Welcome to the world of Minecraft, where creativity doesn’t just help you craft, it’s essential to one’s survival! Four misfits—Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Momoa), Henry (Hansen), Natalie (Myers) and Dawn (Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.

This multi award-winning show captured recently at the Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre is an extraordinary musical journey paying homage to Janis Joplin and her biggest musical influences. Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the queen of rock & roll. The unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Fuelled by such unforgettable songs as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart”, “Mercedes Benz”, “Cry Baby” and “Summertime”, a remarkable cast and breakout performances. A Night with Janis Joplin, written and directed by Randy Johnson, is a musical journey celebrating Janis and her biggest musical influences—icons like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith, who inspired one of rock ‘n roll’s greatest legends.

Near a village on the border between Quebec and the United States, customs officer Sonia confiscates kitchen knives and gourmet food from the charming French chef, Victor. Meanwhile, Sonia’s daughter Lili-Beth has entered a “Mini-Chefs” competition, where she seems to be the underdog with no chance of winning. Perhaps Sonia can convince Victor to help her? However, community tensions are bubbling beneath the surface of this rural town, and the unlikely team of Sonia, Victor and Lili-Beth will have to bring together the entire village to put aside their differences and get a taste of what is essential. Directed by Manon Briand, this delicious comedy with mouth-watering dishes and beautiful Canadian scenery will leave you hungry for more...

Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue Is The Warmest Colour) and François Civil (The Three Musketeers) – arguably French cinema’s brightest young talents – devour the screen in Gilles Lellouche’s vibrant, genre-spanning romantic epic that follows a romance tested by social boundaries, betrayal and circumstances beyond all control. Love makes one crazy. Just ask Clotaire (Civil) and Jackie (Exarchopoulos), who meet in their teens in their Northern France working-class neighbourhood in the 1980s. Despite their differences - she is a diligent student from the middle class, he a charming troublemaker with a complex family life - an intense and unmistakable connection is sparked. But tragedy soon pulls them apart. A decade later, Clotaire tries desperately to win back his lost love. But has his chance passed? Driven by a kinetic soundtrack by Jon Brion, indelible production design and all-star supporting cast, Beating Hearts pays homage to the US independent film wave of the 80s and early 90s but creates an impact truly of its own. Delivering another massive, crowd-pleasing blockbuster result at the French box office with an extraordinary 5 million admissions, Lellouche reaches for the stars and rewards all who strap in for the ride.

Every 15 minutes, someone somewhere in the world plays Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero”... Raphaël Personnaz delivers an unforgettable performance as the titular composer, grappling with inner turmoil and artistic insecurity. Tasked by the eccentric dancer Ida Rubenstein (Jeanne Balibar) to craft a passionate and intoxicating score for her new ballet, Ravel finds himself creatively paralysed and marginalised by his contemporaries. Seeking solace and inspiration, he leans on his confidantes: the pianist Marguerite Long (Emmanuelle Devos), his loyal friend Cipa (Vincent Perez), and Cipa’s captivating sister, Misia (Doria Tillier), for whom he harbors deep affection. Against the lavish backdrop of 1920s Paris, Ravel must fight to redeem his raw musical genius, or risk being consumed by it completely... From celebrated director Anne Fontaine (Coco Before Chanel, The Innocents), Bolero is a powerful exploration of Maurice Ravel’s unique life, and his journey to complete the now iconic 17-minute composition. Sumptuously staged and showcasing lavish performances, don’t miss this stunning tribute to the lasting power of Ravel’s masterpiece.

In a fading Midwestern town, the local legend of Frendo the clown becomes all too real as teenagers start to go missing one by one, before meeting spectacularly sticky ends. With chills, memorable set pieces and messy mayhem aplenty, CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD will be sure to electrify both young horror audiences and fans of the classic slasher movies.

In a world riddled with demons, a young man, Tanjiro Kamado, and his comrades investigate the disappearance of passengers aboard a mysterious train as members of the Demon Slayer Corps, an organization dedicated to protecting humanity. With the help of a powerful ally, these Demon Slayers must confront evil in a heroic battle to bring an end to the nightmare!

