Do you feel that? It’s that time of year again when the weather starts to get cold, the decorations go up, and family and friends gather around their tables to celebrate what they’re thankful for and to bring joy to the Christmas season. But you also know what that means – Christmas break for the kiddos. And usually with that, there’s always one fun option that is a guaranteed great way to spend your free time – heading out to the movie theatres.
But you might be wondering what movies are out that will be playing this holiday season and are also family friendly. Thankfully, we have a few good options that are great for the whole entire family to enjoy. Check out these films that are coming to a local AMC Theatre location near you.
STRANGE WORLD
Disney frequently releases a new animated film about Thanksgiving, and this year is no different. In 2021, it was ENCANTO, and in 2022, it is STRANGE WORLD. The film, directed by Don Hall, who worked on other big Disney films like BIG HERO 6, WINNIE THE POOH and MOANA, tells the story of a family that is known to be legendary travelers, but when they arrive on a planet that has interesting and out-of-this-world creatures, they have to work together to survive this strange new planet.
The film has the voice talents of Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Jaboukie Young-White, Gabrielle Union and Lucy Liu, plus more. Disney usually tends to knock it out of the park with their animated films that come out this time a year – just three years ago, they released FROZEN II around the same time, which became one of the biggest animated films ever, so it’s safe to expect that STRANGE WORLD is going to be a good time for the whole family. (November 23rd)
STRANGE WORLD
THE FABELMANS
Steven Spielberg is at it again, directing his next big hit in the world of movies with THE FABELMANS. The film is a coming-of-age drama that takes place during the 1950s and tells the story of young Sammy Fabelman, a boy who wants to grow up to become a filmmaker, and how film has helped him get through things.
The film acts as a semi-autobiographical story about Spielberg’s life as a child and has received critical acclaim across the board for its performances, story, music, and its cinematography, so you know you’re going to have a seriously good movie-watching experience. THE FABLEMANS stars Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy, and has several other major names in there as well, such as Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Michelle Williams and more. (November 23rd)
THE FABELMANS
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER
It has been more than a decade since the first AVATAR released in 2009, and now, the world is finally getting the sequel it has been anxiously waiting for. AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER is directed by James Cameron, and follows Jake Sully in his new Avatar form along with his family almost a decade after the first film’s events, and what they must do to survive as new battles come to their doorstep.
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER has been highly anticipated for years on end, and while everyone knows that there are expected to be several sequels to this film, it’ll still be an event to actually be able to go to a theatre and see this new movie that Cameron has been talking about for years – if only to see the beautiful visual effects that it will surely have. The first film was revolutionary because of its motion capture technology, and the second film will probably be no different. The film stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and more. (December 16th)
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER
PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH
Last up, the sequel to the cat movie that many have been begging for. In 2011, a spinoff to the film series SHREK came out, called PUSS IN BOOTS, following the titular orange cat on his merry adventures, and now the sequel is coming out, called PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH. The movie follows Puss as he looks to find the legendary Last Wish that apparently has the ability to restore the eight of his nine lives that he has lost.
The first film was well-received by critics and was even nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature (losing out to RANGO). The film is directed by Joel Crawford, and stars Antonio Banderas voicing the character of Puss once again, as well as Salma Hayek as the voice of Kitty Softpaws, a role she is reprising from the first movie. Other stars offering their voices to the film are Olivia Colman, Harvey Guillen, Samson Kayo, Florence Pugh, John Mulaney and more. (December 21st)
PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH
There are so many great movies here for you to take the family to see at your local AMC Theatre during the Christmas break.