As we race to the end of 2015, we will be greeted by a slew of big movies. Some movies will prosper, some will fail and some will get nominated for awards (both good and bad) — but all will bring their unique visions to the screen to share with us. Let’s peer through some rose-colored glasses at the month of December and what the holiday movie season holds.
In the Heart of the Sea (Dec. 11) brings to the big screen director Ron Howard’s vision of the real maritime disaster that inspired the novel Moby Dick, with Chris Hemsworth in the lead role. This looks visually stunning.
Legend (Dec. 11) shares the story of identical-twin gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray. They are two of the most notorious true-life criminals you’ll ever see onscreen, and who are in reality very different and unique individuals — though Tom Hardy plays both.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (Dec. 18) features our favorite chipmunks on — you guessed it — a road trip. The only true family film released during the month, it might do surprisingly well.
Sisters (Dec. 18) arrives on the same weekend as Star Wars as an alternative for those not in the core Star Wars demographic. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler star and even encourage viewers to take in both Stars Wars and this film.
The Big Short (Dec. 23) is director Adam McKay’s peek into the credit and housing bubble collapse, with Christian Bale and Steve Carell leading an amazing cast.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Dec. 18) is the ultimate holiday film. Not only is it highly anticipated by fans and critics alike, but it’s also a film that can be shared with most of the family and is poised to garner enormous box office results. Do you have your tickets yet?
Concussion (Dec. 25) will explode onto screens with a very volatile subject as the NFL regular season wraps up. Will Smith leads a talented cast that turns a spotlight on the concussion problems that have plagued football for years.
Daddy’s Home (Dec. 25) presents a funny take on parenting from two very funny men, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. They play guys who are competing to win the favor of Wahlberg’s biological children, who are also Ferrell’s stepchildren.
Joy (Dec. 25) is poised for awards acclaim. Jennifer Lawrence stars in the latest from David O. Russell as Joy, a woman who takes an idea and turns it in to something special.
Point Break (Dec. 25) became a hit in 1991, starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze in a Kathryn Bigelow-directed effort. In this version, inspired by the original, Luke Bracey and Édgar Ramírez go toe-to-toe in the extreme sports world.
These are just some of the great titles headed to theaters in December. Others that will sneak into select theaters before a wider release include The Hateful Eight from director Quentin Tarantino and The Revenant featuring Leonardo DiCaprio.