The Most Anticipated Movies Coming To Theaters This Holiday Season

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“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”

Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis; directed by Francis Lawrence

A prequel to the “Hunger Games,” Francis Lawrence’s new dystopian action movie takes place 64 years prior to the events of the original film, setting in motion the circumstances that ultimately lead down the sinister path that 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) takes to become Panem’s tyrannical leader. Along the way, he mentors a young female tribute from District 12 by the name of Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) during the 10th Hunger Games.

“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” is in theaters Nov. 17.

“May December”

Natalie Portman, Juliane Moore, Cory Michael Smith, Charles Melton; directed by Todd Haynes

Todd Haynes’ new dramedy turns the spotlight on a married couple (Juliane Moore and Charles Melton) two decades after their shockingly forbidden romance made national headlines. Natalie Portman plays a famous actress suddenly propelled to pry into the couple’s private and lurid affairs.

“May December” is in theaters Nov. 17.

“Trolls Band Together”

Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Troye Sivan; directed by Walt Dohrn

The third installment in the animated jukebox-musical “Trolls” franchise finds the lovebirds, Poppy and Branch (Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake), going out on a limb to pull off a daring rescue. Meanwhile, Poppy is also determined to reunite Branch with his estranged siblings.

“Trolls Band Together” is in theaters Nov. 17.

“Maestro”

Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer; directed by Bradley Cooper

The biopic centers on the relationship between the legendary composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) and his adoring wife, actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). The couple’s long marriage is often tested as the “maestro” is not averse to occasional dalliances or casual flings.

“Maestro” is in theaters Nov. 22 before streaming on Netflix Dec. 20.

“Napoleon”

Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim; directed by Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott’s biopic chronicles the rise and fall of French military commander Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix), highlighting his genius in warfare and politics as well as his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Empress Josephine (Vanessa Kirby).

“Napoleon” is in theaters Nov. 22 before streaming on Apple + at a to-be-determined date.

“Wish”

Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk; directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn and Chris Buck

Walt Disney presents “Wish,” an animated musical-fantasy movie about Asha (voiced by Ariana Debose), a 17-year-old girl who makes an impassioned plea to the stars after sensing that a danger looms ahead in her kingdom. Guess what? A star with magical powers suddenly shows up. What a wish, indeed!

“Wish” is in theaters Nov. 22.

“Leave The World Behind”

Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Kevin Bacon, Mahershala Ali; directed by Sam Esmail

Sam Esmail’s new psychological thriller, based on Rumaan Alam’s 2020 bestseller, tells the story of a family vacation gone awry when the Sandfords (Julia Robers and Ethan Hawke) and their children (Farrah Mackenzie and Charlie Evans) cross paths with two strangers bearing bleak tidings during their Long Island getaway.

“Leave The World Behind” is in theaters Nov. 22 before streaming on Netflix Dec. 8.

“Saltburn”

Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike; directed by Emerald Fennell

Emerald Fennell’s latest directorial effort comes in the form of a psychological black comedy thriller about Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a simple-minded Oxford University student, who is suddenly thrust into the upper-crust echelons when a charismatic classmate (Jacob Elordi) invites him to his family’s sprawling estate. Seemingly, there is more to eccentricity than meets the eye.

“Saltburn” is in theaters Nov. 22.

“Silent Night”

Joel Kinnaman, Scott Mescudi, Catalina Sandino Moreno; directed by John Woo

“Silent Night” marks John Woo’s Hollywood return after a 20-year hiatus from filmmaking. His latest directorial stint follows a father (Joel Kinnaman) in his crusade to avenge the death of his young son. He comes bearing hellish gifts on Christmas Eve.

“Silent Night” is in theaters Dec. 1.

“Godzilla Minus One”

Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Takashi Yamazaki; directed by Takashi Yamazaki

The “Godzilla” saga continues in the form of a standalone monster film set in post-World War II Japan, featuring the titular kaiju as it wreaks havoc in its wake.

“Godzilla Minus One” is in theaters Dec. 1.

“Poor Things”

Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe; directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

Yorgos Lanthimos’ dark fantasy comedy follows the story of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a woman brought back to life “Frankenstein” style by a mad scientist (Willem Dafoe), following her suicide. Her new world piques her interest in romance and wild desires, prompting her foolhardy adventures around the world with a debonair, debauched lawyer named Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo).

“Poor Things” is in theaters Dec. 8.

“American Fiction”

Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Issa Rae; directed by Cord Jefferson

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Auteur Cord Jefferson’s feature directorial debut is a satirical movie about a struggling novelist beset with the poor sale prospects of his new book. Burning with frustration and anger, he proceeds to write a “Black” book that ultimately propels him to stardom. But his newfound success takes a heavy toll on his life.

“American Fiction” is in theaters Dec. 15.

“Wonka”

Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins; directed by Paul King

A prequel to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Paul King’s fantasy film stars Timothée Chalamet as a young resolute Willy Wonka in pursuit of his dream of owning a candy store amid mounting challenges. But luckily, Oompa Loompa (Hugh Grant) comes to his aid.

“Wonka” is in theaters Dec. 15.

“The Iron Claw”

Zac Efron, Lily James, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickenson; directed by Sean Durkin

The biographical sports movie follows the rise of Kevin Von Erich (Zac Effon) and his family to a wrestling dynasty in the 1980s. Notably, during that time, the family from Texas popularized the iron claw professional wrestling holds, a specific set of pins and moves utilized by professional wrestlers to make their opponents surrender to submission.

“The Iron Claw” is in theaters Dec. 22.

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”

Jason Momoa, Ben Affleck, Patrick Wilson; directed by James Wan

In the sequel, Jason Momoa reprises his role as the half-Atlantean, half-human king of the undersea nation, Atlantis. Set several years after the events of the first film, the continuing saga finds our hero facing off once again with his archenemy, Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). This time around, he will have to join forces with an unlikely ally, his brother Orm (Patrick Wilson).

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is in theaters Dec. 22.

“The Color Purple”

Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Halley Bailey; directed by Blitz Bazawule

Blitz Bazawule brings the stage musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 epistolary novel to life on the big screen, starring Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and Taraji P. Henson as three kindred spirits beset with the repulsive social maladies in the South in the early 20th century.

“The Color Purple” is in theaters Dec. 23.

“The Boys in the Boat”

Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner, Chris Diamantopoulos; directed by George Clooney

George Clooney’s latest directorial outing tells the inspirational story of the University of Washington rowing team, a crew of collegiate underdogs who took the world by storm when they represented U.S.A. at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. The sports drama stars Joel Edgerton as the team’s coach.

“The Boys in the Boat” is in theaters on Dec. 25.

“Ferrari”

Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Patrick Dempsey; directed by Michael Mann

Michael Mann’s sports drama, based on Brock Yates’ 1991 Enzo Ferrari biography, follows the famous automaker (Adam Driver) during the summer of 1957, when his entire life is imploding as he tries to save his auto empire, Ferrari S.p.A, from bankruptcy.

“Ferrari” is in theaters Dec. 25.

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