13 Movies To Watch In Theaters Or At Home This Holiday Season – The Federalist

In todays fragmented media landscape, with theaters still suffering post-pandemic and multiplying streaming services each producing their own exclusives, it has become more difficult to weed through the dreck that Hollywood produces to find anything worthwhile.

To be sure, the big studios know how to shotgun awareness campaigns for their largest franchise releases; audiences can hardly avoid ads for the next Spider-Man and Matrix entries, or the next Disney animated feature. But finding family fare, biopics, and other hidden gems can be challenging.

Come along on a treasure hunt for on-screen stories that arent simply remakes or sequels (no, Home Alone 6 didnt make the cut). At its best, entertainment serves as a means to laugh, imagine, provide respite, and see the world through different eyes. Perhaps a few of these may fit the bill. Keep in mind the ratings listed (when available), as not all are appropriate for families with young kids, and that most titles have not been pre-screened.

Being the Ricardos (dramatic biopic, Prime Video, Dec. 21)

Groundbreaking sitcom I Love Lucy has sparked laughs for generations and inspired creators of iconic hits like Seinfeld. Since this flick was announced, fans have debated whether Nicole Kidman can pull off Lucille Ball, to the point that the icons daughter weighed in. Current actors portraying Ricky, Fred, and Ethel are also co-stars in this ensemble behind-the-scenes dramedy helmed by writer Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, The West Wing).

The Beatles: Get Back (three-part docuseries, TV-14, Disney Plus, Nov. 25)

In January 1969, the Beatles entered a London recording studio to record their twelfth studio album, Let It Be. Sixteen months later, the iconic band announced their break-up. What happened in that span of time has never been fully recounted until now. Director Peter Jackson, acclaimed for his World War I doc They Shall Not Grow Old, was given unprecedented access to more than 60 hours of in-studio footage never before seen to create this six-hour docuseries.

Psych 3: This Is Gus (comedic mystery, TV-14, Peacock, Nov. 18)

Hilarious psychic-but-not-really detective Shawn Spencer (James Roday) teamed up with Burton Gus Guster (Dule Hill) for eight seasons on Psychand they keep coming back for more. All the cast returns for their third reunion film This Is Gus, as Gus gets married but first he and Shawn must investigate the disappearance of someone close to Guss fiancee. Count on laughs and intrigue aplenty in a rare show that wears its heart on its sleeve.

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible(documentary, R, Netflix, Nov. 29)

Despite Netflix doling out nine-figure budgets for two films, early takes indicate would-be blockbusters Red Notice (starring Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds, and Dwayne Johnson) and Dont Look Up (starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence) are unlikely to have enduring appeal. For those seeking thrills grounded in real-life, check out the top streamers climbing doc 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible. In it, the Oscar-winning team behind Free Solotracks the journey of a Nepali mountaineer to conquer all 14 summits worldwide higher than 8,000 meters including Everest and K2 in just seven months.

Marvel Studios Hawkeye (action/superhero limited series, TV-14, Disney Plus, Nov. 24)

The least-super Avenger hands off his bow and takes a bow in this six-episode event, set in New York City a few days before Christmas. As family man Clint Barton, Jeremy Renner looks like hes having a blast in this previewwhich takes more than a little inspiration from Die Hard. Sharpshooter Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) joins the MCU fold as she trades quips and tips with the OG Hawkeye.

American Underdog (inspirational biopic, Dec. 25)

In the tradition of Rudy and Invincible, the true story of Kurt Warners remarkable debut NFL season arrives just in time for a family Christmas outing. Zachary Levi (Shazam) stars as Warner and Academy Award winner Anna Paquin (The Piano) as love interest Brenda, in events that reveal determination and grit both on and off the field.

King Richard (dramatic biopic, PG-13, also on HBO Max, Nov. 19)

We got champions in the other room, says Richard Williams (Will Smith), trying to convince tennis club owners and sponsors of his daughters athletic abilities. The father of Serena and Venus Williams was right, as the world would see years later.

Was King Richard overbearing in his rigorous training? Or did he foster his girls dreams? Smith portrays a complex real-life figure in a role thats already getting serious Oscar buzz.

