Westside filmgoers are lucky to have two of the country’s best multiplexes to choose from with 12 screens each at Cineworld Broad Street and Odeon Luxe Broadway Plaza.
In the run-up to Christmas there’s a mixture of new releases and classic favourites to look forward to.
Big new films already out and reviewed on these pages include The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Thanksgiving, Disney’s new animation Wish and Ridley Scott’s epic Napoleon.
Here’s our week-by-week guide to the next batch of hits coming your way from each Friday onwards during the pre-festive period in December.
1 DECEMBER
Elf (20th anniversary) (PG, 97 mins)
A modern comedy classic with Will Ferrell returning as the elf who’s three times the size he should be. Includes some IMAX screenings at Cineworld. Also at Odeon Luxe.
The Snowman / The Snowman And The Snowdog (U, 52 mins)
A double bill at Odeon Luxe, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3.
CBeebies Panto 2023: Robin Hood (tbc, 60 mins)
Odeon Luxe, from Saturday 2.
Arthur Christmas (U, 98 mins)
Laboured 2011 animation about Santa’s clumsy son, with the voices of Jim Broadbent, James McAvoy and Bill Nighy. Odeon Luxe, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3.
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé (15, 169 mins)
A lengthy recap of what it takes to mount a world tour, Beyoncé style. Includes IMAX screenings at Cineworld.
Eileen (15, 98 mins)
Anne Hathaway joins the prison staff where struggling Eileen work. A shocking crime causes complications. An obsession thriller adapted from Ottessa Moshfegh’s debut novel and directed by William Oldroyd (Lady Macbeth).
Saving Private Ryan (25th anniversary) (15, 169 mins)
Tom Hanks and Matt Damon star in Steven Spielberg’s epic WWII drama. Don’t be late for the stunning opening at Cineworld on Friday 1. If you miss it, it’s back at Odeon Luxe on Wednesday 6.
Movies for Juniors: Teddy’s Christmas (U, 76 mins)
Animation. Cineworld, Saturday 2.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (U, 85 mins)
Brian Henson directs Michael Caine in this 1992 classic. Odeon Luxe, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (30th anniversary) (PG, 77 mins)
Animation co-written by Tim Burton – 3D screens in Cineworld’s 4DX motion sensor cinema. Saturday 2.
Andre Rieu’s White Christmas (PG,145 mins)
A ‘Christmas spectacular’ that’s showing at Cineworld on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3.
NCT Nation: To The World in Cinemas (U, 102 mins)
A K-Pop concert spectacular at Cineworld and Odeon Luxe on Wednesday 6 and Sunday 10.
Tokyo Godfathers (20th anniversary) (12A tbc, 92 mins)
Three homeless people in Tokyo find a baby amid some rubbish. Odeon Luxe, Thursday 7.
8 DECEMBER
Jingle All The Way (PG, 89 mins)
Arnold Schwarzenegger returns in a desperate search for the year’s must have present. Cineworld, Friday 8.
Wonka (PG, 116 mins)
Timothee Chalamet stars in the story about the young Willy Wonka before he opens the world’s most famous chocolate factory. Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman and Sally Hawkins co-star. Includes IMAX screenings at Cineworld and iSense and Dolby Screen at Odeon Luxe.
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) (PG,109 mins)
The seasonal hit starring Dudley Moore and John Lithgow. Cineworld, Sunday 10.
Gremlins (12A, 106 mins)
Joe Dante’s comedy horror – don’t get the furry one wet at Odeon Luxe, Monday 11.
2023 Royal Ballet Live: The Nutcracker (170 mins)
Cineworld, Tuesday 12.
It’s A Wonderful Life (U, 135 mins)
James Stewart on life-affirming form in a now all-time classic. Odeon Luxe, Wednesday 13 (Cineworld Christmas Eve).
A Christmas Carol starring Simon Callow (PG)
A 90-minute, one man theatrical version of the Dickens classic. Cineworld, one night only – Thursday 14.
15 DECEMBER
Die Hard (15, 132 mins)
Bruce Willis in the perennial favourite. Odeon Luxe, Friday 15.
Elf (20th Anniversary) (PG, 97 mins)
Odeon Luxe, Friday 15 to Wednesday 20.
Bad Santa (15, 92 mins)
Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac and John Ritter star in the 2003 story of a conman posing as Santa. Cineworld, Friday 15 only.
Godzilla Minus One (cert tbc)
A monster hit from Japan, in both senses.
Home Alone (1990) (PG, 103 mins)
Eight-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) has to defend the family home from seasonal burglars.
Director Chris Columbus went on to make Mrs Doubtfire and the first two Harry Potter films. Cineworld, Sunday 17 and Saturday 23.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (PG, 120 mins)
Laboured, overlong sequel that simply wasn’t needed. Cineworld, Sunday 17, Saturday 23.
Spirited Sing-Along (12A, 127 mins)
The Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell) picks the wrong Scrooge for reform. Ryan Reynolds co-stars. Cineworld, Sunday 18.
Aquaman And The Lost Kingdon (cert tbc, 115mins)
Horror director James Wan hits the mainstream with a cast including Ben Affleck, Nicole Kidman and Jason Momoa. From Thursday 21.
22 DECEMBER
Die Hard (15, 132 mins)
Cineworld Friday 22 and Sunday 24.
Elf (20th Anniversary) (tbc, 97 mins)
Odeon Luxe, Friday 22 til Sunday 24
The Muppet Christmas Carol (U, 85 mins)
Cineworld, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24
It’s A Wonderful Life (U, 131 mins)
Cineworld, Sunday 24.
Home Alone (PG, 103 mins)
Odeon Luxe, Friday 22 til Sunday 24.
The Grinch (U, 90 mins)
A return to the village of Whoville with old grumpy guts. Odeon Luxe, Saturday 23, Sunday 24.
