Iconic characters such as Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and many more are making their way to the big screen this summer at Vue in Edinburgh to commemorate the 50th anniversary of legendary British animation studio Aardman.
A trailblazer in stop-motion animation, Aardman became a household name for British families with the release of beloved duo Wallace & Gromit in 1989’s A Grand Day Out, which saw a cheese-loving Yorkshire man and his heroic, silent dog Gromit set off on a space-faring adventure to the moon.
It is fitting, then, that Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out and crime caper Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers will kick-start the Aardman 50th anniversary season at Vue, combining the two short films into one animated double bill exclusively for the big screen from 10 July.
The dynamic duo continue their adventures on 18 July with a double bill of Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave, which introduces fan favourite Shaun the Sheep, and Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death, where Gromit must uncover the identity of a deranged assailant targeting bakers before they can cause more harm.
Their first feature-length release, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, wraps up the duo’s animated adventures at Vue on 1 August, as they face off against the fluffiest monster around after a series of carrot catastrophes threatens the village’s annual giant vegetable competition.
It is not just Wallace & Gromit in the spotlight, though, as other popular features from Aardman are also returning. Shaun the Sheep’s big-screen adventures, including 2015’s Shaun the Sheep Movie from 28 August and 2019’s A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon from 5 September, will also return to Vue.
Families can follow everyone’s favourite woolly rascal as he gets involved in everything from an action-packed day out in town to dealing with an alien invasion. These laugh-out-loud family films are not to be missed.
Other iconic Aardman releases returning as part of the anniversary season include Chicken Run from 24 July, Flushed Away from 7 August, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! from 14 August and Early Man from 21 August.
This summer, Vue is also inviting families to make the most of the summer holidays with the launch of its new Summer Family Passport Book, designed to encourage young film fans to enjoy more big-screen moments throughout the season.
Families and children can collect stamps in their Summer Family Passport Book when visiting Vue for the latest family releases, including all of the Aardman classics returning to the big screen. They are also encouraged to share photos of their passport books and adventures on a dedicated Vue Facebook post for the chance to win a £25 Vue gift card.
Vue has also introduced discounted kids’ tickets in partnership with the Great British Summer Savings scheme, meaning children aged 14 and under can enjoy big-screen escapes for less, providing a fantastic way to keep the family entertained over the holidays.
Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh, said: “Aardman Animation and its beloved characters have charmed UK audiences since the very first adventure of Wallace & Gromit, and we’re thrilled to be able to mark the studio’s 50th anniversary by bringing its most iconic stories back to the big screen this summer holidays.
“Whether you’ve seen these films before or are new to the stop-motion worlds of Aardman, this back-on-the-big-screen season is guaranteed to provide plenty of moments and memories for families to treasure.”
Aardman 50th Anniversary Back on the Big Screen Season
Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out/The Wrong Trousers – From 10 July
Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave/A Matter of Loaf & Death – From 18 July
Chicken Run – From 24 July
Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit – From 1 August
Flushed Away – From 7 August
THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS! – From 14 August
EARLY MAN – From 21 August
SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE – From 28 August
SHAUN THE SHEEP: FARMAGEDDON – From 5 September
To find out more, visit www.myvue.com/family
