There are a handful of new films arriving in Preston this week, alongside several unique releases playing at each theatre.
First up to join the slate, Giant is being touted as the UK’s answer to Rocky, with Sylvester Stallone himself affirming the connection through an executive producer credit on the film. Based on a true story about Prince Naseem “Naz” Hamed, a popular and highly successful British-Yemeni boxer, the film follows his path to success, and particularly the tensions that grew between him and his trainer, Brendan Ingle. Starring Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan, it’s a powerful sports drama well worth watching.
Next up, Hamnet is a film inspired by the life of William Shakespeare, which provides a fictionalised history about how the play Hamlet came to be. A period drama starring Paul Mescal as William, and Jessie Buckley as his wife, Agnes. It’s emotional, incorporates elements of the supernatural, but ultimately a story of conviction, grief, and creativity.
Finally, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple will be arriving in The Arc, the Odeon, and Vue from Tuesday with a special double bill attached to 28 Years Later, which came out in 2025, and then in The Flower Bowl from Thursday onwards. This film serves as the second in a brand new horror trilogy from director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland.
Following on from the new additions, this is all of the unique listings playing between Friday, the 9th, and Thursday, the 15th of January.
Stick Man + The Gruffalo’s Child
Friday
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.
Room on the Broom + The Highway Rat
All Week
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.
Hook
Saturday, Sunday, Thursday
The Arc is hosting a ’90s Film Festival throughout January, bringing back some of the biggest hits from that decade. And this week, the feature film is Hook, starring Robin Williams. A reimagined story about a grown-up Peter Pan as he returns to Neverland and rediscovers the magic that resides there.
The Smurfs Movie
Saturday, Sunday
The Arc’s Kids Club offering this week is The Smurfs Movie. This animated musical adventure revolves around the incredibly popular Smurfs in a brand new epic adventure that is perfect for younger viewers.
Labyrinth
Saturday, Sunday
Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Labyrinth starring David Bowie marks its 40th anniversary this year, and as such, both Odeon and Vue are bringing it back to the big screen. A mystical and wild fantasy adventure film that is sure to trigger nostalgia.
Scream Unseen
Saturday
Odeon is back to regularly hosting their special preview screenings, and on Saturday, they are kicking things off with a horror feature.
Mystery Horror Film
Saturday
Of course, Vue can’t let Odeon have all the fun, and so they will also be hosting a horror preview screening on the same night, and there is a good chance that both cinemas will be hosting the same film.
Happy Feet 2
Saturday, Sunday
This widely loved animated film returns to the cinema after being released in 2011. Last week, Vue hosted the original film to celebrate its 20th anniversary, and now the sequel gets a chance to shine.
Screen Unseen
Monday
If horror isn’t your thing, Odeon will also be doing a Screen Unseen hosting on Monday with a film that is not in the horror genre.
The Met: Live in HD 2025-26 Season: I Puritani
Monday
Vue is hosting a special opera on Monday, I Puritani, a show that was originally created in 1835.
28 Years Later & 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Double Bill
Tuesday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later proved to be a historic horror film when it came out in 2002. Now, Boyle reunites with writer Alex Garland to bring a new trilogy of films to life within the wider universe of that story. The saga began in 2025 with 28 Years Later, and returns with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. And the perfect way to enjoy the latest addition comes to three of Preston’s theatres as they host a special double bill with both films ahead of the general release.
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
Tuesday
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere is the Odeon’s pick for their Silver Screen showing this week. Starring Jeremy Allen White as the musical legend Bruce Springsteen, the film offers a glimpse into the life of an icon in this musical biopic.
Royal Ballet & Opera 2025-26: La traviata
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
It’s a big week for fans of the opera as La traviata will also be playing across Preston in all four theatres.
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