Movies and series not to be missed this Christmas The best releases in December at the cinema and on streaming services
Ready to breathe in a festive atmosphere even through movies and TV series? This year, however, December doesn’t want to limit itself to Christmas stories. We go from the horror of Five Nights At Freddy's 2 to the sci-fi return of Fallout, all the way to the legendary epic of Avatar – Fire and Ash by James Cameron. There’s something for everyone, whether you like Christmas or not. While waiting, of course, for Volume Two of the final season of Stranger Things.
Oh. What. Fun. – from December 3 on Prime Video
Michelle Pfeiffer is ready to welcome you into her home for the holidays. She does so with Oh. What. Fun., an original Prime Video film in which she plays Claire Clauster, the glue holding together her large family with whom she usually celebrates Christmas. Except this year, the woman - who has always worried about and taken care of everyone - will be forgotten by her own relatives. So she decides to head off on a spontaneous adventure, forcing the rest of her family to go looking for her. Alongside Pfeiffer, the cast includes Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dominic Sessa, Jason Schwartzman, and Eva Longoria.
Eternity – from December 4 in theaters
Who would you choose to spend the rest of your (non) life with? Your first love or the one you shared every day on Earth with? This is the question posed to the protagonist Joan, played by Elizabeth Olsen in the rom-com Eternity, written and directed by David Freyne. When the woman finds herself in the afterlife, she must decide who to spend her eternity with: her husband Luke (Miles Teller) or her first husband Larry (Callum Turner), who died in the war. A choice that will allow her to live happily ever after, even beyond death.
The Abandons – from December 4 on Netflix
Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson are the matriarchs of the new Netflix series The Abandons, a western set in the United States in 1850 and composed of ten episodes. The story focuses on the characters’ sense of belonging to their land, exploring some of the legends of the genre, such as the mythology surrounding Jesse James and Billy the Kid. The creator is Kurt Sutter, who also created the series Sons of Anarchy.
Il rapimento di Arabella – from December 4 in theaters
Benedetta Porcaroli returns as leading actress for Carolina Cavalli’s second film as director and screenwriter, Il rapimento di Arabella (The Kidnapping of Arabella). Holly, a young woman who has lost herself, meets and kidnaps a little girl, convinced she is a younger version of herself. Surreal, tender, and ironic, the film confirms the style and signature of its author.
Five Nights At Freddy's 2 – from December 4 in theaters
In 2023, Five Nights At Freddy's dominated the box office with its terrifying and deadly animatronic mascots. Its success quickly pushed Blumhouse Productions and Universal Pictures to produce a sequel, set a few years after the events of the first film, where protagonists Abby and Vanessa must once again survive the threat of new animatronics.
Jay Kelly – from December 5 on Netflix
After its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and a brief run in select theaters, Jay Kelly arrives on Netflix on December 5. The film, written and directed by Noah Baumbach, tells the story of its titular protagonist, a Hollywood star who begins to reflect on and question the choices he has made throughout his life, determined to make amends before it’s too late.
Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era – from December 12 on Disney+
The End of an Era… will it be a promise? Taylor Swift still isn’t letting go of The Eras Tour - or rather, she wants to do it her own way: in grand style. Starting December 12, Disney+ will release a docuseries exploring the behind-the-scenes of the star’s world tour, where she opens up, offering fans an intimate and unprecedented look at one of the biggest musical phenomena of recent years. The series will feature some major music guest stars as well, from Gracie Abrams to Sabrina Carpenter, as well as Travis Kelce, Ed Sheeran, and Florence Welch.
Fallout 2 – from December 17 on Prime Video
The series based on the famous video game franchise Fallout returns. The second season of the Prime show picks up where its epic finale left off and will take viewers on an exploration through the Mojave wastelands all the way to the post-apocalyptic city of New Vegas.
Avatar – Fire and Ash – from December 17 in theaters
Three years later, Avatar returns, once again promising spectacle, action, and emotion. This time, the film, still directed by the saga’s creator James Cameron, comes with the subtitle Fire and Ash, contrasting The Way of Water, where we last left Jake and Neytiri in the previous film. Their family must now face the pain of Neteyam’s death and, at the same time, deal with a new and particularly aggressive tribe allied with their enemy Quaritch.
Emily in Paris – from December 18 on Netflix
With its fifth season, one of Netflix’s most-watched series returns. Emily in Paris left its protagonist, played by Lily Collins, with her heart ready to beat for Italy and, above all, for a new love after the ups and downs experienced with Lucas Bravo’s Gabriel. Could this be a turning point for the romantic heroine? We will find out during the new season. Meanwhile, things at work aren’t going well for Emily, throwing the young woman into crisis even though she’s determined not to let her mistakes bring her down.
Father Mother Sister Brother – from December 18 in theaters
The controversial Golden Lion winner at the last Venice Film Festival arrives in theaters on December 18. Father Mother Sister Brother is a chaptered work by Jim Jarmusch that explores family relationships with tenderness and humor across three bittersweet episodes.
The Great Flood – from December 19 on Netflix
A new Korean sci-fi film is set to make waves starting December 19 on Netflix. The Great Flood, directed by Kim Byung-woo, takes place during what appears to be the end of humankind. A group of survivors seeks shelter in an apartment building after the Earth is devastated by a massive flood. A survival movie starring Park Hae-soo of Squid Game and Kim Da-mi of Our Beloved Summer.
Amadeus – from December 23 on Sky
The TV series Amadeus arrives exclusively on Sky, based on the stage play by Peter Shaffer, which in 1984 Miloš Forman adapted into one of world cinema’s greatest masterpieces. The show’s five episodes recount the rise of the musical genius Amadeus Mozart and his tragic downfall. A talented 25-year-old, the musician works his way into Vienna’s most important circles until becoming their brightest jewel. This sparks a fierce rivalry with the court composer Antonio Salieri, leading to a legendary musical clash. In the cast, replacing the roles played in the film by Tom Hulce and F. Murray Abraham, are Will Sharpe and Paul Bettany.
Goodbye June – from December 24 on Netflix
Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut with an original Netflix production. Goodbye June is set during the holiday season and follows a family dealing with the declining health of elderly June, whose worsening condition throws her children into chaos. Winslet also stars alongside Helen Mirren, who plays the film’s titular protagonist, as well as Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn, and Timothy Spall.
Buen Camino – from December 25 in theaters
Buen Camino is the cinematic event of the month in Italy, if not of the entire year. Checco Zalone hasn’t returned to theaters since 2020, and we know well the impact his films have had on attendance and box office numbers in Italy. People are wondering whether his new title will have the same effect, especially since he has reunited with director Gennaro Nunziante, with whom he made his early films before moving into directing himself. The story is simple: a wealthy and spoiled father searches for his missing daughter and finds himself on the Camino de Santiago.
Stranger Things 5 – Volume 2 – from December 26 on Netflix
After the release of the first four episodes in November on Netflix, the final season of Stranger Things offers a Christmas gift with the next three episodes, before surprising fans with the grand finale reserved for New Year’s Day. The stakes are higher than ever, but our protagonists now have new knowledge to use in their attempt to stop their enemy, Vecna.
