Movie lovers, listen up—here are some of the best new films hitting the big screen next month. This lineup includes spectacular releases you won’t want to miss.
Big franchises return in a big way: Avatar, SpongeBob, and even a Broadway film adaptation of Merrily We Roll Along, along with The Housemaid, a psychological thriller film based on the bestselling novel by Freida McFadden. Let’s take a look at the best new films to watch in December. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Another Avatar blockbuster is on the way. Avatar: Fire and Ash picks up after The Way of Water and marks the third film in James Cameron’s sci-fi saga. Jake and Neytiri are back as Pandora faces a ferocious new enemy, the volcanic Ash Clan. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet and Stephen Lang lead the returning cast, joined again by familiar faces including Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Giovanni Ribisi, Jemaine Clement and Edie Falco. Avatar: Fire and Ash is due out on December 1 in the US and December 19 in the UK.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants arrives on December 19, as Bikini Bottom is back on the big screen, and just in time for the holidays. In the new adventure, SpongeBob sets off on a daring mission to take on the Flying Dutchman, hoping to prove he’s far braver than he believes. The film features a fantastic voice cast including Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, George Lopez, Ice Spice and Mark Hamill. This upcoming animated film based on the beloved cartoon series is perfect for the whole family.
Is This Thing On?
Bradley Cooper is the star and director of Is This Thing On?, arriving December 19. The film centres on Alex, played by Will Arnett, a newly single dad trying to piece his life together while nervously stepping into the world of stand-up comedy. Laura Dern appears as his ex, Tess, as the pair attempt the tricky shift from couple to friends. Cooper, who directs and co-writes, pops up on screen alongside a supporting cast that includes Andra Day, Ciarán Hinds, Sean Hayes and Amy Sedaris.
The Housemaid
Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried lead this dark psychological thriller based on the popular book by Freida McFadden. The Housemaid is set to air on December 19 in the United States and December 26 in the UK. The plot follows a young woman who becomes a live-in maid for a wealthy family with a deadly secret. It is directed by Paul Feig, and the cast line-up also includes Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone and Elizabeth Perkins.
David
Directed by Phillips Cunningham and Brent Dawes, David is an animated musical retelling of the biblical story of David. It features voices from Phil Wickham and Lauren Daigle, Brandon Engman, Asim Chaudhry and more. David is slated for release on December 19.
Silent Night, Deadly Night
Horror fans, listen up. Silent Night, Deadly Night is returning in December 2025 with a chilling remake of the 1984 cult classic — and this time, the jolly man in the red suit is more murderous than merry. The film centres on Billy Chapman, a traumatised young man who, after witnessing his parents’ brutal murder by a man dressed as Santa, grows up to become a Santa-suited slasher. In the new movie, that role is filled by Rohan Campbell (known for Halloween Ends). The supporting cast also includes Ruby Modine as Pamela, Mark Acheson as Charlie, and Canadian actors David Lawrence Brown and David Tomlinson.
Marty Supreme
Led by Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme is a Safdie-style plunge into the cutthroat world of 1950s professional ping-pong, loosely inspired by real-life table-tennis legend Marty Reisman. Directed by Josh Safdie, the film features a sharp ensemble including Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler, The Creator, Fran Drescher, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, and Abel Ferrara. Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, an ambitious young player fighting his way through a stylish yet gritty sports underground—unlike anything else hitting screens this season. The film is slated for release on December 25.
Scarlet
Set to premiere in UK cinemas on December 12, Scarlet is Mamoru Hosoda’s next animated epic, following a princess trapped in a haunting “Land of the Dead” after her father’s murder. Inspired by Hamlet, the film blends myth, mystery, and emotional depth, brought to life by voice performances from Mana Ashida, Masaki Okada, and Koji Yakusho.
Merrily We Roll Along
Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez headline this filmed version of the acclaimed Broadway revival. A synopsis for Merrily We Roll Along reads: “Spanning three decades, the turbulent relationship between a composer and his two lifelong friends, a writer and a lyricist and playwright.” Watch it on the big screen on December 5.
Oh. What. Fun
A Christmas comedy film, Oh. What. Fun is a festive movie you’ll wanna see. Michelle Pfeiffer stars as a forgotten family matriarch who disappears during the holidays — sending her chaotic crew into a panic. Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary and Eva Longoria co-star in this cosy, heartwarming Christmas comedy set to be released on December 3.