There are absolutely heaps of new movies showing in Riyadh cinemas before the end of the year, from long-anticipated blockbusters to thrilling horror sequels, plus plenty of family flicks the kids will love.
And as we’re in the run-up to awards season, you know you’re in for some movie magic. Whether it’s superheroes or sci-fi that floats your boat, here are some of the top movie releases to feast your eyes on in Riyadh cinemas.
(Movie release dates are subject to change)
Dune
We know that the Middle East has some of the most glorious landscapes, but we don’t mind being reminded by a big-budget Hollywood movie. That’s why we were thrilled to see that scenes in Dune were shot across the deserts of Jordan and Abu Dhabi. This intergalactic epic stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Zendaya as Chani. Atreides is a young man with a big destiny, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the survival of his family and his people.
Big-screen adaption of Frank Herbert’s best-selling novels have never quite done it justice: the 1970s Alejandro Jodorowsky film, which neared 14 hours, saw Salvador Dalí want to play the emperor and have a toilet throne made of two intersecting dolphins, while David Lynch’s 1984 version bombed so badly at the box office, he later removed his name from the credits.
Dune has pressure, yes, but it also has the Oscar-nominated director Denis Villeneuve, who was behind the critically acclaimed Blade Runner 2049. Of all the movies showing in Riyadh cinemas this year, none feature more local geography.
Out September 23
Every Breath You Take
If you love a good whodunit, then this is for you. This psychological thriller takes many twists and turns, as you try to find out if the psychiatrist Philip (Casey Affleck) was responsible for causing his patient Daphne to commit suicide. Not only did Daphne have an unhealthy attachment to her therapist, but now her brother James (Sam Claflin) is trying to put the pieces together.
After James is invited into Philip’s home to meet with his wife and daughter, the story takes a darker turn. One of the more sinister movies showing in Riyadh cinemas this year.
Out October 7
Halloween Kills
Jamie Lee Curtis is back, in a bid to finally put crazed serial killer Michael Myers to bed. Set just minutes after Laurie Strode (Curtis), daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and grandaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) have left the masked monster ablaze in Laurie’s basement, the trio realise they’ve not put the final nail in the coffin yet. Myers is back on the loose and executing his ritual bloodbath.
Teaming up with another group of survivors from Myers’ first lethal rampage, the Strode women form a vigilante mob on a mission to hunt down their attacker, and put an end to his murderous rein once and for all. Halloween Kills will mark the sixth consecutive decade that Jamie Lee Curtis has played the role of Laurie in the franchise, starting with 1978’s original Halloween – and (warning: spoiler alert) with her final outing in next year’s Halloween Ends, will set a Hollywood appearance record.
Out October 14
Last Night in Soho
From the director of 2017’s Baby Driver and, among other things, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s Cornetto trilogy, this upcoming British psychological thriller introduces Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie, Jojo Rabbit) as an aspiring fashion designer, who finds herself periodically able to reach back in time to 1960s Soho, in London. While there, she’s in the body of her idol, a Bardot-esque singer named Sandy (Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit).
As she continues to live out her fantasy, it becomes clear this glamorous London is not quite what it first appeared to be – the past and present begin to collide, and fall apart, with terrifying consequences. Time travel, ghosts and edge-of-the-seat tension combine in an original screenplay from director Edgar Wright and Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Penny Dreadful, 1917). Big fan of a popcorn-slinging jump? Judging by the trailer, you’re on the right track with this creepy flick.
Out December 19
No Time To Die
Easily the most talked-about movie showing in Riyadh cinemas this year. Over the past eighteen months, no film has been as hotly anticipated as No Time to Die. But the film has had its fair share of bad luck: firstly, it’s not the best title during a global pandemic, secondly, director Danny Boyle quit midway and thirdly, well, we’ve all watched as the release date has been pushed back three times.
So the big question is: will it live up to the hype? This is Daniel Craig’s final outing as James Bond before he hangs up his tux. We find him in retirement in Jamaica until an old CIA associate turns up for help: a scientist has been kidnapped and there’s only one man for the job. Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw return as Moneypenny, M and Q respectively, while Rami Malek plays the googly-eyed, facially disfigured villain Safin. Gun-slinging, car-chasing and stunts galore – Bond rides a motorcycle up a 25ft ramp at 60mph and lands on cobbled streets of Matera, Italy – this aims to leave you shaken and stirred.
Out October 7
Sing 2
This animated family film returns for a sequel complete with a catchy soundtrack that ranges from Drake to Eminem. Buster Moon and his new cast set out to debut a show at the glamorous Crystal Tower. After Buster convinces the entertainment mogul, Jimmy Crystal, that he can get the rock legend Clay Calloway – voiced by none other than U2’s Bono – out of retirement, he goes on an adventure to convince the recluse to return to the stage.
With the lead characters bought to life by famous voices we all recognise, including Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Taron Egerton, this film sounds like music to our ears.
Out December 19
Spider-Man: No Way Home
“How can you tell everyone that you’re Spiderman?” asks Peter Parker. Real-life couple, Tom Holland and Zendaya, return as the onscreen couple – Spiderman and Mary Jane. In a world where everyone knows that Peter is actually Spiderman, including his girlfriend, he wants nothing more than to turn back time.
So he requests a little help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) who turns back time but with disastrous consequences. In this world where time and space collide, Spiderman’s arch enemies return, complete with the original actors – Alfred Molina as Dr Otto Octavius and Willem Dafoe as Green Goblin. This has led fans’ spidey senses to go into overdrive and anticipate the return of two former actors who played the superhero: Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire. As post-credit scenes are a Marvel tradition: make sure you stay till the end of the movie.
Out December 23
The Addams Family 2
Everyone’s favourite spooky family are back for a second outing. In this sequel to the popular animation, Morticia (Charlize Theron) and Gomez (Oscar Isaac) realise the kids are getting too old to spend time with, so round up the whole family for one last camping vacation before Wednesday and Pugsley grow up.
They head out for a creepy and kooky road trip, which takes them from Niagra Falls to the Grand Canyon with hilarious results. While the trip is meant to bring them closer together, Wednesday (Chloë Grace Moretz) feels like an outcast in her own family and wonders if she’s an Addams, after all.
Out September 30
The King’s Man
“We are the first independent intelligent agent,” boasts Orlando Oxford, Duke of Oxford (Ralph Fiennes) in a crisp British accent, as we see him in a smart three-piece suit and a top hat. This prequel to director Matthew Vaughn’s successful Kingsman series is set in the early 1900s and reveals how the secret service agency was formed.
As history’s worst tyrants – including a hilarious Rasputin played by Rhys Ifans – team up to wipe out millions, it’s up to the Kingsman to stop the evil plot. Get ready for an action-packed, fast-paced and, above all, fun film. If you are impartial to a bit of sarcasm and a fan of the British sense of humour – “let’s end this as gentlemen, after all, manners,” says Orlando during one fight – then this is for you. A fun, enjoyable prequel awaits on the line-up of movies showing at Riyadh cinemas this year.
Out December 23
Wondering where to watch? Check out Riyadh’s top cinema chains right here.
