Clad in a grey mo-cap suit, and standing in a volume, Serkis goes full Gollum to announce the start of production, before the camera then fades out to a location shoot in New Zealand’s mountainous ranges, and audiences can be in no doubt that this retunr to Middle Earth will once again be an epic return to the big screen.

In relation to the casting for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, it couldn’t get more epic with the likes of Andy Serkis as Gollum and Sméagol, Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey; the wandering wizard Kate Winslet as Marigol, Jamie Dornan as Strider, Leo Woodall as Halvard; A Dúnedain ranger who travels with Strider, Lee Pace as Thranduil; The Elven king of the Woodland Realm, Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins; q young Hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo Baggins, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Seren; A Sindar Elf of the Woodland Realm who is trusted by Thranduil.

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Set in the time before The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, leading up to the Company of the Ring entering the Mines of Moria, The Hunt for Gollum finds the Wizard Gandalf sending the ranger Strider to hunt for the creature Gollum, with the film framed from Gollum’s perspective.

While production is being kept under wrap and key, Serkis has mentioned that he is looking forward to explore a deeper into the twisted psychology of Gollum and Sméagol, and has framed Todd Phillips’ Joker as a reference point for production.

Production has onyl just kicked off so we’ll be waiting a bit before we get a solid look into the film, but the promise and excitement of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is fully present and this will be a blockbuster event when it arrives in cinemas on December 17, 2027.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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The breakout horror sensation has officially smashed $25 million at the Australian and New Zealand box office, with distributor Rialto Distribution celebrating a phenomenal theatrical run that has transformed the film into one of the biggest horror success stories of recent years.

Even more impressively, Obsession is now set to claim the title of the highest-grossing horror release across Australia and New Zealand in the last decade, cementing its status as a genuine cinematic phenomenon.

A Horror Event Audiences Couldn’t Resist

Great horror has always been built around shared experiences.

Whether it’s the collective gasp, nervous laughter or outright screams echoing through a packed auditorium, the genre has consistently delivered some of cinema’s most memorable theatrical moments; and Obsession has tapped directly into that magic.

Powered by exceptional word-of-mouth and an ever-growing legion of horror fans, the film has become one of the year’s true must-see theatrical events, demonstrating that audiences are still eager to leave the couch behind when a film offers a truly unforgettable experience.

For Kelly Rogers, CEO of Rialto Distribution, the achievement reflects both the enduring popularity of horror and the power of the theatrical experience.

“To see Obsession reach $25 million across Australia and New Zealand is an incredible achievement,” Rogers said.

“Horror has always been one of the most powerful theatrical genres, and audiences have embraced this film in a way few could have predicted. This milestone is a testament to strong word-of-mouth, passionate fans and the enduring appeal of seeing a truly terrifying story unfold on the big screen.”

Another Landmark For Rialto Distribution

While Obsession has become the distributor’s latest box office juggernaut, it also continues an extraordinary run of success for New Zealand-born distributor Rialto Distribution.

Long recognised as one of Aotearoa’s biggest champions of local cinema, Rialto has released more New Zealand productions than any other distributor, bringing 19 Kiwi films to cinemas over the past five years while consistently delivering record-breaking performances at the domestic box office.

Among those successes are Tenor: My Name Is Pati, which became the highest-grossing New Zealand film of 2026 to date with more than $1.19 million, Prime Minister, the country’s biggest documentary release in more than a decade, Muru, the highest-grossing New Zealand film of 2022, alongside acclaimed local releases including Not Only Fred Dagg, Bookworm and Sgt. Haane.

Together, these films showcase Rialto’s remarkable ability to connect New Zealand audiences with stories that matter—whether they’re homegrown dramas and documentaries or major international theatrical releases.

The Big Screen Strikes Back

At a time when streaming continues to dominate entertainment conversations, Obsession serves as another powerful reminder that cinemas still possess a unique magic.

Audiences are increasingly turning out for films that promise more than just another night of entertainment; they’re seeking genuine event cinema, shared experiences and unforgettable moments that can only be found in a packed theatre.

