What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 1st January 2026.

As 2025 draws to a close, all that remains for me to say is to wish you the very best for a safe, healthy, prosperous and happy New Year. Wherever you are in the world, get out and watch a movie at your local multiplex or independent cinema and support all those working tirelessly in front and behind the camera. This past year I've Reviewed fifty new movies and have Previewed 253, and so many thanks for your continuing support and readership over the past twelve months. I look forward to bringing you more of the same content throughout 2026, kicking off at the end of January, as I'm taking the next month off as many Aussie's do during the summer holiday period. Until next time . . . at your local Odeon.

Looking ahead to the first new release movies of 2026, we kick off with a biographical musical drama film charting the highs and lows of a husband and wife Milwaukee Neil Diamond tribute band. This is followed up by a British historical drama offering in which a choral society's male members enlist in World War I, leaving the demanding choirmaster to recruit teenagers, and together, they experience the joy of singing. Next up we have a Chinese Sci-Fi drama film set in a society where people stop dreaming to extend their lifespan, yet some dangerous individuals still dream, warping the fabric of time. And closing out the week we have an animated fantasy adventure comedy film about an unlikely duo Mr. Fish, a pouty introvert and an energetic sea dragon, who embark on a daunting quest to find a legendary fish to grant their wish to save their homes.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the four latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.

'SONG SUNG BLUE' (Rated M) - this American biographical musical drama film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Craig Brewer and is based on the 2008 documentary film of the same name by Greg Kohs. Craig Brewer's prior feature film making efforts include 'Hustle & Flow' in 2005, 'Black Snake Moan' in 2006, 'Footloose' (the remake) in 2011, 'Dolemite Is My Name' in 2019, and 'Coming 2 America' in 2021. This film had its World Premiere screening at the AFI Film Festival in late October last year, has garnered generally favourable critical reviews and has so far grossed US$13M from its production budget of US$30M since its release Stateside on Christmas Day. 

Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians Mike and Claire Sardina (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band they call 'Lightning and Thunder'. Along their musical journey together they experience soaring success and devastating heartbreak, while still proving that it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams. Also starring Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi and King Princess.

'THE CHORAL' (Rated M) - is a British historical drama film that is Co-Produced and Directed by Nicholas Hytner and is Written by Alan Bennet. Hytner's previous film output takes in 'The Madness of King George' in 1994, 'The Crucible' in 1996, 'The Object of My Affection' in 1998, 'Centre Stage' in 2000, 'The History Boys' in 2006 and 'The Lady in the Van' in 2015. Here, set in 1916 as war rages on the Western Front, the Choral Society in the fictional town of Ramsden, Yorkshire has lost most of its men to the army. The Choral's ambitious committee, determined to press ahead, decides to recruit local young males to swell their ranks. They must also engage a new chorus master, and despite their suspicions that he has something to hide, their best bet seems to be Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes) - driven, uncompromising, and recently returned from a career in Germany. As conscription papers start to arrive, the whole community discovers that the best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together. Also starring Roger Allam, Mark Addy, Alun Armstrong, Simon Russell Beale and Robert Emms. The film saw its World Premiere screening at TIFF in early September last year, was released in the UK in early November, has so far grossed US$5M and has garnered mixed or average reviews. 

'RESURRECTION' (Rated MA15+) - this epic Chinese and French Co-Produced Sci-Fi drama film is Co-Written, Directed and Edited by Bi Gan who also helmed 'Long Day's Journey into Night' in 2018. This film follows Miss Shu (Shu Qi) in a future where most of humanity has lost the capacity to dream, who discovers that one inhuman creature (Jackson Yee) is still able to experience them. She enters the monster's dreams, using her ability to perceive illusions to determine the truth in its visions of Chinese history. The film is structured into six chapters, each corresponding to one of the six senses recognised in Buddhist thought - sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and mind. The film had its World Premiere showcasing in late May last year at the Cannes Film Festival in Official Competition, was released in China in late November, in France in mid-December, having so far grossed US$27M and generated universal critical acclaim. 

'THE POUT-POUT FISH' (Rated G) - is an Australian and US produced animated fantasy adventure comedy film Directed by Ricard Cusso and Rio Harrington, and is based on the collection of children's books published between 2008 and 2022 by Deborah Diesen. Living on a rundown shipwreck, Mr. Fish (voiced by Nick Offerman) one day discovers a hyperactive young leafy sea dragon Pip (Nina Oyama) who had mistaken his home for a junkyard - pilfering his belongings. The heated argument that ensues leaves both their houses in ruin. But there is hope. Embarking on a seemingly impossible quest in search of the mythical Siamese fighting fish 'Shimmer' (Jordin Sparks) to grant them a wish, there's only one problem - someone else is on the hunt. Also starring Miranda Otto, Remy Hii, Mark Coles Smith, Grant Denyer and Nazeem Hussain. The film will be released towards the end of March in the US.

With four new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the week ahead.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-