Like its OAP protagonists, this comedy-drama has aged beautifully

For April’s Planetarium outing, we’re hosting a double bill of sci-fi films from the acclaimed director Ron Howard. First up is a 40th anniversary screening of Cocoon. This heartwarming tale may have E.T. influences, but it’s got a very human heart as it explores youth and ageing in a timeless manner. No wonder actor Don Ameche took home an Oscar for this gem.

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Don’t panic: this Adams-approved adaptation is a triumphant misadventure

This March we’re dedicating an evening to a double bill of two of the more eccentric entries into the sci-fi canon, starting with a 20th anniversary screening of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. Douglas Adams himself co-wrote the script shortly before his death, and the ensemble cast is bolstered with cameos and nods back to the both the radio & TV series (under-30s, ask your grandparents).

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A 30th anniversary screening of an anime classic

Join us at the Planetarium to mark the 30th anniversary of the release of Ghost In The Shell, the sci-fi anime that has inspired countless works since, including The Matrix.

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In space, no-one can hear you clean

This Valentine’s Day, we’re presenting another screening of the perennial Festival favourite WALL•E. This delightful sci-fi misadventure is both an epic voyage into humanity’s future, and a nod to silent comedy cinema. It’s perfect for a date night, or for the entire family.

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This 100 year old epic adventure is still roaring with life

Join us for a special screening of this adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved novel; it was one of the first films to use stop-motion animation, and had a monumental impact on genre filmmaking as far forward as Jurassic Park. It will be accompanied by a live, entirely improvised organ recital by the award-winning composer Dr. David Bednall, blending silent cinema with live music to create a unique performance that promises to add another dimension to this remarkable film.

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Back by demand: Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning space odyssey

Due to massive demand in December for the 10th anniversary screening, we’re bringing another screening of Interstellar to the Planetarium this January. A film this epic was made for the big screen, and this screening includes some of the most breathtaking scenes restored to their IMAX ratios for an extra-detailed viewing.

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Take a walk on the Dark Side for the first prequel’s 25th birthday

Our second sci-fi selection from 1999 at the Planetarium this December is the original Star Wars prequel, The Phantom Menace. Debate over the prequels still rages, but if you’re a millennial then memories of podracing, John Williams’ score and that lightsaber battle surely stir some deep-rooted emotions. Search your feelings; you know it to be true.

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Relive the magic 20 years since the spellbinding sequel first hit cinemas

Join us this Christmas season in one of Bristol’s most beautiful venues, Clifton College Chapel, for a special series of screenings of the first three Harry Potter films. The screenings at this magical venue continue with Chamber Of Secrets, a decidedly darker sequel to the original, yet still retaining all of the charm of its predecessor, and the spirit of the source material.

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The beloved original launches a mini-series at Bristol’s very own Hogwarts

Join us this Christmas season in one of Bristol’s most beautiful venues, Clifton College Chapel, for a special series of screenings of the first three Harry Potter films. Step into this magnificent venue and enjoy these spellbinding adventures back on the big screen, starting of course with Harry’s first year at Hogwarts…

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It would take a heart of stone not to warm to this iron man

Our final weekend of Planetarium screenings in 2024 starts with a double bill of classics from 1999, as they celebrate their 25th anniversaries. First up is Brad Bird’s magical and moving directorial debut, The Iron Giant. Inspired by Ted Hughes’ novel, it’s a powerful story that balances glorious sci-fi action with moments of pathos and joy that will leave you glowing.

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The beloved original launches a mini-series at Bristol’s very own Hogwarts

Join us this Christmas season in one of Bristol’s most beautiful venues, Clifton College Chapel, for a special series of screenings of the first three Harry Potter films. Step into this magnificent venue and enjoy these spellbinding adventures back on the big screen, starting of course with Harry’s first year at Hogwarts…

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“In space, no-one can hear you clean”

An extra screening of the family-friendly sci-fi fantasy hit, presented back on the big screen at the Planetarium. The eponymous robot is a global sensation in waste allocation - until he embarks on an out-of-this-world misadventure…

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Can you learn to dance the Magic Dance before the clock strikes thirteen?

Due to huge demand in September, we're bringing Labyrinth back for another showing! Watch Jim Henson’s magical musical adventure at Redcliffe Caves. Get ready to dance the magic dance, and follow Sarah deep into the Goblin King’s realm where nothing can be taken at face value…

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40 years on, and the power of this epic fantasy shows no signs of stopping

Our time at Arnos Vale continues with a 40th anniversary screening of the exceptionally 80s fan faveThe Neverending Story. Whether you wore your VHS out as a child or discovered it thanks to Stranger Things, there’s no denying the enduring cult status of this story-within-a-story, chronicling the struggle to save Fantasia from The Nothing within the pages of a magical book; the power of its imagination hasn’t faded at all. 

