Disney’s Cruella becomes the first title to debut in over 500 locations since UK cinemas reopened, as the number of releases grows following last weekend’s strong box office showing.
There are 10 new films debuting in UK cinemas today, plus an additional one which opened on Wednesday. This is up on the five that opened last Friday; at least 11 films did come out on Monday 17 when cinemas reopened, although several of these had previously been released on VoD during the shutdown.
Cruella will be available on Disney+ in the UK at the same time as its wide cinema release. Starring Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Houser and Emily Beecham, the film is a live-action prequel to the animated 101 Dalmatians, following aspiring fashion designer Estella on her path to becoming the notorious Cruella de Vil.
The Wednesday film is Sony’s Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, playing in 382 locations this weekend. It led global box office charts last October following its record-breaking $44m debut in Japan, and has now grossed $441m worldwide.
Elysian Film Group Distribution, the distributing arm of the company founded by Danny Perkins following his departure from Studiocanal, is to release its first title into UK cinemas – Studio Ghibli animation Earwig And The Witch, which was in the Cannes 2020 Official Selection. The third film directed by Goro Miyazaki, son of Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, has an English voice cast including Richard E. Grant, Dan Stevens and Kacey Musgraves. It will play in 103 locations.
Following the releases of Mortal Kombat and Those Who Wish Me Dead last week, Warner Bros is distributing franchise horror The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. It again centres on the Warren family, who investigate a murder that may be linked to demonic possession.
Mubi is conducting a cinema release for Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow, which garnered international acclaim on the festival circuit following a launch at Telluride 2019. It will be on the Mubi platform from July 9.
Signature Entertainment is releasing its first new title since reopening – George Gallo’s Vanquish starring Morgan Freeman, playing in 12 locations. It is also beginning previews for animation Felix And The Hidden Treasure, which will officially open on June 4.
Picturehouse Entertainment has Ira Sachs’ Cannes 2019 Competition title Frankie, starring Isabelle Huppert. The film follows three generations grappling with a life-changing experience during one day of a vacation in Sintra, Portugal.
Vertigo has Surge, the feature directorial debut of Screen Star of Tomorrow 2014 Aneil Karia, starring Ben Whishaw. Backed by BBC Film, it is written by Karia, Rupert Jones and Babyteeth writer Rita Kalnejais, and follows a man going on a bold and reckless journey of self-liberation over 24 hours in London.
Further limited releases include community organisation documentary Bank Job through Dartmouth Films; and Stephanie Zari’s comedy thriller Zebra Girl through Bohemia Media in 11 locations.
Holdovers include last week’s number onePeter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, which will expand from last weekend’s 496 locations to over 600 through Sony, which also has The Unholy in 198 sites; Oscar titles Nomadland, Minari and Sound Of Metal; and Lionsgate’s Spiral: From The Book Of Saw, in 323 locations this weekend.
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