Musical sequel Sing 2 leads January's new releases

With the new year comes many exciting releases and here are two that we want to highlight for both their educational value and sheer sense of style and entertainment. One is a children's animated sequel to a surprisingly huge box-office hit and the other is an evocative autobiographical work from one of Britain's most illustrious directors. 

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Sing 2

In 2016, Sing captured the hearts of young audiences worldwide and soon became one of Into Film's most popular titles with schools. Now, in 2022, the sequel sees Buster Moon and his animal compatriots in the midst of a new adventure.

Having previously saved his local theatre through a hugely popular singing competition, koala bear and music manager Buster Moon has his sights set on an even bigger musical extravaganza in the bustling Las-Vegas like city of Red Shore. Along with his friends and performers including the singing pigs Rosita and Gunter, porcupine rocker Ash and shy Gorilla Tommy Buster heads to the city to discover that the only way the show will go on is if he can convince reclusive rockstar-lion Clay Calloway to come out of retirement to be part of the show. However, since Clay's wife passed away, he is reluctant to ever go back onto the stage again. Full of recognizable musical numbers and a slapstick sensibility, Sing 2 also explores the importance of music in our lives as more than just a form of entertainment.

Sing 2 will be released on 28 January 2022 - Discover screenings near you with FindAnyFilm

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Belfast

Already being touted as one of the great city films, this gorgeous black and white snapshot examines what is was like to grow up during one of the most tumultuous times in British history. Written and directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh as an ode to his childhood, Belfast is both a coming-of-age tale and a detailed love-letter to 1960's Belfast. At this point in history, tensions in the city were high as political and religious beliefs clashed and began to spill over into the daily lives of its inhabitants and we see how ten-year-old Buddy must navigate this complex and potentially dangerous world whilst getting swept up in the music, culture and excitement of a city in the midst of change. Belfast is an emotional and heartfelt film that also explores the meaning of home, wherever you may end up.

Belfast will be released on 21 January 2022 - Discover screenings near you with FindAnyFilm

More films released in January

Licorice Pizza - 1 January

Celebrated filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson directs this 1970s-set coming-of-age story about a teenage entrepreneur Gary Valentine who finds himself caught up in a relationship with the prickly and charismatic Alana Kane. 

Boiling Point - 7 January

The rarely seen kitchen thriller gets a new addition here as we join charismatic head chef Andy Jones on one of the busiest nights of the year at one of London's top restaurants. His personal and professional lives begin to intertwine and spill over, threatening to destroy everything he's worked for. 

Save the Cinema - 14th January

A love letter to the importance and power of local cinema, this 90s-set drama sees a Welsh hairdresser begin a campaign to save her local cinema by organising a premier of Steven Spielberg's blockbuster hit Jurassic Park.

Cow - 14 January 

This ode to the daily life of a dairy cow from British filmmaker Andrea Arnold is a gentle and observational acknowledgement of how farm animals and humans co-exist together. 

Parallel Mothers - 28 January

Lastly, Spanish maestro Pedro Almodovar tackles the concept of motherhood from two different perspectives as a pair of prospective mothers with very different attitudes meet in a hospital and form a strong bond with one another. 

Find out where you can see any of these films near you with FindAnyFilm