‘La Bola Negra’ in Theaters: When You Can See Netflix Cannes Sensation

Kelli Boyle September 28, 2026, 12:05 pm

Penélope Cruz as Nené in 'La Bola Negra'

Netflix enters the 2027 Oscars race with its upcoming Spanish film La Bola Negra, an epic tale told in three timelines showing the connectivity between generations during the Spanish Civil War and stretching through the present day.

The film is directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, known as Los Javis, and it became an instant sensation after they won Best Director at the Cannes film festival this year. The gripping war story about the preservation of queer history is a must-see film of the season.

The movie features memorable performances from Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close, and the acting debut of Spanish musician Guitarricadelafuente. Netflix is releasing it in theaters two months before its streaming debut.

Guitarricadelafuente as Sebastián in ‘La Bola Negra’ (Carla Oset/Netflix)

Check out the La Bola Negra trailer above. Below, find out where and when you can see La Bola Negra in theaters and on Netflix, and learn about the real historical figures who inspired the story.

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What is La Bola Negra about?

La Bola Negra gets its name from the famous unfinished play by celebrated Spanish playwright and poet Federico García Lorca, a gay man who was assassinated by Nationalists in 1936.

The story explores the playwright’s legacy through three separate stories set in different eras. Los Javis co-wrote the screenplay with Alberto Conejero, and it’s adapted from Conejero’s play about Lorca, La piedra oscura, La bola negra, and other texts by Lorca.

Is La Bola Negra based on a true story?

Miguel Bernardeau as Rafael and Guitarricadelafuente as Sebastián in ‘La Bola Negra’ (Carla Oset/Netflix)

“La Bola Negra is a bold, passionate triptych spanning nearly a century of Spanish history from the 30s to modern day,” Netflix describes. “The film tells the story of three men whose lives are intimately connected through desire, pain, and inheritance.”

The film is inspired by real people, primarily Lorca and his partner, Rafael Rodríguez Rapún, a Spanish footballer, actor, and soldier. Rapún joined Lorca’s theater company, La Barraca, and they fell in love in the summer of 1935. Rapún joined the military to help the Republic defeat the Nationalists after Lorca’s assassination, and he died one year later during the Battle of Santander.

While inspired by real people and events, La Bola Negra fills in the blanks of stories lost to history by imagining what happened to Lorca’s unfinished play.

When does La Bola Negra come out in theaters?

Glenn Close as Isabelle and Carlos González as Alberto in ‘La Bola Negra’ (Carla Oset/Netflix)

La Bola Negra comes out in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on October 16 before expanding to more states throughout the month. It was filmed on and will be screened in 35mm format.

Here’s the theatrical rollout schedule, according to Deadline:

October 16, 2026

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New York
Los Angeles

October 23, 2026

New York
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Toronto

October 30, 2026 (17 markets)

New York
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Chicago
Dallas, Ft. Worth
Houston
Atlanta
Washington, D.C.
Boston
Miami
San Diego
Santa Barbara
Palm Springs
Vancouver
Montreal
Austin, TX

Penélope Cruz as Nené in ‘La Bola Negra’ (Carla Oset/Netflix)

November 6, 2026 (70+ markets)

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Halifax, NS, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Chicago, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Boston, Miami, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Vancouver, Montreal, Philadelphia, PA, Tampa, FL; Phoenix, AZ; Seattle, WA; Detroit, MI; Orlando, FL; Minneapolis, MN; Denver, CO; Cleveland, OH; Sacramento, CA; Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC; Portland, OR; St. Louis, MO; Indianapolis, IN; Nashville, TN; Pittsburgh, PA; Salt Lake City, UT; Baltimore, MD; San Antonio, TX; Kansas City, MO; Columbus, OH; Cincinnati, OH; West Palm Beach, FL; Grand Rapids, MI; Louisville, KY; New Orleans, LA; Buffalo, NY; Richmond, VA; Albany, NY; Dayton, OH; Tucson, AZ; Spokane, WA; Des Moines, IA; Omaha, NE; Portland, ME; Rochester, NY; Charleston, SC; Iowa City, IA; Boise, ID; Monterey, CA; Billings, MT; Puerto Rico; Ottawa, ON; London, ON; Windsor, ON; Kingston, ON; Winnipeg, MB; Quebec City, QC; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB and Victoria, BC.

The North American premiere was recently held at the Telluride Film Festival, where it received rave reviews. Next, it will screen at the Toronto International Film Festival.