COMING TO SCREENS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
We’ve compiled a list of films set to premiere this holiday season through Jan. 28. All release dates are theatrical, except where noted, and subject to change.
WEDNESDAY
Bruised
Halle Berry directs and stars in this drama about a former MMA fighter and single mother at a crossroads. Also streaming, Nov. 24. Netflix
Children of the Enemy
Drama about a man trying to rescue his seven young grandchildren from a prison camp in Syria. Directed by Gorki Glaser-Muller. Abramorama
The Power of the Dog
Benedict Cumberbatch plays a repressed 1920s rancher who makes life a living hell for his brother’s new bride in this drama. Written and directed by Jane Campion, adapted from the Thomas Savage novel. With Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie, Frances Conroy, Keith Carradine, Adam Beach. Also streaming, Dec. 1. Netflix
Prayers for the Stolen
Coming-of-age drama about three young girls in rural Mexico. Directed by Tatiana Huezo. Also streaming. Netflix
THURSDAY
The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star
Vanessa Hudgens returns in the latest entry in this romantic-comedy franchise. Directed by Mike Rohl. Streaming only. Netflix
FRIDAY
Black Friday
An alien parasite turns shoppers into murderous creatures in this sci-fi/ horror thriller. Bruce Campbell stars. Directed by Casey Tebo. Also on VOD. Screen Media
Boiling Point
Drama set in a high-end restaurant in London. With Stephen Graham. Directed by Philip Barantini. Also on digital, VOD, Nov. 23. Saban Films
Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road
Documentary profiles the singer-songwriter and co-founder of the Beach Boys. With Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Gustavo Dudamel. Directed by Brent Wilson. Also on VOD. Screen Media
Captains of Za’atari
Documentary about two boys in a refugee camp in Jordan who dream of becoming soccer stars. Directed by Ali El Arabi. Also on digital. Utopia
C’mon C’mon
Joaquin Phoenix plays an artist tasked with caring for his young nephew in this drama. With Woody Norman, Gaby Hoffman. Directed by Mike Mills. A24
Compartment No. 6
Two strangers on a train bound for the Arctic Circle make a connection in this drama, Finland’s Oscar submission and co-Grand Prix winner at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Juho Kuosmanen. Sony Pictures Classics
Extinct
Animated comedy about furry creatures who time travel to a future where their species no longer exists. With the voices of Adam Devine, Rachel Bloom, Ken Jeong. Directed by David Silverman, Raymond S. Persi. Streaming only. Netflix
The Feast
Welsh-language horror drama about a fateful dinner party at a remote country house. Directed by Lee Haven Jones. Also on digital, VOD. IFC Midnight
The First Wave
Documentary follows frontline healthcare workers in New York City during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed by Matthew Heineman. National Geographic Documentary Films/Neon
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Jason Reitman, son of “Ghostbusters” director Ivan Reitman, helms this franchise reboot. Cast includes Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace and the original film’s Annie Potts. Columbia Pictures
Gift of Fire
Fact-based drama about Japan’s attempt to build its own atomic bomb in the closing days of WWII. Directed by Hiroshi Kurosaki. Eleven Arts
Hide and Seek
Thriller about a businessman searching for his missing brother. With Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jacinda Barrett, Joe Pantoliano. Directed by Joel David Moore. Also on digital, VOD. Saban Films/Paramount
India Sweets and Spices
Coming-of-age drama about an Indian American college student and her family. Directed by Geeta Malik. Bleecker Street
King Richard
Will Smith portrays Richard Williams, father and coach of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, in this biographical drama. With Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Jon Bernthal, Dylan McDermott. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. Also streaming on HBO Max. Warner Bros.
Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time
Documentary about the prolific American author. Directed by Robert B. Weide and Don Argott. Also on digital, VOD. IFC Films
Mothering Sunday
A young maid and aspiring writer has an affair with an upper-class man in this romantic drama set in post-WWI Britain and based on the Graham Swift novel. With Odessa Young, Josh O’Connor, Olivia Colman and Colin Firth. Directed by Eva Husson. One-week awards-qualifying run; opens Feb. 25. Sony Pictures Classics
Paper & Glue Self-directed documentary about the French street artist known only as JR. MSNBC Films/ Abramorama
Procession Six male survivors of clergy sex abuse team with director Robert Greene to tell their stories in a series of dramatic vignettes in this hybrid documentary. Also streaming, Nov. 19. Netflix
Pups Alone
Family-friendly holiday comedy about canines protecting their neighborhood from burglars. With Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Keith David and the voices of Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jerry O’Connell, Danny Trejo, . Directed by Alex Merkin. Also on digital, VOD, Nov. 27.
