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As the autumn term gets into full swing, cinemas up and down the country are packed with a rich variety of films to expand learning beyond the classroom. Here are our top picks for what to see on the big screen this month.
The value of teamwork and integrity is at the heart of the action-packed animation Pets on a Train. Just in time for spooky season, Night of the Zoopocalypse and Sketch present younger audiences with a fun and accessible introduction to horror genre themes. Based on the real life of a Scottish youth, I Swear shines a light on life with Tourette syndrome. British homelessness drama Urchin and French immigrant tale Souleymane's Story encourage audiences to look beyond stereotypes and consider the human stories behind the headlines. And journeys to Britain's colonial past in Palestine 36 and to the future of AI ethics in Tron: Ares offer context for topical conversations.
Urchin (15) - in cinemas 3 October
British actor Harris Dickinson's powerful directorial debut is a thought-provoking drama exploring themes of mental health, social care, and personal responsibility. It follows Mike, a young man living on the streets of London, caught in a cycle of addiction, isolation, and survival. After a violent incident lands him in prison, Mike begins a slow and fragile journey toward recovery, finding work as a chef and forming new friendships. But rebuilding a life isn't easy, and Mike must confront the deeper reasons behind his self-destructive choices. Blending gritty realism with moments of warmth and humour, the film invites empathy and reflection on how society treats those who "fall through the cracks".
I Swear (15) - in cinemas 10 October
I Swear is the powerful story of the life of John Davidson, whose activism and youth work has positively impacted greater awareness of Tourette syndrome in the UK. In 1983, John is a teenager living in Galashiels, a small town in the Scottish Borders. After transitioning to secondary school and adjusting to his new surroundings, John begins to develop verbal and physical tics. These symptoms leave his teachers, classmates, and family bemused, initially believing John to be acting out deliberately for attention. Thirteen years later, John is an adult still living at home with his mother but striving for independence. When he bumps into an old childhood friend whose own mother is a mental health nurse, John begins to receive the care, attention, and support he so dearly needs.
We're offering the chance to students to see I Swear before anyone else in cinemas across the UK, for free! Discover our Special Pupil Premieres here.
To mark the release of the film, we've also created a free motivational resource that supports neurodiversity awareness and helps young people practice proactive allyship, with curriculum links to PSHE, citizenship, and health and wellbeing. Find out more and download I Swear: Life with Tourette's here.
Night of the Zoopocalypse (PG) - in cinemas 10 October
Full of laughs, action sequences and light horror, Night of the Zoopocalypse is a fun animated adventure that is just the right amount of spooky for younger viewers. Something strange is happening at Colepepper Zoo! After a mysterious meteor crash nearby, the animals start acting very oddly - and very zombie-like! Gracie, a clever young wolf, escapes her enclosure and teams up with Dan, a grumpy mountain lion who's new to the zoo. With the help of other animals, they must stop the zombie outbreak before it spreads too far. Along the way, they meet a silly lemur who loves films, a brave capybara, and a cheeky monkey with a plan.
Tron: Ares (12A) - in cinemas 10 October
In the third instalment of the cult Tron film series, the digital world collides with reality when Ares, a highly advanced AI program, is sent from the Grid into the human world on a dangerous mission that could change everything. As the first artificial being to walk among humans, Ares must navigate emotion, identity, and trust in a society that fears what it doesn't understand. With powerful tech corporations seeking to weaponise AI, Ares finds himself torn between destruction and hope. This visually stunning sci-fi adventure explores themes of AI ethics, digital citizenship, and the future of innovation.
Souleymane's Story (certificate TBC) - in cinemas 17 October
This gripping French drama shines a light on the hidden struggles of undocumented workers. Souleymane, a young Guinean immigrant living in Paris, works as a food delivery cyclist. But without legal papers, he must rent someone else's account in exchange for half his earnings. The advice he is being offered in preparation for his upcoming asylum interview is also unorthodox, and the pressure to do whatever it takes to survive while protecting his dignity and identity takes its toll. Lead actor Abou Sangaré's own life inspired the film, and his story invites audiences to think critically about the systems that shape people's lives and the courage it takes to seek a better future.
Sketch (12) - in cinemas 24 October
This fantasy comedy horror film invites you to unleash your inner monster and embrace imagination as a tool for emotional expression. Amber is a young girl who processes her feelings by drawing. Since her mum died, she has been drawing a lot of monsters. But when she drops her sketchbook into a mysterious pond, her drawings spring to life and wreak havoc on her town. Amber, her brother Jack and their classmate Bowman must work together to battle the creatures using animated weapons of their own design. As their father Taylor struggles to hold the family together, the children confront not only the giant, scribbled, multicoloured threats but also the emotional turmoil of loss and healing.
Pets on a Train (PG) - in cinemas 24 October
A thrilling ride for younger audiences, this animation is packed with humour and positive messages about friendship and redemption. Falcon is a street-smart raccoon well-known for skills in pilfering food. He sets his sights on a luxury train buffet but once aboard among the passenger pets, the train mysteriously departs leaving the humans behind. The animals discover they've been hijacked by Hans, a vengeful badger with a sinister plan. With the train hurtling toward disaster, Falcon must team up with Rex, a loyal police dog, to rally the stranded pets and stop the runaway locomotive. As the unlikely heroes navigate high-speed chases, clever traps, and daring rescues, they learn the value of teamwork, courage, and second chances.
Palestine 36 (certificate TBC) - in cinemas 24 October
Tensions are flaring in Palestine, 1936: the territory has been under British mandatory control for over a decade, and Jerusalem is a bustling mix of peoples in the wake of the Ottoman Empire's dissolution, the migration of European Jews fleeing the Nazis, and British attempts to impose colonial rule. Yusuf, a farmer, shunts between his traditional village and the rapidly changing city. Young Afra tries to navigate change all around her with the help of her grandmother. A dissatisfied port worker finds the pressures of earning a living and supporting his family drawing him into a rebel movement. This gripping account of a critical moment in Palestinian history is a character-driven period drama that contextualises issues surrounding economics, politics, and identity.
Please note: Film is a powerful tool for learning, helping to develop critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of different perspectives. Our films have been selected with consideration to age-appropriateness, safeguarding, the curriculum and statutory and non-statutory guidance to schools. Some of our films and resources include sensitive content which is highlighted in the guidance that Into Film provides with each film. Educators should carefully watch or read all elements of any content and must ensure they are following their own school's policies and guidelines prior to using films and resources in the classroom or in after-school clubs. The final decision to use any film or resource sits with teachers, who should decide what is appropriate for their students using their professional judgement and their knowledge of their students, their school context and their community. Teachers must follow their school's safeguarding protocol if a student is distressed or makes a disclosure as a result of the use of any film or other content.