From DreamWorks Animation—creators of the beloved blockbuster franchises Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and The Boss Baby—comes the canine-crime-fighting film adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s New York Times bestselling literary phenomenon: Dog Man. When a faithful police dog and his human police officer owner are injured together on the job, a harebrained but life-saving surgery fuses the two of them together and Dog Man is born. Dog Man is sworn to protect and serve—and fetch, sit and roll over. As Dog Man embraces his new identity and strives to impress his Chief (Lil Rel Howery, Get Out, Free Guy), he must stop the pretty evil plots of feline supervillain Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson; Saturday Night Live, The King of Staten Island). Petey’s latest plan is to clone himself, creating the kitten Lil Petey, to double his ability to do crime stuff. Things get complicated, though, when Lil Petey forges an unexpected bond with Dog Man. When Lil Petey falls into the clutches of a common enemy, Dog Man and Petey reluctantly join forces in an action-packed race against time to rescue the young kitten. In the process, they discover the power of family (and kittens!) to bring even the most hostile foes together. Dog Man also stars Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers, Rango) as TV reporter Sarah Hatoff; Poppy Liu (Hacks, The Afterparty) as Petey’s assistant, Butler; Emmy nominee Stephen Root (Barry, King of the Hill) as Grampa; Billy Boyd (the Lord of the Rings franchise, Seed of Chucky) as Sarah’s cameraman, Seamus; and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Ricky Gervais (The Office, Extras) as Flippy the fish. Dog Man is directed by Emmy winner Peter Hastings (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness), whose credits include the groundbreaking animated series Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain. The film is produced by Karen Foster (Spirit Untamed), who served as co-producer on DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon. Launched in 2016 by Dav Pilkey—the #1 global bestselling author and award-winning illustrator of the Captain Underpants books—the Dog Man Scholastic series now includes 12 books. The series has more than 60 million copies in print and has been translated into 45 languages. Cat Kid Comic Club, a spin-off of Dog Man launched in 2020, has also topped bestseller lists around the world. The most recent Dog Man book, Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea, was overall the #1 bestselling children’s book in the U.S. in 2023, across all children’s formats and ages. Pilkey’s newest book in the Dog Man Series, Dog Man: Big Jim Begins, is set to release on December 3, 2024.

The brilliant therapist Doctor Béranger (Christian Clavier, Employee of the Month) has had a very successful career - with the exception of one client, the desperately needy Damien Leroy (Baptiste Lecaplain). In an attempt to finally reach a breakthrough on Damien’s relentless clinginess, Béranger convinces him that true love will cure him. The plan initially seems to have worked, until on a family getaway Béranger’s daughter reveals she has a new boyfriend... none other than Damien Leroy. Béranger’s idyllic holiday has suddenly turned into his worst nightmare. This high-energy slapstick comedy will have you in stitches!

The newest chapter in New Line Cinema’s bloody successful franchise takes audiences back to the very beginning of Death’s twisted sense of justice—“Final Destination Bloodlines.” Plagued by a violent recurring nightmare, college student Stefanie heads home to track down the one person who might be able to break the cycle and save her family from the grisly demise that inevitably awaits them all. “Final Destination Bloodlines” stars Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Anna Lore, Rya Kihlstedt, with Brec Bassinger, and Tony Todd. The film is directed by Adam Stein & Zach Lipovsky. The screenplay is by Guy Busick & Lori Evans Taylor, and story is by Jon Watts and Guy Busick & Lori Evans Taylor. It is based on characters created by Jeffrey Reddick.

