FILM REVIEWS AND NEWS

Babystar is a German film directed by Joscha Bongard that feels eerily familiar in 2026. It’s a film that strips back the pretence and façade of a social media influencer family and examines the alienation caused by late-stage capitalism.

Film lovers across the South West are preparing for one of the most vibrant fixtures on the UK cinematic calendar: the 36th edition of the Bath Film Festival. Running from 16 to 25 October, this 10-day celebration of cinema presents a remarkable blend of major autumn festival previews, internationally decorated triumphs, and intriguing UK premieres across the historic city.

Opening in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 30 October 2026, this release marks a historic occasion fifty-five years in the making: for the very first time, audiences will be able to experience the definitive, uncensored version of the film exactly as Russell intended it to be seen.

Harbinger (2026) is a thrilling, feature-length supernatural horror film. The film is directed by experienced horror writer and director James Crow. Crow has exclusively worked within this gory genre, with previous works such as the Christmas scarer Nightmare on 34th Street (2023) and the folk horror/mystery thriller Curse of the Witching Tree (2015) gaining a fair amount of traction and critical praise.

News reaching the newsroom at UK Film Review confirms that Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Moonbug Entertainment, and DNEG Group have joined forces to unleash CoComelon: The Movie into cinemas worldwide. The film is officially slated to hit silver screens in February 2027, with the UK release expected right around the mid-February half-term break.

However, all eyes are inevitably fixed on Johnny Depp. The project marks his first major Hollywood studio production in eight years, framing the film as a high-stakes comeback vehicle.

She Dances (2025) is a touching comedy drama following a father and his teenage daughter as she comes of age. Jason, played by Steve Zahn, is empowered to reconnect with her daughter Clair, played by Audrey Clair Zahn whilst supporting her in her regional dance competition alongside her best friend Kat.

When word reached UK Film Review that Peccadillo Pictures had secured the distribution rights for a project titled Lesbian Space Princess, it wasn't just the evocative name that raised eyebrows. It was the pedigree trailing behind it. Fresh from a triumphant world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival—where it secured the prestigious Teddy Award—and an Audience Award win for Best Australian Feature at the Sydney Film Festival

This April, Los Angeles is set to host the world premiere of a project that, on paper at least, sounds like the most explosive addition to the genre in years: Dead City Punx.

There is something inherently calming about a story that finds magic in the mundane, and if the first teaser for Remarkably Bright Creatures is anything to go by, Netflix might just have found the cinematic equivalent of a warm blanket for the soul. Based on Shelby Van Pelt’s sensationally popular novel, the film appears to be leaning heavily into the quiet, poignant charm that made the book such a word-of-mouth hit. While I have not yet had the pleasure of a full screening,

As a massive fan of the first film, which was a colourful, joyous celebration of everything we love about the Mushroom Kingdom, I have been keeping a very close eye on what Illumination and Nintendo have been cooking up. They have delivered the goods in spectacular fashion by dropping the final trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and it looks like an absolute cosmic beauty.

A biblical drama feature directed by Mauro Borrelli, written by Borrelli and John Collins and starring Jamie Ward, James Oliver Wheatley, James Faulkner and Robert Knepper.

Directed by Leon Joosen, The Land of Sometimes is a spritely addition to the children’s Christmas film genre. This animated piece is a well-crafted, vibrant, and touching creation that will light up family TV screens this Christmas. With dazzling performances from the entire cast, most notably Helena Bonham Carter, who delivers her usual sinister yet alluring demeanour, parents of children will feel engrossed and nostalgic as they become immersed in this film’s lively world.

Still, as an indie production, The Tasters is as close as you can get to all-out European cinema. The story builds, and the characters are drawn in as we progress through the narrative. The ensemble of the young women and the Nazi soldiers are all given their time to shine and be known in their own way, with each personality and idiosyncrasy aired and named as we get to know them.

While the trailer provides plenty of narrative meat to chew on, the question on every British film fan's lips has been when we will actually get to see the finished product. Disney has set a firm UK release date of 19th June 2026. This aligns us with the global rollout, ensuring that UK audiences can experience the next chapter of this legendary saga at the height of the summer blockbuster season.

Sam Raimi currently has a new film out in cinemas! What better time than now to deconstruct his career; most celebrated for, but not limited to, his genre-defining works of horror. You can view the following as both a ranking of, and a semi-comprehensive guide to, the incomparable work of one of Hollywood’s most influential genre-filmmakers.

Few TV shows have ever genuinely managed to attain cultural phenomenon status. But when you have bars, whiskeys and festivals named in your honour, and a haircut and dress sense that instantly scream the name of your show (as well as ‘bit of a prick…’), it is fair to say you are worthy of the term. It is therefore impressive that Peaky Blinders – The Real Story manages to find an original angle at which to discuss Steven Knight’s epic historical drama.

The West End was set alight this Tuesday evening as Picturehouse Central hosted the high-profile UK premiere of The Moment. The dispatches and imagery emerging from the red carpet suggest an event that perfectly mirrors the high-octane, stylish energy of the film itself. With a release date set for 20th February, the buzz surrounding this project has reached a fever pitch, marking it as a significant milestone in this year’s cinematic calendar.

The wait for the big-screen adaptation of Andy Weir’s celebrated novel has been long, but with the arrival of the official trailer for Project Hail Mary, it appears the wait has been entirely justified.

This is the incredible, almost unbelievable true story at the heart of California Schemin, and with the release of the new official trailer, we are finally getting a proper look at what promises to be one of the most vibrant British films of the year. The film serves as the directorial debut for James McAvoy, a man whose acting pedigree needs no introduction to the UK Film Review audience.