December is overridden with terrific and exciting films that are worth adding to your likely growing “to watch” list. As end-of-year “best of” lists continue to roll in, along with critics’ awards already naming the year’s strongest contenders, it’s easy to lose certain titles to the shuffle. Luckily, it will be tough to misstep this month with plenty of upcoming films that offer a variety of genres and perspectives. From the Oscar-friendly titles that come in towards the end of the month to the latest movie in the long-running Godzilla franchise kickstarting it and films from master filmmakers crowding the middle, there’s no time for rest.
From book adaptations to the latest from heralded Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki to Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka, here are the films worth checking out in December.
“Godzilla Minus One”
Takashi Yamazaki directs “Godzilla Minus One,” the latest in the long-running kaiju series. Set in postwar Japan and the emergence of Godzilla, Ryunosuku Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, and Kuranosuke Sasaki star.
Release Date: In theaters December 1 via Toho International.
“Eileen”
Based on the novel from author Ottessa Moshfegh, “Eileen” stars Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie and their toxic relationship as two women working at a juvenile detention facility in the 1960s. William Oldroyd directs, with Shea Whigham, Marin Ireland, and Owen Teague co-starring.
Release Date: In theaters December 1 via NEON.
“The Boy And The Heron”
Animation director Hayao Miyazaki returns ten years after “The Wind Rises” with “The Boy and the Heron.” This coming-of-age story blends fantastical with realism, with an English voice cast that includes Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe, Florence Pugh, Karen Fukuyama, and more along with Luca Padovan as the lead, Mahito.
Release Date: In theaters December 8th via GKIDS.
“Poor Things”
Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Willem Dafoe star in “Poor Things,” a Frankenstein twist from director Yorgo Lanthimos and screenwriter Tony McNamara. Stone plays a young woman who has been resurrected by a scientist following her suicide and the ensuing journey of self-discovery. Ramy Youssef and Jerrod Carmichael also star.
Release Date: In theaters December 8 via Searchlight Pictures.
“Origin”
The latest from director Ava DuVernay, “Origin” follows author Isabel Wilkerson while she writes her book, “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents” while dealing with her own tragedy. Aunjanue Ellis stars as Wilkerson, with Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Niecy Nash-Betts, Nick Offerman, and Blair Underwood rounding out the cast.
Release Date: In theaters December 8 via NEON.
“Wonka”
Timothée Chalamet stars in “Wonka” directed by “Paddington” filmmaker Paul King. The musical fantasy tells the origin story of Willy Wonka and the first adventures he had as a chocolatier. Calah Lane, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, and more also star with a screenplay co-written between King and Simon Farnaby.
Release Date: In theaters December 15 via Warner Bros. Pictures.
