Marking its 20th anniversary, Bullet Boy—the cult crime drama starring Ashley Walters—returns to the big screen as part of Escapes. The film will be shown on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 September in more than 100 cinemas nationwide.
Escapes, launched in February 2024 and supported by the BFI with National Lottery funding, has already seen over 160,000 free tickets claimed. The initiative is designed to draw audiences back into local independent cinemas, showcasing a vibrant mix of cult classics, groundbreaking dramas, exciting previews and award-winning films—something to captivate every film lover.
Released in 2005, Bullet Boy was a searing, uncompromising portrait of East London in the early 2000s. Exploring gun crime, toxic masculinity and brotherhood, the film broke new ground in British cinema and cemented its place as a powerful and culturally significant story of its time.
At its heart is Ashley Walters in his breakout role as Ricky – a young man newly released from prison, torn between escaping his old life and protecting his younger brother Curtis from the dangers of the streets. Walters’ performance was lauded for its raw authenticity and emotional power, establishing him as one of the most important voices of a new generation of British talent. Today, Walters is celebrated as a leading figure in British screen culture, known globally for Top Boy and, more recently, Adolescence. Returning to the role that first showcased his talent, Escapes’ anniversary screenings shine a light on the importance of his career-defining performance in Bullet Boy.
Escapes remains committed to making cinema accessible for all – whether rediscovering a groundbreaking film like Bullet Boy, enjoying the magic of an independent cinema, or simply taking time for an unforgettable shared experience. Every screening will include descriptive subtitles to ensure accessibility for a wider audience.
On 15th and 16th September, audiences will have the rare opportunity to revisit Bullet Boy on the big screen ahead of its special 20th anniversary rerelease on 26 Sept. More than just a film, these screenings are a celebration of its craftsmanship, its legacy, and its enduring impact on British cinema.
🎟️ Tickets are FREE and available now at escapetothecinema.co.uk/tickets.
Escapes confirmed locations*
England
Nottingham, Farnham, Workington, Dereham, King’s Lynn, Grantham, Cleethorpes, Worksop, Penrith, London, Folkestone, Borehamwood, Hull, Mablethorpe, Corby, Halesowen, Wisbech, Sunderland, Fareham, Louth, Widnes, Birmingham, Gainsborough, Sutton, Burgess Hill, St Annes, Rochdale, Romford, Chippenham, Plymouth, Blackburn, Beverley, Stowmarket, High Wycombe, Ipswich, Doncaster, Chester, Goole, Sheffield, Burnley, Woodhall Spa, Catterick, Boston, Wigan, Bury St Edmunds, Newcastle, Bolton, Morecambe, Uttoxeter, Croydon, Wakefield, Herne Bay, Worthing, Chorley, Manchester, St Austell, Somerset, Bodmin, Bridgwater, Ambleside, Fakenham, Oxford, Redcar, Woking, Cromer, Kingsbridge, Truro, Falmouth, Redruth, Barnstaple, Okehampton, Burnham-on-Crouch, Ilfracombe, Whitley Bay, Middlesbrough, Penzance, Torquay, Gloucester
Wales
Neath, Ammanford, Aberystwyth, Port Talbot, Bangor, Barry, Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Aberystwyth
Northern Ireland
Downpatrick, Belfast, Antrim, Londonderry, Carrickfergus, Dungannon, Lisburn, Newry, Omagh, Craigavon, Banbridge
Scotland
Kirkwall, Greenock, Annan, Montrose, Bo’ness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Thurso, Dumfries, Cumbernauld, Clydebank, Galashiels, Ayrshire
Tickets are FREE and available now at escapetothecinema.co.uk/tickets or via the Escapes Cinematik app.
*New venues and locations are added to the Escapes website regularly.