Get ready to ditch the eggnog and grab some popcorn, because this holiday season is shaping up to be a cinematic feast! While 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' and 'Wicked: For Good' are stealing the spotlight, there's a whole sleigh-full of movies vying for your attention. From heartwarming dramas to pulse-pounding thrillers, this year's lineup has something for everyone. And let's be honest, who needs another ugly Christmas sweater when you can have a movie marathon instead?
But here's where it gets controversial: Are sequels like 'Avatar 3' and 'Zootopia 2' truly innovative, or are they just cashing in on nostalgia? And is George Clooney's turn as a washed-up movie star in 'Jay Kelly' a clever meta-commentary or a vanity project? We'll let you decide.
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Here's a sneak peek at 15 films that deserve a spot on your holiday watchlist:
'Jay Kelly' (Nov. 14)
George Clooney stars in Noah Baumbach's meta comedy (streaming Dec. 5 on Netflix) as an aging A-lister confronting his career choices. A chance encounter with an old theater friend (Billy Crudup) leads him on a reflective journey to an Italian film festival, accompanied by his loyal manager (Adam Sandler) and sharp-tongued publicist (Laura Dern).
'The Running Man' (Nov. 14)
Edgar Wright tackles Stephen King's dystopian thriller with a fresh spin. Desperate to provide for his sick daughter, a working-class man (Glen Powell) enters a deadly game show where survival means winning a billion dollars. But can he outwit the killers hunting him for 30 days?
'Rental Family' (Nov. 21)
Brendan Fraser stars in this touching dramedy as a lonely American actor in Tokyo who finds purpose in a unique job: playing stand-in roles for a rental family service. From a long-lost father to a journalist, he steps into lives that change his own.
'Wicked: For Good' (Nov. 21)
Jon Chu's musical sequel reunites Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, who must unite to save Oz from the Wizard's (Jeff Goldblum) propaganda machine. But can their friendship survive the challenges ahead?
'Eternity' (Nov. 26)
This fantasy rom-com imagines an afterlife where choosing your eternity is like a job fair. After a fatal accident, Larry (Miles Teller) waits for his wife, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), but her long-lost lover (Callum Turner) complicates their decision.
'Hamnet' (Nov. 26)
Chloé Zhao directs this fictionalized tale behind Shakespeare's 'Hamlet.' William (Paul Mescal) pursues his theater career in London while his wife Agnes (Jessie Buckley) raises their children in the country. Tragedy tests their bond but also offers a path to reconciliation.
'Zootopia 2' (Nov. 26)
Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick (Jason Bateman) return in this animated sequel, tackling a case involving a mysterious snake named Gary (Ke Huy Quan). Their quest to help him puts them at odds with the law, raising questions about justice and loyalty.
'Ella McCay' (Dec. 12)
James L. Brooks directs his first film in 15 years, starring Emma Mackey as a newly appointed governor juggling politics and personal chaos. With Jamie Lee Curtis as her aunt and Woody Harrelson as her father, Ella's life is anything but dull.
'Avatar: Fire and Ash' (Dec. 19)
James Cameron's third installment sees Jake (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and their family facing a new threat: the Ash People, led by the fierce Varang (Oona Chaplin), who ally with the returning villain Quaritch (Stephen Lang).
'The Housemaid' (Dec. 19)
Based on Freida McFadden's novel, this psychological thriller stars Sydney Sweeney as Millie, an ex-con who takes a job as a housemaid for the wealthy Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and her husband Andy (Brandon Sklenar). But the dream job turns into a nightmare as dark secrets emerge.
'Is This Thing On?' (Dec. 19)
Bradley Cooper directs this dramedy featuring Will Arnett as a separated dad who finds solace in stand-up comedy. His new hobby reignites his passion but also stirs up trouble as he incorporates his romantic struggles into his act.
'The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants' (Dec. 19)
SpongeBob leaves Bikini Bottom to impress his boss, embarking on a quest to the underworld and the real world. Along the way, he clashes with the Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill), a ghostly pirate.
'Anaconda' (Dec. 25)
Paul Rudd and Jack Black star in this meta horror comedy as childhood friends remaking the 1997 cult classic 'Anaconda.' Their indie project takes a terrifying turn when they encounter a massive snake in the jungle.
'Marty Supreme' (Dec. 25)
Timothée Chalamet plays a 1950s ping-pong prodigy in this sports dramedy. Dreaming of becoming a world champion, Marty must raise funds to challenge his rival in Japan, all while selling shoes to make ends meet.
'Song Sung Blue' (Dec. 25)
Based on a true story, this musical drama follows a Vietnam vet (Hugh Jackman) and a divorced musician (Kate Hudson) who form a Neil Diamond tribute band in the 1980s. Their on-stage success mirrors their off-stage romance and blended family.
And this is the part most people miss: Amidst the blockbusters, smaller films like 'Hamnet' and 'Rental Family' offer profound emotional depth. Don't overlook them!
So, which of these films will you be lining up for? And do you think sequels like 'Avatar 3' are a sign of creativity or desperation? Let us know in the comments!
