Buzz
1. Widows
December marks the beginning of the Oscar season, and Widows is one of the most talked-about films in the race for awards. Written by the talented Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl) and directed by Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave), Widows tells the gripping story of four women whose husbands were part of a criminal gang. After their husbands are killed in a police raid, the widows are left with massive debts and the harsh reality of losing their family’s breadwinner. Struggling with grief, societal judgment, and overwhelming challenges, the women decide to take matters into their own hands. With a star-studded cast including Liam Neeson, Viola Davis, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez, and Daniel Kaluuya, the film is receiving rave reviews with an 84 score on Metacritic and 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it a strong contender for this year's Oscars.
Details:
- English Title: Widows
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Director: Steve McQueen
- Stars: Liam Neeson, Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez
- Release Date: December 7, 2018
2. Mortal Engines
Mortal Engines is an adaptation of the popular fantasy novel by Philip Reeve. Written in 1980, the story is set in a post-apocalyptic London, where the world has been reduced to ashes, resources are depleted, and powerful factions control giant moving cities. These massive machines, called traction cities, are built on top of gigantic wheels and carry entire populations, giving the film a distinctive steampunk aesthetic. Mortal Engines is the first live-action film adaptation of the famous novel, following two characters with opposing personalities, caught in a whirlwind of survival, hatred, and power struggles.
Details:
- English Title: Mortal Engines
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Action
- Director: Christian Rivers
- Stars: Hugo Weaving, Hera Hilmar, Jihae
- Release Date: December 7, 2018
3. Searching
Searching follows the journey of a father desperately searching for his missing daughter. In his quest to find her, he uncovers clues from her messages, chats, and social media profiles. However, the truth may be more shocking than he ever imagined. Despite its modest budget and limited promotion, Searching stands out in the Top 10 Films of December 2018 with its gripping storyline, receiving positive reviews from critics, boasting a 7.8 rating on IMDb and 71 points on Meta Critics.
Details:
- English Title: Searching
- Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
- Director: Aneesh Chaganty
- Stars: John Cho, Debra Messing, Joseph Lee
- Release Date: November 30, 2018
4. Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
If you’re a fan of Disney’s The Jungle Book or the famous novel, then you’ll be excited to know that Warner Bros. and Netflix have their own darker, more intense live-action version: Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. The film tells the story of Mowgli, a young boy raised by wild animals, caught in the struggles of the jungle between the creatures and humans. With a star-studded voice cast including Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, and Andy Serkis, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle was released on December 7, 2018, and was also available for streaming on Netflix simultaneously, as it is a Netflix-produced film.
Details:
- English Title: Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
- Genres: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
- Director: Andy Serkis
- Stars: Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett
- Release Date: December 7, 2018
5. Mary Poppins Returns
After 54 years since the release of Disney's classic Mary Poppins, which introduced the studio’s signature musical style, Mary Poppins Returns brings the beloved nanny back in a sequel. While many doubted it could live up to the original, especially since the story isn't based on P.L. Travers’ own writing, Disney's magic and the iconic character of Mary Poppins guarantee that this film will still be worth the wait.
Details:
- English Title: Mary Poppins Returns
- Genres: Musical, Family, Drama
- Director: Rob Marshall
- Stars: Emily Blunt, Dick Van Dyke, Meryl Streep
- Release Date: December 28, 2018
6. Nobody's Boy
Nobody's Boy is a classic novel written by the renowned French author Hector Malot. It is considered one of the greatest works in world literature. The story follows Remi, a young boy who has no family, as he travels with an old man who performs circus acts to survive. Together, they journey across France, facing numerous challenges and learning important life lessons. The novel has been adapted into several animated and live-action films, with the 2018 version continuing to explore this timeless story.
Details:
- English Title: Nobody's Boy
- Genres: Family, Adventure, Drama
- Director: Antoine Blossier
- Stars: Daniel Auteuil, Maleaume Paquin, Virginie Ledoyen
- Release Date: December 14, 2018
7. The Possession of Hannah Grace
The Possession of Hannah Grace is a chilling horror film about a troubled doctor battling psychological issues and heavily relying on sedatives. This constant state of being less than fully conscious blurs her sense of reality. One night, during her shift at the morgue, she is assigned the body of Hannah Grace, a young woman who died during a failed exorcism. Strange and terrifying events unfold, but the doctor is unsure if they are supernatural or just figments of her unstable mind.
Details:
- English Title: The Possession of Hannah Grace
- Genres: Horror, Thriller, Suspense
- Director: Diederik Van Rooijen
- Stars: Shay Mitchell, Grey Damon, Kirby Johnson
- Release Date: December 21, 2018
9. Bumblebee
Bumblebee is a spin-off from the hit Transformers franchise. This film follows the adventures of Bumblebee, the iconic Autobot who can transform into a Chevrolet sports car. In the previous five Transformers films, Bumblebee played a supporting role alongside Optimus Prime in the Autobot army. However, thanks to his endearing personality and charm, he now stars in his very own movie. Directed by Travis Knight, with Michael Bay still on as producer, Bumblebee promises to deliver classic transformation scenes and explosive action sequences that fans of Hollywood blockbusters will love.
Details:
- English Title: Bumblebee
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Action
- Director: Travis Knight
- Stars: Hailee Steinfeld, Justin Theroux, Angela Bassett
- Release Date: December 21, 2018
10. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an animated film based on Marvel's iconic superhero, Spider-Man, produced by Sony. After the Spider-Man rights were handed over to Marvel Studios, Sony lost the ability to control the live-action films, which is why Spider-Man didn't appear in the Venom movie. However, Sony didn't give up on the Spider-Man franchise, and as a result, they launched an animated Spider-Verse universe, with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse serving as the first movie in the series.
Details:
- English Title: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- Genres: Animation, Superhero, Action
- Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey
- Stars: Hailee Steinfeld, Nicolas Cage, Mahershala Ali
- Release Date: December 14, 2018
