Win a double pass to see Project Hail Mary in cinemas

To celebrate the release of Ryan Gosling's new film Project Hail Mary, in cinemas March 19, thanks to Sony Pictures NZ, you can win a double pass.

About Project Hail Mary

Science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. 

As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. 

He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction... but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.

Project Hail Mary is in cinemas March 19

The Bride: Movie Review

Cast: Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, Penelope Cruz, Jake Gyllenhaal
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Jessie Buckley's star continues to rise in The Bride.

The Bride! takes some big swings under the helmship of Maggie Gyllenhaal - and it largely pays dividends, delivering an audacious film that feels like nothing else out there. Until its final third when it falls drastically off the rails.

Buckley is Ida, who's murdered at the start of the film by a mobster boss, who believes her loose tongue will cause them problems. Unceremoniously dumped, she's recovered by Christian Bale's Frankenstein and Dr Euphonious (a toothy Bening) after the monster decides he needs companionship.

However, when the Bride comes back to life, her memory is shattered and she embarks on a quest to rediscover and reclaim her identity, sweeping up those around her in an ongoing crusade.

There's much to love about the Bride! as it swirls around the idea of a monster-led Bonnie and Clyde (though its use of the Monster Mash at the end seems trite and cheesy). A feminist romp that's about women fighting back will have many complaining about its woke edges, but Gyllenhaal's crafted a story that, while all the loose ends don't tie up, is for the most part, completely engaging and chaotically bonkers at the same time.

Less Gothic, more gangster, it feels like a spiritual partner to Joker: Folie A Deux, with less of the maudlin touches to go on. Central to all of this is Buckley, a dual edged performance that is filled with energy, surprise, sadness, tragedy and compassion in equal measures. It's a tour de force and a full commitment from Buckley pays dividends in what's likely to be a polarising performance.

Bale's turn is soulful, one that tunes into the loneliness of the monster and who aches for connection, before erupting into extreme violence. But he's lesser than the sum of his parts here, a not quite equal to Buckley's brilliance - despite an out-there dance number for Putting On The Ritz.

Perhaps less successful are Sarsgaard and Cruz's detectives who come into the story to investigate the spree and who feel like they're barely in enough to warrant much of an arc - even if Cruz's character forms part of the feminist allegory that plays out.

Ultimately, The Bride! is a film which bursts onto the screen with such chutzpah and steam that it's inevitably going to falter - which it sadly does toward the end - but for large swathes of the 2 hour journey, Gyllenhaal's inventive and gender-swapped take on the Bride of Frankenstein is one that has a unique voice, that deserves to be applauded.

Hunt For The Wilderpeople to return to cinemas for 10th anniversary

Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople will return to cinemas nationwide over Easter to mark the 10th anniversary of its original release.. Anniversary screenings across Aotearoa will be a communal experience to celebrate this modern Aotearoa classic with the film being shown in a 4K version,starting with a nationwide celebration on Tuesday 31 March.

A decade on from its 2016 release, Hunt for the Wilderpeople remains New Zealand’s highest grossing local film at the box office and holds a place in the country’s cultural identity.

“Ten years?! Absolutely not. That’s fake news. I refuse to believe time works like that because it would mean I’m older, and frankly I’ve decided that’s not my brand,” says director Taika Waititi. “In my mind, Julian is still ten years old, I’m still wearing the same trackpants, and we’ve only just finished arguing about snacks in the bush. But honestly, seeing Hunt for the Wilderpeople come back is pretty special — it was this weird little Kiwi story about finding your place and your people, and somehow the world adopted it like a stray dog. If anything, the re-release just proves that good stories don’t age… which is great, because clearly neither do I.”

The film features some of our most beloved actors Julian Dennison, Sam Neill, Rachel House, Rhys Darby, Rima Te Wiata, Oscar Kightley, Taika Waititi, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Troy Kingi, Cohen Holloway, Stan Walker, Mike Minogue, Hamish Parkinson and Lloyd Scott.

Julian Dennison, who rose to fame as the iconic Ricky Baker said: “Woah – 10 years. 10 years of the skuxxiest people, 10 years of the nummiest treats and 10 years of running around the bush. Thank you guys for loving it as much as we do. Make sure you go and see it this Easter, and make sure you go and live that skux life because remember, we didn’t choose the skux life, the skux life chose us.”

