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Movie Showtimes in South Africa
REVIEWS: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple / Crime 101 / The Death Of Robin Hood / Disclosure Day / Hamnet / Kiss Of The Spider Woman / Lee Cronin’s The Mummy / Mercy / Marty Supreme / Michael / Nuremberg / Obsession / Passenger / Primate / Send Help /
TOP FILMS OF 2026 (Listed Alphabetically) : The Bride! / Die My Love / Hamnet / The History Of Sound / I Swear / Kiss of the Spider Woman / Marty Supreme / Merrily We Roll Along / Nuremberg / Obsession / Pillion / Project Hail Mary / The Sheep Detectives
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UPCOMING FILM RELEASES
Two new South African films, Angels: They Are Amongst Us and Dear Sis Dolly, and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey arrive at cinemas this July. Read more
In cinemas 24 July
The Invite is a comedy directed by Olivia Wilde, adapted from the Spanish film The People Upstairs, and starring Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. The story follows Joe and Angela, a married couple whose relationship is unravelling, as they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbours to a dinner party that quickly spirals into emotional chaos, awkward revelations, and sharply observed humour about marriage, desire, and modern relationships.
Motor City is a 1970s‑set action‑crime thriller about ex‑con John Miller, who returns to Detroit seeking revenge after being framed and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Directed by Potsy Ponciroli and written by Chad St. John.
Angels: They Are Amongst Us is a South African supernatural drama blending faith, mystery, and emotional redemption into a story about ordinary people touched by the unseen.
In cinemas 25 July
Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) is Jessica in the NT Live’s much-anticipated Inter Alia from the team behind Prima Facie. 25, 26 & 28 July (V & A Waterfront / Rosebank Nouveau). Read more
In cinemas 31 July
Spider‑Man: Brand New Day takes place four years after No Way Home. Peter Parker lives completely alone, erased from the memories of everyone he loves. He works as a full‑time Spider‑Man, anonymously protecting New York City. As the pressure mounts, Peter undergoes a dangerous physical evolution while investigating a new pattern of crimes linked to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced.
The Get Out is a tense, muscular crime thriller that follows nightclub owner Manco Kapak, played by Russell Crowe, whose plans to retire quietly collapse when masked gunmen rob his club and trigger a violent chain of consequences. Screenplay by director Derrick Borte & Daniel Forte, based on the novel Strip by Thomas Perry.
In cinemas 7 August
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie is an upcoming animated action‑adventure comedy in which the heroic pups are swept into a mysterious storm and crash‑land on an uncharted island teeming with dinosaurs.
Above and Below is an action‑thriller about a group of friends whose dream holiday of partying and deep‑sea diving turns into a nightmare when they are violently attacked by criminals in open waters.
Young Washington is a sweeping historical drama that turns its gaze toward the formative years of George Washington, long before he became the mythic figure etched into American memory. Before he was the Father of a Nation, he was a soldier fighting to survive. A single misstep thrusts young George Washington into the centre of a global conflict, testing his honour, loyalty, and courage. As alliances crumble and the frontier erupts into war, he must confront not only his enemies but the man he’s becoming. This is the untold story of Young Washington.
In cinemas 14 August
Sunny Dancer is a British coming‑of‑age comedy‑drama about 17‑year‑old Ivy, who has just overcome cancer only to be sent by her well‑meaning parents to what she sarcastically calls “chemo camp,” a summer retreat for teens in remission. There, Ivy unexpectedly forms deep bonds with a group of misfit campers, discovering friendship, freedom, and the messy joy of being young beyond the shadow of illness.
One Night Only is a romantic comedy written and directed by Will Gluck, following two strangers, Allie and Owen, who meet on the one night each year when premarital sex is legally permitted, a high‑concept rule that drives the film’s mix of satire, romance, and chaotic misadventure.
