The Arc Cinema is now in full swing with regular showings daily and a range of great offers for people looking for something to do on their next day out to the Animate centre. However, looking further afield, this coming week, The Academy Awards will begin at midnight on Sunday evening. The local cinemas have reflected that in their listings with plenty of nominated titles seeing an uptick in listings this week.
This week, there are no new releases, though Mickey 17 and Marching Powder will begin playing in cinemas from next week. Until then, there are plenty of other shows and event cinema offerings to enjoy. Without further ado, here are the unique listings for Preston’s local cinema’s from Friday 28 February, through to Thursday 6 March.
Heart Eyes
All Week
Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Heart Eyes is a rom-com slasher perfect for couples who want something a little darker and more unique. The film harks back to the classic comedy horror movies of the 1980s and 1990s, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and some gory mishaps. After appearing exclusively in the Odeon for a week, The Arc Cinema will also be playing the movie.
Companion
All Week
Companion debuted a few weeks back, and delivers a fresh take on the evil AI narrative that appears to be so prominent in Hollywood at present. Sophie Thatcher stars, and she is joined by Jack Quaid in this twisted thriller that genuinely subverts a developing genre. Well worth a watch, and with only Vue still playing the movie, there may not be much time left.
Paddington in Peru
All Week
Despite the movie debuting in November, it appears to have made a strong impression, which has landed Paddington in Peru a regular slot in all three currently available cinemas. The third entry in the series continues to prove popular, especially as it’s got something for the whole family. Following the famous bear from the Paddington stories by Michael Bond, things get tenser than ever for Paddington and company in this outing.
Babymetal: Legend 43 – The Movie
Friday, Saturday
A unique event listing which features the Japanese Metal band, Babymetal, this pre-recorded concert will feature music from the band recorded at their finale show in Okinawa, Japan. The performance promises to be spectacular and appeal to fans of the band and newcomers alike.
Tiddler + The Snail & The Whale
All Week
All Week
Julia Donaldson’s popular stories for children have been adapted into animated short features that are beloved by kids. So, if you need something to keep the younger kids and toddlers entertained, this is the perfect listing.
Conclave
Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Friday, Monday
Conclave is a huge contender at Awards season. The film has been nominated for a total of 8 Oscars, and while it’s been playing in The Flower Bowl for the past few weeks, Vue and Odeon have put it back in their screens to give it a boost before the Academy Awards. Starring Ralph Fiennes and a slate of stunning actors, the movie has proven very popular.
September 5
Friday, Tuesday, Thursday
Wednesday
September 5 received a limited release here in Preston early in February, but now it’s being brought to several screens around the city. The film follows the events of the Munich massacre of 1972, where an American sports broadcasting channel was involved in covering a developing hostage crisis at the Olympics. The film has also been nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
We Live in Time
All Week
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
We Live in Time came out at New Year’s, and for the last several weeks, it has been playing at all of the local cinemas. However, the theatrical release is slowing down, which means it may be the last chance to catch it before it leaves the theaters. Starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh in a beautiful and heartbreaking story that engages time in a unique way, this movie is a hidden gem.
Attack on Titan: The Last Attack
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Attack on Titan is a popular anime series that has been running since 2013, and now, the story continues on the big screen. The film features an epic and tense story about a group of people who find themselves surrounded by hideous, monstrous giants. In order to keep them safe, a specially trained group of soldiers fights back with aerial equipment and melee weapons. The film will be playing exclusively in Vue with subbed and dubbed versions available.
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods [Extended Cut]
Saturday, Sunday
Saturday, Sun
Another hit anime series, Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime’s of all time. The franchise has also expanded to include several movies and additional series. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods initially came out in 2013, but with this special extended cut, fans can expect to see this epic story in a whole new light. The film will appear in both Vue and Odeon with dubbing, however, for fans who would prefer to watch with subtitles, there are listings at Odeon on Sunday.
The Sloth Lane
Saturday
The Sloth Lane is an animated children’s film from Australia that is part of a larger series called The Tales from Sanctuary City. While this is the fifth entry in the franchise, it’s not necessary to have seen the other movies, each of which highlights anthropomorphized versions of Australia’s unique array of wildlife.
Moana 2
Saturday, Sunday
Saturday, Sunday
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Moana 2 came out around Christmas time in 2024, and while it has largely left theaters, it is still proving a hit with younger viewers and fans of Disney. The film will be available in three of the four local cinemas throughout the weekend, providing families with the chance to have a special day out together at the cinema.
