The Avatar and Wicked sequels are the two most anticipated movies to hit theaters between now and Christmas. But there are plenty of other movies you’ll be excited to see.
USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt’s top holiday movies
USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt has his picks for the holiday season, and his list includes “Wicked: For Good.”
- Fans will get new Avatar and Wicked movies this fall.
- Timothée Chalamet may have another shot at an Oscar nomination with ‘Marty Supreme.’
- If you can’t wait to see George Clooney’s “Jay Kelly,” it will be released in theaters well before it’s streamed on Netflix.
Do you like movies? Live for TV? USA TODAY’s Watch Party newsletter has all of our best recommendations, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now and be one of the cool kids.
Santa’s bag of brand new holiday gifts will be arriving at your local movie theater soon.
What movies can we look forward to by the end of the year? Christmas carols give way to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performing witchy show tunes. George Clooney is playing the role he was born to play: legendary movie star. – on the big screen before Netflix. Timothée Chalamet traded Bob Dylan’s harmonica for a ping pong paddle. Sidney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried engage in psychological warfare. SpongeBob SquarePants and the colorful creatures of Zootopia are back. Oh, and don’t forget the third trip to Pandora to reconnect with the Na’vi.
Here’s a special look at 15 new movies you should definitely hit the theaters with this holiday season.
“Jay Kelly” (November 14)
Directed by Noah Baumbach, the meta-comedy (available Dec. 5 on Netflix) stars George Clooney as an aging A-lister faced with the choices he’s made in his movie career. A conflict with an old theater buddy (Billy Crudup) leads him on a thoughtful, speculative trip to an Italian film festival with his loyal manager (Adam Sandler) and feisty publicist (Laura Dern) in tow.
“Running Man” (November 14th)
Edgar Wright directs this new take on Stephen King’s dystopian thriller novel. A working-class man (Glen Powell), trying to find a job and get medicine for his sick daughter, volunteers for TV’s most dangerous game show. If they can survive for 30 days while being chased by killers while the world watches on, they will win $1 billion.
“Rental Family” (November 21st)
This moving drama centers on a lonely American actor (Brendan Fraser) who has lived in Tokyo for seven years but still feels like an outsider. He finds a life-changing new job at Rental Family Services. There, he is hired to stand in for people in their lives, such as the father of a young girl who has been separated from his life, or a journalist who interviews a legend in the Japanese film industry.
“Wicked: For Good” (November 21)
The closing of Jon Chu’s two-part musical film stars Cynthia Erivo as fugitive witch Elphaba and Ariana Grande as torn apart friend Glinda. When the Wizard’s (Jeff Goldblum) propaganda machine seeks to make Elphaba an abomination, she and Glinda must work together to save Oz.
“Eternity” (November 26)
This fantasy romantic comedy imagines an afterlife where people can choose their destination forever, much like a job fair. After a suffocation accident, Larry (Miles Teller) arrives, but waits for his wife, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), so they can make a decision together. The problem is that her old lover (Callum Turner) is also waiting for her.
“Hamnet” (November 26)
Director Chloé Zhao’s fictionalized version of the story behind the creation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a heartbreaking family drama. William (Paul Mescal) travels to London for a theater job while his wife Agnes (Jesse Buckley) is raising their children in the countryside. Tragedy creates further emotional distance, but it is also a path back together.
“Zootopia 2” (November 26)
The animal-filled animated sequel sees Judy the rabbit (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick the fox (Jason Bateman) return as detective partners. While they are working on the case, a snake named Gary (Kay Hui Quang) suddenly appears and the animal police try to help him and his family, even if it means breaking the law.
“Ella McKay” (December 12)
Oscar-winning director James L. Brooks returns for the first time in 15 years and directs the drama, which stars Emma Mackey as an idealistic politician. Ella is appointed the new governor of her home state, and along with her kind aunt (Jamie Lee Curtis) and womanizing father (Woody Harrelson), she juggles a stressful job with a chaotic personal life.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” (December 19th)
Jake (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and their family face off against a new enemy in the third installment of James Cameron’s hit sci-fi series. The Ash People, a faction of Na’vi led by the ferocious Valan (Oona Chaplin), emerge as a formidable force when they team up with the returning villain Quaritch (Stephen Lang).
“House Maid” (December 19th)
Based on the novel by Frieda McFadden, this psychological thriller centers on Millie (Sidney Sweeney), an ex-con who ends up working as a live-in housekeeper for wealthy Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and her perfect husband, Andy (Brandon Skrenner). But the dream gig turns into a nightmare due to unstable Nina and the place’s dark secrets.
“Is this on?” (December 19)
Directed by Bradley Cooper, the drama stars Will Arnett as a middle-aged father dealing with a breakup with his wife (Laura Dern) who secretly signs up for an open-mic comedy night. This new hobby sparks new creativity and passion into his life, but the more he brings romantic travails into the act, the more trouble he runs into.
“The SpongeBob Movie: Find Squarepants” (12/19)
In this animated comedy adventure, our spongey hero ventures out of his cozy confines in Bikini Bottom and explores both the underworld and the real world in an attempt to impress his boss. Oh, and he also comes into conflict with the villainous ghost pirate, the Flying Dutchman (voiced by Mark Hamill).
“Anaconda” (December 25th)
This meta action comedy stars Paul Rudd and Jack Black as childhood best friends who decide to embark on an independent remake of their favorite childhood movie, the original 1997 film Anaconda. Trouble arises when a new snake is needed for a movie, and during a trip to the jungle they end up discovering a giant reptile that tries to eat the snake.
“Marty Supreme” (December 25th)
Timothée Chalamet didn’t win the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Bob Dylan. Perhaps he will do so as a table tennis master? Directed by Josh Safdie, the 1950s sports drama stars Chalamet as a shoe-selling table tennis ace who dreams of becoming a world champion, but needs to come up with enough money to compete against his rivals in Japan.
“Songsong Blue” (December 25th)
Based on a true story, this musical drama follows a Vietnam veteran (Hugh Jackman) who meets a divorced and struggling musician (Kate Hudson) in the 1980s. Together they form the popular Neil Diamond tribute band and rock audiences while falling in love and merging families off stage.
