December’s Must-Watch Movies: Your Guide To The Month’s Biggest Releases
Your holiday watchlist
’Tis the season for movie marathons! As the year winds down and the holidays ramp up, December is prime time for settling into a perfectly air-conditioned cinema and escaping the heat. Whether your idea of a break is bingeing the latest releases or family time means catching something new together, this month is shaping up to be a blockbuster.
Here are the films to keep on your radar for your next cinematic fix, in order of release.
-
Eternity
Genre: Romantic comedy, fantasy
Release date: 4 December
Director: David Freyne
Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, Callum Turner, Da’Vine Joy Randolph
In a whimsical afterlife, souls are given one week to choose where they’ll spend eternity. Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) must decide between her long-time husband (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner) – blending romance, humour, and philosophical charm. Beautifully acted and emotionally layered, it’s perfect for viewers who appreciate love stories with depth and an existential twist.
-
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
Genre: Horror, mystery, thriller
Release Date: 4 December
Director: Emma Tammi
Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Matthew Lillard
A year after the infamous Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza incident, the legend has grown into a carnival-style event – but terror returns when Abby (Piper Rubio) reconnects with the animatronics. Ideal for horror fans looking for suspenseful, retro-flavoured thrills.
-
Ella McCay
Genre: Heartwarming drama
Release date: 11 December
Director: James L. Brooks
Cast: Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edebiri, Kumail Nanjiani
Ella (Emma Mackey), a driven young woman juggling a chaotic family and a demanding career, finds herself navigating a series of comedic and heartfelt misadventures. A warm, character-driven dramedy with a stacked cast – perfect for fans of grounded, witty storytelling.
-
Silent Night, Deadly Night
Genre: Holiday horror, slasher
Release date: 11 December
Director: Mike P. Nelson
Cast: Rohan Campbell, Ruby Modine, Mark Acheson
Billy (Rohan Campbell), forever traumatised by a childhood Christmas tragedy, dons the Santa suit himself and takes his revenge into the snowy night. If you like your festive season with a twisted edge, this holiday slasher delivers style, suspense, and just the right amount of chaos.
-
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Genre: Action-adventure, fantasy, sci-fi
Release Date: 18 December
Director: James Cameron
Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet
James Cameron returns to Pandora as Jake (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and their growing family face a fiery new tribe rising from the volcanic regions. Expect jaw-dropping visuals and emotional stakes. This is December’s biggest cinematic event – pure escapism, stunning worldbuilding, and a must-see on the biggest screen you can find.
-
The Housemaid
Genre: Psychological thriller, drama, mystery
Release date: 26 December
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar
Adapted from Freda McFadden’s acclaimed novel, The Housemaid has been one of the year’s most highly anticipated releases. When Millie (Sydney Sweeney) takes a job as a live-in housemaid for an affluent couple (Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar), she discovers a seductive world of power, secrecy, and psychological manipulation. Sleek, stylish, and tense – perfect for those who love glamour with a dark twist.
-
Rental Family
Genre: Comedy, drama
Release date: 26 December
Director: Hikari
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto
An American expat (Brendan Fraser) in Tokyo works for a service that “rents out” family members to clients who need a brother, father, or friend – leading to unexpectedly tender and complex relationships. A quietly powerful and introspective film, perfect for the reflective reset between Christmas and New Year.
-
Anaconda
Genre: Action, comedy, horror
Release date: 26 December
Director: Tom Gormican
Cast: Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Daniela Melchior
A group of mid-life friends attempt to remake their favourite childhood movie, only to end up stranded in a jungle with a giant, very real anaconda. It’s campy, funny, and totally self-aware – an entertaining Boxing Day watch if you’re after a good time.
Grab your popcorn, gather your mates, and make the most of the big screen this holiday season. Catch you at the cinema!
Imagery: @housemademovie, @avatar, @emmatmackeyofficial