The End of Oak Street (2026) is an American science‑fiction survival thriller in which a suburban family is thrust into a prehistoric world after a mysterious cosmic event rips their entire neighbourhood out of reality and deposits it in a landscape populated by living dinosaurs. Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell and produced by J.J. Abrams.
In cinemas 21 August
Insidious: Out of the Further (2026) is the sixth film in the Insidious franchise and a direct sequel to Insidious: The Red Door (2023). The film follows a young mother who discovers she can travel into The Further, where she possesses the terrifying ability to bring its entities back into the real world.
Mutiny is an action‑thriller following former Special Forces operative Cole Reed (Jason Statham), who is framed for the murder of his billionaire employer and forced to go on the run as he uncovers a far‑reaching international conspiracy.
Spa Weekend is a comedy about three lifelong friends whose relaxing getaway at a luxury spa spirals into absolute chaos when their unpredictable, trouble‑magnet friend unexpectedly joins them. What begins as a much‑needed escape from careers, relationships, and family pressures quickly unravels into a weekend of misadventure, bad decisions, and hilariously escalating disasters.
In cinemas 28 August
The Dog Stars (2026) is a post‑apocalyptic science‑fiction drama directed by Ridley Scott and based on Peter Heller’s acclaimed 2012 novel. Set after a devastating flu pandemic that has wiped out most of humanity, the film follows a grieving pilot (Jacob Elordi) living in an abandoned airport hangar with his dog (Josh Brolin) and a hardened ex‑Marine who serves as both neighbour and uneasy ally.
The animated Tadeo Jones 4 (Tad and the Magic Lamp) follows Tadeo, Sara, Momia, Jeff, and Belzoni on a new quest triggered when Tadeo accidentally unleashes an ancient spell from a magic lamp, sending the group on a time‑travel adventure that revisits key historical eras and iconic locations from the previous films.
Coyote vs. Acme is a live‑action/animated legal comedy in which Wile E. Coyote, exhausted after decades of catastrophic product failures, finally takes the Acme Corporation to court for selling him dangerously defective gadgets.
Spider Island is an upcoming British comedy‑horror film directed by Christopher Smith and written by David Quantick and Christopher Jolley. The story follows a group of social‑media influencers who travel to a luxury tropical resort for a glamorous launch event, only to find themselves trapped in a deadly infestation of highly aggressive spiders that turns their dream getaway into a fight for survival. The ensemble cast includes Rose Williams, Tim McInnerny, Avani Gregg, Owen Warner, Andy Nyman, Lena Mahfouf, Carlotta Banat, Jake Francois, and Anuschka Van Lent.
In cinemas 4 September
How to Rob a Bank is an action‑comedy heist film directed by David Leitch and written by Mark Bianculli, following a crew of tech‑savvy bank robbers who film and post their heists on social media, turning themselves into viral anti‑heroes while drawing intense police pursuit.
Fall 2: Deadpoint is a survival‑thriller sequel in which Jax Hunter, grieving the death of her sister Shiloh, travels with Shiloh’s fearless friend Luce to Thailand to attempt the infamous plank walk on Mount Kwan. When a sudden rockslide leaves them stranded on a narrow plank 3,000 feet above the ground, the two women must confront fear, trauma, and the brutal realities of survival as they fight to stay alive. Directed by Peter and Michael Spierig from a screenplay by Scott Mann and Jonathan Frank.
Landmyn is a South African Afrikaans‑language drama film directed and written by Nico Scheepers, produced by Nagvlug Films, and currently listed as being in post‑production.
By Any Means is a historical crime thriller directed by Elegance Bratton, following an unlikely partnership between a notorious mafia hitman and a young Black FBI agent as they investigate the murders of civil‑rights leaders in 1966 Mississippi. The film stars Yahya Abdul‑Mateen II as Agent Wayne Strider and Mark Wahlberg as mob enforcer Gregory Scarpa.
