For many in Australia, a trip to the cinema on Boxing Day offers a cherished respite from festive socialising. The tradition continues in 2025 with a diverse slate of releases, promising something for every taste, from intimate social dramas to family-friendly animation and splashy Hollywood spectacles.
Critically Acclaimed Dramas Lead the Pack
The lineup features several highly-rated dramatic offerings. Harris Dickinson, known for Babygirl and Triangle of Sadness, makes his directorial debut with Urchin, a raw character study of homelessness. The film follows protagonist Mike, played by Frank Dillane, and is praised as an empathetic, finely-calibrated portrait that avoids clichéd redemption arcs.
From France comes My Brother's Band (titled The Marching Band overseas), a moving story about a conductor with leukemia who discovers he is adopted and finds his biological brother, a trombone player in a community band. Starring Benjamin Lavernhe and Pierre Lottin, the film navigates its feelgood, bittersweet premise with balance, steering clear of excessive sentimentality.
Another drama, Sentimental Value, reunites The Worst Person in the World director Joachim Trier with actress Renate Reinsve, who stars alongside Stellan Skarsgård. It explores the complex relationship between a dancer and her filmmaker father, though some critics found its metaphorical weight and narrative momentum lacking.
Family Fare and Hollywood Spectacle
For younger audiences and families, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants delivers the franchise's signature bright colours and madcap mix of animation and live action. The plot sends the optimistic sponge on an underwater road trip to prove his courage.
The Boxing Day tradition of a major Hollywood release is upheld by the meta action-comedy Anaconda, starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd as indie filmmakers attempting a dodgy remake of the 1997 creature feature in the Amazon. Industry reports describe it as a hybrid reboot and spiritual sequel.
Also generating buzz is The Housemaid, a Paul Feig-directed thriller adapted from a bestselling novel. Starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, it follows a maid with a troubled past who uncovers dark secrets in a wealthy household, drawing comparisons to lurid 90s thrillers.
A Misfire in the Mix
Not every release has met with critical favour. Rental Family, starring Brendan Fraser as an American actor in Japan hired to pose as a family member for strangers, begins with a strong premise. However, critics note it ultimately devolves into cheesy sentiment, squandering its potential for poignant commentary on isolation and connection.
This year's Boxing Day selection, releasing on 26 December 2025, ensures cinemagoers have a wide array of options, whether seeking thoughtful drama, loud comedy, or a few hours of quiet immersion in the dark.
