Five must-see movies to watch this December

Cozying up with hot popcorn and the next blockbuster feels like Christmas has come early! Here's what we'll be watching

By Vanessa Farquharson

Updated October 10, 2018

Season's screenings: Movie roundup

Fantasy fix

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, December 14

The prequel to Peter Jackson's epic trilogy based on the Tolkien novel, this instalment revolves around Bilbo Baggins' quest to reclaim treasure from an evil dragon.

The pitch: Gollum, hedgehogs, little people and a warrior named Thorin Oakenshield, all on the shores of an underground lake—how can you go wrong?

The players: Martin Freeman, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett.

You'll love it if you liked: The Lords of the Rings, the trilogy by the same director.

Backup plan: Monsters, Inc. 3D (December 19) sees a gang far friendlier than Tolkien's return in 3D form.

Five must-see movies to watch this December

History hit

Hyde Park on Hudson, December 7

A real-life love affair between Franklin D. Roosevelt and his distant cousin Margaret Suckley hits fever pitch in 1939, when England's king and queen come to visit.

The pitch: Following Downton's recipe, stuffy Brits meet zany Americans, drink too much and become BFFs.

The players: Bill Murray, Laura Linney and Olivia Williams.

You'll love it if you liked: The Iron Lady.

Backup plan: Quartet (January 11) is Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut about former opera singers in a retirement home, dealing with politics and sexual advances. ("Fancy a little rumpy pumpy?")

Musical must-see

Les Misérables, December 25

Based on the musical, which is itself based on Victor Hugo's novel set in 19th-century France, the film follows ex-prisoner Jean Valjean and his struggle to create a new life.

The pitch: It's getting buzz for the A-list talent and because Anne Hathaway makes her singing debut—and shaves off her hair.

The players: Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman join Hathaway.

You'll love it if you liked: Rent.

Backup plan: Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away (December 21) is also a musical, but with giant pythons swirling in the air, it's a whole lot trippier.

Comedy skit

This Is 40, December 21

The latest from Judd Apatow focuses on a couple trying to reinvigorate their lives—and stale marriage—after having kids.

The pitch: Gross-out humour for the fortysomethings, the heartfelt subtext about love and family.

The players: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Megan Fox, Melissa McCarthy and Apatow's wife, Leslie Mann, and their two children.

You'll love it if you liked: Knocked Up. Just as vulgar and a "sort of sequel."

Backup plan: The Guilt Trip (December 25) stars Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand as a mother-and-son duo who take a stressful vacation together.

Dramarama

On The Road, December 21

A Walter Salles film based on the popular Jack Kerouac novel about the beat generation and road-tripping across America.

The pitch: Sex, jazz, poetry, cars, drugs and a bit of gunfire for good measure—all set in the '40s. Early reviews are mixed, but we're curious to see Twilight star Kristen Stewart in a more challenging role.

The players: Stewart is joined by Kirsten Dunst, Sam Riley and Garrett Hedlund.

You'll love it if you loved: Thelma and Louise.

Backup plan: Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or-winning Amour (December 19) takes a look at a couple coping with dementia.