The world is an ever-changing place, but some great traditions remain, such as shaking off a holiday hangover by making a Boxing Day trip to the cinema. Here’s Eliza Janssen’s guide to this year’s Boxing Day line-up.
See also
* All new movies in cinemas
* All new streaming movies & series
Anora
Anora
The winner of the 2024 Cannes Palme d’Or follows the chaotic green card marriage between a Brooklyn sex worker (Mikey Madison) and a Russian playboy (Mark Eydelshteyn) on the run from his powerful parents. But it’s no downhearted, sober drama: director Sean Baker has been telling stories of desperate people landing themselves in screwball comic situations for yonks, and he’s breaking into the big leagues with this latest feature. Expect to hear awards season buzz, especially for Madison’s luminously charming—and often barely-costumed—lead performance.
All We Imagine As Light
All We Imagine As Light
Another Cannes success story, this drama shot in Malayam, Marathi and Hindi languages is a lyrical yarn about nurses in Mumbai who struggle to balance their fractured romantic and professional lives in a rapidly-changing city. The film’s documentary-esque immediacy makes sense when you learn that it’s the fictional debut of director Payal Kapadia, who has primarily worked in the realm of non-fiction. A perfect balance of social-realism and dreamy, ethereal atmosphere, powered by the simple promise that love might conquer all.
Better Man
Better Man (2024)
You’ll never make a monkey out of Robbie Williams, the rakish boyband survivor who brought us hits like Rock DJ and Let Me Entertain You. Then again, here’s the bloke voicing himself as a mo-cap chimpanzee, in what’s surely the year’s wackiest musician biopic (the LEGO Pharrell Williams movie comes in a close second). Aussie director Michael Gracey has delivered manic musical hagiography before in The Greatest Showman, but here he’s ringleader to a playlist of 2000s radio hits, marvellous CGI, and a surprisingly emotional story of rediscovering one’s humanity.
Parthenope
Parthenope
Fancy a trip to Naples this summer? Skip the expensive flights and pesky tourists with Paolo Sorrentino’s transporting latest feature. The titular character (Celeste Dalla Porta) is an anthropology student who might just be a being of cryptic, mythic power, as she flirts her way through teachers, bishops and strangers. It all sounds extremely European, and yes, The Guardian did accuse it of coming across like a movie-length cologne ad…but the passionate Sorrentino can be counted on for revelatory spots of humour and existential impact, as well as some eye-wateringly pretty frames.
A Real Pain
A Real Pain
Jesse Eisenberg directs and stars in this tale of neurotic Americans travelling to Poland to trace their grandmother’s Holocaust history. But, being a generous sort of guy, he doesn’t give himself the best role. That goes to Kieran Culkin, who has been overwhelmingly praised for his performance as the dropkick cousin of Eisenberg’s character. Critics have lauded A Real Pain for its laughs and authenticity, capturing the anxieties and bickering of people you totally know in real life. You might learn a trick or two by catching this clever, funny road trip movie before travelling with family over the holidays.
The Room Next Door
The Room Next Door
Everyone deserves to die with dignity: I just hope that when my time comes, I’m dressed as gorgeously as Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton are, in this visually and dramatically vibrant drama. It’s the English-language debut of legendary director Pedro Almodóvar, with Swinton and Moore portraying old friends who’ve fallen out of touch. Reconnecting as Swinton faces a terminal diagnosis and requests Moore’s support in ending her life, the question of what all humans owe one another unfolds through flashbacks, impassioned exchanges and drool-worthy production design. Talk about going out with a bang.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Arriving between Mufasa: The Lion King and Paddington in Peru, the third outing of rude blue dude Sonic should rule kid cinemas for a brief window there before the start of 2025 (luckily, he is famously a pretty speedy guy). The sequel once again features Ben Schwartz as the voice of the beloved SEGA video game hero, and Jim Carrey playing not one but two Eggmans (Eggmen?), doing double duty as Dr. Robotnik and his cranky grandpa. The most exciting addition for parents tuning in, however, is Keanu Reeves as the voice of vengeful Shadow the Hedgehog. Expect a most excellent adventure!