Saban Films/Paramount
The Real Charlie Chaplin
Documentary profiles the legendary silent-era actor and filmmaker. Directed by James Spinney, Peter Middleton. Also on cable, streaming, Dec. 24.
Showtime Documentary Films
Repeat
A psychologist finds a way to communicate with the dead in this thriller. Directed by Grant Archer, Richard Miller. Also on VOD.
Gravitas Ventures
She Paradise
Drama about an aspiring soca dancer from Trinidad and Tobago. Directed by Maya Cozier. Also on VOD.
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Uppercase Print
Fact-based drama about a Romanian teen arrested in the early 1980s for drawing graffiti criticizing Romania’s Ceausescu regime. Directed by Radu Jude. Big World Pictures
Zeros and Ones
Ethan Hawke plays an American soldier stationed in Rome trying to stop a terrorist bombing in director Abel Ferrara’s action thriller. Also on digital, VOD. Lionsgate
NOV. 24
A Boy Called Christmas
Family-friendly holiday fable tells the origin story of Father Christmas. With Henry Lawfull, Toby Jones, Sally Hawkins, Kristen Wiig, Michiel Huisman, Zoe Colletti, Stephen Merchant, Joel Fry, Jim Broadbent, Maggie Smith. Directed by Gil Kenan. Streaming only. Netflix
8-Bit Christmas
A 10-year-old tries to obtain the latest video gaming system in this holiday comedy set in 1980s Chicago. With Neil Patrick Harris, Steve Zahn. Directed by Michael Dowse. Streaming only on HBO Max. New Line Cinema
Encanto
This animated musical about a Colombian family with magical powers features songs by LinManuel Miranda. With the voices of Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, Wilmer Valderrama. Directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush. Walt Disney Animation Studios
A Holiday Chance
Two sisters must set aside their differences to save their father’s media company in this inspirational drama. With Sharon Leal, Vanessa Bell Calloway. Directed by Jamal Hill. Faith Media Distribution House of Gucci Lady Gaga and Adam Driver head the cast of Ridley Scott’s fact-based drama about Italy’s first family of fashion. With Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Jack Huston, Salma Hayek, Al Pacino. MGM
The Humans
Richard Jenkins, Amy Schumer, Beanie Feldstein, Steven Yeun and June Squibb star in writer-director Stephen Karam’s big-screen adaptation of his Tonywinning stage play about a dysfunctional family celebrating Thanksgiving together. Also on Showtime. A24
National Champions
Drama about college football players striking for compensation. With J.K. Simmons, Lil Rel Howery, Tim Blake Nelson, Kristin Chenoweth, Timothy Olyphant, Uzo Aduba. Directed by Ric Roman Waugh. STXfilms
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City
Reboot of the actionhorror franchise based on the video game. With Kaya Scodelario, Robbie Amell, Hannah JohnKamen, Avan Jogia, Neal McDonough, Donal Logue. Directed by Johannes Roberts. Screen Gems
The Shuroo Process
Comedy about a frustrated journalist who meets a charismatic guru. Directed by Emrhys Cooper. Also on VOD, Nov. 24. Gravitas Ventures
The Summit of the Gods
Animated French-language drama based on a manga about mountain climbers on Everest. Directed by Patrick Imbert. Also streaming, Nov. 30. Netflix
The Unforgivable
Sandra Bullock stars as an ex-con looking for redemption in this drama. With Viola Davis, Rob Morgan. Directed by Nora Fingscheidt. Also streaming, Dec. 10. Netflix
NOV. 26
Ayar
Drama about a Latina woman seeking to reunite with her young daughter during the pandemic. Directed by Floyd Russ. Also on VOD. Gravitas Ventures
Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn
A schoolteacher’s sex tape goes viral in this Romanian comedy. Directed by Radu Jude.
