The Capitol

As part of the 2026 Auckland Moon Festival, enjoy a special selection of contemporary Chinese cinema celebrating stories of family, friendship, courage, culture and imagination. From blockbuster comedy and heartfelt family stories to action, animation and the rich cultural world of the Tang Dynasty, this special film showcase brings a diverse selection of Chinese films to the big screen across the festival weekend. When Briar, Bramble and Vick encounter the mysterious Year Monster Nian, they are unexpectedly given magical powers and drawn into a dangerous adventure. As a sinister scheme threatens both the human and immortal worlds, the trio must overcome their differences and work together to restore peace. A colourful and heartwarming animated adventure for the whole family. Saturday 26 September – 12:00 pm | 118 mins Film is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles.

As part of the 2026 Auckland Moon Festival, enjoy a special selection of contemporary Chinese cinema celebrating stories of family, friendship, courage, culture and imagination. From blockbuster comedy and heartfelt family stories to action, animation and the rich cultural world of the Tang Dynasty, this special film showcase brings a diverse selection of Chinese films to the big screen across the festival weekend. Set during the prosperous Tang Dynasty, *Chang An* follows the lives and friendships of some of China’s greatest poets, including Li Bai, Du Fu and Gao Shi. Blending Chinese poetry, painting, music and spectacular animation, the film brings the legendary city of Chang An and the world of Tang poetry vividly to life. An epic celebration of Chinese history, literature and culture. Sunday 27 September – 12:00 pm | 168 mins Film is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles.

June, 1940. France collapses and signs the armistice. In the midst of the chaos, one man refuses to give up. Alone against the odds, this unknown general flees to London to save what remains of freedom. Without an army, without backing, without hope. But with one irrational conviction – France, his France, has not laid down arms. Taking the ultimate gamble, he seeks to convince the world that the battle for France is neither over, nor lost. Reality, however, is unyielding and seems determined to prove him wrong. Yet, little by little, resistance fighters, rebellious students and determined soldiers rise up in England, France and Africa to join the cause. Their faith, audacity and thirst for freedom defy what history seemed to have written in advance.

With terrific chutzpah, black-comic flair and cool, cruel unsentimentality, screenwriter Austin Kolodney and director Gus Van Sant have made a true-crime suspense thriller set in the 1970s, tapping into the spirit of both Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon and Network. In 1977, an Indianapolis businessman named Tony Kiritsis kidnapped a mortgage broker named Richard Hall, and tied Hall’s neck with a “dead man’s wire” to his shotgun, which would therefore go off if police sharpshooters tried to kill him. Kiritsis even paraded his victim like this on TV while he read out his demands, a grotesque display in which national TV networks were blandly complicit. Bill Skarsgård, as tense and pop-eyed as a character in The Simpsons, plays the paranoid and rage-filled Kiritsis. Al Pacino has an uproarious cameo in the “southern gentleman” voice that he has adopted these days. Myha’la plays a fictionalised TV reporter determined not to be cheated of her scoop, and Colman Domingo has a richly enjoyable role as an imperturbably laid-back radio DJ, based on a real life Indianapolis radio star, whom Kiritsis actually did call up to broadcast his grievances on the air. It’s a gripping picture with excellent performances. – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian “A playfully chaotic crime thriller with comedic undertones so bizarrely entertaining you laugh even as you flinch.” –Rahul Menon, Script Magazine

Father Mother Sister Brother is a feature film, though carefully constructed in the form of a triptych. The three stories all concern the relationships between adult children, their somewhat distant parent (or parents), and each other. Each of the three chapters takes place in the present, and each in a different country. FATHER is set in the Northeast US, MOTHER in Dublin, Ireland, and SISTER BROTHER in Paris, France. The film is a series of character studies, quiet, observational and non-judgmental – a comedy, but interwoven with threads of melancholy.

After a harrowing plane crash, Special Forces officer James Belmont (Brad Pitt) and his combat dog, Odin, find themselves stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Together, they are forced into a brutal fight for survival against the elements. From acclaimed filmmaker David Ayer, Heart of the Beast is an intense adventure thriller that explores the unbreakable bond between a man and his best friend as they face their greatest battle yet.

