Picturehouse Cinemas Opts Out of Sacha Baron Cohen’s Ali G Comeback Film

Picturehouse Cinemas have confirmed that they have “no current plans” to screen Sacha Baron Cohen’s upcoming film Ali G: Who Iz I?

The movie is scheduled for theatrical release on October 23, marking the character’s first feature-length appearance since 2002’s Ali G Indahouse. The project also represents Baron Cohen’s debut as a feature film director.

Picturehouse, which runs 25 cinemas throughout the UK, has stated that it does not intend to exhibit the film during its opening run.

“We currently do not have any plans to screen this film on its release,” a spokesperson told Metro in an official statement.

This decision follows an online campaign organised by the media-monitoring group NewsCord, which is urging cinema chains globally, including Odeon, Cineworld, Vue, Everyman, and Showcase, to refuse to show the film.

The campaign has accused Baron Cohen of using satire as “a cover for enforcing racist stereotypes,” arguing that his characters have perpetuated harmful depictions of marginalised communities. The group has condemned Amazon MGM’s choice to revive Ali G as the return of a “racist caricature,” and supporters have reportedly sent more than 27,000 emails to cinema chains demanding they boycott the release.

In an age where a comedian’s career can be ended by a single un-PC joke, I thought I’d play it safe and bring this guy back.

— Sacha Baron Cohen (@SachaBaronCohen) August 25, 2026

Ali G originally debuted on Channel 4’s The 11 O’Clock Show in 1998, conceived as an oblivious white character from Staines who appropriates the slang, fashion, and mannerisms he associates with Black British and Jamaican culture.

Baron Cohen appeared to anticipate the controversy surrounding the character’s return when he shared the trailer earlier this month, writing: “In an age where a comedian’s career can be ended by a single un-PC joke, I thought I’d play it safe and bring this guy back.”

The new film will follow Ali G after he learns that his girlfriend Julie, now portrayed by Morgana Robinson, is eight months pregnant. Confronted with impending fatherhood, he travels to the United States in an attempt to reclaim his former glory, documenting his encounters with unsuspecting members of the public.

“I’z been gone for 20 years, chillin’, and in that time the world went to crap,” the character remarks in the trailer. “There was COVID, wars and Ed Sheeran.”

Sheeran later responded enthusiastically to the gag, commenting: “Tell 10-year-old me that Ali G would put him in his movie. Restecpa.” The final word references a memorable scene from Ali G Indahouse in which the character misspells “respect.”

After rising to fame through Da Ali G Show, the character went on to feature in Madonna’s music video for “Music” and released the Shaggy collaboration “Me Julie,” which the pair performed together at the 2002 Brit Awards.

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