The winter holiday season is one of the busiest times of year at the cinemas. Last-minute award-season contenders and huge franchise releases dominate the box office, giving audiences a ton of choices.
Even if you’re still pushing through exams, a few hours at the movies can be a great break from studying. If you’re one of many waiting on the newest addition to the Star Wars series, Cineplex has you covered. Its Yonge-Dundas theatre will be showing the film in standard VIP, IMAX, IMAX 3D, and 4DX, so you could technically see it four different ways.
If you’re on a budget, you can make plans for Tuesday shows, when most cinemas offer discounted movie tickets. Cineplex is a great choice for intense film experiences with its IMAX or 4DX movie experiences (the closest is at 10 Dundas St. E.).
Here are some of the most anticipated films coming out this holiday season:
Premiering December 1st
The Shape of Water
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Octavia Spencer
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Romance
How to see it: The Shape of Water features more of del Toro’s beautiful monster creation, but doesn’t seem like it needs anything fancier than a standard showing to really get the full experience. It’s being pitched as a romance, so if you and your boo are into monsters and a critique of humanity, this is probably for you.
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Dave Franco
Genre: Comedy
Is it for you? This is a standard comedy, so no special effects are needed to really ‘get it.’ Go with your friends who love bad movies that are so good, or take your movie-buff friends who’ve never seen The Room and you’ll have the bonus entertainment of watching them react to this adaptation of its making.
Premiering December 8
I, Tonya
Director: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney
Genre: Drama
Is it for you? The Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan scandal happened in 1994, so while your parents might remember it you probably have no idea what it is. This is a drama set in the world of Olympic-level figure skating, so check it out if you’re a sports enthusiast.
Premiering December 15
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Is it for you? If you’re a fan of the Star Wars series already, go to an early showing if you can. Most theatres will be opening this on Thursday, Dec. 14, and it’ll probably be one of the most responsive and enthusiastic theatre experiences of the year. Go with a group of action and sci-fi fans, and get ready for someone to cry when the late Carrie Fisher comes on screen for her last appearance in the franchise.
Premiering December 20
The Greatest Showman
Director: Michael Gracey
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya
Genre: Musical, Drama
Is it for you? This will probably only be shown in standard format, which will be enough to take it in. It’s the story of the first three-ring circus, which seems to imply it’ll be a visual spectacle. The musical theatre fan in me wishes it was being shown in IMAX, but it’ll be nice to see how this fares in theatres following the success of other musical films like La La Land – especially since this film is full of actors who can actually sing.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Director: Jake Kasdan
Starring: Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart, Jack Black
Genre: Action & Adventure
Is it for you? This movie will be shown in 3D and standard, and which you choose to see should really be up to you. The original Jumanji was already leaps and bounds ahead in terms of special effects, especially given its 1995 release, so it’ll be interesting to see how the 2017 adaptation looks and feels in comparison. If you have kid cousins or siblings you have to entertain over the break, this is probably your safest bet (unless they still haven’t seen Disney-Pixar’s Coco).
Premiering December 22
Pitch Perfect 3
Director: Trish Sie
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Is it for you? This is another acappella-based movie about friendship and growing up, so get a group of your favourite people together to see it. It’ll probably be full of jokes that kind of land and songs that were really popular at the end of 2016, but it’s a pretty diverse cast of women and will have some sweet message about growing up and loving your friends. This is probably a good outlet for all that holiday sentiment.
Premiering December 25
Molly’s Game
Director: Aaron Sorkin
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner
Genre: Drama
Is it for you? Based on trailers and early reviews, Molly’s Game looks like it’ll be a contender for awards seasons. It’s based on a true story and it seems Chastain is the driving force behind the film. If you like watching powerful women manipulate people and make a lot of money, or if you just like looking at Jessica Chastain and/or Idris Elba, check it out.