It’s a huge week for new releases with cinemas across Preston bringing in more than half a dozen new films.
No Other Choice is a dark comedy film starring Squid Games’ Front Man actor, Lee Byung-hun. The film follows a man whose desperation to find work and feed his family leads him to undergo extreme measures to secure a job, eliminating the competition along the way.
Mercy, starring Chris Pratt, is a cybercrime thriller set in the distant future where AI has been handed the responsibility to act as judge, jury, and executioner. But the detective who advocated for the AI to take over the justice system never expected to be the one standing trial, and fighting for his life.
Return to Silent Hill, from director Christophe Gans, marks the third film in a series of adaptations for the popular video game franchise, but this film promises to be something new. As a man returns to Silent Hill to find his lost love, he is horrified at the darkness that has invaded this once familiar town.
H is for Hawk, starring Claire Foy, follows a young woman grieving the death of her father, who forms an unlikely friendship with a stubborn hawk that turns her life around.
Iron Lung is another video game adaptation from popular YouTuber Markiplier, who wrote, directed, and stars in this tense sci-fi horror.
Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal star in period romance/musical The History of Sound, about two men who attempt to record the sounds of the American countrymen during World War I
Saipan, starring Steve Coogan, is a sports docudrama about the notorious Saipan incident between Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy.
Primate will debut a few days early in the Odeon and Vue. An animal horror about a loving chimpanzee who becomes rabid.
Following on from the new additions, this is all of the unique listings playing between Friday, the 23rd, and Thursday, the 29th of January.
Armageddon
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Thursday
The Arc continues to mark the New Year with its ongoing 90s Film Festival, this week highlighting Armageddon.
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.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings (25th Anniversary Extended Edition)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Sunday
Friday, Saturday
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings came out 25 years ago this year. As such, the epic fantasy films are returning to multiple theatres this week with the special extended editions on the big screen.
Stitch Head
Saturday, Sunday
Saturday, Sunday
Stitch Head is another new release, but it appears to have an extremely limited release window. A kids’ animated film akin to the Hotel Transylvania films.
Night of the Zoopocalypse
Saturday, Sunday
A group of animals are the last hope on Earth as an apocalyptic event transforms everyone else into zombies. It’s an animated horror adventure that is just the right level of spooky for kids to enjoy.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Extended Edition)
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Vue will continue to mark the LOTR anniversary with the sequel also playing from Saturday.
Room on the Broom + The Highway Rat
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Vue is also hosting a double bill of Julia Donaldson stories, but if Stick Man and The Gruffalo’s Child are not to your toddlers’ liking, Vue has an entirely different selection.
Happy Feet
Saturday, Sunday
This widely loved animated film marks its 20th anniversary this year. Combining an incredible soundtrack, a touching story, and themes of love, acceptance and family, this is a perfect film to watch with the whole family.
Becoming Victoria Wood
Sunday
A documentary that takes a look into the life and career of one of the most formative and foundational female comedians in Britain.
National Theatre Live: Hamlet
Monday
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday
One of Shakespeare’s most popular and widely beloved plays is coming to big screens across Preston this week thanks to the National Theatre Live. Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera plays Hamlet in this wonderful reimagining of an old classic.
Screen Unseen
Monday
Odeon is hosting yet another Screen Unseen event this coming week with a new mystery film getting a special early release screening.
Desperate Journey
Tuesday
Desperate Journey is set during World War II, as a young Jewish man flees Vienna for Paris to avoid being captured by the Nazis.
Sinners
Thursday
Finally, Sinners came out in 2025, starring Michael B. Jordan playing two leading roles opposite Hailee Steinfeld. The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and has been nominated in multiple categories at the 2026 Oscars.
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