Best New Movie Releases in Newcastle This Weekend

The summer cinema season continues to gather pace, with this weekend bringing one of the biggest family blockbusters of the year alongside several films already proving popular with audiences across the UK. Whether you are planning a trip to Cineworld Newcastle, Everyman on Grey Street, Tyneside Cinema, Vue Gateshead or the Odeon at the Metrocentre, there is something for every type of film fan.

Across Newcastle and the wider North East, cinemas are expecting another busy weekend as families, couples and groups of friends head indoors for the latest releases. With school holidays edging closer and blockbuster season well underway, exhibitors are offering packed schedules throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Disney's Moana sails into cinemas.

The headline release this weekend is Disney's live action adaptation of Moana, bringing one of the studio's most successful modern animated films to the big screen once again. Catherine Laga'aia takes on the title role alongside Dwayne Johnson, who returns as the voice and live action version of Maui.

The original animated Moana became one of Disney's biggest streaming successes after its 2016 release and generated more than $680 million at the global box office, making expectations particularly high for the live action remake.

Early industry forecasts suggest the film is likely to dominate family audiences throughout July, particularly with the school summer holidays approaching.

Family favourites continue to attract audiences.

While Moana is expected to dominate new ticket sales, Minions & Monsters continues to perform strongly following its recent release.

The latest instalment in the hugely successful Minions franchise earned approximately $61.4 million across its five day opening period in North America, while worldwide takings quickly climbed to almost $160 million, demonstrating that animated family films remain among the biggest attractions of the summer.

For families across Tyneside, this means plenty of choice between two of the year's biggest children's films, with most Newcastle cinemas scheduling multiple daily screenings throughout the weekend.

Toy Story 5 continues its impressive run.

Another strong performer is Toy Story 5, which remains one of the most popular films currently showing.

Although no longer a brand new release, the latest chapter in Pixar's famous franchise continues attracting large family audiences thanks to positive reviews and strong word of mouth. Industry figures show it remained one of North America's top earning films during the recent holiday weekend despite facing significant competition from newer releases.

For North East families looking for a reliable crowd pleaser, it remains one of the safest bets currently showing.

Newcastle cinema lovers have plenty of choice.

One advantage for film fans across Newcastle and the wider region is the wide range of cinema experiences available.

Those looking for luxury seating may head to Everyman Newcastle, while blockbuster fans often choose Cineworld in the city centre or the Odeon at the Metrocentre. Tyneside Cinema continues to attract audiences looking for independent films, classic screenings and special events alongside mainstream releases.

This weekend alone, Everyman Newcastle is showing around 14 different films across hundreds of screenings, highlighting just how varied the local cinema offering has become.

Why cinemas remain popular despite streaming.

Streaming services continue to dominate home entertainment, but cinema attendance remains strong whenever major releases arrive.

Research across the film industry consistently shows that blockbuster releases still generate significant audience demand because viewers value premium sound systems, large format screens and the shared cinema experience that cannot easily be recreated at home.

Summer also remains one of the busiest periods for UK cinemas, with studios deliberately scheduling their biggest family and adventure films during school holiday season.

What North East audiences should know before visiting.

Most Newcastle cinemas recommend booking online before travelling, particularly for evening performances of major family releases.

Weekend screenings for Moana are expected to sell quickly, especially during Saturday afternoon and Sunday lunchtime performances.

Many cinemas across the region also continue offering discounted family tickets, loyalty memberships and premium large format screens, making it worth checking individual cinema websites before booking.

If you are planning to visit the Metrocentre, Newcastle city centre or Silverlink this weekend, allowing extra travel time is also sensible as shopping and leisure destinations are likely to be busier than usual.

A strong summer of cinema lies ahead.

This weekend marks the beginning of an exciting few weeks for cinema fans, with several major Hollywood releases arriving before the end of July.

For North East audiences, the combination of family favourites, blockbuster adventures and independent releases means there has rarely been a better time to enjoy a trip to the cinema. Whether you are introducing younger viewers to Moana, catching up with the Minions or revisiting old friends in Toy Story 5, local cinemas are set for another lively weekend of entertainment.

Share your thoughts.

Which new movie coming out this weekend are you most excited to see?