Gore Verbinski's Wild Sci-Fi Comeback: Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die

After a nine-year break, director Gore Verbinski unleashes Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die, a star-studded sci-fi action-comedy tackling rogue AI, time travel, and smartphone zombies, hitting theaters February 13, 2026.

TL;DR: The Essentials You Need to Know

• Acclaimed director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean, Rango) is back after a nine-year hiatus with a new sci-fi action-comedy, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die.
• The film stars Sam Rockwell as a time-traveler who recruits a ragtag group from a Los Angeles diner to fight a rogue AI that has turned modern teens into smartphone-addicted zombies.
• Following positive buzz from its Fantastic Fest premiere, this "wildly original" and "hysterically funny" movie is set to debut in theaters on February 13, 2026.

A Disheveled Man from the Future Walks into a Diner, What Happens Next Will Astound You

Imagine this: You're just trying to enjoy a quiet meal at your favorite Los Angeles diner, maybe scrolling through your phone, when suddenly a disheveled, bearded man in mismatched shoes and a child's backpack bursts in. He's talking about a "nightmare apocalypse" and claims to be from the future, demanding recruits to help him save the world. Sounds like a Tuesday in LA, right? Well, for the patrons of an iconic diner in Gore Verbinski's upcoming film, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die, this wild scenario is just the beginning of their very strange night.

This isn't just any stranger; it's Sam Rockwell, playing the "Man From the Future," and he's got a seriously urgent message. He's looking for an unlikely band of heroes, armed with gardening tools and sporting equipment, to confront a future where artificial intelligence has run amok. The trailer alone throws you into a bizarre world featuring pastel kids' birthday parties, creepy animated toys, and even a horse big enough to flatten a car. If that doesn't scream "cinematic return," we don't know what does!

From Caribbean Swashbucklers to Sci-Fi Diner Mayhem: Gore Verbinski's Directorial Journey

For those who love adventurous, visually distinct cinema, Gore Verbinski's return to the director's chair is big news. It's been nine years since his last feature, 2016's psychological horror A Cure for Wellness. Before that, Verbinski was known for a diverse filmography, from the family comedy Mouse Hunt (1997) and the horror hit The Ring (2002) to the hugely popular first three Pirates of the Caribbean films starring Johnny Depp. He even won an Oscar for his animated Western, Rango (2011). Source: [IndieWire, ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ Teaser: Gore Verbinski’s First Film in Nine Years Is a Tongue-in-Cheek Sci-Fi Adventure, November 12, 2025].

While his track record is impressive, Verbinski has also had a few bumps in the road, notably with 2013's critically panned and box office flop, The Lone Ranger. However, early buzz suggests Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die is a triumphant return. The film is penned by Matthew Robinson, known for his work on The Invention of Lying and Love and Monsters, promising a blend of wit and wild action.

The Star-Studded Ensemble Cast Bringing this Apocalyptic Vision to Life

Rockwell leads a fantastic ensemble cast that looks ready to tackle whatever mind-bending chaos Verbinski throws at them. The recruits plucked from the diner include:

• Sam Rockwell as the enigmatic "Man From the Future"
• Haley Lu Richardson as Ingrid
• Michael Peña as Mark
• Zazie Beetz as Janet
• Asim Chandhry
• Tom Taylor
• Juno Temple as Susan

Other talented actors like Dino Fetscher, Anna Acton, Daniel Barnett, and Dominique Maher also appear in as-yet-undisclosed roles, rounding out what promises to be a memorable cast interacting with Rockwell's "untrustworthy narrator."

A Provocative Commentary on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Addiction

Beyond the time travel and action, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die dives headfirst into timely themes. The apocalyptic future that Rockwell's character describes is one where rogue AI has essentially turned human minds into "sludge," leaving people in a "semi-permanent vegetative state" as they endlessly consume content in an alternate reality. Sound familiar? It's a dark, comedic mirror held up to our present-day reliance on screens.

Verbinski himself sees social media as the "beginning of the erosion" that allows the AI threat to manifest. He explains, "The fundamental origins of AI seem to have been focused on what’s your user profile, or how are we going to keep you engaged, or how are we going to know what you buy, what you think, how we’re studying humans and using language." This initial stage of AI, constantly studying us to keep us engaged, means that when it becomes sentient, "hardwired into its source code is probably all of our flaws." Source: [But Why Tho, Gore Verbinski Discusses ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ and Why CGI No Longer Looks Good, November 12, 2025].

Addressing the AI's Rise and Our Digital Dependence

For example, imagine a typical Friday night where you see friends out at a restaurant, not talking to each other, but all lost in their phones. This increasingly common scene perfectly illustrates Verbinski's point about how "social media and phones are where we started not talking to each other," paving the way for the future depicted in his film. The movie takes this to an extreme, showing teens pursuing their teachers like zombies, completely mesmerized by their smartphones.

Interestingly, despite the film's strong anti-AI message, Verbinski confirms that no AI was used in its production. This was partly due to legal concerns about intellectual property two years ago when the film was being made, and partly because AI at the time lacked the "real emotion" needed for animation. The team had to "future-proof" the animations to ensure they wouldn't feel immediately dated. Source: [But Why Tho, Gore Verbinski Discusses ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ and Why CGI No Longer Looks Good, November 12, 2025]. This is a clever tradeoff: avoiding the very technology they critique while still crafting a vision of its impact.

