You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m telling you why: We’re finally getting a proper holiday movie season. This is not a slight against Nomadland, Judas and the Black Messiah, Minari or The Father — all fine films — but come on. Only the true cinephiles of the world could muster up excitement for the sober-minded, pandemic-affected class of 2020.
Fun fact: More people watched the big Adele CBS interview than this year’s Oscars ceremony, which featured winners from all those projects. This year? A diverse, full-fledged collection of treats. You may even have fun! Actually, having seen Lady Gaga vamp it up in House of Gucci, I can assure you: You will have fun.
Let’s unwrap a few right now. For an A-list star quotient, think Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Timothee Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Jonah Hill, Meryl Streep, Chris Evans, Kid Cudi, Cate Blanchett and Matthew Perry … all in the same movie. (That would be the satire Don’t Look Up).
For musical nerds, Steven Spielberg directs a remake of the classic West Side Story while Game of Thrones’ Peter Dinklage sings his heart out in the period romance Cyrano. We’re even getting new installments of Spider-Man and The Matrix.
So take a break from your 17th viewing of All Too Well, grab your favorite red scarf and head to your closest theater: Some big-screen excitement is finally coming to town.
Lady Gaga follows up A Star Is Born with a fashion star is murdered. Based on the book, it’s the real-life story of socialite Patrizia Reggiani’s troubled marriage to Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) and her subsequent plot to hire an assassin to kill him in 1995. Jared Leto, Al Pacino and Salma Hayek also appear. (In theaters, November 24) Fabio Lovino/MGM and Universal
In the San Fernando Valley circa the 1970s, a teen actor (Cooper Hoffman, son of late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman) falls in love with a girl (Alana Haim) and befriends a Hollywood producer (Bradley Cooper). This comes from writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson, who’s given us Boogie Nights, The Phantom Thread and The Master. (In theaters, November 26) Paul Thomas Anderson/MGM
If you owned a TV set in the 1950s, you adored watching Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz laugh it up on I Love Lucy. This drama, starring Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, offers a look at the couple’s tumultuous marriage when they were off-camera. Spoiler: They divorced in 1960. (Amazon Prime, December 10) Amazon
Now that he’s been unmasked, our favorite web-slinging superhero (Tom Holland) tries to juggle his newfound fame, schoolwork, his relationship with MJ (Zendaya) — and, you know, a series of universe-threatening problems. His foes include Doc Ock (Alfred Molina), who hasn’t been seen since 2004’s Spider-Man 2. (In theaters, December 17) Sony/YouTube
Working-class kid J.R. (Tye Sheridan) gets schooled via frequent visits to a local watering hole in suburban New York. But the focus here is on the bartender — his uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck), who serves up drinks, book recommendations and frank life advice. George Clooney directs this heartwarmer. (In theaters, December 22) Claire Folger/Amazon
The fourth installment in this groundbreaking saga purports to be both a sequel and a reboot. Neo (Keanu Reeves) now lives in near-future San Francisco, his memories wiped. But then a Morpheus-like character pops up and lures him to take his red pill. Kung-fu training ensues. (In theaters and HBO Max, December 22) Warner Bros.
As if things haven’t been bleak enough lately, now let’s examine what could happen as a giant comet hurtles straight toward Earth with a 100 percent chance of impact. But, wait, this is a comedy ... with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as astronomers and Meryl Streep as the president. Bring it! (Netflix, December 24) NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX
The Broadway classic-turned-iconic film is getting the Steven Spielberg treatment. But the story — teens Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (newcomer Rachel Zegler) fall in love in New York City despite their different backgrounds — remains the same. And that gorgeous music is, of course, timeless. And cool. (In theaters, December 25) Niko Tavernise/20th Century Studios
Just pack the tissues right now: This true story follows First Sergeant Charles Monroe King (Michael B. Jordan), who writes letters to his newborn son, also named Jordan, while he’s stationed overseas. After he’s killed in Iraq, his widow keeps all the letters in a book for posterity. (In theaters, December 25) Sony/YouTube
Perhaps you’re already familiar with the romantic tale of Cyrano de Bergerac (Peter Dinklage), a chivalrous poet in love with his friend Roxanne (Haley Bennett) but is too self-conscious about his physical appearance to make a play for her. This version, set in 19th century Italy, is a musical. (In theaters, December 31) Peter Mountain/MGM
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