Jason Momoa in ‘Aquaman’ and Timothée Chalamet in ‘Wonka’.Photo:Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures (2)
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures (2)
The holiday season is a time for pumpkin pie, family togetherness — and some of the year’s most highly anticipated movies.So whether you need a break from the in-laws or want to bond with them, check out these titles. There’s something for everyone: dramatic Oscar bait, lighthearted comedy, suspenseful thrillers and even some splashy song-and-dance spectacles.Enjoy them with or without a slice of pie.
The holiday season is a time for pumpkin pie, family togetherness — and some of the year’s most highly anticipated movies.
So whether you need a break from the in-laws or want to bond with them, check out these titles. There’s something for everyone: dramatic Oscar bait, lighthearted comedy, suspenseful thrillers and even some splashy song-and-dance spectacles.
Enjoy them with or without a slice of pie.
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Leave the World Behind
Mahershala Ali, Myha’la, Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke in ‘Leave the World Behind’.Jojo Whilden/NETFLIX
Jojo Whilden/NETFLIX
02of 20MaestroCarey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper in ‘Maestro’.Jason McDonald/NetflixThe biopic about the famed conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper, who also directed and co-wrote the movie) tracks his relationship with longtime love Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Carey Mulligan). “People will see the complexity of marriage and the many forms love can take,” co-writer Josh Singer recently said. “I think those are both powerful themes.“In select theaters Nov. 22; streaming on Netflix Dec. 20
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Maestro
Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper in ‘Maestro’.Jason McDonald/Netflix
Jason McDonald/Netflix
The biopic about the famed conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper, who also directed and co-wrote the movie) tracks his relationship with longtime love Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Carey Mulligan). “People will see the complexity of marriage and the many forms love can take,” co-writer Josh Singer recently said. “I think those are both powerful themes.“In select theaters Nov. 22; streaming on Netflix Dec. 20
03of 20Candy Cane LaneThaddeus J. Mixson, Genneya Walton, Madison Thomas, Tracee Ellis Ross and Eddie Murphy in ‘Candy Cane Lane’.Claudette Barius/PrimeClark Griswold has nothing on family man Chris (Eddie Murphy), who’s so determined to win his neighborhood’s holiday decorating competition, he makes a deal with a mischievous elf (Jillian Bell), inadvertently bringing the 12 Days of Christmas to life. (Brace yourself for the maids-a-milking scene!) “I can say confidently you’ve never seen a holiday movie like this,” director Reginald Hudlin recently told PEOPLE. “We have jump scares, car chases and kung-fu fighting, plus all the holiday feels.”Streaming on Prime Video Dec. 1
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Candy Cane Lane
Thaddeus J. Mixson, Genneya Walton, Madison Thomas, Tracee Ellis Ross and Eddie Murphy in ‘Candy Cane Lane’.Claudette Barius/Prime
Claudette Barius/Prime
Clark Griswold has nothing on family man Chris (Eddie Murphy), who’s so determined to win his neighborhood’s holiday decorating competition, he makes a deal with a mischievous elf (Jillian Bell), inadvertently bringing the 12 Days of Christmas to life. (Brace yourself for the maids-a-milking scene!) “I can say confidently you’ve never seen a holiday movie like this,” director Reginald Hudlin recently told PEOPLE. “We have jump scares, car chases and kung-fu fighting, plus all the holiday feels.”Streaming on Prime Video Dec. 1
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May December
Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in ‘May December’.Francois Duhamel /Netflix
Francois Duhamel /Netflix
05of 20
Eileen
Anne Hathaway in ‘Eileen’.NEON/YouTube
NEON/YouTube
06of 20OriginJon Bernthal and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in ‘Origin’.Atsushi-Nishijima/Courtesy NEONDirectorAva DuVernaydramatizes the heartbreaking story of writer Isabel Wilkerson (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), who lost her husband (Jon Bernthal), mother (Emily Yancy) and cousin (Niecy Nash) in close succession while working on her seminal bookCaste: The Origins of Our Discontents, a deeply researched history of inequality.In select theaters Dec. 8
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Origin
Jon Bernthal and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in ‘Origin’.Atsushi-Nishijima/Courtesy NEON
Atsushi-Nishijima/Courtesy NEON
