Stunt comedy ‘The Fall Guy’ opens May’s new cinema releases

30 Apr 2024 in New Releases

7 mins
A truck with a jib crane drives through a desert.
A truck with a jib crane drives through a desert.

This month's new cinema releases are bursting with action, adventure, and ambitious dreams, poised to inspire and delight young audiences across the UK. Unsung heroes of the film industry are given the spotlight in a stuntman comedy and Martin Scorsese's tribute to his favourite filmmaking duo Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Athletes shine on the big screen in an Irish cheerleading documentary and a historical swimming biopic. Amazing visual effects and fantastical worlds are at the heart of new sci-fi and post-apocalyptic blockbusters. And family, friendships, and furriness are celebrated in a wildly imaginative live-action animated hybrid and a hilarious cat "tail".

The Fall Guy (12A) - in cinemas 2 May 2024

Stunt performers are the secret stars of cinema: they expertly take on the blows, the crashes, and the falls in place of the main actors, bringing gritty spectacle and awe that remain unparalleled by CGI (computer generated imagery). This action-packed comedy flips the focus on Colt Seavers, a stuntman with one too many injuries acquired in the line of duty, who finds himself once more on a set with film director Jody, who he has a huge crush on. When the star of the show Tom Ryder goes missing, it's up to Colt to track him down, unexpectedly calling upon all his stage-fighting and car-chasing skills to deal with the shady underworld that Ryder has been mixed up in.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (12A) - in cinemas 10 May 2024

This latest instalment of the sci-fi franchise takes a deeply moral look at societal structures and the lessons of history. Almost three centuries have passed since the events of War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), in which enslaved apes threw off their shackles. They are now the dominant species, while humans have regressed to a wild and primitive existence. A new ape leader, Proximus Caesar, equipped with weapons made from abandoned human technology, has become just as tyrannical as those who once subjugated his own kind. But one young ape named Noa begins to question what he has been taught and sets out on a dangerous journey with a human girl to determine the destinies of both apes and humans.

Three apes wearing hunting gear move through a jungle stream.

Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger (12A) - in cinemas 10 May 2024

As a young boy in New York, director Martin Scorsese had his first taste of the power of cinema by watching old British films on TV. These spellbinding visions were the work of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, the filmmaking team behind The Red Shoes and A Matter of Life and Death and many more bold, spectacular, versatile and deeply philosophical films. In this documentary, Scorsese looks back on the highs and lows of the careers of these fiercely independent filmmakers, analysing their films and sharing insights on their profound influence on his own movies. This is a true love letter to the artform, set to inspire filmmaking and cineliteracy among young audiences.

IF (U) - in cinemas 17 May 2024

An imaginary friend can be a huge support to a child, helping them overcome issues with confidence and loneliness, a personal buddy that no-one else can see. But what happens when the child grows up and no longer needs them? In this bombastic live-action and animation hybrid, a young girl called Bea and her neighbour Cal discover they can see other people's childhood imaginary friends, or IFs for short. These lovable creatures, ranging from furry purple giants to talking bananas, are as vivid to them as they once were to the kids who dreamt them up. It's now up to Cal and Bea to reunite the IFs with those who deep down still need them, as well as finding them new companions.

Still from the film IF (2024) A girl looks at a big furry purple creature.

Eat/Sleep/Cheer/Repeat (certificate TBC) - in cinemas 17 May 2024

We may think of competitive cheerleading as a typically American teenage passion, but a fiercely dedicated team of young people in Ireland eat, dream and sleep the sport, giving them so much more than just physical strength, as this uplifting documentary reveals. The film follows the squad of athletes as they prepare to compete in the World Cheerleading Championships, the Olympics of the cheer world: there's the occasionally overwrought coach Hinton, the cheering natural Bláthnaid who struggles with dyslexia, the lovable rogue Rickie, the supportive yet concerned parents, and a whole lot of sparkle and bronzer. A coming-of-age film about sacrifice, teamwork, and discovering who you are.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (certificate TBC) - in cinemas 24 May 2024

In this adrenaline-fueled prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road (available to watch for free on Into Film+ Premium*) we discover the tumultuous origin story of the iconic character Imperator Furiosa, warrior, protector, renegade. Before her fight for survival in the post-apocalyptic Wasteland, a young Furiosa grew up in the peaceful Green Place of Many Mothers. But she is torn away from her family and catapulted into a world of savagery, as two ruthless tyrants wage war for dominance. She will devote her life to finding a way home, overcoming many challenges that shape her into a strong-willed and moral leader, not to mention a terrific desert motorist. This breathtaking film is a celebration of positive feminist action heroes, using dystopia to examine primordial truths.

A woman with a painted forehead reverses a car in a desert

The Garfield Movie (U) - in cinemas 24 May 2024

The hilarious misadventures of the comic strip moggie get a revamp in this delightful animated feature. As a little kitten abandoned by his papa cat, Garfield is adopted by a kind human called Jon. He soon discovers the perks of pet life: lasagna, pizza, and lazing around all day. But the orange tabby and his canine friend Odie's comfortable routine is interrupted by the sudden appearance of brawny alley cat Vic, who is none other than Garfield's long-lost father. Vic is on the run from a seriously vicious feline and needs his son's help to pull off a wild heist. With themes of family, courage and exploration, this joyful adventure is about stepping up to the plate - whether it is food related or not.

The Young Woman and the Sea (certificate TBC) - in cinemas 31 May 2024

Biopics are a powerful tool to introduce young audiences to remarkable individuals, as well to teach curriculum subjects through relatable and personal stories. This inspiring tale follows Gertrude Ederle, an American Olympic champion who, in 1925, embarks on an ambitious mission: to swim across the English Channel, a feat only previously achieved by five men. As the twenty-year-old trains, many try and dissuade her from attempting the 21-mile sea crossing, but thanks to the support of her sister Margaret and her own unwavering determination, she overcomes adversity and sexist assumptions to prove that, far from being weak, women can do anything that they set their mind to.

A woman wearing a bathing suit and swimming cap looks at the sea.

Find out where these films are playing near you with tickets.co.uk

* Screenings for an entertainment or extra-curricular purpose require a PVS (Public Video Screening) Licence from Filmbankmedia. State-funded schools in England are covered by the PVS Licence. Into Film and the Into Film+ streaming service is supported by the UK film industry through Cinema First and the BFI through National Lottery Funding, thanks to National Lottery players.

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