FILM REVIEWS AND NEWS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The news landed like a tremor in the geekosphere: Peter Jackson’s seminal fantasy trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, is set for a massive return to UK cinemas in January 2026. For a generation of filmgoers, this is nothing less than a pilgrimage—an opportunity to witness the vast plains of Middle-earth, the epic battles, and the quiet weight of a hobbit’s burden, all in the place they truly belong: the gigantic, light-eating darkness of the big screen.