Now playing

Ackroyd & Harvey Art of Activism (12A)

1h 17m

Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey’s internationally acclaimed collaborative art responds to the climate crisis through striking ecological works. Fiona Cunningham-Reid’s documentary explores their practice at the intersection of art, activism and biology. Screening plus introduction.

Backrooms (15)

1h 45m

When a patient vanishes through a strange doorway in the basement of a furniture showroom, his therapist follows him into a disorienting dimension to try and bring him back. Expanding Kane Parsons’ cult online series, this feature-length adaptation stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve and brings “liminal horror” to the big screen.

Blade Runner (15)

1h 58m

In a smog-choked 2019 Los Angeles, ex–blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is forced back into service to hunt rogue replicants created by the Tyrell Corporation. Ridley Scott’s landmark sci-fi noir blends dystopian world-building, philosophical themes and Vangelis’ iconic synth score.

Bugsy Malone (U)

1h 34m

Enter a 1920s world where rival child gangs battle with splurge guns instead of bullets. Smooth-talking Bugsy navigates jazz clubs, dazzling dance numbers, and custard-pie chaos in this distinctive musical comedy, packed with catchy songs, wit, and glamour.

Dreamers (15)

1h 19m

After fleeing persecution in Nigeria, Isio is held in a removal centre awaiting an asylum decision. When she falls for her outspoken roommate Farah, she must choose between trusting the system or risking everything for love and freedom. Screening introduced by Asylum Welcome.

Eagles of the Republic (15)

2h 8m Arabic w/ English subtitles

Under pressure from Egyptian authorities, an actor reluctantly stars in a state-backed film, only to become entangled in a dangerous affair with a general’s wife. Award-winning filmmaker Tarik Saleh (The Nile Hilton Incident) delivers a satirical political thriller set amid corruption in Cairo.

Earwig (15)

1h 55m

In a claustrophobic post-war apartment, a man cares for a girl whose fragile condition is managed through ritual and control. An austere blend of European art cinema and psychological horror. Screening followed by an in-person director Q&A with Lucile Hadzihalilovic.

Enchanted (PG)

1h 47m

Fairytale princess Giselle is magically transported from her animated kingdom into modern-day New York. As she navigates city life, unexpected friendships and romance challenge her happily-ever-after expectations.

Fairyland (15)

1h 56m

Set in San Francisco from the 1970s to 1980s, this drama follows a father and daughter navigating bohemian life and social change as their bond is tested by the AIDS crisis. Adapted from Alysia Abbott’s memoir, it’s a tender coming-of-age story of love and resilience.

Freaky Friday (PG)

1h 37m

When a mother and her teenage daughter mysteriously swap bodies, everyday life becomes chaos. Forced to experience each other’s worlds, they stumble through school disasters, family tensions, and embarrassing misunderstandings.

Frida Kahlo (12A)

1h 41m

This documentary explores Frida Kahlo’s life and art, from her iconic self-portraits to the passion and pain that shaped her work. Featuring exhibition footage, expert insight and her own letters, it offers an intimate portrait of the revolutionary Mexican artist.

Gattaca (15)

1h 46m

Vincent is an all-too-human man who dares to defy a system obsessed with genetic perfection. He is an “In-Valid” who assumes the identity of a member of the genetic elite to pursue his goal of traveling into space with the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation.

Gentle, Angry Women (12A)

1h 3m + 30m Q&A

A new generation of young activists uncovers the overlooked history of the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp. Retracing a 110-mile protest march, they connect past and present, exploring feminist activism and intergenerational resistance.

Gummo (18)

1h 29m

In a forgotten Midwestern town, a group of outsiders drift through a series of strange, unsettling encounters. Gummo is a raw, unconventional cult film that captures the surreal edges of everyday life in America. Presented on 35mm film.

Hokum (15)

1h 47m

When novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) retreats to a remote inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, he is unsettled by rumours of a witch haunting the honeymoon suite. Damian McCarthy’s atmospheric psychological horror blends folklore, grief and eerie supernatural mystery.

Kokuho (15)

2h 55m Japanese w/ English subtitles

In 1964 Nagasaki, orphaned Kikuo is taken in by a renowned kabuki actor and raised alongside his son. As both boys become devoted performers, friendship turns to rivalry in Sang-il Lee’s sweeping drama exploring ambition and artistic mastery. Japan’s highest-grossing live-action film.

Legally Blonde (12A)

1h 36m

Reese Witherspoon is irresistible in this beloved rom-com-turned-courtroom triumph. Dumped and underestimated, sorority queen Elle Woods storms Harvard Law, proving sharp wit and a killer wardrobe are all you need. Part of the Oxford Comedy Festival 2026.

Matilda (PG)

1h 38m

Brilliant young Matilda discovers friendship and encouragement from her teacher, Miss Honey, while facing the terrifying Miss Trunchbull and her neglectful parents. This Roald Dahl adaptation celebrates courage, kindness, and standing up for what is right.

