As the workweek draws to a close, the weekend beckons with a rich array of entertainment options. Whether you’re in the mood for a cinematic adventure, a thrilling drama, or a unique celestial spectacle, there’s something for everyone. This weekend, we highlight a selection of must-watch films and a rare astronomical event that promises to captivate skywatchers.
The weekend’s film lineup features a diverse range of genres and themes, from superhero sagas to intense thrillers and heartwarming comedies. Meanwhile, the night sky offers a rare treat with the close approach of a massive asteroid, providing a unique opportunity for stargazers to witness a celestial phenomenon.
The Weekend’s Must-Watch Films
This weekend’s film selections offer a compelling mix of genres and themes, each providing a unique viewing experience. From the interstellar quest of Supergirl to the tense dynamics of The Invite there’s something to suit every taste.
Supergirl: A Revenge Odyssey
The film Supergirl opens with Kara Zor-El adrift in deep space, her spirit numbed by the destruction of Krypton. Her journey takes a dramatic turn when she encounters Ruthye, a young girl seeking vengeance for her father’s murder. What follows is a revenge odyssey set against the backdrop of sun-blasted planets and dust-choked outposts, far removed from the typical superhero spectacle.
Director Gillespie leans into the genre’s moral ambiguity, allowing themes of anger, purpose, and survival to emerge through tone and texture rather than exposition. Alcock‘s performance anchors the film, portraying a Supergirl who is more survivor than symbol, grappling with her own fury. The supporting cast, including Bruna MarquezineDavid Harewood and Frances Fisher adds depth and emotional resonance to the story.
The Invite: A Tense Dinner Party
The Invite directed by Olivia Wilde reimagines the Spanish film The People Upstairs as a tense comedy about marriage, desire, and the fragile etiquette that holds relationships together. The film opens with Joe and Angela, a couple drifting through a stale routine, inviting their upstairs neighbors for a dinner that quickly spirals into a night of confessions and emotional misfires.
Wilde’s direction is marked by close-quarters intensity, with awkward silences and half-finished thoughts playing a crucial role. The performances by Seth RogenOlivia WildePenélope Cruz and Edward Norton bring the characters to life, exposing the cracks in Joe and Angela’s relationship. The film’s single setting amplifies every gesture, creating a chamber piece that is both funny and deeply human.
Jackass: Best and Last
Jackass: Best and Last marks the end of a 25-year pop-culture institution, blending new stunts with franchise-defining classics. Directed by Jeff Tremaine the film reunites the original cast, including Johnny KnoxvilleSteve-O and Chris Pontius alongside newer members introduced in Jackass Forever.
The film is structured as a mix of fresh material, archival footage, and on-set interviews, creating a scrapbook of bruises and bravado. While some older stunts may feel like echoes of the past, the camaraderie among the cast remains the franchise’s secret engine. The film is a chaotic group hug disguised as a finale, celebrating the fraternal bond that has grown out of decades of shared idiocy.
A Rare Celestial Spectacle
While the weekend offers a wealth of cinematic entertainment, the night sky also promises a rare treat. Asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 will make a close but safe approach to Earth, providing a unique opportunity for skywatchers to witness a celestial phenomenon.
The Asteroid Flyby
The asteroid, discovered in 1997, is estimated to be between 2,300 and 5,250 feet in diameter, making it one of the larger near-Earth objects to make a relatively close pass by Earth. The closest approach will occur on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 11:14 UTC, when the asteroid will pass within about 1.6 million miles of Earth, or almost seven times the average distance to the moon.
The asteroid’s size and brightness make it unusual, and its close approach offers a rare observing opportunity. The European Space Agency’s NEO Coordination Center lists the asteroid’s peak brightness at around magnitude 10, making it theoretically observable with small telescopes or even large binoculars under dark skies. However, the bright nearby ‘Strawberry Moon’ may interfere with visibility.
How to Watch
The easiest way to see asteroid 1997 NC1 will be online. The Virtual Telescope Project will show the asteroid live on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, with both broadcasts beginning at 23:00 UTC. The online observations will feature live telescope views and commentary from astrophysicist Gianluca Masi founder and director of the project.
For those with suitable equipment, the asteroid may also be visible directly with a telescope. A modest 4-inch, or 100 mm, telescope should show the asteroid as it travels across the field of view. At the time of the flyby, it is expected to move across the stars at about 40 arcseconds per minute, making its motion relatively easy to notice through a telescope.
Whether you’re in the mood for a cinematic adventure or a celestial spectacle, this weekend offers a wealth of entertainment options. From the gripping narratives of Supergirl and The Invite to the chaotic fun of Jackass: Best and Last there’s something for everyone. And for those who look to the night sky, the rare flyby of asteroid 1997 NC1 promises a unique and captivating experience.
