Posted by 
With Thunderbolts* coming out last week, other studios have avoided releasing a film so close to the Marvel Studios project and so there are no major new releases this week. However, the local cinemas in Preston still have plenty of unique screenings on offer beyond the action-packed superhero flick. And for eager fans of horror and the Final Destination series, the latest film, Final Destination: Bloodlines, will arrive in Preston’s cinemas from Wednesday 14 May.
Here are the unique listings for Preston’s local cinemas from Friday 9 May to Thursday 15th of May.
Cruella
All Week
The Arc Cinema’s Disney Celebration continues this week with Cruella. The live-action film starring Emma Stone as the titular character came out in 2021. With an original story, this live-action Disney film stands apart from the other reboots, and the response to the film was generally very favorable.
Final Destination (Double Bill)
Friday
Friday
Friday
For one night only, Final Destination and the new release, Final Destination: Bloodlines will be playing in cinemas across Preston a week ahead of the general release. See where it all began, and the chilling conclusion to this story in an epic four-hour event.
Ocean with David Attenborough
All Week
Sunday, Wednesday
Sunday, Thursday
Sunday, Wednesday
David Attenborough is a national treasure who has narrated numerous wildlife and nature documentaries, drawing attention to the beauty and majesty of the world and nature. And this week, his new documentary lands in all of the local cinemas. However, be mindful that each cinema is approaching the release slightly differently, with some listing it as an event screening.
The Wedding Banquet
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
All Week
A hilarious rom-com starring Bowen Yang and Lily Gladstone as a couple seeking a green card marriage. However, things take a turn when Chris’ (Yang) grandmother plans an extravagant wedding banquet to mark the occassion.
The Return
Friday, Monday
While Christopher Nolan is currently filming the epic, The Odyssey, The Return is an indie production that adapts parts of that larger story, starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. Initially, the film toured film festivals in 2024, but now it’s coming to Preston for the first time, exclusively at The Flower Bowl.
Mr. Burton
Friday, Monday, Tuesday
Mr. Burton is a British biographical drama about the life of the popular actor, Richard Burton. The film explores the early life of the actor. The film will be available exclusively in The Flower Bowl throughout the week.
The Surfer
All Week
All Week
Nicolas Cage stars in a brand new psychological thriller that has been touring the film festival circuit. Now the film arrives in UK theatres, though just two of the four Preston sites. When a surfer seeks to indulge in his passion with his son, his plans fall apart as the locals begin to terrorise the hopeful surfers.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Saturday, Sunday
However, Monty Python and the Holy Grail takes the lead with an even larger milestone, with this year marking its 50th Anniversary. Despite having one feature film released a few years prior, Monty Python and the Holy Grail was a whole new concept, and it took the world by storm. The irreverent comedy is a true spectacle and well worth revisiting in the cinema.
Six The Musical Live!
Saturday, Sunday
Saturday, Sunday
Six The Musical is a comedy stage show that depicts a modern-day retelling of Henry VIII tragic relationship with his six wives. The film sees each woman take their turn to recount their experience. Despite releasing a few weeks ago, Odeon and Vue are still giving the event screening a prime position in their lineup.
Sylvanian Families – The Movie
Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
The popular playset for children that began trading in 1985 now comes to the big screen. The film perfectly captures the theme of the toys and delivers a happy family fairytale centred on anthropomorphised animals. This one is more focused on younger audiences, so keep that in mind going in.
The King of Kings
Saturday
An animated film depicting Charles Dickens recounting the life and times of Jesus Christ to his son. The film features a beautiful animated style and clever framing to make a very old story feel new. It also features a star-studded cast voicing the characters, including Kenneth Branagh, Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman, Oscar Isaac, Mark Hamill, and many more.
