For crying out loud already. Why are there so many movies coming out from now through the end of the year that are guaranteed to crank up the waterworks?
Two words for you: Awards season.
Yes, from now through Christmas marks the crucial time when studios cart out their heavy hitters, and they often arrive in the form of tearjerkers and hand-wringing dramas. And the sprint to the finale of 2025 is no exception.
What is lacking is a tentpole. That one lively, original breakout hit that could send the box office soaring, and get people talking, like Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” did for the spring/summer season.
Absent of that, moviegoers should prepare themselves for a scintillating holiday season, but maybe not a breathtaking one.
That means we can look forward to some very good, indie-leaning features and, of course, sequels — “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” (Dec. 5) and “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” (Dec. 19) — to put a charge back in the low-energy box office.
So what should you see? Here are our picks of some of the more promising holiday releases, some of which we have seen already, others that we look forward to seeing.
We’re looking at offerings due for theatrical release through Christmas Day. Films are arranged chronologically, though, as usual, release dates are subject to change.
“Wicked: For Good”: Almost a year to the date after the release of “Wicked” (Part 1), the sequel from director and Palo Alto native Jon M. Chu sweeps back into theaters for what’s one of the most eagerly awaited finales of the year. Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and the Sexiest Man Alive — i.e., Jonathan Bailey — are all back, but can they top their best-picture-nominated previous effort? It looks like it. Expect a few tears along with a shorter running time. Details: Opens Nov. 21 in theaters.
“Rental Family”: Who couldn’t use a “feel-good” movie right now, particularly one that’s not pumped up with saccharine? Writer/director Hikari gives us just that with this empathetic comedy/drama about a lonely American actor (Oscar winner Brendan Fraser) in Japan who gets hired to play a father figure to a reluctant little girl. Details: Opens Nov. 21 in theaters.
“Train Dreams”: In this gorgeous film, day laborer and railway worker Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton, in a subtle performance of pure beauty) bears witness to 20th-century changes that affect him, his family and the landscape around him. Director Clint Bentley’s visual poem brings Denis Johnson’s classic novella to life. Details: Premieres Nov. 21 on Netflix.
“Jay Kelly”: It’s a role that fits George Clooney like one of his dapper suits, that of a veteran actor facing an existential crisis when he and his manager/publicist (Adam Sandler) visit Italy to accept a lifetime achievement award. Noah Baumbach writes and directs. Details: Now in select theaters, expands Nov. 21; debuts Dec. 5 on Netflix.
“Hamnet”: What inspired William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) to write one of his best tragedies? You’ll find out in Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of a cherished novel that explores how an insurmountable loss suffered by Shakespeare and his unconventional, naturalist wife (Jessie Buckley, in an awards-ready performance) led to the cathartic creation of a brilliant piece of art. Your tear ducts will get a workout here too. Details: In select theaters Nov. 26; expands Dec. 12.
“Zootopia 2”: Disney loves its sequels and franchises, sometimes to box-office death (“Tron: Ares,” anyone?). This sequel to the 2016 animated hit looks to swing to the positive side given how inventive the Oscar-winning first film was. In this madcap outing, that clever fox Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) and the upbeat bunny Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) get rattled by a desperate snake, Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) — a taboo presence in Zootopia. Details: In theaters Nov. 26.
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”: Who slew cantankerous Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin)? That’s foremost on the mind of ace detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) in director Rian Johnson’s third “Knives Out” mystery. Set around a crime committed in a holy place, Johnson’s latest doles out unusual suspects and a cast to die for — Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Thomas Haden Church, Daryl McCormack, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott and Cailee Spaeny. Blanc also gets an assist from police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis). Details: In theaters Nov. 26; on Netflix, Dec. 12.
“Eternity”: Poor Joan (Elizabeth Olsen). She’s torn between which lover she’ll select to be with in the afterlife — her husband (Miles Tiller) or her first love (Callum Turner). David Freyne’s fantasy-infused comedy/romance might be just what’s needed to warm our hearts during a cold snap. Details: In theaters Nov. 26.
