What's New in Cinemas on April 9th: Spotlight on Ukrainian Film 'On the Drive'

Cinema Releases for April 9, 2026

According to Главком: Audiences have four new European films to choose from this week, including a re-release of a 2012 title. The most anticipated release is the Ukrainian film 'On the Drive,' directed by Artem Lytvynenko. The movie was produced with the involvement of Aliona Tymoshenko and filmed over three months in Kyiv and Kharkiv. Notably, during the shooting of the final scene in the Barabashovo district, the set was struck by a Russian guided aerial bomb (KAB). This release highlights the resilience of the Ukrainian film industry, which continues to produce work under extraordinary circumstances.

A special pre-release screening of 'On the Drive' was held at the National Palace 'Ukraine' in Kyiv, attracting over 3,000 guests. Following its official premiere, the film will embark on a nationwide tour across several cities:

• Kyiv (April 11, 17)
• Cherkasy (April 13)
• Rivne (April 14)
• Ternopil (April 15)
• Khmelnytskyi (April 16)
• Poltava (April 18)

The cast of 'On the Drive' includes Ivan Dovzhenko, Eduard Poliakov, Iolanta Bogdiun, Bohdan Moroshan, Mariia Saminina, Sofiia Baiun, Tetiana Ostapenko, and Bohdan Chulovskyi.

Other Films in Release

Alongside the Ukrainian feature, two other European films are debuting. The first is the French-Belgian thriller 'The Guru,' directed by Yann Gozlan and starring Pierre Niney in the lead role of Mathieu Vasseur. The film's budget was 12.5 million euros.

The second is the Italian-French drama 'The New Favorite,' directed by Damiano Micheletto. The lead role of Cecilia is played by 22-year-old actress Tekla Inzolia, with supporting performances from Michele Riondino, Fabrizia Sacchi, Andrea Pennacchi, Valentina Belle, Stefano Accorsi, and Rebecca Antonaci.

In addition to these new releases, the acclaimed 2012 French-German-Austrian drama 'Amour,' directed by Michael Haneke, is returning to cinemas. This film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Produced on a budget of 9.5 million dollars, 'Amour' earned over 36.7 million dollars worldwide. Its cast features Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert, Alexandre Tharaud, and Laurent Capelluto.

These April 9th premieres offer a diverse range of genres and themes, from the contemporary Ukrainian story in 'On the Drive' to established international projects, showcasing the breadth of European cinema. The return of a classic like 'Amour' demonstrates a lasting audience interest in award-winning, high-quality filmmaking.

As audiences look forward to the release of 'On the Drive,' it's worth noting that the cinematic landscape is constantly evolving. Just last week, several films, including a Ukrainian comedy and a highly anticipated blockbuster starring Robert Pattinson, made their debut. To explore more about these exciting new titles and their impact on the film industry, check out our article on the latest releases from April 2nd.