Entertainment
Gary Oldman’s $263M Sci-Fi Cult Classic Is Heading Back to Theaters for the 4th Time
Almost three decades after it first crash-landed into theaters, The Fifth Element is heading back to the big screen — for the fourth time. The sci-fi spectacle starring Gary Oldman, Bruce Willis, and Milla Jovovich will return to theaters on July 26 and 27, 2026, as part of Fathom Entertainment’s Big Screen Classics series.
When the film originally hit theaters in 1997, it split critics. Domestically, it pulled in $63 million, but internationally it soared to $200 million, bringing its worldwide total to $263 million. Over time, what was once considered loud, bizarre, and borderline chaotic has fully evolved into a bona fide cult classic.
It already celebrated a 20th anniversary re-release in 2017 and returned again in 2024. Now, in 2026, fans will get another shot to see Luc Besson’s neon-drenched space opera the way it was meant to be seen: huge. The cast also includes Ian Holm as Father Vito Cornelius, Chris Tucker as Ruby Rhod, Luke Perry, Brion James, and Lee Evans.
The re-release comes via Fathom Entertainment’s annual Big Screen Classics lineup, which this year includes titles like Citizen Kane, Ocean’s Eleven, The Silence of the Lambs, Gone with the Wind, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Birdcage, Ben-Hur, A Beautiful Mind, The Maltese Falcon, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, among others. Each screening will feature an introduction from legendary film critic Leonard Maltin.
In a statement, Fathom CEO Ray Nutt explained that these re-releases are “an important theatrical programming category,” which has been “embraced by filmgoers of all ages.” The 2026 selections include “some of the greatest masterpieces of all time,” and Fathom is “thrilled” to bring back Maltin for his fourth time as host of the Big Screen Classic series.
“Classic and popular re-releases are an important theatrical programming category, and the curated movies Fathom Entertainment brings to the big screen continue to be embraced by filmgoers of all ages. The 2026 Fathom’s Big Screen Classics slate is filled with anniversary celebrations from some of the greatest cinematic masterpieces of all time and showcases a wide breadth of iconic hits and award-winning films. Fathom is also thrilled with the return of Leonard Maltin, casting a spotlight with exclusive introductions for these cinematic treasures.”
Is There a ‘Fifth Element’ Sequel?
Not at the moment, but there is a seed of an idea in the works. Jovovich previously teased that Besson is toying with the idea of an animated spin-off:
“I think Luc is making some sort of spin-off of a bunch of his biggest characters, and Leeloo might be one of them. An animated, cartoon version. I think back in those days, people weren’t thinking about sequels; it was just about making the best movie you could possibly make. For me, Leeloo was one of the most important characters of my young life at that point. It’s what really introduced me to what being a real actor was about.”
The Fifth Element will be re-released in theaters on July 26 and 27, 2026.
- Release Date
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May 9, 1997
- Runtime
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126 minutes
- Director
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Luc Besson
- Writers
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Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
- Producers
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Patrice Ledoux