With Obsession now standing as the highest-grossing horror film released across Australia and New Zealand in the past decade, the film has firmly established itself as one of the defining theatrical success stories of 2026.

For horror fans, one thing is abundantly clear: fear has never been so profitable.

Image: Rialto Distribution

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Directed by Vea Mafile’o and Gavin Fitzgerald, LOMU is no ordinary sports documentary. This is a deeply human portrait of Jonah Lomu: the South Auckland kid who became a global force of nature. From the streets of Tāmaki Makaurau to the grandest stages in world rugby, the film charts his meteoric rise and seismic impact on the game, while peeling back the layers of the man behind the myth.

Through intimate interviews with family, friends, teammates and coaches, alongside a treasure trove of archival material, including never-before-seen family footage, LOMU reveals the quieter truths of a global icon. Beneath the powerhouse presence was a grounded, humble young man guided by Tongan values, deep faith, and the immense responsibility of representing both culture and country.

When Jonah Lomu exploded onto the international scene, rugby was never the same again. At just 19, he became the youngest All Black in history, redefining what was possible with a blend of size, speed and sheer force that left defenders in his wake. The film builds to the unforgettable 1995 Rugby World Cup — a tournament where Lomu didn’t just dominate, he transformed the sport into a global spectacle.

Yet behind the highlights and headlines, a silent battle was unfolding. LOMU doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of his kidney disorder, offering a sobering look at the personal cost of greatness and the resilience that defined his later years.

At its core, LOMU is a story of identity — a Pasifika narrative that pulses with pride, faith and resilience. It explores the weight carried by one of rugby’s first global superstars, and the cultural significance of a man who changed not just how the game is played, but who it belongs to.

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For co-director Vea Mafile’o, bringing the film back to Aotearoa carries profound meaning: this is more than a premiere — it’s a homecoming. A tribute not just to Lomu’s legacy, but to the community and culture that shaped him.

Big, emotional, and deeply resonant, this is a documentary that hits with the same force as Lomu in full flight — unstoppable, unforgettable, and proudly ours.

With its Centrepiece status locked in, LOMU is shaping up to be one of NZIFF 2026’s defining cinematic events.

Image: MadMan Films

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Here’s the official synopsis:

Here’s the official synopsis:

“Clayface” unravels one man’s horrifying descent from rising Hollywood star to revenge-filled monster in a story that explores the loss of one’s identity and humanity, corrosive love, and the dark underbelly of scientific ambition.

Directed by James Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, Clayface is set to tell the thus far untold story of one of Gotham City’s most legendary, and tragic figures, Clayface, with the creative team bringing an edgy new sci-fi horror style to the premise, along with a gritty, in-your-face noir element that creeps in on the idea of dreams turning into nightmare, and just how brutal beauty can cut.

Rising star Tom Rhys Harries steps into the role of aspiring actor Matt Hagen, who thanks to his shocking good looks is on the precipice of greatness, until he runs afoul of a nasty gangster, and is left mutilated, leading him into the arms of fringe scientist Dr. Caitlin Bates (Naomi Ackie), whose character has been described as an almost ‘Elizabeth Holmes type figure’, and offers him a desperate cure that leads him down a path of literal horrors as he exacts a cruel and very personal revenge.

The Batman mythos has long lead to some of the most intriguing villains as a part of the ‘Rogues Gallery’, and Clayface is no exception, and what we see here in this origin story is not only a radically different framing of classic Batman character, but also a showcase that this new DCU is not afraid to push the boundaries or change things up, and with a filmmaker as innovative as Watkins in the director’s chair, we’ll be in for something genuinely scary, and a ‘superhero’ film that will no doubt seriously unnerve it’s audience in the best way possible.

