Last November “Wicked” (Part One) set several box office records, including the biggest opening weekend for a Broadway musical movie, both domestically and globally. It also became the highest-grossing film adaptation of a Broadway musical worldwide, surpassing “Mama Mia!”
The film’s phenomenal start in North America saw it opening in 3,888 theaters, garnering an estimated $112.5 million. “Wicked: For Good” (Part 2) will open on Friday, Nov. 21 and is expected to shatter the records set last year.
However, the much anticipated “Wicked” release is just one of several high profile and Academy Award-potential contenders this holiday season.
Not all of the films listed below may enjoy Academy Award recognition, but all are expected to be popular with audiences.
‘Wicked: For Good’
Release Date Nov. 21.
Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh and Keala Settle.
Fans of the classic “The Wizard of Oz,” and the hit Broadway musical “Wicked,” are familiar with the story of this mythical land. However, “Wicked” takes the familiar tale and turns it on its head, revealing a darker Oz than anyone ever imagined.
It is expected to compete strongly in Academy Award technical categories and acting, especially for Erivo and Grande.
‘Nuremberg’
Release Date Nov. 7.
Directed by James Vanderbilt and stars Rami Malek, Russell Crowe, Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Mark O’Brien, Colin Hanks, Wrenn Schmidt, Lydia Peckham, Richard E. Grant and Michael Shannon.
It is based on the 2013 book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist” by Jack El-Hai. In Nuremberg, psychiatrist Douglas Kelley, played by Malek, is challenged with determining if Hermann Göring, played by Crowe, is fit to stand trial at the Nuremberg trials, held after the end of WWII.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival where it received a four-minute standing ovation, reportedly one of TIFF’s longest standing ovations ever.
‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’
Release Date Nov. 14.
Directed by Ruben Fleischer and starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt and Rosamund Pike.
This is the third addition to the “Now You See Me” franchise of thieving illusionists. Expect a whole lot of magic, robbery and making a run for it.
‘Jay Kelly’
Release Date Nov, 14. Netflix Dec. 5.
Directed by Noah Baumbach and starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and Billy Crudup. A comedy-drama that follows a friendship between a famous actor and his manager as they travel through Europe and reflect on their life choices, relationships and legacies.
It is in the conversation for major awards.
‘Zootopia 2’
Release Date Nov. 26.
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard and starring the voice talent of Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Ke Huy Quan and Fortune Feimster.
The sequel to the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia” follows detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde on the trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives and turns the city upside down. At the 89th Academy Awards “Zootopia” won Best Animated Feature.
‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’
Release Date Dec. 12.
Directed by Rian Johnson and starring: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Glenn Close and Kerry Washington.
The “Knives Out” franchise with Craig as the famous detective Benoit Blanc. The details of the plot are tightly under wraps, but this film has been described as “the detective’s most dangerous case yet.” Considered a strong Oscar contender.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’
Release Date Dec. 19.
Directed by James Cameron and starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, David Thewlis, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Yeoh and Oona Chaplin.
The third film of the “Avatar” franchise brings audiences back to Pandora and the Na’vi, however, the “Ash People” are not as nice as the Na’vi you may remember.
‘Marty Supreme’
Release Date Dec. 25.
Directed by Josh Safdie and starring: Timothée Chalamet, Odessa A’zion, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Sports drama based on the true story of Marty Reisman, a table tennis player who, at 22, won five bronze medals at the World Table Tennis Championships. This movie is a major Oscar player, with strong predictions for Chalamet as Best Actor.
