Movies Out Thanksgiving Weekend: 'Darkest Hour,' 'Coco' And More

Thanksgiving weekend is one of the most popular times of the year to head to the movie theater -- and if that's your post-Turkey Day plan, you're in luck. There are plenty of must-see films debuting this weekend across a range of genres.

In "Darkest Hour," Gary Oldman plays a startlingly-convincing Winston Churchill fighting to protect his country from the Nazis during World War II.

Luca Guadagnino's highly buzzed-about film, "Call Me By Your Name," explores the theme of first love, depicting the romantic relationship between 17-year-old Elio and his father's research assistant.

Kids and adults alike will love "Coco," an animated film about a music-loving boy who travels through the Land of the Dead to meet his ancestors.

And if you're ready to fast forward through Thanksgiving and jump right into Christmas, you'll want to go see "The Man Who Invented Christmas," a film that tells the origin story of Charles Dickens' famed novel "A Christmas Story."

Here's what to see and what to skip this weekend. Happy Thanksgiving!

Movies Out This Weekend

"Darkest Hour" — Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, directed by Joe Wright

From director Joe Wright (who also directed "Atonement" and "Pride And Prejudice") comes a searing historical drama, set during World War II, when the United Kingdom seemed as though it was fighting a losing battle. Starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill and Kristin Scott Thomas as his wife Clementine, the film is a depiction of the countless, extreme obstacles the British prime minister faced to resist the Nazis, at a time when the nation seemed to be on the brink of invasion.

See it. Oldman's transformation is utterly jaw-dropping and his rendering of the ferocious leader is electrifying!

“Coco” — Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina

The endearing animated tale tells the story of Miguel (voiced by newcomer Anthony Gonzalez), who aspires to become a famous musician, despite his family’s puzzling ancestral ban on music. In his quest for fame and success, he meets a very adept trickster (Gael Garcia Bernal). Together, they set off on a magical journey through the Land of the Dead to search for the youngster’s family secrets.

See it. The joyous, uplifting and visually-thrilling film about the importance of family will put a smile on your face.

“The Man Who Invented Christmas” — Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, directed by Bharat Nalluri

It's October 1843 in Victorian London, and Charles Dickens is suffering from writer’s block. After three failed novels in a row, the world-renowned English author desperately needs a bestseller. Intent on solving his financial woes, Dickens conjures up Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer), and begins to toil day and night to create his timeless Yuletide novel, “A Christmas Story.”

See it. You will almost feel the snowflakes brushing your cheeks in Nalluri’s heart-warming film about the holiday celebration we know today.

"Call Me By Your Name" — Armie Hammer, Timothee Chalamet, directed by Luca Guadagnino

Set in the sun-kissed landscape of the Italian countryside, Luca Guadagnino's heartfelt drama is a film adaptation of Andre Aciman's 2007 novel of sexual awakening. It is a lyrical tale of forbidden love between 17-year-old Elio (Timothee Chalamet) and his father’s research assistant (Armie Hammer). This simmering portrait of first love buzzes with passion, blissfulness and unquenchable ache of longing and desire.

See it. The sensual screenplay, evocative direction and spellbinding chemistry between the leads make this romance film simply irresistible.

Note: In addition to the four movies above, past weeks' favorites — Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird” and Francis McDormand’s “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” — will be released nationwide this weekend after previously being shown in limited theaters.

Watch Now: Movies Out Thanksgiving Weekend

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  Top Photo: Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas attend the New York Premiere of "Darkest Hour" at The Paris Theater on November 10 in New York City (Photo courtesy of Focus Features)