Hot on the heels of its two wins at this year’s César Awards, and over one million admissions in France, the Cannes Youth Prize winner Holy Cow is set to take this year’s Festival by storm! Set in France’s picturesque Jura region, renowned for its Comté cheese, the film follows the carefree 18-year-old Totone. Accustomed to his teenage life of drinking and dancing, Totone suddenly finds himself the sole carer for his 7-year-old sister Claire (Luna Garret) after a devastating tragedy. Struggling to make ends meet, Totone hatches a plan to follow in his family’s cheesemaking footsteps, in the hope of winning a €30,000 Comté cheese prize. The only problem is, Totone knows nothing about making cheese... This heartfelt coming-of-age debut from Louise Courvoisier recently earned her the Best First Film César Award. The young cast (including Best Female Revelation César winner Maïwene Barthelemy) deliver touching performances that bring a raw authenticity to the film. Holy Cow is an engaging ode to community, resilience, love... and cheese. Don’t miss it!

Festival favourite Laure Calamy (Antoinette in the Cevennes, Two Tickets to Greece) is back! In Franck Dubosc’s dark crime comedy, married couple Cathy (Laure Calamy) and Michel (Frank Dubosc) lead a quiet life in the picturesque Jura mountains. When a bear bursts out in front of Michel’s car, accidentally killing two criminals and revealing illicit money in the process, their life takes an unpredictable turn, especially when they decide to cover up the incident and keep the money. But their stumbling plans leads to an unexplained trail of confusion. More used to being honest than crooked, Michel and Cathy’s clumsy cover-up efforts soon start attracting attention. With over one million admissions, How to Make a Killing is the third highest grossing French film of 2025 to date. Don’t miss Laure Calamy at her best in this winning combination of dramatic suspense and unfolding comic disaster.

Agathe (Camille Rutherford, Anatomy of a Fall) is seemingly living the romantic comedy dream. Working in the famous Parisian bookshop “Shakespeare & Co”, she shares an undeniable chemistry with her best friend/co-worker Félix (Pablo Pauly, Murder Party). However, underneath the rosy facade, Agathe is a struggling romance author stuck living with her sister and battling a severe case of writer’s block. Perpetually surrounded by stories of others’ desires and adventures, she longs for a romance like the ones in her favourite novels. Everything changes when Agathe is invited to a prestigious Jane Austen residency in England. Spending two weeks in a manor ripped directly from the pages of one of Austen’s stories, Agathe becomes acquainted with the handsome (and haughty) Oliver (Charlie Anson, Downton Abbey), a distant relation of the author. Now finding herself in a situation much like the books that inspire her, Agathe must decide between what she’s always known, and something – or someone – new. Direct from a sell out run at the Australian French Film Festival, this utterly charming story from Laura Piani is a delightful love letter to the iconic author whose works still shape our conversations on love today.

A live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, “Lilo & Stitch” is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the Oscar®-nominated filmmaker behind the animated feature film “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” the film stars Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B.Vance, and Zach Galifianakis. “Lilo & Stitch” is produced by Jonathan Eirich and Dan Lin, with Tom Peitzman and Ryan Halprin serving as executive producers.“Lilo & Stitch” opens in Australian cinemas on May 22, 2025.

Underpaid and overworked, Justine (Sandrine Kiberlain, November) is sick of the grind. When her pretentious boss Franck (Daniel Auteuil, Farewell Mr. Haffmann) asks her to put together a luxurious romantic getaway for him and a mystery “woman of his dreams”, Justine has an idea... Given free creative control and €14,000 cash up front, Justine and her unemployed husband Albin (Denis Podalydès, The President’s Wife) devise the perfect solution: they’ll give Franck their own version of a “love boat” experience, and pocket a portion of the profits! The couple gather a motley crew of friends, also keen to make a quick buck, to pull off this grand plan. What could go wrong? When Franck reveals that it is in fact Justine that’s his dream woman, this trip looks like it’s about to go overboard. Love Boat will have you laughing with its dynamic cast of characters and their chaotic schemes. Don’t miss it!

An intimate four-year portrait of performer Marlon Williams as he writes and records his first te reo Maori language album Te Whare Tiwekaweka. Directed by Ursula Grace Williams (Zealandia, Still Here, The King), Marlon Williams: Nga Ao E Rua - Two Worlds gives audiences a behind the scenes glimpse at Williams' most ambitious project to date, writing an album in te reo Maori, and the personal challenges he faces along the way. The film weaves together Williams' different worlds, from international tours and recording the album, to life in his hometown of Ohinehou (Lyttelton). The film captures poignant moments, like travelling with his dad to his marae in Torere for the first time in decades.

