A YouTuber-backed indie horror just ran circles around studio titles at the New Zealand box office—and that upset sets the tone for a week packed with big swings. We start with the data and dig into why Iron Lung connected: a tight hook, social reach, and a promise horror fans could rally around. From there, we turn to three fresh releases competing for very different moods and audiences, mapping out who each film serves and how they might perform once the first-week buzz fades.

First up: Wuthering Heights, led by Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, aims to bring Brontë’s storm-soaked romance to a new crowd. We talk chemistry, style risk, and whether modern sheen helps or hurts a story built on obsession and ruin. Then we switch gears to Crime 101, a sleek heist thriller with Chris Hemsworth as an elusive thief, Halle Berry in the crosshairs, and Mark Ruffalo closing in. With Bart Layton at the helm, the film promises sharp set pieces and character-driven stakes—exactly what’s been missing in crime cinema lately.

We also spotlight Marama, a Kiwi gothic revenge horror set in Victorian England, threaded with Māori taonga and the weight they carry. Early audience reactions are glowing, and the RP16 rating could broaden access for teens when a straight R might have kept them out. We break down how ratings shape turnout, why cultural specificity can make horror hit harder, and where this film could land in the weekend rankings. Plus, we share a listener’s path into the cinema industry and tease a special 10th anniversary celebration for Hunt for the Wilderpeople that we’re helping bring to screens across the country.

Hit play for clear picks, smart context, and a few bold predictions. If you’re into box office strategy, star chemistry, and standout local stories, you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs movie plans, and tell us: which film are you seeing first and why?

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What happens when a creator-led indie horror storms 3,000+ theaters while studio tentpoles still rule the charts? We kick off Season 4 by unpacking a summer that brought crowds back, from Zootopia 2’s family juggernaut to Avatar: Fire and Ash proving its staying power without chasing old records. Then we turn to the wild card everyone’s talking about: Iron Lung, a claustrophobic nightmare born from a cult video game and powered into cinemas by a massive online fanbase. It’s not just a release—it’s a distribution experiment that could reshape how audience-driven films reach the big screen.

We pair that with Send Help, a sharp, survival-driven thriller starring Rachel McAdams as a competent worker stranded with her overbearing boss after a crash. The result is equal parts tension and dark humor, with Sam Raimi’s genre instincts pushing the pace. For a contrast in tone and texture, The Coral offers a moving British period drama set in 1916 Yorkshire, where a choral society recruits wounded veterans and welcomes a brilliant yet mistrusted choirmaster. It’s a story about loss, suspicion, and the healing force of shared music—perfect for viewers who crave resonance over spectacle.

Awards talk adds spice: Timothy Chalamet’s acclaimed turn in Marty Supreme, a nomination tsunami for Sinners, and a spirited debate over Mercy, where an AI judge weighs guilt and probability. We also celebrate the local side of cinema: a packed festival stop, a heartfelt Q&A and song from Don McGlashan, and new indie shoots happening inside the theater itself. We close with our box office predictions for Iron Lung in New Zealand—split picks, no spoilers—and an open invite to weigh in. If you love bold releases, smart genre blends, and the community that keeps cinemas alive, you’re in the right place. Subscribe, share with a friend, and tell us: which film has your ticket this week?

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!

A year that felt like a cliffhanger deserved a finale with stakes. We open with a candid pulse check on the film industry—streamer chess moves, lawsuits on the horizon, and a box office that held steady only because a few heavy hitters carried the load. From there, we dive into what actually moved audiences. Nuremberg, anchored by a commanding Russell Crowe, started quiet and gathered steam as word spread about its historical accuracy and gripping tension. Then we champion our sleeper of the season: The Housemaid. With Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried trading sharp, twisty turns, this psychological thriller begins with restraint and ends with crowd-pleasing catharsis—the kind of movie people push their friends to see.

Of course, the blue elephant in the room is Avatar: Fire and Ash. We unpack the buzz, the 3D spectacle, the Ash People conflict, and the simple reality that three-plus-hour epics ask for both time and ticket money. Will the scale win out over fatigue? We put real numbers on the line with a tie-breaking bet. Along the way, we spotlight current and upcoming options: Christmas Karma’s modern Dickens spin, Ella McKay’s scrappy political dramedy, Sadie Frost’s bright-eyed Twiggy doc, and a slate of 2026 titles ranging from meta-comedy remakes to heartfelt music dramas and smart sci-fi. We also celebrate New Zealand’s top earners, including a homegrown triumph in Tina and the crowd-power of live-action reimaginings and gaming IP.

It wasn’t all hits. We share best-of lists that balance franchise thrills with tender indies, then get honest about the letdowns—reboots that missed the spark and superhero entries that felt tired. The throughline is simple: audiences reward clarity, character, and craft, even when budgets are tight. Cinema still shines when the room is cool, the lights go down, and a story earns your attention. Join us for a season wrap that’s frank, hopeful, and packed with recommendations. If you enjoyed the conversation, follow the show, share it with a movie-loving friend, and leave a quick review—what film surprised you most this year?

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!