This week offers a diverse cinematic lineup, from high-octane action thrillers to potential Rajinikanth blockbusters. Here are five films to watch in theaters.

The highly anticipated Tamil action thriller Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Rajinikanth, is slated for release on August 14, 2025. The film also features Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan and Sathyaraj. Coolie is produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures, with music by Anirudh Ravichander. The film has generated significant pre-release buzz, with reports of record-breaking advance bookings. Coolie is expected to have a massive opening, potentially becoming one of Rajinikanth's biggest hits. In Coolie, Rajinikanth teams up with director Lokesh Kanagaraj for an action thriller. The recently released trailer showcases high-octane action and vintage Rajinikanth moments. The film will be released in Tamil, with dubbed versions in Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada. Coolie has already crossed ₹50 crore in advance bookings worldwide. As of August 11, 2025, Coolie has already minted ₹14.12 crore from advance booking and is eyeing a ₹20.35 crore release.

War 2, the sequel to the action film War, is also scheduled to release on August 14, 2025. Directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Yash Raj Films, War 2 stars Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani. The film is part of the YRF Spy Universe and is being promoted as a pan-India release. War 2 has generated considerable buzz, especially due to the face-off between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. The film is expected to have a strong opening at the Indian box office. As of August 11, 2025, War 2 has sold over 67,000 tickets in advance bookings.

Kalki 2898 AD has already been released on June 27, 2024. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film stars Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani. Kalki 2898 AD is a science fiction film inspired by mythology. Made on a budget of ₹600 crore, it is the most expensive Indian film ever made. The film has grossed an estimated ₹1,042–1,200 crore globally.

Andaaz 2, a romantic drama directed by Suneel Darshan, was released on August 8, 2025. The film features Aayush Kumar, Akaisha Vats, and Natasha Fernandez.

Several other films were released the week of August 8, 2025, including Weapons, a mystery horror film directed by Zach Cregger, and Sahasam, a Telugu film blending suspense and humor.