Article Source: Vue
Last Updated: 25 February 2025 11:26
The first ever feature-length gaming move aimed at children and families will hit the big screens this Easter featuring six children from across the UK battling it out on the hugely popular Roblox platform to be crowned the ultimate gamer.
Kartoon Channel's Gaming Challenge UK will be released in Vue Cinemas across Britain on Saturday April 19th, 2025. It has been awarded a U certification from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) meaning it is suitable for all audiences, including children aged four and over.
It is the first time a feature length film of a gaming competition has ever been aired on a big screen anywhere in the world, as cinemas diversify to keep relevant and attract younger audiences.
Fans will be able to watch the gamers — all British children aged between nine and 12 — taking part in eight exclusive Roblox challenges, with two finalists going head-to-head to win a grand prize and the coveted title.
Roblox is one of the world’s most popular video game platforms, and the most popular gaming platform for eight- to 12-year-olds in the UK, according to Ofcom. Founded almost two decades ago, it provides 3D digital experiences via user-generated virtual games and worlds. In the UK, 64% children aged 8 -12 years play Roblox weekly, more than any social media, radio and television. Only YouTube has a higher weekly reach, according to research by Dubit Trends, a Leeds-based company which creates digital gaming worlds.
The inspiration for the Gaming Challenge UK — the first of its kind — came after Kartoon Channel's Kidaverse Roblox Rumble series proved to be a TV sensation, shown in more than 60 countries over the past 15 months.
The team behind the movie-version wanted to make a fun, positive and safe experience, recreating what used to be the “Saturday morning” cinema experience, but with a modern idiom using a tournament based around Roblox.
Gamers Ilyaan, 10, from Blackburn, Jaymee, 9, from Fife, Thomas, 10, from Cornwall, Ottie, 11, from Surrey, Isaac, 12 from North Yorkshire, and Abigail, 11, from Hartlepool, were selected from thousands of enthusiasts to appear in the movie. All had the full permission from their parents or legal guardians.
During the pre-recorded 85-minute film, fans will watch the six competitors taking on eight exclusive Roblox levels, which include dinosaurs, cats, shark tanks, obstacle courses and races.
Each level will unlock a new prize in the prize portal. The further a gamer makes it in the competition, the more valuable the prizes get. Starting from challenge four, a contestant will be eliminated at the end of each round based on a points-system, with each gamer able to choose a prize once eliminated from the competition.
The final round will see two children going head-to-head to take home the Ultimate Gamer title - while being cheered on by the gamers who have already been eliminated.
Rob Lea, Head of Screen Content at Vue UK and Ireland said: “At Vue, we’re big fans of innovation when it comes to unique ways for customers to enjoy the big screen experience. With Kartoon Channel’s Gaming Challenge UK, we’re excited to be showing a unique, first-of-its-kind big event for families this Easter. Roblox has proven to be a sensation with the younger generation and we welcome gamers - young and old - to join us for the world's first ever feature-length gaming show film, exclusively at Vue.”
Paul Robinson, President of Kartoon Channel Worldwide at Kartoon Studios, said: “We devised Kartoon Channel’s Kidaverse Roblox Rumble to be an innovative, safe, new TV game show for kids but even I was surprised at its worldwide success. The Kartoon Channel Gaming Challenge UK movie is a natural development, bringing format to the big screen with an all-UK cast of kid competitors competing to be the ultimate gamer. Kids and families will be enthralled and excited by this never-before-seen movie”.
“The Kartoon Channel has been experimenting with gaming TV shows for a while, starting in the US and gradually rolling them out around the world. It’s an original production, which we make in Los Angeles with kids from all over the world on Zoom, and it’s proved incredibly popular.
“We wanted to make a fun, positive and safe experience, recreating what used to be the Saturday morning cinema experience. But with a modern idiom using a tournament based around Roblox, which is so popular.
“What we found was that kids really love to see each other having fun, and they obviously adore Roblox. So the idea came about to do a knockout-style tournament film, turning what is usually a series of TV shows, into a movie.”