 

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Get ready to embrace the horrors, and look fear right in the eye when Clayface arrives in cinemas on October 22 just in time for Halloween.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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Watch the all-new teaser trailer below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Set twenty-five years after the events of the first film, the story follows the Owens family as they face a new crisis when a discovery regarding the family’s history and the origins of their magic comes to light. When Sally’s daughter (Joey King) begins to uncover hidden family secrets and develops her own dark abilities, the family is plunged into a multi-generational struggle to finally break the curse that has haunted their lineage for centuries. The Owens women (Sally, Gillian, and their aunts) must once again unite, traveling from their home in Massachusetts to the United Kingdom to confront the source of their magic and save the next generation of their family.

Ever since it was first announced that Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman would be returning as Sally and Gillian Owens, the internet has been a storm of intrigue and desire as to what this new chapter of these decidedly feminine new chapter might look like for them, and now with Practical Magic 2 we get a new look at a journey that will take tham back to the origins of their powers, and adventure, suspense and a dash of romance is sure to be expected.

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Let yourselves be enchanted by Practical Magic 2 when it arrives in cinemas on September 10.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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Watch the brand new teaser trailer for The Invite below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela’s (Olivia Wilde) marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors, Pina (Penelope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) for a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected places. Have they reignited the spark or lit the match that burns it all down?

Starring ans directed by Wilde, and written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, The Invite is a cheeky, curious and cunning re-interpretation of Cesc Gay’s The People Upstairs, and while little is revealed in this brisk teaser trailer, the breadcrumbs are laid, and what were promised is a cinematic experience that will play with your emotions, and certainly get a reaction out of audiences, with plenty of hijinks and surprises guranteed to startle and shock promised by Wilde.

Having first screened for buyers and press at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, The Invite caused an immediate bidding war, and was dubbed a sensation, and after much back and forth, was acquiired by A24 Films, and having now seen this first teaser trailer, we can unecoiovacalluy confirm that this was a right decision.

 

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With it’s intriguing concept, top-notch cast, and surpise mix of feeling and suspense, The Invite is a piture audiences will be clamoruing to see when it arrives in cinemas this June.

Image: A24 Films

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Watch the full trailer for Marc by Sofia below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

An intimate, unconventional portrait of Marc Jacobs, crafted by Sofia Coppola to capture the genius and singular universe of the iconic American designer.

Regarded as one of the most original, innovative and restless voices in fashion, Marc Jacobs has crafted a rebellious, eclectic and trend-setting aesthetic which is known to blend high-fashion sensibilities with ‘street-wise’ aesthetics, influenced by movements such as grunge and pop culture, and the the results have been shaping the catwalks and sidewalks since the early 1990s.

Now opening himself up to Sofia Coppola’s intimate camera, these two artists and friends host a discussion, along with exploring Jacobs vast fashion empire, and movements as a designer in a serene and open portrait of the designer that we’ve never previously seen before.

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Marc by Sofia offers up a dialogue between these two artists as they comment on the very nature of creativity and art, and with its spellbinding visuals and extensive exploration of Jacobs vast works and collections, the visuals will pop and audiences will find themselves caught up in something special, and delivered with so much heart.

Marc by Sofia is set to arrive in cinemas in March.

Image: A24

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Words first immortalised by Sir Sean Connery still echo through pop culture — and now they’re ringing louder than ever. After years of anticipation, Highlander is officially back, with Henry Cavill confirming that Chad Stahelski’s long-gestating remake is now in production. Cavill marked the moment by sharing a first-look image on Instagram, revealing himself as the film’s lead: the immortal Scottish warrior Connor MacLeod.

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Clad in a long leather trench coat and gripping a samurai sword, Cavill cuts a striking figure — every inch the modern MacLeod. It’s only a tease, but it speaks volumes. With Stahelski (John Wick) behind the camera, the neo-noir edge and kinetic intensity feel baked into the DNA already, positioning Highlander as one of 2026’s most hotly anticipated action projects.

