FILM REVIEWS AND NEWS

Vertigo Releasing has officially slated Normal for a theatrical release in the UK and Ireland. Directed by the ever-unpredictable Ben Wheatley and starring the incomparable Bob Odenkirk, this high-octane thriller is set to hit the big screen on Friday 15th May 2026. For those of us who prefer our action with a side of grit and a dash of dark wit, this date cannot come soon enough.

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.

However, Odeon Cinemas has once again stepped into the fray to ensure that the magic of the silver screen remains accessible to all. For this upcoming holiday period, the exhibitor has confirmed the return of its Odeon Kids screenings, offering tickets for the remarkably low price of just £1, including screenings of The Bad Guys 2 (screening 14-19 February 2026) and Gabby's Dollhouse (screening 21-22nd Feb).

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.

Focus Features and Working Title have pulled back the curtain on their latest collaboration, Finding Emily, and if the first-look images are anything to go by, we are in for a treat.

If you had told me in 2010 that the small, gibberish-spouting yellow henchmen from Despicable Me would eventually command a global box office of over $5.6 billion, I might have checked you for a fever. Yet, here we are in 2026, and the "banana" enthusiasts are not just part of the furniture; they own the house. Following the massive success of last summer’s Despicable Me 4, Illumination has officially pulled back the curtain on their next venture: Minions & Monsters.

I haven't had the pleasure of a private screening yet—trust me, I’ve checked the post every morning—but the flurry of information surrounding The Devil Wears Prada 2 has me more excited than Nigel (Stanley Tucci) at a sample sale. After stumbling upon the official trailer on YouTube, I knew it was time to dive into what we actually know about this high-fashion homecoming.

The official trailer for Michael has finally arrived, and if the first look is anything to go by, director Antoine Fuqua is aiming for nothing less than a definitive epic of the man who redefined the very concept of global stardom.

You can’t go wrong with the timeless characters of Looney Tunes. I mean, ok, you can… you could make a space-set feature film named Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up without even one appearance by Marvin the Martian! – I mean, what the hell, guys?? Luckily, despite this egregious oversight, this entry into the series is a family-friendly triumph.

As we approach March 2026, that electricity is reaching a fever pitch. The announcement of the feature-length continuation, titled Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, feels less like a traditional sequel and more like a long-awaited coronation for Tommy Shelby.

While the heavy hitters and the billion-dollar sequels are certainly present, there is a refreshing sense of creative risk-taking appearing across the Disney, 20th Century, and Searchlight banners. From high-concept survival thrillers to long-awaited returns to iconic worlds, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where the multiplex offers a genuine variety of spectacle and substance.

It is a period where the prestige of the awards season begins to collide with the bold, experimental, and sometimes wonderfully strange offerings of the new year. As we look toward the week commencing 26 January 2026, the schedule is looking remarkably robust, offering a slate that promises to challenge, entertain, and perhaps even provoke a few heated debates in the foyer.

It is a weekend that feels uniquely British in its distribution, offering a balanced diet of intellectual stimulation and visceral thrills. Here is what you can expect to find at your local multiplex and independent arthouse next week, or some home releases too.

Next week, we see a return to a beloved horror franchise that has been reinvented for a new generation, a heartwarming exploration of human connection in modern Japan, and a devastating docudrama that demands our absolute attention.

The primary event kicks off on Friday, 16 January 2026. This date marks the nationwide return of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and notably, many venues are opting to screen the gargantuan Extended Editions.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is no stranger to seismic shifts, but the lead-up to the next ensemble epic feels different. As we stand on the precipice of a new era for the franchise, the anticipation surrounding "Avengers: Doomsday" has reached a fever pitch. Fans have spent years dissecting the mechanics of blockbuster storytelling, and it is rare to see a production carry this much weight.

This weekend, the visionary director returns to the world of the Na'vi with Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third instalment in a saga that continues to push the boundaries of what is technically possible in a darkened room. While the previous chapter took us into the depths of the Metkayina reefs, this new journey promises a shift in temperature, introducing us to a darker, more volatile side of Pandora.

Boxing Day. It is, without question, a critical day in the entire cinematic calendar for UK distributors. This is the moment when the public, saturated with turkey and family chat, flocks to the multiplexes seeking refuge and spectacle. The release schedule for December 26, 2025, reflects this perfectly.