American soprano Angel Blue headlines as the Ethiopian princess torn between love and country in a new production of Verdi’s Aida by Michael Mayer that brings audiences inside the towering pyramids and gilded tombs of ancient Egypt with intricate projections and dazzling animations. Romanian-Hungarian mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi also stars as Aida’s rival, Amneris, alongside Polish tenor Piotr Beczała as the soldier Radamès—completing opera’s greatest love triangle. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium to conduct.

Following a string of awe-inspiring Live in HD performances, Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen returns to the Metropolitan Opera as Leonore, the faithful wife who risks everything to save her husband from the clutches of tyranny in Beethoven’s Fidelio. Completing the distinguished cast is British tenor David Butt Philip as the political prisoner Florestan, Polish bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as the villainous Don Pizarro, veteran German bass René Pape as the jailer Rocco, Chinese soprano Ying Fang and German tenor Magnus Dietrich as the young Marzelline and Jaquino, and Danish bass Stephen Milling as the principled Don Fernando. Susanna Mälkki conducts.

The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024–25 Live in HD season comes to a close with Rossini’s effervescent comedy. Russian mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina headlines a winning ensemble as the feisty heroine, Rosina, alongside American tenor Jack Swanson, in his Met debut, as her secret beloved, Count Almaviva. Moldovan baritone Andrey Zhilikhovsky stars as Figaro, the ingenious barber of Seville, with Hungarian bass-baritone Peter Kálmán as Dr. Bartolo and Russian bass Alexander Vinogradov as Don Basilio rounding out the principal cast. Giacomo Sagripanti conducts Bartlett Sher’s madcap production.

Mozart’s timeless comedy returns to cinemas worldwide with a live transmission from the Metropolitan Opera. Conductor Joana Mallwitz, in her Met debut, takes the podium to conduct a stellar ensemble cast including American bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as the clever valet Figaro, Ukrainian soprano Olga Kulchynska as the wily maid Susanna, Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins as the skirt-chasing Count, Italian soprano Federica Lombardi as his anguished wife, and French mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa as the adolescent page Cherubino.

Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium to conduct Strauss’s one-act tragedy, which will be transmitted live from the Metropolitan Opera stage to cinemas worldwide. Leading the company’s first new production of the work in 20 years, Claus Guth, one of Europe’s leading opera directors, gives the biblical story a psychologically perceptive Victorian-era setting. South African soprano Elza van den Heever leads a celebrated cast as the abused and unhinged antiheroine, with Swedish baritone Peter Mattei as the imprisoned prophet Jochanaan; German tenor Gerhard Siegel as Salome’s lecherous stepfather, King Herod; American mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung as his wife, Herodias; and Polish tenor Piotr Buszewski as Narraboth.

From Éric Besnard (director of the previous Festival hits Delicious and A Great Friend), this historical drama offers an intimate look at rural life in the beautiful Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. In 1889, Parisian teacher Louise Violet (Alexandra Lamy), is sent to a small village to impose the free, compulsory and secular schooling of the French Republic. Miss Violet is met with a hostile reception from the locals and their stern mayor Pierre Lecomte (Grégory Gadebois), fearful of change and apprehensive of anything that might distract their children from farm work. If Louise is to win the villagers over, she’ll have to speak their language... As tensions rise, confronting the villagers also means confronting herself. Louise may be the teacher, but maybe the village has something to teach her... With rich period costuming and breathtaking vistas on display, Miss Violet is a compelling exploration of how tradition and progress can collide. A must-see for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education.

Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

Just as Marion Cotillard was to La Vie en Rose, Golden Globe-nominated actor Tahar Rahim is to MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR, transforming into the iconic singer/songwriter for this lavishly entertaining rise-to-stardom biography of the man who beat all odds to not only become one of France’s best-loved entertainers, but personified French culture to the English-speaking world. Born in Paris in 1924 as the son of Armenian refugees, Aznavour’s formative years are spent in poverty, but distinguished by his parents’ passion for music and theatre. Ridiculed for his short stature and raspy tenor voice - traits he would in time fully embrace - Aznavour’s early attempts at a showbiz career during the Occupation falter. Whilst gifted, his material finds more success in the hands of others, including his friend Pierre (Bastien Bouillon), and later the imperious Edith Piaf (a scene-stealing Marie-Julie Baup), who becomes a highly influential mentor and supporter. But by the 1950s, Aznavour finally realises his own ambitions… Led by its star’s astonishing performance and stunning vocal prowess, MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR is a true tour de force - as intimate as it is spectacular - and serves as a triumphant reminder of the power and impact of music. Don’t miss it.

A sensation at Cannes and one of France’s biggest box office and audience favourites of the year (achieving over two million admissions and entry into the top five of 2024), writer/director Emmanuel Courcol’s wildly entertaining new film follows two very different siblings separated by fate and reunited by their love of music. Thibaut (the exceptional Benjamin Lavernhe, Delicious) is a beloved and internationally celebrated orchestra conductor who travels the globe. When a health crisis and subsequent DNA test inadvertently reveals he was adopted as an infant, Thibaut discovers the existence of a younger brother, Jimmy (rising star Pierre Lottin), who lives in more modest circumstances; he works in a school cafeteria, cares for his mother and plays the trombone in a community brass band. The pair seem to have little else in common other than a love of performance, but sensing his sibling’s exceptional talent, Thibaut decides to remedy the injustice of fate and try to help nurture his brother’s untapped gifts. An eruptive crowd favourite wherever it has premiered (notably receiving the highest audience score in the 51-year history of the San Sebastian Film Festival), My Brother’s Band is a rousing, feel-great trip to the cinema, expertly striking the perfect harmony between laughter and tears. Bring your family, your friends, and some tissues.

OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH takes viewers on a breathtaking journey showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the ocean. The celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker reveals how his lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Through spectacular sequences featuring coral reefs, kelp forests and the open ocean, Attenborough shares why a healthy ocean keeps the entire planet stable and flourishing. Stunning, immersive cinematography showcases the wonder of life under the seas and exposes the realities and challenges facing our ocean as never-before-seen, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching. Yet the story is one of optimism, with Attenborough pointing to inspirational stories from around the world to deliver his greatest message: the ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.

Sensuous contemporary ballet meets the energy of musical theatre in four distinctive short works. Fool’s Paradise, The Two of Us, Us, An American in Paris: four works showing the remarkable choreographic range of The Royal Ballet's Artistic Associate, Christopher Wheeldon.

On a stormy night, fate brings two strangers together, unleashing a love with the power to end worlds. Meanwhile, in the realm of the gods, an epic battle ensues between their ruler Wotan and his rebellious daughter, Brünnhilde.

The beautiful but icy Princess Turandot will only marry a man who can correctly answer three riddles. Those who fail are brutally beheaded. But when an unknown prince arrives, the balance of power in Turandot’s court is forever shaken, as the mysterious stranger does what no other has been able to.

François (André Dussollier, The Crime is Mine) and Annie (Sabine Azéma) have been married for 50 years, and are happily enjoying their retirement. While decluttering the attic one day, François discovers a shocking secret - a stash of love letters revealing his wife’s affair from 40 years ago. François is faced with a tough decision: Does he take the high road and let bygones be bygones? Or does he call in favours from his past life as a French general to track down the man who has humiliated him? Deciding on the latter, François heads to Nice - where Annie’s ex-lover Boris now lives - for some French Riviera-style revenge! Will François’ ill-conceived quest for vengeance destroy his and Annie’s relationship in the process? This mischievous romantic comedy from director Ivan Calbéra (The Tasting) features stunning vistas, hilarious physical comedy and a whole lot of heart. Guaranteed to make you both laugh and cry, Riviera Revenge is a trip worth taking at this year’s Festival!