In cinemas 5 September
Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, The Responder) in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play by David Ireland The Fifth Step. After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five – the moment of confession – dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend. Finn den Hertog directs the provocative and entertaining production filmed live from @sohoplace on London’s West End. 5, 6, & 8 September (V & A Waterfront / Rosebank Nouveau)
In cinemas 11 September
The Fix is an action‑thriller about a group of disillusioned, war‑torn ex‑CIA operatives who, after the end of the war in Afghanistan, travel to Tehran to pull off a high‑stakes score that could change their lives. The film is directed by Guy Moshe and stars Liam Neeson, Numan Acar, and Zachary Levi.
Runner follows former soldier Hank Malone (Alan Ritchson) as he races to deliver a life‑saving liver to a dying girl, only to be hunted by a violent cartel that wants the organ for itself. Forced to protect the courier, Ben Bishop (Owen Wilson), Hank battles ambushes and urban warfare across Australia in a relentless fight against time. Directed by Scott Waugh.
Practical Magic is the long‑awaited sequel to the 1998 classic, directed by Akiva Goldsman and written by Melissa Rosenberg, returning to the world of the Owens witches as a new generation confronts the family’s enduring curse. The story follows Sally and Gillian Owens, now older and wiser, as they guide their daughters through a rising supernatural threat that forces the family to reckon with buried magic, ancestral secrets, and the dangerous cost of love. The film stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, reprising their iconic roles, joined by Evan Rachel Wood, Alison Sudol, and Solly McLeod, expanding the Owens lineage into a sweeping, intergenerational tale of power and destiny.
In cinemas 18 September
Silas en die Ysbeer op Tafelberg is a 2026 Afrikaans family‑fantasy adventure film directed by Zandré Coetzer, produced by Nagvlug Films, and currently in post‑production. The story centres on Silas, a young boy whose grandmother fills his nights with magical tales of Cape folklore—Van Hunks, wensbokke, and other dream‑creatures. When she suddenly disappears, Silas gathers his courage and journeys into Droomland, where Table Mountain is buried under snow, and a mysterious roaring creature begins chasing him. With help from the characters his grandmother once described, and from his neighbour Willemien, Silas sets out to find her and confront the grief that shadows his quest. Read more
The Uprising is a historical action‑drama written and directed by Paul Greengrass, set during the 1381 English Peasants’ Revolt, where a farmer—played by Andrew Garfield—rises to lead a rebellion against the forces of the young King Richard II. The film features an ensemble cast including Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander.
In cinemas 25 September
Avengers: Endgame is officially getting a theatrical re‑release, positioned as a major lead‑in to Avengers: Doomsday, which arrives three months later. Marvel describes the re‑release as a chance for audiences to relive the Avengers’ final stand against Thanos on the big screen, seven years after the film’s original 2019 debut.
Resident Evil is a new reboot of the long‑running video‑game film franchise, directed by Zach Cregger and built as a survival‑horror story that unfolds alongside the events of Resident Evil 2 rather than adapting any single game directly. The film follows Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, who becomes trapped in Raccoon City during a sudden viral outbreak and must fight to survive as the night collapses into chaos.
Forgotten Island is an upcoming DreamWorks Animation fantasy‑adventure about two children, Jo and Raissa, who are mysteriously transported to the enchanted island of Nakali, where they discover that the only way home may cost them the memories that bind their friendship.
Heart of the Beast is an action‑adventure survival thriller directed by David Ayer, following a former Army Special Forces soldier and his retired combat dog as they struggle to return to civilisation after a catastrophic accident in the Alaskan wilderness. The film stars Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons, and Anna Lambe.
Sense and Sensibility is an upcoming period romantic drama directed by Georgia Oakley and adapted by Diana Reid from Jane Austen’s 1811 novel. The film stars Daisy Edgar‑Jones as Elinor Dashwood and Esmé Creed‑Miles as Marianne.