DirectorAva DuVernaydramatizes the heartbreaking story of writer Isabel Wilkerson (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), who lost her husband (Jon Bernthal), mother (Emily Yancy) and cousin (Niecy Nash) in close succession while working on her seminal bookCaste: The Origins of Our Discontents, a deeply researched history of inequality.In select theaters Dec. 8
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Poor Things
Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo in ‘Poor Things’.Atsushi Nishijima/Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
Atsushi Nishijima/Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
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Waitress: The Musical
Charity Angel Dawson, Sara Bareilles and Caitlin Houlahan in ‘Waitress: The Musical’.Courtesy Bleecker Street
Courtesy Bleecker Street
09of 20American FictionErika Alexander and Jeffrey Wright in ‘American Fiction’.Claire Folger“The dumber I behave, the richer I get,” says novelist Monk Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) in a searing satire from director Cord Jefferson. Monk is a talented writer, but his books don’t sell — and he resents the stereotypical “Black” novels that do (e.g.We’s Lives in Da Ghetto). As a joke, Monk assumes a ridiculous pseudonym and writes his own version of the very books he despises. It becomes a hit — both fascinating and frustrating him.In select theaters Dec. 15 before going wider on Dec. 22
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American Fiction
Erika Alexander and Jeffrey Wright in ‘American Fiction’.Claire Folger
Claire Folger
“The dumber I behave, the richer I get,” says novelist Monk Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) in a searing satire from director Cord Jefferson. Monk is a talented writer, but his books don’t sell — and he resents the stereotypical “Black” novels that do (e.g.We’s Lives in Da Ghetto). As a joke, Monk assumes a ridiculous pseudonym and writes his own version of the very books he despises. It becomes a hit — both fascinating and frustrating him.In select theaters Dec. 15 before going wider on Dec. 22
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The Family Plan
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Wonka
Timothée Chalamet in ‘Wonka’.Jaap Buittendijk/Warner Brothers
Jaap Buittendijk/Warner Brothers
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The Zone of Interest
Christian Friedel in ‘The Zone of Interest’.A24/YouTube
A24/YouTube
13of 20Aquaman and the Lost KingdomJason Momoa in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’.Warner Bros. PicturesJason Momoareprises his role as the sea-dwelling superhero and King of Atlantis in this sequel to 2018’sAquaman. He faces off against the menacing Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who declares, “I’m gonna kill Aquaman and destroy everything he holds dear. I’m gonna murder his family and burn his kingdom to ash.”Patrick WilsonandAmber Heardcostar.In theaters Dec. 22
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Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Jason Momoa in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’.Warner Bros. Pictures
Warner Bros. Pictures
Jason Momoareprises his role as the sea-dwelling superhero and King of Atlantis in this sequel to 2018’sAquaman. He faces off against the menacing Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who declares, “I’m gonna kill Aquaman and destroy everything he holds dear. I’m gonna murder his family and burn his kingdom to ash.”Patrick WilsonandAmber Heardcostar.In theaters Dec. 22
14of 20All of Us StrangersPaul Mescal and Andrew Scott in ‘All of Us Strangers’.Courtesy of Searchlight PicturesIn this dreamy fantasy-romance, London-based screenwriter Adam (Andrew Scott) begins a relationship with his mysterious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal)—and suddenly finds himself drawn back to his childhood home, where his deceased parents (Claire FoyandJamie Bell) seem to be alive and well. Keep the tissues close at hand.In theaters Dec. 22
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All of Us Strangers
Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott in ‘All of Us Strangers’.Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
In this dreamy fantasy-romance, London-based screenwriter Adam (Andrew Scott) begins a relationship with his mysterious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal)—and suddenly finds himself drawn back to his childhood home, where his deceased parents (Claire FoyandJamie Bell) seem to be alive and well. Keep the tissues close at hand.In theaters Dec. 22
