Get the popcorn ready, choose what suits your mood and discover the best picks for your weekend viewing.
Halloween weekend is here, bringing plenty of choices whether you’re heading out or settling in for a cosy night at home. On the big screen, BTS take fans to a packed stadium in São Paulo, while the Sharjah International Film Festival offers a spooky boarding-school adventure featuring monsters.
Now in its 13th edition, the festival has curated a selection of family-friendly films that make for an ideal cinema outing with children. From magical creatures and young detectives to hidden family secrets and a haunted academy, there’s plenty to keep younger audiences entertained without giving them nightmares.
For those staying in, streaming platforms also have an exciting line-up. Highlights include an emotional look at the life of a beloved Friends star, a gangster drama led by a formidable sisterhood and a gripping serial-killer thriller that might make you think twice about switching off the lights.
So get the popcorn ready, choose your mood and explore our picks for the weekend.
On the big screen
BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN SÃO PAULO (PG) | In cinemas October 31
ARMY, it’s time to assemble! BTS bring their Latin American tour to a spectacular close in São Paulo, and fans can experience the excitement without boarding a flight. The energy of the packed stadium comes to the big screen, so bring your light stick and get ready to sing along. For those who want to join in as it happens, a Live screening is available. Prefer a more laid-back viewing experience? Opt for the Delayed broadcast. Either way, it’s a chance to soak up the Brazilian concert atmosphere from the cinema.
Sharjah International Film Festival picks
The 13th Sharjah International Film Festival brings a selection of family-friendly films to cinemas from October 31. Here are some titles to look out for:
Monster Mia (PG, English)
Imagine going to boarding school only to discover that all your classmates are monsters. That’s the unusual situation facing 12-year-old Mia at the eerie Rotwood Academy, where she must hide the fact that she is human. Things take a sinister turn when headmaster Van Vlad plots to transform the entire town of Primrose into monsters. Mia joins forces with her new friends, Paprika and Oscar, to foil his plan. A fitting Halloween watch, the film is also making its exclusive Middle East debut at the festival’s Green Carpet screenings.
Fleak (PG, English)
This animated fantasy combines adventure with an emotional story. Twelve-year-old Thomas encounters Fleak, a magical being from another dimension, and agrees to trade his shadow in exchange for the ability to walk again. But the bargain comes at a price, unleashing a terrifying monster. To put things right, Thomas must reunite with his siblings and discover a resilience he never realised he had.
Extraordinary (PG13, Croatian)
Ten-year-old Alice is left searching for answers when her parents mysteriously disappear. She sets out to solve the mystery with a group of young detectives, accompanied by her brother Milan. Although Milan sees the world differently, his unique perspective proves invaluable as he notices clues that others overlook. This is a heartfelt mystery exploring friendship, understanding and acceptance.
My Grandfather is a Nihonjin (PG, English)
A touching animated story about family history, identity and belonging. Ten-year-old Noboru is eager to learn more about his Japanese roots, but his grandfather, Hideo, has long kept his past to himself. When he finally begins sharing his story, a family secret emerges — the existence of an uncle Noboru never knew about.
On OTT
The One About Matthew Perry | Netflix (streaming since October 27)
This three-part documentary revisits the life and career of the late Friends star, from his rise to international fame and work beyond the hit sitcom to his prolonged struggle with addiction. Featuring previously unseen home videos and honest interviews with relatives and close friends, the series offers an intimate portrait of the actor.
Akka | Netflix, from October 30
Set in the fictional town of Pernuru during the 1980s, this crime drama follows a powerful sisterhood of gangster queens who control the underworld. Keerthy Suresh stars as Bhavani, alongside Radhika Apte as Rudra, in a story driven by power struggles, shifting loyalties and dangerous alliances.
Nocturne | Apple TV, from October 30
Liev Schreiber stars as Jonah Lynn, a former soldier who becomes a homicide detective and leaves Philadelphia for a seemingly peaceful town in Pennsylvania. But his new life takes a dark turn when serial killer Jurek Walter, played by Stephen Graham, begins targeting his family and the wider community. This chilling thriller is best watched with the lights on.
