New Film Releases for August 12, 2026

As a heatwave sweeps across France this August, many are left wondering if this will be the last of the scorching days for the summer of 2026. The traditional belief that cooler nights begin after August 15 no longer seems reliable. In light of this, seeking refuge in an air-conditioned cinema has become increasingly appealing. This trend is evident in the recent box office numbers, which have remained strong for several weeks. The film releases for this Wednesday, although planned long in advance, cater to the audience's desire for a comfortable escape with a diverse lineup of new films.

Among the new releases, our editorial team, along with critic Jean-Jacques, has singled out Soudain by Ryusuke Hamaguchi as a standout choice. Clocking in at over three hours, this intimate drama will need all the support it can get to compete with Hollywood blockbusters. Other notable mentions include the touching Mexican coming-of-age drama Chicas tristes by Fernanda Tovar and the animated feature Une aube nouvelle from Japanese artist Yoshitoshi Shinomiya. Both films are debuts and made their mark at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year.

For those seeking more mainstream options, there are several films that fit the bill. French cinema offers Une affaire turque by Hüseyin Aydin Gürsoy, a thriller set within the Turkish community in France, alongside the light-hearted comedy Tombé du ciel by Mohamed Hamidi, which presents a charming take on the theme of fish out of water. From the United States, Juste pour une nuit delivers a romantic comedy vibe reminiscent of classic films, featuring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner navigating the complexities of love. Meanwhile, La Fin d’Oak Street by David Robert Mitchell introduces a fantastical twist involving dinosaurs in contemporary settings, a premise that feels somewhat familiar for the director known for his unique storytelling in films like It Follows and Under the Silver Lake.

Film Lineup:

• Arcobaleno by Pablo Cirès (France, Documentary, 1h21)
• Chicas tristes by Fernanda Tovar (Mexico, Drama, 1h30, distributed on 44 copies) featuring Rocio Guzman, Darana Alvarez, and Tatsumi Milori
• La Fin d’Oak Street by David Robert Mitchell (USA, Fantasy, 1h40, distributed on 518 copies) starring Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, and Maisy Stella
• Juste pour une nuit by Will Gluck (USA, Romantic Comedy, 1h42) with Monica Barbaro, Callum Turner, and Charlie Gillespie
• Lydia et le vaisseau des tempêtes by Philippe Arseneau Bussières (Canada, Animation, 1h25)
• Soudain by Ryusuke Hamaguchi (France, Drama, 3h15, distributed on 141 copies) featuring Virginie Efira, Tao Okamoto, and Kodai Kurosaki (critique)
• Tombé du ciel by Mohamed Hamidi (France, Social Comedy, 1h32, distributed on 472 copies) starring Ilyes Djadel, Josiane Balasko, and Fred Testot
• Un grand raccourci by Armand Foëx and Clément Devilliers (France, Dramatic Comedy, 1h21) featuring Sara Montpetit, Louise Labèque, and Jules Poirier
• Undertone by Ian Tuason (Canada, Horror, 1h34) with Nina Kiri, Michèle Duquet, and Keana Lyn Bastidas
• Une affaire turque by Hüseyin Aydin Gürsoy (France, Thriller, 1h32) starring Lionel Erdogan, Charles Berling, and Metehan Aygün (critique)
• Une aube nouvelle by Yoshitoshi Shinomiya (Japan, Animation, 1h16, distributed on 120 copies)

Re-releases:

• L’Île (2000) by Kim Ki-duk (South Korea, Drama, 1h30) featuring Jung Suh, Kim Yu-seok, and Cho Jae-hyun
• Akira Kurosawa Retrospective featuring three films (1957-1962): Le Château de l’araignée, La Forteresse cachée, and Sanjuro
• The Quiet Family (1998) by Kim Jee-won (South Korea, Comedy, 1h38) with Song Kang-ho, Choi Min-sik, and Jeong Jae-yeong