Holiday Movie Guide: Here’s a Preview of Every Film Coming Out in November and December 2019
Scenario A: You could spend the holidays awkwardly making small talk with everyone from your in-laws to that random cousin who only makes a cameo at every third Thanksgiving. Scenario B: You could skip the small talk and take these very same people on a trip to the movies. (Come on, what better way to bond than over a joint love of Tom Hanks?) Now the hard part: Getting everyone to agree on which great movie to see. Here, everything coming to theaters in November and December.
Comedy
Universal Pictures
Last Christmas
(November 8)
Emilia Clarke (of Game of Thrones fame) is the queen of bad decisions—until she meets Tom (Henry Golding of Crazy Rich Asians fame) while working as Santa’s elf in a department store.
Playing with Fire
(November 8)
A group of firefighters (John Cena and Keegan Michael-Key included) are pros at fighting flames. But after a rescue mission, they quickly realize that they’re no match for a few kids.
Knives Out
(November 27)
When the patriarch of a quirky family dies unexpectedly on his 85th birthday, an investigation—led by detective Daniel Craig—into the family ensues in this modern whodunit.
Jumanji: The Next Level
(December 13)
The OG cast—Jack Black, Kevin Hart, the Rock and Karen Gillan—is back yet again since, we come to find out, not all the pieces of the Jumanji video game were disposed of properly. (Awkwafina also stars.)
Cats
(December 20)
The cast alone is enough reason to get on board with this big screen version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. It includes Jennifer Hudson, Taylor Swift, James Corden, Idris Elba, Judi Dench, Rebel Wilson and Ian McKellen to name a few.
Drama
Focus Features
Harriet
(November 1)
Cynthia Erivo plays Harriet Tubman in this based-on-a-true-story film about the iconic freedom fighter and her escape from slavery during the Civil War.
Motherless Brooklyn
(November 1)
Based on the Jonathan Lethem book of the same name, this movie—set in 1950s New York—follows Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton), a detective with Tourette’s syndrome trying to find out who murdered his best friend.
Marriage Story
(November 6)
Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson star in this comedy-drama from director Noah Baumbach about a family going through a divorce and splitting up—but also staying together.
Watch the trailer (from his perspective)
Watch the trailer (from her perspective)
Honey Boy
(November 8)
Actor Shia LaBeouf wrote this film—based on the complicated relationship he had with his father—and plays his father in the film, too.
The Good Liar
(November 15)
When a con artist (Ian McKellan) meets a well-to-do widow (Helen Mirren) online, he plans to swindle her—but finds the path to a big payoff to be a bit more complicated than that.
The Report
(November 15)
Adam Driver steps into the shoes of Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones in this film about the man who investigated the CIA’s use of torture following 9/11. (Annette Bening, Michael C. Hall and Jon Hamm also star.)
Waves
(November 15)
When a suburban African-American family in Florida comes together over a loss, they’re forced to navigate both love and forgiveness—and family dynamics. (Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Sterling K. Brown both star.)
Dark Waters
(November 22)
This film is based on the true story of the DuPont chemical company and the lawyer (played by Mark Ruffalo) who uncovered a string of deaths in connection to its long-term pollution.
21 Bridges
(November 22)
Eight New York City police officers are killed in a shooting, and a disgraced cop (Chadwick Boseman) gets put on the case. The only way to catch the suspects? Close all of Manhattan’s 21 bridges, of course.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
(November 22)
When journalist Tom Junod (Matthew Rhys) gets assigned to profile children’s TV star Mr. Rogers (Tom Hanks), an unexpected friendship develops.
The Irishman
(November 27)
The latest from director Martin Scorcese, this film follows a mob hitman as he recalls his involvement with the slaying of Jimmy Hoffa, the American labor union leader who got caught up with organized crime. (Robert DeNiro stars.)
Queen and Slim
(November 27)
A blossoming romance leads Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith to go out on a first date, but when they get pulled over, things take a serious turn. (Chloë Sevigny also stars.)
