The top cinema releases to catch this festive season

PADDINGTON IN PERU (Out Now)

Hugh Grant recently revealed that once, while at an awards show, the announcer presented him as “Hugh Grant, star of Paddington”, referring to the family-friendly adventure story that was soon to be released – and the audience full of Hollywood stars and dramatic actors tittered in disdain, wondering how far Grant’s career had fallen that he was now doing children’s films.

Little did they know that the Paddington film franchise would become not only universally beloved by audiences, but critically acclaimed. Indeed, Paddington 2 holds an unheard-of 99% ‘Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, having made over $227 million at the worldwide box office and earned three Bafta nominations – including one for Grant. The third film in the franchise again features the voice of Ben Whishaw as the eponymous bear, with additional stars including the likes of Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters and Olivia Coleman.

The story follows Paddington’s adventures as he journeys into the jungles of Peru to find Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), who has gone missing. The Paddington movies are known and cherished for their humour, warmth and charm, so gather the whole family and enjoy this festive treat.

PIECE BY PIECE (Out Now)

You’ve seen Batman’s life told in Lego, and now it’s time to turn from superheroes to music superstars, as musician and producer Pharrell Williams’ life is transformed into a Lego movie adventure. While Piece By Piece features the innovative visuals and boisterous energy of the other critically acclaimed Lego movies, it also features more earnestness, telling Williams’ life story and using real voices for the dialogue and music (Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Snoop and Daft Punk all make appearances).

This blend of realism and playfulness fits Williams’ spirit and style, as his mind is presented as a kaleidoscopic whirlwind of dreams, ambitions, ideas and slick products – but his passion for creating is real. Williams’ biggest hits of course make appearances, with ‘Happy’ proving a mood-lifter, as ever. There’s also a chronicling of the chart-toppers he produced in the ’90s and 2000s, with ‘Hot in Here’ and ‘Hollaback Girl’ keeping the energy, playfulness and nostalgia high.

WICKED (Out Now)

Overlooking a marketing snafu that branded Wicked merchandise with a very adult website, the PR team for Wicked have been all over this adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical since last Christmas. They’ve teased fans with snippets of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as frenemies Glinda and Elphaba, and chronicled the grand production of this upcoming musical.

Directed by Jon M. Chu of Crazy Rich Asians, the lush visuals are set to be as spectacular as the singing, with all of the musical’s beloved songs performed not only by Grande and Erivo, but also co-stars Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater, with Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum appearing as well. Camp, creative and immersive, Wicked is set to be the musical sensation of the year.

HOUSEWIFE OF THE YEAR (Out Now)

If you fancy an Irish documentary this winter, look no further than Ciaran Cassidy’s funny and poignant examination of the changing role of women in Irish society. From 1969 to 1995, women across Ireland vied for the title of Housewife of the Year, a contest that celebrated skills in cooking, caregiving, and traditional household management.

First aired on RTÉ in 1982, the show not only aired the competition but also offered glimpses into the contestants’ everyday lives at home, creating a rich nationwide portrait of ordinary women. In this film, former participants reflect on their experiences, expressing their astonishment at how they once accepted societal norms, while recounting personal stories of marriage bars, limited access to contraception, the Magdalene Laundries, financial hardship, marital struggles and the burden of shame. The result is a deeply moving, sometimes humorous, and ultimately inspiring narrative about a generation of strong women and a country undergoing profound change.

CONCLAVE (November 29)

If, in the wake of Ireland’s general election, and only a few weeks after Trump was elected US President, you’re sick to death of real politics, maybe escape into a fictional drama that has all the tension and intrigue of a real election – without the depressingly real outcome.

This intelligent, pacy and stylish thriller focuses on the methodical, ruthless and drama-filled election of a new Pope, and stars Ralph Fiennes as the cardinal overseeing the sequestered voting bloc. The battle between ideology, institution and individual ego plays out in a fascinating power struggle, as candidates perform humility while chomping at the bit for their chance to lead.

Stanley Tucci plays the leading liberal candidate, while John Lithgow is unctuous traditionalist and right-wing reactionary Sergio Castellitto, who detests the Church’s multiculturalism. Thought-provoking, brilliantly performed and sinfully enjoyable.

QUEER (December 5)

Luca Guadagnino is quickly becoming known as the director putting the sex back into cinema and the sexiness back into sex. The director of Call Me Your Name and Challengers returns with Queer, based on the semi-autobiographical novel by William Burroughs and following American William Lee (Daniel Craig), who lives in Mexico City in the 1950s.

When William becomes infatuated with a drug-addicted, discharged American Navy serviceman (Drew Starkey), love, lust and surrealism play out during sweaty dalliances in Mexico and ayahuasca trips in the jungle. Guadagnino understands eroticism, unrequited love and torment intimately, and with the added appeal of bizarre comedy and a show-stopping cameo from Lesley Manville, this is not to be missed.

NOSFERATU (January 3)

Robert Eggers has made a name for himself as a director with a singular style. Always fascinated by the way religion and folklore intersect and shape our understanding of the world, his films The Witch and The Lighthouse both played with ideas of paranoia and the supernatural.

It’s no surprise, then, that Eggers has now turned his attention to Dracula, with Nosferatu a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her. With a cast that includes Willem Dafoe, Nicholas Hoult and Bill Skarsgard as the sickly and sexual Count Orlock, this is sure to be the perfect creepfest for the dark nights of the new year.