Pedro Almodóvar Starts Filming Bitter Christmas for Release in 2026

      Less than a year after the debut of his first English-language feature, Pedro Almodóvar has already started on his next film. Bitter Christmas (translated from Amarga Navidad) is currently in production in Madrid and Lanzarote throughout the summer, featuring a cast that includes Bárbara Lennie, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Victoria Luengo, Patrick Criado, Milena Smit, and Quim Gutiérrez.

      According to Variety, the film is set to premiere in Spain in 2026, with distribution handled by Warner Bros. Pictures Spain, followed by a streaming release on Movistar Plus+. We anticipate that Sony Pictures Classics will soon announce its acquisition for the U.S. Given Almodóvar’s typically quick post-production, it raises the question of whether we might see a release around the upcoming holidays early next year or if he will opt for a significant festival premiere.

      Here’s the synopsis, translated from Spanish: “Elsa is an advertising director whose mother passes away during a long December holiday weekend. She immerses herself in work as a means of escape, not realizing she is depriving herself of the opportunity to mourn. Her relentless pace is disrupted when a panic attack compels her to pause. Her partner, Bonifacio, becomes her support during this crisis. Elsa decides to travel to Lanzarote with her friend Patricia, who is also eager to leave Madrid behind, while Bonifacio remains in the city.”

      As we look forward to more updates, you can watch the director accepting the 50th Chaplin Award at Film at Lincoln Center this past spring.