In recent years, November and December have been the strongest months for movies, be it in theaters or on streaming. Last year, seven of the films nominated for best picture were released in the last two months of the year. Moreover, 64% of best picture nominees over the past 10 years debuted in November and December, including six winners.
With the weather getting colder and more people off from work for the holidays, November and December are prime times for movies. Likewise, this year has many anticipated movies being released in the next two months. Some are blockbusters with years of anticipation, and others are independent films that broke out at film festivals. Here are the most anticipated films.
Sentimental Value
The runner-up for the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival, “Sentimental Value” will debut in the United States. The film follows two estranged sisters (Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) who meet again after their mother’s death. However, admist this, their aloof father (Stellan Skarsgård), a fading director, comes back into their lives. A family drama that breathes new life into the genre, the performances by Reinsve and Skarsgård have received critical acclaim. It currently has a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4.2/5 on Letterboxd.
“Sentimental Value” will be released in theaters on Nov. 7.
Jay Kelly
Noah Baumbach is back with an all-star cast, led by George Clooney and Adam Sandler in “Jay Kelly.” Star actor Jay Kelly (Clooney) and his manager, Ron (Sandler), travel through Europe and reflect on the choices they made in their lives, both in entertainment and their family dynamics. In many ways, it’s a film about Clooney and a reflection of his career and how it has affected his personal life. Despite the movie revolving around Clooney, Sandler has gotten the most praise for being Clooney’s wingman and is in the mix for best supporting actor. However, it received some criticism for its uneven screenplay but still has favorable reviews. It currently has a 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.
“Jay Kelly” comes out in theaters on Nov. 14 and on Netflix on Dec. 5.
Wicked: For Good
After “Wicked” took the world by storm last year, “Wicked: For Good” — the second part of the story — will premiere in November. The plot follows the Act Two of the Broadway play, where we see Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) go their separate ways, until a girl from Kansas puts them on opposing sides. While it will remain similar to the Act Two of the Broadway musical, Dorothy will be more prominent, according to Director Jon Chu. Additionally, It will also draw out more of the story just like “Wicked” did last year. “Wicked” was highly praised and had a strong box office haul, so many hope the second part will exceed those expectations.
“Wicked: For Good” will be in theaters on Nov. 21.
Zootopia 2
Nine years after the release of the first film, “Zootopia 2” picks up shortly after the original. The film once again stars cops Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) who must stop Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan). Trailers have shown that the award-winning animation is back and that the story will have both Judy and Nick as co-protagonists. This is the second sequel released in a row from Disney, further showing their reliance on previous IPs. While the original has made expectations for the film high, the same buddy-cop formula should deliver to audiences.
“Zootopia 2” comes out in theaters on Nov. 26.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Another sequel, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” is the third installment in the “Knives Out” series. The film follows a small-town priest (Josh O’Connor) who is the main suspect of the murder of another priest (Josh Brolin), while detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) uncovers the mystery alongside the townspeople. Reviews out of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) were very positive as it won the third-place prize there. While it follows the general mystery formula, it has different themes from the first two “Knives Out” movies, focusing more on corruption as opposed to class warfare. It may be a bit of fresh air, with some considering it the best movie in the franchise. It currently has a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 3.9/5 on Letterboxd.
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” will be in theaters on Nov. 26 and on Netflix on Dec. 12.
Hamnet
The winner of the People’s Choice Award at TIFF, “Hamnet” received rave reviews from festivals this fall. Directed by Academy Award-winning Director Chloe Zhao, the movie follows Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) after the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet. With other Academy Award-winning Directors Sam Mendes and Steven Spielberg on board for the adaptation of the 2020 novel “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell, the film had serious backing. Critics have given rave reviews to the portrayal of the Shakespeare couple and their experience of love, loss and the power of art. “Hamnet” currently has an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4.2/5 on Letterboxd.
It will be released in some theaters on Nov. 27 with a nationwide release on Dec. 12.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
A decade after its intended release, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” will be hitting theaters. Set a year after 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water,” Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) must defend the Metkayina Clan from the Ash People, led by Varang (Oona Chaplin) and working with Jake’s enemy Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). Using the same innovative underwater motion capture technology to shoot “Avatar: Way of Water,” the film looks as stunning as its predecessors. Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Lang and Kate Winslet will reprise their roles.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” debuts in theaters on Dec. 19.
Marty Supreme
A movie about ping-pong in the ’50s starring Timothée Chalamet? Yes, this is one of the most anticipated movies of the last two months of the year. Yet, a surprise showing at TIFF left viewers in awe, lead to a standing ovation. “Marty Supreme” follows Marty Mauser (Chalamet), a young ping pong player whose determination for greatness leads him to do some unusual things to achieve success. Chalamet will co-star with Gwyneth Paltrow and rapper Tyler, the Creator.
“Marty Supreme” currently has a 3.9/5 on Letterboxd and will be in theaters Dec. 25.
Other releases
November and December are packed with great films, and audiences will have plenty of movies to watch. In addition to the films I listed, movies like Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” (Nov. 7) and Richard Linklater’s “Nouvelle Vague” (Nov. 14) will release on Netflix after being in theaters for few weeks prior. In addition to that, Palme d’Or winner “It Was Just an Accident” will have a wider release. All in all, this holiday season will be a great one to grab some popcorn and go to the movies with loved ones.
