Jason Statham & Insideous Arrive in Newcastle

Anyone planning a cinema trip in Newcastle or the wider North East has a remarkably varied set of new releases to consider this weekend. Seven distinct films are scheduled to reach UK cinemas from Friday, August 21, ranging from supernatural horror and Jason Statham action to family drama and broad comedy.

They arrive in a busy local marketplace. One recent Newcastle listings snapshot counted 46 films across 11 nearby cinemas, with venues including Tyneside Cinema, Cineworld Newcastle, Everyman, Vue Gateshead, ODEON Metrocentre and ODEON Silverlink. Across the wider area, the service recorded more than 1,100 scheduled screenings, although individual programmes and times can change. CinemaTimes Newcastle listings

Mutiny and Insidious lead the mainstream contenders.

The most immediately recognisable release is Mutiny, starring Jason Statham and Annabelle Wallis. Directed by Jean-François Richet, the filmmaker behind Plane, it follows a former Royal Marine who becomes trapped at sea after being framed for a crime. The film runs for approximately 95 minutes, making it the shortest major action option of the weekend. Richet’s Plane earned around £3.7 million in the UK, offering a useful indication of the audience Mutiny may target. Salty Popcorn release guide

Horror fans have Insidious: Out of the Further, the sixth feature in the long-running supernatural series. Jacob Chase directs Amelia Eve, Lin Shaye and Sam Spruell in a story about a woman capable of travelling between realms. The BBFC lists a running time of approximately 106 minutes and warns of strong horror, violence, threat and injury detail. This is firmly an older-teen and adult choice, rather than a casual family outing. BBFC classification

Comedy, drama and cult horror broaden the choice.

For something lighter, Spa Weekend brings Leslie Mann and Michelle Buteau together under directors Scott Moore and Jon Lucas. The pair previously directed Bad Moms, which took approximately £8.1 million at the UK box office. That history gives the new comedy a credible chance of appealing to groups looking for an undemanding night out.

At the quieter end of the programme is & Sons. Bill Nighy plays a prestigious writer who summons his estranged sons, played by Dominic West, George MacKay and Noah Jupe. The 120-minute drama is likely to suit audiences who value performance-led storytelling. Its BBFC guidance notes strong language and mature themes involving bereavement, addiction and family conflict. BBFC film details

More adventurous moviegoers can investigate Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, starring Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson. Schoenbrun’s previous film, I Saw the TV Glow, made about £202,400 in the UK, modest by blockbuster standards but significant for a distinctive independent release.

British crime and an unusual train journey complete the line-up.

Craig Fairbrass and Tamer Hassan return for Rise of the Footsoldier: Retribution, the latest entry in the durable British crime franchise. Its established following may help it find an audience in Newcastle and North East multiplexes, particularly among viewers already familiar with the series.

The final release is Stop! That! Train!, directed by Adam Shankman and starring RuPaul. Shankman’s credits include Cheaper by the Dozen 2, which earned approximately $130.2 million worldwide. With an unusual star and an experienced comedy director, it may become this weekend’s wildcard.

Availability will differ between Newcastle city centre, Gateshead, North Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham, so checking live cinema listings before travelling remains essential. With several new films competing against established summer hits, the North East box office should provide an interesting test of whether audiences want scares, stunts or something more intimate.

Join the discussion below.

Which new movie are you watching in Newcastle or the North East this weekend?