Quick snapshot
New movies land in Spanish cinemas this Wednesday through Friday (Aug 26–28) and the slate is oddly satisfying: a big-budget sci-fi road tale from Ridley Scott, an intimate family drama led by Javier Bardem, and a kid-friendly animated adventure that digs up a magic lamp and a whole lot of jealousy.
The Dog Star — Ridley Scott’s gritty sci-fi road trip
Think wide-open wastelands, practical-survival vibes and a mystery on the airwaves. The Dog Star follows Hig, a young pilot living in a locked-down, post-apocalypse setup with Bangley, a no-nonsense survivalist. Life is orderly until a cryptic radio signal pulls Hig out of his hermit life and into whatever danger (or salvation) is broadcasting on the ether.
Expect classic Ridley Scott textures — big vistas, tight tension, and a focus on how people make do when the world’s gone sideways. Jacob Elordi takes the lead, with Josh Brolin and Margaret Qualley rounding out a cast built for both hard edges and quiet, human moments.
El ser querido — Family history, old wounds and cinematic reckoning
Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s latest centers on a famous director (Javier Bardem) and his estranged daughter (Vicky Luengo), an actress who hasn’t had the break she hoped for. They reunite to shoot a film together, which sounds like a recipe for awkward family dinners — except the past they keep dodging has real weight.
This one looks like a close-up study of two people circling each other: professional pride, unresolved hurt, and the slow unraveling (or mending) that happens when art forces a family to face itself. If you like performances that simmer and scenes that feel like emotional landmines, this will be for you.
Tadeo Jones and the Wonderful Lamp — Lamp wishes, parental rivalry and tiny adventurers
For a lighter palate cleanser, the newest Tadeo Jones animated romp returns with familiar faces and a new wrinkle: parenthood. Tadeo and Sara are now raising little Oli, a fearless two-year-old who steals every frame she’s in. Trouble brews when Momia — who used to be center stage — gets jealous and discovers a magic lamp during a London trip.
Momia’s wish to rewind to his glory days kicks off timey-wimey antics that are aimed straight at family audiences. Expect slapstick, heart, and the kind of gags that make kids giggle while adults enjoy the affectionate jabs at midlife melodrama.
What kind of moviegoer each film is for
If you want cinematic spectacle and a brooding sci-fi survival tale, go for The Dog Star. If you prefer tense, character-first drama and powerhouse acting, El ser querido is your pick. Want a carefree family night with laughs and a few clever surprises? Tadeo Jones has you covered.
The takeaway
It’s a tidy, three-way split: big-scale genre filmmaking, intimate human drama, and family animation. Spain’s late-August lineup gives something for every mood — from dusty existential wanderings to household grudges and wishful lamp chaos. Pick your vibe and enjoy the ride.