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is a stop‑motion Halloween adventure from Aardman Animations in which Shaun’s attempt to save the flock’s ruined pumpkin patch unleashes chaos on Mossy Bottom Farm, sending the Farmer missing and stirring rumours of a mysterious creature prowling the nearby woods. As Shaun and Bitzer try to restore order, the night turns into a playful blend of spooky mischief, creature‑feature suspense, and Aardman’s trademark visual comedy. The film, directed by Steve Cox and Matthew Walker and written by Mark Burton and Giles Pilbrow.
In cinemas 2 October
Verity is a psychological erotic thriller directed by Michael Showalter and based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2018 novel. The film stars Dakota Johnson as struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh and Anne Hathaway as the enigmatic author Verity Crawford, with Josh Hartnett as Jeremy Crawford. The story follows Lowen as she moves into the Crawford home to finish Verity’s book series after a mysterious accident, only to discover a disturbing manuscript that blurs the line between truth, obsession, and manipulation.
Digger is a satirical black‑comedy drama directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, led by Tom Cruise in one of the most unusual roles of his career. The film follows Digger Rockwell, “the most powerful man in the world,” who races to prove he is humanity’s saviour before a catastrophic disaster—one he himself has unleashed—destroys everything. It features an ensemble cast including Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, Sophie Wilde, Emma D’Arcy, Michael Stuhlbarg, Burn Gorman, Robert John Burke, and John Goodman as the President of the United States.
Charlie Harper is a romantic drama about two young adults—Charlie (Nick Robinson) and Harper (Emilia Jones)—who fall in love and attempt to build a life together while navigating the uncertainties of their early twenties. As Harper pursues her dream of becoming a chef and Charlie struggles to find direction, their relationship is tested by ambition, insecurity, and the pressure of adulthood. The film is directed by Tom Dean and Mac Eldridge.
In cinemas 3 October
The Metropolitan Opera will present Mozart’s Così fan tutte as the opening transmission of its 2026–27 Live in HD season on 3 October 2026. This performance is part of the Met’s 20th anniversary HD lineup and features Mozart’s satirical comedy in Phelim McDermott’s vibrant, Coney‑Island‑inspired staging. The cast for the 2026–27 revival includes Federica Lombardi (Fiordiligi), Samantha Hankey (Dorabella), Ana María Martínez (Despina), Duke Kim (Ferrando), Andrey Zhilikhovsky (Guglielmo), and Gerald Finley (Don Alfonso), conducted by Nimrod David Pfeffer. The opera runs approximately 3 hours 35 minutes, with a 30‑minute intermission, and will be screened in cinemas worldwide as part of the Met’s Live in HD series. Read more
In cinemas 9 October
The Social Reckoning is a biographical drama written, directed, and co‑produced by Aaron Sorkin, conceived as a companion piece to The Social Network (2010). The film follows Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), the Facebook engineer‑turned‑whistleblower, as she teams up with Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) of The Wall Street Journal to expose Facebook’s most closely guarded internal secrets, including its awareness of the platform’s harmful effects and its role in amplifying misinformation. Jeremy Strong portrays Mark Zuckerberg, stepping into the role originally played by Jesse Eisenberg.
Other Mommy is a supernatural horror film directed by Rob Savage and based on Josh Malerman’s 2024 novel Incidents Around the House. The story follows Bela, an eight‑year‑old girl who becomes terrorised by a sinister paranormal entity she calls “Other Mommy,” which begins haunting her home and threatening her family. The film stars Jessica Chastain.
Tony is a biographical comedy‑drama about the early life of Anthony Bourdain, co‑written and directed by Matt Johnson. The film follows a 19‑year‑old Bourdain (played by Dominic Sessa) during a formative summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he works in a chaotic Cape Cod restaurant kitchen—an origin‑story period drawn from the early chapters of his memoir Kitchen Confidential.
