Tom Hooper is bringing the Broadway sensation to the big screen for the first time, and he has an extraordinary cast ready to breathe new life into CATS. The movie musical may be the surprise hit of the holiday season, for so many reasons.

The last time that Tom Hooper tried his hand at a beloved musical stage adaptation, audiences were treated to the star-studded LES MISÉRABLES in 2012. Starring Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman, the movie earned eight Academy Award® nominations and took home three trophies, including Anne Hathaway’s win for Best Supporting Actress.

So yeah, the Oscars® know Hooper, and Hooper knows the Oscars. Could his latest endeavor charm the Academy in a similar fashion?

There’s certainly a curiosity factor about CATS. The musical was one of the longest-running shows on Broadway and in the West End of London for decades, entertaining audiences and breaking box office records around the globe. Backed by the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, "Cats" avoids a traditional story structure, meaning that Tom Hooper can get incredibly creative with his production designs and plotting.

If he wants to put his trust into his cast, he has found the most amazing ensemble on screen this year.

Tom Hooper has cast Dame Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Rebel Wilson, Sir Ian McKellen, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden and pop sensation Taylor Swift to perform in the movie. There’s a story here. Over the course of one evening, the Jellicle cats will decide which of their members will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.

So far, CATS looks like this:

Naturally, the music of CATS will drive Broadway fanatics to theatres this holiday season. The movie can serve as counter programming for audiences who have no interest in STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER or the jungle adventures of JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL.

But those who also track the ever-shifting awards picture will find out if Tom Hooper’s movie could contend in numerous categories. He has had plenty of success in the past. Will that hot streak continue?

The star-studded CATS opens in theatres on December 20, 2019.