Holiday Movie Preview 2015

ComingSoon.net’s 2015 Holiday Movie Preview

Those of you still having your minds blown by the brand-new Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer may need to be reminded that, yes, it looks super awesome, but there are still a ton of OTHER cool movies coming out over the coming holiday season that you should also have on your radar. 

Besides the return of Han Solo, we also get the last stand of Katniss Everdeen in the final Hunger Games installment, Daniel Craig’s triumphant return as James Bond, and Sylvester Stallone coming out swinging as Rocky. Since this is also the beginning of awards season, you will start to see more prestige fare, which means those who go to the movies for more than just explosions are in luck as acclaimed filmmakers like David O. Russell, Todd Haynes, Thomas McCarthy, Angelina Jolie, Tom Hooper, Ron Howard and Quentin Tarantino are rolling out their best efforts to snag Oscar gold.

There’s also animated movies for the kids, family comedies for a bit of post-Thanksgiving respite and Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest actorly plea not to be ignored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. While Leo may or may not finally get that statue he craves so desperately, you should find at least a few must-see movies in our holiday movie preview in the gallery below. Oh, and did we mention there’s a new Star Wars movie coming out?

On a desktop, click Full Screen to read each entry.

SPECTRE (Nov. 6)

If it ain't broke don't fix it, and if it's the Skyfall team of actor Daniel Craig and director Sam Mendes, then let them keep destroying things! For Craig's fourth outing as James Bond, they weave together plot lines from the previous three films in order to add heretofore unseen dimension to Ian Fleming's 007. Monica Bellucci, Ralph Fiennes, Léa Seydoux and Christoph Waltz co-star.

The Peanuts Movie (Nov. 6)

The late Charles M. Schultz's beloved comic strip has been adapted many times for the big and small screen, but this will be the first time the characters will be rendered in new-fangled computer animation. So far, it seems that Blue Sky Studios has retained the classic look and feel of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the gang, but let's hope they can keep the modern-day pop music to a minimum. Paul Feig of "Freaks & Geeks"/Bridesmaids fame produces alongside Schultz's son Craig and grandson Bryan.

Spotlight (limited Nov. 6; wide Nov. 20)

If superb reactions from screenings at Venice, Telluride and Toronto are any indication, ace director Thomas McCarthy (The Station Agent, Win Win) has quickly rebounded from the cinematic faceplant that was The Cobbler with this expertly-cast journalist drama. It shines its "spotlight" on the The Boston Globe's investigative team as they uncover the Massachusetts Catholic sex abuse scandal, with Michael Keaton as the editor as well as Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams as reporters.

Trumbo (Nov. 6)

During the height of the notorious House Un-American Activities Committee hearings, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) refused to testify and was branded "un-hireable" under the Hollywood Blacklist. While working under pseudonyms, Trumbo's talent as a writer could not be hidden as he won two Academy Awards under assumed names, and later became the first screenwriter to break the blacklist by once again being credited under his own name. Jay Roach of the Austin Powers movies directs the biopic with a cast that also includes Diane Lane, Louis C.K. and Helen Mirren.

By the Sea (Nov. 13)

Angelina Jolie proved herself as a very effective director with last year's Unbroken, and she returns behind the camera (and in front) while bringing her husband/co-star Brad Pitt along. In her film, they play a husband and wife growing apart in the 1970s while traveling along the coast of France in a last-ditch effort to save their flagging marriage.

Love the Coopers (Nov. 13)

A series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn an annual Christmas Eve celebration upside down. An all-star cast for this holiday family comedy includes Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Diane Keaton, Jake Lacy, Anthony Mackie, Amanda Seyfried, June Squibb, Marisa Tomei and Olivia Wilde.

The 33 (Nov. 13)

Antonio Banderas leads a sturdy cast in this biopic about the 2010 Chilean mining disaster that left 33 miners trapped for two months. Their story is told from the point of view of Mario "Super Mario" Sepúlveda (Banderas), who sent video messages about their condition to those attempting rescue. Juliette Binoche, James Brolin and Lou Diamond Phillips co-star.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (Nov. 20)

The Panem revolution reaches its breaking point as Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) launches her final assault against President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Director Francis Lawrence and the rest of his stellar cast (including the late Philip Seymour Hoffman) make their final stand with Lionsgate's final entry in the franchise… for now.

The Night Before (Nov. 20)

Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie and Joseph Gordon-Levitt play a trio of best friends on the cusp of their last big Christmas blowout together. With one of them about to become a father, another about to become famous and the third worried about losing his friends, expect director Jonathan Levine's wild comedy to go places no holiday movie has ever dared go before.

Carol (Nov. 20)

The latest from button-pushing filmmaker Todd Haynes (Velvet Goldmine, Far From Heaven) adapts Patricia Highsmith's 1952 novel "The Price of Salt" about a department-store clerk/photographer named Therese (Rooney Mara) who falls in love with an older, married woman named Carol (Cate Blanchett). The film received an overwhelmingly positive response since debuting at the Cannes Film Festival and is considered a lock for major Oscar consideration.

Legend (Nov. 20)

If you liked Tom Hardy as the title road warrior in Mad Max: Fury Road, then you'll love TWO Tom Hardys as notorious British gangsters The Kray Twins. Reginald "Reggie" Kray is the more sensible of the two, while Ronald "Ronnie" Kray doles out psychotic acts of violence in swinging 1960's London. Directed by Brian Helgeland (42, A Knight's Tale).

Secret in Their Eyes (Nov. 20)

This film will provide a real test for new studio STX Entertainment, who seem to be aiming for more grown-up fare than their big studio competitors. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts lead this hard-hitting drama about a member of an FBI team (Roberts) whose daughter is murdered. After thirteen years, Ejiofor's character suddenly turns up with new evidence that may lead them to the killer.