“That rarity from Aotearoa - a comedy. It seems impossible that it was 10 years ago now. But I really look forward to seeing it on the big screen again,” adds acting royalty and all round legend Sam Neill who played gruff Uncle Hec. “It is the kind of film that really is much more fun with an audience. I loved my fellow cast , loved my genius director Taika Waititi, loved the whole experience. Save me a seat, wherever you are!”

Local cinemas are setting up in various ways to make the night one to remember. Fans can purchase tickets to screenings on March 31st from huntforthewilderpeople.com 

To also mark the anniversary, a range of commemorative collaborations have launched in recent weeks. 

NZ Post has released a series of stamps featuring images photographed by Kane Skennar for the film. These are available for purchase on the NZ Post Collectables website at collectables.nzpost.co.nz/wilderpeople. 

Impressed Recordings will release the official soundtrack on vinyl for the first time. Composed by Moniker, the Wellington trio of Luke Buda, Samuel Flynn Scott and Conrad Wedde, the score will be available in two editions, including a strictly limited Skux Edition of 300 heavyweight clear vinyl copies featuring a silver fern within the pressing. The Skux Edition is personally signed by Taika Waititi on a red, individually-numbered Swanndri print obi strip. The vinyl is available for presales now and will be available at the end of April 2026 via impressedrecordings.com, with a small allocation to selected record stores worldwide.

Garage Project are brewing a limited edition “Majestical Lager” especially to celebrate the 10thanniversary of the film. The beer will be released alongside the re-released film, and will be available at cinemas and retailers across the country, as well as from Garage Project venues, including their online store at www.garageproject.co.nz.

Square Eyes Screen Foundation, champions of cross-generational cinema, is partnering with the New Zealand Film Commission to ensure a new generation of young New Zealanders can collectively watch Hunt for the Wilderpeople on the big screen. More information available via www.square-eyes.co.nz and www.facebook.com/squareeyesscreenfoundation 

Producer, Carthew Neal says the birthday celebration is designed to bring audiences together in the way the film was intended to be seen:

“Remastering the film has reminded us just how extraordinary it is on the big screen — the heartwarming story, the hilarious cast, and immersive sounds of Aotearoa's bush and native bird life found nowhere else on earth. Cinema marks our culture, and this film resonated with the country, so now is the time to bring your whānau together, and celebrate our stories.” 

Tenor: My Name Is Pati: Movie Review

Director: Rebecca Tansley

Director Rebecca Tansley's foray into the world of opera and the world of the Pati brothers has an immense charm, but it feels distinctly like a documentary that's afraid to dig too deep into its subjects - or perhaps more worryingly, there's not exactly the depth there to explore.

That's not to denigrate Pene and Amitai Pati, brothers and two-thirds of the excellent pop-opera crossover band Sol3Mio, whose patented brand of classical music and modern sensibilities has proved incredibly - and rightly - popular.

And there's always something to be said for films that represent different cultures and given the Samoan connection to family, there's much here to suggest this genial doco will find a wider audience and support across the board.

But the hint of the more interesting angle in the film - the burden of responsibility eldest brother Pene has on his shoulders - is somewhat sidelined in favour of the fullas revisiting their past and reuniting with family in Samoa.

Even the pressure of being separated from his wife Amina Edris as they both work across the world in operas is only hinted at, a necessary evil of their professions. But Tansley's not keen to either dig deeper into the downside of fame on a relationship.

It's an intriguing thread that's dangled a couple of times in the film - and end footage of Pene recording Nessum Dorma with worries over the quality of his own voice shows him struggling with the prospect and frustrations of failure. 

It's fair to say though that Tenor: My Name is Pati, which purports to be about the two brothers but favours Pene over Amitai is a testament and salute to the power of family, as well as the power of community support.

Tansley makes great fist of archival footage of the brothers growing up, and demonstrates that even with their apparent inherent talent, the duo come from humble beginnings which build on their sense of community dwelling and support. Visiting old rest homes where they worked, checking in on a music teacher who believed in them first and having colleagues espouse almost hyperbolic levels of praise, it's clear there's love for these boys and what they've achieved.

