NEWS: Princess Mononoke Returns to UK and Irish Cinemas in 4K Restoration

By Jon Donnis

Princess Mononoke is set to return to cinemas across the UK and Ireland in a brand-new 4K restoration from 17 October 2025. Presented by Elysian Film Group, the release offers audiences the chance to experience Hayao Miyazaki's acclaimed fantasy epic as part of the celebrations for Studio Ghibli's 40th anniversary.

The restoration has been a decade in the making, overseen by Studio Ghibli's Atsushi Okui, director of digital imaging, who has worked on nearly every major project at the studio since 1993. This careful process ensures the film is shown exactly as Miyazaki and his team intended.

Princess Mononoke remains one of Studio Ghibli's most ambitious achievements, combining hand-drawn animation with a sweeping original story from Miyazaki, produced by Toshio Suzuki and elevated by Joe Hisaishi's celebrated score. First released in 1997, the film quickly became a landmark of Japanese animation, winning global recognition for its artistry and storytelling.

Elysian Film Group has been steadily building on Ghibli's cinematic legacy in the UK, following the success of The Boy and the Heron, which became the studio's highest-grossing release in the region. Their reissues of classics such as My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away have also drawn strong audiences, showing the enduring appeal of these films on the big screen. The return of Princess Mononoke continues that tradition, offering fans both old and new the chance to witness Miyazaki's masterpiece in its best form yet.

The 4K restoration of Princess Mononoke opens exclusively in UK and Irish cinemas on 17 October 2025.

PREVIEW: The Shadow’s Edge (2025 Film) - Starring Jackie Chan

Preview by Jon Donnis

Jackie Chan returns to cinemas this autumn in The Shadow's Edge, taking on a criminal gang unlike any he has faced before.

A cyber gang makes off with billions, slipping past the police's "Sky Eye" surveillance system. With the authorities out of options, they turn to Wong Tak-Chung, a retired tracking expert played by Chan. Reluctantly, he steps back into the game, mentoring rookie officer He Qiuguo, played by Zhang Zifeng, as they assemble a small but elite surveillance team. Their target is Fu Longsheng, the "Wolf King," played by Leung Ka Fai Tony. What starts as a hunt quickly becomes a tense game, with the thieves ready to strike back at any moment.

Chan and Leung share the screen for the first time in twenty years, their last film together being The Myth. Chan, now 71, returns to a law enforcement role he has played in different forms throughout his career, this time as a veteran officer facing a new kind of threat.

Leung, at 67, embraces villainy once more. Known for taking on very different roles with each project, he balances the physical and psychological demands of the part, showing a side that is both dangerous and precise. For someone who has mostly focused on arthouse films recently, this is a noticeable shift.

The film is directed by Larry Yang, whose previous work includes Ride On and Mountain Cry, and who shapes the story into a modern take on the classic cat-and-mouse thriller.

The Shadow's Edge opens in UK cinemas on 3 October, presented by Trinity CineAsia.

COMPETITION: Win Derelict on Blu-ray

Gritty, award-winning drama Derelict, garnered extensive acclaim from critics and audiences alike on its premiere at FrightFest and now is set to arrive on Blu-ray and digital this September. The Blu-ray release via 101 Films features a slew of special features and a stunning reversible sleeve. 

And to celebrate we have a copy on Blu-ray to give away!

Synopsis:

Abigail (Fulton), a young woman consumed by the brutal murder of her father, spirals into a world of seclusion, obsession and revenge. 10 years have passed since her father’s death, and she is hellbent on punishing those who have caused her immense pain. 

 

Through a compelling non-liner structure, Abigail’s world collides with Matt’s (Coombes), a young man whose already turbulent life is upended by the return of his estranged brother, Ewan (Bird), from prison. Matt’s sensitive nature contrasts that of his intimidating criminal brother, who pulls Matt into the dangerous and toxic world he inhabits. 

 

Morals will be questioned and sympathies tested in this powerful and complex exploration of loss, upheaval, revenge and isolation. 

 

Groundbreaking, bold, unconventional, Derelict is a gradual descent into the emotional wreckage left behind by violence and raises the question: is closure ever truly possible? 

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/3IcYHNq

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who directs Derelict?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here

1. Closing date 29-09-25

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

PREVIEW: Christy (2025 Film) - Starring Sydney Sweeney

Preview by Jon Donnis

David Michôd, best known for Animal Kingdom, The King and The Rover, returns with Christy, a drama based on the extraordinary life of Christy Martin. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September and will soon arrive in the UK, screening as a Headline Gala at the 69th BFI London Film Festival on 17 October. UK and Irish cinemas will release it on 28 November.

At the heart of the story is Sydney Sweeney as Christy Martin, a small-town girl from West Virginia who discovers an unlikely gift for fighting. Her natural toughness and drive take her into the boxing world, where she comes under the guidance of her trainer and manager Jim, played by Ben Foster. Jim becomes central to her rise but also to the challenges she faces in her personal life.

The film does not shy away from Christy's off-ring struggles. While she builds a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest moments play out in her relationships, her family, and in questions of identity. These battles shape her just as much as her professional career, and the film positions her as a figure of resilience and survival as much as sporting achievement.

Michôd's work has often dealt with characters under pressure, and Christy Martin's story fits that mould perfectly. With a combination of energy, grit and emotional depth, Christy looks set to offer more than a sports biopic. It promises a gripping account of a woman who fought not just for titles but for her own life.

REVIEW: Light of the World (2025 Film) - Starring Ian Hanlin and Benjamin Jacobson

Review by Jon Donnis

Light of the World is an unusual thing to see in cinemas right now. A hand-drawn animated film about the life of Jesus, told through the eyes of the Apostle John. Directed by Tom Bancroft and John J. Schafer, it looks and feels like something from the classic Disney era, and that alone makes it stand out.

The story runs through all the familiar beats, starting with young John and his family, and moving into Jesus' ministry, the miracles, the crucifixion and resurrection. None of this will be new to anyone who grew up with the Bible, but seeing it framed through John's eyes gives it a more curious, almost childlike angle. Jesus feels approachable here, not some distant figure but someone who talks, laughs, and carries a real warmth. That makes it easier for younger audiences to connect.

The animation is the big draw. It's gorgeous in places, full of colour and detail, and clearly made with care. There's a certain magic to seeing a Biblical story given that old-school treatment, and it makes you wonder why we don't see more films like this. Voice work is strong too, especially Ian Hanlin as Jesus, who brings a calm, steady presence. Benjamin Jacobson makes John feel wide-eyed but not naive, which is important when the whole film is resting on his perspective.

Light of the World has its heart in the right place, and it's clearly made to introduce kids to the story of Jesus in a way that feels both respectful and accessible. There are not many well-made animated Biblical films, and this one is worth celebrating.

For me, Light of the World is a lovely, sincere effort, beautifully animated and voiced, and it captures the heart of the story. I'd give it a solid 9 out of 10.

In Cinemas Now