Barbican Cinema Family Film Week 2026

Barbican Cinemas is bringing back Family Film Week from 24 October to 1 November, their annual celebration of cinema for young people. It's timed for the October half term, so it's built for taking the kids along for a big-screen experience rather than just putting on a movie. The programme mixes new releases and animations from around the world with older classics, previews and shorts, and pairs them with pre-film activities and workshops.

It kicks off on Saturday 24 October with A Shuffle of Shorts (U), preceded by 'Dragon Wings and Things' crafting. Sunday brings Howl's Moving Castle (U). Tuesday 27 October is a double-header: Arco (PG) with a 'Build Your Own Future' activity run by RIBA, and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (12A) followed by a quiz. Wednesday 28 October marks the 30th anniversary of Matilda (PG), with bookmark-making in the foyer. Thursday 29 October is a preview of Papaya (U) with a pre-film collaging activity from Small World Cinema. Friday 30 October has two: Maya Give Me a Title (U), and Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (PG) with an intro from curators Alex Davidson and Susie Evans. Saturday 31 October rounds it off with a relaxed screening of Minions and Monsters (U) and a pre-film drawing demo, and Singin' in the Rain (U) with an intro from Susie Evans.

It all runs at the Barbican Centre on Silk Street, an international arts and learning centre opened in 1982 and a grade-II listed building known as a Brutalist icon. Inside you'll find theatres, galleries, concert halls and cinemas, alongside a conservatory with over 1,500 species of plants and trees, a library, restaurants, bars and a lakeside oasis. The films run across various timings and days from 24 October to 1 November.