Apple TV sets October launch for Mattel’s 'Matchbox' car movie

Apple TV will debut “Matchbox The Movie” in October, betting that Mattel’s classic car toys — tiny enough to slip into matchboxes — can spark a fresh franchise in a thriller about a framed soldier racing to clear his name.

Apple TV said at a press day event on Tuesday that it will begin streaming the film globally on October 9, based on the famous miniature car brand launched in the early 1950s.

John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris and Arturo Castro star in the film and discussed the legacy of the palm-sized cars and why it remains timely for the 2026 action-adventure flick.

Parris said they relished tapping into childhood memories of the palm‑sized die-cast collectors' items while Richardson, an avid Matchbox collector, joked he wished he could have kept the life-size cars used on set.

The film follows Sean, played by Cena, a former soldier who is kidnapped and framed after completing a mission and reuniting with his friends. The group must clear their names and navigate the bonds of their friendship.

The movie, directed by stuntman Sam Hargrave, is a collaboration between Mattel and Skydance Media.

PUSH FOR MATTEL-BRAND ENTERTAINMENT

Mattel MAT.O is pushing deeper into brand‑driven entertainment.

Its other upcoming toy-inspired films include the animated "Bob the Builder" movie and a live-action "Masters of the Universe: Chronicles" film, based on the He-Man action figure and arriving in theaters on June 5, 2026.

Apple TV’s 2026 release aims to build on its post-“Barbie” momentum as Hollywood hunts for familiar IP with global pull. Barbie dolls and accessories are Mattel's biggest brand. The toy company's portfolio also includes Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Masters of the Universe, Polly Pocket and UNO.

In 2025, Mattel combined its film and television units to form Mattel Studios in a move to produce entertainment driven by its brands and potentially repeat the commercial success of the 2023 "Barbie" movie.

Apple TV's press day also included first-look previews of various shows, including the Emmy-nominated TV series "Shrinking," and the upcoming shows "Lucky," "Imperfect Women" and "The Dink."

-Reporting by Danielle Broadway; Editing by Howard Goller/Reuters