Magnolia Pictures
A Castle for Christmas A famous American author meets a Scottish nobleman in this holiday rom-com starring Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes. Directed by Mary Lambert. Streaming only. Netflix
An Intrusion
Thriller about a family menaced by a stalker. Directed by Nicholas Holland. Also on VOD. Gravitas Ventures
Lady Buds
Documentary about women in the cannabis industry. Directed by Chris J. Russo. Also on VOD. Gravitas Ventures
The Last Rite
A medical student is terrorized by a demon in this horror drama. Directed by Leroy Kincaide. Also on VOD. Samuel Goldwyn Films
Licorice Pizza
Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson’s drama about two teens growing up in the San Fernando Valley in the 1970s. With Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Bradley Cooper, Benny Safdie. MGM
Like a Rolling Stone: The Life and Times of Ben Fong-Torres
Documentary profiles the veteran rock journalist. With Elton John, Carlos Santana, et al. Directed by Suzanne Joe Kai.
StudioLA
Not to Forget
A con artist is sentenced to care for his wealthy grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s, in this drama. With Karen Grassle, Tate Dewey, Kevin Hardesty, Cloris Leachman, Olympia Dukakis. Directed by Valerio Zanoli. Also on VOD. Vertical Entertainment
’Twas the Fight Before Christmas
Documentary about an Idaho lawyer battling his homeowners association over the right to hold a massive holiday event for the local community. Directed by Becky Read. Streaming only. Apple Original Films
Writing With Fire
Documentary about a women-led news organization in India. Directed by Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh. Music Box Films
NOV. 29
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible
Nepalese mountain climber’s attempt to break a world record. Directed by Torquil Jones. Streaming only. Netflix
DEC. 2
Single All the Way
A young gay man convinces his best friend to pose as his boyfriend for the holidays in this romantic comedy. With Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Coolidge, Kathy Najimy. Directed by Michael Mayer. Streaming only. Netflix
DEC. 3
Benedetta
Paul Verhoeven directs this French-language drama about a troubled 17th century nun engaged in an affair with a woman. With Virginie Efira, Charlotte Rampling, Lambert Wilson. Also on digital, VOD. IFC Films
Castle Falls
Dolph Lundgren directs and stars in this action thriller about a group seeking a fortune in stolen cash hidden in a hospital that’s about to be demolished. Also on digital, VOD. Shout! Studios
Deadlock
Bruce Willis leads a group of mercenaries who hold a nuclear power plant for ransom in this action thriller. Directed by Jared Cohn. Also on digital, VOD. Saban Films
Drive My Car
A renowned theater artist tries to move on after his wife’s unexpected death; based on the short story by Haruki Murakami. With Hidetoshi Nishijima, Tôko Miura. Directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi. Sideshow/Janus Films
Encounter
Riz Ahmed stars in this sci-fi thriller about a Marine trying to save his two sons from an infestation of extraterrestrial origin. With Octavia Spencer. Directed by Michael Pearce. Also streaming, Dec. 10. Amazon Studios
The End of Us
Rom-com set during the pandemic. Directed by Steven Kanter and Henry Loevner. Also on digital, VOD, Dec. 7. Saban Films/ Well Go USA
Flee
Animated documentary about a Middle Eastern refugee. Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen. Neon
Funny Thing About Love
An engaged woman reconnects with an old beau in this holiday rom-com. With Jon Heder, Summer Bellessa. Directed by Adam White. Also on VOD. Gravitas Ventures
The Hand of God
Coming-of-age drama about a young man in 1980s Naples who has a fateful encounter with soccer legend Diego Maradona. Written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino. Also streaming, Dec. 15. Netflix
Home
An ex-convict faces his past in this drama. With Jake McLaughlin, Kathy Bates, Lil Rel Howery, Stephen Root. Directed by Franka Potente. Also on VOD. Gravitas Ventures
I Was a Simple Man
An elderly family man in Hawaii faces the end of his life in this fantastical drama. With Steve Iwamoto, Constance Wu. Directed by Christopher Makoto Yogi. Also on VOD, Dec. 10 Strand Releasing
Last Shoot Out
Western about a gunsling