Once Upon a Time in a Cinema

Once Upon a Time in a Cinema
Official poster
Directed byDavid Gleeson
Screenplay byDavid Gleeson
Produced by
  • Nathalie Lichtenthaeler
  • Kirk D'Amico
  • Laurent Jacobs
  • Tara Doolan
  • Cloè Garbay
  • Bastien Sirodot
  • Judy Tossell
  • Trish Vasquez
Starring
CinematographyHyun De Grande
Edited by
  • Bertrand Conard
  • John Murphy
Music byPerrine Virgile
Production
companies
  • Screen Ireland
  • Wide Eye Films
  • Egoli Tossell Pictures
  • UMedia Production Services
Distributed byA Contra Corriente
Release dates
  • February 2026 (2026-02) (DIFF)
  • 1 May 2026 (2026-05-01)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryIreland
LanguageEnglish

Once Upon a Time in a Cinema is a 2026 Irish comedy-drama film, written and directed by David Gleeson and starring Colin Morgan, Calam Lynch, Niamh Cusack, India Mullen, Stanley Townsend, and Liam O'Brien.

Plot

In the 1980s, a movie theatre owner/manager (Colin Morgan) and his fellow employees are under siege from burst pipes, rodents, unruly customers, ageing equipment, inebriated projectionists, financial pressure and the unstoppable march of new technology in the form of the dreaded Video Home System (VHS) tape machine. Told in real time during a movie playing (Breathless, starring Richard Gere).[1]

Production

It was announced in 2024 that David Gleeson was returning to his native home in Limerick, Ireland to begin shooting his next feature film One Night Only, a collaboration between Ireland and Belgium.[2] It was announced that Calam Lynch would star alongside his mother Niamh Cusack.[3]

Filming took place in the old Royal Cinema in Limerick, which had been closed for almost three decades. The cinema was opened and re-constructed for the film.[4] Gleeson set the film in a cinema as it reminded him of the cinema his family owned in his youth. Over 150 extras were brought on. Nathalie Lichtenthaeler & Judy Tossell of Wide Eye Films produced, with Primetime Emmy Award Nominee Kirk D'Amico joining also.[5] Shooting took place between November 11th to December 6th.[6] The film was co-financed by Screen Ireland.[7]

Cast

  • Colin Morgan as Earl Clancy
  • Calam Lynch as Gerald Clancy
  • Clara Crichton as Kate Clancy
  • India Mullen as Lyla
  • Niamh Cusack as Mrs. Healy
  • Stanley Townsend as Harry Conway
  • Elaine O’Dwyer as Alma
  • Daniel Woodage as Vincent
  • Liam O'Brien as Dickie Wall
  • Ryan Bourke as Joe Gorman
  • Cos Egan as Jack
  • Andrew Bennett as Sgt Walsh
  • Tracey Collopy as Tank
  • Aidan Crowe as Gus
  • Sean Shinners as Goose Guy
  • Michael Casey as Cocky Stoner
  • Stuart Mackey as Poster Thief
  • Samuel Duggan as Fighting Teen 1
  • Jonty Ross as Fighting Teen 2
  • Ollie Ryan as Jelly Guy
  • Shane Davis as Stoner
  • Ian Dillon as Chip Van Owner
  • Dean Panter as Dan Clancy

Release

U.S. distribution company Myriad Pictures sold the picture to distributors including A Contracorriente Films (Spain), Cinemundo (Portugal), Break Out Pictures (Ireland ), Rialto Distribution (Australia) and Tanweer Productions (Greece).[8]

The Dublin International Film Festival selected Once Upon a Time in a Cinema to be the opening film at their 2026 event.[9] The film was released in cinemas on 1 May 2026. In April 2026, the film was given its Limerick premiere in the Royal Theatre, the same theatre the film was shot in. David Gleeson said he felt they had "made history", stating he believes they might be the first movie to screen in the same building it was shot.[10]

Critical reception

Reviews for the film were mostly positive, with many critics praising its witty humour and heartfelt story. Screen Daily called the film a "nostalgic 1980's drama".[11] Film Ireland claimed the feature was "an immersive trip back in time to the days when a weekly visit, preferably Friday night, to the local cinema was de rigueur" and that there was a "real sense of fun" when watching the picture.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Review: Once Upon A Time In A Cinema". Film Ireland - Get into Film. 2026-02-23. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ Kay, Jeremy. "Myriad Pictures launching AFM sales on Irish comedy-drama 'One Night Only' starring Colin Morgan (exclusive)". Screen. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ Gilbart, Manon (2024-12-05). "Bridgerton actor Calam Lynch joins Limerick film set". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ O'Donovan, Katie (2024-12-25). "A trip down memory lane as former Royal Cinema gets movie makeover". Limerick Post Newspaper. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ Gilbart, Manon (2024-11-08). "Major production to bring 'life back' to beloved former Limerick cinema". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ English, Amy (2024-11-14). "For One Night Only, Limerick is going back to the 80s -". Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "A LIMERICK-LED PRODUCTION: WIDE EYE FILMS PARTNERS WITH BELGIAN UMEDIA ON NEW CO-PRODUCTION" – Wide Eye Films". Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  8. ↑ Ntim, Zac (2026-01-28). "David Gleeson Feature 'Once Upon A Time In A Cinema' Sells To International Territories". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Limerick's 'Once Upon a Time in a Cinema' set to open Dublin International Film Festival". Limerick's Live 95. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ Gilbart, Manon (2026-04-24). "'I think we made history here': Movie screens in Limerick venue where it was once filmed". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  11. ↑ Hunter, Allan. "'Once Upon A Time In A Cinema' review: Dublin opener is nostalgic drama set in 1980s Limerick". Screen. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Review: Once Upon A Time In A Cinema". Film Ireland - Get into Film. 2026-02-23. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
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