Sony Pictures Classics recently picked up Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film, “Bitter Christmas,” which was shot in the spring. A release date was set up in Spain for March 20, 2026.
We now have a beautiful poster released for the film, which has actor Leonardo Sbaraglia front and center — he co-stars alongside Victoria Luengo (“The Room Next Door”) and Patrick Criado (“Riot Police”).
That March date isn’t unusual if you’re wondering whether it might skip Cannes. Almodóvar almost always releases his films in Spain before a Cannes premiere. It’s odd, I know—but the fest tends to give him a free pass when it comes to that.
Sony Pictures Classics has released Almodóvar’s last four films: “Pain and Glory” (2019), “Parallel Mothers” (2021), and “The Room Next Door” (2024).
“Bitter Christmas” is a Spanish-language drama about a work-obsessed woman who goes on holiday after her mother’s death, traveling to Lanzarote with a friend. On the island, their experiences mirror the story of a screenwriter and a film director, blurring the lines between life and art in Almodóvar’s signature style.
The director’s 24th feature stars . Notably, “Bitter Christmas” was not shot in English, marking a return to form for Almodóvar after his recent foray into U.S. projects, including the Venice-winning “The Room Next Door.”
