The 5 Films Releasing in UK Cinemas Boxing Day 2025

Film Feature by Chris Olson

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. It is a carefully curated platter designed to hit every demographic: a major awards contender, a family animated caper, a psychological thriller for the adults, and a couple of essential niche picks for the prestige audience. It is a masterful piece of counter-programming against the seasonal cheer, ensuring that whether you want high-octane drama or underwater silliness, you have a reason to queue up.

Marty Supreme

Leading the charge into the festive fray is Marty Supreme, a film that has already generated considerable buzz across the Pond. This is the biopic that absolutely no one saw coming, yet one that seems perfectly tailored for end-of-year awards glory. The film follows the flamboyant life of legendary ping pong player Marty Reisman, a hustler and eccentric who became a champion in a sport often dismissed as a mere pastime. With Timothée Chalamet in the lead role, this movie has the star power to draw in the curious crowd, while the unexpected nature of the subject matter ensures it carries the necessary cinematic weight to be taken seriously by critics. Chalamet, who has a knack for selecting roles that balance prestige with mainstream appeal, is said to deliver a performance full of swagger and meticulous detail. Director Josh Safdie, known for his relentless, high-energy style, promises that this will be anything but a standard sports biopic. We expect a frenetic, character-driven study of obsession and showmanship, a welcome shot of adrenaline for those suffering from post-Christmas lethargy.

The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants

For the mandatory family outing, we have The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants. While the title may suggest a straightforward animated feature, the SpongeBob films have a long history of delivering some of the most surreal and genuinely clever humour in modern animation, satisfying both children and the adults dragged along to watch it. Following on from the huge success of the companion television series, this new instalment, directed by Derek Drymon, is poised to continue that legacy of zany slapstick and ridiculous world-building. These films are perfect Boxing Day fodder because they offer simple, vibrant escapism. You don't need to engage with complex themes or existential dread; you just need to appreciate the absurdity of a talking sponge and his starfish best friend embarking on a deep-sea adventure. It's safe, fun, and commercially vital to the overall release strategy.

The Housemaid (2025)

The Housemaid

Providing the necessary darkness to balance the Christmas light is The Housemaid, a psychological thriller that looks set to terrify audiences seeking a break from feel-good fare. Starring the formidable pairing of Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, the film is an adaptation of a bestselling novel that promises claustrophobic tension. Sweeney plays a struggling young woman who takes a job as a housemaid, only for her fresh start to spiral into an oppressive and terrifying ordeal. What makes this particularly intriguing from a critical perspective is the director, Paul Feig, a filmmaker traditionally associated with comedy. That unexpected pedigree suggests a subtle, character-focused tension, rather than a reliance on cheap thrills. It’s an ideal counter-programming choice, offering a sophisticated, high-stakes thriller that will dominate post-holiday discussions.

Sentimental Value

Finally, the remaining two spots on our top five list are filled by the kind of specialised, critical films that often thrive in the Boxing Day window as audiences seek out true quality. Mubi is bringing us Sentimental Value, a title that sounds like pure, prestige arthouse cinema. While plot details are usually scarce on these Mubi-backed dramas, the presence of a film titled Sentimental Value on the Boxing Day slate confirms the distributor's strategy of positioning challenging, internationally acclaimed cinema against the multiplex blockbusters. These are the films for the cinephile, the audience member keen to catch up on the year's critical darlings before the award shows kick off in January.

Bowie: The Final Act

The last of our quintet is Bowie: The Final Act, a documentary that looks to be a must-see for music historians and casual fans alike. Documentaries often perform exceptionally well during the holidays, offering a compelling alternative to fiction. While details on this specific feature are tightly controlled, the title suggests a focus on the final, creatively vibrant period of the legendary musician's life. Distributed by Dogwoof, a name synonymous with high-quality non-fiction, this film has the potential to be a respectful, yet deeply moving, tribute.

This Boxing Day selection is arguably one of the most balanced in recent memory. It’s a smart slate that caters to every mood the public might be in after the 25th. Whether you choose the high-stakes ping pong drama, the deep-sea cartoon antics, or the chilling domestic thriller, UK cinemas are ready to welcome the masses with a feast of diverse and compelling content. As a critic, I look forward to the sheer variety—it means there is truly something worth reviewing for everyone.

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