- There are more than 10 limited and wide releases coming to theaters Christmas week.
- INSIDER rounded up the big releases you should see and skip.
- If you're looking to skip the blockbusters, maybe see "Post,""Molly's Game,""Phantom Thread," and "Lady Bird."
- The "Jumanji" reboot/sequel also isn't a bad family choice.
- Skip "The Greatest Showman" and potentially "Pitch Perfect 3." The third time isn't always a charm.
While many are at home unwrapping presents, Christmas Day is a popular day to head out to the movies with family and friends.
This year, there are well over 10 movies opening between Friday and Christmas and a bunch of other wide releases that have opened in the past week.
For those heading out to theaters on Christmas, we've rounded up the wider releases that are worth checking out and have also included what you should skip.
1. See if you like The Rock: "Jumanji"
Release date: 12/20
What it's about: The reboot sequel stars The Rock, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan as video-game-avatar versions of high school teenagers who get sucked into the Jumanji game.
Why you should see it: You're probably ready to roll your eyes. This can't be good, right? Wrong! My colleague Kim Renfro was surprised this movie wasn't terrible. In her review, she noted The Rock, Hart, and Black look like they're all having the time of their lives in this movie. If you love Jonas, he surprisingly has more than just a cameo. His addition is extremely welcome.
You can read her review here.
What you should be aware of: The Bechdel test is barely passed and there are a lot of jokes centered around male genitalia.
2. Skip: "The Greatest Showman"
Release date: 12/22
What it's about: It's a musical about P.T. Barnum's road to creating the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Why you should pass: The movie is all glitz and glam and reviews say it whitewashes uglier parts of Barnum's life. If you're heading in with expectations of a biopic, look elsewhere.
The only reason to see it: If you love Hugh Jackman and don't mind that the movie is a hollow mindless shell of circus life, it may make for an easy escape.
You can read what critics are saying about the movie here.
3. Skip: "Father Figures"
Release date: 12/22
What it's about: Owen Wilson and Ed Helms play fraternal twins who thought their dad died when they were young. They're surprised to find out that wasn't the case and go on a road trip to find their real dad.
Why you should pass: Early reviews are calling the comedy "unfunny" with a lazy story. Your time can be better spent elsewhere.
4. Maybe wait for it to stream: "Downsizing"
Release date: 12/22
What it's about: After scientists figure out how to shrink humans to combat overpopulation, Paul (Matt Damon) and his wife Audrey (Kristen Wigg) decide to "downsize" and join one of the new small communities.
Why to see it: The National Board of Review named it one of the 10 best movies of the year. Hong Chau received a best supporting actress nod at the Golden Globes.
Why to pass: Despite the talents of Damon, Wigg, and Christoph Waltz, reviews are extremely mixed. Critics praise director Alexander Payne for his dystopian comedy, but many feel it gets lost in dense concepts that frustratingly don't deliver.
5. Go in with low expectations: "Pitch Perfect 3"
Release date: 12/22
What it's about: After graduating college and having a difficult time finding success musically in the real world, the Bellas get back together for a USO tour overseas one last time.
Why to pass: We were really excited for the return of the Bellas, but the first reviews coming in for the Christmas are wildly mixed. If you liked the previous two installments, you'll probably enjoy this one, but this one feels lazily slapped together with some bizarre and over-the-top moments, one of which is provided by a sub-plot involving Fat Amy's (Rebel Wilson) father.
Why to tune in anyway: It's the Bellas and who cares? The movie reunites all of the main stars of the first two movies and that may be all you wanted this holiday season.
6. See it: "The Post"
Release date: 12/22
What it's about: The movie follows how "The Washington Post"— hence the movie's title — covered the Pentagon Papers.
Why to see it: If you love Steven Spielberg, this is the director's latest movie and it's a testament to how great he is at what he does. The movie, announced in March, was finished in November. Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks give some of their best performances. As my colleague Jacob Shamsian noted in his review, it's "a timely movie about the past."
Read our review here.
7. Skip: "Bright" (Netflix)
Release date: 12/22
What it's about: Will Smith is a cop who teams up with another cop who happens to be an orc (Joel Edgerton). Still with us? The two have to protect a "thought-to-be-forgotten relic" which could destroy the world if if falls into the wrong hands.
Why you should avoid it: Reviews are calling it the worst movie of the year. An interesting setup for racial metaphors gets bogged down by silly jokes. Indiewire suggests it's "essentially 'Training Day' meets 'The Lord of the Rings,' but much dumber than that sounds."
The only reason to tune in: If you have Netflix, you don't have to head to a theater to see it. It will be on the streaming service.
8. See it: "Molly's Game"
Release date: 12/25
What it's about: Based on the memoir by Molly Bloom, the movie follows the former waitress' underground poker empire for the Russian mob, the Hollywood elite, athletes, and more.
Why to see it: Not only does the film have a stellar cast in Jessica Chastain, Kevin Costner, Idris Elba, and Michael Cera, but it's a fun and compelling movie with a great script. Plus, it's from director Aaron Sorkin ("The Social Network,""The Newsroom").
You can read our review here.
9. See it: "All the Money in the World"
Release date: 12/25
What it's about: The crime thriller follows the kidnapping of J. Paul Getty's grandson in the 1970s and Getty's refusal to agree with ransom demands.
You may have heard a little something about this movie. After allegations of sexual assault, Kevin Spacey was quickly replaced as one of the film's leads with Christopher Plummer, director Ridley Scott's original choice for the role.
Why to see it: Despite the controversy, critics are hailing Plummer's fast turnaround as the oil tycoon. Most critics are surprised the film was able to come together when scenes were shot a month ahead of its release.
10. See it for Daniel Day-Lewis: "Phantom Thread"
Release date: 12/25
What it's about: The Paul Thomas Anderson movie follows dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) in 1950s London as he and his sister dress movie stars, socialites, and even the royal family. It comes to a slight halt when Woodcock finds himself fixated with a young woman.
Why to see it: Daniel Day-Lewis, 60, has said this will be his final movie before retiring from acting. From what critics are saying, he's going out on top. Reviews say it could lead to the Oscar-winner's fourth Academy Award.
Also tune in for a stand-out performance from Vicky Krieps.
You can read Business Insider's review here.
Other movies that are out and worth your time
11. "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
What it's about: "The Last Jedi" continues Rey's journey of self-discovery and Kylo Ren's descent on a dark path while reintroducing Luke Skywalker into the franchise.
Why to see it: If you saw 2015's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," you probably want to know how the story continues. It's also one of the best-reviewed "Star Wars" movies. Even if you don't love it, it's bound to come up as part of the conversation around the holidays with family.
12. "Lady Bird"
What it's about: Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson tries to navigate high school, a nagging mother, new friends, and applying to colleges while attending Catholic high school in Sacramento, California.
Why to see it: It's the best-reviewed movie ever on Rotten Tomatoes and it's not difficult to see why. The movie delivers an honest depiction of life as a high school senior and Saorirse Ronan is perfect as the film's leading lady. We'd be surprised if Ronan or Laurie Metcalf, who plays her mother, don't get Oscar nominations.
You can read Business Insider's review here.
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