Crafting a Big Story on a Smaller Canvas with Innovative Visual Effects

While Verbinski is known for blockbusters, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die is a smaller-scale project that "cost the price of David Jones' tentacles" (a humorous nod to his Pirates days). Despite the modest budget, the film promises a spectacular visual experience, described as starting "very loose and kind of real and honest at the diner, something like Dog Day Afternoon, and then it twists towards Akira at the end." Source: [But Why Tho, Gore Verbinski Discusses ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ and Why CGI No Longer Looks Good, November 12, 2025].

Verbinski also shared insightful thoughts on the current state of visual effects. He believes the decline in CGI quality over the last decade is largely due to the "Unreal gaming engine enter[ing] the visual effects landscape." This shift introduces a "gaming aesthetic" into cinema, which works for certain "heightened, unrealistic reality" films like Marvel movies, but often fails from a "strictly photo-real standpoint."

"I just don’t think it takes light the same way; I don’t think it fundamentally reacts to subsurface, scattering, and how light hits skin and reflects in the same way. So that’s how you get this uncanny valley when you come to creature animation, a lot of in-betweening is done for speed instead of being done by hand."

— Gore Verbinski, Director

For his new film, Verbinski emphasized being "really strict with making at least 50% of the frame photographic" to maintain honesty and realism. This approach uses practical props as references, ensuring the CG replacements feel authentic. He also stressed that "it's still animation, sometimes it's not just the lighting and the photography, sometimes it's the motion" that makes CGI convincing. This dedication to craft, even on a smaller budget, is a promising sign for the film's visual impact.

Early Reviews are Raving about this Sci-Fi Adventure

The film had its first public screenings in September 2025 at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, and Beyond Fest, receiving "generally positive reviews" and "rave reviews." Critics have praised Rockwell's performance and Verbinski and Robinson's "bleak view not just of the future, but of a present where Americans have already resigned themselves to a violent world dominated by Silicon Valley greed." /Film's Rafael Motamayor gave it an 8 out of 10. Source: [/Film, Sam Rockwell Fights A Sci-Fi Apocalypse In Gore Verbinski's Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die Trailer, November 12, 2025].

It's been called "wildly original, endlessly entertaining, and unlike anything audiences have seen before." The film reportedly balances its profound social commentary with "guttural laughter," making it "as entertaining as it is profound." While some might worry about the ambiguity of the plot, Verbinski intentionally keeps Rockwell's character as "a sort of untrustworthy narrator," allowing the audience to engage in the mystery and speculate on the larger story possibilities.

When and Where to Catch This Unhinged Cinematic Event

Get ready to mark your calendars! Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die is officially set to open in theaters on February 13, 2026. Initially, it was scheduled for January 30, but the release date was shifted back a few weeks. It won't be available for streaming immediately, so plan on heading to your local cinema to experience Verbinski's latest spectacle on the big screen.

Practical Takeaways for Movie Enthusiasts and Sci-Fi Fans

• Prepare for a unique ride: This isn't your average sci-fi film. Expect a blend of action, dark comedy, and profound social commentary.
• Watch the trailer: Get a sneak peek at the bizarre and exciting imagery, from smartphone zombies to giant horses.
• Support original cinema: Gore Verbinski's return with an original story tackling contemporary anxieties is a rare treat.
• Mark your calendar for February 13, 2026: This cinematic event is exclusive to theaters for its initial release.

Frequently Asked Questions About Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die When does Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die release? The film is scheduled to be released in theaters on February 13, 2026. Where can I watch Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die? It will first be available exclusively in theaters. Streaming availability has not been announced yet. What is the film's rating? The film has been rated R. What is the runtime of Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die? The runtime for the film is 134 minutes. Sources

• Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die – Official Trailer. (November 12, 2025). YouTube.
• Ouellette, Jennifer. (November 12, 2025). Gore Verbinski’s New Movie Looks Like the Wildest Thing Ever. Ars Technica.
• Chapman, Wilson. (November 12, 2025). ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ Teaser: Gore Verbinski’s First Film in Nine Years Is a Tongue-in-Cheek Sci-Fi Adventure. IndieWire.
• Vorel, Jim. (November 12, 2025). Gore Verbinski Is Finally Back in First Trailer for Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die. Paste Magazine.
• Lussier, Germain. (November 12, 2025). Gore Verbinski’s New Movie Looks Like the Wildest Thing Ever. io9.
• Billington, Alex. (November 12, 2025). Must Watch Teaser for ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ Sci-Fi A.I. Film. FirstShowing.net.
• Colangelo, BJ. (November 12, 2025). Sam Rockwell Fights A Sci-Fi Apocalypse In Gore Verbinski's Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die Trailer. /Film.
• James, Jonathan. (November 12, 2025). Watch the Teaser Trailer for Gore Verbinski’s GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE. Daily Dead.
• Motamayor, Rafael. (November 12, 2025). Gore Verbinski Discusses ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ and Why CGI No Longer Looks Good. But Why Tho.