Once Upon a Time in a Cinema vs The Penguin Lessons
Once Upon a Time in a Cinema has the higher audience score (10/10 against 7.1/10 for The Penguin Lessons). Once Upon a Time in a Cinema is the shorter watch at 1h 32m compared with 1h 51m. The Penguin Lessons is the older of the two (2025 against 2026). Both are drama movies, so they suit a similar mood.
Once Upon a Time in a Cinema
The Penguin Lessons| Once Upon a Time in a Cinema | The Penguin Lessons | |
|---|---|---|
| Audience score | ★ 10.0/10 | ★ 7.1/10 |
| Year | 2026 | 2025 |
| Length | 1h 32m | 1h 51m |
| Genres | Drama | Drama |
| Country | Ireland | – |
| Director | David Gleeson | Peter Cattaneo |
| Main cast | Colin Morgan, Andrew Bennett, Niamh Cusack, Stanley Townsend, Liam O'Brien | Jonathan Pryce, Steve Coogan, Ramiro Blas, Vivian El Jaber, Björn Gustafsson |
Synopsis
Once Upon a Time in a Cinema
Earl Clancy, a cinema owner on the edge, battles a series of disasters while juggling personal turmoil and the chaos of a packed Friday night crowd. Told in real time over the course of the movie playing in the cinema.
The Penguin Lessons
In 1976, as Argentina descends into violence and chaos, a world-weary English teacher regains his compassion for others thanks to an unlikely friendship with a penguin.
Where to watch
Where to watch Once Upon a Time in a CinemaWhere to watch The Penguin Lessons
More like Once Upon a Time in a Cinema · More like The Penguin Lessons · Compare other titles