Intrinsic moments, such as exploring the impact of how the New Zealand government's treatment of overstayers in the 1970s merely propelled them to want to achieve success, go some way to painting a portrait of what their achievements are and how integral they've been to their community.

But too often, Tenor: My Name is Pati heads too closely into shying away from going beyond the decency of these boys - it's a fascinating document of how being nice can lead to success, but its darker edges, which cry out for closer examination, are left frustratingly in the wings.

Sirāt: Movie Review

Cast: Sergi López, Bruno Núñez Arjona, Richard Bellamy, Stefania Gadda, Joshua Liam  Henderson, Tonin Janvier, Jade Oukid 

Director: Oliver Laxe

There are two major events in Sirāt that absolutely defy belief.

But, Oliver Laxe's movie is polarising because of those singular moments, which the whole film leads towards.

Beginning with a simple sequence of a dance party in the middle of the Moroccan deserts, the film starts with speakers being stacked up high, switched on and beats pushed out through their subwoofers. As the sound begins to enchant the gathered crowds and they surrender to the rhythms, the film feels like an extended party.

However, in the middle of this, a man with a rucksack Luis, along with his young son Esteban pushes through the crowds, dishing out flyers and desperately trying to trace his missing daughter. All seemingly innocent and yet, the second day of the party sees the military show up unexpectedly, their presence recalling the Hamas attack of October 7.

Their message is a simple one - conflict has erupted into World War III and they must leave. But as Luis and a group of new friends from the party scene head out in a convoy, they break off from military guidance, to go to places unknown. As Luis continues his quest for his daughter, life conspires in surprising ways to help him reach his ultimate destination.

It's hard to discuss Sirāt without revealing the shocks that lie within. One is a moment of sheer gut-wrenching horror - the other, an almost comedic act of tragedy that suggests in some ways that Laxe isn't sure how to end his film.

In many ways, this is a coming-of-age, road-trip film that, while well-shot, occasionally meanders towards its destination. Lopez (Pan's Labyrinth) may prove to be a willing participant and an excellently subtle performance that turns on one moment anchors his whole role - and he delivers exquisitely and immensely.

For some, Sirāt won't be worth the journey. Its destination is a strange denouement and there's a distinct feeling of futility as it ends. Despite excellent cinematography and an almost hidden message of never giving up, Sirāt offers much for meditation, even if its overlong delivery feels like little really happens outside of a handful of moments of extreme consequence.

Wicked: For Good: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey
Director: Jon M Chu

Picking up at the end of Wicked, Wicked: For Good plunges us straight back into the world of Oz. With Elphaba (Erivo, soulful and earnest) outcast and turned into a symbol of hate by the snake-like Morrible (Yeoh), Glenda (Grande, muted compared to the first) has been made into a figurehead of good to manipulate the populace.

But as the hunt for Elphaba continues, Glinda's forced to choose what's best as Elphaba heads on a collision course with the wizard of Oz (a usually eccentric Goldblum).

Not much really happens in the back part of the two films and there's a distinct feeling at times of scenes being pulled together with only the thinnest of threads. Many come together in a piecemeal fashion, leaving the film feeling episodic in parts, rather than cohesive.

Plus once again,it doesn't really seem to know how to treat its wheelchair-bound witch of the east, a problem that was obvious in the first, but may be due to the musical's script as well. It's just a shame Chu didn't look to rework this narrative for better effect.

There's also a distinct feeling that it lacks a big show-stopping number in the conclusion, something which leads to a feeling of a more perfunctory film in its narrative. Emotional moments that should hit hard often land with the thud of a flying monkey robbed of its wings. Often, the emotion comes from actors staring at the screen looking sad, rather than investment in the story and the consequences of actions.

Where Wicked: For Good does soar though is in its production's execution. Visually the film is nothing short of exceptional, a technicolor-manifesting spectacle of epic proportions.

From a truly surprising origin to the Tin Man to some musical numbers which are elevated by what's around them, via some impressively rendered elements of Oz, director Jon M Chu has a solid grasp on what can cause the script to lift above its more grounded and slight elements.

Ultimately, Wicked: For Good will appeal to fans who've enjoyed the first and whilst it feels like the lesser of the two films, that genuinely seems a source material issue, rather than an execution problem.

It's just a shame that this doesn't defy gravity and soar as much as it could.

