Sacha Baron Cohen's Ali G Returns with 'Who Iz I?' Theatrical Release in October 2026

Cohen reportedly wrapped production on Ali G: Who Iz I? before the Wimbledon reveal, with filming taking place across multiple cities.
Cohen had been quietly developing the project for several years, indicating a long development cycle prior to public announcement.
The official reveal was disseminated via in-character social media, including a caption that references the project in a humorous, self-deprecating way: 'Dey haz finally made a documentary about me... Ali G: Who Iz I? Cominatcha on 10.23 wotever dat means.'
Unlike Borat: Subsequ ent Moviefilm, which premiered on Prime Video, Ali G: Who Iz I? is slated for a theatrical release, underscoring a different distribution approach for this feature.
Sacha Baron Cohen is bringing Ali G back to the big screen. The film is called Ali G: Who Iz I?, and Amazon MGM Studios will release it in theaters on October 23, 2026 — in both the US and the UK on the same day, according to Digital Spy.
Cohen announced the project himself — in character. He posted a video online with the caption: 'Dey haz finally made a documentary about me... Ali G: Who Iz I? Cominatcha on 10.23 wotever dat means.' Yahoo reported the clip quickly spread, signaling just how long fans have been waiting for the character's return.
Ali G: Who Iz I? is a major milestone for Cohen. It marks his first time directing a feature film, according to Geo.tv. He has played Ali G before on TV and in the 2002 movie Ali G Indahouse, but this is the first time he sits in the director's chair for a full theatrical release.
Cohen had been quietly developing the project for several years before going public. Geo.tv reported that filming had already wrapped before the announcement, with production taking place across multiple cities. The long development cycle suggests Cohen took his time to get it right.
This film will hit cinemas — not your living room. That sets it apart from Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which went straight to Prime Video in 2020. Digital Spy noted that Amazon MGM Studios is taking a different approach this time, betting on a traditional theatrical release for the Ali G character.
The October 23 date puts the film in prime fall release territory. That slot is often used for big, buzzy movies expected to draw crowds. The simultaneous UK and US release also shows Amazon MGM wants to make a global splash from day one.
Before the official announcement, Cohen appeared in character as Ali G at Wimbledon. The stunt turned heads and sparked speculation online. It was a classic Cohen move — using a public event to hint at something bigger without giving anything away.
Cohen then dropped the announcement video on social media, which Mandatory described as hilarious. The in-character post leaned fully into Ali G's voice and humor. It confirmed both the title and the release date in one short, funny clip.
Ali G first became famous on Da Ali G Show, which launched in the UK in 2000. The character uses fake interviews to catch real celebrities and politicians off guard. Cohen went on to massive success with Borat in 2006 and Brüno in 2009, but Ali G has not had a starring film role since 2002.
That is a 24-year gap between Ali G movies. AOL noted the new film continues Cohen's pattern of mixing scripted scenes with improvised interviews. For fans of his sharp, satirical style, October 23, 2026 cannot come fast enough.
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