“Dust Bunny”: Mads Mikkelsen reunites with “Hannibal” creator Bryan Fuller to play a monster hunter/hitman helping a 10-year-old neighbor (Sophie Sloan) hunt down the murderous monster that gobbled up her family. Sigourney Weaver and David Dastmalchian co-star in what’s certain to be one bizarro movie. Details: In theaters Dec. 12.
“Ella McCay”: The last film that the once-golden James L. Brooks wrote and directed was 2010’s “How Do You Know,” a trashed-by-critics dramedy with Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd that few care to remember. Here’s hoping his latest, a dramedy about a female governor (Emma Mackey) dealing with dysfunctional family drama will be more in line with his best films — “Terms of Endearment” and “Broadcast News.” Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson and Ayo Edebiri star. Details: In theaters Dec. 12.
“The Secret Agent”: Kleber Mendonça Filho convincingly travels back to 1977 Brazil with this epic that does some time-shifting of its own. Wagner Moura’s performance might just land him an Oscar nomination. His character leads a double life — as a professor/father and a fugitive during a volatile, violent time in the country’s history. Details: In theaters Dec. 12.
“Goodbye June”: Kate Winslet jumps into the director’s chair for a star-studded (Toni Collete, Helen Mirren, Timothy Spall, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough) holiday-focused dramedy about four siblings gathering around Christmastime when their mother’s health changes. Winslet’s son Joe Anders wrote the screenplay. Details: In select theaters Dec. 12; on Netflix Dec. 24.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash”: The fantasy saga sprung from the imagination of director James Cameron carries on in its visually spectacular way and, per the norm, there’s not much intel about what this third film in the series is about, except that things are intensifying on Pandora. True to Cameron’s form, this one will keep butts in theater seats for a long haul since it clocks in at 3 hours and 12 minutes. Details: In theaters Dec. 19.
“Is This Thing On?”: Stand-up comedians often mine some of their best material from some of their darkest times. And that’s what down-and-out novice comedian Alex (Will Arnett) does while he and his ex (Laura Dern) suss out what their lives, separate and together, will be like. Bradley Cooper directs. Details: In theaters Dec. 19.
“The Housemaid”: The claws look to come out in this domestic thriller in which Millie (the prolific, talented and, yes, controversial Sydney Sweeney) lands a fulltime gig tending full-time to the needs of the sinfully wealthy Winchester couple (the equally prolific Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar) and their family. In no time, Millie stumbles on all sorts of sordid dirty laundry as she tries to keep her past in the past. Based on one of Freida McFadden’s insanely popular novels. Details: In theaters Dec. 19.
“Song Sung Blue”: Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson find that perfect vehicle to showcase their impressive pipes and acting talents in a based-on-a-true-story drama about a Wisconsin husband-and-wife Neil Diamond tribute act that perseveres through some rough times. Director Craig Brewer’s film dramatizes a same-titled 2008 documentary. Details: In theaters Dec. 25.
“Marty Supreme”: Extraordinary table tennis player Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) realizes some big dreams as he lobs one victory after another in director Josh Safdie’s inspirational but unique sports drama loosely based on the life of Marty Reisman. Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’Zion and Tyler the Creator co-star. The big question mark here is whether this will finally be the role that nabs Chalamet an Oscar. Details: In theaters Dec. 25.
“No Other Choice”: A laid-off company exec (Lee Byung Hun) takes desperate and extreme measures to climb back up the corporate and social status ladder in Park Chan-wook’s acidic, hilarious black comedy that stands a good chance of landing a Best International Feature Oscar nomination. You never quite know where this serpentine twister will take you. It’s based on a Donald E. Westlake novel. Details: In select theaters Dec. 25.
“The Testament of Anna Lee”: Amanda Seyfried is gaining Oscar buzz for her portrayal of the 18th century founder of the Shaker movement. Director Mona Fastvold’s musically inclined biopic delves into the fervor of faith and is certain to be a talker. Details: In select theaters Dec. 25.
“Anaconda”: Rebooting a so-bad-its-good 1997 monster snake movie with Jennifer Lopez and Jon Voight sounds like a risky proposition. But director and co-screenwriter Tom Gormican takes an irreverent touch with this meta redo about the making of a low-budget big snake movie. Jack Black and Paul Rudd tackle the snake. Details: In theaters Dec. 25.