Must-see British movies are having a moment. Just ask homegrown directors like Christopher Nolan, Emerald Fennell, Jonathan Glazer, Andrew Haigh and Steve McQueen, all rapidly running out of trophy cabinet space. But while British movies like The Zone of Interest and All of Us Strangers hog the limelight, lurking in the background like your local multiplex usher are a raft of tantalising releases still to come this year. So whether it’s a Guy Ritchie action romp starring enviously chiselled Henry Cavill or a directorial debut from an insufferably talented 18-year-old, we’ve gathered five must-see British movies to add to your diary.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Henry Cavill as the leader of a top-secret Nazi-hunting combat unit, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare sounds like a slapstick mix of SAS: Rogue Heroes and The King’s Man. Well, f*ck it, that sounds like fabulous fun – and there’s a James Bond link too. The British action movie is based on declassified files detailing the creation of the first-ever special forces team formed by Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials including author Ian Fleming. Fingers crossed it’s another Guy Ritchie corker.
Loaded loves: A supporting cast made up of Reacher’s rather large Alan Ritchson, Baby Driver’s Eiza González, Henry Golding, and Cary Elwes.
Release date: May 2024
Love Lies Bleeding
Taking ‘strong female character’ at its word, Love Lies Bleeding time travels to 1980s small-town-America for a neon-tinged revenge thriller involving a reclusive gym owner, played by Kristen Stewart, who falls for super-buff bodybuilder Jackie, played by The Mandalorian’s Katy O’Brian. From here, things descend into a decidedly brutal criminal underworld with plenty of flying bullets. That doesn’t sound particularly ‘British’ we hear you cry. Perhaps not, but with a bonafide Essex girl, Rose Glass, in the director’s seat, trust us when we say this promises to be an action movie with some proper stylised edge.
Loaded loves: A wonderfully seedy supporting performance from the legendary Ed Harris.
Release date: May 2024
Hoard
Starring homegrown actors Hayley Squires and Joseph Quinn – best known as shaggy mulleted Eddie Munson from Stranger Things [season 4 spoiler alert] – Hoard promises to be gritty British storytelling at its passionate best. With 1980s – and later 1990s – London as the rather depressing and sullen backdrop, the movie follows a girl who grows up under the roof of a mother who loves nothing better than a bit of hoarding (that’s hoarding). From there, things get a bit gross and borderline incestuous. Weird but brilliant, we’d suggest seeking out your local independent cinema for this one, and maybe don’t tell anyone you’re going.
Loaded loves: The 28-second teaser that tells you sod all about the movie but somehow leaves you wanting more.
Release date: May 2024
Black Dog
Breaking free from inner-city London on a road trip to Scotland, Black Dog follows two teens heading for the hills for a dose of positive mental health that doesn’t exactly go to plan. Starring the British movie’s co-writer, Jamie Flatters from Avatar: The Way of Water, and Keenan Munn-Francis as awkward opposites, their worlds initially collide when one of them is mugged and naturally their first thought is to skip town and see if life exists outside the M25. What makes this low-budget coming-of-age British movie so astonishing is that it marks the directorial debut of producer, writer and actor Georges Jaques… aged just 18. Sickening.
Loaded loves: Motorway services on an overbridge. Proper Britain.
Release date: Autumn 2024
Blitz
Following Londoners during the events of the capital’s bombing in World War II, Blitz promises to be a lavish British movie with Hollywood clout. Steve McQueen’s historical drama reaches Apple TV+ later this year and stars Saoirse Ronan alongside Leigh Gill from Game of Thrones and Joker, Harris Dickinson, plus Stephen Graham among others. Stick a placeholder in your diary for a Venice or BFI London Film Festival unveil later this year and prepare yourself for the utilitarian wartime style trend likely to follow. Tin hats optional.
Loaded loves: Anything featuring Stephen Graham.
Release date: Autumn 2024
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