Preview Screening - Your ticket includes a Beer and Popcorn - get a group together Book Your Tickets now. (you can sub for a non alcoholic or soda, ID required) After a harrowing plane crash, Special Forces officer James Belmont (Brad Pitt) and his combat dog, Odin, find themselves stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Together, they are forced into a brutal fight for survival against the elements. From acclaimed filmmaker David Ayer, Heart of the Beast is an intense adventure thriller that explores the unbreakable bond between a man and his best friend as they face their greatest battle yet.

As part of the 2026 Auckland Moon Festival, enjoy a special selection of contemporary Chinese cinema celebrating stories of family, friendship, courage, culture and imagination. From blockbuster comedy and heartfelt family stories to action, animation and the rich cultural world of the Tang Dynasty, this special film showcase brings a diverse selection of Chinese films to the big screen across the festival weekend. After the sudden death of her mother, Jia Xiaoling unexpectedly travels back to 1981 and meets her mother as a young woman. Determined to make her mother happier and give her a better life,she finds herself drawn into a series of funny and touching adventures. A warm-hearted comedy about family, love, memories and the bonds between generations. Sunday 27 September – 3:00 pm | 128 mins Film is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles.

In the remote South Korea village of Hope Harbor, police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung- min) and officer Sung-ae (Hoyeon) are called to find a mysterious creature that has wreaked havoc on the village. In the nearby forest, a coterie of hunters, including Sung- ki (Zo In-Sung) set out to track the beast and find themselves hunted instead. But all is not as it seems, and perceptions can be misleading. What begins as ignorance plants the seed of disaster, escalating through human conflict into a tragedy of cosmic proportions.

As part of the 2026 Auckland Moon Festival, enjoy a special selection of contemporary Chinese cinema celebrating stories of family, friendship, courage, culture and imagination. From blockbuster comedy and heartfelt family stories to action, animation and the rich cultural world of the Tang Dynasty, this special film showcase brings a diverse selection of Chinese films to the big screen across the festival weekend. When an asteroid destroys Earth, astronaut Duguyue is unexpectedly left behind on the Moon and becomes the last known person alive. With no way to contact anyone and no hope of rescue, he must find a way to survive alone in the lunar base. A heartfelt sci-fi comedy about survival, loneliness, friendship and finding hope in the most unexpected circumstances. Friday 25 September - 3:00 pm | 122 mins Film is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles.

Mary is a slacker living with her mother and still trying to figure out what to do with her life in New Zealand suburbia. After an awkward sexual encounter with her neighbour, she suddenly finds herself in the midst of an accelerated alien pregnancy! What follows is a classic kiwi gross out take on pregnancy and parenthood that is not afraid to get weird, featuring standout performances from Hannah Lynch (Petrol) as the reluctant mother to be, Arlo Green (Workmates) as the hapless half-alien baby-daddy, and Yvette Parsons (Notes From a Fish) as Mary's overbearing mother. Coming off a premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight Madness section, the debut from NZ filmmaking duo, THUNDERLIPS, builds on the concept of their earlier short film Help! I’m Alien Pregnant (Sitges, 2024). The full-length feature ramps up their signature boisterous energy, exploring the pitfalls of hosting a parasitic life form and the possibilities of what comes next. Complete with an arsenal of eye-popping special effects that harken back to the golden age of body horror, Mum, I'm Alien Pregnant is an unforgettable cinematic experience best enjoyed with a crowd. - Jordan Salomen

As part of the 2026 Auckland Moon Festival, enjoy a special selection of contemporary Chinese cinema celebrating stories of family, friendship, courage, culture and imagination. From blockbuster comedy and heartfelt family stories to action, animation and the rich cultural world of the Tang Dynasty, this special film showcase brings a diverse selection of Chinese films to the big screen across the festival weekend. Former boxing champion Xiang Tenghui dedicates himself to training a group of children from a remote part of China, giving them a chance to build a different future. When old footage sparks public controversy, his life and the children’s dreams are suddenly thrown into uncertainty. A powerful story of resilience, dignity, friendship and the courage to find a way forward. Saturday 26 September – 5:00 pm | 117 mins Film is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles.

