10 Must-See Movies for Christmas 2017

After the topsy-turvy year the world has experienced in 2017, we all deserve a few moments to unwind — preferably for two hours with a great film (and a bag of popcorn) to digest. From musical affairs to socially-relevant dramas, this holiday season’s motion picture releases offer a variety of options for movie-goers to suit whatever viewing mood they may be in, be it fun escapism or thought-provoking fare.

Here are ten new feature films arriving in theaters throughout the week of Christmas 2017 for your viewing pleasure.

The Greatest Showman

Inspired by the life and times of P.T. Barnum, this original movie-musical extravaganza stars the dashing Hugh Jackson as the ringleader behind the legendary Barnum & Bailey circus. The film presents the story of the birth of show business through the lens of the visionary showman who recruited a troupe of talented outsiders to literally run away and join the circus to become spectacular entertainers. Rounding out the sensational cast are Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson as soprano singer Jenny Lind, rising Young Hollywood superstar Zendaya as a trapeze artist, and triple-threat heartthrob Zac Efron in his long-desired comeback to the world of musicals. With a contemporary-driven soundtrack from the team behind La La Land, the songs from The Greatest Showman are sure to be a smash.

Pitch Perfect 3

This Pitchmas, the pitches are back for the final encore of the mega-popular Pitch Perfect trilogy. The Bardem Bellas (consisting of the likes of Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, and Hailee Steinfeld) revive their female-powered a cappella crew for a farewell tour as they compete overseas at a USO-hosted singing competition in Europe. But what will this group of awesome musical nerds do when their riff-off chops are challenged by… instruments?

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Taking place 20 years after the events of the original film, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle follows four teenagers who get sucked into the jungle setting of the video game and trapped into the bodies of their avatars, played hysterically by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan. The teens must navigate the wild universe of Jumanji (assisted by Nick Jonas, who plays a character in the game) and complete the most dangerous mission of their lives, or else risk getting stuck in the game for the rest of time.

Downsizing

In this imaginative sci-fi comedy drama, scientists have discovered the solution to global overpopulation — shrinking humans down in size to make a new home in a new and improved miniature world. Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig are Paul and Audrey, a couple that contemplates making the life-altering decision to exchange their normal, albeit unfulfilling lives for a life of possibilities in the small yet big land of the downsized. Rounding out the star-studded cast are Christoph Waltz, Jason Sudeikis, and Golden Globe nominee Hong Chau.

Father Figures

Fraternal twin brothers Kyle (Owen Wilson) and Peter (Ed Helms) get the bombshell of a lifetime when they find out that their mother (Glenn Close) had lied about the fate of their deceased dad. In the style of a road trip buddy comedy, the brothers initiate “Operation Who’s Your Daddy,” traveling across the country in a paternal quest for their mysterious biological father while learning more about their mother in the process.

Molly’s Game

In his directorial debut, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin brings to the silver screen the memoir of Molly Bloom, an Olympic skier who ran the high-stakes in the world’s most exclusive underground poker game, playing with Hollywood celebrities, famous athletes, business tycoons, and mobsters. The incredible Jessica Chastain stars as Molly, the target of an FBI investigation against her, and Idris Elba and Kevin Costner round out the supporting cast.

Phantom Thread

Set in post-World War II London, the costume drama Phantom Thread unveils the high society life of Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis), a dressmaker and tastemaker of British fashion cultivating the glamorous looks of royalty, heiresses, socialites, and stars with the signature style of ‘The House of Woodcock.’ When Woodcock finds a muse and lover in Alma (Vicky Krieps), his tailored lifestyle is turned inside out.

Hostiles

This American western-adventure follows a nearly-retired Army Captain (Christian Bale) who must carry out one final mission – to escort a Cheyenne war chief (Wes Studi) and his family from Arizona to their tribal lands on a Montana reservation. During their journey across dangerous paths, they fight back against attacks by Comanche tribes and cross paths with a young widow (Rosemund Pike).

The Post

In the battle between journalists and the government (sound familiar?), Steven Spielberg‘s The Post covers the massive cover-up of four decades worth of U.S. government secrets found within the Pentagon Papers and the work done by the newsletter journalists at the Washington Post to report on the truth. The powerhouse film is headlined by Meryl Streep as Katherine Graham, the first female newspaper publisher in the U.S., and Tom Hanks as editor Ben Bradlee.

All the Money in the World

Director Ridley Scott‘s bold decision to have Christopher Plummer replace Kevin Spacey made All the Money in the World the most buzzed-about movie release of the season. After a few fast weeks of reshoots, the story of the abduction of 16-year old John Paul Getty III and his mother’s (Michelle Williams) struggle to obtain the ransom from her son’s billionaire grandfather, Jean Paul Getty (played by Plummer) will be arriving on silver screens across the nation on Christmas Day.

Will you be seeing a movie at the theater during the Christmas holidays? Let us know in the comments!

Featured image by 20th Century Fox.