Top 13 Must-See Movies in Theaters This December 2022

Late Shift follows Matt, a brilliant student with a love for math, probability, and gaming, who works part-time at an upscale parking garage. One evening, his routine shift takes a sudden turn when he is held at gunpoint by a thief and forced to drive him through the city in a daring escape. This high-stakes journey unfolds through the night as Matt tries to survive a relentless chase.

This film is the world's first interactive cinema experience, allowing audiences to decide the next steps and outcomes for the characters. With the ability to step into Matt’s shoes, you must make critical choices: Will you betray your team or follow the criminal’s plan? Should you escape or surrender to the police? With up to 180 different choices leading to 7 possible endings, it adds an extra layer of suspense to the viewing experience. Will you be lucky enough to witness the 'true ending'?

Release Date: December 2, 2022

Duration: 90 minutes

Cast: Joe Sowerbutts, Haruka Abe, Richard Durden, Joel Basman, Lily Travers

Director: Tobias Weber

Producers: Baptiste Planche, Kurban Kassam

Across Japan, a series of mysterious deaths begin to unfold, all linked to a viral video circulating on the internet. Ayaka Ichijo, a brilliant Japanese student with an IQ of 200, doesn't believe in superstitions until her younger sister accidentally watches the cursed tape. Now, Ayaka must race against time to uncover the truth behind the cursed video and break its deadly cycle.

In just 24 hours, Ayaka must solve the riddle. What is the true origin of the Sadako virus? And if millions of people fall victim to the video, could humanity face extinction? Is there a force at play beyond the reach of science and logic?

Starring Fuka Koshiba, Naomi Nishida, Yuki Yagi, Kazuma Kawamura, and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Sadako DX: The Curse Unleashed promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats with its chilling, suspense-filled storyline. The film officially premieres on December 2, 2022.

Release Date: December 2, 2022

Duration: 100 minutes

Age Rating: NC16

Cast: Fuka Koshiba, Naomi Nishida, Yuki Yagi, Kazuma Kawamura, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi

Director: Hisashi Kimura

Come Back Home tells the story of Ki-Se, a young man born into a wealthy family, the son of a notorious crime lord in rural South Korea, but who dreams of becoming a comedy superstar. Rejecting his family’s criminal legacy, he sets off to pursue his passion for comedy. However, just as he is on the verge of stardom, his life takes an unexpected turn. When his father suddenly passes away, Ki-Se is forced to return home to take over the family business, inheriting both his father's empire and the criminal debts left behind.

With a perfect mix of humor and heart, Come Back Home is sure to deliver plenty of laughter and light-hearted moments for audiences. Directed by Lee Yeon Woo, the film stars Song Sae Byeok, Lee Beom Soo, and Ra Mi Ran. The film will be screening in Vietnam starting December 2, 2022.

Release Date: December 2, 2022

Duration: 119 minutes

Age Rating: NC16

Cast: Song Sae-Byeok, Ra Mi-Ran, Lee Beom-Soo, Lee Kyung-Young, Oh Dae-Hwan

Director: Lee Yeon-Woo

Silent Parade follows Yukawa Manabu (played by Masaharu Fukuyama), a brilliant physicist and 'Professor Galileo,' who aids the Japanese police in solving challenging criminal cases. The story revolves around the mysterious disappearance of Saori, a rising artist at the peak of her career. After a period of being missing, her mutilated body is discovered in her hometown of Kikuno. Despite strong suspicions, the suspect is released due to a lack of evidence, prompting Professor Galileo to step in and investigate.

The film exposes a flaw in the Japanese legal system, where suspects can invoke their right to silence to protect their human rights, allowing skilled criminals to exploit legal loopholes. This creates immense suffering for the victim’s family. Silent Parade presents a tense, intellectual battle between the detective-physicist and a cold-blooded killer.

Silent Parade is expected to captivate audiences, not only fans of Keigo Higashino’s novels but also a wider public, with its gripping mystery and thrilling detective work.

Release Date: December 9, 2022

Duration: 130 minutes

Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama, Ko Shibasaki, Kazuki Kitamura, Kippei Shiina, Rei Dan

Director: Hiroshi Nishitani

With a gripping plot centered on the fight against terrorism and a star-studded Korean cast, Decibel promises to be an unmissable blockbuster this year. The story follows Kang Do Young, a former naval admiral (played by Kim Rae Won), who finds himself caught in a series of devastating bombings. Racing against time, he must uncover the identity of the terrorist responsible while proving his own innocence.

Meanwhile, Tae Seong (played by Lee Jong Suk), a brilliant Navy lieutenant with expertise in explosives, is also a member of Mensa, a society for individuals with IQs higher than 98% of the population. Using his sharp mind to solve problems rather than brute force, Tae Seong becomes an invaluable ally in the investigation.

While the premise may not be entirely new, Decibel captivates with its thrilling chase sequences, explosive action, and the bold, unpredictable nature of the mysterious criminal. Featuring a powerhouse cast of leading men like Kim Rae Won and Lee Jong Suk, the film is set for a powerful return to the big screen.

