7 massive Christmas movie releases that need to be on your radar

Amazingly, we're at the end of November already, and with the end of 2018 looming, we're thinking ahead to this year's Christmas releases. And it's poised to be a bonanza season in Cineworld this December.

From Mary Poppins Returns to Aquaman and beyond, here's a round-up of the blockbusters headed your way.

1. The Old Man & the Gun

Released 7th December

Cinema icon Robert Redford bows out in style with what is reportedly his final role. The man responsible for classics such as Butch Cassidy and The Sting charms and twinkles his way through The Old Man & the Gun, the heart-warming story of a gentleman bank robber in the twilight years of his life. Co-starring Sissy Spacek, Casey Affleck and Tom Waits, this is poised to be a magnificently entertaining summation of one of the greatest Hollywood careers of all time.


2. Aquaman

Released 12th December

DC superhero Aquaman gets his long-awaited solo movie with Jason Momoa again in the lead role (following last year's Justice League). The Conjuring and Fast & Furious 7 director James Wan promises a blend of grandiose comic book mythology, tongue in cheek humour and visually arresting underwater action, as the future of underwater kingdom Atlantis comes under threat. Co-starring Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman and Dolph Lundgren, this could be the movie that proves what the DC Extended Universe is capable of.


3. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Released 12th December

If you thought you knew Spider-Man, think again. This vibrant animated adaptation takes as its basis the Spider-Man 'multi-verse', in which a group of character alternates come together to save the day. Centrally focused around Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), we're also introduced to significant faces including Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and Spider-Man Noir (Nicolas Cage). This promises to be a funny, exciting and ever-so-slightly surreal expansion of Sony's Spider-Man franchise.


4. Mortal Engines

Released 14th December

Peter Jackson produces this epic post-apocalyptic adventure, a steampunk romp in which major cities such as London patrol the devastated landscape on elevated platforms devouring smaller towns. Adapted from the first in Philip Reeve's popular book series, Mortal Engines is the directorial debut of visual effects artist Christian Rivers and, going by the trailer, the movie has visual majesty to spare.


5. Mary Poppins Returns

Released 21st December

It's time to go fly a kite, again, when cinema's favourite nanny glides back onto screens with her trusty umbrella. Emily Blunt takes over from Julie Andrews as the enchanting Mary Poppins, whose mission this time is to redeem the bereaved grown-up Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw). Promising a blend of nostalgia (the animated penguins are back) and a roster of rousing new tunes (watch out for Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'Trip a Little Light Fantastic'), this could be the family hit of the festive season.


6. Bumblebee

Released 26th December

Michael Bay's Transformers movies were loud and somewhat aggressive, but we're getting a change of pace in this origin story from Kubo and the Two Strings filmmaker Travis Knight. The celebrated animation veteran makes his live-action debut in this story of how Bumblebee developed his endearing personality, set in the 1980s and with starry support from Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena.


7. Holmes & Watson

Released 26th December

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly haven't paired up since 2008's hilarious Step Brothers – so their new movie Holmes & Watson is surely cause for celebration. The bantering duo play legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and loyal sidekick John Watson in this irreverent take on Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, with direction from Tropic Thunder co-writer Etan Cohen.

Which of these movies are you most excited about seeing? Are you in fact (whisper it) planning to watch all of them? Let us know @Cineworld.

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