The Good Dinosaur (Nov. 25)

Everybody loved Inside Out, and now we're getting a second-helping of Pixar genius, although the reason for the double dip involves an intense amount of story retooling and a director/voice cast swap-out midway through production. The resulting film, which centers around a dinosaur named Arlo (Raymond Ochoa) befriending a human, looks to have some of the most realistic (and adorable) animation in the company's history.

Creed (Nov. 25)

This spin-off of the Rocky franchise involves Apollo Creed's son Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) teaming up with an aging Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) to train him for the big-time. A sub-plot involving Rocky fighting a formidable medical opponent outside the ring might just bring tears to fans eyes. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station).

Victor Frankenstein (Nov. 25)

This reimaging of the monster legend details the friendship between mad scientist Viktor Von Frankenstein (James McAvoy) and his faithful assistant Igor (Daniel Radcliffe), as told from the latter's perspective. The trailer suggests a jaunty, somewhat frenetic ride that still pays adequate tribute to Mary Shelly's tale of Promethean gothic horror.

The Danish Girl (Nov. 27)

After taking home the Oscar trophy last year for his magnificent work as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, actor Eddie Redmayne may pull off back-to-back Best Actor statues thanks to his already-lauded role as Lili Elbe/Einar Wegener, the first person to receive male to female sex reassignment surgery. Already a major topic of discussion this year, the film could help turn the tide even further towards public acknowledgement and acceptance of transgendered individuals.

Krampus (Dec. 4)

In 2007, writer/director Michael Dougherty and Legendary Pictures brought you the stylized cult Halloween anthology movie Trick 'r Treat, and now they're taking on Christmas. The film follows a boy having a bad Christmas who ends up accidentally summoning the infamous "anti-Santa Claus" demon to his family home. Expect many misbehaving children to get their just-desserts, with lots of amazing creatures sure to become expensive toy items of their own.

In the Heart of the Sea (Dec. 11)

The sinking of the whaleship Essex was not just a horrific event but also the inspiration for Herman Melville's classic tome "Moby Dick," and now director Ron Howard is re-telling the story of the 19th century true-life tragedy. Chris Hemsworth plays the strapping first mate aboard the doomed vessel, while a wraparound device with Melville (Ben Whishaw) draws parallels between fact and fiction.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Dec. 18)

Set 30 years after Return of the Jedi, the seventh episode in the continuing Star Wars saga is the big enchilada of the season, with the return of the original trio of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher at the center of J.J. Abrams' bid to jumpstart the galaxy far far away for a new generation of fans. New characters played by Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver have already become iconic in roles that the public at-large doesn't even know that much about yet.

Sisters (Dec. 18)

Frequent comedy partners (and best-selling authors) Tina Fey and Amy Poehler play the title sisters who decide to throw one last big bash before their parents sell their childhood home, resulting in a night of anarchy the house itself may not survive. Playing childish adults behaving badly isn't just for the boys anymore in this female-centric spin on the Step Brothers formula.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (Dec. 18)

Going up against Star Wars on December 18 may spell the last "Road Chip" for Alvin, Simon and Theodore, though 20th Century Fox is likely hoping to siphon off the kid audience that may be a tad too young for a galaxy far far away. Jason Lee is back as their caretaker Dave, with Walt Becker of Wild Hogs and Old Dogs fame directing.

The Big Short (Dec. 23)

Comedic mastermind Adam McKay of Anchorman and The Other Guys fame turns over a new leaf as a filmmaker with this dramedy about a group of guys who identify the wrongdoings of banks before the housing bubble collapse in 2007… and then got rich off of it. Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt and McKay regular Steve Carell lead the cast, with Carell already earning early potential Oscar-buzz for what looks to be this year's Wolf of Wall Street.

The Hateful Eight (limited Dec. 25; wide Jan. 8)

You may have enjoyed auteur Quentin Tarantino's take on the "southern" in Django Unchained, but now the director behind Kill Bill is making a real bonafide western. Kurt Russell plays a bounty hunter taking a wanted fugitive (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to hang, until he is waylaid by a snowstorm. He finds himself stuck at a depot with a group of strangers who may pose a danger to him, his prisoner... and themselves.

The Revenant (limited Dec. 25; wide Jan. 8)

In what many consider to be an early front-runner for Academy Awards consideration, Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the real-life story of a mountain man left for dead who must brave the harsh elements in order to get revenge on those who betrayed him. Tom Hardy co-stars. 

Joy (Dec. 25)

Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and director David O. Russell have worked together on Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, and now they take on their most fascinating subject yet: The invention of the Miracle Mop. Lawrence plays Joy Mangano, the title entrepreneur who takes the world (and The Home Shopping Network) by storm. Robert De Niro and Édgar Ramírez co-star.

Concussion (Dec. 25)

Will Smith is back in dramatic territory as Dr. Bennet Omalu, whose real-life efforts to publicize CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) in American football players were thwarted by the NFL. Dr. Omalu has to impart the urgency of the problem effecting athletes despite whatever bad press or changes in the sport it may necessitate. Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Albert Brooks co-star.

Daddy’s Home (Dec. 25)

After teaming up to much success in action comedy The Other Guys, Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell are back, only this time instead of being partners they're arch rivals. Ferrell plays the loving step-father to two bright kids, but when the biological dad returns, the two will compete in the most un-healthy ways imaginable.

Point Break (Dec. 25)

Surfing and sky-diving are just part of the extreme sports antics undercover FBI agent Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey) gets into while investigating a series of increasingly daring robberies. Édgar Ramírez fills in Patrick Swayze's shoes as Bodhi in the remake of the 1991 classic.

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