Muppet Treasure Island (U)

1h 40m

Join the Muppets on a rollicking pirate adventure after Jim Hawkins discovers a mysterious treasure map. Packed with sea shanties, mutiny, buried treasure, and chaos, this lively retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic delivers family entertainment.

Naked (18)

2h 6m

A restless drifter prowls London’s night streets, clashing with everyone he meets. Mike Leigh’s darkly comic, provocative character study is driven by David Thewlis’s electrifying performance as one of cinema’s most unforgettable antiheroes.

Oldboy (18)

2h Korean w/ English subtitles

After fifteen years of mysterious imprisonment, Oh Dae-su is suddenly released and is fuelled by a need for answers and revenge. Oldboy is a gripping, shocking thriller from Park Chan-wook that became a global cult hit.

Orphan (15)

2h 13m Hungarian w/ English subtitles

In Budapest, 1957, a Jewish boy awaiting his father’s return from the camps is confronted by a mysterious man claiming to be his real parent. Oscar-winner László Nemes (Son of Saul) directs this powerful drama about identity, trauma and postwar Hungary.

Our Land (12A)

1h 31m

Across England, the Right to Roam movement stages “mass trespass” events to reclaim access to the countryside, clashing with landowners over ownership and stewardship. Orban Wallace’s documentary explores this timely conflict, questioning who has the right to access nature.

People's Emergency Briefing (12A)

50m (+ 30min Q&A)

The National Emergency Briefing in Westminster (November 2025) brings scientists together to present evidence on the climate and nature crisis. This film extends the findings nationwide, encouraging UK communities to gather, hear the evidence, and discuss solutions locally.

R.E.M x Sherlock Jr (12A)

1h 13m

From the team behind Silents Synced, Buster Keaton's dreamlike 1924 masterpiece gets an electrifying makeover, scored to R.E.M.'s Monster and New Adventures in Hi-Fi. Part of the Oxford Comedy Festival 2026.

Red Rooms (18)

1h 58m French w/ English subtitles

A young woman becomes fixated on a high-profile murder trial, drawn into a disturbing online underworld. Red Pascal Plante’s tense, chilling thriller explores obsession, true crime, and the darker edges of internet culture.

Reflection in a Dead Diamond (15)

1h 27m French & Italian w/ English subtitles

When a mysterious woman vanishes from the room next door, an ageing former spy living on the Côte d’Azur is drawn back into a world of fractured memories and buried secrets. Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani’s stylised thriller blends espionage, psychological intrigue and grindhouse homage.

Romería (15)

1h 52m Spanish w/ English subtitles

Aspiring filmmaker Marina travels to Galicia to uncover her family’s past, following her late mother’s diary. As buried truths emerge, she confronts grief, identity and belonging in Carla Simón’s (Summer 1993, Alcarràs) warm, autobiographical drama about memory and emotional inheritance.

Rose of Nevada (15)

1h 54m

When a long-lost fishing boat returns to a Cornish village, hope rises for renewal. Nick and newcomer Liam join a voyage, but return transformed and caught in a haunting time loop. Shot on grainy 16mm, Mark Jenkin (Bait) delivers a haunting, mind-bending folktale.

Saving Face (15)

1h 33m

Wil hides her sexuality from her traditional family, only to discover her mother is keeping secrets too. Set in multicultural New York City, Alice Wu’s warm, quietly groundbreaking debut explores family, identity, and unexpected solidarity across generations.

Skateboard Film Club (Cert-TBC)

1h 35m

A skate film night featuring the Oxford premiere of Polar’s latest full-length You Got It My Boy Jamie.., alongside work from Skateboard Café, Pass~Port and Krooked. Curated by Keen Distribution with Skateboard GB, it showcases leading modern skate filmmakers and brands.

Song (Cert-TBC)

1h 44m

After committing murder for love, painter rescues a young Malaysian woman, and the pair begin a new life performing in vaudeville. Starring Anna May Wong in her first European film, this Weimar-era melodrama blends romance and expressive dance. Presented by Rethinking Weimar Cinema.

Space Is the Place (18)

1h 22m

Sun Ra leads his Arkestra on an interstellar journey to forge a new utopia. Blending sci-fi, performance, and radical politics, this electrifying film boldly channels Afrofuturist vision into a vibrant, cosmic experience where music, myth, and liberation collide.

Stalker (PG)

2h 42m Russian w/ English subtitles

In a mysterious wasteland known as the Zone, a guide leads a writer and scientist toward a room where their dreams will come true. A towering work of world cinema, Tarkovsky’s classic is revered for its philosophical depth, slow cinema style, and spiritual ambiguity.

The Ascent (12A)

1h 50m Russian & German w/ English subtitles

Two soldiers on a wartime mission face betrayal and impossible choices. Larisa Shepitko’s powerful, haunting war drama is both a gripping survival story and a deeply moving meditation on sacrifice and moral courage during conflict.

