Kurt Russell doesn't really do the whole "fading into the sunset" thing. Most actors his age are picking up easy paycheck cameos or doing those weird direct-to-video action flicks that nobody actually watches. Not Kurt. He’s 74 now, and honestly, the man is busier than ever. If you’ve been looking for recent Kurt Russell movies, you’ve probably noticed he’s being incredibly picky, yet somehow popping up in the biggest franchises on the planet.
He’s got this weird gravity. Whether he’s playing a cosmic god, a suave Santa, or a retired Army officer chasing Godzilla, he brings this specific "Kurt Russell-ness" that just makes everything better. You know the vibe. It's that smirk. That voice. The hair that seems to have its own SAG contract.
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The Weird, Long Road of The Rivals of Amziah King
So, let's talk about the big one coming up. People have been whispering about The Rivals of Amziah King for a long time. It actually finished filming way back in 2023 in Alabama. Fans were starting to think it was stuck in some kind of cinematic purgatory.
Basically, the movie premiered at SXSW in March 2025 and people absolutely lost their minds. It’s got a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes right now. But here’s the kicker: despite the rave reviews, it didn't get snapped up by a big studio immediately. The industry is weirdly cautious lately.
Now, Black Bear Pictures is handling the release themselves. We’re finally getting it in theaters on August 14, 2026. It’s a crime thriller directed by Andrew Patterson—the guy who did The Vast of Night. Kurt is starring alongside Matthew McConaughey, who plays a mandolin-playing beekeeper (yes, really). We don't know exactly who Kurt plays yet, but seeing him and McConaughey trade dialogue in a gritty Oklahoma setting is basically catnip for movie nerds.
That Unexpected Pivot to Television
While everyone was waiting for the next big theatrical release, Kurt decided to jump into the "Sheridan-verse." You’ve probably heard of Yellowstone. Well, Taylor Sheridan is expanding that world again with a new series called The Madison.
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It’s not just a quick guest spot. Kurt is a series regular. He’s reuniting with Michelle Pfeiffer—his old co-star from Tequila Sunrise back in the 80s. They play a couple moving from New York City to the Madison River Valley in Montana after a family tragedy.
Paramount is positioning this as a "study of grief," which sounds a bit heavy, but with Kurt involved, you know there’s going to be some grit to it. It’s expected to drop sometime in 2026.
The Father-Son Legacy in Monarch
Then there's the Godzilla of it all. Literally.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV+ was a massive swing. It’s rare to see an actor of his stature commit to a high-concept sci-fi show, but the hook was too good to pass up. He shares the role of Lee Shaw with his real-life son, Wyatt Russell. Wyatt plays the younger version in the 50s, and Kurt plays the older, grizzled version in the present day.
- Season 2 Premiere: February 27, 2026.
- The Vibe: High-budget monster mayhem mixed with family drama.
- New Threats: The teaser for the new season just dropped, and it’s introducing something called "Titan X."
Seeing Kurt Russell stare down a kaiju while wearing a bomber jacket is exactly why we watch movies. Or prestige TV. Whatever we're calling it these days.
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What Most People Get Wrong About His "Retirement"
There was a rumor a few years back that Kurt was done. People saw him in The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020) and thought, "Okay, he's playing Santa with Goldie Hawn, he’s ready to chill at the ranch."
Wrong.
He didn't stop; he just stopped doing boring stuff. He did F9: The Fast Saga in 2021 as Mr. Nobody. He did a voice role in Marvel’s What If...?. He’s even doing a voice in the new Smurfs movie coming in 2025. He plays a character named Ron. It’s bizarre, but that’s Kurt. He does what he thinks is fun.
The Reality of Recent Kurt Russell Movies
The truth is, Kurt Russell is currently in a "quality over quantity" phase that most actors should envy. He isn't chasing every script that lands on his desk. He’s looking for auteurs like Andrew Patterson or powerhouses like Taylor Sheridan.
If you're trying to keep track of where to see him next, here is the roadmap:
- The Smurfs Movie (2025): Catch his voice as "Ron" in this musical animated flick.
- Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 (Feb 2026): Watch him return as Lee Shaw on Apple TV+.
- The Rivals of Amziah King (August 2026): This is the "must-see" theatrical event for his hardcore fans.
- The Madison (Late 2026): Keep an eye on Paramount+ for his big Western-adjacent TV debut.
Actionable Insight: If you want to see why the hype for The Rivals of Amziah King is so high, go watch Andrew Patterson's first film, The Vast of Night. It’ll give you a perfect idea of the atmospheric, slow-burn tension you can expect when Kurt hits the screen in 2026. Also, make sure your Apple TV+ subscription is active by late February; the Monarch Season 2 trailer suggests Kurt has a much more central (and dangerous) role this time around.