Austin Butler believes in practicality. 

And the Oscar nominee’s forward thinking led to some interesting antics on the set of his new film Caught Stealing, including spending the night on set in just his underwear. 

“I had a night where I had to get up early the next day,” Austin exclusively told E! News at the film’s New York City premiere Aug. 26, “and it seemed like there was a cozy bed that I could sleep in.”

The 34-year-old joked, “Might as well.”

But as Austin explained, it’s not as if he was sleeping in an actual apartment where they were filming the Darren Aronofsky-directed movie, which hits theaters Aug. 29.

“We filmed in Brooklyn and it was a sound stage,” he noted, “which is inherently—it feels very fake.”

Still, spending all that time in New York City and filming in otheroutdoor locations like the East Village, Coney Island and Brighton Beach meant that the Elvis actor truly got the full Big Apple experience.

As he quipped in the interview, airing on E! News Aug. 27, at 11 p.m, “Filming in the East Village all night long, you see some characters.”

And Austin spent a lot of time watching those “characters” alongside costar Zoë Kravitz, whom he had nothing but the utmost love and respect for. 

“As a collaborator,” he gushed, “she’s just so smart.”

It was especially thrilling working alongside the 36-year-old, as Austin was a huge fan of her “amazing” 2024 directorial debut, Blink Twice. 

“She’s a great director,” Austin added. “That’s a gift when you’re acting with somebody who can actually come up with ideas and write the scene.”

And Austin was feeling particularly modest, noting that he’s “not like that.”

“She’s so smart,” he continued. “She’s smarter than me.”

Off screen, he’s also been lucky enough to witness how Zoë interacts with those around her. 

“I remember one of the first times I hung out I saw how maternal she was towards her friend,” he recalled. “She looked out for everybody.”

For more movies hitting the theaters this year, keep reading.

—Reporting by Emily Curl

When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. Starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner and Alden Ehrenreich.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Linday Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis return for this sequel to the beloved 2003 body-swap comedy.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright and A$AP Rocky star in director Spike Lee's new crime thriller about a music mogul who is targeted with a ransom plot.

Where to Watch: In theaters August 15 and streaming on Apple TV+ on September 5.

KJ Apa (Riverdale) and Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks) headline this romantic drama about two strangers whose chance encounter while traveling across Europe sparks an unexpected journey of self-discovery.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video

Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza star in this dark comedy about a small-town private investigator who delves into a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious church.

Where to Watch: In theaters

From director Ron Howard, this survival thriller is based on the true story of a group of disillusioned outsiders (Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Brühl, and Sydney Sweeney) who abandon modern society in search of a new beginning on an uninhabited island.

Where to Watch: In theaters

A modern-day western starring Sydney Sweeney, Paul Walter Hauser, Halsey and Eric Dane as a group of strangers who clash over the possession of a rare Native American artifact.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley star in this crime comedy about a group of retirees who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix

Austin Butler and Zoe Kravitz star in this crime caper about a washed up baseball phenom who gets embroiled with a motley crew of gangsters while taking care of his neighbor's cat.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Dylan O'Brien and writer/director James Sweeney star in this black comedy about two young men who meet in a twin support group and form an unlikely friendship.

Where to Watch: In theaters

The ninth (!) entry in the Conjuring cinematic universe sees Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite for one last time as renowned, real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Where to Watch: In theaters

This third and final film will wrap up the period drama franchise, with Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery and more, all set to return.

Where to watch: In theaters

Based on the novel by Stephen King, The Long Walk follows the contestants of a grueling walking contest set in a dystopian reality where the U.S. is ruled by a totalitarian regime.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Producer Jordan Peele delivers this sports horror about a rising star football player (Tyriq Withers) who is invited to train at the isolated compound of a dynasty team's aging quarterback (Marlon Wayans).

Where to Watch: In theaters

Inspired by the real-life story, Lily James stars as Whitney Wolfe, a visionary who used her ingenuity to break into the male-dominated tech industry, launch the dating app Bumble, and become the youngest female self-made billionaire.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Hulu

Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie co-star in this romantic drama about two strangers who meet at a friend's wedding and find themselves on a fantastical  adventure where they get to re-live important moments from their pasts.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Based on the popular Netflix kids series, this movie adaptation follows Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner) and her Grandma Gigi (Gloria Estefan) as they road trip to Cat Francisco and team up with the Gabby Cats to save Gabby's dollhouse from the clutches of eccentric cat lady Vera (Kristen Wiig).

Where to Watch: In theaters

Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) assembles an all-star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benecio del Toro and Regina Hall for this crime drama about a group of ex-revolutionaries who reunite to rescue one of their own's daughter.

Where to Watch: In theaters

The chilling next chapter of The Strangers franchise, starring Madelaine Petsch (Riverdale) as the lone survivor of Chapter 1 who is again pursued by the trio of masked killers.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Jaafar Jackson portrays his uncle, Michael Jackson, in this biopic about the "King of Pop".

Where to Watch: In theaters

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt star in this true story of UFC fighter Mark Kerr.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Based on an unbelievable true story, Roofman follows a struggling father (Channing Tatum) who turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs. After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys “R” Us for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mom drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel.

Where to Watch: In theaters

From Challengers director Luca Guadagnino, this psychological drama follows a college professor (Julia Roberts) who finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a student (Ayo Edebiri) levels an accusation against one of her colleagues (Andrew Garfield), and a dark secret from her own past threatens to come into the light.

Where to Watch: In theaters in New York and Los Angeles on October 10, expanding on October 17

Based on Ruth Ware's bestselling novel, Keira Knightley, Guy Pearce and Hannah Waddingham star in this psychological thriller about a journalist searching for a missing woman aboard a luxury cruise ship.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix

Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna star in this new film adaptation of the 1976 novel and Tony Award-winning 1993 Broadway musical of the same name.

Where to Watch: In theaters

The third installment in the Tron franchise, starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Jeff Bridges, Jodie Turner-Smith and Evan Peters. 

Where to Watch: In theaters

Ethan Hawke returns to the most sinister role of his career as The Grabber seeks vengeance on Finn (Mason Thames) from beyond the grave by menacing Finn’s younger sister.

Where to Watch: In theaters

A well-meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker (Aziz Ansari) and a wealthy venture capitalist (Seth Rogen).

Where to Watch: In theaters

The latest installment in the video game franchise (following 2021's Mortal Kombat reboot) sees the fan favorite champions pitted against one another in the battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn. Starring Karl Urban, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tati Gabrielle, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, and more.

Where to Watch: In theaters

The Bear star Jeremy Allen White plays the Boss in this biopic which chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 Nebraska album when he was a young musician on the cusp of global superstardom.

Where to Watch: In theaters

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