Chris Columbus' 'Thursday Murder Club' Debuts on Netflix After London Premiere

When Chris Columbus, the director behind classics like Home Alone, unveiled his latest venture – the film adaptation of Richard Osman’s bestseller Thursday Murder Club – critics and fans alike felt a buzz buzzing through London’s streets.

The movie premiered at the iconic Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on August 21, 2025, before opening across the United Kingdom the next day. A week later, on August 28, the film slipped onto Netflix for a global streaming debut, marking the first time a major UK‑centric comedy‑crime has rolled out simultaneously on a streaming giant.

From Page to Screen: How the Project Got Its Start

Osman’s novel, published by Viking Press in September 2020, quickly became a UK bestseller, spawning a series that blended cozy mystery tropes with sharp humor. Recognizing its cinematic potential, Richard Osman partnered with 1492 Pictures – the production banner run by Columbus – and Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment. The collaboration was announced in early 2023, with Columbus steering both direction and production duties.

Screenwriters Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote were tapped to condense the novel’s intricate murder‑rack, resulting in a “suggestive, skeletal” storyline that leans on the star‑studded cast to fill in emotional gaps.

Star‑Studded Cast and Their Quirky Roles

The ensemble reads like a roll‑call of British acting royalty. Helen Mirren brings gravitas as the sharp‑tongued former intelligence officer, while Pierce Brosnan steps into the rough‑edged former detective Ron, admitting in an interview that he initially thought, “This is Ray Winstone, bro.”

Veteran thespian Ben Kingsley lends his trademark intensity to a mysterious new member of the club, and Celia Imrie, at 72, shines as one of the four veteran sleuths. Supporting talent includes Naomi Ackie as Police Officer Donna De Freitas, a rookie who’s “not satisfied giving safety talks to pensioners,” and Daniel Mays as the exasperated Inspector Chris Hudson.

Not to be overlooked, Jonathan Pryce portrays Stephen, the husband of Elizabeth (played by Imrie’s on‑screen partner), delivering a performance praised for its “beautifully handled” handling of late‑stage dementia.

Behind‑the‑Scenes: Production, Music, and Locations

Principal photography kicked off at Shepperton Studios in Surrey and spilled over to picturesque spots in Buckinghamshire, granting the film a distinctly British backdrop. The set designers leaned into the cozy‑village aesthetic, echoing the novel’s setting.

Music for the film was composed by Thomas Newman, whose score was released the same day the movie hit Netflix, under the Netflix Music label. The soundtrack blends jazzy brass with whimsical piano, underscoring the film’s light‑hearted tension.

Critical Reception and Audience Response

The Los Angeles Times review by Mary McNamara, published on August 27, 2025, applauded the chemistry among the seniors while noting that the adaptation “streamlines” Osman’s multiple murder plots. McNamara highlighted Brosnan’s charismatic presence, despite feeling “odd” for his character, and praised Pryce’s “no‑corn” handling of his role.

Aggregators, though still compiling scores, indicate a generally positive critical consensus. Audience ratings on Netflix’s platform hovered around 4.2/5 in the first week, with Instagram hashtags #ThursdayMurderClub trending in the UK and Canada.

Box Office, Streaming Numbers, and Future Prospects

In its UK theatrical run, the film grossed £4.1 million over the opening weekend, according to Universal Pictures. The swift transition to streaming helped boost viewership, with Netflix reporting 58 million household starts in the first 30 days – a figure that places the film among the platform’s top‑10 2025 releases.

Given the novel’s status as the first of a planned series, producers hinted at “potential franchise expansion” during a press conference on September 2, 2025. While no official sequel has been green‑lit, the strong streaming performance suggests a sequel could be on the horizon.

Why This Matters to Film Lovers and the Broader Market

‘Thursday Murder Club’ showcases how veteran actors can drive a genre‑blend that appeals to both older audiences and younger binge‑watchers. It also illustrates the growing trend of major theatrical releases finding a second life – or even a primary life – on streaming services, accelerating the hybrid distribution model that studios have been testing since the pandemic.

The film’s success may encourage more adaptations of cozy‑mystery bestsellers, a niche that historically thrived in print but has been under‑explored on screen.