New Films In UK Cinemas This Week - From 5th January 2026

Film Feature by Chris Olson

As the Christmas decorations come down and we move into the first full week of 2026, the cinematic landscape is already beginning to shift. While the blockbusters of the winter usually dominate the conversation this time of year, there is a particular thrill in seeing the slate open up for homegrown stories and prestige dramas that carry a bit more grit and emotional weight. This week, two films in particular have been circling my radar, and their arrival in UK cinemas this Friday feels like a significant moment for British and Irish talent.

Giant, in UK Cinemas 9th January, 2026

On Friday, 9th January, we see the release of Giant, a film that has generated considerable buzz since its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival late last year. For those of us who grew up in the 1990s, the name Prince Naseem "Naz" Hamed is synonymous with a specific kind of peacocking brilliance. He was not just a boxer; he was a cultural firebrand who brought a sense of theatre—and leopard-print shorts—to a sport that often took itself far too seriously.

Giant is directed by Rowan Athale, a filmmaker who has always shown a keen eye for the textures of British life. What makes me particularly excited about this project is the central casting. Amir El-Masry takes on the mantle of "Naz," and from the early footage, he seems to have captured that lightning-in-a-bottle charisma that made Hamed a global icon.

Giant Official Film Trailer

However, the real intrigue for many will be Pierce Brosnan. Transitioning from his suave, post-Bond years into more weathered, character-driven roles, Brosnan plays Brendan Ingle, the legendary Irish trainer who operated out of a church crypt in Sheffield. The relationship between the disciplined, understated Ingle and the flamboyant Hamed is the stuff of sporting legend. Seeing that dynamic play out between Brosnan and El-Masry promises to be one of the highlights of the month. The film carries a 15 certificate, suggesting that Athale has not shied away from the harsher realities of the Sheffield boxing scene or the complexities of Naz’s meteoric rise from humble beginnings.

Hamnet, in UK Cinemas 9th January, 2026

Simultaneously arriving this Friday is Hamnet, a film that feels destined for the upcoming awards conversation. Based on the celebrated novel by Maggie O’Farrell, the film explores the domestic life of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, in the late 16th century.

Hamnet

While we have seen countless adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, Hamnet looks to offer something far more intimate: a portrait of the family tragedy that arguably changed the course of English literature. The story follows the birth of their son, Hamnet, and the devastating impact of his untimely death—a loss that would eventually find its echoes in the halls of Elsinore and the writing of Hamlet.

The pedigree behind this production is staggering. It is directed by Chloé Zhao, the Academy Award winner behind Nomadland and The Rider - which I absolutely loved. Zhao has a unique ability to find the vastness in small, quiet moments, and her naturalistic style seems like a perfect match for O’Farrell’s lyrical prose.

In the lead roles, we have two of the most compelling actors working today: Jessie Buckley as Agnes and Paul Mescal as William. Buckley has an earthy, unpredictable energy that feels ideal for a character often described as having an almost mystical connection to the natural world. Pairing her with Mescal—who has cornered the market on sensitive, fractured masculinity—is a masterstroke of casting. I am incredibly eager to see how they navigate the profound grief at the heart of this story. With a 12A certificate, it is a film that likely aims for a wide, empathetic audience, focusing on the universal experience of love and loss rather than just historical biography.

It is refreshing to see January kicking off with such distinct offerings. In Giant, we have a high-energy, rags-to-riches sporting biopic that celebrates British-Yemeni identity and the grit of the North. In Hamnet, we have a stately, poetic meditation on art and mourning.

Both films represent a strong start for the UK box office in 2026, leaning on powerful performances and directors with very specific, uncompromising visions. Whether you are looking for the adrenaline of the ring or the quiet reflection of the Tudor countryside, the cinema remains the essential place to be this weekend.

As always, keep an eye on our full reviews as the week progresses, you can already read our Hamnet film review here.