Image: Warner Bros. Pictures
Mortal Kombat II and the Cinema Revival: Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Get Into Film
This Thursday (8 May), Mortal Kombat II hits cinemas across the UK — and the hype is real. The sequel's red-band trailer smashed records last July with over 106 million views in its first 24 hours, making it the most-watched red-band trailer in history. But this isn't just about one blockbuster. It's a sign that cinema is back, young people are driving the revival, and the film industry is hungry for fresh talent.
Cinema Is Back — And Gen Z Is Leading the Charge
For years, the narrative was bleak: COVID emptied cinemas, streaming giants dominated, and massive home TVs made the big screen feel redundant. But 2026 is now forecast to be the best year at the global box office since the pandemic began, and it's Generation Z at the forefront of the comeback.
According to a Fandango survey, 87% of Gen Z have seen at least one film in a cinema in the past year, averaging around seven trips annually — more than any other generation. After growing up in algorithm-driven digital spaces, many young people are actively seeking out what researchers call "third spaces": social environments away from home and screens where they can connect with friends in person.
The Cinema Revival in Numbers
- 87% of Gen Z have visited a cinema in the past 12 months
- 7 trips per year on average for Gen Z — the highest of any generation
- 25% growth in Gen Z cinema attendance over the past 12 months
- 91% growth in BFI Southbank's under-25 ticket scheme over four years
- 106.8 million views for Mortal Kombat II's trailer in 24 hours — a record
- 26 million users on Letterboxd (up from 1.7 million in 2020)
The economics help too. An off-peak cinema ticket can cost as little as £7 for under-25s — far cheaper than a night out clubbing. Unlimited cinema passes from chains like Odeon Limitless (£16.99/month) have grown in popularity among younger audiences who want to make film a regular habit rather than a rare treat.
Mortal Kombat II: A Blockbuster Built for This Moment
Warner Bros. is betting big on the sequel to 2021's Mortal Kombat. Directed by Simon McQuoid and featuring fan-favourite characters including Johnny Cage, the film pits Earthrealm's champions against the dark rule of Shao Kahn. The trailer broke records when it launched in 68 countries and 47 languages last July, and early projections suggest a US opening weekend around $50 million.
After premiering at TCL Chinese Theater on 27 April, the film arrives in UK cinemas on 8 May. For young people interested in how blockbusters like this get made — from screenwriting and directing to cinematography, VFX, and production design — there has never been a better time to explore film education.
Film and Drama Courses for Young People Across the UK
Whether your child is 6 or 21, there are hundreds of courses available right now that teach the skills behind the screen. Here's what's on offer across our two main categories: Photography & Film and Performing Arts.
National Film and Television School (NFTS)
The UK's leading film school, based in Beaconsfield, offers 280 courses ranging from 2-year MFA programmes in Directing Fiction, Cinematography, and Screenwriting through to bite-sized online workshops in Script Analysis and Career Mapping. Alumni include Oscar winners Roger Deakins and Nick Park. Their NFTS Academy specifically targets talented filmmakers aged 16-19.
Directing Fiction
National Film and Television School
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Collaborate with students across the School as you make several films and work on practical projects, putting into practice the craft of directing fiction.
Screenwriting
National Film and Television School
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The voice of the individual screenwriter is at the heart of our course. You'll be taught by working screenwriters, producers and script editors.
NFTS Academy
National Film and Television School
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The NFTS is looking for talented filmmakers aged 16-19 to join our Academy — a stepping stone into professional film education.
London Film Academy (LFA)
A registered higher education provider in Fulham offering 20 upcoming courses with specific dates and prices. Short courses include the 4-week Filmmaking Certificate (£2,200), 5-day Cinematography Certificate (£995), and 4-day Directing Certificate (£795). Their Young Filmmakers' Academy runs during summer holidays for ages 13-17 (£995 for 2 weeks) — a hands-on introduction to writing, shooting, and editing your own films.
Filmmaking Certificate
London Film Academy
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Gain a practical introduction to the full filmmaking process across all key disciplines, and collaborate with a small team to create a short film in just four weeks.
Directing Certificate
London Film Academy
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Illuminate the director's role and build the necessary skills to direct a film. Guided by experienced filmmaking professionals over an intense 4-day course.
Young Filmmakers' Academy
London Film Academy
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A hands-on introduction to practical filmmaking for ages 13-17. Write, shoot, and edit your own films using professional equipment over 1 or 2 weeks.
Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA)
With over 150 academies nationwide, PQA is the UK's largest performing arts franchise for young people. Every weekly 3-hour session covers three modules: Comedy & Drama, Musical Theatre, and — crucially — Film & Television, where students learn storyboarding, screenwriting, filming, and acting for camera. Sessions run for ages 4-18 with prices from £46/month. There's almost certainly one near you.
PQA Angel – Main Academy (Comedy & Drama, Musical Theatre, Film & TV)
Pauline Quirke Academy
No reviews yet
Weekly 3-hour performing arts session covering Comedy & Drama, Musical Theatre, and Film & Television. Led by industry professionals in a fun, supportive environment.
PQA Brighton – Main Academy
Pauline Quirke Academy
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Weekly performing arts sessions covering Comedy & Drama, Musical Theatre, and Film & Television for children and young people.
PQA Abingdon – Poppets
Pauline Quirke Academy
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A fun introduction to performing arts for younger children covering drama, singing, and movement in a nurturing environment.
Roundhouse (Camden, London)
The Roundhouse's youth programme offers 33 classes across drama, theatre, film, animation, and music production for ages 11-30. Highlights include the Animation Club (ages 11-14, free), Film & TV Skills Boost workshops (ages 18-30, £5), Script in a Day: Writing for Stage & Screen (ages 15-17, £5), and the Theatre Drop In (ages 18-25, £2/session). Most courses are heavily subsidised or free.