As part of the 2026 Auckland Moon Festival, enjoy a special selection of contemporary Chinese cinema celebrating stories of family, friendship, courage, culture and imagination. From blockbuster comedy and heartfelt family stories to action, animation and the rich cultural world of the Tang Dynasty, this special film showcase brings a diverse selection of Chinese films to the big screen across the festival weekend. Former champion driver Zhang Chi has fallen on hard times and now runs a driving school. When an unexpected opportunity gives him the chance to return to the racetrack, he assembles a determined team of old friends and new talent to compete in the legendary Bayanbulak Rally. Packed with comedy, friendship and high-speed action, “Pegasus 2” is an uplifting story about chasing a dream against all odds. Friday 25 September - 5:30 pm | 121 mins Film is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles.

Pitchblack Playback: John Coltrane 'Highlights 1957-1964' *Please arrive by event start time as latecomers will not be admitted and refunds will not be offered* Immerse yourself in some of John Coltrane's finest recordings at Pitchblack Playback's listening session in the dark, celebrating the Centenary of his birthday. Hear this new highlights package — bringing together his recordings from various labels together in one package for the first time — played loud in uncompressed audio on a powerful cinema sound system. No phones; no talking; no signing; no distractions; just you and the music. "This sounds great” — Rick Rubin "A fabulous idea" — Jay Kay, Jamiroquai "The optimal way to listen to an album" — Max Richter "This might just be my favourite new thing to do" — Nihal, BBC Radio 5 Live Ticket includes recycled cotton Pitchblack Playback eye mask for extra darkness. As recommended by The Guardian, What Hi-Fi?, GQ, Time Out, FT Weekend and BBC 6 Music. Duration: 78 minutes with an interval

' Pitchblack Playback: Stevie Wonder 'Songs In The Key Of Life ' (50th Anniversary) *Please arrive by event start time as latecomers will not be admitted and refunds will not be offered* Immerse yourself in Stevie Wonder's all-time classic at Pitchblack Playback's listening session in the dark, celebrating the iconic album's 50th anniversary. Hear this stunning record played loud in uncompressed full-resolution audio through our powerful cinema sound system. No phones; no talking; no signing; no distractions; just you and the music. "This sounds great” — Rick Rubin "A fabulous idea" — Jay Kay, Jamiroquai "The optimal way to listen to an album" — Max Richter "This might just be my favourite new thing to do" — Nihal, BBC Radio 5 Live Ticket includes recycled cotton Pitchblack Playback eye mask for extra darkness. As recommended by The Guardian, What Hi-Fi?, GQ, Time Out, FT Weekend and BBC 6 Music. Duration: 115 minutes (including 10-minute interval)

Join us for an exclusive Advance Preview of the New Zealand feature film POP – a bold, beautiful, totally bonkers ride that’ll make you laugh, cringe, cry and laugh all over again. Following the screening will be an exclusive one hour Q&A and Masterclass from producer Cathasaigh Ó Fiannachta; discussing how the film was made and, if you’re a filmmaker, how you could make a film like this too! NOTE: This weekend is the Moon Festival Celebration on Dominion Road. Please plan to come early enjoy the celebrations and mindful that parking will be an issue - might be a day to grab the bus. “This wasn’t supposed to be a true story… it became one. An American actor comes to Aotearoa to play a wannabe influencer on a quest to restart the internet after it goes dark. Simple concept. Easy to execute. Yeah, nah. His Kiwi director's unprocessed grief over the loss of his dog, quickly hijacks the shoot … dragging it off the rails and smashing the fourth wall to pieces. Part comedy, part documentary, all heart - POP is filmmaker Tim Hamilton's meta love letter to independent filmmaking and the emotional impact of losing a beloved pet.” If you’re an emerging filmmaker and attend any screening of POP, Great Dog Productions and Admit One Entertainment are running a national ‘Pop-Up Talent Pathway’ competition where you could receive a $1000 grant, 100 hours of professional development, and a premiere through the Terror-Fi Film Festival. To find out more and register your interest, simply keep hold of your ticket and head over to: www.admitonenz.com/pop

From the mind of visionary filmmaker Zach Cregger (Weapons, Barbarian) comes a thrilling — and terrifying — reinvention of the Resident Evil franchise. In an all-new story, Resident Evil follows Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier who unwittingly finds himself in an action-packed, non-stop race for survival as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos.

