Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing Hits Theaters, Netflix Release Set
The gritty 1990s crime thriller led by Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz lands in U.S. theaters before heading to Netflix later this year.
Darren Aronofsky has returned to the big screen with Caught Stealing, a sharp crime thriller that premiered in U.S. theaters on August 29, 2025. Produced by Sony Pictures and adapted from Charlie Huston’s 2004 novel, the film blends gritty suspense with dark comedy, anchored by a star-studded cast that includes Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Matt Smith, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Liev Schreiber.
Set against the backdrop of 1990s New York City, the story follows an ex-baseball player who stumbles into a sprawling criminal network. At just 107 minutes, the film delivers a tight narrative with Aronofsky’s signature intensity, reminiscent of his earlier work but more accessible to mainstream audiences. The director, known for his Oscar-winning The Whale, adds another distinctive entry to his filmography.
The film enjoyed its world premiere on August 7, 2025, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, aligning with Bad Bunny’s concert residency. The music star, credited as Benito A. Martínez Ocasio, made a surprise appearance at the event, adding extra buzz to the film’s debut. Theatrical rollout followed weeks later across 3,578 U.S. sites, with Thursday preview grosses of $1.2 million and an opening weekend projected to surpass $10 million.
Critics have embraced the release. Caught Stealing currently holds a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with outlets such as Time Out and The Movie Minute praising its sharp pacing, darkly comic tone, and strong ensemble performances. Early word of mouth suggests that both Butler and Kravitz bring compelling new dimensions to their roles, solidifying the movie’s awards-season potential.
What makes this release particularly notable is its streaming strategy. Thanks to Sony’s deal with Netflix, the film is expected to arrive on the platform around December 27, 2025, after its exclusive theatrical run. It will remain on Netflix for 18 months before transitioning to Hulu and Disney+ in the U.S. Internationally, release schedules vary: regions like India are set to receive the title shortly after the U.S., while the U.K. may wait until 2027.
With a budget of $40 million, the film’s performance is being closely watched as a possible indicator of evolving release models. By balancing a strong theatrical push with a clearly defined streaming window, Caught Stealing exemplifies how studios are navigating modern distribution. The strategy is designed to maximize both box office momentum and streaming viewership, especially during the crowded holiday season.
For audiences eager to catch Aronofsky’s latest vision, the wait between formats is shorter than ever. As Hollywood experiments with new release timelines, Caught Stealing is shaping up to be both a late-summer box office player and a major streaming event to close out the year.