In cinemas 16 October
Whalefall is an adventure‑thriller directed by Brian Duffield, adapted from Daniel Kraus’s 2023 novel, and follows a scuba diver searching for his father’s remains who is suddenly swallowed by an 80‑foot, 60‑ton sperm whale, leaving him only one hour of oxygen to escape. The film stars Josh Brolin, Elisabeth Shue, Emily Rudd, Jane Levy, Austin Abrams, and John Ortiz
Street Fighter is an action‑comedy adaptation of Capcom’s iconic video‑game franchise, directed by Kitao Sakurai and produced by Legendary Pictures in partnership with Capcom. The film is set in 1993, the year Street Fighter II dominated arcades, and follows estranged fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo), who are drawn back into combat when Chun‑Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament—a brutal showdown hiding a deeper conspiracy that forces the two men to confront both each other and the ghosts of their past. The cast includes Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i as Akuma, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, Cody Rhodes as Guile, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as Balrog, and Jason Momoa as Blanka.
In cinemas 17 October
Verdi’s Macbeth will be the Metropolitan Opera’s second Live in HD transmission of the 2026–27 season, screened worldwide on 17 October 2026. This new production, directed by Louisa Proske, features Quinn Kelsey as Macbeth and Lise Davidsen as Lady Macbeth, with Freddie De Tommaso as Macduff and Ryan Speedo Green as Banquo. The performance is conducted by Yannick Nézet‑Séguin, the Met’s Music Director. Read more
In cinemas 23 October
Klara and the Sun is Taika Waititi’s long‑awaited sci‑fi adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, starring Jenna Ortega as Klara, an Artificial Friend designed to ease human loneliness. After nearly two years in the editing room and multiple release delays, the film is now picture‑locked and confirmed for a 23 October 2026 theatrical release. The story follows Klara as she is chosen by a sickly girl, Josie, and begins to navigate a world of fragile human emotions, parental fear, and the limits of programmed empathy. The cast includes Amy Adams, Mia Tharia, Simon Baker, Natasha Lyonne, and Steve Buscemi, with a screenplay by Dahvi Waller.
Wife & Dog is a black‑comedy thriller written and directed by Guy Ritchie, set in the ruthless, back‑stabbing world of the British aristocracy. The story centres on the Fairbank family, whose greed and internal power struggles spiral into betrayal and murder as they battle for succession. The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Rosamund Pike, Anthony Hopkins, Cosmo Jarvis, James Norton, and Paddy Considine.
Clayface is a body‑horror thriller from DC Studios, directed by James Watkins and written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. The film follows Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), an ambitious actor whose face is disfigured by a gangster; in desperation he turns to Dr. Caitlin Bates (Naomi Ackie), a fringe scientist whose experimental procedure transforms his entire body into living clay. Shot on location in Liverpool and at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, the film is positioned as the third entry in the new DC Universe.
Wildwood is an upcoming epic stop‑motion animated fantasy film directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler, adapted from the novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis. The story follows Prue McKeel and her classmate Curtis Mehlberg, who are drawn into a hidden magical forest near Portland to rescue Prue’s kidnapped baby brother from a mysterious crow-led force. The ensemble voice cast includes Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Mahershala Ali, Tom Waits, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Richard E. Grant, and many others.
In cinemas 30 October
Al Wat Ek Weet is a South African drama film written and directed by Jaco Bouwer, adapted from the acclaimed novel by Anchien Troskie (writing as Elbie Lötter). The story follows Lena, a young woman navigating trauma, memory, and the long emotional shadow of an abusive childhood, as she attempts to rebuild her life and reclaim her identity. The cast includes Carla Smith as Lena, Stian Bam, Albert Pretorius, and Antoinette Louw, who bring the novel’s raw psychological intensity to the screen.
Victorian Psycho is a horror‑thriller set in 1858, directed by Zachary Wigon and based on Virginia Feito’s novel. The story follows Winifred Notty (Maika Monroe), an eccentric young governess who arrives at the remote gothic manor Ensor House, where staff begin to vanish under increasingly sinister circumstances. It features a cast including Thomasin McKenzie, Ruth Wilson, and Jason Isaacs.
