Get ready for a chaotic and funny race against time. The new science fiction movie Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is scheduled to launch in U.S. theaters on Friday, February 13, 2026. The film marks the return of director Gore Verbinski after nearly a decade away from feature films. It stars Sam Rockwell as a strange man from the future who must convince a group of diner customers to help him stop a rogue artificial intelligence.
The Story of the Movie
The story begins at a late-night diner in Los Angeles called Norm’s. A scruffy and loud man, played by Sam Rockwell, suddenly arrives. He tells everyone he is a “Man From the Future” and says the world is about to end because of a powerful, out-of-control AI. His plan is to find the exact group of people in that diner who can help him stop it.
At first, the customers think he is crazy. However, he manages to convince a small team to join his urgent, one-night mission. This team includes characters played by Haley Lu Richardson, Juno Temple, Michael Peña, and Zazie Beetz. Their adventure to save the world is described as a wild and dark comedy, filled with unexpected dangers like hired assassins and strange creatures.
The movie is “an unapologetically irreverent, wildly inventive, end-is-nigh take on the time-loop movie,” said Peter Debruge of Variety.
When and Where You Can Watch It
The movie first showed at film festivals in late 2025. It had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 24, 2025, and also played at Beyond Fest. It will be part of the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Festival in early January.
For general audiences, the main release date is February 13, 2026. The movie will be distributed in the United States by Briarcliff Entertainment. International release dates will follow throughout 2026:
- United Kingdom and Ireland: February 20, 2026
- Germany: March 12, 2026
- Brazil: April 9, 2026
The film is rated R for pervasive language, violence, some grisly images, and brief sexual content. Its running time is 2 hours and 14 minutes.
Behind the Scenes and Cast Details
The movie brings together director Gore Verbinski and writer Matthew Robinson. Verbinski is known for directing the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films, The Ring, and Rango. This is his first movie as a director since 2016. The music for the film was composed by Geoff Zanelli.
Sam Rockwell leads the cast as the frantic time traveler. Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, and Juno Temple play the key diner customers he recruits. The cast also includes Asim Chaudhry and Tom Taylor. Early reviews from festivals highlight Rockwell’s energetic and charming performance, as well as strong emotional work from Juno Temple and Haley Lu Richardson.
Also Read:
Early Reactions from Critics and Festivals
After its festival showings, the movie received positive feedback from critics. On the review site Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 94% approval rating based on early critic reviews.
Reviews describe it as a bold, original, and very fun sci-fi film. Some viewers at Fantastic Fest called it “a fucking miracle” and “the type of weird cinema we need to champion”. The film mixes big, crazy action with humor and commentary on modern technology and AI.
However, some early opinions note the story can feel messy. One viewer at Fantastic Fest described it as “a mixed bag” with great jokes but a story that sometimes feels obvious in its message about technology. Another review called the film’s commentary on AI “so on-the-nose” that it can feel outdated.
One festival reviewer noted, “Sam Rockwell is on some Michael Keaton Beetlejuice shit in this, god bless”.
Also Read: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 Sets Global Release, Heads to Skull Island
