Ali G: Who Iz I? Sets October Release for Sacha Baron Cohen

Sacha Baron Cohen’s secret Ali G movie, Ali G: Who Iz I?, hits theaters Oct. 23 via Amazon MGM Studios. For fans tracking Ali Sacha Baron Cohen news, the comedian also makes his feature directing debut after filming the project under wraps, like his Borat features.

Cohen unveiled the title and date Wednesday in an Instagram video fully in character as Ali G, the fictional Londoner he created in 1998. Variety reports Amazon MGM Studios is distributing the theatrical release.

Key Takeaways

• Ali G: Who Iz I? arrives in theaters on Oct. 23, 2026, from Amazon MGM Studios.
• Sacha Baron Cohen is directing the film, marking his feature directorial debut.
• The project was shot secretly, following the same approach used for the Borat movies.
• Cohen announced the news in character on Instagram, joking that “dey haz finally made a documentary about me.”
• The reveal followed a July 12 Ali G appearance at the Wimbledon men’s final.

When does Ali G: Who Iz I? come out?

The movie opens in cinemas on October 23, 2026. Cohen’s caption teased the date as “10.23,” matching the studio rollout confirmed by trade coverage.

Plot details remain under wraps. Reporting indicates the film returns Ali G to man-on-the-street prank interviews with unsuspecting subjects, the format that made the character infamous on television.

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Is Sacha Baron Cohen directing the new Ali G film?

Yes. Who Iz I? is Cohen’s first feature as a director, according to Variety, Rolling Stone, and NME. He previously starred as Ali G in the 2002 comedy Ali G Indahouse, which Mark Mylod directed.

Cohen filmed the new project in secret, as he did for Borat (2006) and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020). That approach helps preserve surprise reactions from real-world interview subjects.

How does this fit Ali G’s screen history?

Ali G debuted on Channel 4’s The 11 O’Clock Show in 1998 and returned in Da Ali G Show in the early 2000s. Cohen has brought the character back sparingly since Indahouse, including awards-show bits and a 2024 Tonight Show sketch.

Less than two weeks before the title reveal, Cohen appeared as Ali G at Wimbledon on July 12, wearing the character’s yellow-tinted sunglasses, skull cap, and gold jewellery. Rolling Stone notes the surprise cameo helped tee up the movie’s official launch.

Outside Ali G, Cohen recently played Mephisto in Marvel’s Ironheart and has 2026 comedy credits including Ladies First. Oscar nominations for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and The Trial of the Chicago 7 keep him in awards conversations even as he returns to his earliest breakout persona.