The French cinemas are experiencing an exceptional year. In the first eight months of 2026, attendance has increased by nearly 30% compared to 2025 and exceeds the levels of 2024. The month of August even set a historical record with 19.94 million admissions, the highest since 1980. In this context of a massive return of the public, the movie releases of the week take on a special dimension: some films become true box office events.
Record attendance in 2026: what it changes for this week’s releases
One figure is staggering: August 2026 represents double the admissions of August 2025. This increase, driven by a combination of repeated heatwaves and American blockbusters, has brought back spectators who had deserted cinemas since the health crisis.
For weekly releases, the consequence is direct. Films benefit from a broader flow of spectators, including during the week. Independent cinemas and local complexes are taking advantage of this dynamic, with screenings showing higher occupancy rates than in previous years.
Programmers know this: when the public returns in large numbers, mid-tier films (neither blockbusters nor obscure art films) find their audience. This is precisely the case for several releases this week, which mix popular genres and auteur propositions. To check the schedules and screenings near you, a useful resource is: https://www.cinemacapitole.be/, which allows you to verify the availability of films in your cinema.
Resident Evil by Zach Cregger: a horror film that breaks the codes of the saga
The adaptation of the Capcom franchise by Zach Cregger is unlike any of the previous films in the saga. The pitch is tight: Bryan, a medical courier, finds himself caught in total chaos and must survive in a world collapsing around him. The film lasts less than an hour and a half, a short format for the genre.
Cregger, known for the thriller Barbarian, applies the same method here: continuous tension and economy of narrative means. Critical feedback highlights that this version surpasses previous adaptations of the franchise in cinema. The film does not aim to faithfully recreate the universe of the video game but to create a visceral cinema experience.
For thriller and horror enthusiasts, this is the most anticipated release of the week. Evening screenings are expected to be sold out in many cinemas.
Histoires de la nuit: the French drama that divides critics
Adapted from Laurent Mauvignier’s novel, Léa Mysius’ Histoires de la nuit plunges into the world of an isolated farm where a birthday party goes awry. Nora, Thomas, and their daughter Ida see three men crash the party, bringing buried secrets to the surface.
The film works on several registers simultaneously:
- The domestic thriller, with a gradual build-up of tension in a rural setting reminiscent of Michael Haneke’s cinema
- The family drama, where the unspoken between characters weighs as much as the external threat
- The documentary dimension of the French agricultural world, filmed with particular attention to landscapes and bodies
Mysius’ direction imposes a slow and hypnotic rhythm that may not appeal to all viewers. Critics praise the cinematography and direction of actors, but some audience feedback diverges on the pacing of the final act.
The Invitation by Olivia Wilde and other releases to watch
Olivia Wilde shifts gears with The Invitation, a dramedy that brings together two couples at a dinner. Angela and Joe invite their new upstairs neighbors, and the evening shatters all their certainties. The film plays with the codes of vaudeville, but the available data does not yet allow for measuring the reception from the French public.
Among the other releases of the week, several deserve attention:
- Sham by Takashi Miike, a courtroom drama described as gripping, confirming the Japanese director’s ability to renew himself in unexpected genres
- If You Think Well of Géraldine Nakache, a chronicle on marital control carried by a direction that early feedback describes as effective
- The Smugglers by Padraic McKinley, an old-fashioned adventure film that focuses on pure entertainment
The diversity of genres offered this week (horror, drama, comedy, adventure, courtroom film) reflects the regained health of cinema distribution. Every viewer can find a film that matches their tastes, which was not always the case during the post-Covid slump.
Local cinema: how to choose your film and cinema
Favor weekday screenings
With the increase in attendance, weekend screenings fill up faster. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon slots often offer better viewing conditions, with quieter theaters and better-seated places.
Read reviews after watching the trailer
Press reviews and audience ratings do not tell the same story. For a film like Histoires de la nuit, professional opinions are enthusiastic, but the film’s pacing may confuse an audience used to fast-paced thrillers. In contrast, Resident Evil generates a broader consensus between press and public.
The year 2026 is shaping up to be the best attendance year since the Covid crisis for French cinemas. This week’s releases illustrate this dynamic: films of varied genres, driven by directors who take risks, are arriving in theaters where the audience is back. The best way to not miss anything is to check the available screenings in your local cinema and go before word-of-mouth fills the theaters.
