Ocean’s 11 Director’s 96% RT Movie With Ian McKellen Reveals Digital Streaming Date

Steven Soderbergh’s latest film with Ian McKellen is preparing for its digital debut after earning strong critical scores following its theatrical release. The director behind Ocean’s 11 reunites with a high-profile cast for a dark comedy that centers on art, deception, and complicated family dynamics.

The Christophers sets digital streaming release date

According to When To Stream, NEON will release Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers on VOD and digital platforms on May 12, 2026.

The crime comedy premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival before opening in United States theaters on April 10, 2026. Meanwhile, Steven Soderbergh directed the film, while Ed Solomon wrote the screenplay. The cast includes Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel, Jessica Gunning, and James Corden.

The Christophers follows Julian Sklar, an aging London painter connected to the 1960s and 1970s pop art movement. However, Julian stopped painting decades earlier and struggled financially for years. His children, Barnaby and Sallie, hired Lori Butler, an art restorer and former forger, to access unfinished paintings hidden in storage. They planned to complete the works and later discover them after Julian’s death.

Ian McKellen plays Julian Sklar, while Michaela Coel portrays Lori Butler. Additionally, James Corden appears as Barnaby Sklar, and Jessica Gunning portrays Sallie Sklar. Principal photography started in London during February 2025. Filming locations included Fitzrovia in Camden. David Holmes composed the score for the production.

The story centers on unfinished paintings titled The Christophers, which Julian created during the 1990s. Lori eventually develops a friendship with Julian after revealing the scheme involving his children. Later, Julian attempts to finish the paintings in an intentionally unsalable style using glitter, feathers, and ornaments. After Julian’s death, Lori transfers the paintings to Julian’s former lover, Christopher, through a forged letter.

NEON acquired distribution rights during October 2025 after the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2025. The film currently holds a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 128 critic reviews. Metacritic assigned the film a score of 80 out of 100 based on 34 critic reviews.

Source: Comingsoon.net