What we’re watching at the cinema this month

Red One – out now

‘Tis the season for Christmas films. After a villain kidnaps Santa (code name: Red One) from the North Pole, an E.L.F operative (Dwayne Johnson) must partner with the world’s most accomplished tracker (Chris Evans) to find Santa in a globetrotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas. Also stars Lucy Liu and J K Simmons.

Paddington In Peru – out now 

Paddington in Peru brings Paddington (voiced by the brilliant Ben Whishaw) back home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who is now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family along for the ride, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them on an unexpected journey. Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas also star. 

Blitz – out now – selected cinemas / Apple TV +

Blitz follows the epic journey of George (Elliott Heffernan), a nine-year-old boy in London during World War II, whose mother, Rita (Saoirse Ronan), sends him to safety in the English countryside. George, defiant, is determined to return home to his mother and his grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller). He embarks on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril, whilst a distraught Rita searches for her missing son. Directed by Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), This will be in selected cinemas for a limited time, so catch it before it disappears.

Gladiator II – out 15^th November

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus (Russel Crowe) at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome. Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington and Connie Nielsen also star. No one can deny that director Ridley Scott knows how to make a great historical epic. There is a strong argument to be made that Gladiator (2000), while not necessarily historically accurate, is probably one of Scott’s best movies – can Gladiator II make the epic swords and sandals genre popular once again?

Wicked – out 22^nd November

After two decades as one of the most beloved musicals, Wicked finally makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular two-part cinematic event. Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Cynthia Erivo (Harriet) stars as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, whilst Grammy-winning global superstar Ariana Grande stars as Glinda, a young woman gilded by privilege and ambition. Together, they forge an unlikely friendship, and following an encounter with The Wizard of Oz, their friendship is tested as their lives take very different paths. Their extraordinary adventures will see the two fulfil their destinies as Glinda the Good and The Wicked Witch of the West.

Moana 2 – out 27^th November

Disney’s epic animated sequel Moana 2 reunites Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) three years after the events of the first film for a new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.