(This article first appeared in the December print edition of the Hendersonian.)
With the high-grossing combination of Wicked: For Good and Zootopia 2 reinvigorating theaters leading up to the start of December, the box office outlook as 2025 draws to a close has once again turned positive. The last frame of the year boasts no less than 16 titles that will find their way into wide release this month, all hoping to continue the momentum and finish the year above the totals of 2024 (and possibly 2023). Here are a few motion pictures to keep an eye out for at your local Showplace Cinemas and AMC Theaters location, and as always, make sure to check those listings before you brave the cold.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
(December 5) – Taking place one year after the events of the first movie, security guard Mike (Josh Hutcherson) and police officer Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) once again brave Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza to protect Mike’s little sister from the sinister animatronics. Director Emma Tammi, writer Scott Cawthon, and uber-producer Jason Blum return to bring this sequel and its popular characters back to life (and your nightmares).
Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (December 5) – At four hours and forty-one minutes, legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino and Lionsgate are hoping that you’ve worn out your VHS, DVD, or Blu-Ray copies and want to see this 19-year-old kung-fu/revenge masterpiece in a completely new way: chronologically, edited together, and in a theater. This may be a bit of a cinematic endurance test, but hey, if men went to see Wicked/Wicked: For Good in theaters (clocking in at over five hours) with their wives, it’s payback time!
Ella McCay (December 12) – Returning to write, produce, and direct for the first time in 15 years, rom-com maestro James L. Brooks (As Good as It Gets, Broadcast News, Terms of Endearment) assembles a stellar cast (including Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edebiri and Albert Brooks) for this tale about an idealistic young woman (Emma Mackey, Barbie) who attempts to balance her political career and home life. Fingers crossed that this is another classic from Brooks, and a much-needed addition to the genre.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants and David (December 19) – Two animated features are releasing on the same day, which is typically frowned upon. However, these two movies are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of style and subject matter (a Millennial icon and a biblical epic). Readers, I hope one of you makes a bold decision and sees them both as a double feature. If you do, I want to hear all about it!
Is This Thing On? (December 19) – Bradley Cooper steps behind the camera to co-write/co-produce/direct this dramedy about how an aging New York comic (Will Arnett) and his newly divorced ex-wife (Laura Dern) navigate their new reality of co-parenting and the sacrifices they make. Prepare to laugh and cry in equal measure for this one, which includes a host of cameos from too many recognizable performers (and Cooper as well).
Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 19) – Do I really need to tell you what this is about? Just go see it in IMAX and keep James Cameron happy and busy with the next two installments of these record-breaking cinematic achievements.
Anaconda (December 25) – This is the remake you didn’t know you needed! Jack Black and Paul Rudd, rather than choosing a classic, well-respected film to reboot, go full-tilt meta by bringing the 1997 hit back in both real life and in the movie itself. Joining them on this quest are Steve Zahn (War for the Planet of the Apes) and Thandiwe Newton (Mission: Impossible II). Tom Gormican (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent) co-writes and directs.
Marty Supreme (December 25) – While The Smashing Machine wasn’t the hit that A24 was hoping for, the studio and the other half of The Safdie Brothers (Josh) have assembled an ensemble cast for his first foray into solo directing (while maintaining most of his previous key creative collaborators). In this sports drama, a young man with a dream to become the world’s best ping-pong player goes to hell and back to pursue greatness. Timothée Chalamet stars as the title character, with Gwyneth Paltrow, Fran Drescher, Tyler the Creator, and legendary directors David Mamet and Abel Ferrara co-starring.
Henderson resident McManus Woodend is an Assistant Professor of Digital Media at the University of Southern Indiana and has worked in film, television and commercials for more than 20 years. To see some of his work, visit www.mcmanuswoodend.com.
