Top 10 Movies Premiering in December

December arrives with a slate of films shaped for audiences who follow cinema with the same attention they give to literature or contemporary culture. Studio spectacles, historical portraits and intimate character studies share the calendar, each offering a different tone for the end of the year.

JAY KELLY

The month opens with Noah Baumbach’s new feature Jay Kelly, arriving on December 5. George Clooney plays a celebrated actor who travels through Europe with his longtime manager, portrayed by Adam Sandler. The film moves between personal history and the burdens of public life, as both men recalibrate their choices while navigating a press tour. Critics have already praised the work for its restrained humor and quiet emotional clarity, with Laura Dern completing the cast.

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH

James Cameron returns on December 19 with Avatar Fire and Ash, the third chapter in his Pandora saga. The film expands the world of the Na vi, introducing unfamiliar territories and new clans whose worldview challenges the harmony envisioned in earlier installments. Michelle Yeoh appears as scientist Karina Mogue, while Oona Chaplin takes on the role of Varang, a Na vi antagonist. The film follows the immense success of The Way of Water, and part of the fourth installment has already been filmed, signaling the scale of Cameron’s long term vision for the series.

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS

The same date brings The SpongeBob Movie Search for SquarePants, a return to the underwater world that has defined generations of animation. This fourth chapter follows SpongeBob as he ventures into the depths to confront the ghost of the Flying Dutchman. The project reunites the original voice cast that has kept the series active since 1999, during which it has grown into one of Nickelodeon’s most enduring productions.

MARTY SUPREME

December 25 marks the arrival of Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie. Timothée Chalamet steps into the role of Marty Reisman, a figure who shaped the competitive world of Table Tennis with both skill and an unconventional personal path. The narrative places equal weight on achievement and adversity, exploring a life that moved between international recognition and private struggle. Odessa A zion and Gwyneth Paltrow join Chalamet in the cast.

THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE

Rounding out the list is The Testament of Ann Lee, directed by Mona Fastvold. Amanda Seyfried portrays the British born religious leader Ann Lee, whose followers regarded her as the female Christ. The film examines her creation of a communal society centered on song, movement and spiritual discipline. Critics have already responded with enthusiasm, awarding the project a Certified Fresh score of ninety percent and noting its restrained and persuasive approach to historical drama.