Adaptations of Shakespeare’s work are nothing new – and they’re not likely to slow down either. The man was a genius. He is the guy we have to thank for a whole lot of the English language. And it turns out we’ve all got a whole lot of daddy issues (or is it mummy issues?), because the 2026 film slate is giving us not one, not two – no, four versions of Hamlet to watch at Cineworld this year.
While that might seem like overkill, we actually completely disagree. Each of the four versions of Hamlet are unique and worthy of your time – from untold perspectives to unique adaptations, and even an anime – and here’s why you need to watch them all.
Hamnet (showing now)
First out of the gate is Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, starring Jessie Buckley – who is sweeping up the awards in awards season right now – and Paul Mescal. Adapted from the best-selling book by Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet tells the story of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet (interchangable with the name Hamlet), who died in infancy and later inspired his play Hamlet.
More than anything, though, it is a story that centres Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes. In fact, ol’ Willy Shakes isn’t even identified by name. So yes, Hamnet is feminist as hell, but it is also the most beautiful and heartwrenching story about motherhood and loss. Take your tissues and head to Cineworld to watch Hamnet right now.
National Theatre Live: Hamlet (22nd January)
Want to experience Hamlet as it was back in the day? Well, perfect timing because National Theatre Live is back and giving you a front seat to the stage production of Hamlet at your nearest Cineworld.
Pacing the boards of Lyttelton Theatre in London, Hiran Abeysekera takes on the role of Hamlet under the direction of Robert Hastie and his contemporary take on the famous play.
Hamlet (6th February)
There’s something so incredible and, to be honest, cool about hearing Shakespearian language against the backdrop of a modern day setting, particularly when the fundamentals are applied to the starkness of another culture. In this sense, it can both change the message entirely, and also work to show how similar the line we all walk is despite our backgrounds.
That’s exactly what you can expect to see from Aneil Karia’s Hamlet, which stars the formidable Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal, The Phoenician Scheme) as Prince Hamlet as he weaves between the elite and lowly ends of the spectrum within the British South-Asian community in London. It’s also worth noting Joe Alwyn stars in both this and Hamnet, so clearly he’ll never tire of Shakespeare either.
Scarlet (6th February)
Shaking things up again, why not consider the story of Hamlet through Sony’s next big anime title. Scarlet is told across two timelines in which its titular character travels between – a Joan of Arc sort who knows how to handle a sword and is out to avenge her father’s death (you see where the influences are coming in now, right?).
Originally from medieval times, Scarlet’s mission for revenge finds her in a peculiar modern day world where she meets someone who might just turn her away from the violent catalyst from which she is guided.
So yes, there's a whole lot of Hamlet re-tellings coming your way, but they're all so different, and we're 100% ready to watch them all and write a comparative essay about them.
Want to watch them all? It'll be cheaper if you sign up to Unlimited, costing the equivalent of two cinema tickets a month on average – and then you can watch as many films as you like.
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