We love rewatching our treasured classics every December, but it's always a special treat to discover a new favorite. The only catch? Between the holiday rush and the sheer volume of movies landing on every streaming platform, it's hard to keep track of what's new. And that's why we've rounded up a list of the top new releases hitting TV, streaming and movie theaters this month.
From holiday romcoms to Oscar hopefuls, here are December's most buzzworthy new films.
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20 New Movies to Watch This December — in Theaters and At Home
NOTE: The theatrical release dates listed below indicate a film’s wide release.
My Secret Santa can best be described as “Mrs. Doubtfire meets every holiday rom-com ever.” Alexandra Breckenridge (of Virgin Riverfame) plays Taylor, a single mom who disguises herself as an elderly man to land a seasonal Santa gig at a luxury ski resort. With prosthetics, a wig and a full suit, she transforms into "Hugh Mann" to earn money for her daughter's snowboarding lessons. Complications arise when she falls for the resort manager (Ryan Eggold).
Oh. What. Fun. (Dec. 3 on Amazon Prime Video)
From Wet Hot American Summer mastermind Michael Showalter, Oh. What. Fun. starsMichelle Pfeiffer as Claire Clauster, a woman who orchestrates her family's Christmas celebrations each year despite everyone’s total lack of appreciation. When she’s finally had enough, she embarks on a solo holiday adventure that of course prompts her loved ones to realize what they’d been taking for granted all along. The knockout ensemble cast includes Chloë Grace Moretz, Felicity Jones, Eva Longoria, Denis Leary and Jason Schwartzman.
George Clooney stars as Jay Kelly, a movie star who heads out on a European vacation after realizing that most of his memories were forged behind a camera, and he hasn’t lived much of a “real life” at all. Along for the self-reflective ride are his manager, Ron (played by Adam Sandler), and publicist, Liz (Laura Dern), both of whom sacrificed an inordinate amount of their own personal happiness to ensure Kelly’s success. From director Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story, The Squid and the Whale), the film explores regret, legacy and the emotional toll of a life in the spotlight.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (Dec. 5)
For the uninitiated, Five Nights at Freddy’s is a horror franchise about a rundown family pizza restaurant called Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, where the animatronic mascots — Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy — come to life at night with deadly intent. (As it turns out, the animatronics are haunted by the spirits of children who were murdered there years earlier.)
Based on an indie video game, the story follows a night security guard (played in the movie by Josh Hutcherson) who takes a job watching over the place after hours with the “simple” task of surviving five nights. In the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2023 hit, Hutcherson returns as Mike Schmidt, who’s still haunted by the events of the past, as a new Freddy’s location reopens with supposedly “upgraded” animatronics.
Related: Popeyes Unleashes Limited-Time Menu for ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’
The latest animated entry in the Wimpy Kid universe is based on author Jeff Kinney’s third book in the series, following laid-back middle-schooler Greg Heffley as his dad gives him a New Year’s ultimatum: toughen up or face military school. (Not exactly “dad of the year” material, Mr. Heffley!) Alas, Greg suffers mishap after mishap — on camping trips, on the soccer field, etc. — as he tries to prove to his dad that he’s not a wimp.
Merv (Dec. 10 on Amazon Prime Video)
With her starring role in 2003's Elf, Zooey Deschanel already has one Christmas classic under her belt. But based on the early buzz surrounding her latest film, Merv, she may be adding another holiday hit to the list. According to the official Amazon Prime Video synopsis, "When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna (Deschanel) and Russ (Cox) are forced into the world's most awkward co-parenting arrangement. Hoping to shake Merv out of his funk, Russ takes him to Florida for a much-needed getaway-only for Anna to show up unexpectedly. As Merv slowly gets his groove back, turns out fixing their dog's broken heart may lead to a few sparks of their own."
Related: Move Over, Hallmark—Zooey Deschanel’s ‘Merv’ with Charlie Cox Is the Feel-Good Christmas Movie Everyone Will Be Talking About – Get a Sneak Peek (Exclusive)
Paul Mescal stars as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife, Agnes, following their family through love, loss and grief after the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet. Although Shakespeare’s son did indeed die in real life, the movie is not entirely based on a true story; it’s a work of historical fiction adapted from a novel by Maggie O’Farrell and directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland).
Silent Night, Deadly Night (Dec. 12 in theaters)
The 2025 remake of Silent Night, Deadly Night (the second since the release of the 1984 original) brings back cinema’s most, uh, festive serial killer. Like its source material, the story follows Billy Chapman (Rohan Campbell), who after witnessing his parents’ murder on Christmas Eve by a man in a Santa suit, grows up to wear the red coat himself — and not so he can take pictures with kids at the mall. For grownup fans of gore, the movie is a Christmas gift.
Directed and written by Oscar-winning filmmaker James L. Brooks (As Good As It Gets, Terms of Endearment), Ella McCay follows idealistic rising politician Ella McCay (Sex Education’s Emma Mackey) as she becomes governor of an unnamed state at the age of 34 after her mentor steps down to take a cabinet position in the Obama Administration. But her most challenging task as she enters office has less to do with policy, and more to do with messy family dynamics. The stellar supporting cast includes Jamie Lee Curtis as McCay’s aunt and Woody Harrelson as her estranged father.
