National Theatre Live: Golden Boy - The Ultimate Picture Palace

National Theatre Live: Golden Boy15 TBC

Directed by Sam Yates | UK | 2026 | 3hrs

Josh O’Connor (The Crown; Challengers) leads the cast in this searing revival of Clifford Odets’ knockout American classic. 1930s New York, at the height of the Depression. Joe Bonaparte is a gifted young violinist with a future in music, until a chance at fame and fortune lures him into the brutal world of professional boxing. He must confront what he’s willing to sacrifice, who he’s willing to become and how to find his place in a world that demands he choose a side. Brought to life with a live string quartet and filmed live from the Almeida Theatre, Olivier Award-winner Sam Yates (Vanya) directs this propulsive drama exploring ambition, identity, and the high price of success.

Book tickets

Sunday 8 November	5.00pm	Book tickets
Thursday 12 November	8.00pm	Book tickets

What else is on?

Today (Friday 16th October)

15:00

Extra Geography 15

Descriptive Subtitles

1h 34m

In their final year at an early-2000s boarding school, two best friends set themselves a mission: to fall in love with their geography teacher. Molly Manners' freewheeling comedy drama is a funny, warm-hearted portrait of female friendship.

17:15

Queen at Sea 15

2h 1m

Amanda walks in on her mother Leslie and stepfather Martin in an intimate moment. It seems consensual, but Leslie has advanced dementia. Lance Hammer's follow-up to Ballast stars Juliette Binoche and Tom Courtenay. Berlin Silver Bear Jury Prize winner.

20:00

The Craft

Tomorrow (Saturday 17th October)

15:30

Better Go Mad in the Wild 15

1h 24m | Czech w/ English subtitles

Two ageing brothers live as hermits in a crumbling farmhouse near the Czech-German border, arguing, making up, and singing ballads to chickens. Narrated by a slaughtered bull, Miro Remo's award-winning film is a funny, tender portrait of seclusion and brotherhood.

17:45

Extra Geography 15

1h 34m

In their final year at an early-2000s boarding school, two best friends set themselves a mission: to fall in love with their geography teacher. Molly Manners' freewheeling comedy drama is a funny, warm-hearted portrait of female friendship.

20:00

Queen at Sea 15

2h 1m

Amanda walks in on her mother Leslie and stepfather Martin in an intimate moment. It seems consensual, but Leslie has advanced dementia. Lance Hammer's follow-up to Ballast stars Juliette Binoche and Tom Courtenay. Berlin Silver Bear Jury Prize winner.

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!