Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Dec. 18)
This one goes without saying, because barely a week goes by without an announcement of some kind. The first new movie entry after the much-maligned prequel trilogy has given fans a new hope and a new cast of characters alongside some of the old. Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford all reprise their roles and join newcomers Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega in a new intergalactic adventure. With record-breaking ticket sales behind it already, we can only hope this is the sequel you’re looking for.
Concussion (Dec. 25)
Head injuries in sports will always be a controversial subject, but perhaps no sport sees more of them than professional football. In this Peter Landesman-directed film, Will Smith plays Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist whose research led to publicizing the devastating disease CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy). Though the film will likely make the NFL look bad, some in the pro-football world are hoping it will educate people, including co-owner of the New York Giants Steve Tisch.
The Hateful Eight (Dec. 25)
The movie that almost didn’t get made because the script was leaked online is now a movie anyway. Quentin Tarantino’s latest work takes place in Wyoming just after the civil war as an infamous bounty hunter (Samuel L. Jackson) escorts a fugitive to Red Rock to face justice, only to find out the journey may not be as easy as once thought. Being a Tarantino film, The Hateful Eight will see plenty of blood spattering against the snow.
Joy (Dec. 25)
Director David O. Russell reunites Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper just two years after American Hustle to tell the story of Joy Mangano, creator the Miracle Mop (among other inventions) as she builds her business empire. Though it probably won’t be as depraved as Hustle, Lawrence shows a lot of badassery in a world full of people telling her she can’t succeed in business.
The Revenant (Dec. 25 limited release)
The film has been in development for more than a decade but is finally seeing the light of day under director Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman) and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy. The story is based on frontiersman Hugh Glass’ (DiCaprio) epic trek across Dakota territory to get revenge against John Fitzgerald (Hardy), the man who killed his son. Given the grueling nature of the filming, 20th Century Fox will hope this is a thrill to audiences and critics alike.