The Wild Robot
Saturday, Sunday
The Wild Robot adapts a science-fiction novel aimed at children written by Peter Brown. When a robot develops some sense of self, it goes on a journey of self-discovery, alongside a colorful cast of forest animals. It’s surprisingly emotional, and the movie managed to get three nominations at the 2025 Academy Awards.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Saturday, Sunday
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, made by Preston’s own Nick Park, sees the popular characters return in the beautiful and charming stop-motion series of stories. The film is being featured prominently in Vue this week to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its release.
Flow
Sunday
Flow won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film over competitive entries like Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, from Preston’s own Nick Park. The film features a beautiful animated style and is free from any human speech. Instead, it features a wide variety of real animal sounds. An engaging watch for the entire family to enjoy.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Sunday
Odeon appears to be putting on a wonderful spread dedicated to celebrating the work of Wes Anderson this Sunday, with three of his uniquely styled films appearing in the cinema. First in the lineup is Fantastic Mr. Fox, a film that adapts the already very quirky story by Roald Dahl with the enchanting visuals of Anderson’s films.
Isle of Dogs
Sunday
Next is Isle of Dogs, a lesser known film from Anderson which was released in 2018. The film features a star-studded cast, as his movies are prone to do, with a stop-motion animated style. This dystopian sci-fi adventure explores an imaginative future world where dogs have been banished to an island apart from civilization. It’s wild, wacky, and it earned two Oscar nominations upon its release.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Sunday
Finally, one of Anderson’s most popular films, The Grand Budapest Hotel rounds out the celebration of his work for the Sunday. Once again, a star-studded cast comes together to create a zany and colorful comedy drama. When it comes to Anderson’s filmography, this is about as mainstream as he gets. Fans of Wes Anderson’s work will not want to miss its return on the big screen.
Nosferatu
Monday
Nosferatu was released in late 2024, and it revisits a popular story that has evolved over time. Inspired by the Bram Stoker Dracula novel, the original Nosferatu was a much darker and more grotesque affair than what audiences are accustomed to when they think of vampires these days. However, the 2024 movie takes it back to its roots and restores that tension and horror once again.
The Friend
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Bill Murray and Naomi Watts star in this comedy drama about a writer inherits a Great Dane, which begins to throw her life into disarray. However, this shake up may prove to be exactly what she needs, as it leads her into new unexplored paths.
NT Live: The Importance of Being Earnest
Monday
Tuesday
Ncuti Gatwa, who currently holds the title as the Fifteenth Doctor, is starring in the National Theatre Live production of The Importance of Being Earnest. The play, originally written by Oscar Wilde, tells a story of love, identity, and impersonation with plenty of humour throughout.
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
Monday
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou first came out in 2005, when comedies were at the height of their popularity. As such, the film pulled in a spectacular cast including Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, and many more. This is yet another film by Wes Anderson, and it marks its 20th anniversary this year.
Better Man
Tuesday
The Odeon’s Silver Screen event this week will highlight Better Man, the musical biopic depicting the life and times of Robbie Williams. However, the movie has a big twist that separates it from the rest of its genre, Robbie is being portrayed as an chimpanzee. Despite this, the movie manages to be incredibly emotional and heartfelt, proving to be one of the best biopics in recent years.
The Royal Opera: Die Walküre
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
For fans of Opera, three of the four Preston cinemas will be host to the spectacular Richard Wagner epic music drama Die Walküre. This is the third of four entries in The RIng Cycle, and it combines folklore with Norse mythology to deliver a compelling and unwavering narrative.
Simply Red: 40th Anniversary Tour – Live In Santiago
Thursday
While The Arc Cinema will not be hosting Die Walküre, they will be putting on a special event screening of the band Simply Red, from a recent show in Santiago from March 2025. This special release includes live performances, behind-the-scenes footage, and other exclusive clips for audiences to enjoy.
The Dam Busters
Thursday
The Arc Cinema’s Silver Screen show will feature The Dam Busters, which is celebrating it’s 70th anniversary. This British war docudrama from 1955 explores the impact of a new type of weapon, bombs that could skip on water to meet their targets. Due to the age of the film, this may well be many people’s first time experiencing it on a big screen.
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See more of what’s on in Preston
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