Frankie Vu, who has presented shows for the BBC, ITV and Disney, and is the host of the gameplay for the film, said: “The kids were just brilliant. Throughout the course of filming these games, the competitors really started to become friends and it shows how games like Roblox and movies like this can really bring children together”.
Josh Gilchrist, Director of Program Development and Production at Kartoon Studios, said: “I am a gamer myself and wanted to devise a show that would work on the reward systems that make games successful and gets you talking at the TV because you are so involved in the play, but is safe and fun for kids. With Gamer Challenge UK we feel we have come up with something that is unique and very special and the kids are really kind and supportive of each other and just wanted to have fun.”
Kartoon Channel's Gaming Challenge UK will be released in Vue Cinemas across Britain on Saturday April 19th, 2025.
Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORERoll up your sleeves and get stuck in as Cheez-It® and Fat Hippo announce the ultimate collaboration.
READ MORETo celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MOREPavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MORELychee Oriental, Glasgow's modern Cantonese restaurant, will launch its second location in the city's Southside tomorrow.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MORECalling all bookworms and their four-legged friends... this could be the ulti-mutt afternoon you've been waiting for!
READ MOREGlasgow children are getting behind their city’s 850th birthday celebrations as a week-long Glasgow 850 Schools' Festival gets underway at primary schools across the city.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MORELoch Lomond Shores is hosting a continental market on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of May!
READ MOREScotland's biggest night of traditional music Hoolie in the Hydro will celebrate Glasgow comedy and folk music legend Sir Billy Connolly in larger-than-life style later this year!
READ MOREDue to high demand, an extra Bookface Sip & Swap event with Lisa Jewell will take place on Tuesday 8th July at Saints of Ingram, Glasgow, from 12.30–3.30pm.
READ MOREGlasgow Kiltwalk 2025 attracted so many kind-hearted walkers this weekend that organisers had to add an extra day to create the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk!
READ MOREAward-winning dance company Barrowland Ballet present world premiere of Wee Man and the revival of Chunky Jewellery, ahead of Edinburgh Festival Fringe transfers this year.
READ MOREThe epic Ashton Lane Summer Street Party is back for West End Fest 2025, taking over the cobbled lane for a full weekend of live music, street performers, DJs, street food and alfresco drinks!
READ MORELaugh in the Park, Glasgow Southside's annual comedy festival, has announced their line up featuring nine of the absolute best performers to be found in Scotland!
READ MORECocktail Festival will serve customers £5 cocktails highlighting signature cocktails including the classics we all love, from Margaritas to Daiquiris!
READ MORECasting announced for the critically acclaimed production of Fawlty Towers - The Play, coming to Glasgow's King's Theatre in January!
READ MOREBluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MORELomond Leisure Group is delighted to announce the opening of Kirk O'The Lochs, a distinctive restaurant and bar nestled in a beautifully restored historic church in Tarbet, Loch Lomond.
READ MOREThe King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to announce the full 2025 cast for the UK tour of the critically acclaimed, smash hit, supernatural thriller 2:22 - A Ghost Story.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MORETop Dogs at Loch Lomond Shores is back on Saturday 3rd May with its fun competitions, expert advice and dog-friendly products including accessories, pupcakes and much more!
READ MOREThe Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MOREThe Pavilion Theatre Glasgow announce full casting line up for this year's panto, Jock & The Beanstalk!
READ MOREGlasgow Life has unveiled a thrilling 2025 Summer of Events programme which will bring top local, national and international artists, musicians and performers to Glasgow!
READ MOREGlasgow commuters were stopped in their tracks yesterday as folk-pop favourites Tide Lines brought live music to the Subway in a surprise 'busk crawl'.
READ MOREBowling fans should get their shoes ready as a new monthly charity bowling day launches at VEGA Glasgow's bar, restaurant and alley on the top floor of YOTEL Glasgow.
READ MOREBuilding on the success of its immersive experiences, Six by Nico is set to take diners on an adventure across the Six Wonders of the World!
READ MOREThe Irish play described by audiences as the finest, funniest, most heart-breaking piece of theatre they've ever seen returns to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow!
READ MORE