Sarah & Duck On The Big Screen
Saturday, Sunday
Sarah & Duck is a popular animated series aimed at children aged 4 to 6. The special screening combines eight of the best episodes from the series and two sing-along songs to make this a special event for young fans of the show.
Aladdin
Saturday, Sunday
Disney has been working to recreate several of their most popular classic titles into live-action movies. As a result, Aladdin, a hit movie first released in 1992 was remade in 2019, with much of the bones of the story still in place. Of course, there is a new cast, brand-new visuals, and even a new song, but the heart of the film remains. However, the live-action remakes have not always proven popular among the fanbase.
Royal Ballet & Opera: Swan Lake
Sunday
Sunday
Swan Lake is a renowned ballet from composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. After the show debuted last week, The Flower Bowl and Vue have opted to run another showing for anyone who missed it on Sunday. Despite being a repeat showing, tickets are selling fast, with just four left at The Flower Bowl at the time of writing.
Jesus Christ Superstar – Live Arena Tour
Sunday, Tuesday
Sunday, Tuesday
Sunday, Tuesday
Jesus Christ Superstar is a popular stage show from the incredibly talented Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Whether you’re a fan of the show already or someone who enjoys musicals, this is not to be missed. However, The Flower Bowl has already filled the booking for the Sunday showing.
People (Originally Ludzie)
Sunday
People is a stark and gruesome drama that details the horrifying reality and aftermath of war. The film focuses on the tragic circumstances in Ukraine after the Russian invasion, and it depicts the horrors in confronting detail. It’s not an easy watch, but it is powerful in its delivery and produced by a two time Academy Award winner. Odeon will feature the film exclusively on Sunday.
The Brutalist
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Wednesday
Sunday, Tuesday
The Brutalist is another hit film that is currently making the rounds for Awards season. The film is currently on the slate for a total of 10 Oscar nominations, and it has received widespread praise for the incredible storytelling and the performance of leading actors like Adrian Brody and Guy Pearce.
A Real Pain
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
A Real Pain is a unique film starring Jesse Eisenberg, who is also directing, and Kieran Culkin, who previously starred in Succession. On the British Awards Circuit, the film has been doing incredibly well, landing some Bafta wins, and it continues on the Awards circuit with two Oscar nominations.
Becoming Led Zeppelin
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Unlike the flood of musical biopics that have appeared in cinemas over the last couple of years, Becoming Led Zeppelin takes a different approach while still demanding that big screen treatment. The film is a documentary, with interviews, recorded performances, and never-before-seen footage. This is the definitive and official film covering the early years of the world-famous rock band.
Nosferatu
Monday
Nosferatu is a remake of the 1922 movie, written and directed by Robert Eggers. The film features a star studded cast, and stunning visuals that have resulted in it amassing no less than four separate Oscar nominations. It’s eerie, tense, and a beautiful retelling of the original Dracula novel by Bram Stoker.
The Substance
Monday
Saturday, Wednesday
The Substance is a body horror flick starring Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore and it is a showstopper. The film has also been nominated for five Oscars, which just goes to show how strong of a release it’s proving to be. That being said, if you don’t have the stomach for body horror, maybe sit this one out.
Hard Truths
Tuesday, Thursday
Hard Truths is an independent British film that has been making its way around film festivals since September 2024. The Flower Bowl continues to give this comedy-drama, directed by Mike Leigh a prominent place in the listings after weeks of including it almost daily. For something fresh, Hard Truths is a great choice.
National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest
Wednesday
From one Doctor Who actor to another, Ncuti Gatwa, who currently holds the title as the Fifteenth Doctor is starring in the National Theater Live production of The Importance of Being Earnest. The play, originally written by Oscar Wilde, tells a story of love, identity, and impersonation with plenty of humor throughout.
Gladiator II
Thursday
One week after Odeon’s Silver Screening of Gladiator II, The Arc Cinema is putting on a special screening of it’s own for the Silver Screening special on Thursday. Gladiator II is the Ridley Scott directed sequel to the hit film Gladiator. Paul Mescal stars alongside impressive talents like Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn in this epic action film. Gladiator II is loud, bright, and full of action, and well worth a watch.
The Big Lebowski
ThursdayThe Big Lebowski is one of the original and best Coen Brothers classics. The movie stars Jeff Bridges, alongside an array of talented actors, in one of the most bizarre, wild, and outrageous films ever made. The film originally released in 1998, still feels as fresh and exciting today as it did upon release, and now Odeon is providing audiences with a chance to see it on the big screen.
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