The last month of the year brings presents, family, and joy. This month in the cinematic world, drama is swooping into the theatres; see evil Christmas spirits, giant whales, Jedi battles, and banking.

Krampus – December 4

When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max (Emjay Anthony) is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know, this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers. All hell breaks loose as beloved holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own, laying siege to the fractured family’s home and forcing them to fight for each other if they hope to survive.

In the Heart of the Sea – December 11

In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size with a human sense of vengeance. This real-life maritime disaster would inspire Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, but that told only half the story. “In the Heart of the Sea” reveals the encounter’s harrowing aftermath, as the ship’s surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive. Braving storms, starvation, panic and despair, the men will call into question their deepest beliefs, from the value of their lives to the morality of their trade. As their captain searches for direction on the open sea, his first mate still seeks to bring the great whale down.

Star Wars: the Force Awakens – December 18

Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers. Harrison Ford returns as Han Solo in the seventh movie installment. Luke Skywalker, Leia Solo, Chewbacca, and C-3PO all join together for “The Force Awakens.”

The Big Short – December 23

When four outsiders saw what the big banks, media and government refused to see, the global collapse of the economy, they had an idea: The Big Short. Their bold investment leads them into the dark underbelly of modern banking where they must question everyone and everything.

Joy – December 25

Joy is the wild story of a family across four generations centered on the girl who becomes the woman who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, pave the road in this intense emotional and human comedy about becoming a true boss of family, and enterprise facing a world of unforgiving commerce. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy’s inner life and fierce imagination carry her through the storm she faces.

Also This Month

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler star in a comedy about two disconnected sisters who are called to clean out their childhood bedroom when their parents decide to sell the house. As a last hurrah, they decide to throw a party. “Sisters” will be a funny movie to watch with friends, but is not kid friendly. Check it out, December 18!

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip                     December 23

Daddy’s Home                                                                           December 23

Point Break                                                                                December 23

Concussion                                                                                December 23