Film News: New Titles and Re-releases at the UK and Ireland Box Office

Afraid Leads the Pack

Afraid, a horror film directed by Chris Weitz, leads the new titles at the UK and Ireland box office this weekend, launching in 450 locations for Sony. The film stars John Cho and Katherine Waterston as devoted parents who get selected to try a new smart home AI device, which quickly becomes overprotective of the family and begins interfering in their lives.

Festival Favourites and Re-releases

Piece Of Magic has the widest release this weekend with André Rieu’s 2024 Maastricht Concert: Power of Love playing in 649 locations. The Dutch conductor’s concerts have proved a regular hit at the box office, with his last release (André Rieu’s White Christmas) scoring £1.2m.

Universal is opening Icelandic drama Touch in 135 cinemas. Spanning several decades and continents, the film follows a man recently diagnosed with dementia who is determined to reconnect with his first love from 50 years ago.

Cannes award-winner Black Dog is in 74 venues for Trinity CineAsia. Guan Hu’s Chinese drama centres around a former convict and a stray dog who form an unlikely bond. It picked up the top prize when it premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes earlier this year.

Awards buzz title Sing Sing is in 56 locations for Black Bear Pictures. Colman Domingo stars in the SXSW award-winner as a prisoner who forms a theatre group with his other inmates. Greg Kwedar directs.

Entertainment Film Distributors opens French box office hit The Count Of Monte-Cristo in 175 cinemas. The Cannes premiere is the latest adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas revenge novel and is directed by Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte.

Metis Film makes its inaugural release with Saudi Arabian crime caper Mandoob (Night Courier) in 40 cinemas. The film follows a man racing against time to try and rescue his father.

UK horror Broken Bird, about a woman who works as an undertaker, flies into 32 locations for Miracle Comms/Dazzler.

Elliot Page drama Close To You is out in 17 cinemas for Vertigo Releasing. Page stars as a trans man who returns home to discover his family is struggling to deal with his transition.

Mika Gustafson’s Swedish drama Paradise Is Burning opens in nine locations for Conic Film. The 2023 Venice Horizons title surrounds three sisters who must find a stand-in for their recently disappeared mother when social services pay a visit.

Also out in cinemas is Sony’s latest re-release of Spider-Man titles with 2014’s Amazing Spider-Man 2 opening in 495 venues. The film topped £24m first time around. This particular iteration stars Andrew Garfield as the iconic superhero, tasked with saving New York City from the evil Oscorp. Other cast include Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Paul Giamatti, Dane DeHaan, and Felicity Jones.

Park Circus has several re-releases this weekend including 1993’s Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm and 2017’s The LEGO Batman Movie, as part of the character’s 85th anniversary, as well as 1984’s The Terminator and 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven. The Italian Job also hits cinemas again for Paramount.

Conclusion

The UK and Ireland box office welcomes a diverse range of new titles and re-releases this weekend, offering something for every moviegoer. From horror and drama to comedy and action, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss out on the latest cinematic offerings – head to a cinema near you and experience the magic of the big screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

* What new titles are opening in cinemas this weekend?
+ Afraid, Touch, Black Dog, Sing Sing, The Count Of Monte-Cristo, Mandoob (Night Courier), Broken Bird, Close To You, Paradise Is Burning, and Amazing Spider-Man 2.
* Which films are re-releasing in cinemas this weekend?
+ Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm, The LEGO Batman Movie, The Terminator, Ocean’s Eleven, and The Italian Job.
* What is National Cinema Day?
+ National Cinema Day is a special event where tickets are priced from £4 at over 630 cinemas across the country.