With Thanksgiving in our rearview mirrors and pants that are now a little bit too tight, the holiday season is now in full swing. For movie lovers, this does not just mean Christmas music and family time, but it signifies a great time to see movies. Whether they are Oscar-worthy dramas or Christmas-themed comedies, there is movie for everyone in the month of December. But if you don’t know how to narrow it down, have no fear—here are 10 movies being released in the month of December that are worth seeing.
OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY
Release Date: December 9th
Rating: R
Notable Cast: Jennifer Anniston, Jason Bateman, TJ Miller, Kate McKinnon, Olivia Munn
Synopsis: When a CEO tries to close her partying brother’s branch, he and his Chief Technical Officer must rally their co-workers to host an epic office Christmas party to impress a huge client in order to make a sale and save their jobs.
December is starting out hilarious with Office Christmas Party. Newcomers TJ Miller and Kate McKinnon join veterans Jason Bateman and Jennifer Anniston for a comedy that is bound to please. So, instead of attending your own boring office Christmas party, spend a few hours indulging in popcorn, movie candy and a raunchy comedy.
LA LA LAND
Release Date: December 9th
Rating: PG-13
Notable Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Finn Wittrock, J.K. Simmons
Synopsis: La La Land is a musical comedy that tells the story of Mia (Stone) and Sebastian (Gosling), an aspiring actress and dedicated jazz musician respectively, who are struggling to make ends meet in modern day Los Angeles.
Gosling and Stone in the same movie is enough to get anyone excited, as their chemistry is likely to be electric. With a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes so far, this awakening of a bygone genre is a can’t-miss.
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
Release Date: December 16
Rating: PG-13
Notable Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Mads Mikkelsen, Forest Whitaker
Synopsis: This is the first of the standalone Star Wars movies, and follows a group of heroes who plan to steal the plans for the Death Star.
Set between the time of Episode III and Episode IV, Rogue One’s standalone status makes it accessible to all, whether you are a hardcore Star Wars fan or casual one. With the success of the last film and the possibility of a young Han Solo appearance, why not bring in the holidays with a little bit of the force.
COLLATERAL BEAUTY
Release Date: December 16
Rating: PG-13
Notable Cast: Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, Michael Peña, Noamie Harris, Keira Knightley, Kate Winslet
Synopsis: A successful New York advertising executive suffers a great tragedy and retreats from life. His friends try to reconnect with him, but he instead seeks answers from the Universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death—and they respond.
What makes Collateral Beauty unique and appealing is its original premise. Led by Will Smith, this all-star cast is bound to light up the screen. Hitting theaters on the same weekend as Rogue One, it will be easy for this movie to fly under the radar, but don’t sleep on this thought provoking drama.
ASSASSIN'S CREED
Release Date: December 21st
Rating: PG-13
Notable Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson
Synopsis: Through technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch lives through the adventure of his ancestors, Aguilar, in 15th century Spain. He discovers he descends from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and gains skills to take on the Templar organization in present day.
As a fan of the Assassin’s Creed video games, which the movie is based on, I am very excited for this movie. While movies based on video games have not been very successful in the past (see Warcraft and Mortal Kombat), the visuals for this movie look stunning, and Fassbender seems to be a good fit for Lynch. If nothing else, the scenes where he jumps off of massive buildings into piles of hay will be worth the price of admission.
PASSENGERS
Release Date: December 21st
Rating: PG-13
Notable Cast: Chris Pratt, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne
Synopsis: On a journey through space to a new home, two passengers sleeping in suspended animation are awakened 90 years too early when their ship malfunctions. Facing the rest of their lives on board, Jim and Aurora begin to fall for each other. However, their luxurious lives on the ship are interrupted when they discover the ship is in grave danger, and only Jim and Aurora have the power to save the lives of the 5000 sleeping passengers.
Those who are not fans of Pratt or Lawrence may want to avoid this movie, because much of the movie is spent with them. However, for the other 99% of the human population who are fans, Passengers is the movie for you.
SING
Release Date: December 21st
Rating: PG
Notable Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johannson, Taron Egerton, Seth McFarlane, Nick Kroll, John C. Reilly, Nick Offerman
Synopsis: A koala stages a grand singing competition for the world’s animals in order to save his elegant theater.
Animated singing animals voiced by Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johannson, Seth McFarlane and Nick Offerman… Count me in.
PATRIOT'S DAY
Release Date: December 21st
Rating: R
Notable Cast: Mark Wahlberg, J.K Simmons, John Goodman, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin Bacon
Synopsis: An account of the Boston marathon bombings that follows survivors, first responders and investigators as they attempt to hunt down the bombers before they strike again.
This film is likely going to be emotionally charged and tough to watch at parts, especially for those who were affected by this senseless tragedy. But this movie also promises to celebrate the strength of the people of Boston, and with a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes currently, it also promises to get the job done.
FENCES
Release Date: December 25th
Rating: Not yet rated
Notable Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson, Russel Hornsby
Synopsis: Fences is adapted from August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play of the same name. It explores the evolving African-American experience and examines race relations in Pittsburgh in the 1950s.
Directed by Denzel Washington, Fences is another emotionally charged story that deserves to be told. Washington and Davis, no stranger to the Academy Awards, are already being touted as Oscar frontrunners for their respective roles. This movie may not be the most cheery movie to see on Christmas Day, but is nonetheless bound to be a worthy experience.
WHY HIM?
Release Date: December 25th
Rating: Not yet rated
Notable Cast: Bryan Cranston, James Franco, Zoey Deutch, Megan Mullaly, Andrew Rannells
Synopsis: Ned (Cranston), an overprotective father, and his family visit his daughter at Stanford, where they meet her socially awkward billionaire boyfriend Laird (Franco). Ned thinks Laird is not nearly good enough for his daughter, and is horrified to find out Laird is planning on proposing to Ned’s daughter.
If you are looking for more of a laugh on Christmas Day, Why Him? is the movie for you. Franco and Cranston are perfect foils for each other, and with their comedic pedigrees, are likely to give you at least a few hearty laughs during your visit to the theater.
