Indulge in the magic of December with a lineup of captivating movies and TV shows, including some nostalgic and exciting book-to-screen adaptations featuring a number of our favorite stars. Celebrate the holiday season by snuggling up with your loved ones in the cozy comfort of gifted flannel pajamas, and don’t forget the snacks!
Movies
Unwrap the most anticipated movies of the season. From dystopian dramas to reimagined classics, this month’s cinematic offerings are set to enchant and entertain.
Leave the World Behind
Experience the unraveling of trust in the midst of a once-idyllic getaway as chaos ensues in this Netflix film featuring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, and Kevin Bacon. Adapted from Rumaan Alam’s best-selling novel of the same name, the movie follows a family’s retreat to a lavish rental home, which takes a foreboding turn when a cyberattack disrupts their devices and unexpected strangers show up at their door, promising a gripping and anticipated adaptation.
Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Color Purple
Experience the unbreakable bond of sisterhood with the Christmas Day release of The Color Purple, a bold and beautiful new take on the beloved classic by Alice Walker. Directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones. Starring an impressive cast including Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino, this cinematic gift from Warner Bros. Pictures celebrates the extraordinary journey of sisters, making it a must-watch treat for us all.
Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Maestro
Directed by Bradley Cooper and starring Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper, Maestro is an emotionally epic love story chronicling the lifelong connection between cultural icon Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A heartfelt portrayal of family and love, don’t miss this compelling film.
Anyone But You
Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell headline Anyone But You, where their characters, Bea and Ben, navigate a shift from hot to cold after an electrifying first date. This edgy comedy, complete with a fake dating twist at a destination wedding in Australia, promises to delight fans, especially those who appreciate the popular fake dating trope in literature.
American Fiction
Discover the perfect movie for book enthusiasts with American Fiction, featuring Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown, in the hilarious directorial debut of Cord Jefferson. Unraveling the absurdities of cultural stereotypes, the film follows Monk, a frustrated novelist challenging the establishment’s exploitation of “Black” entertainment. With sharp wit and satire, Monk’s journey to expose hypocrisy through an outlandish book makes American Fiction a must-see for book club enthusiasts—if only it were a book.
Wonka
Wonka, directed by Paul King and produced by David Heyman, Alexandra Derbyshire, and Luke Kelly, unveils the enchanting origin story of Willy Wonka, the iconic character from Roald Dahl’s beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Starring Timothée Chalamet, this visually inventive cinematic experience, filled with magic, music, and humor, follows a young and determined Willy Wonka as he embarks on a journey to revolutionize the world of chocolate, proving that dreams can spark extraordinary possibilities.
Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Eileen
Set in 1964 Massachusetts, the story revolves around the budding and eventually twisted friendship between a young secretary, Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie), and the glamorous new prison counselor, Rebecca (Anne Hathaway). Based on the novel by Ottessa Moshfegh, which was a recipient of the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award, Eileen is a perfectly chilling exploration of friendship and identity.
Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Candy Cane Lane
Directed by Reginald Hudlin and starring Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Jillian Bell, Candy Cane Lane is a 2023 Christmas comedy where Chris Carver makes a deal with a charming stranger, Pepper, for festive magic to win a neighborhood decoration contest. Soon realizing Pepper is an evil elf with a sinister history, Chris must rally his family to stop her from wreaking havoc on their friends and neighbors, breaking the deal before it costs them everything.
TV
See beloved favorites come to an end, and old stories brought back to life as you dive into the small screen wonders of December with an array of TV shows that promise to keep you glued to your seat.
The Crown: Season 6, Part 2
Witness the grand finale of the award-winning series! Don’t miss the concluding episodes of The Crown, premiering on December 14. This fictional dramatization, inspired by real events, unfolds the captivating narrative of Queen Elizabeth II, showcasing the political and personal events that have defined her remarkable reign.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians
Many of us grew up reading the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, which was just the beginning of our fantastical adventures with demigods and monsters. There is definitely something to be said about the Percy Jackson to Madeline Miller (The Song of Achilles, Circe) pipeline. So if you’re missing Percy and his shenanigans, this Disney+ series adaptation will be right up your alley.
Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Culprits
Joe Petrus, seemingly living the American dream with his family, harbors a secret criminal past recruited by British crime boss Dianne Harewood. As a killer targets the crew, Joe must return to London, reconnect with his old gang, and track down Dianne to protect his loved ones. Don’t miss the premiere of Culprits, exclusively on Hulu.
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