December 2022 will see a variety of movies to close the year, such as an unusual version of Santa Claus, the triumphant return of Brendan Fraser, the long-awaited sequel to a famous sci-fi movie, a movie about the life of a pop icon, and Damien Chazelle’s newest project. November saw the release of some of this year’s most anticipated movies, such as Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Bardo, the black comedy movie The Menu, Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans, Disney’s Strange World, Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age movie Bones and All, and Noah Baumbach’s black comedy White Noise.
December will see a bit of everything: from black comedy to sci-fi and drama, and while there won’t be as much Christmas content as usually expected, there are some interesting titles to check out as 2022 comes to an end. December, then, will see the arrival of a black comedy movie with a special version of good old Santa Claus, Darren Aronofsky’s latest project starring Brendan Fraser, the sequel to James Cameron’s Avatar, a movie about the life of Whitney Houston, Damien Chazelle’s newest project with an all-star cast, and a new adventure from Puss in Boots. Here’s every movie coming to theaters in December 2022.
Violent Night - December 2
Bringing a twist to the holiday season is Violent Night, a Christmas black comedy movie directed by Tommy Wirkola. Violent Night follows an elite team of mercenaries who break into a family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone hostage. However, they weren’t counting on Santa Claus’ (David Harbour) presence and his combat skills, showing that he isn’t exactly a saint and he’s not bringing peace. Also starring in Violent Night are John Leguizamo, Cam Gigandet, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder, Edi Patterson, Beverly D’Angelo, Leah Brady, and André Eriksen.
Emancipation - December 2
Emancipation is a historical action movie directed by Antoine Fuqua, based on the true story of Gordon “Whipped Peter”, a former slave whose photographs of his bare back, scourged from whippings, gave the abolitionist movement proof of the cruelty of American slavery. Emancipation, then, follows Peter (Will Smith), an enslaved man who after being whipped nearly to death escapes from a plantation in Louisiana, outwitting hunters, and makes his way North, where he joins the Union Army. Emancipation will be released in select cinemas on December 2 and on Apple TV+ on December 9.
The Eternal Daughter - December 2
The Eternal Daughter is a gothic mystery drama movie written and directed by Joanna Hogg. The Eternal Daughter is the story of a middle-aged daughter and her elderly mother who must confront long-buried secrets when they return to their former family home, which was once a grand manor that is now a nearly vacant hotel brimming with mystery. Starring in The Eternal Daughter are Tilda Swinton, Joseph Mydell, Carly-Sophia Davies, and Alfie Sankey-Green.
The Whale - December 9
The Whale is a drama movie directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on the 2012 play of the same name by Samuel D. Hunter. It’s the story of Charlie (Brendan Fraser), a 600lb middle-aged man looking to reconnect with his 17-year-old daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink), as they grew apart after Charlie left his family for a man, who later died. Charlie started binge-eating out of pain and guilt, resulting in his current weight. The Whale had its premiere at the 79th Venice International Film Festival in September 2022 and got mostly positive reviews, praising Fraser and Sink’s performances.
Avatar: The Way of Water - December 16
The long-awaited sequel to James Cameron’s 2009 film Avatar is finally coming to theaters on December 2022. Set more than a decade after the first movie, Avatar: The Way of Water follows the Sully family, led by Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), the trouble that follows them, and their efforts to keep each other safe while battling to stay alive and enduring many tragedies. Also starring are Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, and Britain Dalton. Avatar: The Way of Water is the first of four sequels to Cameron’s groundbreaking sci-fi movie.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish - December 21
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the sequel to the 2011 animated movie (and a spin-off of the Shrek franchise) Puss in Boots. It follows the journey of Puss in Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas) as he sets out to find the mystical Last Wish to restore eight of the nine lives he has lost, while also escaping new enemies who plan on hunting him down. Also part of the voice cast of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish are Salma Hayek, Harvey Guillén, Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, and John Mulaney.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody - December 23
I Wanna Dance With Somebody is a biographical musical movie based on the life of pop icon Whitney Houston. As such, it follows Whitney Houston’s (Naomi Ackie) journey to success after being discovered by record executive Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci), taking her from obscurity to international fame in the 1980s. Also starring in I Wanna Dance With Somebody are Tamara Tunie as Cissy Houston, Nafessa Williams as Robyn Crawford, Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown, and Bria Danielle Singleton as Bobbi Kristina Brown.
Babylon - December 23
Babylon is an epic period comedy-drama movie written and directed by Damien Chazelle. Set in 1920s Hollywood, Babylon is described as a tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess that chronicles the rise and fall of different characters during an era of decadence and depravity in Hollywood. Starring in Babylon are Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Tobey Maguire, Samara Weaving, Spike Jonze, Li Jun Li, and many more.
Women Talking - December 23
Women Talking is a drama movie directed by Sarah Polley and based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Miriam Toews. In 2010, eight women from an isolated Mennonite colony struggle to reconcile their reality with their faith after the reveal that men from their community had been drugging and raping the women of their community at night for years. Starring in Women Talking are Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, and Frances McDormand.