Animation Club
Roundhouse
No reviews yet
Learn stop-motion animation — come up with an idea for a film and bring it to life. Work with professional tutors from the award-winning Rainbow Collective.
Script in a Day: Writing for Stage & Screen
Roundhouse
No reviews yet
Take you from a blank page to a finished short script in just one session. Learn storytelling, character building, and structural techniques for stage and screen.
Film & TV Skills Boost: Camera, Lighting and Sound
Roundhouse
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Hands-on workshop to practise camera operation, lighting, and sound skills with a focus on filming in indoor locations. Guided by film and TV professionals.
Sunderland Culture — Future Creatives
A completely free programme for young people aged 13-18 (up to 25 with SEND) in Sunderland. The Young Film Makers Club lets you work alongside a professional filmmaker to write, shoot, and edit films. No experience needed, and travel costs are covered.
Future Creatives: Young Film Makers Club
Sunderland Culture
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Work alongside a professional filmmaker to write, shoot and edit films. Plan your own screenings and meet like-minded young people. No experience needed.
Future Creatives Network
Sunderland Culture
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A vibrant community offering free workshops, masterclasses, collaborative projects, exhibitions, mentoring, and work experience across art, music, photography, filmmaking, and performance.
Learn about Future Creatives →
What Skills Can Young People Learn?
Behind the Camera
- Directing (fiction, documentary, animation)
- Cinematography and lighting
- Screenwriting and script development
- Producing and production management
- Editing and post-production
- Sound design
- VFX and virtual production
- Production design and costume
In Front of the Camera
- Screen acting and performance
- Drama and devising
- Improvisation
- Physical theatre and movement
- Voice and dialect
- Musical theatre
- Presenting and content creation
- Audition technique
Courses by Age Group
| Age | Provider | Course | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-6 | PQA (nationwide) | Poppets — intro to performing arts | From £46/month |
| 6-18 | PQA (nationwide) | Main Academy — Drama, Musical Theatre, Film & TV | From £46/month |
| 11-14 | Roundhouse | Animation Club (stop-motion filmmaking) | Free |
| 11-14 | Roundhouse | Drama Club | £25 (full term) |
| 13-17 | London Film Academy | Young Filmmakers' Academy | £995 (2 weeks) |
| 13-18 | Sunderland Culture | Young Film Makers Club | Free |
| 15-17 | Roundhouse | Script in a Day: Writing for Stage & Screen | £5 |
| 16-19 | NFTS | NFTS Academy | Contact |
| 18+ | London Film Academy | Filmmaking Certificate (4 weeks) | £2,200 |
| 18+ | NFTS | MFA Directing Fiction (2 years) | Contact |
A Revitalised Industry Needs Fresh Talent
The cinema revival isn't just good news for audiences — it's creating demand for the next generation of filmmakers, editors, cinematographers, and performers. Studios are investing in bigger productions, independent film is thriving, and the UK remains one of the world's top destinations for film and TV production thanks to facilities like Pinewood, Shepperton, and the growing studio infrastructure across the regions.
For young people watching Mortal Kombat II this week and thinking "I want to make something like that" — the pathway is there. From free community clubs for 13-year-olds to world-class Masters programmes, the UK's film education ecosystem covers every age, budget, and ambition level.
Getting Started
Search our database of film and performing arts courses to find something near you. Filter by age, location, and budget to find the right fit — whether that's a free Saturday club or an intensive summer programme.
Sources: The Guardian, IMDb, Deadline. Content was rephrased for compliance with licensing restrictions.
🎮 Mortal Kombat II Top Trumps
Meet three of the franchise's most iconic fighters heading to the big screen this week.
Johnny Cage
Hollywood Action Star & Earthrealm Champion • 🇺🇸 American
Education
Self-taught martial artist • Stunt training in Hollywood • Shaolin combat techniques
Key Skills
Career Path
- →B-movie action star (Ninja Mime, Citizen Cage)
- →Dismissed as a fraud by Hollywood critics
- →Recruited to defend Earthrealm in Mortal Kombat
- →Proved his powers are real — not special effects
- →Key ally in the fight against Outworld
Fun Fact
Johnny's signature move — the split punch — was inspired by Jean-Claude Van Damme, who the original game character was modelled on. In the new film, he's played by Karl Urban.
Scorpion (Hanzo Hasashi)
Undead Ninja Spectre • 🇯🇵 Japanese (Shirai Ryu clan)
Education
Shirai Ryu clan training from birth • Master of ninjutsu • Hellfire manipulation
Key Skills
Career Path
- →Born into the Shirai Ryu ninja clan
- →Became the clan's finest warrior
- →Murdered by Sub-Zero (Lin Kuei rival)
- →Resurrected as a hellfire spectre
- →Seeks vengeance while defending Earthrealm
Fun Fact
"GET OVER HERE!" is one of gaming's most iconic catchphrases. Scorpion's spear move has appeared in every single Mortal Kombat game since 1992 — over 30 years of yanking opponents across the screen.
Sub-Zero (Bi-Han)
Cryomancer Assassin • 🇨🇳 Chinese (Lin Kuei clan)
Education
Lin Kuei clan training • Cryomancy mastery • Stealth and assassination techniques
Key Skills
Career Path
- →Raised in the Lin Kuei assassin clan
- →Mastered the ancestral power of cryomancy
- →Became the clan's deadliest operative
- →Rival of Scorpion and the Shirai Ryu
- →Torn between duty to his clan and honour
Fun Fact
Sub-Zero and Scorpion are gaming's greatest rivalry — like Batman and Joker, but with ice and fire. The character's fatality in the original 1992 game (ripping out a spine) caused such controversy it led to the creation of the ESRB age rating system.
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