The Most Anticipated Movies Hitting Theaters This 2024 Holiday Season

HOLLYWOOD, CA — The 2024 holiday movie season is finally here, bearing a slate of highly anticipated films sure to make your movie escapism in theaters more exciting and fun.

Looking for an animated musical film for the entire family to enjoy? “Mufasa: The Lion King” has all the tunes that will get you singing in no time.

How about historical drama thrillers? Look no further than “The Order,” a movie about one of the largest manhunts in FBI history. Another one is “September 5,” a movie about the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis.

Have you heard of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in World War II? The real-life story of the all-Black and all-female military unit comes to life on the big screen in the war drama film, “The Six Triple Eight.”

Our list consists of movies across every film genre, so be sure to check them out below as you plan your jaunts to theaters this holiday season.

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Most Anticipated Movies Coming To Theaters This Holiday Season

“The Order”

Jude Law, Tye Sheridan, Nicholas Hoult; directed by Justin Kurzel

Justin Kerzel’s new thriller movie, based on a true story, dramatizes one of the largest manhunts in FBI history. It is the year 1983, and FBI agent Terry Husk (Jude Law) is in hot pursuit of a white supremacist terrorist group known as “The Order.” His mission? To thwart the ideological group’s plot to overthrow the federal government.

“The Order” is in theaters Dec. 6.

“The Return”

Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Charlie Plummer; directed by Uberto Pasolini

A retelling of Homer’s “Odyssey” comes alive on the big screen in Uberto Pasolini’s “The Return.” It stars Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus, a Greek king who washes up on the shores of his kingdom of Ithaca two decades after he left to fight in the Trojan War. Over that period, a group of men lusting for power has been pressuring his wife, Queen Penelope (Juliette Binoche), to choose a new king among them. Will Odysseus be able to reclaim his rightful place?

“The Return” is in theaters Dec. 6.

“Nightbitch”

Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy; directed by Marielle Heller

What if you were a former city-dwelling artist suddenly propelled into the world of domesticity day in, day out? Would you be able to face the music without regrets? For our stay-at-home mom named Mother (Amy Adams), her daily grind takes a toll on her emotions. Will she prevail?

“Nightbitch” is in theaters Dec. 6.

“The Six Triple Eight”

Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson; directed by Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry’s latest film, based on Kevin M. Hymel’s 2019 “WWII History” magazine article, “Fighting a Two-Front War”, tells the real-life story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in World War II. Despite facing rampant racism, the 855 military members of the all-Black and all-female battalion were determined to serve their country amid armed conflicts.

“The Six Triple Eight” is in theaters Dec. 6.

“The Last Showgirl”

Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista; directed by Gia Coppola

Pamela Anderson stars as the eponymous glamorous female performer who must chart her next course in life when the show closes permanently after a 30-year run. A story of resilience and determination, the poignant film centers on the showgirl’s life behind the glittering lights of the Vegas strip.

“The Last Showgirl” is in theaters Dec. 13.

“Nickel Boys”

Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor; directed by RaMell Ross

Ramell Ross’ new film, adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel, follows a group of young Black men sent to a reform school at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. The film is a portrayal of their hopes, aspirations and their plight in the face of extreme adversity.

“Nickel Boys”is in theaters Dec. 13.

“September 5”

Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin; directed by Tim Fehlbaum

“September 5,” based on real-life events, follows a team of American TV journalists during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics as 11 Israeli athletes were being held hostage by terrorists belonging to Black September. Without missing a beat, the broadcasting crew became the world’s eyes and ears as ABC aired exclusively the ongoing political crisis live from the Olympic Village.

“September 5” is in theaters Dec. 13.

“Kraven the Hunter”

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Russell Crowe; directed by J.C. Chandor

J.C. Chandor’s superhero film explores the origins of the super villain. Primarily, it sheds light on Kraven’s journey to become the most formidable and most brutal hunter in the Spider-Man universe, as well as Kraven’s fraught relationship with his father.

“Kraven the Hunter” is in theaters Dec. 13.

“Mufasa: The Lion King”

Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen; directed by Barry Jenkins

Set after the events of the 2019 “The Lion King,” the animated musical film tells the origin story of two lions, the orphan Mufasa and the young prince named Taka, who meet by happenstance. In their journey together, they develop a strong bond of friendship and brotherhood.

“Mufasa: The Lion King” is in theaters Dec. 20.

“Sonic the Hedgehog 3”

Ben Schwartz, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba; directed by Jeff Fowler

The sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) arrives with a battle royale between two Hedgehogs, the good Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and the villainous Shadow (Keanu Reeves). Sonic’s allies? It’s none other than the anthropomorphic yellow-orange fox Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessy) and the anthropomorphic red echidna warrior, Knuckles (Idris Elba). Well, did we tell you that Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), Sonic’s longtime nemesis, suddenly turns a blind eye and aids the trio in their fight against Shadow?

“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is in theaters Dec. 20.

“The Brutalist”

Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce; directed by Brady Corbet

Brady Corbet’s historical drama centers on Hungarian architect László Toth (Adrien Brody), a Holocaust survivor who immigrates to the United States. With nothing to his name, he soon crosses paths with a wealthy businessman (Guy Pearce) who gives Toth an opportunity of a lifetime — but it comes at a hefty price.

“The Brutalist” is in theaters Dec. 20.

“A Complete Unknown”

Timothee Chalamet, Elle Fanning; directed by James Mangold

Timothee Chalamet stars as the iconic Bob Dylan in the biopic about the world-famous American singer and songwriter. The film focuses primarily on Dylan’s career decision to switch to electrically amplified instrumentation. Ultimately, the famed controversy will leave an indelible stamp in the annals of the folk music world.

“A Complete Unknown” is in theaters Dec. 25.

“Babygirl”

Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson; directed by Halina Reijin

Halina Reijin’s erotic thriller stars Nicole Kidman as Romy, a high-powered executive who begins an illicit love affair with an impertinent intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson). It is only a matter of time before the riveting power dynamic will consume her life. On the one hand, she has the upper hand, but on the other, she knows all too well that he could easily upend her marriage.

“Babygirl” is in theaters Dec. 25.

“Better Man”

Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies; directed by Michael Gracey

A semi-biopic film about British pop singer Robbie Williams comes to life in “Better Man.” However, the biggest shocking twist comes in the form of a chimpanzee. Why? Believe it or not — the pop star is portrayed as an ape in the movie.

“Better Man”is in theaters Dec. 25.

“The Fire Inside”

Ryan Destiny, Jazmin Headley, Brian Tyree Henry; directed by Rachel Morrison

Rachel Morrison’s feature directorial debut is a biopic about boxer Claressa Shields’ (Ryan Destiny) true-life journey to the Olympics. With the help of her coach (Brian Tyree Henry), the fiercely talented athlete shines against all odds. However, it is not all about winning in the ring. It is also about the ebbs and flows that come after her triumphs.

“The Fire Inside” is in theaters Dec. 25.

“Nosferatu”

Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård; directed by Robert Eggers

A remake of the 1922 German film, Robert Eggers’ celluloid version, set in 19th century Germany, follows realtor Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) as he scopes a new lavish abode for the Transylvanian Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). Unbeknownst to the real estate salesman, Orlok is a vampire infatuated with Hutter’s wife (Lily-Rose Depp). The love triangle becomes a tale of obsession gone mad in the wake of hellish horror.

“Nosferatu” is in theaters Dec. 25.