Cinemas across Preston are continuing to celebrate the festive period with a host of holiday films for all audiences. But before you book tickets to the classics, there are a couple of big new releases out this week.
Ella McCay stars Emma Mackey, Woody Harrelson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kumail Nanjiani, and many more. This comedy-drama film is about an idealistic young woman juggling all the aspects of her life, from romance to work.
Fackham Hall stars Thomazin Mackenzie and Damien Lewis as unlikely friends in a British comedy film with a range of incredible talent. As a family wedding approaches, a whole host of issues arise to make this a wonderful satire about the British upper class.
Silent Night, Deadly Night is a holiday slasher horror about a man who dons a Santa suit to commit violent crimes in response to the death of his parents many years earlier. Following a trend in recent years of creating paradoxical horror featuring beloved characters transformed into something much darker.
The Spongebob Movie: The Search For Squarepants will also be previewing in all cinemas throughout Preston except for The Flower Bowl from Thursday. One of the most popular cartoons is back on the big screen for a brand new adventure.
Finally, Avatar: Fire & Ash is out on the 19th December, and Vue will be hosting a midnight showing of the film on the night of the 18th. The third entry in James Cameron’s epic saga that has changed the face of 3D filmmaking, and grown to become one of the most universally popular franchises of all time.
And now, without further ado, this is all of the unique listings playing between Friday, the 12th, and Thursday, the 18th of December.
Christmas Karma
Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Saturday, Wednesday
Christmas Karma is new to cinemas this year, but it’s already got the makings of a Christmas classic. A Bollywood-inspired take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this British musical dramedy features incredible talent for an unforgettable story.
A Paw Patrol Christmas
Friday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Saturday, Sunday, Monday
All Week
All Week
For the little ones, Ryder and his four-legged friends are coming to the big screen for a special Christmas-themed adventure.
Elf
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Saturday
The Christmas classic from 2003 is back on the big screen at the Vue. Will Ferrell stars in this outrageous film about a man who grew up among elves and now seeks to reunite with his human father in New York.
It Was Just An Accident
All Week
An Iranian crime thriller that has made the rounds on the film circuits. The film follows a man who encounters someone he believes he recognizes as a former torturer. As things escalate, the tension grows, and the film highlights several important and confronting themes in a powerful and important way.
The Shining
Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Monday, Wednesday
Saturday, Sunday
Stephen King’s tense horror thriller, The Shining, returns to theatres this week after 45 years. Starring Jack Nicholson and directed by Stanley Kubrick, this is one of the most remarkable horror films of the last century.
Stick Man + The Gruffalo’s Child
All Week
Julia Donaldson’s stories are always a hit among young children, and with that in mind, The Arc has added a special double bill showing of two of the best stories throughout the coming week.
Eleanor The Great
All Week
Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut sees her deliver a charming comedy-drama about a 94-year-old woman. After the death of her lifelong best friend, Eleanor strikes up an unlikely connection with a 19-year-old college student as they find they have a lot in common.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Friday, Wednesday
Wake Up Dead Man is a recent release, but The Flower Bowl is the only one of Preston’s local cinemas to pick up the film. This movie is actually a Netflix original, and the third in the popular Knives Out series starring Daniel Craig, which is due to hit the streaming platform on the 12th of December, but you can catch it early in The Flower Bowl now.
The Snowman and The Snowman & the Snowdog
All Week
A Christmas classic is back on the big screen at Odeon as The Snowman, and the sequel, The Snowman and the Snowdog, return. Enchanting music, stunning visuals, and a magical tale all combine for the perfect film to get you into the Christmas spirit.
CBeebies Panto 2025: Cinderella
Sunday
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday
One of the most joyous events around the Christmas season has to be the pantomimes, and this year, you can watch them in your local theatre with some cosy seats and snacks. The CBeebies present Cinderella.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Saturday, Sunday
Saturday, Sunday
Jim Carrey’s Christmas classic is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The live-action film adapts the popular story by Dr. Seuss and remains essential viewing for the Holiday season.
