The Optimist 2026
Drama
Synopsis
Herbert Heller keeps his experience as a teenage boy surviving in Auschwitz hidden from his family. Until he meets Abby, a young teenager whose own brush with pain and death inspires him to open up as well, leading the two of them to exchange their stories as a meaningful and healing friendship is born.
Crew & cast
Director Finn Taylor
Cast Stephen Lang, Elsie Fisher, Luke David Blumm, Robin Weigert, Leah Pipes
Release timeline
| Theatrical (limited) | 2026-03-11 | |
| Digital | 2026-11-17 NR | |
| Physical | 2026-12-18 NR |
Date history
As recorded by TMDB — tracked since 2026-06-22 · moved 2× · net +1774 days · held 87d since the last move.
| 2026-06-22 | Primary | 2023-10-06 → 2026-03-11 +887d |
| 2026-06-22 | Theatrical (limited) | 2023-10-06 → 2026-03-11 +887d |
| 2026-09-15 | Formats | added Digital, Physical |