15of 20Anyone But YouSydney Sweeney and Glen Powell in ‘Anyone But You’.Brook Rushton/Sony PicturesThe rom-com starringGlen PowellandSydney Sweeneyis “about two people that hate each other,” Powell explained at CinemaCon earlier this year. After a date gone wrong, Ben (Powell) and Bea (Sweeney) see each other again at a destination wedding and pretend to be a couple for reasons we won’t spoil here. Will sparks fly? Hmmm…In theaters Dec. 22
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Anyone But You
Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell in ‘Anyone But You’.Brook Rushton/Sony Pictures
Brook Rushton/Sony Pictures
The rom-com starringGlen PowellandSydney Sweeneyis “about two people that hate each other,” Powell explained at CinemaCon earlier this year. After a date gone wrong, Ben (Powell) and Bea (Sweeney) see each other again at a destination wedding and pretend to be a couple for reasons we won’t spoil here. Will sparks fly? Hmmm…In theaters Dec. 22
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The Iron Claw
Harris Dickinson, Zac Efron, Stanley Simons and Jeremy Allen White in ‘The Iron Claw’.Eric Chakeen
Eric Chakeen
17of 20MigrationThe Mallard family in ‘Migration’.Illumination Entertainment & Universal PicturesElizabeth Banks,Awkwafina,Danny DeVito,Kumail NanjianiandKeegan-Michael Keylend their voices to this family-friendly animated comedy about The Mallards, a family of pond-dwelling ducks who decide they want to migrate as a way to see the world. Seeing as this is their first time, the Mallards may be flying blind. The screenplay comes fromThe White Lotuscreator Mike White, so smart humor abounds.In theaters Dec. 22
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Migration
The Mallard family in ‘Migration’.Illumination Entertainment & Universal Pictures
Illumination Entertainment & Universal Pictures
Elizabeth Banks,Awkwafina,Danny DeVito,Kumail NanjianiandKeegan-Michael Keylend their voices to this family-friendly animated comedy about The Mallards, a family of pond-dwelling ducks who decide they want to migrate as a way to see the world. Seeing as this is their first time, the Mallards may be flying blind. The screenplay comes fromThe White Lotuscreator Mike White, so smart humor abounds.In theaters Dec. 22
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Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire
Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Michiel Huisman, Sofia Boutella, Charie Hunnam and Djimon Hounsou in ‘Rebel Moon’.Clay Enos/Netflix
Clay Enos/Netflix
19of 20The Boys in the BoatBruce Herbelin-Earle, Callum Turner and Wil Coban in ‘The Boys in the Boat’.Laurie SparhamWho doesn’t love rooting for the underdog?George Clooneydirects the true story of a University of Washington rowing team who made it to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. “The Boys in the Boat is about strong, tough kids, but they were poor and hungry. They’re rowing because it was the only way they could stay in college,” Clooney explained in a behind-the-scenes video. “The stakes were much higher for them, and it gave them an edge.“In theaters Dec. 25
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The Boys in the Boat
Bruce Herbelin-Earle, Callum Turner and Wil Coban in ‘The Boys in the Boat’.Laurie Sparham
Laurie Sparham
Who doesn’t love rooting for the underdog?George Clooneydirects the true story of a University of Washington rowing team who made it to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. “The Boys in the Boat is about strong, tough kids, but they were poor and hungry. They’re rowing because it was the only way they could stay in college,” Clooney explained in a behind-the-scenes video. “The stakes were much higher for them, and it gave them an edge.“In theaters Dec. 25
20of 20The Color PurpleFantasia Barrino in ‘The Color Purple’.Courtesy Warner Bros. PicturesThe Tony-winning Broadway musical — based on Alice Walker’s 1982 novel and subsequent 1985 movie starringWhoopi GoldbergandOprah Winfrey— comes to the big screen nearly 20 years after its debut on the Great White Way. This version, from producer Winfrey, starsFantasia Barrinoas Celie, a Black woman in early 20th century Georgia who finds hope despite unspeakable hardship.Taraji P. Henson,Danielle BrooksandColman Domingocostar.In theaters Dec. 25
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The Color Purple
Fantasia Barrino in ‘The Color Purple’.Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
The Tony-winning Broadway musical — based on Alice Walker’s 1982 novel and subsequent 1985 movie starringWhoopi GoldbergandOprah Winfrey— comes to the big screen nearly 20 years after its debut on the Great White Way. This version, from producer Winfrey, starsFantasia Barrinoas Celie, a Black woman in early 20th century Georgia who finds hope despite unspeakable hardship.Taraji P. Henson,Danielle BrooksandColman Domingocostar.In theaters Dec. 25
source: people.com
