“Father Mother Sister Brother”
The 2025 Golden Lion winner, “Father Mother Sister Brother,” marks the return of the filmmaker Jim Jarmusch following his 2019 film “The Dead Don’t Die.” Led by a strong ensemble cast that includes Jarmusch regulars Tom Waits and Adam Driver, along with Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Ramping, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Sarah Greene, Indya Moore, and Luka Sabbat, the film follows three estranged family relationships across three countries. Broken into three segments, the anthology film follows three individual stories about adult children dealing with their distant parents.
Release Date: In theaters December 24 via MUBI.
“The Plague”
In his feature film debut, writer and director Charlie Polinger explores the psychological anxiety of an all-boys water polo camp. The film follows a socially anxious 12-year-old boy who is drawn into a cruel tradition. The film had its premiere at Cannes and stars Everett Blunk, Kayo Martin, Kenny Rasmussen, and Joel Edgerton.
Release Date: In theaters December 24 via Independent Film Company.
“Marty Supreme”
While his brother Benny Safdie looked to UFC for his 2025 sports drama, Josh Safdie takes to ping pong in the Timothée Chalamet-led “Marty Supreme.” Written by Safdie and Ronald Bronstein and loosely inspired by table tennis player Marty Reisman, the film takes place in the 1950s, where an up-and-coming table tennis star embarks on a journey in his pursuit of greatness. Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara ,and Fran Drescher star in supporting roles.
Release Date: In theaters December 25 via A24.
“Song Sung Blue”
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson combine their musical talents for the biographical drama, “Song Sung Blue.” Written and directed by Craig Brewer (“Dolemite Is My Name”), the film follows Mike and Claire Sardina, a couple who go from down-on-their-luck musicians to finding success as a Neil Diamond tribute band, Lightning & Thunder.
Release Date: In theaters December 25 via Focus Features.
“The Testament of Ann Lee”
Directed by Mona Fastvold and co-written with her partner, Brady Corbett, the two deliver their latest work with The Testament of Ann Lee.” Amanda Seyfried stars in this musical, historical epic as Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shakers’ religious sect in the 18th century. Haunted by a personal tragedy, the film follows Ann as she rises from obscurity to become an influential figure, as her followers begin to see her as a female embodiment of Christ. Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, Tim Blake Nelson, and Christopher Abbott round out the supporting cast.
Release Date: In theaters December 25 via Searchlight Pictures.
“No Other Choice”
Park Chan-wook utilizes his skill in marrying the macabre with the surreal (and darkly humorous) in the violent capitalist takedown, “No Other Choice.” The film stars Lee Byung-hun as a man who has been abruptly laid off by the company he’s worked for for 25 years. Now, in an effort to maintain his familial stability and his own sense of pride, he must go to desperate measures to provide for his wife and two kids. Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, and more round out the cast.
Release Date: In theaters December 25 via NEON.
Honorable Mentions: For those avid fans of the horror franchise, “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” premieres December 5. Also kicking off the month is the latest film from Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino, titled “La Grazia.” Emily Browning gets stuck in a time loop in the comedy “One Last Shot,” premiering December 12 in theaters and through VOD. Bryan Fuller makes his feature film debut with the horror film “Dust Bunny,” which reunites him with “Hannibal” actor Mads Mikkelsen. Lastly, Ralph Fiennes stars in the historical drama “The Choral” premiering on December 25.
