Pete Davidson is officially done with the "guy who just sits on the couch" phase of his career. If you’ve been following the Staten Island native lately, you know he’s traded the Saturday Night Live sketches for a chaotic, high-stakes run in Hollywood that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Honestly, it’s a bit of a whirlwind.
The new Pete Davidson movie everyone is whispering about for late 2026 is titled How to Rob a Bank. No, it’s not a documentary or a DIY guide (though with Pete, you never really know). It’s a polished, social-media-driven heist thriller directed by David Leitch—the guy who gave us John Wick and Bullet Train. That alone should tell you this isn't going to be your typical low-effort comedy.
What’s the Deal With How to Rob a Bank?
The premise is actually pretty clever. It follows a crew of modern-day Robin Hoods—or maybe just clout-chasers—who document their actual bank robberies on social media in real-time. It’s a very "2026" concept. Pete is starring alongside Nicholas Hoult and Anna Sawai, which is a powerhouse trio that feels surprisingly grounded.
The movie is currently slated for a September 4, 2026, release. That puts it right in the Labor Day weekend slot, a move by Amazon MGM Studios that suggests they think they have a genuine hit on their hands.
People keep asking if Pete is just playing himself again. While he’s definitely keeping that signature "Pete" energy, his role in How to Rob a Bank is reportedly more integrated into a high-octane ensemble. He’s not just the comic relief; he’s part of the tactical team. It’s a weird shift to see him holding a rifle instead of a vape, but it works.
A Massive Year for Pete (and Your Watchlist)
If you feel like you just saw a new Pete Davidson movie last month, you probably did. The guy has been prolific to the point of exhaustion.
Just look at the trail of projects he’s left behind in the last year:
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- The Pickup (2025): He starred with Eddie Murphy in this Prime Video heist flick. It was basically a "bad day at the office" movie involving armored trucks and Keke Palmer. Critics weren't super kind to it, but it was a top-streamed title for weeks.
- The Home (2025): This was Pete’s big swing into psychological horror. Directed by James DeMonaco (the Purge creator), Pete played a graffiti artist named Max doing community service at a retirement home. It was dark, gritty, and proved he can actually carry a film without cracking a joke every ten seconds.
- Riff Raff (2025): A crime comedy where he shared the screen with legends like Bill Murray and Ed Harris. If you haven't seen the trailer where he interacts with Jennifer Coolidge, you're missing out on some peak awkward-funny energy.
Then there’s Wizards!. This one is the "white whale" for Pete fans. Produced by A24 and directed by David Michôd, it’s been in the editing room forever. Rumors from early screenings in late 2025 suggested the movie was "too weird" for a standard release, featuring some truly repulsive scenes that even the most hardcore stoner-comedy fans might struggle with. As of January 2026, it's still floating around without a firm wide release date, though a late-year festival run is likely.
Why Pete Davidson Keeps Winning (Despite the Hate)
It’s easy to be a hater. People love to talk about his dating life or his "trash bag aesthetic," but Hollywood keeps hiring him for a reason. He has a specific kind of authenticity that translates well to the screen.
In How to Rob a Bank, he’s leaning into that "relatable chaos" factor. We live in an era where everyone is trying to be a "serious actor," and Pete is just over there being a guy. That lack of pretension is exactly what David Leitch looks for in his action stars. Think about Brad Pitt in Bullet Train—he wasn't a superhero; he was just a guy trying to do his job while everything exploded. Pete fits that mold perfectly.
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The production of How to Rob a Bank hasn't been without its drama, though. Between reshoots to tighten up the action sequences and the intense training the cast had to undergo, it’s a far cry from the days of The King of Staten Island. Pete actually had to learn tactical movement for this. Imagine that.
What to Watch While You Wait
Since September is still a ways off, you've got time to catch up. If you missed The Home, go back and watch it just to see "Serious Pete." It’s genuinely unsettling.
If you want the classic Pete vibe, The Pickup is your best bet for a Sunday afternoon watch. It doesn't require much brainpower, and the chemistry between him and Eddie Murphy is surprisingly decent.
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Next Steps for the Pete Fan:
- Check your Prime Video subscription: Both The Pickup and the upcoming How to Rob a Bank are tied to Amazon MGM, so that's where the bulk of his new work lives.
- Keep an eye on A24's socials: If Wizards! finally drops a trailer, it’s going to break a very specific corner of the internet.
- Watch the Riff Raff trailer: It’s the best indicator of where his career is heading—weird, high-budget, and surrounded by A-list talent.
Pete Davidson isn't going anywhere. Whether he's robbing banks or haunted by retirement home secrets, he’s managed to turn "just being Pete" into a legitimate cinematic brand. We’ll see if How to Rob a Bank can finally give him that undisputed box-office win he’s been chasing.