The Aeronauts
(December 6)
Pilot Amelia Wren (Felicity Jones) teams up with scientist James Glaisher (Eddie Redmayne) as the pair attempt to pave the way for the future of hot air balloon flight.
Richard Jewell
(December 13)
Based on the true story of security guard Richard Jewell who saved thousands from an exploding bomb at the 1996 Olympics, this Clint Eastwood film follows the aftermath—and the false accusation that he was a terrorist. (Olivia Wilde and Sam Rockwell also star.)
A Hidden Life
(December 13)
This Terrence Malick film—based on a true story—follows Franz Jagerstatter, an Austrian farmer who could have lived the good life…if he’d agreed to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler. (He didn’t.)
Bombshell
(December 20)
This film follows the women—Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) and Nicole Kidman (Gretchen Carlson)—who accused Fox News founder Roger Ailes of sexual harassment, which led to his demise.
The Two Popes
(December 20)
When Pope Francis (played by Jonathan Pryce) asks Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) for permission to retire from the Catholic Church, the pair must find common ground between their liberal and conservative beliefs.
Uncut Gems
(December 25)
When a charismatic New York City jeweler (Adam Sandler) makes a series of high-stakes bets, he’s forced to balance work and family, but finds adversaries at every corner.
1917
(December 25)
Based on a true story, this film follows a crew of soldiers sent on a mission to warn a battalion about an upcoming ambush. (Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Firth both star.)
Just Mercy
(December 25)
Based on the memoir written by Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson, this film tells the story of Stevenson (Michael P. Jordan) and the case he took on to defend a man (Jamie Foxx) accused of a murder he may not have committed.
Little Women
(December 25)
Actress/Director Greta Gerwig adapts the Louisa May Alcott classic with an all-star cast that includes Saoirse Ronan as Jo, Emma Watson as Meg, Florence Pugh as Amy, Eliza Scanlen as Beth and Meryl Streep as Aunt March.
Action
Paramount Pictures
Terminator: Dark Fate
(November 1)
Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) returns—this time with her own team of agents, ready to go up against T-1000.
Midway
(November 8)
It was the battle that changed the course of World War II: Woody Harrelson, Luke Evans and Patrick Wilson play the U.S. soldiers and pilots that fought the Japanese for four days in 1942.
Doctor Sleep
(November 8)
In this sequel to The Shining, a now-adult Dan Torrance (Ewan McGregor) encounters a girl with powers eerily similar to his own.
Charlie’s Angels
(November 15)
Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska help reboot the 2000 reboot of the 1970s TV series about a group of private detectives working for the ever-elusive Charlie.
Ford v Ferrari
(November 15)
Can Ford beat Ferrari on the race track? Car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) set out to prove it’s possible at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
(December 20)
The future of the Jedi order—not to mention Rey’s (Daisy Ridley) role in it—is at stake in the final installment of this trilogy.
Family
Arctic Dogs
(November 1)
An ambitious arctic fox working in the mail room longs for a job as the top dog, so he commandeers a sled and sets out to deliver a mysterious package—and save the day.
Klaus
(November 8)
Dubbed a “Santa Claus origin story,” this film follows a selfish postman who gets assigned to a remote Scandinavian town only to form an unlikely friendship with a reclusive toymaker. (Jason Schwartzman and Rashida Jones lend their voices.)
Frozen II
(November 22)
This time, Elsa and Anna (and Kristoff, Olaf and Sven) have to travel to an enchanted land in order to find the origin of Elsa’s powers and save Arendell—to the tune of “Let It Go,” we’re hoping.
Playmobil: The Movie
(December 6)
The Playmobil toys you know and love come to life in this animated film about a girl named Marla (Anya Taylor-Joy) who sets out to find her missing younger brother. (Voices include Daniel Radcliffe, Jim Gaffigan, Meghan Trainor and more.)
Spies in Disguise
(December 25)
Ack, the world’s best spy (voiced by Will Smith) just turned into a pigeon. That means he has to rely on his nerdy tech counterpart (Tom Holland) to save the world. (Rachel Brosnahan also stars.)