The robots are already here. Filmmakers behind these short films have created ambitious worlds in the near future for us to explore. Exposing the existential threat to us all from robots. Poke fun at the impending apocalypse with us, or take it as a serious warning. We explore possible futures and what it all means. This collection includes one AI generated film presented in the context of this theme. Book tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/after-the-robots-show-me-shorts-film-festival/tickets?h=mUXXlicDVLh33l1jGkb2eNjmpHgmfFFAFVY1kY073AA&t=1788406499985

Beautiful stories of our land and our people. The movies in this collection showcase the work of talented New Zealand short film makers. Bold coming-of-age films sit alongside thoughtful drama, silly comedic fun, inventive fantasy and warm-hearted documentary. We explore unlikely friendships, face our past and step into the unfolding future. Book tickets here : https://events.humanitix.com/aotearoa-show-me-shorts-film-festival/tickets?h=QeFxFV9sCcI8sLK4pGRvfAOoSwhUPdR7a-HqSA1QcoE&t=1788406292231

Beautiful stories of our land and our people. The movies in this collection showcase the work of talented New Zealand short film makers. Bold coming-of-age films sit alongside thoughtful drama, silly comedic fun, inventive fantasy and warm-hearted documentary. We explore unlikely friendships, face our past and step into the unfolding future. Book tickets here : https://events.humanitix.com/aotearoa-show-me-shorts-film-festival/tickets?h=QeFxFV9sCcI8sLK4pGRvfAOoSwhUPdR7a-HqSA1QcoE&t=1788406292231

Award Winners Nominees will be announced in late September. Winners and film line-up will be announced on 14 October. Show Me Shorts is a competitive film festival with prizes for filmmakers who have achieved excellence. Watch all the Show Me Shorts award-winning movies in one collection, and enjoy the very best in local and international short film making. The films shown will be the winners of these award categories: Best NZ Film Award (Oscar qualifying) Best International Film Award (Oscar qualifying) DEGANZ Best Director Award DEGANZ Best Editor Award Script to Screen Best Screenplay Award Toi Whakaari Best Actor Award Kōawa Studios Best Cinematographer Award Run Time: TBC Rating: TBC Book Tockets here:https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-aotearoa-captioned-show-me-shorts-film-festival/tickets?h=1GrSCOh40CXy9AP3EeA9S3rEQC3ArMih3WaIg8NU_KM&t=1788476722600

What is love? Placed into a variety of pressured situations, the characters in these short films still manage to find their humanity, their heart and their compassion. Exposing their bravery. If only we all had their courage. Drama, romance, coming-of-age, and of course musical romance is to be found here - exploring what tugs on our heartstrings. Book your tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/heartstrings-show-me-shorts-film-festival/tickets?h=3Z_nOMuaqtcc_BJB7zGlpawvwlvW9xt81lsxWRpTZ_M&t=1788407375796

Travel to the Kingdom of Norway - famous for its beautiful fjords, mountains, rivers and… trolls! Watch out for trolls. Also overcrowded fictional tunnels. There is lots of dark humour and drama to soak up in this collection of short films. As well as thoughtful satire, dreamy landscapes and the creative imaginings of some of Norway’s most iconic filmmakers. Book tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/norwegian-short-film-focus-show-me-shorts/tickets

In this collection of short films we explore intriguing worlds that are just one step from reality. We look through lenses of strangeness and meet amusingly unusual characters in odd settings. A puppet having an existential crisis, two Kung Fu masters on a date, an artist searching for the perfect thrift store find and a poet trapped in a society that frowns on talking. It’s an inventive reverie you won’t want to wake from. Book your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/oddballs-and-absurd-calls-show-me-shorts-film-festival/tickets?h=qwqScrWsY4PSPwNnqjryBrP6U3hQW69hhSGBtceYtlc&t=1788407858832

Prepare to fear. The zombies are coming. A worm is giving you dark orders. And the coyotes are out there. Do not open the door or drink from that chalice. Strange creatures lurk, and our deepest fears can be brought to life. A decidedly frightful collection of short films. Book your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/run-for-your-life-show-me-shorts-film-festival/tickets?h=qG1h-60yOrl92NGkpjV_RtJ8jmKV9YnpnUSeq0rkf-A&t=1788407609668

