Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron plays an alcoholic writer of young adult novels who returns to her hometown after her divorce to rekindle an old romance with an ex-boyfriend (Patrick Wilson). Diablo Cody (who won an Oscar for writing “Juno”) penned the script to this dramedy, which is also directed by “Juno” and “Up in the Air” director Jason Reitman. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn - December 23
Steven Spielberg directs this 3D film (produced by Peter Jackson), based on “The Adventures of Tintin,” the comic book series created by Belgian artist Hergé. Combining the stories of The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham's Treasure, the film depicts Tintin's (Jamie Bell) first encounter with Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) and the discovery of a clue to the treasure of his ancestor Sir Francis Haddoque. (Photo: Paramount Pictures/Columbia Pictures)
Arthur Christmas - November 23
Set on Christmas night, Arthur Christmas reveals the answer to every child’s question: “So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?” James McAvoy leads the cast as Arthur, Santa’s younger son who must complete an urgent mission before Christmas morning dawns. The animated film also features the voices of Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent and Bill Nighy. (Photo: Ardman Animation for Sony Pictures Animation)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part
(Photo: Andrew Cooper/Summit Entertainment)
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - December 25 (Limited), January 20 (Wide)
Based on Jonathan Safran Foer’s bestselling 2005 novel, the film tells the story of one young boy’s journey from heartbreaking loss to the healing power of self-discovery, set against the backdrop of the tragic events of September 11. Directed by Stephen Daldry, the drama stars Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, and newcomer Thomas Horn. (Photo: Francois Duhamel/Warner Bros. Pictures)
Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - December 21
Director David Fincher delivers his much buzzed-about adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s bestseller. In this remake, Daniel Craig plays the journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who is aided by the troubled young hacker Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) in his search for a woman who has been missing for 40 years. (Photo: Baldur Bragason/Columbia Pictures)
Happy Feet Two - November 18
The sequel to the Academy Award-winning animated film, Happy Feet Two reunites audiences with the lovable tap-dancing penguin, Mumble (Elijah Wood), who tries to teach his choreo-phobic son, Erik, to dance. Robin Williams, Sofia Vergara, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt also star in the 3D-riffic adventure. (Photo: Warner Bros Pictures)
Iron Lady - December 16 (Limited)
Meryl Streep stars as Margaret Thatcher in this biopic of the former British prime minister. Not surprisingly, the film is already garnering Oscar buzz for 16-time Academy Award nominee Streep. “Iron Lady” also stars Jim Broadbent and Richard E. Grant. (Photo: Alex Bailey/Pathe Productions Ltd./The Weinstein Co.)
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - December 21
In this action sequel, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his rogue team go undercover to clear their organization’s name when it is implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Directed by Brad Bird, the film also stars Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Paula Patton. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)
The Muppets - November 23
In this star-studded (and we’re not just talking about Miss Piggy and Kermit) epic adventure, three fans help reunite The Muppets so they can save their old theater from a greedy oil tycoon. Jason Segel, Amy Adams star and Chris Cooper star, with appearances from Zach Galifianakis, Mila Kunis, Rashida Jones, and Selena Gomez. (Photo: Walt Disney Pictures)
New Year’s Eve - December 9
The lives of several couples and singles in New York intertwine over the course of New Year's Eve. Features an all-star cast that includes Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Jessica Biel, Sarah Jessica Parker, Josh Duhamel, Katherine Heigl, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Halle Berry, and more. (Photo: Andrew Schwartz/Warner Bros. Pictures)
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - December 16
The world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.), reunite with his sidekick Dr. Watson (Jude Law) to face off against their most cunning adversary Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). Guy Ritchie directs this action-packed adventure, also starring Noomi Rapace and Stephen Fry. (Photo: Daniel Smith/Warner Bros. Pictures)
The Darkest Hour - December 23
In this action-packed thriller, a group of young people led by Emile Hirsch find themselves stranded in Russia, struggling to survive a devastating alien invasion attack. The 3D effects and Moscow setting get the spotlight in this film, which also stars Olivia Thirlby and Max Minghella. (Photo: Summit Entertainment)
War Horse - December 28
Steven Spielberg’s epic adventure is a tale of loyalty and hope set in rural England and Europe during the First World War. It tells the story of a friendship between a young man named Albert and the horse Joey, who moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets. (Photo: DreamWorks)
We Bought a Zoo - December 23
The new comedy-drama from director Cameron Crowe is based on a memoir by Benjamin Mee, who used his family’s life savings to buy Dartmoor Zoological Park, a dilapidated zoo, replete with 200 exotic animals facing destruction, in the English countryside. The film stars Matt Damon (who plays Mee), Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church and Elle Fanning. (Photo: 20th Century Fox)
