Top 5 movies to watch out for this Christmas

What better way to spend Christmas than with a marathon of cinema’s latest hits?

Christmas is fast upon us, and now’s a good time to start planning the season out. With the plethora of exciting movies releasing during this period, you might want to plan your parties around these titles.

Here are our top five picks for the most anticipated – or most Christmassy – movies coming out in December. Look out in our future issues for more information on some of these titles!

1. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Release: 4 Dec

A funny tale based on a children’s book of the same name, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day follows 11 year-old Alexander and his antics at home and at school.

The story is a humorous take on the modern family, with some nostalgic nuances reminiscent of Christmas movie classics like Home Alone and Malcolm in the Middle.

Starring our favourite faces of comedy, like Steve Carrell (from The Office, Evan Almighty) and Jennifer Garner (Dallas Buyers Club, 13 Going on 30), this movie looks to be a fun ride for the family during the season!

2. Paddington

Release: 11 Dec

Did you know that the loveable Paddington bear, who is decked out in English colours and signature British Wellington boots, isn’t actually British?

Paddington reveals the origin story of this popular character, which the world has come to love as one of London’s icons. The young bear actually hails from Peru, and has a burning passion for all things English.

It’s a heartwarming movie about love, self-discovery and kindness – all the moods to suit this season of joy!

3. The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies

Release: 18 Dec

This last movie instalment marks the end of the J.R.R. Tolkien saga, and definitely can’t be missed for any Christmas party – unless it involves a Tolkien marathon first!

Here’s a catch-up to the trilogy. Hobbit protagonist Bilbo and his dwarf companions must go to war when the fearful dragon Smaug unleashes his rage on Lake Town. Meanwhile, Gandalf the wizard identifies their mysterious assailant as Sauron, the power-hungry villain of Middle Earth.

Although this movie isn’t quite so festive, you’ll want to catch this with a bunch of friends and family all the same. It is, after all, the conclusion to one of cinema’s greatest modern epics.

4. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Release: 25 Dec

Ben Stiller is back with a big treat on Christmas Day! Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is the third film of the side-splitting franchise. It follows the adventures of security professional Larry Daley (played by Stiller) and his friends from the museum.

When the powers of the Tablet of Ahkmenrah – an ancient artefact that brings the museum exhibits to life – begin to wane, Larry must travel across continents to unite his historical pals. Together, can they save the magic before it is gone forever?

This movie meets all our criteria for the perfect Christmas movie: friendship, adventure, and a shower of magic. How timely for it to be releasing on Christmas day itself!

5. Seventh Son

Release: 31 Dec

You’d probably still be in the holidaying mood even after Christmas, and all prepped up to usher in 2015. So here’s a movie to catch before saying goodbye to 2014.

Based on the enchanting novel The Spook’s Apprentice, Seventh Son is a fantastical tale about Thomas Ward and his adventures as an apprentice of the Spook. The movie stars award-winning actors Jeff Bridges (as the Spook) and Julianne Moore.

Like Thomas, we wish we could see magical creatures too. With so much Christmas magic surrounding us, one can never be too old to dream.

By Pamela Chow