Thanksgiving, turkey and a break from the stresses of schoolwork gleefully lurk around the corner with Christmas not to far behind. What better ways to relax while the turkey is cooking in the oven or to do something fun with your friends than see some of the biggest movies this holiday season?
We’ve got a list to help you navigate the new and coming blockbusters.
Big Hero 6
Release date: Nov. 7
Big Hero 6 is the first Disney animated film based on a Marvel character. The film follows teenager Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter, Senior Project), a prodigy who forms a bond with his slain brother Tadashi’s robot, Baymax.
After meeting with Tadashi’s group of friends – GoGo (Jamie Chung, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr., New Girl), Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez, Tusk) and Fred (T.J. Miller, Gravity Falls) – assemble a superhero team to avenge Tadashi’s death.
Beyond the Lights
Release date: Nov. 14
Noni (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Belle) is a new artist in the music industry who is on the brink of superstardom. But the constant societal and parental pressures placed on Noni by society as well as her mother and manager, Macy Jean (Minnie Driver, About a Boy), pushes her to the edge. Kaz, a police officer (Nate Parker, Every Secret Thing) prevents Noni from harming herself, and she begins to find her voice again. As Kaz and Noni begin to fall for each other, they ignore the protests of their respective entourages.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
Release date: Nov. 21
The Hunger Games era is coming to a close with the highly anticipated first part of the final film. After escaping the Hunger Games’ Third Quarter Quell, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence, Serena) finds herself in the elusive and mysterious District 13. She remains a symbol of hope for the oppressed people of Panem and begins a quest to rescue Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson, Escobar: Paradise Lost) from the wrath of President Snow (Donald Sutherland, Forsaken).
Horrible Bosses 2
Release date: Nov. 26
Three years ago Horrible Bosses kept audiences laughing in their seats during a summer heat wave. Now, the sequel looks to do the same during the holidays. The comedy follows the trio of Nick (Jason Bateman, This is Where I Leave You), Dale (Charlie Day, Drunk History) and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis, Eastbound & Down) start their own business, but go head-to-head with their investor Burt (Christoph Waltz, Muppets Most Wanted). Using their humorously warped logic, the three friends decide the best way to go about their business is to kidnap their horrible boss’ son Rex (Chris Pine, Stretch).
Top Five
Release date: Dec. 12
Chris Rock (Eat Drink Laugh: The Story of the Comic Strip) stars in his directorial comedy-drama debut, Top Five, as Andre Allen, a comedic star searching for his next move. He becomes famous for starring in action films as a talking bear, but when one of his films tanks, Andre is adamant to reinvent his Hollywood image.
While juggling his career, Andre is also planning his future wedding to reality TV star Erica Long (Gabrielle Union, Think Like A Man Too) and being profiled by New Yorker journalist Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For).
The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies
Release date: Dec. 17
Director Peter Jackson delivers the third and final installment to the three part-film adaptation based on The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien. The fantasy adventure follows Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman, Fargo) and Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage, The Crucible) as they’ve entered the mystical Lonely Mountain.
Little do they know, Gandalf (Ian McKellen, The Curse of Buxom Strumpet) has discovered the identity of the malevolent Necromancer, who has sent his army toward the mountain. When the dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock), leaves the Lonely Mountain, and its treasures up for grabs, the Battle of the Five Armies begins.
The Interview
Release date: Dec. 25
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of “Skylark Tonight.” Well at least in the comedy-drama film The Interview. Celebrity talk show host Dave Skylark (James Franco, Good People) and his producer, Aaron Rapaport (Seth Rogen, 22 Jump Street) land an interview with the dictator to reintroduce themselves to the world as serious journalists. On their travels to Pyongyang, the CIA recruits the duo to assassinate the fictional Kim Jong-un.
Into the Woods
Release date: Dec. 25
Centered on several Grimm fairy tales and based on a Tony Award winning Broadway musical, Into the Woods is a musical fantasy film that ties together various stories and their characters. A witch played by Meryl Streep (The Giver) curses young couple The Baker (James Corden, The Feeling Nuts Comedy Night) and The Baker’s Wife (Emily Blunt, Edge of Tomorrow), but to break it they must travel into the woods.
Once there, the stories of Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy, Forever), Cinderella (Anna Kendrick, Cake), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford, Making It Happen with Jonah Verdon) and Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone, Les Misérables) are interwoven in a tale that conveys life lessons to the audience.
A Most Violent Year
Release date: Dec. 31
Set in the gritty backdrop of 1981 New York City’s statistically most violent year, Oscar Isaac (Mojave) stars as Abel Morales, an ambitious immigrant trying to help his family survive. As Abel and his wife, Anna (Jessica Chastain, Interstellar) work to capitalize on their businesses and follow the American dream, the danger of the city teases and enthralls them. Will their family be torn apart by crimes and corruption or will Abel and Anna outlast the violence in this thriller
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