Related: Jamie Lee Curtis’ Post About Woody Harrelson Triggers Wave of Panic
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Dec. 12 on Netflix)
Daniel Craig is back in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the third installment in Rian Johnson’s whodunit franchise. This time, detective Benoit Blanc trades Southern mansions for a gothic European setting, investigating a case “with more dangerous stakes than ever.” Plot details are still mostly under wraps, but we know the star-studded cast includes Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Kerry Washington and Glenn Close, and fans can certainly expect the franchise’s usual razor-sharp dialogue and absurd twists.
Related: ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ Trailer Unveils Daniel Craig’s Darkest Benoit Blanc Case Yet — Fans Are Here For It
James Cameron continues his decades-long mission to push movie tech (and patience) to the limit, diving back into Pandora with the third chapter in his epic sci-fi saga. Following the events of The Way of Water, the film is expected to explore the volcanic regions of the planet and introduce a new Na’vi clan known as the Ash People, who are rumored to have a darker edge than the ones we’ve met before. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña and Sigourney Weaverall return.
David (Dec. 19 in theaters)
David is an animated musical that reimagines the biblical tale of — you guessed it — David, the shepherd boy who became King of Israel. With an original score by Joseph Trapanese (Tron: Legacy), the story follows the son of Jesse from his humble beginnings in Bethlehem to his legendary battle with Goliath, the giant warrior he defeats using just a sling and a stone — an inspiring tale of courage and faith, whether you follow the Bible or not.
The Housemaid is a psychological thriller from Paul Feig (Bridesmaids), adapted from Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel. Sydney Sweeney stars as Millie, a young woman looking for a fresh start who takes a live-in job with the wealthy, mysterious and secret-keeping Winchester family. The A+ ensemble includes Amanda Seyfriedas a sharp-tongued socialite, Brandon Sklenar (It Ends With Us) as a charming but unpredictable heir, and Italian actor Michele Morrone as a brooding groundskeeper who seems to be hiding something himself.
Related: ‘The Housemaid’ Movie Trailer Gets Strong Reaction From Book Fans
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (Dec. 19 in theaters)
SpongeBob embarks on his most daring adventure yet, setting sail to confront the legendary Flying Dutchman (voiced by Mark Hamill) in the ocean's perilous depths. His loyal friends — Patrick, Squidward, Sandy and more — join in on the nautical nonsense, making for a high-seas comedy with humor and heart.
Bradley Cooper delivers his third feature film, a dramedy co-written with friends Will Arnett and Mark Chappell. The film, loosely inspired by the comedian John Bishop’s life, stars Arnett as Alex Novak, a middle-aged man navigating divorce and self-discovery through the New York stand-up comedy scene. Laura Dern co-stars as Tess, Alex’s ex-wife, with supporting performances by Andra Day, Amy Sedaris and Cooper himself.
Related: Everything to Know About Bradley Cooper’s Newest Film, ‘Is This Thing On?’
The Great Flood (Dec. 19 on Netflix)
Set on Earth's final day, The Great Flood, a South Korean sci-fi disaster film, follows An-na, an AI researcher, and her son as they struggle to survive a catastrophic flood that submerges their apartment building. On first blush, that plot sounds a little bleak for the holiday season. But the movie also taps into themes of resilience and the potential rebirth of mankind — so, you know, that's on-brand for the New Year.
Kate Winslet’s directorial debut, Goodbye June follows four adult siblings and their emotionally distant father as they reunite around their ailing mother, June (Helen Mirren). Winslet stars as Julia, one of the siblings, alongside Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn and Timothy Spall. With a cast like that, the movie is sure to be a masterclass in acting — and it sounds like a tearjerker, too. Merry Christmas!
Related: Kate Winslet’s Surprising 3-Word Reply To Daughter’s Plans To Pursue An Acting Career
Anaconda (Dec. 25 in theaters)
Don’t call it a remake. Anaconda reimagines the 1997 cult classic with a comedic twist, following best friends Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) on a mission to shoot their own version of their favorite childhood movie in the Amazon rainforest. What begins as a nostalgic project quickly turns into a real-life horror when a massive anaconda actually becomes their co-star. That wasn’t supposed to happen!
Timothée Chalametmakes yet another play for an Oscar, this time as Marty Mauser, a 1950s hustler-turned-table tennis prodigy. Loosely inspired by real-life champion Marty Reisman, the ping-pong drama from Uncut Gems director Josh Safdie follows Marty’s relentless pursuit of greatness in a sport that no one takes seriously. (As you’re sure to hear multiple times between now and next year’s Academy Awards, Chalamet forcibly impaired his vision for the role.) Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion and Tyler, the Creator round out the cast.
Related: Timothée Chalamet Fans React to His New ‘Bald’ Look
Song Sung Blue (Dec. 25)
A feel-good musical drama based on a true story, Song Sung Blue stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudsonas Mike and Claire Sardina, a couple who form the tribute band “Lightning & Thunder” devoted to the music of Neil Diamond. With hits like “Sweet Caroline” and “Cherry, Cherry” echoing throughout, the film captures the pair’s rise in the 1980s and ’90s, telling the story of their musical ambition, personal tragedy and resilience. With vocals from Hollywood darlings Jackman and Hudson, the Christmas Day release is sure to delight.
Next: 100+ Best Christmas Movies to Watch This Season
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