Holidaymakers who have fallen in love with Lanzarote’s dramatic volcanic landscapes will soon have the chance to spot some of the island’s most iconic locations on the big screen when Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film, Bitter Christmas (Amarga Navidad), arrives in UK cinemas on 28th August 2026.
Photo: El Deseo, Iglesias Mas
The acclaimed Spanish director’s newest feature uses Lanzarote as a key setting in its story, giving audiences across the UK an opportunity to recognise some of the island’s best-known landmarks while following the film’s emotional and deeply personal narrative.
Lanzarote’s Famous Landscapes Featured
Filming for Bitter Christmas took place across Lanzarote during July and August 2025, with production crews capturing scenes at several of the island’s most distinctive locations.
Among the sites featured are the striking Charco de los Clicos in El Golfo, famous for its vivid green lagoon set against black volcanic sands and the unique volcanic vineyards of La Geria, where vines are cultivated in ash-covered hollows that have become one of Lanzarote’s most recognisable landscapes.
For many British visitors who return to the island year after year, these locations are likely to be instantly recognisable.
A Story Set Between Madrid and Lanzarote
Bitter Christmas follows a woman struggling with the recent loss of her mother. Seeking to escape her grief through work, her plans are disrupted by a panic attack that forces her to step back from her hectic routine. She subsequently travels to Lanzarote with her friend Patricia while her partner remains in Madrid.
The story then takes an intriguing turn as a filmmaker later adapts her experiences into a screenplay, blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction in a characteristically Almodóvar-style narrative.
The cast includes Bárbara Lennie, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Victoria Luengo, Patrick Criado, Milena Smit, Quim Gutiérrez, Rossy de Palma, Carmen Machi and Gloria Muñoz.
Critical Reception
While reactions have been somewhat divided since its Spanish release and subsequent screening at the Cannes Film Festival, the film has still received generally positive critical recognition.
Currently, Bitter Christmas holds an 89% score on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer, while audiences on IMDb have awarded it a rating of 6.5/10 from approximately 2,200 reviews.
A New Showcase for Lanzarote
Beyond the film itself, Bitter Christmas provides another high-profile international showcase for Lanzarote’s unique scenery. The island’s volcanic terrain, dramatic coastline and distinctive architecture have long attracted filmmakers, and Almodóvar’s latest production continues that tradition.
For UK audiences planning their next Canary Islands getaway, the film may offer a chance to revisit favourite corners of Lanzarote from the comfort of a cinema seat and perhaps inspire a return trip to see those unforgettable landscapes in person.
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