In cinemas 6 November
Wild Horse Nine is a British black‑comedy spy thriller written and directed by Martin McDonagh, starring John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, and Parker Posey. Set shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup, the story follows CIA officers Chris and Lee, who are sent from Santiago to Easter Island, where buried conspiracies, personal demons, and Chris’s unexpected bond with two rebellious students threaten to derail their mission.
Archangel is an action‑drama directed by William Eubank, starring Jim Caviezel, Olivia Thirlby, Garret Dillahunt, and Shea Whigham. The film follows Henry “Fitz” Fitzgerald, a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier and weapons‑systems engineer who must defend his Wyoming community from a ruthless asset‑management corporation using corrupt law enforcement and foreign agents to seize local ranch land and water rights.
The Cat in the Hat is an animated fantasy‑comedy based on Dr. Seuss’s classic 1957 book. Written and directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, the film marks the second feature‑length adaptation after the 2003 live‑action version. Bill Hader voices the mischievous Cat.
In cinemas 13 November
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is a Christmas fantasy film directed by Ti West and written by Nathaniel Halpern, adapting Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella into a darker, ghost‑story‑driven vision of Scrooge’s supernatural reckoning. The film stars Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge, supported by Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Charlie Murphy, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, and Ian McKellen.
The Great Beyond is a science‑fantasy film written, directed, and co‑produced by J. J. Abrams. A young newlywed couple struggles to survive against a supernatural entity. The cast is led by Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Merritt Wever, and Samuel L. Jackson.
In cinemas 20 November
I Play Rocky is a biographical drama directed by Peter Farrelly and written by Peter Gamble, focusing on the chaotic, against‑all‑odds making of the original Rocky (1976). The film stars Anthony Ippolito as a young Sylvester Stallone, with Stephan James, AnnaSophia Robb, Matt Dillon, P. J. Byrne, Toby Kebbell, Tracy Letts, Jay Duplass, Kiki Seto, and Robert Morgan portraying the real‑life figures who shaped the film’s creation.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is a dystopian action film directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Billy Ray, based on Suzanne Collins’s 2025 novel of the same name. It serves as both a sequel to The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) and a prequel to the original Hunger Games (2012), making it the sixth film in the franchise. Set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story, the film follows a young Haymitch Abernathy—played by Joseph Zada—as he is selected for the 50th Hunger Games, the infamous Second Quarter Quell, in which each district must send twice the usual number of tributes to the Capitol. The ensemble cast includes Mckenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ralph Fiennes, and Glenn Close.
In cinemas 27 November
Hexed is an animated coming‑of‑age fantasy film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, directed by Jason Hand and Fawn Veerasunthorn, with Josie Trinidad serving as co‑director. The story follows Billie Doe, an impulsive teenage girl who discovers she possesses secret magical abilities that pull her out of suburbia and into Hexe, a vast hidden witch realm. Forced to partner with her cautious mother, Alice, Billie uncovers long‑buried family mysteries that could reshape the entire world of witches. The film features voice performances by Hailee Steinfeld as Billie and Rashida Jones as Alice, with additional cast including Jim Hanks and CeeLo Green.
Focker‑in‑Law is a comedy written and directed by John Hamburg, serving as the fourth instalment in the Meet the Parents / Fockers franchise and a direct sequel to Little Fockers (2010). The story follows Henry Focker—now played by Skyler Gisondo—as he plans to marry Olivia Jones (Ariana Grande), a former FBI hostage negotiator whose strong‑willed personality throws the already volatile Focker–Byrnes family dynamic into chaos. Returning cast members include Robert De Niro as Jack Byrnes, Ben Stiller as Greg Focker, Owen Wilson as Kevin Rawley, Blythe Danner as Dina Byrnes, and Teri Polo as Pam Focker, with Beanie Feldstein joining as Samantha Focker.
