Vue Lumière to Bring Lupus Films’ Animated Specials to UK Cinemas
Skwigly
London-based animation and film production company Lupus Films has partnered with Vue Lumière, the distribution arm of Europe’s largest privately owned cinema operator Vue, to bring four of its acclaimed hand-drawn animated specials to cinema audiences across the UK. The films will be released at family-friendly times and at key seasonal moments in sets of double-feature screenings with special, made-for-cinema, extra content.
The films are all adapted from best-selling picture books including We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, written by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury and published by Walker Books; The Tiger Who Came to Tea, written and illustrated by Judith Kerr and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books; and Mog’s Christmas and Mog’s Bad Thing, also by Judith Kerr and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books.
The first pairing will see We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, co-directed by Robin Shaw and Joanna Harrison and The Tiger Who Came to Tea, directed by Robin Shaw and written by Joanna Harrison, shown in widescreen in cinemas around the country from Friday 25 September. Mog’s Christmas and Mog’s Bad Thing, both directed by Robin Shaw, will follow in 2027.
The move comes as Lupus Films continues to build momentum behind its licensing and merchandising programme for classic Mog and The Tiger Who Came to Tea alongside their contemporary TV brands Mog and Tiger TV with new style guides produced for use across multiple categories and experiences.
Lupus Films founder and co-managing director Ruth Fielding said:
We are thrilled that audiences will be able to discover the warmth, charm and craft of our hand-drawn specials on the big screen in an exciting family-friendly cinema experience that we hope will delight existing fans while introducing these much-loved stories to a new generation.
Eve Gabereau, Director of Distribution, Vue Lumière, commented:
We’re delighted to be partnering with Lupus Films to bring these much-loved animations to cinemas across the UK, giving more families of all generations the opportunity to come together and enjoy them on the big screen.
Mog’s Bad Thing is a warm-hearted and hilarious adventure for the whole family from Judith Kerr’s beloved Mog series of picture books about her endearing family cat – which have sold over 4 million copies worldwide in 21 languages. It follows the success of Mog’s Christmas, which attracted 5.7 million viewers on Channel 4 during Christmas 2023 and has become a modern festive favourite for family audiences.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea is based on Kerr’s timeless children’s classic picture book which has remained continuously in print since its publication in 1968. Screened at Christmas 2019 it became Channel 4’s second most-watched programme of the year and roared to success on the awards circuit picking up numerous awards including an International Kids Emmy for Best Animation.
Adapted from the publishing phenomenon by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, and shown on Channel 4 over Christmas 2016, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt drew in over eight million viewers for the channel and earned a BAFTA nomination.