What's on Disney+ in March

Here's everything that's streaming on Disney+ in March 2026.

25 March

Daredevil: Born Again: Season 2

Disney+ Premiere

Mayor Wilson Fisk crushes New York City underfoot as he hunts down public enemy number one, the Hell’s Kitchen vigilante known as Daredevil. But beneath the horned mask, Matt Murdock will try to fight back from the shadows to tear down the Kingpin’s corrupt empire and redeem his home. Resist. Rebel. Rebuild.

24 March

Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special

Disney+ Premiere

The special will celebrate the iconic series that defined a generation — exactly two decades after its Disney Channel debut. It will be filmed in front of a live studio audience and will feature an exclusive, in-depth interview with Miley Cyrus, hosted by Alex Cooper. The conversation will offer an intimate look at the creation of one of pop culture’s most iconic characters and the lasting impact the show and character have had on fans around the world. With heartfelt nostalgia and fresh perspective, Cyrus will revisit the moments, music and memories that defined an era. Viewers will be treated to never-before-seen archival footage, while some of the most memorable sets from “Hannah Montana” are brought back to life — including the Stewart family living room and the legendary Hannah Montana closet. There will also be some familiar *notes* that find their way back into the spotlight…

12 March

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Season 4

Hulu Original Series

Premiere

The stakes for #MomTok are at an all-time high as their sisterhood faces the forces of their expanding fame. When Taylor is announced as “The Bachelorette,” and Jen and Whitney head to “Dancing with the Stars,” competition creates chaos, temptations arise, and tradition turns upside down. Up against unraveling marriages, personal demons and family secrets - they must choose to lean on each other or face their fates untethered and alone on the world’s stage.

 

18 March

Rental Family

Disney+ Premiere

Set in modern-day Tokyo, “Rental Family” follows an American actor — portrayed by Brendan Fraser — struggling to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.

8 March

Ghost Elephants

Disney+ Premiere

Legend says there are “ghost elephants” hidden in the highlands of Angola that have never been seen by humans. Acclaimed director Werner Herzog (“Grizzly Man”) follows an epic quest to the Angolan highlands led by National Geographic Explorer and conservation biologist Dr. Steve Boyes to find these majestic and elusive creatures.

Top Picks for ESPN on Disney+ March

From 4 March

NBL Finals

Play-In Tournament, Playoffs and Championship Series

5 to 17 March

2026 World Baseball Classic

20 National Teams Competing

From 16 March

NCAA

March Madness Begins

27 March

MLB

Opening Day

ALSO IN MARCH

1 March

Movies

2012

American Psycho

Bad Boys

Bad Boys II

Buffalo '66

The Craft

Godzilla

Hitch

Men in Black

Men in Black II

Men in Black 3

Pitch Perfect

Pitch Perfect 2

Pitch Perfect 3

Snow White and the Huntsman

The Huntsman: Winter's War

Step Brothers

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Twister

4 March

Series

O11CE: Seasons 1-3

11 March

Hulu

Solar Opposites: Season 6

18 March

Hulu

Will Trent: Season 4

Series

O11CE: New Generation

24 March

Series

Magicampers

25 March

Series

American Dad: Season 20

27 March

Series

Chibi Tiny Tales: Season 6

31 March

Hulu

If It's Tuesday... It's Murder

Movies

Resident Evil

Resident Evil: Afterlife

Resident Evil: Apocalypse

Resident Evil: Extinction

Resident Evil: Retribution

Sleepless in Seattle

New Episodes

Paradise: Season 2 New Episode on Mondays

Paradise: Official Podcast: Season 2 New Episode on Mondays

FX's Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette New Episode on Fridays

FX's Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette: Official Podcast Season Finale Wednesday 4 March

FX's The Beauty 2-Episode Season Finale Thursday 5 March

FX's The Beauty: Official Podcast 2-Episode Season Finale Friday 6 March

High Potential: Season 2 New Episode on Wednesdays

Scrubs (2026) New Episode on Thursdays

9-1-1: Nashville New Episode on Fridays

Battle of Fates Season Finale Wednesday 4 March

Grey's Anatomy: Season 22 New Episode on Fridays

In Your Radiant Season New Episodes Fridays and Saturdays

Medalist: Season 2 New Episode on Saturdays