Taste a selection of highlight short films from Show Me Shorts Film Festival. Inspiring and thoughtful stories include long-distance love on a distant planet, precocious children up to mischief, a whole town stuck waiting for bad luck to pass, and a man stuck in a time loop. Comedy, science fiction, romance and coming-of-age classics abound. Book Tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-sampler-show-me-shorts-film-festival-rtqqpbm5?h=uTKLSfAXjTdCbafAstM4hCQlSfyucdRo9OXoHlr8xB4&t=1788405982726

In this collection of short films for children and their families, cute animals and inquisitive insects spring to life in vibrant animations. Learn about kindness, curiosity and heart as they defeat negativity and overcome bullying by working together. With a dose of magic and explosions for good measure! Find out why this is one of the most popular sections of Show Me Shorts. Book your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/whanau-friendly-show-me-shorts-film-festival/tickets?h=K7ZwDWBvB4xmfs01J6dJAwFM7RMR47GGMMFeq486uHo&t=1788407137542

Take a break, grab some friends, and join us for the ultimate Spa Weekend at this special movie fundraiser in support of Heart Kids NZ Get ready for an afternoon of laughs with Spa Weekend, the hilarious new comedy from the team behind Bad Moms and The Hangover. Starring Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris, the film follows four lifelong friends who escape to a luxury spa retreat for some well-deserved relaxation, only to find themselves on a wildly unforgettable adventure filled with friendship, fun, and more than a few bad decisions. About Heart Kids NZ Every week, 12 babies in New Zealand are born with a heart condition, beginning a lifelong journey for them and their families. Heart Kids NZ is the only national organisation dedicated to providing free, lifelong support to children, young people, adults, and whānau affected by childhood heart conditions across NZ. Through practical assistance, emotional support, trusted information, and connection with others who understand, Heart Kids NZ helps families navigate the challenges that come with a childhood heart condition. This movie fundraiser is part of our Heroes for Heart Kids campaign raising vital funds to make this support possible. By attending this event, you're helping Heart Kids NZ continue providing care, hope, and connection to heart whānau when they need it most. Thank you for being a hero for Heart Kids❤️ Heart Kids will collect your contact information

After years of slapdash sequels and waning fandom, the Camp Miasma slasher franchise is handed over to an enthusiastic young director (Hannah Einbinder, Hacks) for resurrection. But when she visits the original movie’s star (Gillian Anderson, The X-Files, Sex Education), a now-reclusive actress shrouded in mystery, the two women fall into a blood-soaked world of desire, fear, and delirium. FREE Limited Edition A3 Posters for Capitol Cinema ticket holders - limit one per ticket and only whilst they last. Collect from Cinema.

Break out to the cinema and be one of the first to see the new RESIDENT EVIL film at our special event screening! With Zach Cregger – the writer/director of ‘Weapon’s and ‘Barbarian’ – at the helm, this will be an RE film like no other. So inject us with the T-Virus and get us back to Raccoon City already! Come to the cinema early to enjoy our limited edition cocktail and custom pre-show. Directed by Zach Cregger, RESIDENT EVIL stars Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser.

HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS returns to The Capitol for One Night Only! A truly unique and creatively comedic vision that had the Terror-Fi crowd in stitches at its New Zealand Premiere, and sold out our one-off screening in 2024, returns to the big screen. HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS is a ‘must see’ in a cinema full of people! “A drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America's greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers.” An unexpected visionary work that will rip you a new perspective on classic cinematic art. It is exciting in ways you cannot imagine and must be seen to be believed. – Michael Talbot-Haynes, Film Threat Hundreds of Beavers exists at the crossroads of Looney Tunes, Benny Hill, Cannibal: The Musical, Blazing Saddles, and Adult Swim. – Matt Donato, Slashfilm Come to the cinema early to enjoy our themed cocktail and custom pre-show. Directed by Mike Cheslik, HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS stars Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Olivia Graves, Wes Tank, Doug Mancheski, and Luis Rico. HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS premiered at Fantasia, Sitges, Fantastic Fest and Terror-Fi.