New Movie Releases to Beat the Heatwave
The UK and Irish cinemas are expecting a heatwave weekend, but that’s not stopping the release of some exciting new movies. Two major films, Sony’s horror movie 28 Years Later and Disney’s animation Elio, are hoping to lure audiences into theaters.
Sony’s Horror Flick Leads the Pack
Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later is leading the charge at 707 locations for Sony. This third film in the post-apocalyptic horror franchise takes place 23 years after Boyle’s 28 Days Later, which opened in 2002 with £1.5 million and went on to earn £6.4 million at the box office and $83 million worldwide.
A Strong Track Record
As a director, Boyle has a strong track record in the territory. His previous feature, 2019’s Yesterday, opened at £2.1 million and took £13.7 million, while his biggest hit, 2009’s Slumdog Millionaire, earned £1.8 million and a total of £31.7 million. 28 Years Later stars Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as a couple living in an isolated community on an island off the coast of England.
Can Disney Continue Its Winning Streak?
Next up is the latest Pixar title from Disney, Elio, which starts at 599 locations. Family animation will have a tough time following last year’s Inside Out 2, which opened at £11.3 million from 684 locations and became the highest-grossing film of the year in the territory with £59.2 million.
Other Notable Releases
Other notable releases include Indian sports drama Sitaare Zameen Par, which starts at 181 cinemas via AA Films. Curzon continues its Michael Haneke season with 2005 neo-noir Hidden at 16 venues. The Tunisian drama Red Way is also being released, directed by Lotfi Achour, which follows a 14-year-old who is forced to carry the head of his cousin home after being attacked by jihadists.
Other Films to Watch Out For
Further releases include documentary A Sip of Irish about Irish whiskey; female prison documentary Holloway; and Indian thriller Adds. The top holdover titles are How to Train Your Kite, Lilo & Stitch, and Mission: Impossible – The Last Billing. With these exciting new releases, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the movies this weekend.
