Looking for the best films to watch this December in theaters and on streaming? This guide picks out standout new releases, from emotional dramas to dark comedies, twisty thrillers, and true stories. Each entry explains what the film is about, who stars in it, why it might appeal, and when and where you can watch it.
2. The New Yorker at 100 (Netflix documentary)
The New Yorker at 100 looks inside one of the most famous magazines in the world. The film follows the editors and writers as they prepare a special 100th anniversary issue. It shows how a magazine known for cartoons, fiction, and long investigations still survives in a phone-obsessed age.
Oscar-winning documentarian Marshall Curry directs, and Julianne Moore narrates. Fans of the magazine, including Jesse Eisenberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Jon Hamm, appear in interviews. Current editor David Remnick guides viewers through the magazine’s history and modern-day work.
Critics describe the documentary as smart, funny, and packed with stories. It offers a fast, engaging look at a century of journalism and culture, and some reviewers say the material could even fill a whole series.
Release: 5 December, on Netflix worldwide
3. Goodbye June (Kate Winslet ensemble drama)
Goodbye June is a family drama set in a hospital over Christmas. Helen Mirren plays the much-loved grandmother of a large, messy family. She is dying, and her relatives gather to say goodbye, argue, and try to make peace with each other.
Kate Winslet, after three decades of acting in films, directs the movie and also stars in it. She plays one of the daughters, alongside Andrea Riseborough. The cast also includes Timothy Spall, Johnny Flynn, and Toni Colette. The script comes from Winslet’s son Joe Anders and Sam Mendes.
The film mixes tears and humor, with critics calling it an emotional but warm story about family, grief, and forgiveness. Viewers who like heartfelt holiday films with strong acting may find this one a standout choice.
Release: 12 December in theaters in the US and UK, 24 December on Netflix internationally
7. The Housemaid (thriller based on the hit novel)
The Housemaid is adapted from Freida McFadden’s bestselling thriller of the same name, which became a BookTok favorite. The story follows Millie, a young woman with a mysterious past, who takes a live-in job as a maid for a wealthy woman named Nina.
Sydney Sweeney plays Millie, and Amanda Seyfried plays Nina, who seems charming at first but may be hiding something dangerous. As Millie settles into the job, she starts to suspect that the family and the house are not what they seem.
Paul Feig, known for stylish thrillers like A Simple Favour, directs the film. With McFadden already having written two more books in the series, this film could be the start of a new movie franchise. Viewers who enjoy twist-heavy domestic thrillers and psychological suspense are likely to be drawn in.
Release: 19 December in the US, 25 December in Canada and Australia, 26 December in the UK
8. Anaconda (meta-comedy creature reboot)
This new Anaconda is not a straight remake of the 1997 creature feature. The original, starring Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube, later became a cult favorite for fans of “so bad it’s good” horror. The new film plays with that legacy in a self-aware way.
Paul Rudd and Jack Black star as two friends who love the original Anaconda so much that they decide to shoot their own low-budget version in the Amazon. They bring along friends, played by Steve Zahn and Thandiwe Newton, and plan to make a fun DIY movie. Then a real giant snake appears, and things spiral out of control.
Director Tom Gormican, whose last film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent was a meta action comedy, once again mixes jokes and genre action. Rudd has said the new Anaconda feels like a “meta-comedy,” meaning it jokes about movies while being one. Fans of creature features, broad comedy, and send-ups of classic 90s films may find this one an easy watch for December.
Release: International rollout on 24, 25, and 26 December
9. Song Sung Blue (music romance inspired by real events)
Song Sung Blue is a romantic drama built around the music of Neil Diamond, especially his hit song Sweet Caroline. The plot follows Mike and Claire Sardina, two working musicians in the 1980s who perform in bars across Milwaukee and Chicago.
Hugh Jackman plays Mike and Kate Hudson plays Claire. The pair form a Neil Diamond tribute act called Lightning and Thunder, and as their act grows, so does their relationship. Even when their marriage faces serious problems, Diamond’s songs keep them connected.
Writer-director Craig Brewer builds the story around a carefully chosen soundtrack and a strong cast. Critics have called the film emotional and uplifting, with moments that are both heartwarming and sad. It is likely to appeal to fans of music dramas, true-story romances, and anyone who has ever sung along to Sweet Caroline at a game or a bar.
Release: 25 December in theaters in the US and Canada
10. Marty Supreme (sports biopic from Josh Safdie)
Marty Supreme is a sports biopic with a different twist. The film, directed by Josh Safdie, is inspired by the life of table tennis star Marty Reisman. It focuses on a working-class New Yorker in the 1950s who becomes obsessed with table tennis and turns it into a wild career.
Timothée Chalamet plays Marty, a fast-talking, showy player who treats ping-pong like a high-stakes sport. Safdie, known for intense films like Good Time and Uncut Gems (made with his brother Benny), brings his hectic style to a bigger canvas here.
Early reviews describe Marty Supreme as a fast, energetic sports epic filled with chaos, color, and personality. Chalamet’s performance has drawn strong praise for his full commitment to the role. The film is aimed at viewers who like character-driven sports stories, period settings, and high-energy filmmaking.
Release: 25 and 26 December in the UK
11. The Testament of Ann Lee (historical musical drama)
The Testament of Ann Lee is a historical drama with musical elements, directed by Mona Fastvold and co-written with Brady Corbet. It acts as a companion piece to their earlier film The Brutalist and is also shot on 35mm, giving it a rich, old-fashioned look.
The story centers on Ann Lee, a real figure who went from working in cotton mills in Manchester, England, to leading the Shakers, a Christian religious movement, in 18th-century New York. Amanda Seyfried plays Ann Lee and performs several songs in the film, with music by composer Daniel Blumberg.
The movie blends history, religion, and music into a large-scale period piece. Critics have praised its visual style, costumes, and score, as well as Seyfried’s lead performance, calling it one of the strongest roles of her career. Viewers who enjoy detailed historical films, serious dramas, and musical storytelling may find it worth adding to their December watchlist.
Release: 25 December in theaters in the US
12. No Other Choice (dark satire from Park Chan-wook)
No Other Choice is a darkly comic thriller from South Korean director Park Chan-wook, known for Oldboy, The Handmaiden, and Decision to Leave. Many critics describe it as one of his best-reviewed films so far.
The story follows a happily married man, played by Lee Byung-hun (familiar to many from Squid Game), who thinks his life is perfect. He works at a paper factory, has a home he loves, and feels secure. When he suddenly loses his job, his savings start to disappear, and he faces the threat of losing his house to a neighbor he hates.
A promising new job appears, but there is a problem: several strong candidates are competing for it. In a sharp, satirical turn, he decides the only way to protect his future is to get rid of every other qualified applicant, one by one. The film has drawn comparisons to Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite for its mix of social commentary, dark humor, and suspense.
Reviewers have praised No Other Choice for its tight storytelling and bold tone. It is likely to appeal to viewers who like stylish thrillers, sharp social satire, and Korean cinema.
Release: 25 December in theaters in the US
December offers a packed lineup, from true-story dramas and intense thrillers to feel-good family films and inventive comedies. Whether you want something emotional, suspenseful, or just fun, these titles are among the best films to watch this December. Add a few to your queue, plan a movie night with friends or family, and build your own December watchlist around the films that speak to you.
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