November cinema releases: Godzilla, Scrooge and Panem’s back

November cinema releases don’t come much bigger than this. From the long-awaited Godzilla Minus Zero to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, there’s a blockbuster landing almost every week, plus potential awards contenders in I Play Rocky and Wild Horse Nine.

Whether you’re heading to a big multiplex or an independent picture house in Newcastle, Durham, or Teesside, here are the new films November 2026 is bringing to North East cinemas. Grab the popcorn.

PRIMETIME

PRIMETIME

Friday 30th October

Robert Pattinson plays Chris Hansen, host of reality series To Catch a Predator, in this provocative psychological drama from director Lance Oppenheim. It’s 2006, and the NBC journalist’s set on making television history, teaming up with vigilante group Perverted Justice to catch child predators in sting operations.

Anna Faris, Skyler Gisondo, and Phoebe Bridgers co-star in the controversial story behind the show. It’s already in cinemas, so catch it while you can.

GEORGE MICHAEL: THE FAITH TOUR

Friday 6th November

George Michael’s voice and songwriting defined an era, and this concert film catches him at the height of his creative powers. It’s built from rediscovered, never-before-seen 35mm footage of his 1988 show at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy during the record-breaking Faith Tour, restored and remastered for the big screen.

Before the main event, an original short by Mary McCartney uses newly discovered audio and images from 1986 to 1988 to create an intimate time capsule of the Faith era. It’s a rare glimpse into George’s mindset at a pivotal moment in his life.

GEORGE MICHAEL: THE FAITH TOUR
GODZILLA MINUS ZERO

GODZILLA MINUS ZERO

Friday 6th November

Godzilla’s back. Takashi Yamazaki returns to direct this follow-up to his Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One, and it picks up two years after the monster plunged post-war Japan from zero into minus.

The country’s fought hard to rebuild and reclaim everyday life, but just as a fragile peace takes hold, a terrifying new threat strikes and crushes hope in an instant. This time, there’s no third chance.

RAMAYANA: RISE OF A LEGEND

Friday 6th November

Nitesh Tiwari directs this epic mythological film based on Valmiki’s ancient poem Ramayana, which chronicles the life and trials of Prince Rama. In an age of gods and kings, with the fate of worlds hanging in the balance, Rama (Ranbir Kapoor), a prince bound by duty, sacrifice, and righteousness, must confront Ravana (Yash).

He’s an immortal ruler driven by pride and vengeance, and he’s powerful enough to shatter the cosmos. It’s a vast, spectacle-packed epic that’s made for the biggest screen you can find.

RAMAYANA: RISE OF A LEGEND
I PLAY ROCKY

I PLAY ROCKY

Friday 6th November

Here’s the ultimate underdog story behind the ultimate underdog movie. Director Peter Farrelly (Green Book) charts the true story of an unknown actor called Sylvester Stallone (Anthony Ippolito), who believed he wasn’t just meant to write Rocky, he was meant to be Rocky Balboa.

Told no at every turn, Stallone bets everything on himself and refuses to give up the lead role, against seemingly impossible odds. The result? Sporting cinema history.

WILD HORSE NINE

Friday 6th November

Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) returns with a darkly comic thriller set shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup. Bureau chief MJ (Steve Buscemi) sends CIA agents Chris (John Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell) from Santiago to Easter Island.

Among the island’s iconic statues, the long-time partners wrestle with their dark pasts and present-day conspiracies. Meanwhile, Chris’s new bond with two rebellious students (Mariana di Girolamo and Ailín Salas) threatens to send everyone’s trip to paradise sideways.

WILD HORSE NINE
ONWARDS AND SIDEWAYS

ONWARDS AND SIDEWAYS

Friday 6th November

Tony Evans (Rhys Ifans, House of the Dragon) is deputy head of a primary school. Emma Kent (Laura Linney, Ozark, Love Actually) is a musician, composer, and single mum of two daughters. They’re strangers until a startling encounter on the very morning they’re both diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Directed by John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), it’s a funny, moving, and life-affirming story of an unexpected friendship, full of music and dance, that challenges assumptions about a little-understood condition. Have the tissues ready.

EBENEZER

Friday 13th November

Johnny Depp takes on Scrooge in a darker adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story, A Christmas Carol. This thrilling ghost story follows one man’s supernatural journey to face his past, present, and future as he fights for a second chance at redemption.

Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, and Ian McKellen round out an all-star cast. Bah humbug? Not this year.

EBENEZER
HOW TO ROB A BANK

HOW TO ROB A BANK

Friday 13th November

A crew of social media-savvy bank robbers broadcast their daring heists online, unaware their viral fame has put them in the crosshairs of a veteran FBI agent and a brilliant software engineer.

Even with the unlikely duo closing in, the gang push past their limits, putting everything on the line for their beliefs and their most ambitious heist yet. Who’s hitting record?

PRIMA FACIE

Friday 13th November

Cynthia Erivo stars as a young, ambitious barrister who’s unmatched in her defence of the accused in London’s ruthless court system, including men charged with sexual assault. Just as her career takes off, a life-altering event forces her to question her belief in the justice system that’s always defined her.

Susanna White directs this adaptation of Suzie Miller’s Olivier Award-winning stage play. Please note, this film contains themes and scenes of sexual assault.

 

PRIMA FACIE
THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING

THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING

Friday 20th November

We’re finally heading back to Panem. Based on Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, this prequel’s set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s fight for survival, on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) is chosen to compete, with a twist: every district must send twice the usual number of tributes to the Capitol to fight to the death. Francis Lawrence directs a star-studded cast including Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, and Jesse Plemons. May the odds be ever in our favour!

FOCKER-IN-LAW

Wednesday 25th November

Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro are back for the fourth instalment of the Meet the Parents franchise, and the Focker clan just keeps on growing.

This time, Henry, son of Greg (Stiller) and Pam Focker (Teri Polo), decides to marry a strong-willed woman (Ariana Grande) who seems to be his complete mismatch. Cue awkward encounters and plenty of family chaos.

FOCKER-IN-LAW
HEXED

HEXED

Friday 27th November

Disney’s newest animated fantasy follows Billie (Hailee Steinfeld), an impulsive, unconventional teenager who discovers secret magical powers. Once unleashed, they hurtle her out of suburbia and into Hexe, a vast hidden witch realm.

Forced to team up with her cautious mum, Alice (Rashida Jones), Billie uncovers family mysteries that could change the world of witches forever. Jodie Foster and Stephen Fry also lend their voices. It’s a magical way to see out the month.

Chris Kingston
Entertainment Writer

Chris is Laura's brother and the font of all knowledge when it comes to anything related to TV, film and books. He provides our popular round-ups on what to watch at the cinema, the TV not to miss, and new cultural releases.

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