As if the holiday season wasn’t already overwhelming enough, it’s also one of the biggest times of the year for new movies and TV shows to drop. I’ve always associated Christmas time with going to the movies with family and friends – and most of the time, we’re not seeing holiday films. Instead, it’s blockbusters and franchise giants like Avatar, Star Wars, Jumanji, or Night at the Museum. So, in the spirit of film and television, this felt like the perfect moment to unpack why so many releases cluster around the holidays and take a look at what’s coming out this season.
The obvious explanation is that work slows down for most people during the holidays, and media becomes one of the easiest, most accessible activities. With many stores and restaurants closed for the holidays, going to the movies or binge-watching shows becomes the go-to plan. So, of course, studios want to capitalize on this extra free time and release their biggest titles when they’re most likely to get attention.
But why aren’t these holiday movies? Well, festive media is all about building anticipation. Once Christmas morning arrives and the presents are opened, that excitement drops off. Audiences are ready for the next thing, and that usually means heading out to see the newest blockbuster. It may sound a little cynical, but it reflects just how fast-paced our culture is. It’s also smart marketing: releasing major titles around Christmas boosts merchandise sales, since audiences often want souvenirs, toys, or collectibles right after seeing something new and exciting. Who wouldn’t want extra Wicked merch after seeing it at the theater?
Some big releases are already available – Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2, and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t are among the most notable movies. On the TV side, viewers finally got the first volume of the long-awaited Stranger Things Season 5. Interestingly, these are all sequels, relying on beloved franchises to draw in massive holiday audiences.
And now, here’s a quick rundown of what’s coming up next:
December 9: Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
December 10: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Season 2
December 12: Wake Up a Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
December 18: Emily in Paris, Season 5
December 19: Avatar: Fire and Ash
December 19: The Housemaid
December 25: Marty Supreme
December 25: Stranger Things, Season 5 (Volume 2)
December 31: Stranger Things, Season 5 (Series Finale)
January 9: The People We Meet on Vacation
Enjoy the holidays, and happy bingeing with family and friends!