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Witches have broomsticks, but in this 80s comedy-horror, vampires have motorbikes

Due to massive demand in 2023, we’re bringing the vampire bikers sensation The Lost Boys back to the big screen this October. Devilishly funny as well as creepy, it’s a romp through 80s pop culture that has rightfully earned its place in the ‘cult classics’ pantheon.

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These sinister Salem sisters are doing it for themselves

We’re returning to Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol’s very own necropolis, with two days of spine-tingling cinema! Our first film at Arnos Vale this October is a firm festival favourite, the wonderfully witchy Hocus Pocus. The ghoulish Sanderson sisters have been terrorising fans for over 30 years (we know, sorry!) - so to celebrate the start of our 2024 Halloween season, why not reacquaint yourselves with these Salem legends…?

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Open the door to another world with this adult gothic fairytale masterpiece

The Underground Cinema series concludes with the dark fairytale masterpiece – and firm festival favourite – Pan’s Labyrinth. Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece seamlessly blends a surreal and sinister mythical realm with the harsh realities of the Spanish Civil War’s immediate aftermath.

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Can you learn to dance the Magic Dance before the clock strikes thirteen?

In what has become Underground Cinema tradition, watch Jim Henson’s magical musical adventure Labyrinth at Redcliffe Caves. Get ready to dance the magic dance, and follow Sarah deep into the Goblin King’s realm where nothing can be taken at face value…

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Seventy years since the King of the Monsters first roared

Saturday’s matinee screening at the Underground Cinema is Ishirō Honda’s original Godzilla film. Almost 40 films and seven decades later, the franchise is as unstoppable as the kaiju itself - join us for this special opportunity to view its very first screen outing in an HD restoration of the original Japanese masterpiece.

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The 1990s’ answer to Indiana Jones kicks off Underground Cinema 2024

This year’s programme launches with a 25th anniversary screening of The Mummy! Brendan Fraser leads a stellar cast in this delightfully dark blockbuster that deftly blends swashbuckling action-adventure with skin-crawling comedy-horror - stick to the lit path as you enter the Caves, and mind the scarab beetles…

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The 1990s’ answer to Indiana Jones kicks off Underground Cinema 2024

Due to massive demand, we’ve added an extra 25th anniversary screening of The Mummy! Brendan Fraser leads a stellar cast in this delightfully dark blockbuster that deftly blends swashbuckling action-adventure with skin-crawling comedy-horror - stick to the lit path as you enter the Caves, and mind the scarab beetles…

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In space, no-one can hear you laugh

Our long weekend return to the Planetarium concludes with the hilarious sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest. This loving parody of Star Trek and similar franchises is also a homage to the power of fandom, and we’re thrilled to be screening it for the first time at the Festival in its 25th anniversary year!

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Captain Kirk faces up to his fiercest foe in this epic showdown

Our long weekend return to the Planetarium continues with cult classic Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. This box office record-breaker is widely regarded as the greatest Star Trek film of all; Ricardo Montalbán’s turn as the eponymous villain is more than a match for Shatner, Nimoy and the rest of the USS Enterprise crew…!

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A return to a beloved venue, with a suitably beloved sci-fi film

We’re relaunching our space and sci-fi screenings at the Planetarium with a long weekend leading into the August Bank Holiday, starting with the perennial Festival favourite WALL•E. This delightful sci-fi misadventure is both an epic voyage into humanity’s future, and a nod to silent comedy cinema, which will delight the entire family,

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It’s game on in this colourful story of high-scoring hi-jinks

Coming to the Observatory this April is 2012’s Oscar-nominated hit Wreck-It Ralph. John C. Reilly heads an ensemble cast in this exhilaratingly original misadventure through a video game arcade’s hidden world - with plenty of clever references for older viewers and gaming veterans, it’s a dazzling mix of retro and modern.

One of the defining British Christmas films, and its heart-melting sequel

Just in time for Christmas, we’re presenting a very special double bill at Clifton Observatory: Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman, screened back to back with The Snowman & The Snowdog. The Oscar-nominated original and its stunning sequel have entertained generations, and we’re delighted to presenting them together. Against the backdrop of Avon Gorge, you’ll feel like you’re walking in the air…