Top 10 must-see movies releasing in early 2017

Collateral Beauty is a sci-fi, psychological, and romantic drama about Howard, a brilliant and optimistic man who becomes withdrawn after losing his beloved daughter. Struggling with grief, he loses faith in life. Howard starts writing letters as a way to cope. His friend, played by Kate Winslet, seeks out three mysterious beings representing Love, Time, and Death in an attempt to heal his wounds. Directed by David Frankel, the film stars Will Smith, Helen Mirren, and Kate Winslet, and is set for release on January 6, 2017.

Why Him? is a comedy film that centers on Ned, a conservative man who deeply loves his family. During a visit to his daughter’s college over the holidays, he meets her boyfriend, Laird, who is nothing like him. Laird is free-spirited, lives without any rules, and his behavior irks Ned. This leads to constant family arguments. However, Ned is shocked to discover that Laird is actually a very wealthy and famous billionaire. Directed by John Hamburg, the film stars Bryan Cranston, Adam DeVine, and James Franco. It is scheduled for release on January 13, 2017.

Live By Night is an action-packed film inspired by the 2012 novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. The story follows Joe Coughlin, the son of a Boston police captain. Joe moves to Ybor City, Tampa, Florida, where he becomes a bootlegger, entering the criminal underworld. This forces him into a direct conflict with his beloved father. Directed and co-produced by Ben Affleck, the film features an impressive cast including Affleck, Brendan Gleeson, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper, Chris Messina, Sienna Miller, and Elle Fanning. The film is set to be released on January 20, 2016.

Split is a psychological thriller with a chilling twist. It tells the story of Kevin, a man who has 23 different personalities residing within him, one of which is a violent, devilish persona determined to control the others. This dangerous personality kidnaps three young women, and Kevin must face a battle between his 23 identities, reflecting the complex nature of human personality. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, with Jason Blum producing, the film stars James McAvoy in a standout role. The movie is scheduled for release on January 20, 2016.

The Return of Xander Cage is an action-packed film about Xander Cage, a former government athlete who is forced out of his exile after being presumed dead. He is then recruited for a mission involving an impossible-to-stop weapon, Pandora's Box, and ends up in a deadly race against Xiang, a fierce warrior, and his team. Along the way, Xander uncovers a conspiracy involving the world's highest government officials. Directed by D.J. Caruso, the film features a star-studded cast, including martial arts icons Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa, as well as other major international stars. This blockbuster is expected to be one of the most exciting films in recent years, with its release slated for January 27, 2016.

The Final Chapter is an action-packed sci-fi thriller with elements of horror, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. It marks the final installment in the Resident Evil series. The plot centers around the human race facing an existential threat as the undead hordes advance. Alice, betrayed and alone, must return to Raccoon City, the site of her worst nightmares, where the evil Umbrella Corporation is preparing to launch a final assault. In this battle, Alice teams up with her old allies, racing against time to destroy the undead and monstrous mutations. The film stars Milla Jovovich, Shawn Roberts, and other international stars. It's set to release on January 27, 2017.

The film Railroad Tigers is an action-packed historical film set during World War II. The story follows a group of resistance fighters disguised as railroad workers who must battle the invading Japanese forces. Among them is Ma Yuan (played by Jackie Chan), the leader of the group and a key strategist in their operations. He leads his team in a daring effort to trap and defeat the fascist forces. Directed by Ding Sheng, the film features a star-studded cast including Jackie Chan, Wang Dalu, Huang Zitao, and Wang Kai. The film is set to be released on December 30, 2016, making it a must-watch during the New Year's holiday season.

My Annoying Brother is a heartfelt and humorous film about two siblings. One is a rising star on the national judo team, but after a devastating injury during an international match, he loses his sight permanently. The other is an older brother, a convicted conman who manipulates his brother's misfortune to secure a temporary release from prison. Having grown up independent after the tragic death of their parents, the younger brother is less than thrilled about his estranged brother's return. What follows is a mix of humorous conflict and tender moments as the two brothers, initially full of animosity, begin to help each other out in difficult situations. Directed by Kwon Soo-Kyung, the film stars Park Shin Hye, Do Kyung-soo, and Jo Jung-seok. It is scheduled for release on January 6, 2017.

The Grudge is a psychological horror film that follows a group of four friends—Luan, An, Huy, and Nhi—who travel to Da Lat for a work trip. To save money, they decide to stay at Luan's family villa. However, strange and eerie events start to unfold, as if an invisible force is controlling their peaceful getaway. Luan's mother also begins to experience increasing distress. As they try to uncover the truth behind these unsettling occurrences, they must confront a dark and buried past filled with crimes. The film features well-known actors such as Vân Trang, Tim, Bella Mai, Bạch Công Khanh, and Huỳnh Kiến An, and is directed by Huỳnh Đông. The film is scheduled for release on January 6, 2017.