IMDb Editors' Picks: Best Movies and TV for December
Read up on the top movies and TV shows our editorial team wants to see this month.
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- StarsTory BelleciKari ByronGrant ImaharaScientists investigate unusual events from pop culture, science and history.Ex-MythBusters Tory Belleci, Kari Byron, and Grant Imahara are back in Netflix's rather "MythBuster"-y series "White Rabbit Project." The new A-Team will be ranking and recreating history's greatest inventions, escapes, heists, and more and doing what they do best, building and destroying lots of things. This one looks like a lot of fun. I really missed those guys. — Vanessa
Airs Friday, Dec. 9, on Netflix - CreatorKen MokTyra BanksKenya BarrisStarsAdrianne CurryYoanna HouseTyra BanksA cyclical competition in which women from all over the U.S. compete for the honor of being America's next "it girl" in the modeling world.After faithfully watching "ANTM" for its entire run, I was content when I heard the 21st season would be the last for Tyra's opus. But I did squeal with joy to hear it would return with a new look and new host, Rita Ora. I can't imagine ANTM without #tyramail and #bootytooch but trust Ms. Banks found a fierce new host to take the show to a new level. — Michelle
"America's Next Top Model" premieres Monday, Dec. 12, on VH1. - DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsRyan GoslingEmma StoneRosemarie DeWittWhile navigating their careers in Los Angeles, a pianist and an actress fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future.REJOICE! Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are reunited once again! La La Land is a musical that follows Sebastian (Gosling) a jazz pianist and Mia (Stone) an aspiring actress following their dreams in Los Angeles. Need I say more? Take my money. — Akimi
Opens in theaters Friday, Dec. 16. - DirectorGareth EdwardsStarsFelicity JonesDiego LunaAlan TudykIn a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction.There's way too much for a diehard Star Wars fan to get excited about with the release of the first standalone film in the franchise. But let me just briefly mention a couple of things we can all look forward to: Felicity Jones as the central protagonist, a supporting cast that looks ever more diverse, a new villain to hate (with a white cape, to boot), and, of course, the return of Darth Vader. — Bret
Opens in theaters Friday, Dec. 16. - CreatorFrank SpotnitzStarsAlexa DavalosLuke KleintankRufus SewellIn a dystopian America dominated by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, a young woman discovers a mysterious film that may hold the key to toppling the totalitarian regimes.Who is The Man in the High Castle? I have to know! In Season 2, we will find out. — Lance
Season 2 premieres Friday, Dec. 16 on Amazon Prime. - DirectorMorten TyldumStarsJennifer LawrenceChris PrattMichael SheenA malfunction in a sleeping pod on a spacecraft traveling to a distant colony planet wakes one passenger 90 years early.Passengers is the perfect date movie. It’s a sci-fi romance starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt. What more could you ask for? Two beautiful humans are stuck in space after waking up 90 years too early. Obviously they fall in love — but the true mystery is why did they wake up in the first place? Find out on December 21. — Akimi
Opens in theaters Friday, Dec. 21. - DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsEmma SuárezAdriana UgarteDaniel GraoAfter a casual encounter, a brokenhearted woman decides to confront her life and the most important events involving her estranged daughter.I'm a Pedro Almodóvar completist, and though the script and its execution haven't earned the strongest reviews in Almodóvar's career, I'm intrigued by the fact that he has adapted short stories by Alice Munro and teamed with a new cinematographer, Jean-Claude Larrieu, whose work has received perhaps the best notices here. — Arno
Opens in limited release on Wednesday, Dec. 21 - DirectorJustin KurzelStarsMichael FassbenderMarion CotillardJeremy IronsCallum Lynch explores the memories of his ancestor Aguilar de Nerha and gains the skills of a Master Assassin, before taking on the secret Templar society.Just like Pedro Almodóvar, I will follow Michael Fassbender anywhere, even if it's back in time to the Spanish Inquisition for a video game movie that has a giant, expensive question mark hanging over it. The first two trailers have been massively entertaining, and this is certainly one of the finest casts to appear in a video game adaptation. Plus, Justin Kurzel directed Fassbender in the underrated Macbeth two years ago, and I think the duo will bring something new and unexpected to the genre. — Arno
Opens on Wednesday, Dec. 21 - DirectorGarth JenningsChristophe LourdeletStarsMatthew McConaugheyReese WitherspoonSeth MacFarlaneIn a city of humanoid animals, a hustling theater impresario's attempt to save his theater with a singing competition becomes grander than he anticipates even as its finalists find that their lives will never be the same.Any movie capable of marrying our ongoing fascination with singing competitions and hapless, lovable animated animals seems worthy of an extra look. And to be honest, I've loved every one of the film's trailers. Here's a title to enjoy with viewers of any age this holiday season. — Bret
Opens in U.S. theaters Wednesday, Dec. 21 - DirectorJ.A. BayonaStarsLewis MacDougallSigourney WeaverFelicity JonesConor, a twelve-year-old boy, encounters an ancient tree monster who proceeds to help him cope with his mother's terminal illness and being bullied in school.A Monster Calls, the third film from Spanish director J.A. Bayona, looks like the best kind of escapist fantasy. Childhood is a tough time and too many children are asked to cope with life-changing loss very early in their lives. During dark times, I think we all wish we had a monster to call. — Lance
Opens in limited release Friday, Dec. 23, before a wide release in U.S. theaters Friday, Jan. 6 - DirectorDenzel WashingtonStarsDenzel WashingtonViola DavisStephen McKinley HendersonA working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life.When I first saw the trailer for Denzel Washington's new movie, my first thought was "this is the scene they will play just before he wins the award for Best Actor." They may sound like an exaggeration but from the reviews I've read recently, Denzel and Viola give such raw and emotional performances, they will be sure contenders i noted awards season. Regardless, I can't wait to see the film if I was that moved by the trailer. — Michelle
Opens in theaters Sunday, Dec. 25 - DirectorStephen GaghanStarsMatthew McConaugheyEdgar RamírezBryce Dallas HowardKenny Wells, a prospector desperate for a lucky break, teams up with a similarly eager geologist and sets off on a journey to find gold in the uncharted jungle of Indonesia.Another transformative role for Matthew McConaughey with shades of The Wolf of Wall Street make this a must-see ahead of awards season, in which this will almost certainly be a contender. — Michael
Opens in limited release Sunday, Dec. 25, before a wide release in U.S. theaters Friday, Jan. 27 - CreatorSydney NewmanStarsJodie WhittakerPeter CapaldiPearl MackieThe further adventures in time and space of the alien adventurer known as the Doctor and his companions from planet Earth.For Whovians the wait has been long and hard, though not as long and hard as it's been for BBC Sherlockians. (Am I right?) We haven't had a visit from the Doctor since the 2015 Christmas special: "The Husbands of River Song," but thankfully the wait is almost over. Peter Capaldi returns this Christmas in "The Return of Doctor Mysterio." Watch it a couple of times as it will have to tide us over until April when we finally get to meet the newest companion Bill (Pearl Mackie), and get the adventures of space and time going again. — Vanessa
Airs Sunday, Dec. 25, on BBC America - DirectorJim JarmuschStarsAdam DriverGolshifteh FarahaniNellieA quiet observation of the triumphs and defeats of daily life, along with the poetry evident in its smallest details.For me, Adam Driver is one of the greatest actors of his generation and any opportunity to see him on screen is worth taking. This film is also notable for winning the Palm Dog at Cannes, rewarding the performance of Driver's canine companion, Marvin, played by the late Nellie. — Michael
Opens in limited release Wednesday, Dec. 28