As we plunge into spring and head closer to summer, we face a stunning line-up of movies coming out, for family and adults alike!
Whether you want a nice, cool theatre, or one of Kent’s multiple open-air cinemas, like Curzon in Canterbury, the Cliftonville Outdoor Cinema in Thanet, or Cobham Hall in Gravesend, Kent and Surrey have you covered.
Here are some of the most exciting film offerings in the Kent and Surrey Area, coming out this spring and summer.
You, Me & Tuscany – Out now!
Starring Hailey Bailey and Rege-Jean Page, this romantic comedy follows Anna (Hailey Bailey), a failed chef and messy 20-something, as she plans to ‘unofficially’ house-sit for a handsome Italian named Matteo. In essence, she is staying in his empty Tuscan villa without his knowledge.
When caught by Matteo’s mother, Gabriella (Isabella Ferrari), Anna comes up with the story that she is Matteo’s fiancée. But when Matteo’s cousin Michael (Regé-Jean Page) shows up, there’s a chemistry between them that cannot be ignored. It’s a fun and sweet rom-com set against the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, filled with swoonworthy moments – a great watch for those rainy spring days.
Michael – Out now!
A biopic depicting the story of Michael Jackson, starring the late entertainer’s nephew Jafar Jackson. The movie covers the musician’s career from the start of the Jackson Five to becoming one of the biggest stars in American history, whilst diving into his personal life. This one is sure to be a show stopper with a star-studded cast, with the likes of Nia Long and Colman Domingo, and it is certainly one of the most anticipated and controversial biopics to come out in recent times.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 – Out now!
The follow-up sequel to The Devil Wears Prada is soon upon us. Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Emily Blunt, and Anne Hathaway return to their roles and this time, Andy is back at Runway as a Features Writer to help manage the magazine’s reputation after recent scandals.
Expectations are high for the film but many fans of the original are worried the sequel won’t live up to the hype. Early backlash erupted against the costume design after paparazzi photos during filming leaked online, with many disliking the styling of the film. However, I’m sure fashion and movie lovers around the globe will be flocking to theatres to relive the nostalgic classic.
The Mandalorian and Grogu – May 22nd
The Star Wars duo is back again, but this time on the big screen. The Empire has been destroyed, and there are still warlords roaming the galaxy. Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu set out on a mission to keep the New Republic safe.
Enthusiasm for the film is muted as many fans seem unfazed by the release, with one Reddit user, TheRealGrifter, commenting, ‘The Mandalorian movie is about five years too late.’ However, the film is directed by Jon Favreau, who gave Disney a big hit with The Lion King live-action adaptation. His track record may turn things around for the film. Box office predictions, according to Box Office Theories, are saying it may be the lowest opening for a Star Wars film at $70M-$80M.
Scary Movie 6 – June 5th
Shorty (Marlon Wayans), Ray (Shawn Wayans), Cindy (Anna Fairs), and Brenda (Regina Hall) are all returning in this big-budget parody comedy as Ghostface returns. We’ll see how the Wayans brothers respond to the slew of horror films since their last appearance in the franchise over 25 years ago.
The trailer features spoofs of M3GAN, Scream, Wednesday, Sinners, The Substance and much more. Will the movie do well in this fraught moment for parody where almost everything satirises itself, and sketch comedy feels far too real?
Toy Story 5 – June 19th
Woody, Buzz and Jessy reunite in the fifth instalment of the Toy Story franchise, with Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack reprising their beloved roles. The film will star Greta Lee (Past Lives) as the voice of Lilypad, the tablet taking Bonnie’s attention away from the Toys.
Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day – June 19th
An adaptation of the classic novel by the same name, this period drama follows an impassioned astronomer who is keen to avoid romance and marriage. The movie tackles Edwardian patriarchy, as well as technological advancements. Described as an ‘un-romantic comedy’, it features Lily Allen (following her film debut in How to Build a Girl) and Timothy Spall.
In a world filled with period pieces, this one aims to take a more liberal stance on women making careers for themselves with the odds staked against them. It isn’t just about romance but about a women making it through.
Moana – July 10th
The live-action adaptation of the much-loved Disney animated film, starring Dwayne Johnson, follows the tale of Moana and Maui as they sail on the adventure of a lifetime. After the success of the Lilo and Stitch live action, which grossed over $1 billion, as well as the animated movie’s critical acclaim there are high hopes for the film to be another box office hit for Disney.
The Odyssey – July 17th
Christopher Nolan’s Greek epic depicts Homer’s great tale on the big screen, following Odysseus’ dangerous voyage after the Trojan War. This is the Oscar-winning director’s follow up from Oppenheimer with an even bigger budget. It’ll be interesting to see how Nolan will breathe new life into such a classic story. With a star-studded cast featuring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron.
This one is definitely for the movie buffs and lovers of ancient greek mythology. The excitement for this film is palpable; showings sold out for the IMAX 70mm screening a year before the release.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day – July 31st
Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, it’s now four years after Peter erased his existence from the memory of his friends and his city. Now alone, he commits himself completely to crime-fighting, but there are dangers looming in his powers and in the city of New York.
As a casual fan of the Spider-Man franchise, it will be great to see the character back facing new challenges. Marvel films have been quite unpredictable after the commercial and critical acclaim of Thunderbolts but the movies seem to be winning public favour again.
Insidious: The Bleeding World – August 21st
The sixth instalment in the supernatural horror Insidious franchise, and a direct sequel to Insidious: The Red Door. A trio of stalkers invade a quiet suburb and force a new family into the Astral Plane, where they learn that forces are seeping into the real world.
