hosting a series of quintessential New York films starting Sept. 1 from Charlie Chaplin’s “The Immigrant,” from 1917 through Noah Baumbach’s “Frances Ha,” from 2012. It is a murderer’s row of great films across the century. There are ’60s classics like “The Apartment” and “West Side Story” and ’70s greats like “Sisters” and “The Panic in Needle Park.” There are 1980s essentials like “After Hours,” “Moonstruck,” “Do the Right Thing” and “Stranger Than Paradise,” leading up to indie classics from the 1990s and beyond with “Metropolitan,” “Paris Is Burning,” “The Squid and the Whale” and “Margaret.” It might accidentally take up your whole month.

— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr

MUSIC

— Imagine Dragons are releasing their fifth studio album on Sept. 3 called “Mercury — Act 1” with Rick Rubin producing. One song, “Wrecked,” was inspired by singer Dan Reynolds’ late sister-in-law, Alisha Durtschi Reynolds, who died following a cancer battle. Another, “Follow You,” is a love song written by Reynolds after re-marrying his wife following a separation. And there’s one of the edgiest tracks yet from the band — “Cutthroat,” an anthem about killing the critic inside of you.

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— If you’re looking for something harder, look no further than Iron Maiden, whose 17th studio album “Senjutsu” drops Sept. 3 and is their first in six years. Though just 10 tracks, each one is long — one song, “The Parchment,” clocks in at over 12 minutes — so “Senjutsu” will be a double CD, just as their last, “The Book of Souls.” This time, taking a nod to the East, the band’s mascot, Eddie, sports a samurai sword on the cover. The first single, “The Writing on the Wall,” is a metal banger with layers of guitar and wailing solos. It paints a bleak picture of life: “Now we are victorious, we’ve become our slaves/A land of hope and glory, building graveyards for the brave.”

— AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy.

TELEVISION

— Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are the odd-triplet stars of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” and enticement enough to check out the comedy-mystery. The premise: A trio of true-crime addicts and neighbors in a posh Manhattan apartment building team up to solve the gory death of a fellow tenant. As they document their sleuthing for a podcast, long-dormant secrets come to light and a killer gets perilously closer. The 10-episode series debuts Tuesday.

— Billie Eilish and the city of LA star in a Disney+ special described as a cinematic concert experience. Eilish will perform her new album, “Happier than Ever,” in “Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles,” debuting Sept. 3. Her performance at the Hollywood Bowl is joined with animation to take viewers on a promised “dreamlike journey” thorough Eilish’s home and its landmarks. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor Gustavo Dudamel, Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo and singer-songwriter Finneas, Eilish’s brother, are among those making guest appearances.

— After a pandemic-forced production break, Showtime’s “Billions” returns for the second half of season five on Sunday (9 p.m. EDT). There’s shifting alliances as the power struggle continues between hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) and his prosecutor-nemesis Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti). Among those along for the undoubtedly bumpy, five-episode ride, ahead of the announced season six: Corey Stoll as billionaire Mike Prince and Janeane Garofalo as Winslow, who owns a legit cannabis enterprise.



English Version of Animated Chinese Hit 'Ne Zha 2' Heading to Theaters

FILE PHOTO: Michelle Yeoh poses during the Oscars arrivals at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, US, March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Michelle Yeoh poses during the Oscars arrivals at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, US, March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo
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English Version of Animated Chinese Hit 'Ne Zha 2' Heading to Theaters

FILE PHOTO: Michelle Yeoh poses during the Oscars arrivals at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, US, March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Michelle Yeoh poses during the Oscars arrivals at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, US, March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

A24 and CMC Pictures are teaming up to bring an English-language version of the globally successful Chinese animated film "Ne Zha 2" to theaters in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on August 22, the companies said on Wednesday.

The animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" overtook Pixar's "Inside Out 2" in February to become the highest-grossing animated film globally, according to data from ticketing platform Maoyan.

"Ne Zha 2" amassed a total box office of 12.3 billion yuan ($1.71 billion) including pre-sales and overseas earnings, making it the eighth highest box office film worldwide, Reuters reported.

The English-language cast will include Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh. No other voice actors have been announced so far.

"I'm honored to be part of Ne Zha 2, a landmark in Chinese animation and a powerful reminder of how universal our stories can be," the Malaysian actor said in a statement.

The sequel film follows the first "Ne Zha" film from 2019 and is based on Chinese mythology.

The story follows Ne Zha, a rebellious young boy, who is feared by the gods and born to mortal parents with wild, uncontrolled powers.

He's faced with an ancient force intent on destroying humanity and must grow up to become the hero the world needs.

The film, which will be released in IMAX and 3D, was written and directed by filmmaker Yang Yu, who also developed the first movie. Over 99% of the mythological movie's box office income came from mainland China, starkly in contrast to Hollywood films, which typically rely on a more global distribution strategy.

"Ne Zha 2" is based on a 16th century Chinese novel "The Investiture of the Gods," depicting a hero boy with magic power who tried to defend Chentangguan, a fortress town.