Release Date: December 9, 2022

Duration: 110 minutes

Cast: Kim Rae-Won, Lee Jong-Suk, Jung Sang-hoon, Park Byung-eun, Lee Sang-hee

Director: Hwang In-Ho

Producers: Kim Yong-sun, Cho Yoon-mi

Jailangkung: The Haunted Doll follows the story of a small family on a road trip out of the city. Unbeknownst to them, disaster strikes when they take a detour to a nearby lake. As night falls, their young son, Kinan (Muzakki Ramdhan), mysteriously vanishes without a trace.

Despite the family's immediate call for rescue, their chances of finding Kinan alive are slim. Previous cases of missing children in the area have often ended in tragedy, with no clues left behind and the children later found deceased. The only clue they have is a mysterious Jailangkung doll, which leads the family into a series of terrifying and unexplainable events. What happened to Kinan, and can the family reunite with their lost son?

Release Date: December 9, 2022

Duration: 92 minutes

Cast: Syifa Hadju, Dwi Sasono, Titi Kamal, Giulio Parengkuan, Mike Lucock

Director: Kimo Stamboel

Producers: Wicky V. Olindo, Justin Kim

One of the biggest blockbusters of December is undoubtedly Avatar: The Way of Water, the long-awaited sequel to the global sensation, Avatar. After 13 years, the franchise returns with even more stunning visuals and an epic storyline.

This sequel promises an unparalleled cinematic experience with breathtaking visuals and an immersive sound design. The film, with a production budget of $350–400 million, continues the saga of Jake Sully and his family, now living on Pandora. This time, a new war erupts on the oceans of Pandora, as the humans return to invade the planet once again.

Producer Jon Landau has stated that the children of Avatar 2 represent a major shift from the original film. This youthful energy adds a fresh dynamic to the story, bringing new life to the characters and their journey.

Release Date: December 16, 2022

Cast: Kate Winslet, Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Oona Chaplin

Director: James Cameron

Producers: James Cameron, Jon Landau

After a delay of more than seven months, the highly anticipated action drama, Thanh Sói - A Wildflower in the Night, will finally hit theaters on December 30th. This marks the debut of the action drama genre in Vietnam, a rare combination of high-octane action and deep emotional storytelling. Directed by Ngo Thanh Van in collaboration with Aaron Toronto, with music by Nguyen Hoang Anh, the film is set to make waves in the local cinema scene.

The story is set in 1998 and follows the life of the notorious crime boss Thanh Sói (played by Dong Anh Quynh), also known as Bi. Growing up on the streets, she is taken in by a woman who raises her alongside Thanh (Toc Tien) and Hong (Rima Thanh Vy). Together, the trio carve out a name for themselves in the dangerous underworld.

In preparation for her role, Dong Anh Quynh fully immersed herself in the character, dedicating four months to mastering the unique Southern Vietnamese dialect from the 90s and over a year to intense action training under the guidance of a French action director.

Release Date: December 30, 2022
Age Rating: NC18

Cast: Rima Thanh Vy, Toc Tien, Thuan Nguyen, Song Luan, Dong Anh Quynh

Director: Ngo Thanh Van

This Christmas, audiences will be treated to a festive experience like no other with Violent Night, a thrilling and action-packed film from the creators of John Wick. Expect a mix of suspense, shocking action scenes, and dark humor as Santa Claus is reimagined as a brutal and no-nonsense figure, in stark contrast to his usual jolly persona.

The plot centers around a wealthy family who falls prey to a group of mercenaries trying to rob them on Christmas Eve. However, these criminals did not anticipate the violent intervention of Santa Claus, a warrior of legendary proportions, who is determined to save the family and their Christmas holiday. The mercenaries are confident they can quickly overpower Santa, but they soon learn the price for underestimating him is steep—and it’s not pretty.

Filled with Christmas spirit and black comedy, the film features sharp satirical humor, hilarious moments, and a festive atmosphere, making it a perfect holiday watch. Violent Night is set to hit theaters on December 2, 2022.

Release Date: December 2, 2022

Duration: 101 minutes

Cast: David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder

Director: Tommy Wirkola

Producers: David Leitch, Kelly McCormick, Guy Danella

The One Hundred follows a group of travelers who, during their Covid quarantine in a government hotel, make a chilling discovery: a giant centipede. This grotesque creature has the terrifying ability to change its form based on human traits and personalities, causing a disturbing exchange of bodies and souls. How will the group escape the relentless hunt of this bloodthirsty, 100-legged monster?

Inspired by the Battambang legend of the giant centipede passed down since the reign of King Rama, the film took Thailand by storm upon its release. Featuring Mike D Angelo, the heartthrob from 'The House of Happiness,' and Nink Chanya, the star of 'The Girl from Nowhere,' the film quickly became a sensation.

With its gripping storyline, stunning CGI, and stellar performances, this film redefines Thai cinema. If you're ready for a heart-racing escape from a monstrous creature, don't miss this blockbuster thrill ride.

Release Date: December 2, 2022

Duration: 85 minutes

Cast: Mike D Angelo, Chanya McClory, David Asavanond, Benjamin Joseph Varney, Paramej Noiam

Directors: Pakphum Wongjinda, Chalit Krileadmongkon

Producers: Punyanet Tanaprapass