Horror thrills, family favourites and K-pop hits: What to watch in UAE cinemas this weekend.
This week’s cinema slate is a buffet with no theme and absolutely no shame. There are time-travelling teens, a monster made of clay, a monkey on a spiritual quest, and enough K-pop to keep your light stick charged until November. Here’s how to spend your weekend in the dark.
The Dino Family (G) · October 22
Phil’s life is going badly. He gets teased at school, his crush hasn’t noticed him, and nothing he tries seems to work. Then he accidentally opens a portal to 65 million years ago — which is certainly one way to escape your problems. Expect prehistoric chaos for the kids, plus a useful reminder for parents that things could always be worse.
Treasure Trekkers (G) · October 22
Mip is a 12-year-old adopted monkey growing up in a world dominated by cats and rodents. When a magical map leads him to the land of Empathra, he sets off to discover his origins and uncovers an unexpected superpower: empathy. With voice performances from Jack McBrayer, Tara Strong and Alan Cumming, this adventure promises plenty of heart alongside the wild antics.
Klara and the Sun (PG15) · October 22
This is the prestige pick of the week. Taika Waititi adapts Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, with Jenna Ortega playing Klara, an “Artificial Friend” searching for a family to call her own. She finds Josie, played by Mia Tharia, whose relationship with her grieving mother (Amy Adams) is complicated. Bring tissues — and prepare to spend the drive home quietly reconsidering your relationship with your smart speaker.
Clayface (15+) · October 22
A rising Hollywood star transforms into a monster bent on revenge. Beneath the horror lies a story about losing yourself, toxic love and science going spectacularly wrong. Max Minghella leads the cast, with Eddie Marsan in support. Not exactly date-night material, unless your date has a particular fondness for body horror.
No Paradise if You Are Killed by a Woman (18+) · October 22
Vyan, a Kurdish sniper, survives war by shutting down her emotions. But when she learns that her younger sister, missing since ISIS swept through the region in 2014, may still be alive in Mosul, she sets out to find her. The search forces her to confront everything she has spent years burying. This is the weekend’s most serious offering — and potentially its most haunting.
Always Yours, Never Mine (PG15, Tagalog) · October 22
Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia play two people whose timing has been spectacularly wrong for 30 years. Now life offers them one last chance to get things right. If you enjoy yelling “Just tell them!” at the screen, consider this your weekend appointment.
Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar (18+, Hindi) · October 23
Three best friends arrive at their 10-year school reunion with one ambitious plan: confess their feelings to their first crushes. Naturally, things refuse to go according to plan. Old feelings, awkward encounters and romantic chaos follow — because apparently, a decade of overthinking wasn’t enough.
Tu Hai Meri Kiran (18TC, Hindi) · October 23
Sonakshi Sinha plays Kiran, a bestselling author in 2026 who discovers a phone connecting her to Samar, a young man living in 2016. What begins as a curious connection turns sinister when Samar becomes obsessed, uses threats to uncover details about her younger self and starts rewriting her past. Consider it a compelling argument for ignoring calls from unknown numbers — especially when they seem to be coming from another decade.
Titans (PG13, Malayalam) · October 22
Antony dreams of becoming a notorious goon. His guardian angel, Rejimon, has rather different ideas. Vinayakan, Indrans and Jayasurya star in this comedy about a man determined to be bad and an angel determined to stop him. Heaven help Antony.
Udumbanchola Vision (PG15, Malayalam) · October 23
An ambitious village album designer takes charge of a television channel that has gone off the air, only to uncover dangerous secrets buried in its past. He soon finds a way to use them against his rivals. Think small-town media politics, old grudges and a sharp dose of intrigue.
418 (15+ Telugu / 18TC Hindi) · October 23
At a medical college in a village gripped by fear, science and superstition collide — until an unsettling event leaves both struggling for answers. This supernatural thriller is screening in Telugu and Hindi, so you can pick your language and prepare to question everything.
Kabaddi 5 (PG15, Nepali) · October 23
Kaji returns for a fifth round, joined by familiar faces and new characters with agendas of their own. As he navigates another chapter of life, complications arise where he least expects them. For fans of the franchise, the game is far from over.
The K-pop weekend
From Saturday, cinemas double as concert venues. Arrive early, charge your phone and prepare those light sticks.
TOMORROW X TOGETHER: ACT : TOMORROW (PG13) · October 24
TXT’s fourth world tour hits the big screen, bringing its grand production, immersive storytelling and live-concert energy to the cinema. MOA, this one’s for you.
ENHYPEN: BLOOD SAGA (PG13) · October 24
Captured at the Seoul show that launched the tour, this concert film serves up vampire-inspired dark fantasy, razor-sharp choreography and plenty of dramatic red lighting. ENGENE, consider this your invitation to scream indoors.
BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ in Buenos Aires (Live: PG / Delayed: 18TC) · October 25
BTS brings its first-ever concert in Argentina to the big screen, broadcasting the Buenos Aires stadium show live for fans in participating cinemas, with delayed screenings also available. Whether you catch it live or at a more convenient local time, ARMY, keep your Sunday free.
