From Squid Game season 2, Gladiator II, the MMFF 2024 movies, and more, you’ll have much to watch during your Christmas break with these new movies and shows.
Related: The New Movies And Shows Of November 2024 That Have Us Hyped
We’re down to the last month of 2024, and while most of us expect December to be filled with Christmas music and movies, that doesn’t mean the content pipeline is drying up. While the holiday flicks will always be there, the new films and shows this December are some of the biggest and most anticipated coming out this year. Let’s just say your watchlist won’t be empty over the Christmas break. Check out some of December’s new movies and shows that should be on your radar.
LOLA AMOUR THE ALBUM CONCERT MOVIE
It’s not every day we get concert movies from local artists, so Lola Amour’s concert movie has our attention. The film version of Lola Amour: The Album Concert, which was held last April at Circuit Makati, lets you relive the major moment from the OPM band earlier this year. Directed by Jed Regala of First Light Studios, the concert film captures the band’s electrifying performance and includes exclusive behind-the-scenes moments. From intimate interviews with fans and musical directors leading up to the big event to candid rehearsal footage, the film offers an unparalleled look into the journey that brought this spectacular show to life. You can watch it now on Lola Amour’s YouTube channel.
STAR WARS SKELETON CREW
There’s a new Star Wars show, but this one is catered to a younger audience. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, and then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Finding their way home becomes a greater adventure than they ever imagined, as they encounter unlikely allies and enemies along the way — including a mysterious character named Jod. You can stream the show now on Disney+.
LIGHTSHOP KEEPER
A new gripping mystery thriller K-drama over the holidays? And it isn’t Squid Game. This series about destiny and second chances follows six strangers as they awaken in a mysterious world between life and death, with only one hope of escape: finding a fabled lightshop keeper who holds the key to their return. But their journey is far from simple as they unravel hidden truths, confront their darkest secrets, and grapple with how far they’re willing to go to reclaim their lives. This is a powerful tale of courage, redemption, and the pursuit of fulfilling their ultimate destiny. It makes its debut on Disney+ on December 4.
GLADIATOR II
This sequel continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus, Lucius (Paul Mescal), who is living in hiding in Africa with his wife, is forced to enter the Colosseum after his wife is killed and his home is conquered by the tyrannical ginger Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people. See the movie in all its glory in cinemas nationwide this December 4.
HERETIC
Another month, another A24 horror movie. This time, it’s about two Mormon missionaries whose faith is tested when they enter the home of a mysterious man with even more mysterious intentions as he forces them to escape his dark traps for their freedom. It plays in local cinemas this December 4.
CREATURE COMMANDOS
Much has been said about the new DC Universe led by James Gunn. And while most are waiting for the new Superman movie next year, the first taste of the new universe is dropping this month. Creature Commandos is an animated series that follows real monsters in prison who are forced to form a black ops team to take on missions too dangerous for humans. Think Suicide Squad, but with monsters. The series streams exclusively on Max this December 5.
RIGHT PEOPLE, WRONG PLACE
When RM speaks, we listen. So you know his documentary is on our radar. The movie chronicles the eight months in the lead-up to RM’s enlistment, including the creation of his second solo studio album of the same name, and promises to be an insightful look into the mind of the multi-talented K-pop idol. This entry to the 29th Busan International Film Festival will have a limited run in Philippine cinemas from December 5-8.
LAUFEY: A NIGHT AT THE SYMPHONY: HOLLYWOOD BOWL
It’s time for a night at the cinema with Laufey. This concert movie was filmed at the famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and sees the musician take the audience on a spell-binding sonic journey under the stars, performing alongside the legendary Los Angeles Philharmonic. The film gives a behind-the-scenes look at the monumental show, not to mention an excuse to watch a Lafuey concert on the big screen. You can catch this in local cinemas on December 6.
A NONSENSE CHRISTMAS WITH SABRINA CARPENTER
Sabrina Carpenter is lowkey securing that bag for years to come with this Christmas special. Capping off her momentous year, Sabrina jingles all the bells in her first-ever variety music special full of Christmas hits, show-stopping music performances, unexpected duets, and many more surprises and fun comedic cameos. It streams on Netflix starting December 6.
SECRET LEVEL
While Sonic The Hedgehog 3 will sadly premiere in the Philippines in January, we at least have this to satisfy that gaming adaptation itch. This show is as if an entire season of Love, Death & Robots was based on video games, except it takes place in actual game IPs. Each episode of this 15-episode series is set in an existing game world and tells its own story within each game. Oh, and all are CG-animated by Blur Studio (if you know them, you know you’re in for a good time). The show streams on Prime Video on December 10.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM
An animated The Lord of the Rings movie? We’re seated. Set 183 years before the events of the original movie trilogy, this film tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg – a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep.
Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction. Return to Middle-earth when the movie screens in local cinemas this December 11.
KRAVEN THE HUNTER
The last comic book movie adaptation of 2024 is the visceral, action-packed origin story of how and why Kraven the Hunter, one of Marvel’s most iconic villains, came to be. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Kraven, a man whose complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff (Russell Crowe), starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world but also one of its most feared. Here’s hoping the movie doesn’t suffer the same fate as other comic book movies from the past year (IYKYK). You can catch it in cinemas this December 11.
DREAM PRODUCTIONS
One more dose of the Inside Out universe before the end of the year. Set between Inside Out and Inside Out 2, Dream Productions is a spin-off series that bridges the two movies. As Riley matures, her Core Emotions send memories to the studio, where a creative team led by the visionary director Paula Persimmon brings them to life. The series highlights the power of imagination and the role it plays in shaping one’s journey, showing how dreams and creativity intertwine to guide Riley in her path, even as she navigates the challenges of growing up. It premieres on Disney+ this December 11.
CARRY-ON
An airport security checkpoint becomes the setting for this action thriller starring Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman. It centers on an airport security agent who races to outsmart a mysterious traveler who blackmails him into letting a dangerous item slip onto a Christmas Eve flight. You can stream this on Netflix beginning December 13.
MUFASA: THE LION KING
Kraven isn’t the only one getting an origin story this December. Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Mufasa: The Lion King marks the last major foreign movie to screen in the PH this 2024 when it lands in local cinemas on December 18.
MMFF 2024
Just as it has been for years, this December sees the return of the Metro Manila Film Festival with ten local movies taking over cinemas beginning Christmas Day and until the next two weeks. There are a lot of options out there catering to different tastes and genres, so go give one, or a few, of the movies a watch over your holiday break.
NEW SEASONS
December goes out with a bang (and it’s not just the fireworks) with a couple of highly-anticipated new seasons dropping this month. What If…? Season 3 (December 22), Squid Game Season 2 (December 26).
Continue Reading: The New Movies And Shows Coming This September 2024