West Side Story (musical, PG-13, Dec. 10)

In more than five decades of moviemaking, director Steven Spielberg has never tackled a musical until now, as he remakes this loose adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Sixty years after the silver screen debut of the original Sondheim-Bernstein Broadway hit, West Side Story retains its 1950s setting with new dance choreography brought to life by an ethnically diverse cast.

The Chosen: The Messengers(biblical drama, Dec. 1)

Recounting the first-century ministry of Jesus Christ, loosely based on the gospels, The Chosen has become a worldwide phenomenon. The crowdfunded TV seriescreated by Dallas Jenkins has racked up more than 300 million views for its 16 episodes released so far (free onlineand via TV apps). Now its coming to the big screenvia Fathom Events.

All-new episode The Messengers not to be confused with the series low-budget 2017 pilot, also Christmas-themed retells the Nativity story with grit and heart, reminding viewers what theseholy days really mean.

Belfast (drama, PG-13, Nov. 12)

Audiences will have to wait til next year to enjoy Death On the Nile, another star-studded ensemble murder mystery from Kenneth Branagh. In the meantime, the celebrated filmmaker presents this partly autobiographical film that celebrates his roots in Ireland revealing one boys formative years against the backdrop of violent social tumult in the 1960s.

A Journal for Jordan (war biopic, Dec. 22)

While hes starred in dozens of hits, Denzel Washington has only directed a handfulincluding this heartrending story of a young dad who answered the call to serve his country. U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Charles Monroe King (Michael B. Jordan) pursues his partner Dana (Tamara Tunie) prior to being deployed to Iraq in 2005. To prepare their son for life ahead, King wrote 200 pages of advice from the frontlines, as chronicled in an award-winning article and now this love story.

When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas (period drama, TV-PG, GAC Family, Dec. 18)

Set to premiere its ninth season on Hallmark next spring, family period drama When Calls the Heart from producers Michael Landon Jr. and Brian Bird has inspired a spin-off series called When Hope Calls. (Oddly, the spin-off airs on another network, GAC Family.) This Christmas, season two of When Hope Calls will find Lori Loughlin who left the original show after being charged in the college admissions scandal reprising her role as Abigail Stanton.

Robin Robin (animated holiday special, G, Netflix, Nov. 24)

In a time when loud, CGI-heavy animated flicks dominate, its a wonder that the exacting art of stop-motion animation still has a champion in British studio Aardman. Over this half-hour tale families will meet Robin, whose egg rolled out of her nest and led her to an unexpected family. It looks to be a fun story full of heart and light humor from the team that created Chicken Run.

The Waltons Homecoming (family drama, TV-PG, The CW, Nov. 28)

Fifty years after the Depression-era story of a large familys struggles and triumphs in Virginias Blue Ridge Mountains premiered, their debut TV movie is getting the remake treatment. Richard Thomas, John-Boy in the original show, takes over narrating duties from late series creator Earl Hamner Jr. (1923-2016), as a new cast dramatizes the story of patriarch John Sr. trying to make it home for Christmas during a storm. While its not terrible as a TV flick, the original 1971 version better captures 1930s period details and families would be wise to seek out that one.

Next Stop, Christmas (romantic comedy, TV-PG, Hallmark Channel, Nov. 6)

Hallmark Channel, which is built on holiday movies, this year has 41 new (if entirely predictable) Christmas flicks coming. In a wall-to-wall holiday marathon, one of the first entries Next Stop, Christmas tells a time-travel yarn featuring two stars from Back to the Future: Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson.

Those seeking similar holiday fare will find Netflix getting in on the game, as A Castle for Christmas brings together 1980s stars Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride) and Brooke Shields (Sahara). The rom-com lands Nov. 26 on the streamer.

Josh Shepherd covers culture, faith, and public policy for several media outlets including The Stream. His articles have appeared in Christianity Today, Religion & Politics, Faithfully Magazine, Religion News Service, and Providence Magazine. A graduate of the University of Colorado, he previously worked on staff at The Heritage Foundation and Focus on the Family. Josh and his wife live in the Washington, D.C. area with their two children.

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13 Movies To Watch In Theaters Or At Home This Holiday Season - The Federalist