Stahelski isn’t just rebooting the franchise; he’s expanding it. The filmmaker has been vocal about deepening the mythology and pushing beyond the boundaries of the original source material, and he’s assembled a formidable cast to do it. Russell Crowe steps into the mentor role of Ramirez, Dave Bautista brings brute menace as The Kurgan, Karen Gillan stars as Heather MacLeod, and Drew McIntyre takes on Angus MacLeod. Marisa Abela leads as the film’s female protagonist, with Djimon Hounsou, Kevin McKidd, and Jeremy Irons also confirmed in undisclosed roles.

With Stahelski’s razor-sharp action sensibilities and Cavill’s commanding screen presence at its centre, Highlander is shaping up to be a thunderous, sword-clashing spectacle — and one immortals (and mortals) alike won’t want to miss.

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Take a fresh look at what awaits in The Bluff below:

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Here’s the official synopsis:

Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) thought she had escaped her violent past as a pirate, finding peace in the Cayman Islands with her loving husband T.H. (Ismael Cruz Cordova), their son Isaac (Vedanten Naidoo) and her sister-in-law Elizabeth (Safia Oakley-Green). But when her notorious former captain, Connor (Karl Urban), arrives seeking revenge, Ercell’s world is torn apart. Forced to confront the demons she’s tried to bury, Ercell is thrust back into a deadly game of secrets and survival. Armed with lethal swordsmanship, cunning traps, and a fierce will to protect those she loves, she wages a brutal war against Connor’s merciless crew. Ercell’s fight to save her family becomes a journey of redemption, as she reclaims her power and embraces the warrior she once was. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Cayman Brac’s Skull Cave and towering bluffs, producers Anthony and Joe Russo present The Bluff; a gritty, adrenaline-fueled action-adventure about family, survival, and the indomitable strength of a mother’s love.

Blending historical context with modern cinematic flair, The Bluff promises to be a non-stop thrill ride, filled with gripping sword fights, tactical traps, and bloody brawls courtesy of director Frank E. Flowers, who recieves assistance from superstar filmmakers Anthony Russo, Joe Russo and Angela Russo-Otstot, who have overseen the production as producers.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas gives a fierce and physical performance like you’ve never seen her before, as the complex and dynamic heroine Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden, who navigates a treacherous battle against her violent past to protect her family, and she goes to head to head against the brooding, dark and murderous rogue Connor, who is played withj plenty of menace by Karl Urban.

The Bluff brings an epic period thriller to life, set in the uniquely historical and culturally rich Cayman Islands featuring stunning real-world locations, including the Skull Cave and the iconic bluff.

Ready yourself for a wild time on the high seas when The Bluff arrives on Prime Video on February 25.

Images: Prime Video

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Take a fresh look at The Wrecking Crew below:

 

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Here’s the official synopsis:

Two estranged half-brothers, brazen undercover cop Jonny (Jason Momoa) and disciplined Navy SEAL James (Dave Bautista) are forced to reunite after their father’s mysterious death. As they set out to uncover the truth, buried secrets resurface and loyalties are tested, unveiling a conspiracy that can tear their family apart. Together, they are ready to WRECK anything that gets in their way.

While we’re still waiting on the first trailer, The Wrecking Crew is tapping into that classic Lethal Weapon/Tango & Cash energy that audiences know and love and with Momoa and Bautista stepping up together you know it’s just going to be wild.

Another rason to get excited is because we’ve got Ángel Manuel Soto on as a director, along with Jonathan Tropper as the film’s screenwriter, who produced the superb Warrior and Banshee television series, and if you know what kind of action these series delivered then you can have an idea of what kind of wild and carzy fun we’re in store for with The Wrecking Crew.

A top-notch cast including Claes Bang, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Frankie Adams, Miyavi, with Stephen Root and Morena Baccarin provides key support, and it’s awesome to see action cinema back, and kicking serious ass for 2026.

Prime Video has delivered some great action cinema over the last year with the likes of Roadhouse and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and if you’re looking to have your adreanal gland kick into high gear then this is the time to make a plan to check out The Wrecking Crew in 2026.

So thrown on the shades, pour a Tequila, crank the Metallica and get ready for ACTION when The Wrecking Crew arrives on Prime Video on January 28.

Image: Prime Video

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