Paper Tiger is a crime drama written and directed by James Gray, following a suburban American family whose lives unravel when two brothers become entangled with the Russian mob. The film stars Adam Driver as Gary Pearl, Scarlett Johansson as Hester Pearl, and Miles Teller as Irwin Pearl, with supporting performances by Gavin Goudey, Roman Engel, and Victor Ptak.
In cinemas 4 December
Above the Below is a British survival thriller co‑directed by Idris Elba and Martin Owen, following three astronauts whose spacecraft is torn apart during re‑entry and plunges into the ocean, leaving them trapped in a sinking capsule with dwindling oxygen and an impossible choice about who must attempt the dangerous ascent to the surface. The film stars Idris Elba, Caitlin FitzGerald, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and was shot at Pinewood Studios using its underwater facilities.
Pierre the Pigeon‑Hawk is an animated musical adventure‑comedy about Pierre, a mixed‑breed pigeon–hawk born from a forbidden union who is rejected by both bird communities and sets out on a journey of self‑discovery in New York City. The film is directed by John D. Eraklis and Tara Whitaker, with a screenplay by Ciaran Crampton and Jay Dowski. It features an extensive voice cast including will.i.am as Pierre, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Coolidge, Kenan Thompson, Howie Mandel, Luis Guzmán, Domenick Lombardozzi, Paul Blackthorne, Evan Ross, Ashlee Simpson, and Russell Peters. The story emphasises themes of identity, belonging, and embracing one’s differences, with music playing a central role in Pierre’s journey.
Violent Night 2 is a Christmas action‑comedy sequel directed by Tommy Wirkola, with returning writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller. David Harbour reprises his role as a battle‑hardened, no‑nonsense Santa Claus, joined by Kristen Bell as Mrs Claus, along with Daniela Melchior, Jared Harris, Joe Pantoliano, Maxwell Friedman, and Andrew Bachelor. The film continues the franchise’s blend of gory action and dark festive humour, with the creative team teasing a “western influence” and possible expansion into the North Pole mythos.
In cinemas 5 December
Saint‑Saëns’s Samson et Dalila will be the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD transmission on 5 December 2026, presented as part of the company’s 2026–27 cinema season. The revival showcases the Met’s grand‑scale production—renowned for its monumental choral scenes and lush French Romantic orchestration—with Aigul Akhmetshina as Dalila and Clay Hilley as Samson, conducted by Giacomo Sagripanti. The staging by Darko Tresnjak returns with its striking visual design by Alexander Dodge and costumes by Linda Cho, bringing to life the biblical drama set in ancient Gaza and the Valley of Sorek. The opera’s sweeping score, celebrated for its sensuality and dramatic power, will be transmitted live to cinemas worldwide as part of the Met’s award‑winning HD series. Read more
In cinema 11 December
Zero A.D. is an upcoming biblical epic directed by Alejandro Monteverde and written by Rod Barr, with additional writing contributions from Monteverde and Leo Severino. The film dramatises the Massacre of the Innocents from the Gospel of Matthew, following Mary and Joseph as they struggle to protect the infant Jesus from the murderous King Herod. The cast includes Deva Cassel as Mary, Jamie Ward as Joseph, Sam Worthington as Antipater, Ben Mendelsohn as Nahash, Gael García Bernal as Joachim, and Jim Caviezel as Herod the Great.
In cinemas 18 December
Dune: Part Three is an epic space‑opera film directed by Denis Villeneuve, based on Frank Herbert’s 1969 novel Dune Messiah. It serves as the sequel to Dune: Part Two (2024) and the final chapter of Villeneuve’s trilogy, concluding Paul Atreides’ arc as he rules as Padishah Emperor and faces conspiracies designed to dethrone him. The film features returning cast members Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Jason Momoa, alongside new additions such as Anya Taylor‑Joy as Alia Atreides and Robert Pattinson as Scytale, the Tleilaxu Face Dancer. Principal photography took place from July to November 2025 in Budapest and Abu Dhabi, with Hans Zimmer returning to compose the score.
