Three Very Different Films Open in UK Cinemas on 23 October
Friday 23 October is a crowded day at the UK box office, and half-term is close behind. Three of the films opening that day could hardly be more different: a hand-made animated fantasy, an android drama adapted from a Kazuo Ishiguro novel and an 18-rated comic-book horror. Here is what each is, who it may suit and what to check before you book.
Illustrative photograph of a cinema in Beckenham, south-east London, 2018, by John K Thorne via Wikimedia Commons, released into the public domain.
Certificates, release dates and runtimes below come from the BBFC's listings, which give a UK release date of 23 October for all three. Runtimes are approximate, and individual cinemas set their own schedules. We have not seen any of them, so this is a preview rather than a review.
Wildwood: for a big-screen family adventure
Directed by Travis Knight, the director of Kubo and the Two Strings, Wildwood is a stop-motion film from the studio Laika. A teenager, Prue McKeel, follows her baby brother into a hidden forest after he is carried off by crows. The voice cast includes Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali and Angela Bassett. Knight has described it as Laika's "hardest" film to make, and it is made to be seen on a big screen.
- Certificate: 12A for moderate violence, injury detail, threat, language and upsetting scenes.
- Runtime: about 131 minutes.
- The tradeoff: it is over two hours long and not a gentle film for small children. A 12A means under-12s must be accompanied by an adult, but the BBFC's detailed advice is worth reading first if your group includes an anxious younger viewer.
Klara and the Sun: for a quieter, thoughtful night
Taika Waititi directs this adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, with Jenna Ortega as Klara, a solar-powered android bought as an "Artificial Friend" for a lonely teenager, and Amy Adams in the cast. The BBFC's description calls it a sci-fi drama, and it should suit people who like a film to start an argument on the way home.
- Certificate: 12A for moderate threat, violence, injury detail and infrequent strong language.
- Runtime: about 116 minutes.
- The tradeoff: it is a slow, reflective story rather than an action film, so it is a poor choice for a group wanting something lively. Knowing the book is not necessary, but readers may enjoy comparing.
Clayface: for a group that likes horror
Clayface is directed by James Watkins, who made Speak No Evil, from a story by Mike Flanagan. It follows an actor, Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), who is transformed after an attack. Variety reports that early reactions from journalists and fans on social media were positive and described it as brutal, but those are first impressions, not reviews, so wait for proper ones if you are unsure.
- Certificate: 18 for strong bloody violence and injury detail.
- Runtime: about 108 minutes.
- The tradeoff: it is firmly adult, and the BBFC's advice also covers threat, horror and sexual violence and threat, so read it before you suggest it to a group.
Which one for whom
If the group includes children, Wildwood is the one to look at first; our guide to choosing a film for a wide age range may help. For adults who like to talk about a film afterwards, take Klara and the Sun. For a horror-tolerant group, Clayface. If you disagree, our guide to building a shortlist your group will vote on is a good way to settle it without a row.
Because the three films suit such different audiences, it is worth starting a poll with MyMoviePoll and letting everyone nominate and vote before you book seats.
Sources accessed 20 October 2026: BBFC listings for each film, Variety, Empire and SciFiNow. Check your cinema for exact showtimes.