War Drama Coward to Debut in Theaters This December

Distributor MUBI has released the trailer for the WWI-set romantic drama directed by Lukas Dhont.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Foreign

Graphic illustration of mud-caked leather trench boots resting on a weathered wooden crate, evocative of WWI period cinema. — The WWI-set romantic drama Coward, Belgium's official Oscar entry, will debut in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The WWI-set romantic drama Coward will officially arrive in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2026. The film centers on the relationship between two soldiers who organize a front-line theater production.

Why it matters

Belgium has selected the film as its official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The production gained significant international attention after lead actors won top honors at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne earned the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival for their performances in the film. The production is now positioned for contention at the 99th Academy Awards.

The players

Lukas Dhont

He is the Belgian film director and screenwriter who co-wrote and directed the WWI-set drama Coward.

MUBI

This global film distributor and streaming service is responsible for the release of the film.

Emmanuel Macchia

He is an actor who received the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in the film.

Valentin Campagne

He is an actor who shared the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his performance in the film.

The details

Co-written by director Lukas Dhont and Angelo Tijssens, the film features cinematography by Frank van den Eeden and production by Michiel Dhont. It explores the intimate bond between soldiers Pierre and Francis amidst the chaos of the First World War.

The film Coward screened at the Cannes Film Festival earlier in 2026.
Coward debuts in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The film aims to capture international momentum following its success at the Cannes Film Festival. This release mirrors broader industry trends where festival-proven foreign titles are strategically positioned for major award season contention in the United States.

Audiences in the United States will be able to view the film in local cinemas starting December 25, 2026. The film will serve as Belgium's official submission to the 99th Academy Awards, offering viewers a chance to see the award-winning performances before the ceremony.

The takeaway

The film highlights the intense human connections formed in extreme historical circumstances through the lens of theatrical performance. Viewers can look forward to this release as a major contender in the upcoming international film award season.