In 1930, the free-spirited Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Louis Garrel, The Innocent) is a pilot for the French airmail service, flying alongside legendary aviator Henri Guillaumet (Vincent Cassel, La Haine). During one fateful journey, Guillaumet vanishes in the Andes. With the help of Guillaumet’s wife, Noëlle (Diane Kruger, Inglourious Basterds), and driven by hope and unwavering determination, Saint-Exupéry embarks on a perilous quest to find his lost friend. Along the way, he discovers that his incredible imagination might be his greatest strength. The true story of the author behind the French classic The Little Prince.

Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

In 1985 devoted father Bill Furlong discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent and uncovers shocking truths of his own.

Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) has a talent for solving complex problems. When an old acquaintance is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to “find the accountant,” Wolff is compelled to solve the case. Realizing more extreme measures are necessary, Wolff recruits his estranged and highly lethal brother, Brax (Jon Bernthal), to help. In partnership with U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), they uncover a deadly conspiracy, becoming targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.

While covering the news desk in Cairo for a colleague over the Christmas holidays, Australian journalist Peter Greste is arrested and accused of terrorism. He has become a pawn in the middle of a deadly game full of corrupt officials and ancient rivalries. Now the subject of his own worldwide news story, with only his wits and unlikely allies keeping him alive, Greste’s very survival means staring down a brutal regime. THE CORRESPONDENT is a gripping thriller and a compelling true story about the relentless defence of the truth and triumph of the human spirit. Starring Richard Roxburgh as Peter Greste and directed by Kriv Stenders (Red Dog).

Pierre Niney leads a stellar cast in Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière’s thrilling new adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ epic adventure The Count of Monte Cristo, the first French cinematic treatment of the iconic tale of romance and redemption in over fifty years. Marseille, 1815. The dreams of principled young sailor Edmond Dantès (Niney) are about to come true; promoted to ship’s captain, he can finally marry the love of his life, Mercédès (Anaïs Demoustier). But his success inspires jealousy… betrayed by his rivals, Dantès is denounced as a member of a pro-Napoleon conspiracy, and incarcerated without trial in an isolated prison. After years of solitude, Dantès befriends the inmate in the adjacent cell, Abbé Faria (Pierfrancesco Favino), who reveals the location of a hidden treasure on the island of Monte Cristo. An extraordinary plan is hatched to exact revenge on the three men who wronged him: assuming multiple identities – “the Count of Monte Cristo” among them - Dantès will first court his enemies, and then seek retribution… A true cultural phenomenon in France (where it stormed the box office with close to 10 million tickets sold), The Count of Monte Cristo delivers luxurious, spectacular big-screen entertainment, at once timeless and electrifyingly new.

The phenomenal Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet take centre stage in writer/director Gianluca Jodice’s transfixing historical drama, evocatively depicting the last days of the French Revolution and the fates of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. 1792. The official Parisian residence of the king, the Tuileries Palace, has been stormed. Louis, Marie Antoinette and their children have been arrested and confined in the Tour du Temple, a mediaeval chateau in the city centre. Far from the splendour of Versailles, where the family and their retinue had lived until only a few years earlier, they are vulnerable for the first time in their lives. While the King naively tries to keep spirits high and manners intact, his pragmatic and imperious wife is far more realistic about their predicament, and the destiny that likely awaits them… Drawn from the diaries of Louis XVI’s personal valet, this exceptionally crafted drama features not only marvellous production design and cinematography, but incredible costumes by twice Oscar-nominated designer Massimo Cantini Parrini, transporting the audience with its depiction of a period from which our modern world was born.

Experience the magnificent life of French actress Sarah Bernhardt, the first international star and an eternal icon, in all its dramatic glory - just as “La Divine” herself intended! Set in the dizzying theatrical world of stage lights, opulent wealth and delicious scandals, Bernhardt is expertly brought to life by Sandrine Kiberlain (November) in this decadent biopic from director Guillaume Nicloux. Shot amidst lavish and beautiful production design, but always focused on its protagonist, Nicloux’s decadent biopic is an experience like no other. Crossing paths with Alexandre Dumas, Sigmund Freud, Victor Hugo and more, Bernhardt’s fascinating story is told across three distinct time periods (1915, 1896 and 1886). Uncover the life of the world’s first celebrity in this vivid and compelling chronicle of a chameleonic actress who defined her generation.

