Joy to the World! December is here, as well as plenty of holiday fun to be found at the movies. There are all kinds of options for families and film buffs this month, so grab you popcorn and Raisinettes, settle into your seat, and enjoy some of these flicks that you won’t want to miss.
The Aeronauts
Release Date: Dec. 6
Writer Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, A Christmas Carol) teams up with director Tom Harper to tell the harrowing tale of daredevil pilot Amelia Wren and weather scientist James Glaisher as they fight to stay alive while making scientific strides in a hot air balloon. The film, which premiered in Great Britain in November, stars Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne.
Playmobil: The Movie
Release Date: Dec. 6
Here is one for the kids, about an orphaned girl named Marla who goes on a journey to the animated world of Playmobil in an attempt to find her missing brother Charlie. Inspired by the popular German building toy (similar to LEGOs), Marla and Charlie find themselves on an adventure of a lifetime that includes fighting pirates, Viking battles and interacting with dinosaurs. The voice talent for the film includes Jim Gaffigan, Adam Lambert, Kenan Thompson and Daniel Radcliffe.
Black Christmas
Release Date: Dec. 13
Few things seem so at odds as a slasher film and Christmas, and yet, for horror buffs, this sub-genre has its champions. Black Christmas takes us to Hawthorne College during the holidays. A serial killer is on the loose, and his targets are the girls in a campus sorority. Instead of becoming victims, the young women take matters into their own hands and the hunter soon becomes the hunted. Directed by Sophia Takai, Black Christmas is guaranteed to inspire some yuletide terror.
Bombshell
Release Date: Dec. 13
A starry cast including Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie and John Lithgow bring to life the compelling true story of FOX News employees who expose the network’s CEO Roger Ailes with allegations of sexual harassment. Among those who came forward include commentators Megyn Kelly and Gretchen Carlson. Bombshell is directed by Jay Roach (Meet the Parents, Mystery, Alaska).
A Hidden Life
Release Date: Dec. 13
The historical drama A Hidden Life, written and directed by Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line), tells the true story of Austrian farmer Franz Jägerstätter who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. A story of a heroic man who chose death over being a part of the sinister regime, A Hidden Life should prove an inspiring story about the difficult choice to do what is right, no matter the sacrifice.
Jumanji – The Next Level
Release Date: Dec. 13
The classic board game Jumanji, based on the popular Chris Van Allsburg children’s book, is brought to life in Jumanji – The Next Level. A follow-up to the 2017 hit Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Spencer and his friends are (once again) sucked into the video game version of Jumanji, taking the form of avatars as they work their way out of the animal-filled world. Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Danny Glover and Nick Jonas star.
Cats
Release Date: Dec. 20
The film adaptation of the hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats takes audiences into the world of singing, dancing felines, each sharing their stories in an attempt to be the chosen kitty who will be given a new Jellicle life. With a cast that includes Judi Dench, Idris Elba, James Corden, Taylor Swift, Ian Mckellen and Jennifer Hudson, the film is helmed by director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, Les Miserables). The haunting score includes the showtune classic “Memory” as well as a bevy of other beloved stage classics.
Star Wars – The Rise of Skywalker
Release Date: Dec. 20
A new Star Wars film is always an exciting event for movie lovers. The latest installment in the Star Wars saga, and the final film of the latest trilogy under Disney, The Rise of Skywalker is easily one of the most eagerly anticipated films of 2019. Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac are back, along with original trilogy stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams. Moviegoers will likely be on the edge of their seats to find out the answers to a parade of unanswered questions, and to see if the Resistance finally wins out over the First Order.
Little Women
Release Date: Dec. 25
The latest screen adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women comes to the big screen on Christmas Day. The story of the four March girls, and the love and humor they share as they grow into adulthood, is a time-honored classic. For this incarnation, an all-star cast, including Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Chris Cooper and Meryl Streep has been assembled, adding a special magic to this beloved tale.
Spies in Disguise
Release Date: Dec. 25
Finally, another entry aimed at the younger crowd, Spies in Disguise is an animated spy film featuring the voice talents of Will Smith and Tom Holland. A super-spy named Lance and the scientist named Beckett (upon whom he relies for gadgets) find their world turned upside down. Lance accidentally ingests one of Beckett’s experiments, turning him into a pigeon. How can he continue to save the world from the dastardly Tristan McFord now that he is a bird? Rashida Jones, Ben Mendelsohn and Reba McEntire also lend their voices to this action-comedy.
Mark Robinson is the author of the two-volume encyclopedia The World of Musicals, The Disney Song Encyclopedia and The Encyclopedia of Television Theme Songs. His latest book, Sitcommentary: The Television Comedies That Changed America, released on Oct. 15. He maintains a theater and entertainment blog at markrobinsonwrites.com.
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