Avengers: Doomsday is a superhero epic produced by Marvel Studios and AGBO, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, and written by Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely. Positioned as the 39th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it serves as the direct sequel to Avengers: Endgame (2019) and unites the Avengers, Wakandans, New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the X‑Men as colliding universes converge to confront a new multiversal threat: Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. The film will be released in U.S. theatres on 18 December 2026, with its follow‑up, Avengers: Secret Wars, set for 17 December 2027.
In cinemas 25 December
Jumanji: Open World is an adventure‑comedy and the fifth and final instalment in the Jumanji film series, directed by Jake Kasdan, who co‑wrote the screenplay with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg. The story follows the familiar heroes as the Jumanji game breaks free of its console and unleashes chaos into the real world, escalating the stakes beyond the jungle setting of previous films. The returning ensemble includes Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Alex Wolff, Morgan Turner, Ser’Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Danny DeVito, Rhys Darby, Bebe Neuwirth, and Lamorne Morris, with Burn Gorman and Nasim Pedrad joining the cast.
The Angry Birds Movie 3 is an animated comedy film directed by John Rice from a screenplay by Thurop Van Orman, serving as the third entry in the franchise after the 2016 and 2019 films. It brings back core cast members Jason Sudeikis (Red), Josh Gad (Chuck), Rachel Bloom (Silver), Danny McBride (Bomb), Anthony Padilla (Hal), and Ian Hecox (Bubbles), while expanding the ensemble with Emma Myers, Keke Palmer, Lily James, Tim Robinson, Walker Scobell, Sam Richardson, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Nikki Glaser, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Anna Cathcart, MrBeast, and Salish Matter in new roles.
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2026 FILM RELEASES (Listed Alphabetically)
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple / The Amazing Digital Circus / Apex / Backrooms / Beast / Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) / The Bride! / Brothers Under Fire / Cats in the Museum 2 / Charlie The Wonderdog / Cold Storage / Crime 101 / Dead Man’s Wire / Dear Sis Dolly / The Death Of Robin Hood / Deep Water / The Devil Wears Prada 2 / Die My Love / Disclosure Day / The Drama / EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert / F Valentine’s Day / Fuze / Giant / Goat / GR 10 D / Greenland 2: Migration / Hamnet / The Heart Is a Muscle / Hoppers / How to Make a Killing / Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition / Is This Thing On? /jackass: best and last / Kiss of the Spider Woman / Lee Cronin’s The Mummy / The Magic Faraway Tree / Marty Supreme / Masters of the Universe / Melania / Mercy / Michael / Minions & Monsters / Mortal Kombat II / Mother Mary / Normal / Nuremberg / Obsession / O’ Romeo / Passenger / Power Ballad / Pretty How Town / Primate / Project Hail Mary / The Protector /Ready or Not 2: Here I Come / Reminders Of Him / Rental Family / Sarafina! / Scary Movie / Scream 7 / Send Help / The Sheep Detectives / Shelter / Solo Mio / The Strangers: Chapter 3 /Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu / Supergirl / The Super Mario Galaxy Movie / Testament of Ann Lee / They Will Kill You / Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass / Top Gun – 40th Anniversary / Toy Story 5 / Tuner / Variations on a Theme / Wardriver / Whistle / Wuthering Heights / Wildcat / You & Me & Tuscany
TV / STREAMING: Heated Rivals / Truth & Reason / I Swear / The History Of Sound / Merrily We Roll Along / Pillion
REVIEWS: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple / Crime 101 / Hamnet / Kiss Of The Spider Woman / Lee Cronin’s The Mummy / Mercy / Marty Supreme / Michael / Nuremberg / Primate / Send Help /
TOP FILMS OF 2026 (Listed Alphabetically) : The Bride! / Die My Love / Hamnet / The History Of Sound / I Swear / Kiss of the Spider Woman / Marty Supreme / Merrily We Roll Along / Nuremberg / Pillion / Project Hail Mary