The Barnabáš Kos Case (12A)

1h 32m Slovak w/ English subtitles

A timid triangle player is unexpectedly promoted to Musical Director, but soon becomes corrupted by power. Peter Solan’s darkly comic satire exposes absurd hierarchies, sharply skewering state bureaucracy and the fragile egos behind positions of authority.

The Christophers (15)

1h 40m

A reclusive London artist (Ian McKellen) becomes the target of a scheme by his estranged children, who recruit a young painter (Michaela Coel) to infiltrate his home and uncover hidden works. Steven Soderbergh’s darkly comic chamber piece explores deception, legacy and artistic value.

The Fox and the Hound (U)

1h 23m

A fox and lovable hunting dog form an unlikely friendship in the countryside. As they grow older, outside pressures and natural instincts threaten to pull them apart. This heartfelt Disney classic explores loyalty and friendship with humour and emotional storytelling.

The Holy Mountain (U)

1h 45m

Made in 1926 by Arnold Fanck, The Holy Mountain is a landmark German Bergfilm featuring Leni Riefenstahl. Set in the Alps, it blends a romantic triangle with spectacular mountaineering, skiing and avalanches. Presented by Rethinking Weimar Cinema.

The Incredibles (U)

1h 55m

Living undercover in suburbia, the superhero Parr family longs for action. When Bob Parr is lured into a dangerous mission, the whole family joins an explosive adventure packed with gadgets, humour, and excitement in Pixar’s thrilling superhero tale.

The Lego Movie (U)

1h 40m

Ordinary LEGO figure Emmet is mistaken for a prophesied hero. Reluctantly joining quirky allies, he embarks on a mission to stop an evil tyrant, discovering courage, creativity, and humour along the way in this colourful, action-packed animated adventure.

The Lodger (PG)

1h 30m

A serial killer is on the loose in London and a detective is assigned to the case. Viola player and filmmaker Hugo Max presents his fourth UK tour accompanying Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 silent masterwork The Lodger with live score.

The Magic Faraway Tree (U)

1h 50m

The Thompson children discover a magical tree leading to fantastical lands. Facing quirky inhabitants and wondrous adventures, they reconnect and grow closer. Enid Blyton’s beloved classic comes to life in this enchanting adaptation starring Andrew Garfield, Nicola Coughlan, and Claire Foy.

The Red Shoes (PG)

2h 15m

The 75th anniversary of an undisputed masterpiece of British cinema. Powell and Pressburger’s visually ravishing fantasia about a young ballerina caught between her desire to dance and her yearning for love.

The Spirit of the Beehive (PG)

1h 38m Spanish w/ English subtitles

In a small Spanish village under early Franco rule, a child’s fascination with Frankenstein blurs imagination and reality. Victor Erice’s celebrated classic is a landmark of Spanish cinema, revered for its poetic depiction of childhood and political shadowed history.

The Stranger (15)

2h 2m French w/ English subtitles

Set in French Algeria, Meursault drifts through life until his mother’s death sparks judgment, conflict, and tragedy. François Ozon’s sensitive, queer-inflected adaptation illuminates the emotional and moral complexities at the heart of Albert Camus’s existential masterpiece.

The Turin Horse (15)

2h 35m Hungarian w/ English subtitles

Inspired by an anecdote involving philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, Béla Tarr's award-winning parable follows a frail farmer and his young daughter struggling to eke out a living amidst harsh conditions in the Hungarian countryside.

Ultras (15)

1h 29m

From Eastbourne Town F.C. to Raja Club Athletic in Casablanca, this documentary explores global ultras culture, where football fandom becomes identity, art and conflict. Ragnhild Ekner examines passionate supporter groups worldwide, revealing the creativity, community and tensions behind collective devotion.

Us (15)

1h 56m

A family’s holiday turns terrifying when mysterious doppelgängers appear at their home. As chaos spreads nationwide, hidden truths emerge about identity, privilege, and repression in Jordan Peele's sharp psychological horror. Screening plus an introduction by Dr Christy Wensley.

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (15)

1h 17m + 18m short film Czech w/ English subtitles

In a surreal coming-of-age journey, a girl navigates a dreamlike world of vampires, shifting identities, and religious imagery. A key Czech New Wave classic, it is celebrated for its baroque visual style and influential fusion of horror, folklore, and psychoanalysis.

What We Do in the Shadows (15)

1h 25m

Cult mockumentary follows the undead navigating modern life with gloriously incompetent results. Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement at their most gloriously funny. Part of the Oxford Comedy Festival 2026.

Wild Foxes (15)

1h 34m French w/ English subtitles

At an elite sports academy, young boxer Camille survives a near-fatal accident thanks to teammate Matteo, but mysterious pain threatens his recovery and future. Valéry Carnoy’s Cannes-winning coming-of-age debut explores masculinity and vulnerability within the competitive world of boxing.