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at l’Alpe d’Huez Film Festival 2025. After the theft of the century, the madness begins... On the night of May 19th, 2010, five paintings were stolen from the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris. The five artworks, from artists including Matisse, Modigiliani and Picasso, were estimated to be worth more than 100 million euros. While the paintings have never been recovered, this outrageous comedy tells a frenetic and madcap tale of what could have happened to these famous works. Melvil Poupaud (Jeanne du Barry) plays Yonathan, whose monotonous life is turned upside down when he encounters Eric (Sofiane Zermani), a brash, smooth-talking con artist/fence. When Eric hires Jo (Steve TIentcheu, Neneh Superstar), a skilled thief known as “The Spider Man of Paris”, to steal the paintings from the Museum of Modern Art, the three men’s lives are intertwined in an uncontrollable spiral. Anchored by a star turn from Melvil Poupaud as the perpetually anxious watch expert turned in circles by a fast talking criminal, this wonderfully told story takes audiences on an entertaining ride through one of the most famous art heists of recent times.

Starring Oscar nominee Steve Coogan, this poignant dramedy from director Peter Cattaneo follows an Englishman’s personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history.

The Salt Path is the profound true story of husband and wife, Raynor (Gillian Anderson) and Moth (Jason Isaacs) who embark on 630 mile trek along the beautiful but rugged English coast from Dorset to Somerset. But after losing their home and livelihood, Raynor and Moth make the desperate decision to keep walking in the hope that, in nature, they will find solace and a sense of acceptance.

One island, 40 inhabitants, two scammers. On a picturesque island in Brittany, lifelong friends Jean-Jean (Didier Bourdon) and Henri (Gérard Darmon, Employee of the Month) find their quiet existence disrupted when one of their fellow villagers wins millions in the national lottery. The pair hatch a plan to befriend the lucky local and hopefully share in the winnings... only to find the winner has died of shock - ticket in hand! Jean-Jean and Henri must devise another scheme. In order to claim the prize, the friends will simply steal the unlucky winner’s identity... However, the pair soon realise that to fool the lottery officials in such a small town, they’ll have to convince the villagers - who all want a piece of the pie - to back their daring plan. Jean-Jean and Henri are out to prove that you’re never too old to raise a little hell in this crowd-pleasing comedy, a remake of the Irish classic Waking Ned Devine. With a winning blend of absurdity and heart, you’ll fall in love with the stunning sights of Brittany and its colourful characters. This charming story shows what a community can achieve when they come together (yes, even fraud).

Inspired by remarkable true events, acclaimed writer/director Pascal Bonitzer’s sharp and hugely engrossing new dramedy The Stolen Painting follows a self-assured auctioneer whose professional and personal integrity is challenged by the discovery of a long-lost masterpiece. Paris, present day. André Masson (César Award-winner Alex Lutz), a hotshot modern art appraiser at prestigious high-end auction house Scottie’s, receives word that a painting by Egon Schiele may have been found in a young factory worker’s home in the Alsatian city of Mulhouse. Though highly sceptical, André travels to view the canvas with his ex-partner Bettina (the superb Léa Drucker, Roxane) who is also an expert valuator, only to be convinced of its authenticity as a masterwork long-assumed destroyed by Nazi officials during WWII. For André, the ramifications of this once-in-a-lifetime find for his career and for his contentious relationship with his less-than-reliable intern Aurore (Louise Chevillotte), will prove both unexpected and transformative. Skilfully brought to life by an array of endearing and duplicitous characters, The Stolen Painting is a thrilling exploration of the often cynical world of art dealing and collecting, where the jaw-dropping prices aren’t always related to the rarity of the object or the desire of potential customers.