Batman Returns
Saturday, Sunday
Batman Returns from director Tim Burton stands out as the most Christmassy Batman film ever made. With the entire film taking place at Christmas, and several characters representing figures from popular holiday stories, it’s a wonderful addition to the Christmas movie lineup.
It’s A Wonderful Life
Saturday, Sunday, Thursday
Monday, Tuesday
This 1946 American Christmas fantasy film has stood the test of time, and remains one of the most popular films every year. As George faces a personal crisis, a guardian angel arrives to help him see the value of his life. It’s deeply emotional, and for many, one of the most nostalgic Christmas films around.
The Magic Reindeer: Saving Santa’s Sleigh
Saturday, Sunday
Saturday, Sunday
Niko is a young reindeer who dreams of guiding Santa’s sleigh alongside his father. However, as troubles arise, Niko gets a chance to prove his abilities by retrieving Santa’s stolen sleigh. An animated Christmas movie from 2024.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Saturday, Sunday
Saturday
Another classic Christmas film, The Muppet Christmas Carol adapts Charles Dickens’ novel, A Christmas Carol, with the beloved muppets at the centre of the story. It’s emotional, and laugh-out-loud funny, and perfect for the whole family.
Andre Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert: Merry Christmas
Saturday
Tuesday
Andre Rieu is one of the most impressive musical performers on the planet, and as such, he regularly puts on performances along with an orchestra, delivering classical music and exceptional showmanship. Now he returns for Christmas 2025 with another spectacular show that can be enjoyed at all of the local cinemas.
Home Alone
Saturday, Tuesday
Saturday, Thursday
Macaulay Culkin’s breakout film role as Kevin McCallister marks its 35th anniversary this year. The film sees a young boy who is left at home accidentally while the rest of his large family travel to Paris. While Kevin initially enjoys his newfound freedom, things soon get complicated as a pair of thieves attempt to break into his house.
The Grinch
Saturday
In addition to the live-action Grinch movie, Odeon will be hosting the animated version of the Dr. Seuss Holiday story. With Benedict Cumberbach as the voice of the Grinch, and a much more whimsical approach to the story overall, this is a great choice for young families.
The Holiday
Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday
The popular holiday film from 2006 returns to Vue this week to mark the Christmas season. The film features an incredible array of talent, including Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black, for a feel-good holiday romance.
The MET: Live in HD 2025-26 Season: Andrea Chenier
Saturday
For Opera fans, this show poetically captures a tender moment during the French Revolution between two lovers. Vue, as always, is proving itself to be the most consistently reliable local cinema to deliver for in the realm of Opera.
RBO 2025-26 – The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
The Royal Ballet and Opera return this week with The Nutcracker. A seasonal celebration of dance that is sure to get those in attendance into the mood for the holidays.
Still Pushing Pineapples
Sunday, Tuesday
A British documentary about the singer, Dene Michael, who rose to fame singing comical songs such as Agadoo. The film explores the aging musician’s continued career through his unique perspective.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Sunday
Sunday
The sequel to the 1990 Christmas movie starring Macaulay Culkin sees Kevin McCallister take on a new challenge in the Big Apple. When the same thieves who tried to rob his home in the first movie catch up to him, things get interesting.
The Polar Express
Sunday
Starring Tom Hanks in a wide variety of roles, this animated Christmas movie features a distinct visual style of animated realism that occasionally crosses over into the Uncanny Valley.
NT Live: The Fifth Step
Monday
National Theatre Live presents Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden in The Fifth Step. This is an event screening of a live stage performance featuring the very best of British talent.
Love Actually
Tuesday, Wednesday
Love Actually is another Christmas classic that follows several people’s stories around London as they navigate challenges and frustrations. Relationships bloom, and love finds a way as the Christmas spirit envelopes the season.
Big Screen Movie Quiz With Ste-J
Wednesday
Finally, the Big Screen Movie Quiz With Ste-J is back this month. After the success of the last three months, the quiz has become a regular part of the line-up at The Arc. With prizes up for grabs, it’s a wonderful night out for friends and couples.
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