One of France’s most beloved and awarded actors, the remarkable Daniel Auteuil is also an accomplished writer and director in his own right, and the engrossing new legal thriller The Thread finds him once again in top form. Auteuil stars as Jean Monier, a well-past his prime defence lawyer who – ever since discovering he was responsible for a killer being exonerated – now prefers to work as a prosecutor. But one evening Jean agrees to help his over-committed wife and fellow counsel Annie (Sidse Babett Knudsen) by meeting with Nicolas Milik (Grégory Gadebois), a shell-shocked father of five who has just been arrested for the murder of his troubled wife. Milik’s predicament inexplicably touches Jean; the more he pieces together the events of the night in question, the more he becomes convinced of Milik’s innocence. Soon Jean rediscovers his passion for his vocation, and becomes obsessed with exposing the killer. Characterised by typically first-rate performances from its stellar cast, this pulled-from-the-headlines drama is a gripping exploration of guilt, conceit and the slippery nature of justice. A major word of mouth hit at the French box office in late 2024, The Thread packs a genuine punch, with a conclusion that lingers long after the credits have rolled.

Winner of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival SACD Best Screenplay award and opening night film of the Director’s Fortnight section, This Life of Mine is a witty and moving take on midlife crises from late director Sophie Fillières. The film follows Barberie “Barbie” Bichette (Agnès Jaoui), once a devoted mother, now struggling with the challenges of her chaotic home/work life. On the brink of her 55th birthday, Barbie must decide whether to conform to society’s dismissive view of aging women or break the mould. What follows is a funny yet poignant journey of self-discovery, as Barbie escapes to the Scottish Highlands to reclaim her identity.

Emmanuel Mouret, the award-winning director of Love Affair(s), returns to contemporary stories of love, loss, and entanglement with effortless style. Three Friends follows Alice (Camille Cottin, Call My Agent!), Rebecca (Sara Forestier), and Joan (India Hair, Annie’s Fire), all going through major relationship crises at the same time. Joan has fallen out of love with her husband Victor, and while Alice tries to reassure her, her own relationship has plateaued. Meanwhile Rebecca is in the thick of an affair... that happens to be with Alice’s husband Eric. When Joan decides to end her marriage, Victor suddenly goes missing. Joan, Alice and Rebecca begin to find their charades unravelling. How much longer can the truth stay hidden? Three friends, three lies, three truths. Weaving between funny and poignant, Three friends is a compelling story you won’t want to miss!

Marvel Studios and a crew of indie veterans who sold out present “Thunderbolts*,”an irreverent teamup featuring depressed assassin Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) alongside the MCU’s least anticipated band of misfits.The film also returns to the screen Marvel Cinematic Universe characters Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), in addition to some exciting new faces. Jake Schreier directs “Thunderbolts*”with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek,Jason Tamez and Scarlett Johansson serve as executive producers. Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” opens in New Zealand cinemas May 1, 2025.

Tinā is the story of Samoan teacher Mareta Percival. Struggling after the death of her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, Mareta reluctantly takes on the role of substitute teacher at an elite, wealthy private school and is surprised to find children crying out for guidance, inspiration, and love. Using the symphony of her culture to empower her students, she forms a choir, bringing them together while unexpectedly rediscovering her passion for being a teacher and mother.

A group spends the weekend in a ski lodge on the anniversary of their friends' disappearance, unaware that they are not alone.

Written and directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland (Civil War, 28 Days Later), Warfare embeds audiences with a platoon of American Navy SEALs on a surveillance mission gone wrong in insurgent territory. A visceral, boots-on-the-ground story of modern warfare and brotherhood, told like never before: in real time and based on the memory of the people who lived it.

Premiering to rave reviews at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize for Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Performance for Pierre Lottin, When Fall is Coming is an evocative drama from the acclaimed director François Ozon (Everything Went Fine). The film follows loving grandmother Michelle (Hélène Vincent, The Extraordinary) who enjoys her peaceful retirement in a small village in Burgundy. When her terse daughter Valérie (Ludivine Sagnier, Swimming Pool) drops off grandson Lucas for the school holidays, nothing goes to plan... Book now for this “elegant game of bait-and-switch” (Variety).